Navigating an Accident with a Government Vehicle: Should You Choose Insurance or File a Claim?
Finding yourself involved in an accident with a government vehicle can be a daunting experience, and it often leaves you contemplating complex decisions about how to proceed. If you’re in a similar situation, the following insights may help you navigate the process with greater clarity.
Recently, I encountered a challenging situation when I was rear-ended by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle while waiting at a red light. The officer involved acknowledged fault, a supervisor was called, and a formal incident report was documented.
My vehicle, a nearly new Lexus with under 7,000 miles, sustained significant damage, translating to an estimated repair cost of around $4,000, which could potentially rise.
After consulting with a few advisors, I’ve laid out my two main options:
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Direct File with LA County: This approach entails submitting a claim to the county itself. However, it tends to involve more paperwork, a potentially slower claims process, and I might have to cover the repair costs upfront before seeking reimbursement.
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Utilize My Insurance (Geico): The alternative would be to go through my insurance policy. This route would involve a $1,000 deductible, but Geico would handle the claim and attempt to recover their costs from LA County through a process known as subrogation. This option does bring up some uncertainties:
- Will filing a claim with Geico impact my insurance premiums?
- Will they assist in recovering any diminished value of my vehicle following repairs?
I’m reaching out to the community for advice, particularly from those who have faced similar circumstances. Is working with Geico a smoother route to take, or is it more beneficial to navigate the government claims process directly?
Any insights or experiences shared would be greatly appreciated! Your guidance can really help inform my decision as I move forward. Thank you in advance for your assistance!
