Driver clipped my open car door while I was getting my dog out — now dealing with his sketchy insurer
Still kind of shaken up writing this, but here goes.
Last weekend I had parked along the street outside a family cookout at my aunt's place. I had just pulled in and had the rear door wide open because I was unclipping my dog's travel harness from the back seat — she's a big girl and it takes a second. My hazards were on, I was fully stopped, door had been open probably 90 seconds easy.
Out of nowhere, a guy coming down the street just... plowed right into my open door. Bent it back so far I couldn't even close it afterward. He got out, seemed flustered, kept saying something about the sun being in his eyes. A neighbor nearby saw the whole thing.
I got his info. Called non-emergency police — they came out, took a report, which I was grateful for. The witness stuck around and gave a statement, which felt like a lucky break.
Here's where I'm at now: his insurance company is one I've genuinely never heard of before. When I looked them up, the reviews are... not great. Lots of posts about lowball offers, slow responses, adjusters ghosting people. But I also know people don't usually go online to leave five-star reviews for insurance companies, so I'm trying not to spiral.
They've already sent someone out to look at the car. The preliminary number they're floating feels really low to me — doesn't seem like it would cover a full repair at any reputable shop.
Has anyone dealt with a smaller or regional carrier as a third-party claimant? How hard did you have to push to get a fair repair estimate? And should I be going through my own insurance instead to make this faster?
Also — my shoulder and neck have been sore since it happened. I kind of braced instinctively when I saw the car coming. Wondering if I should get that looked at before I sign anything.