how do I go about this
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how do I go about this
This is my first time I have ever had to file a claim with my insurance company and needing legal advice. Me And my 14yr old daughter were in a car accident on Saturday night May 11-2019. The accident wasn’t my fault it was the other persons fault. I had a green light I was going south bound while the other car was on other other side of the road and she pulled out in front of me trying to turn to go west on the 101 freeway. I have files a claim with my insurance company and I have followed up with her insurance company I just need to know how I go about getting a rental vehicle or what my vehicle is totaled
Asked on May 14, 2019 under Accident Law, Arizona
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
Do you have rental coverage on your own insurance, which would apply to this situation? If you do, your insurer needs to pay for your rental, and you should speak to them about how to arrange this. They must provide you the coverage in your policy (which is a contract) and for which you paid.
However, if you don't have rental coverage in your own policy, if the other driver's insurer does not voluntarily pay for coverage (or generally offer you an acceptable settlement), you'd have to sue the other driver for the various costs and losses you suffered, like the value of your car and the cost of a rental for a reasonable time. The problem you face is that the other driver's insurer is the other driver's insurer, not yours; it does not have any duty or obligation directly to you. It's obligtation is to pay on behalf of its driver (up to policy limits) when its driver has to pay. While the other driver's insurer will often voluntarily pay or settle a case, to resolve it without the cost of defending a lawsuit, they don't have to; until and unless there is court order or judgment in your favor against the other driver, the other driver and/or his insurer do not have to pay anything. They can refuse to pay and force you to sue; or they can offer you a settlement lower than you'd like (e.g. without rental reimbursement) and force you to decide between taking the settlement and getting some money now, without the cost and uncertainty (no case is ever 100% certain) of a lawsuit; or refusing the low settlement and taking the time and spending the money to sue, and not getting paid, even if you win, for months or longer.
In the interim, if they are not offering you anything and you have to look into suing, you will have to pay for your own rental car (again, unless your own policy gives you rental car coverage), then seek reimbursement from the other side in the lawsuit.
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