New car in accident- what to expect

[Anonymous]

We bought a 2021 Subaru on Friday that had been a loaner at a dealership, so low mileage, etc. I was driving my daughter to an activity yesterday morning and a motorcycle t-boned us at a four way stop. Motorcycle was stolen (confirmed by police) and driver left the scene. My daughter and I are fine.

I haven’t been in a situation remotely like this before. Passenger airbags went off and there’s a big dent in the door. I’m having a hard time understanding when a vehicle would be totaled. If they do repair it, are we compensated for the fact that this non-accident car now has an accident? How do I push for the most compensation we can get? Do I just trust the amount the insurance person gives us?

Any thoughts you have would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

did you call your agent friday to add car to your policy?

[Anonymous]

Based on your description it’s very unlikely your 2021 is totaled. Have you called your insurance yet? You need to take it to a repair shop where all repairs should be covered by your insurance. Your car has now been in an accident it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Between a Subaru and a motorcycle,usually the Subaru wins, therefore, it is highly unlikely that your car is totaled.

Call your insurance agent or insurance company. Your car should be restored to new condition.

Delighted to read that both of you are safe. I hope the motorcycle rider is safe as well.

Curious as to which model Subaru. Be thankful that your car didn't have Takata exploding airbags.

Accidents happen. Just a part of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:did you call your agent friday to add car to your policy?

We didn’t (totally didn’t think of it!) but geico has a 30 day grace period, so we should be good. Obvs will remember to do that at the dealership for any subsequent cars. Geico let us add the car right after the accident but it’s taking a little more time because they have to verify the sequence of events.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone who responded. It’s a Subaru Outback and easily the nicest car we’ve owned. Total bummer, although our previous car didn’t have side airbags, so my daughter likely would have been injured. The motorcyclist fled the scene when the cops were called, so he was at least healthy enough to do that. I’m hoping he doesn’t have a head injury.

[Anonymous]

This should be covered under your uninsured motorists coverage if it is the other driver’s fault and under your coverage if the accident is deemed your fault. You may have a deductible the amount of which will depend on your policy.

You will probably be given a choice to either go to a shop of their choice or accept a set amount of money to compensate you for the actual physical damage to your vehicle. You will not be compensated for loss of value. If you have anything extra like a new engine or brand new tires that were affected, your compensation might be a bit more if you can prove it with receipts.

There really isn’t a deal to get here because all you get is property damage. Personally I’ve gone to the shops that the insurer covered and let them fix my car and get compensated directly. That way if extras are discovered it’s not your problem. My carrier uses Calliber Collision which is reputable. Also it’s faster.

Your insurance should not go up unless the accident is deemed your fault.

[Anonymous]

When I was rear ended by a stolen vehicle with stolen plates (plates didn't match the vehicle) that fled the scene it was covered under the uninsured motorist part of the policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bought a 2021 Subaru on Friday that had been a loaner at a dealership, so low mileage, etc. I was driving my daughter to an activity yesterday morning and a motorcycle t-boned us at a four way stop. Motorcycle was stolen (confirmed by police) and driver left the scene. My daughter and I are fine.

I haven’t been in a situation remotely like this before. Passenger airbags went off and there’s a big dent in the door. I’m having a hard time understanding when a vehicle would be totaled. If they do repair it, are we compensated for the fact that this non-accident car now has an accident? How do I push for the most compensation we can get? Do I just trust the amount the insurance person gives us?

Any thoughts you have would be helpful.

The “non accident car now having an accident” is irrelevant. Doesn’t matter how new the car purchase is. You will receive what is needed for repairs and any injury. That’s it. Basically it doesn’t matter at all that the car is new. They’d pay what’s required for fixing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:did you call your agent friday to add car to your policy?

We didn’t (totally didn’t think of it!) but geico has a 30 day grace period, so we should be good. Obvs will remember to do that at the dealership for any subsequent cars. Geico let us add the car right after the accident but it’s taking a little more time because they have to verify the sequence of events.

Not just Geico... you have 30 days to add your car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Between a Subaru and a motorcycle,usually the Subaru wins, therefore, it is highly unlikely that your car is totaled.

Call your insurance agent or insurance company. Your car should be restored to new condition.

Delighted to read that both of you are safe. I hope the motorcycle rider is safe as well.

Curious as to which model Subaru. Be thankful that your car didn't have Takata exploding airbags.

Accidents happen. Just a part of life.

Those were recalled a few years ago, and OP's car is 2021.

[Anonymous]

They should have already made an appointment to send a claims adjuster out to assess damages if you called them this weekend.

[Anonymous]

You will be going through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which will only pay for the repairs and will not compensate you for the loss of resale value on your vehicle because it's now been in an accident. It is unfortunate, but that's how it works. Even if they paid you more to compensate for the loss in resale value, you would only end up paying it back through higher premiums later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:did you call your agent friday to add car to your policy?

We didn’t (totally didn’t think of it!) but geico has a 30 day grace period, so we should be good. Obvs will remember to do that at the dealership for any subsequent cars. Geico let us add the car right after the accident but it’s taking a little more time because they have to verify the sequence of events.

Not just Geico... you have 30 days to add your car.

Really? When I bought my car a couple years ago I had to show proof of insurance on the new car before they let me drive off the lot.

[Anonymous]

Due to supply chain issues, it may take awhile to get all the parts needed to repair your vehicle.

Also, I wonder whether all states permit the 30 day grace period to add a vehicle to one's insurance policy. Insurance rules are made & regulated by states so there is no assurance of uniformity in insurance law, rules, and regulations. I am aware of dealerships in other states (not close to DC) that will not allow a recently purchased vehicle to leave the lot without written proof that the vehicle has been added to the purchaser's existing auto insurance policy or that the purchaser has written documentation of a new insurance policy covering the newly purchased vehicle.