So some *** in a Pukey Cruiser PT Loser decided to side swipe me today, and run...ruined my right rear wheel, the tire, control arms, and likely the bushings...

When I accelerate hard, the wheel loses traction causing that (!) to show on my dash... it's making a (woom woom woom woom) noise, lol.. proverbally, faster as I accelerate...

Basically, I could pay the insurance deductible, have the scratches fixed, the right wheel set replaced and repaired...

But I was wondering, are there any places I can get some wheels for cheaper than my deductible? I have the Crown Spoke wheels with Run Flat Tires... Dunlops I believe... I can get the numbers from the tires if need be.

Then I can get a buddy to fix the under-side workings to the way they were...

However, could an OUT OF MINI/BMW Service Centre Repair void my warranty?

Thanks...

-mike

 

Better to make the claim and get if fixed. Nobody wants to drive a new car that has some real damage to it. In the end you will be happier. Sucks to have that happen.

 

Before you make a decision like that , you need to have the runout of the spindle/ disk checked with a micrometer.Also an alignment check, If you dont you may have a lot of trouble down the road. IMO, go through the insurance company.

 

I would get it fixed and pay the deductible. If your insurance does find out you got it fixed 'on the side' and you have another 'bad' wreck heaven forbid they may not fill the claim.

 

If the PT Cruiser was the one that hit YOU, why are you even thinking about paying to have it fixed? Wasn't it the PT's fault? I would think that, because of the hit - and - run that you might not get into much trouble with the insurance company. Did you file a police report on the PT? That would help your cause. Who knows what that hit might have done to the overall tracking of the car. I'd want to get it on a rack and get it all straightened out.

 

Edit: Ahhhh... I see he hit-and-ran you.

UM Deductible applies. But did you not get any info on him ? Tag number ? Any witnesses get a tag number ?

You might not have to pay a nickel, if you did get a tag. But if not, the UM deductible is usually low and it's still not considered an at-fault accident.

Of course, if your insurance company doesn't believe you and feels it was a single-car loss, then yeah, pay out of pocket.

 

That's the route, although if it's a hit-and-run, I hope there's a police report. I doubt the insurance company would believe you, otherwise.

I discovered uninsured motorist coverage in the past when someone backed into my car in front of my house while I was on vacation. No note left. Of the $600+ in damage, I had to pay the $150 deductible. My insurance rates never changed.

 

I work between 5 and 12 UM claims every week, RD. The PR is nice to have, but not a necessity.

After all, the police officer didn't witness the accident, his or her investigation of what happened is normally not in as much detail as the claim rep's.

We are always on the lookout for fraudulent UM claims, and I've caught a few myself. But for the most part, we can determine if it's an actual UM claim by looking at the damage and seeing if it jives with the insured's version.

 

When I got hit last month and I called my insurance company, I was told to pay my deductible and claim a collision. That's if I wanted to go through my insurance company and the company would go after the person who hit me and if they are able to recover the money they will reimburse me because I told them she might not have insurance. If she doesn't have insurance shouldn't I be able to claim Uninsured motorist? She ended up paying me cash out of her pocket but wanted to ask you guys anyway..

 

Yeah, r56, that's the process. Your company is using your Collision Coverage but assuming the other driver has insurance and they will subrogate against the other ins company to recoup their payment and your deductible.

They usually only do this when the other company drags their feet on accepting liability.

If it turns out to be a UM claim because the other driver doesn't have insurance coverage, then a UM deductible will apply instead of your collision deductible. It varies by State but is normally between $100 and $300.

 

Had one of those come into the shop a few days ago, claimed the car was stationary (parked) & sideswiped, the pattern ground into the face of their wheels said otherwise.
No idea if the insurance company picked up on it or not.
It doesn't take the crew from CSI to spot the scammers 'tho

 

UM RD and PR??????

 

Thanks! It's great to have an insurance agent on the forum.

 

Sorry...

UM = Uninsured Motorist

RD = The poster to whom I was replying, Rolling Doughnut

PR - Police Report

 

Not an agent... a claim rep. We know a lot more about claim handling than the agents. But agents know a lot more about life insurance, health insurance, homeowners insurance... anything BUT auto insurance.

 

wow, you'll never believe this one. I actually posted a thread two weeks ago about this. I parked my car on a sunday night coming home from work. Some woman driving a silver PT Cruiser hit my driver's side wheel, and broke almost everything. Bent my rim, broke the tie rod, pushed my control arm up into my engine crossmember and may or may not have bent that. Thought it was a pretty big coincidence. Hopefully, I'll have my car back by next weekend. Good luck man.

 

Sorry for the delay in my replies, I've been sorting out stuff with my darn cell phone all day.

Basically, I'm having MINI Roadside Assistance tow my car to the Jacksonville, FL mini dealership... I don't have a police report, since it was a Hit & Run... Won't do much good, IMO...

What I'm going to do, is have the MINI Dealership here look at it, and quote the repair cost. If it's less than my deductible, I probably won't call State Farm. If it's more than 500 dollars, which it will probably be, I will call them.

 

If it's a hit-and-run, don't only check out what your Collision deductible is... find out what the Uninsured Motorist deductible is in your State. It's usually a lot less than that... probably half.

If you have a UM claim... why not report it ? Doesn't affect your premium. If you need a rental while your car is in the shop, it's paid under the UM coverage 100%.

You pay for the coverage, use it.

 

You still should file a police report, no matter what.

 

Excellent to know about the police report. Thanks.

 

Thanks!

 

Hope they get theirs...the PT drivers, that is. It sucks to have a hit and run. Remember the good old days when people were a little more honorable?

 

OK - shade tree Insurance folks - I was always had the understanding UM only works if the other person is proven NOT to have insurance???? So, how does UM help in a hit and run accident.... can't prove one way or another if they had any ins????????????

 

I'm not a shade tree insurance person so I guess I can't answer.

How about an insurance professional ?

Uninsured Motorist coverage applies in either situation... you have the other driver's name but they have no insurance coverage. Or, in the hit-and-run situation.

After all, if UM coverage didn't apply for hit-and-run accidents, what coverage do you think would pay for the damages ?

 

I know we are a little off topic here - but we can all learn from this... I did a google search and found this... interesting... supports the above poster..

http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0550.htm