I was recently involved in a rear-ender in Seattle, Washington. When I contacted my insurance company it turns out that they didn't provide me with liability insurance as I thought. They are stating that they don't settle any claims against me for property damage.

The person I rear-ended has gotten estimates valued at $1000 & $1200 for a car that is blue-booked at $900. He is asking for $800.

He was also in a previous accident so there was already some damage done to his bumper and left-side tail light. I hit the right side only.

#1. Isn't there some kind of law against paying for repairs in excess of the half the worth of the automobile?

#2. What happens if he files a claim with my insurance company and they inform him of the fact that they will not settle his claim per the "bunk" policy they sold me? Meaning: what can he do and what will the state do? I'm told that he could take me to small claims court. I'm wondering if the State of Washington would come after me for not having the correct property damage liability insurance at the time of the accident? :confused:


If you could help me to understand this more I would be ever so grateful.



Sincerely,


Gary_IT( Gary I.T.)

"#1. Isn't there some kind of law against paying for repairs in excess of the half the worth of the automobile?"

No.

What made you think that your insurance company had sold you liability insurance? DId they say that they had? Can you describe exactly what happened with the insurance company.

If the insurance company sold you insurance, then you had to have paid for it in some fashion and there IS documents verifying this somewhere. What's the rest of the story here? Did you pay for it or not?

Problem is that it is the carowner's option and if you were the insurance company, the value of the vehicle could be paid out instead of paying for repairs, but it is harder for you to argue that
If you have an insurer company that is decent, see if they can represent you in resolving this

Bottom Line Is Whether You Had Insurance Or Not They Can Only Fine You And Suspend Your License And Possibly Very Minimal Jail Time But That Rarely Happens. Whoever You Hit's Insurance Is Going To Have To Take Care Of The Claim. When All Is Said And Done The Insurance Company Can Try To Sue You For Reembursement But If You Dont Have Anything To Take There's Nothing They Can Do. Cant Squeeze Blood From A Turnip But On The Other Hand If You Own Anything Or Have Money In The Bank, House Insurance, And So On They Can Put A Lean On Your Property, Freeze Your Bank Acct. Or Sue Your Home Owner's Insurance. Good Luck Renee

Bottom Line Is Whether You Had Insurance Or Not They Can Only Fine You And Suspend Your License And Possibly Very Minimal Jail Time But That Rarely Happens. Whoever You Hit's Insurance Is Going To Have To Take Care Of The Claim. When All Is Said And Done The Insurance Company Can Try To Sue You For Reembursement But If You Dont Have Anything To Take There's Nothing They Can Do. Cant Squeeze Blood From A Turnip But On The Other Hand If You Own Anything Or Have Money In The Bank, House Insurance, And So On They Can Put A Lean On Your Property, Freeze Your Bank Acct. Or Sue Your Home Owner's Insurance. Good Luck Renee

This post is 1 1/2 years old. And, don't give wrong information, please.