More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

GD Insurance companies!

Here's the story you be the judge;
I go to my uncles to help him with his computer. While I am there the nieghbor from the across the street backs out of here drive way, crosses the street and hits my legally parked vehicle. Luckly at this instant I am walking out with my uncle to leave and she comes up and tells us what she did. I think because she thought we saw here do it and were coming out side to find out what had happend.

Any ways we exchange insurance info and I leave. The damage is mildly significant so I go ahead and take the truck down to the auto body place this morning. I had called her insurance company when I had gotten home the night before and was given a claim number. While I am at the auto body place, her insurance company calls my house and leaves a message saying that their insured is not liable for the accident because I was not in my vehicle at the time of the accident. WTF!!!!

Ok I had no idea they had called so I go ahead and get the rental car. As any of you who have rented a car from Hertz know, you always get the supplemental insurance to cover dings and dents that they never fix but will bill the hell out of you for. That costs $15.00 a day. Now I am driving a 2004 Montero Sport and not really liking it, but it will have to do.

The repair time on my truck was estimated at 10 days. 10 x $15 = $150.00 that I am now out of pocket for.

I get home and hear the message that State Farm left so I call them up. Talk about rude SOB's. My God they were rude to me. Any who, they say that their insured said that I was illegally parked and prevented her from leaving her drive way. That, get this, my vehicle was "strategically placed" in her blind spot and was "dilibrately hidden" from view and when she backed out of her drive way, she could not see my "illegally parked" vehicle and struck it.

First and foremost the truck was legally parked, can prove this wihout a doubt. Second it was parked under a steet lamp so it was quite visiable. Third, she crossed over 24 feet of road and HIT my truck which was legally parked under a street lamp.

I explain this calmly to the rude ***** on the phone but she held the insurance party line that I am at least 50% liable for the accident. WTF!!!!

I call my insurance company, Famers, and ask them what to do. Do you know what they told me? Yup you guessed it, they will have to investigate the accident because it sounds like to them that I may be partially responsible for the accident. WTF!!!!

Evidently, simply by being hit I am partially responsible for the accident because if I "had stayed home" then the accident would not have occured.

I [censored] you not, that was exactly what my "own" insurance agent told me.

I am just utterly frelling sick to my stomic. Every time I do someone a favor it ends up costing me $$$$.

Because the insurance company is now dragging its feet, the repair time on my truck is by viture going to take longer and that means I will have too pay for extra days of insurance for this GD rental.

Oh sure I could drop the rental insurance, but I know from past experience that they will bill the hell out of me for every little nick, ding, gash, or other even if it was there before I rented the vehicle. And another thing, and I am now kicking myself for not thinking of it, they never did an inspection of the vehicle before they rented it to me.

I am considereing the possiblity of suing this lady in small claims court for the cost of the additional insurrance and any other costs that I am will encure as a result of this fender bender. With my luck I will be told that I SOL and end up having to pay her.

Like I said, no good deed goes unpunished. WTF. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Lesson to everyone. Keep a disposable camera in your car. If an accident happens, get every conceivable angle of the accident on it, let them see you do it. Call the police and file an accident report, miss a couple hours of work if you have to. Let him see you taking pictures. When it's all on paper, you can be a nice guy and let it slide, but make it look like you're going to press it all the way.

Atrocities, I feel for you. You gotta stand up to them, just a little, get a lawyer and make it look like you're gonna fight. Maybe they'll back down. You don't need points on your liscence for how many years, jacking up your insurance rates. Don't let this get you down, make this fight a little hobby -- something you do for an hour or so every couple of days. You can beat this, and have no liability. You have to believe.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Atrocities,

you have some of the worst luck! Also, lots of people suck, especially in insurance companies.

If Judge PvK were handling this situation, the verdict would be:

The culprit's insurance company must pay you:
* Full cost of repairs to your truck.
* Full cost of your rental while you were denied your truck.
* $5/hour for all of your time taken up by having to take the truck in for repairs, for dealing with the rental car staff, and for having to talk to the insurance company representatives.
* $100 punitive fee for bull****ting you about you being responsible for your legally parked car being hit.

I hope that's what you get! You should get at least the first two! If you don't, it's an outrage!

PvK

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

I'm beginning to suspect that he is like some sort of Bad Luck Nexus for our galaxy. I humbly suggest we relocate him to Munjumb IV before the Earth gets hit by a comet. (Ground zero being Portland, no doubt. A few feet to the left of his truck. Where his dog is sleeping.)

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

I think God is holding me personnally responsible for what happend to Jesus or something. I simply do not know why I have such horrid horrid luck. I just don't get it.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

God did not back into your car, God did not tell you you're at fault when you're not.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

So should I return the rental and just stay home until my truck is repaired? Or keep the rental and hope that I can recover my money via small claims court?

You can only sue for X and X is really up to the judge and if s/he is in a bad mood that day...... you pay.

Something as simple as a fender bender has to be blown all out of proportion because State Farm and Farmers have to assign % blaim when there is none. Could some one please explain this to me and why something hasn't been done about it?

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

It's simple. The legal system is broken. All ignorant and idiotic insurance companies should be torn down, burned, and their leaders burned to a steak.

On a more serious note, they simply want to assign a % blame to both of the parties involved because that way it is a win/win situation for the insurance company. They get to raise the price of two people's insurance by X amount of dollars, instead of just one. It's purely a greed/money issue.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Conspiricies really are out there. It's just that they have nothing to do with aliens.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

No they have to do with the all mighty buck!

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

May I inteject. So in the US you have insurance companies with names like State Farm and Farmers http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif. I suppose they're for Farm workers etc. Here in Australia we just have companies such as Australian Mutual Motor Insurance and Automobile Club Insurance.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Dam Atrocities... I agree you have some of the worst luck. I can't even begin to imagine whats going to happen next http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Maybe In a few years you'll get an equal ammount of good luck hit you?

If I were Judge for this case:
* I would make both insurance companies pay half of whatever TOTAL costs were included up front. And watch the Madness as they try and get the money back out of each other afterwards.
* Once that entertainment is complete I would have to ask the jury on one of two punishments for those guilty insurance company members:
1. Burnt at the Stake.
2. Sent to a State Prison, don't drop the soap...

I think the woman who hit you should also get a $100 bonus, For being honest, also fronted by the Insurance Company, just so you can tell them "That honesty does pay" and watch their heads explode http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Surely as a customer you have some clout with your insurance company. Phone and demand that they fight your corner, and tell them you refuse to accept any culpability. Tell them you're willing to go to court if necessary. Tell them that if they don't start earning their premiums you're taking your business elsewhere. Then, when they laugh in your face, go onto the internet and find out the name of the company's biggest big boss, and write a scathing letter addressed to him/her personally.

Of course none of this will work, since imho capitalism and the free market are as big a con as democracy, in which the little people are placated with myths about their collective power to control and hold accountable the massive, self-perpetuating organisations that control and regulate every tiny aspect of their behaviour.

Oops, did I just rant that out loud? Sorry.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Since he wasn't driving at the time of the accident, I doubt he's going to any love from his own insurance company. Your automobile insurance company doesn't really cover your car, it covers you as a driver of your car.

While what is happeneing to you sucks on a personal level, it's understandable to a point. (Note that I'm not saying it's right, just understandable.) Any time there is an property damage accident in which noone was cited, the insurance company will try to make the claim that it's a "no-fault" accident and share the cost with the other side. If you had been driving at the time she hit you your own insurance company would foot part of the bill. Since you weren't they aren't going to touch it. But just because they won't doesn't mean that her company is going to want to pay the whole thing.

Your numero uno big mistake was not insisting she stay until the police arrive and fill out an accident report. Most likely she would have been citred and then her insurance company would have no wiggle room. As long as you were parked on a public thouroughfare she would have most likely been cited anyway.

If you were parked on your uncles property they probably wouldn't have cited her. But if you were parked on your uncles property then probably his homeowners insurance will help pay the damages. Of course depending on what kind of policy he has this may be really bad for him. Even if you paid the deductable out of your own pocket his insurance co might pay off and then decide to drop him as high-risk. If you think car insurance companies are bad, try dealing with those crooks.

So the big lesson for everyone is, if there's an accident, even if noone is injured, DON'T LEAVE. Call the police and wait. If the other guy wants to leave, tell him no. If he starts to leave anyway, make sure you get his plate number and be real obvious about it. Hit-Skip is not a nice thing to have on your record.

I doubt it would help At, but you might give a call to the police department and ask them if there's any chance of getting a police report filed after the fact. Most won't, but some will. If you can get a citation issued against her that will end your problem. Otherwise, get a lawyer and go after her insurance company. Chances are they'll settle this one. You won't end up whole in the end, but if the damage is significant, it would be worth it to get some back.

Geoschmo

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

I know this is an "after the fact" kind of thing, but that's the idea of Comprehensive coverage. What that does is your insurance company pays the bill THEN they fight the other company for the percentages and such. I've been in a situation almost exactly like that; my insurance paid the full bill and then duked it out with the other driver's company.

I might be sticking my neck out but I work for an insurance company (on the computer side) and may have some insight. (Ducks and covers as things come flying at me... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/Injured.gif)

Having said that, it's not necessarily that the insurance company is the problem but how they compensate their claims adjusters. Claims adjusters generally are compensated for keeping their claim amounts as low as possible. (Hey, I need a bigger check this month so let's see who I can stiff - it DOES happen folks.) And insurance is one of the most regulated industries in the country so just about everything they do is wrapped up in legal "red tape". Write to your political representatives and tell them you wish that claim compensation stuff would be stopped to prevent this kind of crap. See, I'm convinced that if the claims adjusters were just paid a straight salary, it would reduce most of this "your fault, his fault" stuff anyways.

As a side note, where I live in Maine, a parked vehicle is NEVER at fault; the moving vehicle ALWAYS is. Some of that stuff might be the legal system and not the insurance company. Either way AT, I feel for you. Dealing with those issues always sucks and you NEVER get compensated for any of the crap you have to put up with - even if they pay all the bills.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

I suggest you attempt to work it out with your insurance agent personally.

IF not then file a grievence against the insurance company ( how you do that in your state i have no clue , perhaps an insurance budsman. )

I would also ask the person who backed into your car if they would like to settle without the insurance company.



IF those three steps fail then you should seek legal action against your insurance company.

Also check your policy to make sure your covered for 100% for what happened.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Ive always been told that if you dont make everyone stay where they are until the police can come look at it and file a report, that you might be stuck with however the insurance companies want to view it. If anyone wants to leave before that then get them to sign something agreeing to your view of the accident (yes I was at fault)

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

An update.

I just talked to someone else at State Farm, a far mor friendly person than yestarday, and she told me that the only, and I quote, "ONLY" reason I was told that they, being State Farm, considered me at fault, even partially, was because they, the lady I talked to Last night, had talked to the insurreds Daughter, not the inssured, and that the facts that she had been given were inaccurate. Based upon that, she determined that I was at fault fully or partially.

I asked how they came by this revolation, that they had talked to the wrong person, and she said that a second call was placed to their insured after my phone call to them and an interview of my witness. I mentioned a witness when I reported the loss, so I would suspect that the claim case worker had pulled an Ooops, and had forgot to talk to my witness. After my call, she discovered this oversight and decided to cover her bases. A good thing she did.:)

Any ways, I think the issue of liability has been reconciled to my benefit, thank God.

At least now I can get the shop to start work on my truck. Oddly the women at State Farm told me in a defeated tone of voice that they had to obtain permission to go onto the property of the shop I took my truck to. I guess the shop I chose was not one of their preferred shops. Oooops. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

I should write a book about all the rotten crap that has happened to me since 2000. I did something in 2000 that just sent my luck plumitting to the depths of hell. What that was I have no frelling idea.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

But just wait until that karma comes back around, AT. You're gonna want to start playing the lottery one of these days, bud. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

/me Wants to win the Lottery. I need money for SE V. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Good for things, seems like things are turning into the right direction http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Glad it is working out. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

UPDATE:

They will pay for the rental, but will not pay for the additioal insurance. I will be out of pocket each day $15.00.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Thats three games. I will keep the vehicle through today but it will go back tomorrow.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

I'm really glad to hear this is looking brighter for you!

I would definitely encourage you to write the story of your plight!

Wait... weren't you the one who discovered the "jettison the unhappy population into space and then drop new people onto the colony" solution to unrest? Was that in 2000? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/eek.gif

PvK

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Sounds like divine judgement to me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif. oops, since I wouldn't think twice about using such a tactic (If the citizens fail to accept what is good for them they no longer deserve fair treatment. Replace them with loyal subjects) I had better start rubbing my medallion.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Does that method work? I'll have to try that next time my planets start rioting. I'll build some transports in advance, full of happy population as ready replacement citizens once the disgruntled people are relocated off the planet into space. ...Nah, that's just too evil. I might consider doing that only if it's captured alien population on the planet. I wouldn't do it to my own people.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Hmmm does the unrest actually go with the population? Or does removing them all just reset the unrest counter? Maybe picking them all up in ships and THREATENING them with jettison, then putting them back down will achieve the same thing.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

I've never seen the population mood actually immedately change when swapping out captured population for 'native' population. The planet holds the 'setting' independent of the actual population. But obviously, replacing an alien race with your own race gives you the favorable happiness settings instead of the higher unrest rate for non-native/original races.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

I think you have to pick all you can up and then abandon (or just abandon if you have few enough pop) the planet for 1 turn then put 'em back down.

I think it's that '1 turn' where the population forgets how it was back down there on the planet. (Or they're looking out the portals and seeing many bodies floating by from whomever was left.) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif

EDIT: Also, ISTR that captured / surrendered population inherits all of your racial characteristics (except the atmosphere of course).

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

The population has to hit zero, and possibly sit there for a turn. What's needed to do that may vary between turn-based and simultaneous mode, and perhaps between the time the method was mentioned some years ago, and the current patch.

But you really don't want to catch Atro's curse!

PvK

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Her insurance company will fight you even if they are 100% in the wrong in an attempt to reduce your claim. They pay their people to reduce claims, not to pay up what they owe. They will say ANYTHING to you, no matter how outrageous and fight you every inch of the way. The only exception would be if you had been in the car and were threatening injuries...whole new ballgame. If the damage is significant, get an attourney. That usually fixes things right up if you are right, but the $$$ has to be worth the cost of the attourney.

I carry a throw-away camera in my glovebox for this kind of incident on the advice of a highway patrolman.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

PS is there some sort of devastating insurance weapon in the STM Mod? Perhaps a Space monster or random event?

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Its called the Inverted Quantum Beam http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...ies/stupid.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

This story makes me glad I'm not driving yet! Sorry AT has so many unfortunate events. This tops that computer story of yours, easly.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

It seems like you have suffered one catastrophe after another as far back as I have been here. Have you thought about carrying around a rabbit’s foot for luck? It couldn’t hurt any.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Rabbit's feet can't be lucky. I mean, the rabbit had four of them and just look at him now.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Bad luck for the rabbit doesn’t mean bad luck for me!

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Yeah, I wouldn't carry a rabbit's foot... I'd feel guilty and feel sorry for the rabbit every time I looked at it. How about a good luck four-leaf clover or a good luck coin? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Feel bad, heck I used to hunt and eat them when I was a kid! Never felt bad when my stomach was full. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

And the poor four-leaf clover...Killed because it was different...

/me is having fun. /me highly doubts that objects are 'lucky' or 'unlucky'.

Re: More proof that no good deed goes unpunished
 

Anybody remember the Seinfeld episode where George loses an apartment he wants to a man who was in the Andrea Dorea shipwreck, just because the tenant board feels sorry for the guy? So George decides to tell the story of his life to the tenant board, and gets the apartment on the basis that he is the most unlucky loser who ever lived!

AT, you need to turn this unluckiness weakness into a strength! Get sports teams to pay you to root for their opponents, have Bush pay you to move to France, etc.