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| Car Insurance Property Damage Claims |
 How about if your car is a total loss?
If your car was a total loss (it would cost more to repair than the value of the vehicle), and you are making a property damage claim for it with the other driver’s insurance, don’t be surprised if you wind up having to negotiate with them regarding the value of your vehicle.
What if you also have an injury?
If you are injured, when you talk to the other insurance company about property damage, be careful what information you give them. The adjuster may try to get you to state that you have no personal injury claim or try to have you minimize your claim. Talk to a personal injury lawyer so you avoid saying or signing the wrong thing and hurt your chances of making an injury claim down the road.
Fault vs. No-Fault state
The relationship between fault and who ultimately pays for damages and injuries determines the outcome in car insurance claims and car accident cases across most states. There are some states, however, that operate under no-fault laws. Essentially, under no-fault laws, it doesn’t matter who was at fault. Each person’s own insurance company pays for his or her expenses, depending on that state’s specific laws and rules. No-fault does not usually apply to property damage. Even in a no-fault state, you may either go through your own insurance or the other party’s insurance if the other party is at fault. Only Michigan requires a PPI policy—Property Protection Insurance—which pays for damage to your vehicle no matter who was at fault. It is similar to collision, but you will pay no deductible.
Note: Although the adjuster will likely take photos of your damaged vehicle, you should take your own pictures if you can in case there are any questions later on about the damage.
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