Able to dispute value of vehicle?

[Critical Mass]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? PA

My car was plowed into while parked in front of my home. I was not there at the time. I came home to find my car on the sidewalk, and a note from the police on the front door of my home.

I called my insurance company even though I only had liability, and they told me it would take 2-3 weeks to get the accident report from the police unless I could get it sooner. The police wanted to charge me $25 for a copy. WHO IS THE VICTIM HERE??

Finally I found a cop who let me VIEW (not copy) the report. I was able to get the other driver's info, which I submitted to my insurance company. They contacted the other driver's insurance to file a claim, who then told me it would take 2-3 weeks to get the accident report *OR* wait for the other driver to provide details. Until then, they have no proof an accident even occurred. Of course, they can't get hold of him. I know he's not in the hospital, because he did not require medical attention.

Meanwhile, my car is not drivable, and since it's old, it's more than likely "totaled".

I'm broke from the holidays, I'm missing work, and I'm dealing with all this aggravation because this SCUMBAG refuses to cooperate with the insurance company. My biggest fear after all this is that they will simply try to hand me a check for $300 and tell me to have a nice day. $300 will not help me get a vehicle to get to and from work.

Am I going to have any rights whatsoever? Negotiate a deal? Make them pay to fix the car? Anything?? Or is my only recourse to smile, bend over, and take whatever they give me?

 

[ecmst12]

Pay the freakin $25 and have the insurance company add it to your claim.

 

[Critical Mass]

Well thank you, but while that may help speed up the claim, my main concern was that I want to know if I can do anything about the difference between what the book value of the vehicle is, as opposed to what the value is to ME. It's an '89, but I've taken very good care of it, and it only has 107K miles on it. It obviously would have lasted several more years, and I don't want to be stuck buying a cheap vehicle and the problems associated with it.

The way I see it, why should it matter if my vehicle is an '89 or an '09?? This idiot -- who might have been either drunk or on a cell, but was obviously driving at a high rate of speed to move my car 30' -- damaged not only my car, but my sense of security. Why should the insurance company benefit by paying me only a few hundred? They'll probably make that right back when they raise his premium next term!

My car almost took down a utility pole, and almost smashed into my neighbor's wall -- either one of which would have cost them a lot more. Why SHOULDN'T they pay to fix or replace it? I need to know if I have a leg to stand on.

 

[Zigner]

You are only entitled the the actual value of your car at the time of the accident.

 

[ecmst12]

Sentimental value is not compensable. However there is a minimum value for basic transportation - even if your car is worth next to nothing, you could drive it before and now you can't. The lowest my company will offer for a totalled car is $750.