Friday, September 11, 2009

We just can't win.

If it's not one thing, it's another.

This morning Ryan left work as usual, and I was running around the house getting ready to leave. I was just walking out the door to take the dog out (in the rain, so I knew it would be a futile effort) when my phone rang. It was Ryan.

He hadn't made it more than 5 minute up the road when some a$$hole cut across two lanes of traffic to turn into the gas station. In an effort to NOT get into a head-on collision, Ryan jammed on his brakes and ended up skidding directly into the curb. Both he and the other driver turned into the gas station to survey the damage.

The body of our car was totally fine, but slamming into the curb seriously messed up the passenger side front axle and tire. The other guy was apparently really apologetic and claimed fault for the incident and traded insurance info with Ryan.

Seeing as Ryan was totally fine but the car was just not at all drivable, he called me to come get him so we could call the insurance agent. First, let me just say THANK GOD he is ok. It could have been so much worse and I am so thankful that it wasn't.

We called our insurance people to report the accident and give them the other driver's info to file the claim through HIS insurance policy. Well, our agent seems to think that the other driver's insurance company will not take responsibility for the damage to our car (severe enough that we had to get a tow truck to haul it to a repair shop) seeing as the two cars didn't actually hit each other.

So, what I'm hearing is that for this to be covered under the other driver's policy, Ryan should have let the other car hit him? ::insert confused look here::

Assbackwards. So basically, we're sitting around waiting on a phone call that will let us know if we're going to have to pony up the $500 detectable plus money for a rental car, or if the other guy's policy is going to cover it.

Please, please, please keep your fingers crossed that the other insurance company does realize that had the other guy not cut across two lanes of traffic without looking, we wouldn't be in this situation right now.

8 comments:

tinahead81 said...

sending some *happy thoughts* your way! glad it was just the car that got hurt. hopefully this works out in your favor!

Jen | Our Life Accounts said...

Did he by any chance get the name and contact info of any other witnesses? Even if the driver admits fault at the scene, his insurance company can convince him to change his story and then not cover it, which they will try to do since there was no contact. Believe me, I've had way too much experience in this area. Also, even if the insurance company can't convince him to change his story, they can still refuse to cover it and you'll have to sue if you want to get your money (more than likely small claims court would reward you the money but it's an expensive process to go through which is why the insurance companys drag you through the mud).

Pollyanna said...

Did you report it to the police?

We had to pay for an accident my husband caused. He didn't even know he caused an accident - his car wasn't hit. It was quite sometime ago and I don't remember all the details (we weren't married yet), but the police were definitely involved.

On the up side, since they pulled into a service station, there might be some video surveillance that caught it.

Glad your husband came out unscathed. Good luck with the claim.

Allison said...

I did notice that the rain made everyone stupid this morning :(

I hope you guys get it worked out!

Anonymous said...

Hope it works out for ya....our fingers are crossed..Southern Aunt & Uncle

Amanda K said...

Glad no one was hurt. Hope everything works out.

Kate said...

Thanks for all of your good thoughts, ladies! We still haven't heard anything from the insurance people, and are keeping our fingers crossed that they other guy's insurance agent calls us with good news on Monday. I'll keep you updated!

Katie said...

I know the goal is to keep everyone injury free first and foremost...but I certainly hope the moral of this story doesn't turn out to be "next time, make sure you allow the collision instead of a avoiding it, so you can prove to your insurance it really wasn't your fault"

keep us posted!