basic insurance, carfax and compensation questions
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Vehicle: 2008 tib
basic insurance, carfax and compensation questions
Just some stuff I'm wondering about 
- If I crash or someone crashes into me is it reported to carfax regardless of the level of damage?
- If the insurance pays out does it also pay out enough to cover the loss in value that will occur since its now listed as being in an accident on carfax?
- If I have a crash am I supposed to phone 911 regardless of the level of damage?
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,943
Likes: 0
From: ɯooɹpǝq ɹnoʎ
Vehicle: ǝdnoɔ sısǝuǝƃ
Depends on the parties involved. Someone has to report it for it to show up on a CarFax. Think about who would be involved and who would report it. Joe's Mechanic Shop likely isn't going to report anything, but if insurance is involved, a police report, or a dealership then it's possible.
Insurance will pay enough to replace the OEM parts that were damaged as a result of the accident. That's about it
IIRC, It is a crime to leave the scene of an accident without reporting it. I believe the exception is being on personal property.
Insurance will pay enough to replace the OEM parts that were damaged as a result of the accident. That's about it
IIRC, It is a crime to leave the scene of an accident without reporting it. I believe the exception is being on personal property.
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,795
Likes: 5
From: Pflugerville, TX
Vehicle: 2000 Elantra
You may have to take the other party to court, but you are not responsible for any loss of value to your car. If their insurance wants to act in bad faith and not give you *total* compensation for your loss, you can sue. whether that costs more than the loss, and if it's worth the effort, is your call. Just because some random insurance adjuster says your loss is so many dollars doesn't make it true. Also, it is possible for older cars or worse damage that loss of value claims would push you over the threshhold of a total loss.
They WILL try to low-ball you if it is at all possible, which is the responsible thing for an insurance company to do (for their shareholders, not for you). Generally, for a car just a couple years old you can get new OEM parts if you insist. If your car is a few years old, *all* its parts are used so putting "refurbished" parts is fair.
They WILL try to low-ball you if it is at all possible, which is the responsible thing for an insurance company to do (for their shareholders, not for you). Generally, for a car just a couple years old you can get new OEM parts if you insist. If your car is a few years old, *all* its parts are used so putting "refurbished" parts is fair.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,735
Likes: 3
From: Vegas, Baby, Vegas!!!
Vehicle: '14 Ford F-150
Reporting laws vary state to state. Here in NV, you only need to file a police report if there's more than $2500 in damage or an injury. No matter what your state laws, don't call 911 unless someone's injured. If there are no injuries, call your local police non-emergency number. Also, here in NV (again, your state may differ), if there are no injuries and the vehicles are drivable, you are required to move the vehicles out of the flow of traffic. For some reason, most people seem to think that even if you have a minor fender bender, you have to leave the cars right where they are and wait for the cops to show up.
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,943
Likes: 0
From: ɯooɹpǝq ɹnoʎ
Vehicle: ǝdnoɔ sısǝuǝƃ
In Tennessee:
Also:
All accidents that involve personal injury, death, and property damage that exceeds $50 must be reported
Also:
As set forth under the provisions of 55-12-104, T.C.A., you must file, or have filed in your behalf, a personal report with the Department of Safety, if you were involved in an automobile crash as an owner or driver involving death or injury, or in which damage to property was in excess of four hundred dollars ($400) to any person involved. This report is required regardless of who was at fault and in addition to any report filed by an investigating officer.
Failure to file a personal crash report with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security may
result in the suspension of driver license and registrations or nonresident operating privileges of
any person involved in a crash.
Your report must be submitted to the Department within twenty (20) days from the crash
Failure to file a personal crash report with the Department of Safety and Homeland Security may
result in the suspension of driver license and registrations or nonresident operating privileges of
any person involved in a crash.
Your report must be submitted to the Department within twenty (20) days from the crash
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
From: PacNW
Vehicle: 2013 BMW 128i
Reporting laws vary state to state. Here in NV, you only need to file a police report if there's more than $2500 in damage or an injury. No matter what your state laws, don't call 911 unless someone's injured. If there are no injuries, call your local police non-emergency number. Also, here in NV (again, your state may differ), if there are no injuries and the vehicles are drivable, you are required to move the vehicles out of the flow of traffic. For some reason, most people seem to think that even if you have a minor fender bender, you have to leave the cars right where they are and wait for the cops to show up.
Pretty much this. I got rear ended in bumper to bumper traffic once (literally 5mph) and when we just stopped to check to see if there was damage the other guy called the local non-emergency number, lol. It's good practice so that there is always a police report to accompany the insurance claims if there are any, but the police did also tell him that unless you estimate that the damage to property is $1500 or more it isnt necessary to call, or even report the accident to the DMV, etc. But every state has slightly different regulations
