Itās a claim you make to the insurance company. In this case to the persons insurance that hit you. And you get money up front. For the devaluation your car will get at trade in due to the car fax hit.
Never even knew that was an option. I do know once a car is stolen and itās on a car fax it takes a major hit... well not everywhere. One dealer offered me like 28k and another offered me 37, 9 grand difference lol.
It sucks but it seams like car fax is a tool just as much for the dealer to beat you on your trade in. As it is a tool for warning customers of cars with major repairs. I traded a Jeep recently that was involved in one minor accident in the lifetime of ownership. And had a dealer try to rape me on trade. Saying that the car returned a bad car fax.
I didnāt know about this either, or really think about it til this happened. Why should the person not at fault take the hit for loss of value? Yet another insurance scam that should be given as part of the original claim.
My thoughts: (seconding some comments above)
- dash cam is cheap insurance (my latest one was $40).
- file a claim
- thoroughly document (pictures, work orders, etc.) the damage and repairs so that when questions arise when you go to sell the car, you can show that it was minor, no airbags, frame damage, etc. even if you don't file a claim
- diminished value is a claim type wherein you say "my car is worth less now because it's been wrecked and repaired, and everyone will know this because of the carfax". It is difficult to prove, to value, and to get paid for. But it's a real thing, and it's certainly worth trying.
I'm reminded of an accident in which a guy turned left on red in front of me (I had green) and the cop said that it would be he said/he said unless I had a witness. Fortunately, I did. Now I have dash cameras in my cars. It's not good enough to capture license plates (unless I'm really close) but it gives me a little bit of security. I told my wife that if I'm ever in an accident and she has the chance, she is to grab the camera/memory card ASAP just in case I was the one at fault...
Update! I went through the morons insurance, and to sum it up....
Insurance: āwe reached out to our insured and will not be paying for the damage due to conflicting statementsā
me: ābut you have the police report stating he failed to see my vehicle and the accident was due to improper backingā
insurance: ā yes but since no ticket was issued we have to go by what our insured saidā
me: āThat is insane, let me speak to your supervisor pleaseā
insurance: āthat wonāt be happeningā
me: āok Iāll get his info myself, have a great dayā
next step, go over the adjusters head to get supervisors information. Find out that moron told insurance I rear ended him. Send supervisor police report and video of moron stating he was backing up to park. āWe will be sending you a checkā
So the car is home, paint match is excellent, OEM parts installed. Diminished value claim sent to insurance. Didnāt even need to put a claim on my insurance!
Now the question, should I wait to drill the 2 small 3/16ā holes for the splitter rods into the bumper, or should I be ok since itās just plastic?
Again, thank you all for the helpful info. I had no idea a diminished value claim existed, and assumed it had to go through my own insurance.
Gerber collision, they are nationwide, worked quickly and cool guys.
