WWYD- uninsured motorist

[StephaniePlum]

I was rear ended at a stoplight yesterday. I was driving my husband's car and dealing with this stuff is kind of on his chore list, so I had him deal with it today. Turns out driver is uninsured and was driving food delivery for a local restaurant at the time of the accident. Very minor damage to the bumper, but body shop says the whole bumper needs to be replaced. My husband called the restaurant where the guy works once he found out he was uninsured. I'm sure he will lose his job and this poor guy is surely struggling to make ends meet. Total damage is like $1400. Would you have let it go or worked out a payment plan? I feel like my DH isn't being very empathetic and us over-reacting (lots of woe is me- this guy is such an a-hole, etc) because he is a miser and overly obsessed with cars. Thoughts?

[balletofangels]

While I feel for the guy, he caused an accident and needs to deal with the consequences. Especially if he's driving a car for his job -- he really needs to be a careful and cautious driver. I'm glad the damage isn't major and I hope things work out for him.

[CloudBee]

When it comes to personal property that has significant value, I have a difficult time letting things slide. If it takes a bumper replacement to keep your car value from dropping, you should replace the bumper. I wouldn't trust a payment plan.

I have little sympathy for someone driving uninsured. What if he had hurt someone? His bad luck (possibly scraping to make ends meet) could have ruined someone's life. Not worth the risk. A delivery job is an illegal activity in his situation.

I understand how you feel. It sucks all around, right?

[Deleted]

Are you millionaires where $1400 won't make a big difference in your budget/finances?

If not, then I would absolutely pursue it.

I'm a really empathetic person and wouldn't think this guy is an asshole per-say, but I would still do my best to get him to pay up the $1400. You never know if you want to sell the car in the future how this might affect it. I personally don't have $1400 to just be throwing around like no big deal, so I'd pursue making the person responsible for the damage pay.

[CloudBee]

Aug 25, 2015 20:25:53 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

I'm somewhat sympathetic, but insurance -- especially liability -- is SO cheap. And it's illegal in most places not to be insured. Did you file a police report / call the cops to the scene?

Someone speak up if you know the answer.

Collision on your own vehicle isn't mandatory everywhere, but liability is, right?

[whitemerlot]

I'm not very sympathetic to uninsured drivers. I wouldn't let this slide.

[StephaniePlum]

Aug 25, 2015 20:25:53 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

I'm somewhat sympathetic, but insurance -- especially liability -- is SO cheap. And it's illegal in most places not to be insured. Did you file a police report / call the cops to the scene?

We didn't call the police just bc I was taking my dad to get CT results for potential cancer diagnosis, and I really didn't want to miss that appt.... I think I'm also feeling sooo lucky that my dad got a clean scan, that I feel like the bumper thing is such a minor thing and maybe I owe the universe something for that....

[agnes]

Team H. Also, I prolly would just go through my insurance since we have coverage for uninsured motorists.

[Nonny]

Liability insurance is required everywhere I've ever lived, so I don't have sympathy for him breaking the law.
I especially don't have sympathy for him not having it when he has a job that requires him to drive.
I also don't have sympathy for the restaurant for not checking to make sure their delivery driver was properly insured.

I'd make the guy pay up, no payment plan, and if that didn't work out, I'd go after the restaurant for employing someone without proper insurance. I wouldn't let my own wallet (or my own uninsured motorist coverage) take a hit because of someone else.

[CloudBee]

Aug 25, 2015 20:34:42 GMT -5 Nonny said:

Liability insurance is required everywhere I've ever lived, so I don't have sympathy for him breaking the law.
I especially don't have sympathy for him not having it when he has a job that requires him to drive.
I also don't have sympathy for the restaurant for not checking to make sure their delivery driver was properly insured.

I'd make the guy pay up, no payment plan, and if that didn't work out, I'd go after the restaurant for employing someone without proper insurance. I wouldn't let my own wallet (or my own uninsured motorist coverage) take a hit because of someone else.

This is something to highlight. Why should everyone pay higher premiums when the restaurant had a responsibility here as well? ETA: I wouldn't be surprised if the insurance company attempts this route - if possible.

[isabel]

I'm mostly shocked that the restaurant didn't make sure he had liability insurance. I mean, even a little place should be smart enough to make sure their delivery drivers have insurance. It's just weird!

[Jalapeñomel]

I agree that the restaurant should also be a route you pursue.

[1confused1]

I'm surprised the restaurant doesn't cover his insurance. I know my company does for employees who drive company vehicles.

[1confused1]

Aug 25, 2015 21:12:07 GMT -5 @dixiedarling said:

Aug 25, 2015 20:50:20 GMT -5 1confused1 said:

I'm surprised the restaurant doesn't cover his insurance. I know my company does for employees who drive company vehicles.

I'm thinking he was using his personal vehicle.

Ahh. Got it.

[WOUNDTIGHT]

I feel for the guy but at the same time, this is the real world where your actions have consequences. He was gambling driving without insurance and he lost. Thank god no one was seriously injured while he was driving uninsured- that could have years and years of consequences for the other driver. Hopefully this will be a learning lesson.

[mich1]

Aug 25, 2015 20:32:33 GMT -5 agnes said:

Team H. Also, I prolly would just go through my insurance since we have coverage for uninsured motorists.

Not every state's uninsured motorist coverage covers property damage.  Many states it only covers medical.  KY is one of the states like this, when I got hit by an uninsured driver.

[ninjabridemom]

I'd go through the restaurant and him. They're both at fault (to differing degrees) It's his fault he didn't have insurance ( and the accident) but the restaurant has a responsibility to ensure safe, insured drivers on the road. Their insurance may cover a lot of it actually but you have to loop them in. Actually, probably your insurance company.

[Faevantastic]

I would def pursue it. He's already lucky in that you didn't involve the police.

[njw]

Aug 26, 2015 6:58:35 GMT -5 kevin arnold said:

Aug 26, 2015 6:37:43 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

Their insurance may cover a lot of it actually but you have to loop them in. Actually, probably your insurance company.

THIS! Your insurance company probably will do all the leg work once you give them the info.

Exactly, you need to contact YOUR insurance company.  Pay your deductible to get it fixed.  They'll deal with the uninsured guy and his place of business.

[womet]

Aug 26, 2015 6:58:35 GMT -5 kevin arnold said:

Aug 26, 2015 6:37:43 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

Their insurance may cover a lot of it actually but you have to loop them in. Actually, probably your insurance company.

THIS! Your insurance company probably will do all the leg work once you give them the info.

This. I was rear ended in late July by an unlicensed woman. The owner had insurance but there was an exclusion policy on it regarding licensed drivers. I went through my insurance company. They paid for my car repairs and my medical (I tweaked my back and hip). They are going after this woman personally to recoup their money. I had to pay my uninsured motorists deductible, but they will work to get that money from her too. They have also offered to pay me for my pain and suffering. So I'd contact your insurance company.

[tictac]

Team H.

I have zero sympathy for this guy driving around uninsured.

I know it probably sounds very "bootstraps" but really, he screwed up, he needs to deal with the consequences.

[anyastroud]

I haven't read all of the replies yet. If you feel bad for the guy claim it on your ins. you might have UMPD (uninsured motorist property damage) coverage on your policy.

[Deleted]

Aug 26, 2015 7:45:20 GMT -5 womet said:

Aug 26, 2015 6:58:35 GMT -5 kevin arnold said:

THIS! Your insurance company probably will do all the leg work once you give them the info.

This. I was rear ended in late July by an unlicensed woman. The owner had insurance but there was an exclusion policy on it regarding licensed drivers. I went through my insurance company. They paid for my car repairs and my medical (I tweaked my back and hip). They are going after this woman personally to recoup their money. I had to pay my uninsured motorists deductible, but they will work to get that money from her too. They have also offered to pay me for my pain and suffering. So I'd contact your insurance company.

I had this happen three years ago and I still haven't gotten my deductible back. they had a skip trace out on him and we even went to court over it since it wasn't his first offense. Pretty sure he moved to Florida and got rid of his phone.

[imojoebunny]

It depends on what your deductable is. If it is $1000, I wouldn't claim it, if its lower, I would. Your insurance will handle whether they go after the restaurant or the guy.

The guy has no business driving. My cousin was driving when he was hit by an uninsured motorists driving for a restaurant He killed my cousin's girlfriend. He was also drunk. He was going >50 miles an hour in a 25 zone, when he ran a stop sign. My cousin never even saw him coming. Restaurant went under. Guess who ended up being sued by the family of my cousin's girlfriend? (don't blame them, they were on the hook for her student loans, not looking to win the lottery over their child's death).

I would have called the police. The restaurant is completely irresponsible, too.

[who22]

Aug 25, 2015 20:27:25 GMT -5 CloudBee said:

Aug 25, 2015 20:25:53 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

I'm somewhat sympathetic, but insurance -- especially liability -- is SO cheap. And it's illegal in most places not to be insured. Did you file a police report / call the cops to the scene?

Someone speak up if you know the answer.

Collision on your own vehicle isn't mandatory everywhere, but liability is, right?

In NH you are not required to have any insurance. Live free or die, amirite?