A Tale of Accident Insurance

Post by **Ricohoc** » May 9, 2012, 3:01 pm

Two months ago, while eating in a restaurant, my parked vehicle was side-swiped and damaged by a young man driving one of those over-sized luxury pickup trucks. He was trying to parallel park by moving forward into the space rather than pulling ahead and backing into the space.

Police report made. Driver admits to guilt. Pictures taken. Everyone happy because all I wanted was for my vehicle to be repaired. I was praised over and over by the at-fault driver and the police for being such a good person and only wanting my vehicle repaired -- nothing more.

After a month of waiting, my vehicle was still not repaired because the shop doing the work could not locate parts. Come to find out, they were looking for USED parts to repair my vehicle because the vehicle was USED and not new. I was not happy with that nugget of information.

After four more weeks of checking on the location of parts (I found MANY available in the US), I was told that parts were ordered from Japan. A week later, the mechanic shop admits that they can't find the parts. I thought they were ordered from Japan? Mai phen lai.

Negotiations began for a cash settlement yesterday. I communicated a value that would make me happy to settle the matter. The insurance company (of the at-fault driver) offered 25% less. No way. Then the insurance company offered 10% less. I informed them that I was willing to hire an attorney and go to court to sue for the amount that I wanted as settlement. I didn't care what that representation would cost me. The insurance company responded with the exact amount of what I wanted to settle.

Learned two things. Don't be so concered with being a nice guy. I will get all I can get if the other driver is at fault -- and I'm not talking about a ridiculous cash settlement for phony injuries, etc. I'm talking about stipulating that new parts replace damaged parts and receiving payment for time wasted before having the vehicle repaired.

The other thing is to be willing to go to court. The agreement stated that the parts would be replaced. They didn't want to buy new, and they couldn't find used. I found "new" for the amount of the settlement because I did my own research for parts location.

Post by **Bandung_Dero** » May 9, 2012, 3:38 pm

Ricohoc wrote: Learned two things. Don't be so concered with being a nice guy. I will get all I can get if the other driver is at fault -- and I'm not talking about a ridiculous cash settlement for phony injuries, etc. I'm talking about stipulating that new parts replace damaged parts and receiving payment for time wasted before having the vehicle repaired.

Couldn't agree more! Had my 1st accident about 18 months ago in my (then 7 yo) DMAX. Kid on an unregistered moterbike ran into the drivers door in my driveway as I was about to enter the car port (don't ask cause I don't know), he and his sister landed on my lawn uninjured.

My insurance agent fronted up and at a meeting between he and the boys father agreed it was the stupid Farang's fault. I went ballistic and asked TW to call the police. Within seconds the boys father agreed to pay my 3000 Baht excess and I was pointed to a repair shop in Udon (about 3 doors down from the old Cher Chim). I insisted on a new door skin, NO panel beating and putty, which the insurance company agreed to. The shop did a great job excellent color match and finish.

Where I failed is I forgot about the 'No Claim Bonus' we had and my next premium went up by 1100 Baht.

Post by **Lao-miner** » May 9, 2012, 4:33 pm

it seems to be the way they roll in Thailand , happened to a mate of mine also , they inssisted on hunting around for second hand parts , after about a month of them not finding the parts my friend bit the bullet and bought new parts himself just to get mobile again,

Post by **Zico** » May 10, 2012, 3:10 pm

Some time ago... an Uncle of my mine.. told me a story about a car accident he had in Saudi, long story made short, he lost the argument/court case/decree because he was a Westerner but his brief consoled him by telling him that if the defendant wasn't a Saudi citizen he would have won. Lesson to be learned he suggested.

We live in a different world.

Post by **joepai** » May 10, 2012, 3:46 pm

Bandung_Dero wrote:
Ricohoc wrote: Learned two things. Don't be so concered with being a nice guy. I will get all I can get if the other driver is at fault -- and I'm not talking about a ridiculous cash settlement for phony injuries, etc. I'm talking about stipulating that new parts replace damaged parts and receiving payment for time wasted before having the vehicle repaired.
Couldn't agree more! Had my 1st accident about 18 months ago in my (then 7 yo) DMAX. Kid on an unregistered moterbike ran into the drivers door in my driveway as I was about to enter the car port (don't ask cause I don't know), he and his sister landed on my lawn uninjured.

My insurance agent fronted up and at a meeting between he and the boys father agreed it was the stupid Farang's fault. I went ballistic and asked TW to call the police. Within seconds the boys father agreed to pay my 3000 Baht excess and I was pointed to a repair shop in Udon (about 3 doors down from the old Cher Chim). I insisted on a new door skin, NO panel beating and putty, which the insurance company agreed to. The shop did a great job excellent color match and finish.

Where I failed is I forgot about the 'No Claim Bonus' we had and my next premium went up by 1100 Baht.

That was wrong and you should go back to your Broker and tell them to change it. You were 'not at fault' and so should not have lost your NCB

Post by **jonny_w** » May 12, 2012, 5:52 am

you are lucky the Thai did not do the classic take off and run (while doing the silly smile of guilt)