Awkward "co-worker" situation

[Anonymous]

So his car that was totaled in the wreck was a 2013, and he replaced it with a much newer car? If so, it's not surprising that the insurance money came up short of what he needed to buy it.

When a car is totaled, insurance pays the person for what they determine the car to be worth. Sometimes you can argue that they've underestimated the value and try to get more, but at the end of the day you'll only get enough money to replace it with the exact same thing. If you take that money, you can buy a direct replacement, or you can add some additional money of your own and upgrade. But insurance doesn't owe anyone a replacement car that is better (more valuable) than the one that was totaled. So this may not have been an issue of your insurance screwing him over, he may have chosen to upgrade his car using the insurance money for part of the cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So his car that was totaled in the wreck was a 2013, and he replaced it with a much newer car? If so, it's not surprising that the insurance money came up short of what he needed to buy it.

When a car is totaled, insurance pays the person for what they determine the car to be worth. Sometimes you can argue that they've underestimated the value and try to get more, but at the end of the day you'll only get enough money to replace it with the exact same thing. If you take that money, you can buy a direct replacement, or you can add some additional money of your own and upgrade. But insurance doesn't owe anyone a replacement car that is better (more valuable) than the one that was totaled. So this may not have been an issue of your insurance screwing him over, he may have chosen to upgrade his car using the insurance money for part of the cost.

The value was 11k. My insurance only gave him 5k. He did not have any coverage for his own vehicle, just liability. I was at fault, but had only the state minimum, I will have a higher liability from now on (like 20k)

[Anonymous]

Let it go, OP. It is what it is.

[Anonymous]

How did you know his address is a low income housing unit?
As for the rest of it, I actually think he likes you and awkwardly tries to make conversation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So his car that was totaled in the wreck was a 2013, and he replaced it with a much newer car? If so, it's not surprising that the insurance money came up short of what he needed to buy it.

When a car is totaled, insurance pays the person for what they determine the car to be worth. Sometimes you can argue that they've underestimated the value and try to get more, but at the end of the day you'll only get enough money to replace it with the exact same thing. If you take that money, you can buy a direct replacement, or you can add some additional money of your own and upgrade. But insurance doesn't owe anyone a replacement car that is better (more valuable) than the one that was totaled. So this may not have been an issue of your insurance screwing him over, he may have chosen to upgrade his car using the insurance money for part of the cost.

The value was 11k. My insurance only gave him 5k. He did not have any coverage for his own vehicle, just liability. I was at fault, but had only the state minimum, I will have a higher liability from now on (like 20k)

The state minimum is $5k for liability where you live OP?

FYI, $20k won’t get you very far in a lot of accidents either if you total a newer/nicer car and that person (or their insurer) WILL probably sue you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did you know his address is a low income housing unit?
As for the rest of it, I actually think he likes you and awkwardly tries to make conversation

I seriously doubt this. Life isn't Reality Bites. OP is not an adorkable Winona Ryder. The delivery guy is not a yuppie Ben Stiller. She effed with this man's ability to support himself through her careless driving.

[Anonymous]

So you basically stole $6k from him and you’re annoyed because he wondered if there’s anything you can do to make up the difference?

What exactly is your question?

What do you think he would say if he knew that you were made whole by your insurance but he was not?

[Anonymous]

There is no way you will be able to make him whole. It sounds like you barely have two nickels to rub together, let alone $6k.

But it also sounds like your heart is in the right place. In your situation, I would suggest you look for a way to pay it forward. When you next have a chance to do a kindness for someone (maybe a kind word, giving them something you don't need, helping them out of a jam) do it. Bonus points if it is a kindness to this particular man, but really just try to do what you can to make someone's world a little better. Keep doing it until your heart feels a little lighter.

[Anonymous]

Well, technically you owe him money, he just decided not to sue for it.
Can you pay him back a little at a time, even if it takes a while?

[Anonymous]

You and he are both in a bad situation because of the way our economy is slowly being restructured into a gig economy without a safety net. I would focus my energies on trying to survive and figure out how you can gradually improve your situation, and not waste time on feeling guilty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So his car that was totaled in the wreck was a 2013, and he replaced it with a much newer car? If so, it's not surprising that the insurance money came up short of what he needed to buy it.

When a car is totaled, insurance pays the person for what they determine the car to be worth. Sometimes you can argue that they've underestimated the value and try to get more, but at the end of the day you'll only get enough money to replace it with the exact same thing. If you take that money, you can buy a direct replacement, or you can add some additional money of your own and upgrade. But insurance doesn't owe anyone a replacement car that is better (more valuable) than the one that was totaled. So this may not have been an issue of your insurance screwing him over, he may have chosen to upgrade his car using the insurance money for part of the cost.

The value was 11k. My insurance only gave him 5k. He did not have any coverage for his own vehicle, just liability. I was at fault, but had only the state minimum, I will have a higher liability from now on (like 20k)

The state minimum is $5k for liability where you live OP?

FYI, $20k won’t get you very far in a lot of accidents either if you total a newer/nicer car and that person (or their insurer) WILL probably sue you.

Clearly not local. DC minimum is $10k, MD $15k and VA $20k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you basically stole $6k from him and you’re annoyed because he wondered if there’s anything you can do to make up the difference?

This isn’t even remotely what happened.

[Anonymous]

I guess there's nothing you can do now but if you ever receive a windfall, see if you can pay him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So his car that was totaled in the wreck was a 2013, and he replaced it with a much newer car? If so, it's not surprising that the insurance money came up short of what he needed to buy it.

When a car is totaled, insurance pays the person for what they determine the car to be worth. Sometimes you can argue that they've underestimated the value and try to get more, but at the end of the day you'll only get enough money to replace it with the exact same thing. If you take that money, you can buy a direct replacement, or you can add some additional money of your own and upgrade. But insurance doesn't owe anyone a replacement car that is better (more valuable) than the one that was totaled. So this may not have been an issue of your insurance screwing him over, he may have chosen to upgrade his car using the insurance money for part of the cost.

California
The value was 11k. My insurance only gave him 5k. He did not have any coverage for his own vehicle, just liability. I was at fault, but had only the state minimum, I will have a higher liability from now on (like 20k)

The state minimum is $5k for liability where you live OP?

FYI, $20k won’t get you very far in a lot of accidents either if you total a newer/nicer car and that person (or their insurer) WILL probably sue you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So his car that was totaled in the wreck was a 2013, and he replaced it with a much newer car? If so, it's not surprising that the insurance money came up short of what he needed to buy it.

When a car is totaled, insurance pays the person for what they determine the car to be worth. Sometimes you can argue that they've underestimated the value and try to get more, but at the end of the day you'll only get enough money to replace it with the exact same thing. If you take that money, you can buy a direct replacement, or you can add some additional money of your own and upgrade. But insurance doesn't owe anyone a replacement car that is better (more valuable) than the one that was totaled. So this may not have been an issue of your insurance screwing him over, he may have chosen to upgrade his car using the insurance money for part of the cost.

California
The value was 11k. My insurance only gave him 5k. He did not have any coverage for his own vehicle, just liability. I was at fault, but had only the state minimum, I will have a higher liability from now on (like 20k)

The state minimum is $5k for liability where you live OP?

FYI, $20k won’t get you very far in a lot of accidents either if you total a newer/nicer car and that person (or their insurer) WILL probably sue you.

California