[US-CA] Insurance Nightmare After Being Rear-Ended, Struggling to Get Compensation for Lost Wages and Diminished Value
Seven months ago, I was rear-ended by another driver while stopping at a red light. The accident caused damage to my car's rear trunk lid and bumper and worsened a pre-existing condition in my lower back. I have video footage of the incident, and the other driver’s insurance company has accepted liability.
I bought my car new, and it was only nine months old at the time of the accident. I rely on it for ride-sharing, which is my primary source of income. I requested compensation for diminished value and either a rental vehicle I can use for ride-sharing or coverage for lost wages during the time my car was being repaired.
The insurance company agreed to cover up to $3,500 for medical expenses and provide a rental, but they said I couldn’t use the rental for ride-sharing. They also asked for income statements from my ride-sharing app for the past 3-4 months and proof of diminished value, explaining that the final payment would be discussed once the car was repaired.
My car was in the shop for 30 days. I provided the insurance company with screenshots of the drop-off and pickup appointments, my income statements for the past four months, and a quote from the dealer showing the car’s buyback value both with and without the accident. Over the course of several calls, I made it clear that I expected $2,000 for diminished value and $4,200 for lost wages.
Recently, I received an email from the insurance company stating that after their investigation, they determined that my car didn’t lose any value. I also received a call from the claims adjuster offering $1,200 in cash and $3,500 for medical expenses. However, they now require proof that I had insurance at the time of the accident.
This is incredibly frustrating because I’ve had insurance from the day I purchased the car, and I’ve been paying my premiums regularly. I offered to provide my insurance card and payment history, but they said that wasn’t sufficient. They insisted that it’s the law and want me to do a three-way call with my insurance company. They claim to have tried contacting my insurer but were unsuccessful.
I called my insurance company and waited on hold for an hour before speaking to a representative. The agent told me they had never heard of a three-way call requirement. I asked them to stay on the line while I tried to connect with the other insurance company, but no one picked up on their end.
I’m not sure what to do at this point. I’ve never had to handle something like this before. I’ve tried reaching out to lawyers, but I haven’t heard back from anyone yet. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated.