[Don Plumley]

Ouch - I'm sorry. Health first. Don't sign any releases for a long, long time.

I have never subrograted the claim - I paid my deductible and used my insurance to drive the process. You have leverage with your carrier, you don't have as much leverage with the insured's carrier. Once the car was repaired to my satisfaction, my insurance takes care of collecting from the other carrier and pays back my deductible, expenses, etc.

I've not heard of a successful diminished value in California, but a car with 500 miles might be a good exception. When you involve the carriers the claim will make it to the records, but it might take more than six weeks... (though I'm confused about a six week plan to take it to Carmax)

YMMV