Uninsured Motorist vs. Collision Coverage
I recently experienced an unfortunate incident where my parked and unoccupied car was damaged by a tow truck driver. The driver, who apparently struggled with a stick shift, stalled at the top of the street and rolled backward, hitting the car in front of mine, which then crashed into my vehicle. Unfortunately, the driver’s insurance was inactive at the time of the incident. My insurance company suggested I file a claim under my collision coverage, which has a $500 deductible. They would handle the repairs and then try to recover costs from the driver.
However, I also have uninsured motorist coverage, which wasn’t mentioned initially. I reached out to my insurance for clarification, but they claimed their “system was down” and would call me back. This raised some red flags for me.
So, my question is: Would it be more advantageous for me to utilize my uninsured motorist coverage instead of going through my collision coverage? That way, I wouldn’t have to pay the deductible upfront and deal with the hassle of pursuing the driver to get reimbursed. It’s worth mentioning that the tow truck driver acted suspiciously at the scene, and the company’s behavior has been questionable throughout this process, making the retrieval of my deductible seem like a daunting task.
Thanks for your input!
It sounds like you’re in a frustrating situation, but you’ve got the right idea by considering all of your options. Generally, using your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can be a better choice in cases like this, especially since it can help you avoid paying a deductible. Here are some points to consider:
Deductible: If you go through your collision coverage, you’ll have to pay your $500 deductible initially, and while your insurance will attempt to recover that amount from the driver, there’s no guarantee you’ll get it back, especially given your concerns about the driver’s reliability. If you use your UM coverage, you should be able to avoid that upfront cost altogether.
Coverage: Uninsured motorist insurance is specifically designed to cover damages caused by drivers who don’t have insurance, like in your case. It can also streamline the claims process for you without the hassle of having to deal with recouping your deductible later.
Shady Situation: Given your description of the tow truck driver and the company’s behaviors, it sounds like the process of chasing them down could be quite complicated and time-consuming. Your UM coverage may provide a more straightforward path to getting your car repaired without the added stress.
Communication with Your Insurer: Keep following up with your insurance company about your UM coverage. If their system is down, it’s important to get a timeline on when they will be able to assist you. In the meantime, make sure you document everything—photos of the damage, notes from conversations, etc., in case you need to provide further evidence later.
Ultimately, it seems like utilizing your uninsured motorist coverage would be beneficial for minimizing your out-of-pocket costs and simplifying the claims process. Be persistent in communicating with your insurer, and don’t hesitate to ask for clarity on any details regarding your coverage options. Good luck!