My BUG Got Wrecked!!

[SARGE]

I've had my 1970 VW Beetle for many moons, at least 20 years. Myself, I haven't even been stopped by a cop since 1974, much less a wreck in any car or company vehicle I drove for 32 years. I put maybe 10 miles a week on my Bug. Today I was going to the post office, in the right-hand lane on a 3-lane road. I gave the right-turn signal in plenty of time, checked my mirror for any tailgaters and noticed a car way back. As I slowed to make the turn that car closed rapidly, tried to swerve into the middle lane but a car was there. It all happened so fast. He hit the rear of my Bug. Perhaps you know the sickening feeling but I've never experienced it until today. I wasn't hurt and jumped out, saw the damage and began banging on my car, almost going ballistic. Anyway, we exchanged info and the guy kept asking if I got the ID of the "other car" blocking his swerve, as though it was that guys fault!! He drove off, I got towed to the house. I only have liability on the Bug since it's so old and my insurance guy said forget any repairs. The other guy was driving a Hertz rental car plus gave me his own insurance company info. Nevertheless, my Bug is so old neither will probably repair it so I'm left with nothing. I know I'm fortunate to be okay, yet am now left without a car and with my income can't get another. Seems so unfair since I wasn't negligent, etc. Guess I'm feeling sorry for myself. Thanks for listening, fellers.

[Brad the best]

I am sorry to hear about your car , i remember a couple weeks ago you were talking about oil in it . thats weird they wouldn't fix your car they only stopped making vw bugs around 2 years ago , its not like there is any short supply of parts i know several people with the cars and i know how crushed they would be if they lost there little bugs .

I can't believe that the person who hit you wanted the persons insurance information who was not allowing him to swerve , it was his fault you are supposed to drive with an "out" don't box yourself in . maybe he should read a book on how to drive .

[tetsuo]

Wow. Just wow.

[David M]

Ouch...sorry Sarge. My very first car was a yellow 1970 bug coincidently. In a way I really miss that car and its simplicity. It had personality compared to how bland some cars are now. I could actually diagnose engine problems and fix them myself. I kind of know how you are feeling. Sorry.

Something I am not clear on is how is the guy who rear ended you not responsible? The person who rear ends you is always responsible. It is his insurance that should pay to replace or fix your car. If he did not have insurance then you could take him to court and get a judge to garnish his wages or whatever so you can get the money necessary to get your car fixed. You are still owed a replacement or cash...period. Don't give up hope.

Is your bug repairable at all?

Perhaps someone has a fixer upper who just wants to give it away? or sell it for 50 bucks?...then go to junkyards over time an get it running? I know it does not have the same sentimental value but perhaps it may work out?

[HAL9000]

Sorry to hear that Sarge... but on the positive side, you're OK... things could have been much worse.

[Kareeser]

David's right. Unless you two have decided to explicitly avoid the insurance company (and in this situation, it's impossible, as the other car is a rental), you can demand repair costs.

You can hold your own, I'm sure. Your bug carried you around for the better part of 20 years, fight for it!

[RevCLB]

Sorry to hear about your Bug. You have posted about it a few times. Check with the other persons insurance company. Where I am there used to be a "replace with kind" policy. You may be able to get a replacement bug, combine the 2 and have a good vehicle again. Good luck, RevCLB

[rspassey]

Sorry Sarge - I'm glad you're not hurt.

If you got a good lawyer, you could maybe sue the other driver (and while I'm personally not a fan of doing this), it might just work. If you got enough back, you could probably get a new car.

[juppy]

Sorry to hear about your wreck, Sarge......but glad you're okay.

[whubbard]

Just letting you know, if you have trouble getting your car repaired but would really like to get it repaired, just take a trip down to mexico. Many people drive Bugs down there, as some to the Bugs were produced there. Most of the Bugs driven are old, so i'm willing to betting that most repair shops will be willing to fix up an old bug, no problem.

[Markoman01027]

I am sorry to hear that Sarge. The most important thing is that you are OK. My brother experienced something similar; He only has liability on his car, and he was playing tennis, and some person did a "Hit and Run" on his parked car. He never found out who it was, nor would Insurance pay for it. $400 in damages. Its unfair. I wish people would be just honest with themselves and report what they did wrong.

Good luck with everything.

Matt

[HAL9000]

That will never happen..... we have a different insurance system here... just licensing a car costs quite a bit.. my plates are $1209 per year and I get approxamately 170 off for a safe driver discount. This covers me for everything with a $700 deductable.... so in the instance you stated, I can get my car fixed but get screwed for the $700... my liability is only $200K... I purchase additional insurance for about $300 which reduces all my deductables to $50 and increased my liability to two million, so if I get nailed in a hit and run, I only pay $50.

Here's the kicker though.... the safe driver discount I mentioned... I currently get 14% (It can be as high as 20%, but I had an accident that dinged me several years ago, in another three years I'll have the full 20%).... this is an incentive to hit and run.... think about it... if I hit somebody's car, not only do I lose my current 14%, but I take an additional hit that will add 20% to my plates... then my $300 additional insurance will also go up by 15%. It will take me 10 years of safe driving to go from paying an additional 20% to not paying any additional, but not receiving any discount, and 5 years to regain that 15% on the additional insurance. You start adding up those numbers and I'll fix my own car and be tempted to take off on the one I hit and leave him to himself.

[David M]

Socialized car insurance? One choice from the government...accept it or don't drive. Is that correct? Or am I misunderstanding somethng HAL?

[HAL9000]

WIth this method, everyone is insured at least a minimum level, unless of course you don't plate your car and drive it illegally, either way, even if you're driving illegally, I'm still covered. If you hit me, even if you stay and admit fault, my car gets fixed at no charge... if you run, then I pay a deductable.

Purchasing basic plates gets you $200K liablity and a $700 collission and comprehensive deductable, purchase of plates is mandatory and cost is dependent on the type and year of vehicle.

[juppy]

Originally Posted by HAL9000 .. my plates are $1209 per year...

Geez! I think my tag is usually only about $22. Even on newer cars its not that bad......like my brother has a 2000Toyota Tacoma and I think the tag for it is only around $60 or so.

[HAL9000]

Right, but that is just to get the plate, how much is the insurance on top of that?

[mbossman2]

sarge, is TX a "no fault" state? if it isn't (or what is known as an "at fault" state), don't give up, the other guy sounds like he was at fault (his riding too close prevented him from stopping in time) so his/Hertz's insurance company may be liable...i would pursue that with his insurance company

[Stuey]

Mbossman, when I got into a minor accident 3 years ago, I called up the insurance company and had a lengthy talk with them. They told me that the "no fault" policy applies only to personal injuries resulting from an accident.

Markoman - I'm under the impression that collecting on $400 in damages would lead to higher insurance costs of over $400 over time. Plus if he had a $500 dedudctable, they'd tell him to pay that first.

Anyways, dang, sorry to hear about the bug. speed demons like that just shouldn't be on the road.

Last night I witnesses the aftermath of a minor collission. There was a young woman arguing with a young man. From the way they were talking (yelling) and describing their version of the accident, I could tell that they were the kind of drivers who'd pull these kind of stupid stunts. Too many people take risks while driving, and for what, to get to their destination two minutes quicker.

[Chris_Rootes_Wizard]

Ouch......unlucky Sarge! Hope all turns out good

[David M]

People...its NOT Sarges fault. Sarges insurance company does not have to pay a dime. The other guys insurance company pays out. Therefore Sarges premium is not affected.

[Stuey]

Originally Posted by David M People...its NOT Sarges fault. Sarges insurance company does not have to pay a dime. The other guys insurance company pays out. Therefore Sarges premium is not affected.

My comment about the deductable and premium was in regard to Markoman's comment about his brother's car.

The thing is, what will they pay Sarge - the repair costs (if it's even possbible for the bug to be repaired), or the value of the car?

[mbossman2]

Originally Posted by Stuey Mbossman, when I got into a minor accident 3 years ago, I called up the insurance company and had a lengthy talk with them. They told me that the "no fault" policy applies only to personal injuries resulting from an accident.

as a former resident of NY, NY is a no fault state, so driver A deals with his insurance company, driver B deals with his and the 2 insurance companies work things out between them.

in an "at fault" state, the "not at fault" driver can go after the "at fault" driver's insurance company (as well as the driver personally).

I believe that TX is an "at fault" state, so Sarge may be able to go after the other insurance company (and seeing it was a rental, they may just roll over and pay the claim...more than likely the value of the vehicle)

[Stuey]

I am and was a NY resident at the time. I'm only going by my conversation with the Geico person, and at this point I trust you over my 3-year old memory. Maybe what she said was tailored to my exact situation. Anyways, thanks for clarifying.

[SARGE]

I called Hertz with the license plate number and the lady said he'd already filed a report. I guess I should also call his insurance company. My gut feeling is that the Bug won't be repaired except at my cost. I've gone past the emotional part as of today, and actually feel content no matter what happens. I've got legs that can walk, 2 bikes I can pedal, and mass transit if I need a ride. My onliest date each week is at the VA Hospital on Wednesdays with my counselor and with a few bus connections I can make that. The gal bud has a car we can use for our going places. I keep reminding myself of something I heard long ago - when God closes a door, He then opens a window. It's just a shame overall since I wasn't negligent but what can I say?

[clroberts]

If I remember right, since you were not at fault, you can force the other insurance company to put the vehicle in the pre-accident condition. Even if the value of the repair exceeds the value of the car. You might need a lawyer to sue, but I believe that you could win that case in a court of law. I know that there are some states like the one I live in (Missouri) where it is a percentage at fault state and they can assign a percentage of the fault to the person getting hit. (A co-worker drove through an intersection on a green light and they are trying to get her to be 25 percent at fault since the other person was going through a light that was changing from Yellow to Red.)

[ktkendall]

Aren't those VW beetles from that era actually worth more now than the original selling price when they were new? I've see one every once in a while setting out for sale around here for 4 or 5 thousand.
I also remember seeing that they were still made and sold new in Mexico for many years after they were no longer available here due to not meeting current US safety regulations..

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by ktkendall Aren't those VW beetles from that era actually worth more now than the original selling price when they were new? I've see one every once in a while setting out for sale around here for 4 or 5 thousand. I also remember seeing that they were still made and sold new in Mexico for many years after they were no longer available here due to not meeting current US safety regulations..

Yes, around here everyone wants one and the supply is very limited, needless to say. However when it comes to the "book value", an old Beetle is worth nothing. On the other hand one can go to a car show and see them going for many thousands. A 1957 Chevy goes for around $50k but just try and get some insurance company to honor that unless you have Lloyds and pay out the geezer for the policy.

[David M]

Don't give up Sarge, that guys insurance company owes you.

[juppy]

Originally Posted by HAL9000 Right, but that is just to get the plate, how much is the insurance on top of that?

I don't really know for sure, because my car is in a group rate with two other vehicles we own. For all three though, I think it's only like $750 a year or so.

[mbossman2]

Originally Posted by SARGE Yes, around here everyone wants one and the supply is very limited, needless to say. However when it comes to the "book value", an old Beetle is worth nothing.

then instead of using book value as a marker of value, use recent sales or advertised prices from publications.

a little known (and rarely used) choice is a "subsitution" claim. Instead of fixing the damage, have them replace it with a bug of similar condition and mileage...most insurance companies have sources for situations just like that.

as to Hertz, keep pushing them, they have a lot at risk here: big bad evil company crapping on the poor defenseless veteran...(cue violins) their vehicle wiped out his only source of transportation...in fact the only possible way of him getting to the VA for much needed treatment for injuries sustained while in the brave service of our country. refusing to replace/repair? why that's just unamerican and unpatriotic!

get the strategy?