So before I get into this, I want to say I am slowly learning my lesson to do my research before buying insurance. I understand that this is nobodies fault except for my own and that I should have looked into getting a higher property damage limit as I was not aware of how it worked before the crash. However, I was making a u turn and a car tried passing me on the left during my turn(residential neighborhood) and I t boned the car. There’s a large dent on the front passenger door of the car and the entire panel of the back passenger door came off (the door is still attached). I obviously know there’s no way $5,000 is going to cover that and it’s honestly freaking me out. What will be the next step if they determine I am at fault and my insurance won’t cover the damages?
I hit a car and only have $5,000 in property damage limit
byu/ct1077 inInsurance
Posted by ct1077
5 Comments
Your insurance will only pay 5,000 as that is all you paid them to cover in the event of an at fault accident. The other party, more likely their insurance if they have collision coverage, will then be able to go after you personally for the rest of the damages.
So, they passed you while making your left turn? On the left? You would not be at-fault in this situation.
Report it to your insurance company. They’re obligated to investigate and try to minimize your claim. After they investigate and negotiate with the other party, if it’s determined the damages will exceed your policy limits, your company will suggest the steps you should take. So take a deep breath and do this one step at a time. Good Luck.
Hmm is this in California?
Your insurance will pay up to 5k and you’ll be on the hook for the remaining, if it goes past that.
Next, you go on your insurance website or call your agent and upgrade your limit.
$5,000 is woefully irresponsible and the fact it’s even legal in some places is bat shit crazy.
If you don’t want to get fucked over, you really should be getting minimum like 50k, but even that is dumb when you can get significantly better coverage for little cost difference per month.
50k sounds like a lot until you realize how easily 50k disappears when you hit a Tesla or multiple cars/property.
Shits not cheap, but insurance is. Get better insurance.