Insurance companies! :( - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 04:08:59 am
content: Okay, so, here's the deal....I own a pretty nice car. it's a 2005 mazda 6 and only 54,000 miles on it, well taken care of.I pulled into McDonald's the other day, and there was a drain that dips pretty low into the ground and a pot hole just to the left of it. Well, I guess that the combination of the two twisted the engine just enough when the car hit both of them, and snapped my motor mounts ($900 to fix at dealer, where the car sits now). Well, the manager of McDonald's comes out and says he needs my information for an incident report for his paperwork that he needs to turn into corporate. I guess he took it serious when I told the girl at the drive thru that I think Something just broke on my car when I hit that pot hole back there. Then seeing me under the hood and looking around my car outside in the parking lot.Well, a tow truck came to tow the car to the dealer, as the engine shifted forward into the radiator and sits on the axle and cv joint.So, I call my insurance company to find out what my options are, as thi guy took down my info. My agent (progressive) told me that McDonald's was just filing a standard incedent report and that they won't pay the claim on this, as it is considered an 'At Fault Accident' because I hit the pot hole I could have avoided. Ya, right, it's in their drive through lane.Anyway, I got a call back from my insurance company today. Because I reported it to mine, and McDonald's is going to report it as an incident that happened on their property, it is going to go on my driving record as an 'At Fault' accident. That's 4 points on my pristine driving record of 14 years. Just for hitting a freaking pot hole.My agent then informs me that my rates will go up this February when it's up for renewal from $540 per 6 months to a little over $900 for 6 months. He also continued to say that my rates will drop back down to what they were in 3 years from now, IF i have no more accidents or incidences. This doesn't matter if I put a claim in to fix it or pay out of pocket, which I will need to do anyway, because I have a $1000 deductible. SO, its not going to matter if I switch insurance companies either, as the 4 points is on my state driving record now, and the insurance companies will see it when they pull my record.I can't believe this. Hitting that pothole is going to cost be $900 for repairs and an additional $1380 over the next 3 years. $2280 just for hitting a pot hole.I cant afford the insurance now, and have posted an ad to sell the car.Just needed to vent, and warn you guys that those pot holes....don't report if you hit one and break your car. It will cost you.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 04:12:14 am
content: Quote from: Falcon69 on January 17, 2014, 04:08:59 amSounds cheap, I once paid $700 for a 3 inch split coolant hose!

author: lilshawn
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 04:16:21 am
content: *raises hand*Over a thousand for a bad bearing on an A/C compressor.Part was probably 30 cents. Said it wasn't covered under warranty because it was a "value added option" WUT?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 04:18:06 am
content: Quote from: Falcon69 on January 17, 2014, 04:08:59 amYep, it's your fault I'm afraid, just like any other obstacle in the parking lot or elsewhere.QuoteThat's ridiculous!QuoteYep, cars aren't cheap any way you look at it.QuoteHere in oz at many insurance companies you can get "no claim bonus" for life. i.e. drive good for 5 years and get a no claim bonus forever.Here you wouldn't get booked for hitting a pot hole.

author: Falcon69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 04:26:00 am
content: ya, but you would also think that McDonald's would also have a responsibility to maintain their property to be safe.Anyway, that's not why I'm upset, it's the 4 points and raising of insurance rates, even though there will be no claim filed. It's messed up. Every day, a new reason develops for why I hate America. It's messed up here. Wish I wasn't born here or that I could afford to leave and denounce my citizenship.I'd take living in a poor country over this one any day.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 04:29:12 am
content: When I bought my van (Mercedes Sprinter) second hand a couple of years ago, the insurance company were more than happy to cover it at the purchase price. 12 months later at renewal time, they dropped the amount they'd cover it for by about 20%!On the plus side, when someone damaged a side panel (repair cost $7000) and the other driver wanted to take it to court, they took care of everything, all I had to do was to tell my side of the story. No increase in premiums either as I get a lifetime no claim bonus, one of the few advantages of being old.

author: Rory
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 04:33:04 am
content: I suggest you find out if you can sue them for damages. If a woman can spill coffee on herself and sue for big $, you may be able to do the same. This is like a "wet floor slip" suit, wouldn't you think?If you are employed and your employer offers an Employee Assistance Benefit, you may be eligible for free legal consultation from a pool of lawyers contracted for this purpose.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 04:33:17 am
content: Quote from: Falcon69 on January 17, 2014, 04:26:00 amAre you by any chance from a southern state? Up here in NY, throughout most of the winter, most parking lots have potholes in which you could lose a small car...

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 04:56:48 am
content: Quote from: lilshawn on January 17, 2014, 04:16:21 amProbably some other fault in the system (e.g. an overcharge or not enough oil, maybe even a dirty condenser) that caused the compressor to fail. Compressors almost never fail by themselves. If the compressor burned out, it could indeed cost a lot to clean up the system.My old car (2002 Taurus) had the compressor start failing a year or two ago. Not sure of the exact cause of failure, but the electronic module that controlled the HVAC had a few bad solder joints and I suspect it short cycled the compressor too much.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 08:05:54 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on January 17, 2014, 04:56:48 amThat or the compressor was in a bastard of a position and required a lot of dismantling to get to.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 08:14:58 am
content: QuoteYou're welcome in Slovakia, we need smart people coming in, not out like they are nowUnfortunately the (insurance amongst other ones) system is messed up world wide, perhaps beyond repair.

author: MatCat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 08:20:46 am
content: I did truck driving for about 4 years, and to my understanding you CANNOT get points if you where not on a public road way. Personally I would get a lawyer that deals in traffic law on that one, also a good chance you might be able to sue McDonald's for falsely reporting an accident on private property.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 08:30:29 am
content: Wow, and I thought motor insurance was bad in the UK.As the biggest part of your loss overall will be the increase in premiums your best bet is to cancel the claim and pay the repair bill yourself if you can. The insurance company don't care, just as long as they don't have to pay.Then take legal advice as to whether suing McDonalds is likely to be successful.QuoteWTF was that made from - woven nanotubes?As an aside I have no luck with cars either. A few years ago I took a job which was going to need a 140-150 mile per day commute. I didn't want to do that in the Celica as it would hammer it too much so bought an '03 diesel Ford Mondeo with about 100k on the clock. Should have been bullet proof since they are basically rep-mobiles and can easily do 200k plus (and parts are "cheap" and plentiful). That was the theory anyway.About 6 weeks later it died. The fuel pump had disintegrated and spat bits of itself into the injectors. The dealer quote to fix that was more than I'd paid for the car (£3k to fix the damage and I think I paid £2.8k for the car).I suspect the previous owner had put petrol in the tank.It took months of arguing with the dealer that I bought if from that they should sort it out. We eventually settled on a 50-50 deal and got the work done at an independent garage which was alotcheaper than the dealer as well.One of the few times I really felt I had a good deal out of the motor industry was a bit of radiator hose. I went over to the dealer one morning to enquire about the price expecting something ludicrous and was told £1.50 and it will be here by lunchtime!

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 08:31:10 am
content: They don't hire the sharpest tools in the box.A few months ago I was calling round for insurance on a new motorcycle. The conversation went something like this....."Is it just yourself to ride?""Myself and my wife as well, please""So, one other rider""Yes"..."Are you single, married, divorced, widowed....?""Married"..."This other rider, what is her relationship to you""She's mywife""Spouse?""Yes.""And is she single, married, divorced, widowed....?"For some people, it's not just lack of training... some people simply are, at a very basic and fundamental level, just plain thick.Perhaps I should adopt that as my signature...?

author: ptodorov
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 09:09:27 am
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on January 17, 2014, 08:30:29 amBad luck man. Diesels use a high pressure fuel pump witch is more expensive than the engine itself. Few years back my engine melted on a Renault Megane Scenic and a second hand replacement was around 1300 USD.Also OP is welcome to come in Bulgaria, here the pot holes have pot holes .. even on highways (imagine flying tires and suspension bits while you are cruising at 120km/h). Usually the best roads are on privately held properties, like McDonalds drive thrus and shopping centers. And many people don't get insurance here because the companies always have an excuse to not pay a damage.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 09:32:28 am
content: Quote from: ptodorov on January 17, 2014, 09:09:27 amModern diesels run rail pressures of 30,000PSI! Injectors and ECM are capable of 5 injection events per cycle at 4000RPM, very impressive bit of engineering.

author: nihilism
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 09:40:08 am
content: I've never had comprehensive insurance on a car I've owned, but I've never bought a new car or borrowed money to buy a car, the most expensive car I've owned was worth $15,000 and at the time i purchased it i was quoted $2,500 / year for comprehensive insurance (It was an imported Toyota Supra).I guess it might have been different if i hadn't had company vehicles for the last 10 years i may have been more inclined to buy a newer car at some point.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 09:45:04 am
content: QuoteYes - I learned a little about how modern common rail diesels work during that episode.They are quieter and more fuel efficient than older diesel engines because they use direct injection and start out by putting only a small amount of fuel into the cylinder - thus the initial ignition of the fuel/air mixture is quieter. They then add further aliquots of fuel (around 5) during the power stroke so the engine management unit has very fine control over the amount of fuel used per stroke.Of course this means you need enough pressure at the injector to overcome the pressure inside the cylinder during the power stroke - I understand anything from 18,000 to 30,000 psi is needed.That sort of pressure needs high speeds in the fuel pump - diesel fuel acts as a lubricant so lubricates the pump as it goes through. Petrol isn't a lubricant and if it gets to the fuel pump will cause severe damage. Of course it doesn't go pear-shaped immediately but the likelihood is that the pump will fail within a few months even with diesel going through it again. Which is exactly what happened to my car.I still have it and the air conditioning still doesn't work which is something they were supposed to get fixed before I bought it - it took 4 months to get the fuel pump sorted and by the end of that I didn't have the strength for another argument (and I was racking up the miles on the Celica).EDIT: Ah, I see dr.diesel beat me to the description!

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 09:57:54 am
content: if it was here in the uk i would have thought you could take either mcdonalds (or the owner if its a franchised one) to the small claims court for the costs through negligence in the upkeep of the parking lot. I would be surprised if there is not something similar where you are.either way it's a pisser it's going to cost you so much in the long run. insurance companies are all a bunch of tossers

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 07:37:09 pm
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on January 17, 2014, 08:31:10 amDon't you just love script bunnies?

author: MatCat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 07:48:45 pm
content: It's not always the person either, often when I get someone like that on the phone I will engage in off-script talk and figure it out, and usually most of the time it boils down to, "Either you read it exact or you don't have a job", I have ran into a few really stupid people, but most of the time it's generally the former. Also is some situations it's also a method to try and catch you in a lie as well (ask the same question with different wordings 2 or 3 times, see if the answer is the same or not).

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 08:08:01 pm
content: Quote from: Falcon69 on January 17, 2014, 04:08:59 amThree faults here: full coverage on a close to 10 year old car, having a dealer repair it and not paying for the damage yourself. Insurance only pays off if the damages are thousands of dollars. Over here repairs covered by an insurance are twice the price. Dealers are also expensive. Better take a car to a universal garage. I'm pretty sure you can have it fixed for $300 if you shop around a bit.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 09:04:55 pm
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on January 17, 2014, 08:31:10 amWhy didn't you said:"Sir, you just failed at the Turing test..."Made my day.

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 09:18:09 pm
content: Unless the police issued a citation, which they generally do not do for incidents on private property, that 4 points is just bogus.Once while leaving a parking lot the guy in front of me was playing with his gear shift. He forgot he had it in reverse and stomped on the gas nearly running his rear end up into my windshield. Although there was extensive property damage, the police didn't give him a ticket since it was on private property. No points, but the police report clearly indicated fault.Now insurance companies will assume fault and raise your rates accordingly just because they can. I had a guy run a red light and cream the front end of my truck while making a left turn. I got a ticket because the other guy was wearing a suit. The court threw out the ticket, but my insurance company still assumed I was at fault since the other guy wasn't ticketed and they make the assumption that the party making the left turn is at fault. I had increased rates for a few years from that. Fun.

author: atw60444
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 09:57:17 pm
content: I don't get this thing about points either. In the UK, you would only get points on your licence if charged with a "moving traffic offence" by the Police. This could be on private (publicly accessible) land, or public roads if you'd been caught by Police & deemed to be driving without due care and attention, under the influence of drink or drugs or having an unroadworthy vehicle.. Then it would be a case for the Magistrates Courts to issue the penalty fine/points. The exceptions would be a fixed penalty option where you can voluntarily opt for points and a fine instead of attending court. The only other situation would be a fixed speed or red light camera and letter through the post. Even then you can have your day in court, if you think you've got a case to argue.Jon

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 10:47:31 pm
content: A few years ago I was with my kids in a Mac Dees. They were in the soft play area and playing happily. Girl child came down the twisty slide into the ball pit thing and emerged holding her arm in tears complaining that the slide hurt her. Took her immediately to the local A&E (2 mins away) and got her broken arm put in a cast. Took her back to the Mac Dees an hour later and reported the incident. They put details in the accident register and said somebody from customer services would contact me and maybe offer a free happy meal or something (no kidding, exact words).Nobody ever called from customer services. A month later by chance I got a cold call from one of those stupid personal injury companies asking if I or anybody I knew had suffered from an accident or injury recently. Told them about girl child and Mac Dees... went quiet at the other end. 'I'll need to speak to my supervisor' they said... 5 minutes on hold and supervisor told me quite bluntly 'It's Mac Dees, we don't even think about taking them on'.Mac Dees have put the fear of God into even the ambulance chasers, personal injury companies and insurance companies!

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 10:53:41 pm
content: Last year my parked car was run into by some unknown vehicle overnight. Rang up insurance company to report it and find out what my excess was. Excess was £750 and damage was about £500 so never made a claim. Incident went down on my record though, and passed on to a subsequent insurer who increased my premium because of the 'incident'.Lesson learnt, STFU and sort things out without insurance companies being involved.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 11:00:24 pm
content: QuoteThe personal injury "no win, no fee" lot won't take on anything that isn't cast iron and very likely to succeed in court - they don't want to waste their time on matters which are going to cost them money rather than make it. If McD's routinely puts up a decent fight that's probably all it takes to scare the chancers away.A decent solicitor would have properly discussed the merits of any claim you might make. OK, you might still have decided it wasn't worth it - I suspect there's a legally watertight disclaimer about use at own risk and supervising your kids using the equipment. I suspect you'd only have a decent chance of victory if you could demonstrate that the equipment hadn't been maintained in a safe state - but if thatwasthe case you should certainly have a go.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 11:04:23 pm
content: QuoteOne for the ombudsman, possibly."At fault" for insurance companies does not strictly mean "at fault" - it really means "we had to pay". Admittedly the chances are that quite a few people decide a claim isn't worth it when they've had an accident which was their fault but no-one else was involved and it's not unreasonable for insurance companies to keep track of that data to use it in their risk estimates. But when itreallywasn't your fault I'd be pissed off if that increased my premiums.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 11:07:01 pm
content: Quote from: Falcon69 on January 17, 2014, 04:08:59 amI am sorry that this is such a burden for you - seriously. But frankly, you couldn't have handled this worse.I don't know why on earth you would contact your insurance company when your deductible is higher than your damages, especially considering your damages are mechanical, not cosmetic.Motor mounts don't break when tires go over uneven surfaces, so you must have either nailed the pothole hard, or your motor mounts were already faulty.I have a hard time believing the manager came running out looking for information just because you casually mentioned your car sounded strange after going over the pothole. I think you gave them the impression that you believed this was their fault. And as soon as you tell any company - "you caused me damage", you can expect them to protect themselves, especially a huge company like McD's.It certainly sounds like you got the short end of the stick, but we're also hearing only one side of the story here. I have to wonder what impression you gave the McDonalds folks... I have to think you either were looking to hold them responsible or gave that impression to them.Lesson for the future, I guess.

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 11:07:33 pm
content: Quote from: grumpydoc on January 17, 2014, 11:00:24 pmMost likely her own fault for going down the slide backwards or upside down, it was just the attitudes towards the incident (from Mac Dees and other people) that interested me most. Interestingly 3 months later the soft play area in that restaurant had been ripped out and replaced with a 'party zone'... soft seats and rounded tables!

author: wilheldp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 11:07:56 pm
content: Quote from: TopLoser on January 17, 2014, 10:53:41 pmI normally call my insurance agent (NOT the adjuster or incident reporting line) before I report anything except a serious accident. He'll usually tell me what affect it will have on my rates and future insurability if I were to actually file a claim. He also always tells me that he is not supposed to tell me that stuff...but I sure do appreciate it.The latest nugget he told me about was when my front door got kicked in and they stole a TV. Damages were ~$2500. The agent told me that they would only pay to replace my door with a similar (builder grade POS) door, which I didn't want. Plus, he says that if you file two, non-weather-related, homeowners insurance claims in a 5 year period, it triggers an automatic non-renewal of your policy (i.e., you have to find a new insurance company).

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2014, 11:25:45 pm
content: Years ago, in New Jersey, one of our cars was parked in front of the house. The street we lived on was basically the cross of the capital letter 'T' and we lived just to the left of where the street intersected ours. There was snow on the ground and an idiot had raced down the street, lost control while turning and slammed into our almost new car. He tried to get away but we heard the crash and I got out before he could. Cops come, he gets a ticket. Allstate handled everything for us and we had the car fixed and then they dropped us because of the accident that wasn't in any way our fault. Thirty years later, I still refuse to consider Allstate for car insurance. Two days ago, however, SWMBO gets an advertisement from Allstate and has me call them as I have the time (working from home) and she doesn't. I do it to appease her and was very satisfied that their quote was almost $100 dollars more.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2014, 07:51:43 am
content: I would take MD through small claims court for the damage. If they knew about the pothole in the drive through ( public access, limited ability to avoid because it is a concrete tunnel) then it is likely they will either settle or not show. Here small claims is not allowed to have a lawyer for either party represent them, though they can give advice before.Really sucks that the engine fell out from the impact, though it is common if the drop was enough, as the mounts are designed to fail in an accident to drop the engine below the vehicle rather than slamming it back into the driver at waist height.Myself I never has troubles claiming ( touch wood) on my accidents. Just had to come up with the excess in both cases, and that was doable. Why do people have red colour blindness?