Overhaulin'

Car accident and insurance fraud?

My son was in a car accident. Thank heavens he was fine. However, he has a nice classic car that he and his father were trying to fix up. The other kids insurance company gave us a check to get the car fixed but when we took it to get fixed we found some frame damage. Because of this he is considering parking the classic car - working on fixing it as he gets the money and taking the insurance money to get a new - used daily driver. My husband is concerned that this may be considered insurance fraud. I'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated. our concern about going back to them is that they may total the car, then we'll have an R title and we don't want that...

Public Comments

1. As long as there is no loan on the car, the check is yours to do with as you please. Now that additional damage was discovered, you may be able to get more money for that repair as well, as long as the total amount of repairs does not equal or exceed the book value of the car.
2. No this isn't fraud . They pay you to recoup your losses . If you had to buy another car that's your decision. Fraud is when you try to claim an accident that didn't happen.
3. MMM I would talk to the ins provide them with documentation from the shop showing the additional dammage and estimated cost of repair, they should pay.
4. They actually gave you a check? Normally you fix a car and they pay the shop directly... Well, if they gave you a check, you can do whatever you want with it. For sure. Don't worry.