Rear-end collision. Distracted driver with phone in hand caught on video

[HaulingAss]

May go up? She rear-ended someone while looking at the phone, holding it in her hand.

Some insurance companies advertise "accident forgiveness" if you have been with them a certain amount of time (and only for one accident).

That is why I was being factual when I said "her rates may or may not go up". In the end, we all pay for this to some degree.

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[sirozha]

Some insurance companies advertise "accident forgiveness" if you have been with them a certain amount of time (and only for one accident).

That is why I was being factual when I said "her rates may or may not go up". In the end, we all pay for this to some degree.

I know some companies (like AllState) do this, but their premiums are usually significantly more expensive than less known insurance companies. They should (and possibly do) have waivers on this accident-forgiveness policy when the driver does something illegal (like driving under influence or holding a phone) and causes an accident. One thing is to get distracted by your child and rear-end someone. Quite another thing is to deliberately engage in an illegal behavior like holding a phone and looking into its screen and rear-end someone. The latter should have much more severe consequences for the same amount of damage caused.

 

[HaulingAss]

I know some companies (like AllState) do this, but their premiums are usually significantly more expensive than less known insurance companies. They should (and possibly do) have waivers on this accident-forgiveness policy when the driver does something illegal (like driving under influence or holding a phone) and causes an accident. One thing is to get distracted by your child and rear-end someone. Quite another thing is to deliberately engage in an illegal behavior like holding a phone and looking into its screen and rear-end someone. The latter should have much more severe consequences for the same amount of damage caused.

I'm not making a judgement here, I'm just saying, depending upon her policy (and I suppose how well the insurance company investigates the accident), her rates may or may not go up due to the accident. That's just a statement of fact.

 

[Klis]

I'm not making a judgement here, I'm just saying, depending upon her policy (and I suppose how well the insurance company investigates the accident), her rates may or may not go up due to the accident. That's just a statement of fact.

Question is whether my insurance will show the her insurance the video or not.

 

[HaulingAss]

Question is whether my insurance will show the her insurance the video or not.

And also whether they have exclusions for using a cell phone while driving or violating a law. Do you know whether the "crash forgiveness" offered by some companies disqualifies you if they find out you were exceeding the speed limit by 1 mph? Personally, I hope her rates go up, but I'm not sure they will. It's likely, but not certain. And that's all I was originally saying.

 

[Klis]

And also whether they have exclusions for using a cell phone while driving or violating a law. Do you know whether the "crash forgiveness" offered by some companies disqualifies you if they find out you were exceeding the speed limit by 1 mph? Personally, I hope her rates go up, but I'm not sure they will. It's likely, but not certain. And that's all I was originally saying.

My rate is certainly going up and i did nothing wrong. Could you imagine if hers doesn't?! That would be absolutely absurd.

 

[sirozha]

Question is whether my insurance will show the her insurance the video or not.

You should hire a lawyer. Don’t let your insurance company handle it. Insurance companies are in cahoots with each other. Their CEOs play golf together. They are not going to bat for you. A lawyer will force them to do the right thing.

 

[Klis]

My appointment for repairs is Jan 10 at a Tesla Collision center in Paramus, NJ. (I made the appointment the same night of the accident, Dec 20)

The adjuster estimated it would take $1,500 to fix the damage and a few days later they paid $1k to Tesla Collision.

When I saw that payment, I thought there's not way they're doing a bumper, trailer hitch, and tailgate for $1k. So I messaged Tesla Collision through the app to describe the damage and they said something along the lines of, "I ordered your parts, you're all set."

I explained that the tailgate has some scratches that could be sanded or buffed...whatever their processes are. The scratches are so light, its just like the foundation series badging. I guess "scratches" isn't even the right word for what I have. In the end they said they'll have a new tailgate ready to replace mine if need be.

Seems to be an efficient process with Tesla. I hope they can bang it out in 2-3 days.

 

[HaulingAss]

My rate is certainly going up and i did nothing wrong. Could you imagine if hers doesn't?! That would be absolutely absurd.

I hope you are not under the illusion that "absurd" is not in the realm of possibilities when dealing with auto insurance.

 

[HaulingAss]

My appointment for repairs is Jan 10 at a Tesla Collision center in Paramus, NJ. (I made the appointment the same night of the accident, Dec 20)

The adjuster estimated it would take $1,500 to fix the damage and a few days later they paid $1k to Tesla Collision.

When I saw that payment, I thought there's not way they're doing a bumper, trailer hitch, and tailgate for $1k. So I messaged Tesla Collision through the app to describe the damage and they said something along the lines of, "I ordered your parts, you're all set."

I explained that the tailgate has some scratches that could be sanded or buffed...whatever their processes are. The scratches are so light, its just like the foundation series badging. I guess "scratches" isn't even the right word for what I have. In the end they said they'll have a new tailgate ready to replace mine if need be.

Seems to be an efficient process with Tesla. I hope they can bang it out in 2-3 days.

That's awesome!

Thanks for the update. This is a lot different outcome than if you were in a Rivian!

 

[Klis]

Minor update.

Collision center says trailer hitch took all or most of the damage. Aside from bumper, hitch and possible tailgate, there are 3 additional parts to be ordered. My guess are some brackets surrounding the hitch.

Timeline for repairs:
The tech said if it were just bumper, tailgate, and hitch, it would have been repaired in 1 day. In my case, estimate is 2 weeks because of ordering extra parts and waiting for insurance to approve....etc.

 

[mongo]

Minor update.

Collision center says trailer hitch took all or most of the damage. Aside from bumper, hitch and possible tailgate, there are 3 additional parts to be ordered. My guess are some brackets surrounding the hitch.

Timeline for repairs:
The tech said if it were just bumper, tailgate, and hitch, it would have been repaired in 1 day. In my case, estimate is 2 weeks because of ordering extra parts and waiting for insurance to approve....etc.

Yeah, the two rear crush structures the receiver mounts to probably deformed.

 

[Klis]

Yeah, the two rear crush structures the receiver mounts to probably deformed.

Actually... from what I could tell, with my untrained eyes, those crush structures weren't damaged at all. They're mighty solid; very impressive.

I'll upload parts list as soon as available to me

 

[Klis]

Well boys and girls....here's the damage.

 

[mongo]

Well boys and girls....here's the damage.

called it ?... but $1,690 each for cast aluminum???

Yeah, the two rear crush structures the receiver mounts to probably deformed.

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