optimism part 2
And so the saga continues, my harrowing adventure into the world of suck known simply as Auto Insurance.
I've decided on a fitting title for this segment:
How My Car Accident Led to me Meeting the Governor
Yes, that's right! Very exciting, but the reason for the title, like most great titles, comes to fruition towards the end of my story.
Okay, when last we left off I had just gotten home from the hospital, jittery and disoriented from losing my car, my shift at work and my belief that staying in your own lane until the cars aren't in your way to take a left hand turn is a simple concept to grasp. Luckily the vicodin erased most of my cold and prickly feelings towards humanity as a whole, and the fact that the accident wasn't my fault.
What followed was a weekend filled with scamming rides out of my coworkers and roommates. Luckily I didn't miss any work and I even picked up a few extra hours because I had to show up early on Sunday. I didn't even bother checking out the bus schedule since the Manchester Transit Authority is crippled by a lack of concern for public transportation in our great state. Live Free and Drive...or Else You're Stuck At Home should be our state motto, for real.
On Sunday I made the tough decision to live with my parents for a few days, at least until I figure out a rental car situation with the guy's insurance. Let me tell you, I thought it was tough as a teenager living at home, but now I realize that was just a preview as to the torcherous existance that is Being 23 Years Old and Living at Home...Without a Fucking Car. I made the decision to stay here because they have the minivan, but I had no idea the situation was more complicated than I thought.
My dad took the Beamer off the road this winter to save on car insurance, so I'm sharing the minivan with him. He has class all day, so I'm stuck here until I go to work...oh joy. I've been keeping busy with eating better food and watching old Disney movies, so it's really not that bad, but I'm the type that really needs his alone time, or the ability to go places when I want. So yeah, sucks.
Anyways, let me backtrack a bit. On Friday I got in touch with Progressive, my insurance agency, and got a claim filed (which is actually easier than I thought it would be) and was assigned a claims rep who is local and very helpful. UNfortunately I have no collision insurance, only liability insurance, so the only thing covered by Progressive is medical bills (up to 5,000 dollars). My advice to you is if you can afford to get collision coverage DO IT. I'm pretty sure it would cut this whole process in half.
Yesterday (Monday) I went down to the Manchester Police Department to pick up the accident report. Now, this isn't a necessary step, but it's good to get an accident report for your records and to reference during the who insurance process. It costs 10 dollars for a copy of that, and I'm not sure if it is reembursable, but that's okay, it's just a good thing to have, plus it gives you all the important information on the accident and the other person as well as his vehicle. This was important for me because I couldn't get out of my car at the accident scene and too distressed to exchange information.
My dad then gave me a ride up to Concord to Grappone where my car was staying. I had to sign some papers so they could take a look at the car and give me an estimate. Which, to be honest, seems redundant since both insurance companies are going to do the same thing. But whatever, I'm not gonna question the great machine today.
So we walk into the collision center and...there's Governor Lynch, surrounded by the staff as he tells jokes and everyone laughs. We stand there awkwardly until someone comes over and explains that the governor was there to check out their assembly line of how they do...car shit. I really wasn't paying very close attention. Then the Governor comes over to us and says hello, shakes our hands and asks what brings us to the collision center.
Well, keep in mind my father is the type of man RARELY embarrassed, and this was definitely a comfortable situation for him. Me? Not so much. Everyone is staring at us and smiling as my father explains the car wreck and I provide minute details where needed (well, I kinda used my hands as the two cars to explain what happened. I used hands as cars to explain something to the Governor of NH. Yes).
He was a little man, very charismatic and a great sense of humor. I'm pretty sure all the older women in the room were swooning. He wished me luck in everything and went on to tour the facility.
After he left we sat down with Carol of the collision center and I signed off on a few forms stating it was okay to look at the car.
Today I contacted NationWide (the other driver's insurance company) and found out he had already filed a claim, which helps. I was assigned another claims rep, and I tried to get in touch with her, but got voicemail, so I left a message.
I also called my claims rep at Progressive, Dave, to find out what I should expect from NationWide and what I should be looking out for. Basically a lot of the same stuff I knew already, except for one glimmer of radiating hope:
Both insurance companies will pay for my medical bills and expenses. As in I pay the bills with half the money, and keep the rest for myself. Apparently New Hampshire is the only state you can do that in. Excellent.
Also, NationWide should pay me for missed work, which comes to 8 hours. Most excellent.
And so ends this segment of my story, more to come later, have a great day.