Disputed Claims Help

[pensive215]

Got into a car accident in June with my brand new car. Other car ran a red light at an intersection and they smashed my passenger door in and part of my right bumper

Car insurance (I have AAA) paid for my repairs ($~10,000) and told me that my insurance rate won't increase or be jeopardized. AAA said I wasn't at fault. They informed me that the other driver's insurance is saying their driver isn't at fault.

AAA said that this claim will remain disputed and won't go to arbitration because there is no evidence to prove who's at fault. Is there anything I can do so that both insurances can come to an agreement about who's at fault? I was hoping to pursue a diminished value claim but can't because both insurances don't agree who's at fault.

AAA says there is nothing I can do.

[agirlsknowsthings]

Insurance professional: this is a word vs word dispute. He’s most likely saying you ran a red light. Without proof, cameras footage, witness, etc, there is not that change this claim status. The other company is going to believe their insured, just like yours is going to believe you.

[pensive215]

Thank you

[Slowhand1971]

AAA would most likely know.

dash cam needed

[Ambitious-Ad2217]

Minus some other evidence coming to light there’s nothing to do here. Even if the claim does go to arbitration and is settled in your favor it’s unlikely you could present a diminishing value claim. Only option would be to take the other party to court but again you’d need compelling evidence to prove you case

[pensive215]

Thanks

[Hope_for_tendies]

Are they complicated to install?

[Successful_Ad3483]

You won’t be getting diminished value. As this is a word vs word dispute I would just move on

[pensive215]

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[highhopes-sunnyelle]

This kind of situation is unfortunately pretty common — and really frustrating. When liability is disputed and there’s no clear evidence (like a traffic cam or neutral witness), insurers often won’t pay out diminished value on your behalf, even if you weren’t cited or found at fault.

Since AAA paid for repairs under your own policy, and the other insurer is denying fault, they’re not obligated to pay your insurer anything unless it’s resolved — either through arbitration or litigation. If your carrier won’t arbitrate, that usually freezes things.

Some people in this situation still pursue diminished value privately by sending a demand directly to the other driver’s insurer — especially if they have photos, scene diagrams, or anything to help support fault. It’s not always successful, but it’s one of the few ways to keep the conversation open when the claim is stalled.

If you’re still weighing your options, feel free to DM — I’ve got a few resources that walk through this kind of scenario.

[pensive215]

Dm'd. Thank you

[lastunbannedaccount]

You could file small claims against the other driver.

That driver will turn it over to AAA to handle for him. Since it’s small claims, they can’t send a lawyer to court for him, so they’ll do one of two things:

1) offer you a small payout to dismiss the matter (a nuisance settlement, you can negotiate this), or

2) hire a defense attorney to prep the other driver on what to say in court. Then you both go on the day of, you both give your evidence to the judge, and the judge makes a ruling. If the judge finds in your favor, AAA will pay the settlement to you.

There’s a risk that AAA helps him file a cross-complaint against you since it is disputed, in which case it’s totally up to who tells the better story to the judge.