We're VERY confident we have his correct address. He'll end up paying in the long run, I am 99.99% confident of that.

 

Talked to CrAshburn Collision yesterday and the car is torn apart awaiting parts. I may go out there tomorrow and take some pics of the dismantled car.

 

awww why torture yourself?

 

Well, that address we had wasn't apparently correct, after all. It was returned to us by the PO.

But... a little more research and we found out he has an active policy with... us. That's right, State Farm. It's on a different vehicle but it surely should help us track his butt down.

 

geeez, this guy is a shady character if ever I saw one. Tougher to nail down than liquid mercury. I still think we need to motor down to Fla., and have a chat with him.

 

Let us make sure we know where he lives before we go motoring 900 miles down there.

Well... it's nice and warm down there, so what the heck.....

 

So the Florida branch of State Farm called me (evidently representing the other party) and had no knowledge of the accident from my perspective.
It was very strange - it was almost like they were trying to trip me up - rather than rehash everything I asked them to refer to my statement made with the MD team regarding the details of the incident. They also asked for the police report which I said was with my initial report.

 

Yeah, Kurt... you have to realize, even though they are State Farm, they are looking out for the interest of "their" insured. That's their job. The team handling your claim looks out for your interests, of course. Even though it's the same company, it is just like if one of you were insured with another company. That's the only fair way to treat our policyholders.

In the end, they will look at your statement, the Police Report, and the statement from the Witness and know they have to accept liability for the accident.

The good thing is: They are calling. That means the other guy DOES have an active policy on this vehicle.

 

Yes, a great name! I have that episode of Top Gear, it's from Season 10. Where did you see it? BBC America?

I also have the current run for Fifth Gear coming in...

 

Taken at KrAshburn Kollision (gotta love the K alliteration) by Big_Davoc. Oliver looks very very unhappy.

 

awwww Oliver has a big band-aid on his boo-boo

The phone call sounds like progress..that's a good thing, yes?

 

I see snow in those pictures--aren't they keeping Oliver warm/covered during the cold nights (and days)? Especially during wet weather??

 

guys. it's a car. not a living, breathing thing.

 

creepy.

 

Still, water can get into areas usually protected by the hood. Especially if some parts are broken open that lead to other systems/parts.

 

there is nothing exposed there that: a) isn't being replaced or b) isn't normally open to the elements anyways

ZOMG! the smashed up headlight might get wet!

 

So the frustration continues - State Farm is subrogating against each other in this case - neither side is admitting fault.

Rental car is maxxed out at it's $500 limit and is now on my dime.

Additionally, body work by CrAshburn has not started because their body guy Jimmy is out sick and needed to do a supplemental which of course has not been finished - so the body shop won't proceed until they finish the supplemental to the insurance company for coverage.

Confused yet??

 

I'll defer to CR&PW&JB, but if it were me I'd start getting snippy with my agent. There should be no reason for you to cover expenses while various branches of the same company quibble about fault, especially since it took a while to find the other guy (who is insured by the same company).

 

was there a police report done naming the other driver at fault? i.e. was he charged? That would make things either I'd think

 

We just found out the a couple business days ago that the other guy is insured with State Farm. We found out because one of our investigative websites showed a 6-year old claim under State Farm. At least he's been a steady customer, right ?

So, the state farm office in Florida is trying to reach him to get a statement from him. At that point, they should accept liability. But if he lies and gives a different version of events, they will have to complete a thorough investigation.

"We" have a lot on our side: Witness that supports us. Police Report that supports us. He has nothing but his word.

So, be patient folks... these things take time to run their course.

And you should be glad that different offices of State Farm quibble over liability. Otherwise, how would you know you got fair representation in an accident when you are involved with another driver under with the same insurance company ??

 

I have no problem with the quibbling, per se, but the customer is being burdened in the meantime.

 

It works this way: When the liability is being argued between insurance comapanies (or within.. in this case), the insured has the option to pursue his damages using his own policy.

If the liability is subsequently accepted by the other party, the insurance company subrogates the damages to get reimbursement for their payouts plus any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the insured, including collision deductible and rental expenses.

Unless you can figure out a better way to handle it....

 

The PR doesn't list the other driver but it does substantiate Kurt's statement that the other driver caused the accident and then fled the scene.

No, he wasn't charged as the police did not know his identity to charge him. Kurt got his identity through other, creative methods.

 

so, the criminal end is dead, only the civil side (insurance, etc)? I would think the police would want to press charges....a felony yes?

 

That's up to the police. Sometimes the pursue their own investigation, sometimes....not.