Rear ended Lexus is250

[low sorrel]

Also a little crack right below the taillights. Looks pretty costly. And fyi, I have the police claim report and the other guy is 100% at fault

[craggy delta]

Since you were rear-ended and the other driver is completely at fault, it’s important to take the right steps to make the claims process as smooth as possible. Start by reaching out to your insurance company (State Farm) to file a claim—be sure to have the police report, photos of the damage, and any other details ready. It’s a good idea to get several repair estimates to ensure you’re fairly compensated, and you might also want to look into claiming diminished value if your car’s worth has dropped because of the accident. The other driver’s insurance should cover the repairs, so your State Farm rates shouldn’t be affected, but it’s smart to keep an eye on your policy just to be safe. If you go with a repair shop in State Farm’s Select Service network, you’ll get perks like guaranteed completion dates and repair warranties. Stay in touch with your agent throughout to clear up any questions or concerns.

[low sorrel]

I was driving home from college and in a state of panic so completely forgot to ask for the other person’s insurance or contact info… Disappointed in myself because I’m an idiot. I do have their plate number though as well as the police report and will go talk to my insurance tomorrow with my dad. (He’s pissed at me)

I’m in a world full of trouble if my insurance rates go up 🥲

[low sorrel]

Update: I will have to wait for the crash report to come out so I can access the guys insurance unless I want to pay a $500 deductible. Just went to a body repair shop aswell and they’re estimating 2.3k for the damages we can see, but potentially more for hidden damage.

I will also look into claiming diminished value also since this will be the first accident on my car history which will lower its value.

[craggy delta]

You should’ve gotten the guy’s insurance info, but what’s done is done. At least you’ve got the plate number and the police report, so you’re not completely out of luck. You’ll have to wait for the crash report to get his details unless you’re ready to pay the $500 deductible, which isn’t great. The $2.3k estimate is already high, and if there’s hidden damage, it’ll climb, so be ready for that. Talk it through with your dad and State Farm, and just don’t make the same mistake next time.

[jagged pebble]

GG @craggy delta, you just advanced to level 4! Chat more to level up and earn top roles!

[low sorrel]

Yep it’s definitely on me, no clue why I didn’t get the guys info. The reason for the expensive quote is for the paint. The shop I went to said that the paint I have (starfire pearl) takes a bunch of work.

Here’s footage for anybody that wants it

[lofty egret]

and you have a dash cam? You’re fine bro. Your rates are not going up

However, unless you pay the 500 deductible, your car is not going to get worked on any time soon. I would bite the bullet and pay the money.

If you wait for his insurance to pay first, you can be waiting MONTHS before repairs happens.

If you pay your deductible, you will get your car worked on sooner than later.

Your insurance company WILL go after his for all damages(cost of repairs) and your deductible, so you will get your money back.

You can start the claim without the police report and as soon as you get the police report you can send it to your insurance as well as all related documents.

[low sorrel]

Yeah dash cam came in clutch. I got one exactly for this reason. I’m in the Midwest so there’s a lot of slippery roads and bad drivers haha.

[low sorrel]

Yeah I’ve heard that usually the insurance will pay the deductible back once everything is settled

[low sorrel]

Would it hurt to go through their insurance first and see how they respond? Depending on how they’re going to treat my claim, I can decide to just file through my insurance if they seem sketchy

[lofty egret]

Well you will have to wait for them to make a determination to say who is at fault.

Even though it is pretty obvious, this can take months, and your car won’t be in the process of getting fixed

I would pay the deductible, get your car repaired why you wait for the claim to go through. Yes you will have to pay out, but you ultimately should get that money back.

[low sorrel]

That’s true, I’m home for winter break for a month so it’d prob be better to get it done sooner

[lofty egret]

Yeah the repair can take 3 weeks or so maybe even longer. You might need a rental, the whole nine

[low sorrel]

I’d be in another state for college though, not sure how that’d work. I lowkey use my car a lot as well so I can’t go to college without it

[lofty egret]

You would have to come back and get it

[low sorrel]

That’s unfortunate. It’s about a 5 hour drive just going home from college. Would it be a good idea to just do it myself? Buy a bumper from a scrap yard and replace it myself

My right reflector light is also busted but I can get a replacement one on eBay

[lofty egret]

You can do what ever you want, you can have the insurance do an estimate and then cut you a check, On the behalf of the person at fault.

You just run the risk of there being frame damage and not knowing until you take the bumper off. Other than frame damage, the repair can be done at home.

[low sorrel]

Okay thank you, I’m going to get it further inspected for possible frame damage. If all goes well and I get the check, I’ll try to swap the bumper myself!

[low sorrel]

Bumper clips have gave up 🥲

[lofty egret]

Might be best to take the bumper off now before you lose it on the highway

[low sorrel]

It’s only the right side that’s damaged, the left side is untouched. I’ve also had to drive a lot these last few days 😅

The police report is out finally, going to call their insurance tomorrow and hopefully get everything situated. The guy’s insurance is ‘Trumball insurance’ but when I look it up, it’s Trumbull. Kinda odd but typos happen

[lofty egret]

Did you not call the insurance already?

[low sorrel]

I’m an idiot and forgot to exchange contact info at the scene

[lofty egret]

That doesn’t matter, you could of still called the insurance

They know that the police report takes time to get

I only say that because the process is going to take longer now as opposed to if you starting it a few days ago

[low sorrel]

I called my insurance and they advised me to file through their insurance if I didn’t want to pay the deductible

[lofty egret]

Ok this is true

[low sorrel]

I’m fine with waiting, I probably wouldn’t be able to repair it anytime soon anyway due to college and the inconveniences

[lofty egret]

Best bet would for them to cut you a check since you will be at school

[low sorrel]

Yeah true

Sorry if I seem dumb lol, I’ve never gotten into an accident and this is my first time ever dealing with insurance and such

[lofty egret]

Yeah your dumb

I’m obviously kidding 😂

You’re fine bro, these are things you learn as they happen.

[low sorrel]

I definitely take accountability for exchanging info at the scene 😂

Got a handful already from my dad haha, he wasn’t the happiest when he found out my dumbass forgot to literally do the most important thing

[lofty egret]

This is all a learning experience and I’m happy I can just help. Because in reality, you’re going to learn how frustrating this process can be lol..

Best advice I can give you, do not STOP being persistent when it comes to getting the other insurance to do anything

[low sorrel]

Oh yeah definitely, especially with the whole situation with United Healthcare. Really makes you aware of how corrupt insurance can be

[lofty egret]

If you are not on top of them, they will move at a turtle pace.

[low sorrel]

For sure, I appreciate it

[lofty egret]

Insurance in general.

[low sorrel]

I will definitely be persistent. No clue what his insurance company is as I’ve never heard of them. Either gonna go smoothly or very hectic

[lofty egret]

Yeah for sure.

Keep us posted on how it goes. Merry Christmas!!

[low sorrel]

You too Gonzo!! I appreciate all the help :)

[lofty egret]

Any time fam!

[low sorrel]

Little Update: Filed the claim yesterday with the other persons insurance and they called me the day of, asking for more details and making sure everything was alright! They sent me a link today to submit all photos of damage. I also received a call from them shortly after, they stated that they have received the photos and are going to make an estimate the next following days.

Any cost differences between their estimate and a shop will be reimbursed as well. Overall, pretty smooth process so far!

[low sorrel]

Update: They gave me an estimate of 1.2k based off photos alone without a shop inspection

[spark pagoda]

If that's what they're offering to pay you without inspecting the vehicle they're lowballing you

if they're offering to actually repair it the estimate doesn't matter as much

the other party's insurance should cover the entire cost of the repair provided that the party has enough coverage, not reimburse you the difference. that's just odd

[low sorrel]

Yeah I think they’re definitely lowballing me. I’m going to call them again and try to get more

[lofty egret]

An adjuster needs to look at the car.

A true estimate is made when they take everything apart, how else are you going to know what needs to be done?

[low sorrel]

Yeah that’s what I thought aswell, kinda odd how they just went off pictures alone instead of asking me to take it to a shop

[lofty egret]

Agreed.

[spark pagoda]

make sure to keep in touch with your insurance rep throughout the process. they'll help you catch shenanigans like this because they also want to get paid

general process:

• you submit initial documentation (pictures, video, statements, etc)
• other party's insurance has an adjuster come out to assess the damage to your property or vehicle
  OR
• other party's insurance has vehicle inspected at one of their affiliated repair centers or a location that accepts payments from them
• they will inform you of the timetable for repairs / estimated damage to your vehicle

at no point should they be contacting you directly except to get more information from you or update you. that's what your claim rep is for

[low sorrel]

They made me submit all documentation and then I got the estimate. I wonder if the adjust just looked at the pictures and made the estimate off just the exterior damage alone. I think my dad did mention to the insurance that he just wanted the check sent to us and not the shop. Still weird that they didn’t have us take it a shop

Also found a bumper in good condition for $45. Missing diffuser but I can swap my current one or get an aftermarket one for $100. Missing reflectors too but those are like $30 for both. Going to pick it up once I’m back from vacation. Should be able to diy all repairs with some buddies of mine.

So for parts hypothetically:
Used bumper: $45
Diffuser: $100
Rear reflectors: $30
Bumper pads: $5
Bumper clips: $10
Miscellaneous: $20
Total: $210

[spark pagoda]

take it to a shop, get an estimate for repairs, then ask them to cut you a check for that amount

whats your insurance rep doing during all this

[low sorrel]

I already have an estimate from one shop, would that be enough or should I get more estimates to back up the price?

[spark pagoda]

get another from the local dealership if you havent already taken it there

[low sorrel]

No clue, I filed the claim through the other persons insurance so idk if my agent is even aware

[spark pagoda]

contact your insurance as well

let them know the other party is accepting fault / other relevant details so they can get you everything youre owed

[low sorrel]

Ok I’ll get on that soon, I’m out of state visiting family at the moment

[low sorrel]

Also for this, wouldn’t insurance require the shop to contact them about the price differential? I know in some cases the insurance requires the shop to contact them if more money is needed for extra repairs

[spark pagoda]

yes, which is what you want

[low sorrel]

The only problem is that I would have to do it at the shop, which won’t work for me because I will have to drive to another state for college soon. It is also inconvenient for me to get a rental for the time being. It is much more convenient for me to diy it with my friends

[lofty egret]

Im surprised you haven’t done this. I thought you did

[lofty egret]

They may pay for your rental. I get it though,

Then you would have to drive all the way back to pick up the Lexus

[low sorrel]

Honestly I’ve just been working with their insurance and not mine because the whole process has been pretty smooth

I’m also contempt with the estimate because I’ve found parts that’ll only cost me a few hundred. Then I have some buddies who can help me replace everything so i wouldn’t be paying anybody for labor

[lofty egret]

Yeah but if the estimate is more, you will get more money 🙂

[low sorrel]

That is very true, I will call them asking for a break down of parts and compare it to the estimate I got from a shop. I’ll try to negotiate from there

[lofty egret]

Keep us posted. Would like to know what they say

[low sorrel]

Took a few business day to get a response due to new years but here’s the break down of costs.

Now, comparing it to the shops breakdown:

For the parts themselves, I believe they’re trying to lowball me by including the prices of cheap aftermarket junk and not oem, which explains the price difference

They require me to send all supplement info to their email so I will be doing that today

[lofty egret]

Thanks. So there is a difference with labor times, labor costs, and unit prices.

I wonder if the shop that quoted you is quoting BRAND new parts which is probable

[low sorrel]

Yeah I believe they are, which makes sense since they want money

[lofty egret]

Lots of insurances, through the policy you hold, are allowed to use used parts

[low sorrel]

Yep, I just looked it up unfortunately

[lofty egret]

Which is why, for example the bumper is significantly cheaper

[low sorrel]

You have to pay a lot more for a policy where they replace with oem parts only

[lofty egret]

Yes

BUT

[low sorrel]

I wonder if they’d give me more for the labor differences though?

[lofty egret]

If you don’t like the outcome, and you won’t except the vehicle, they can put OEM on their dime

They tried that with my TRD RAV4. The grille did not fit right at all with the aftermarket one, lines were not straight and lined up. So I bitched about it and they replaced the grille with a Toyota one

[low sorrel]

Ohh does it matter if you do it yourself or does it have to be repaired by a shop?

[low sorrel]

I’m worried about fitment aswell for the aftermarket parts, aswell as paint matching with the amount of labor they charged

[lofty egret]

You can fight that

[lofty egret]

It does matter. I would ask what pay out is.

But honestly, I know you have school. I would have a shop do it. Make them pay for a rental and come and pick the car up..

[low sorrel]

Gotcha

[low sorrel]

I will have to see how everything plays out, if everything can get done without any issues then I’ll consider taking it to a shop

It’s just that college is about a 5 hour drive so it really makes me hesitate

[lofty egret]

Ask them to pay for fuel. lol

You can negotiate everything with insurance companies

[low sorrel]

I did not think of that 💀

[lofty egret]

Doesn’t mean they will pay but you can add it all. It’s an inconvenience related to the accident

[low sorrel]

Yeah I will def be writing an email fighting them about the estimate later

[lofty egret]

My man

[low sorrel]

After speaking with the insurance about the oem parts and the labor rates, they have adjusted the estimate to $1,545 to account for the extra labor! They are not able to account for OEM parts though due to the policy 👍

[lofty egret]

See bro! My man got more money

[low sorrel]

Yessir! All thanks to you Gonzo 😄

[lofty egret]

Nah fam all you.

[thorny sluice]

Bad day for Lexus fam

[lofty egret]

Your fault?

[thorny sluice]

Person next to me tried to turn left into my car

[lofty egret]

Damn. Doesn’t look too bad. Happy your ok

[low sorrel]

Nooo 💔