http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/self...s/
checklist.htm
Here's a helpful link.
Actually, contacting them on your own wasn't that bad of an idea. You are giving them an opportunity to fix the problem. Take them to small claims court - make sure you write everything down (dates: when the car was towed, why; when you found out that it didn't work; what your garage said; When you contacted the towing company).
Don't get fancy on your small claims legal docs (if you're doing it yourself). Just be VERY organized, follow the instructions on the docs EXACTLY. Make extra copies of your documents and when the judge is asking you questions at court - don't go on tangents.
Good luck!
I spelled Angeleno incorrectly to show that I am so not one of them that I don't even know how to spell it. Also because I don't know spell it.
And then I misspell "pedantic." Serves me right. :oP
Your insurance company is full of shit. They have a duty to protect your interests as well as your own. Plus, they have no reason to raise your rates if you file a claim, since the damage was not your fault. On the other hand, a $400 property damage claim is perfectly suited to small claims court. A legal aid attorney (try Bet Tzedek) should be able to help you fill out the paperwork, or try one of those legal self-help places. Good luck.
P.S. Not to be pendantic, but it's "Angeleno."
For the record, I think you're fab. I'm also doing the Bohemian thing and have been for a while...working as a freelance translator, living in Prague, you know...and though I'm now back in my hometown for the time being, I'm still living much more like a college student (at 31 and single) than my friends, who are pretty much all married with mortgages and SUVs. Still, we won't look back with any regrets--I firmly believe that--and other people secretly envy our "carefree" lifestyle, you know they do. Now we just need to marry princes of Sealand or Liechtenstein or something to complete the glamorous, romantic tableaux that are our lives.
I second small claims court. Your insurer isn't going to do anything if they aren't experiencing any out-of-pocket loss. Get all of your repair paperwork, get the guy from the garage to sign an affidavit or, better yet, come down to court with you. You don't need an attorney and it isn't worth the cost, anyway.
They are playing dirty so you should, too. Get a friend to impersonate a local newspaper reporter. Have them say the paper is gathering info for an expose' on towing businesses in the area and you contacted them with your story about being ripped off. Harass the hell out of 'em.
You did this without a lawyer? That wasn't smart. Call Legal Aid and talk to a lawyer. One phone call from an attorney should clear it al up. Also, call your local TV news stations' consumer affairs reporters and share the story as something other people need to watch out for. A TV camera shows up to the towyard, and you get some cash from them, I bet. But next time, talk to a lawyer right away.
Two Words: Judge Judy
In addition to that: I worked at Farmers for 5 years, and a few tips for you:
-Most insurance companies now have 'call centers' where the claims go (read: very little person-to-person responsibility, they are just data-entering and pretty much trying to do anything but Pay. The. GD Money." Some of your best bets are:
1) Get in touch with your ins. agent, call, write letter(s) come in (a p.i.t.a. but sometimes helpful) 2) Document every. single phone call, conversation, etc. with them. 3) This is terrible, but sic a man with a serious, slightly scary voice to call for you. Sadly, they still listen better to men.
As above, post on website that embarass the crap out of them, and to the BBB.
A last note about the below-deductible claim: Many of them are now charging more $ to your premium PER CLAIM. The 400 type of claim isn't worth it, in the long run. Bastards. See why I quit?
There's also small claims court. Your local court's website will likely have a self-help section for the paperwork.
Well, I don't personally know what to do about the car situation, but you might try sending your story to the Consumerist (www.consumerist.com, one of Gawker empire blogs, if you didn't know). They seem to be very good at embarrassing companies into doing the right thing.
Commenting by HaloScan
