I’m feeling incredibly frustrated trying to communicate with the insurance company of the driver at fault in my recent accident. I live in North Carolina, and I was in a crash while driving my 1992 Mazda Miata. Unfortunately, I didn’t have collision coverage at the time, and was driving it because my husband’s car had broken down the night before.
The insurance company representing the other driver is using two comparable cars that are over 400 miles away. One of these cars is completely unverifiable because the dealership it was associated with had closed just five days before my accident, and the other was sold more than six months prior.
I’ve been making an effort to provide them with comparable vehicles that are currently for sale within 200 miles of my location. Frustratingly, I even filed a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) about their valuation process. Following that, the at-fault insurance company sent me a “new valuation,” claiming they had overlooked the fact that my car has AC. They dismissed my provided comparables, labeling them as “rebuilt collectibles” that had been fully restored, although they had similar mileage and condition to my own car. They assured me that they could tell this simply by looking at the photos.
In their report, they included additional comparable cars, stating these should reflect the new valuation, but clearly indicated that they would not actually change the overall valuation. When I asked the adjuster about this during a pressured phone call, he told me that using different cars wouldn’t alter the overall valuation at all.
I spoke to an NCDOI agent today for the first time in two weeks, and she just advised me to send any information I have via email. I’ve been trying to keep the NCDOI updated, but whenever I call, I get sent to voicemail. Unfortunately, no lawyers are willing to assist me since I wasn’t injured in the accident.
It feels like I’m stuck with no resolution in sight, and it’s been almost a month since the accident. I’m overwhelmed and upset, and no matter how much I ask for clarification, I just keep getting unhelpful responses. If anyone has advice on how to navigate this frustrating situation, I would greatly appreciate it.
I’m really sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds incredibly frustrating, especially dealing with the insurance process on top of the stress of the accident itself. Here are a few steps you could consider taking to help communicate more effectively with the at-fault driver’s insurance and potentially resolve your situation:
Document Everything: Keep a detailed record of all communications with the insurance company, including dates, times, names of representatives you spoke with, and the content of your conversations. This can help you refer back to specific details if needed.
Provide Clear Comparables: Make sure that the comparables you are presenting are as detailed as possible. Include photos, links to listings, and any relevant information, such as mileage, condition, and features like AC. If you can, try to find cars that have sold recently or are currently on sale.
Submit a Formal Complaint: Since you’ve already made a complaint with the NCDOI, be sure to follow up with them. Provide them with updates on your communication with the insurance company, as they may be able to intervene more directly if they see a pattern of unfair practices.
Request a Copy of the Valuation Report: Ask the insurance company for a full breakdown of how they arrived at their valuation. This should include all comparable cars they considered and the criteria used for the comparison. This may help you pinpoint where discrepancies are occurring.
Consider Mediation or Arbitration: Some states have programs that allow for mediation between consumers and insurance companies. Check if North Carolina offers this as an option. It may provide a more structured environment to resolve disputes without needing to go to court.
Reach Out to Consumer Support Organizations: Organizations like the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) may be able to provide guidance or connect you to local resources that can help.
Look for Legal Aid: Even if no personal injury lawyers are willing to take your case, there may be legal aid organizations in your area that could provide advice or help navigate the insurance process.
Stay Persistent but Calm: While it’s understandably frustrating, remaining calm and persistent in your communications can sometimes yield better results. If you feel overwhelmed, consider asking a family member or friend to help you with the follow-up.
I hope this helps, and I wish you the best as you work through this challenging situation. Remember that you are not alone in this; many people struggle with similar issues during the insurance claims process.