I smell insurance fraud.

[Rick Lee]

On my honeymoon last Thurs. I trashed my rental car in San Fran. when a very young and new driver panic braked inside an intersection and I rear-ended her. Yes, it was my fault (Under CA law anyway. VA/DC/MD have contributory negligence laws). But she stopped for no other reason than the light turned yellow after she had already entered the intersection and she admitted to my insur. co. that she was already inside the intersection when she braked. She had four passengers and my rental tore her rear bumper pretty badly. It was a good jolt. First words out of my mouth were "Is everyone alright?" They all nodded. I then asked each occupant individually if they were alright. They all said they were fine. I did this again once we were done with paperwork and before we went our separate ways. All said they were fine. 30 min. later when I called USAA, they asked me if I thought the other party might claim any injuries and I said yes. I just had a feeling. The other girl was actually already on the phone with another USAA claims person when I called in, so the lady I spoke with could yet view the report, but told me it was being typed in. A few hours later, I got a call from USAA and the guy said one of the passengers was claiming back and neck pain, but that USAA felt it was fishy. They asked the guy if he'd had any previous injuries - yes, from another rear end hit two years ago. USAA asked him if he had completed treatment for those injuries. Yes. When? Can't remember. What kind of treatment exactly? Can't remember. Basically, the guy couldn't answer any questions and then said one of his injuries from the previous hit was - get this - memory loss, and his atty. could answer all those questions.

Anyway, USAA seems to think something's going on here and, while the driver may not have tried to cause this accident, she clearly had some fault. Doesn't matter though. They say I'm liable for this one and can expect a rate hike.

On the good side, I paid for the rental car with my Amex and they and USAA are taking care of the rental. Worst case there for me is having to pay for loss of use while it's being repaired. I could have repaired it myself in a few hours with a new hood and bumper. Anyone have any suggestions here other than to get out my checkbook when the insur. policy renewal comes up?

[TheMentat]

While I agree with you that the injured passenger seems to be full of it, I think it's a bit of a stretch to imply that the driver intentionally caused the accident to set up the passenger's claim. While it sucks that you are basically paying up because of somebody else's erratic driving, it is still your responsibility to maintain adequate separation from the car in front of you (I personally can't stand it when people tailgate me). I don't have any suggestions other than to get out your chequebook.

[Rick Lee]

Not claiming she did it intentionally, as I don't think she had the brain or skills to do it. I was not tailgating at all. I could easily cause an accident that would legally be someone else's fault. She panic-braked while already in the intersection because the light turned yellow AFTER she had entered the intersection. Unless there's a kid on a bicycle in front of you, there is never a good reason for doing that, especially with traffic behind you.

I was rear-ended twice in three mos. recently. Both times I was stopped at a red light and couldn't do anything to avoid it. This girl could have easily avoided it. Around here, if you're more than 1% responsible for an accident, your own insurance pays.

[widgeon13]

Be thankful you have USAA, may be an increase but just imagine what it would be like if you had Allstate or Geico.

[Jim Sims]

If one can't stop in time to avoid a car braking in front of you, one or more of the following must apply: the driver of the "following" car is not paying attention or has diminished reaction times due to other factors (age, fatigue, medications, etc.), the "following" car's braking is inferior to the leading car due to mechanical and/or traction issues, the "following" car's driver has poor braking technique, or insufficient following distance was maintained. There is no other explanation unless the leading car went into reverse somehow.

If you insist on driving under the assumption that all the drivers on the road are competent and alert you will bend metal again sooner than you wish. Drive defensively, especially in a 911 - SUV and truck drivers often don't even see you!

[VaSteve]

Hey Rick, congrats on the wedding! You should stop driving.

[Rick V]

And another congrads. I have one question, have you been driving around my daughter?

[legion]

Originally Posted by TheMentat

While I agree with you that the injured passenger seems to be full of it, I think it's a bit of a stretch to imply that the driver intentionally caused the accident to set up the passenger's claim. While it sucks that you are basically paying up because of somebody else's erratic driving, it is still your responsibility to maintain adequate separation from the car in front of you (I personally can't stand it when people tailgate me). I don't have any suggestions other than to get out your chequebook.

Actually, this is a common insurance scam in big cities. Get a car loaded with people, all claim injuries, real doctor does fake billing, people in car get big payout and they are never treated for their "injuries".

I'm not saying this is what happened in Rick's case, but this exact scam does exist.

[Rick Lee]

Obviously, I was either following too closely or reacted too slowly. It was a rental car, a 2007 Chevy Cobalt LT. I don't know if it had ABS, but they sure didn't work if it did. I locked them up hard and it felt like the car barely even slowed down. No airbags deployed, but I can't remember if the switches were on or off. I am surprised only one of them claimed injury. But that was 30 min. after the accident. I have to follow up with Amex and USAA tomorrow, so will see if there are some new injuries. The car I hit was a new-looking Toyotal Corolla S. Coincidentally, when I limped the rental back to the airport last night, I pulled in right behind the exact color, make and model of car I hit. So I looked around it a little to see how the rear bumper conncts. Assuming there was no frame damage or bent exhaust, like happened with my BMW, her car's repair bill could be not too outrageous.

[carambola]

what is USAA?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Crazy. Hope it all works out!

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by carambola

what is USAA?

The best insur. co. there is. Only available to military and dependents.

[MRM]

Only available to officers and warrant officers and their dependants. Regularly rated highest insurer in the country. Lowest rates and highest service because they have the best risk pool. They won't raise your rates. They'll drop you.

[widgeon13]

Originally Posted by carambola

what is USAA?

Just don't tell them that you track the Pcar.

[cstreit]

Unless they plan on suing for "pain and suffering" only the Dr's will get money anyway... So if it's a scam, look for a BIG hike 'cause those bills are always nasty. Hope not...

[Rick Lee]

That's what I was thinking, but then they could have friends who are doctors and will fudge those bills. Do insur. companies baes their rate hikes on how much someone's doctor bill was or the nature of the accident?

[legion]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Do insur. companies baes their rate hikes on how much someone's doctor bill was or the nature of the accident?

Yes.

No.

Maybe.

That gets into an insurance company's underwriting guidelines, and those are very closely guarded.

[cab83_750]

Rick,

Didn't anyone tell you to 'relax, sleep, and fully recover from Honeymon Seeeex' before driving? Failure to follow this suggestion results to diminished driving reaction. heh heh hehe
Just kidding.

Congratulations to you and best wishes to the new wife!!!!


(time for you to get rid of the the P-car and buy and minivan!!! heh heh heh again!)

[Rick Lee]

Nah, the toys are in my pre-nup. Will never sell the 993 and will never buy a minivan.

[1fastredsc]

Well your not the only one getting screwed by crooked insurance claims. If you remember my jeep thread i'm still getting screwed for that one so i know how it feels and will feel..........