Insurance claim / accident

[Mechhell]

Hi all, I was trail ride mid December in a State OHV park and I let my 19 year old daughter ride the XP 550 and she had a accident. She said 3 Motocross bikes were racing up the trail so she pulled over to let them by and 1 of them lost control and went head on into the front right side of the XP, The guy dragged his bike out from under it and toke off with out leaving his information and my daughter got scared and froze up didn't even think about get the OHV liscense off the Bike, We reported it the Rangers and of course he disappeared. Now my Insurance company says it was a collision and I have to pay a 500$ deductable to get it repaired? If She stopped and he hit her isn't that a Hit and run not a Collision? They want to get a statement from my Daughter, But why? I think theres something shady about the insurance company. they have the accident Report from the Ranger, Why would they need a statement from my daughter?

Anyone ever had a problem like this?

[Mike B]

My wife was rear ended a couple of months ago, clearly the others guys fault, he even admitted he was not paying attention. My wife still had to call in and give a sworn statement of what happened to the other guys insurance company. Must be for legal reasons. Not sure how they handle hit and run situations with ATV's.

[4getful2]

They will also , most likely want her to sign at least 1 affidavit saying that she was not injured in any way shape or form.

[polman500]

Standard insurance claim procedure. You yourself said that the other bike hit your machine (collision) and that your daughter was driving it at the time and that she was the only available witness. Who else could possibly give the insurance adjuster a statement about what exactly happened? The Ranger's report is simply a second hand recitation of what your daughter told him at the time. His report only corroborates your claim unless he actually witnessed the "collision" of the two vehicles. There's nothing shady about an adjuster doing his job. Any time two vehicles make contact it is by definition a collision whether the the other driver runs off or not.

[AKStew]

I used to be an adjuster for State Farm and polman500 is right on the money. Since the other driver took off, your insurance will have to cover it until the culprit is found. If he's found, your insurance company will subrogate against his company (or him) and if they recover the full amount, your deductible will be refunded to you.

Obviously, if the damage is less than your deductible, or if you can provide the labor to get it there, I would just pay to fix it yourself.

Stew

[IKEA52]

Good Day Mechhell,

Glad to hear that your daughter was not injured. I know in Alberta, Canada that would be defined as a Hit & Run which would have to be reported to police, however not to your insurance company.

If the damage is under 500 to 700 dollars i would just pay for it out of my pocket to prevent your insurance rates from going up. In the event that the culprit is found you can always claim it through insurance then as long as you are able to produce receipts for the fix.

IKEA

[Colorado_Mountains_850XP]

I'm aligned with AKStew. And as a former claims adjuster for the largest motorcycle company in the US, that's exactly how we did it to. It's not an interogation. You can be on the line while it happens. There were times when we would do it 'in person.' It's not about trying to trap your daughter or anything. Corporate just wanted statements from all parties involved. And we couldn't pay it until it was done. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but your policy contract most likely states 'you have to cooperate' with your insurance company in the event of a claim. Glad your daughter is OK.

[Mechhell]

Thanks everyone, my appoliges for using the word shady. Now I understand, I was under the impression that Collision and Hit and run would have different types of coverage. Anyway I did fix most of the damage, only thing was battle scares and the front lower a-arm needs to be replaced($90), actually bent!, good thing the winch and radiator were just missed. Do they make any front bumpers that have cow catchers?

Lesson learned, Tie the winch cable to it until the info is exchanged.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Mechhell

Thanks everyone, my appoliges for using the word shady. Now I understand, I was under the impression that Collision and Hit and run would have different types of coverage. Anyway I did fix most of the damage, only thing was battle scares and the front lower a-arm needs to be replaced($90), actually bent!, good thing the winch and radiator were just missed. Do they make any front bumpers that have cow catchers?

Lesson learned, Tie the winch cable to it until the info is exchanged.

Yes we do! We have a new Cobra version in the same style as this that will be released shortly. ATV-GURU Polaris Brush Guards & Bumpers

[Mike B]

With those bumpers the guy won't get away as quickly.... He will be pushing his busted up dirt bike.