This insurance company experience sucked.

We had State Farm covering our home owners and two vehicles for over a decade. Really, all we did was pay the bill for our autos and the home was automatically deducted from our mortgage.

Accident #1: In a 1994 Dodge Spirit. Coverage: Liability.

1. Car was 2 yrs old: Came out of store to find front fender bent/damaged and headlight molding cracked. Didn't have it fixed for years.
2. About 5 years later had body fixed with repaint.

3. 1.5 Months later turning left @ green mall traffic light. Oncoming side is 4 lanes wide: all have 4-6 cars waiting except for 1 empty lane.
I didn't see the driver passing all the stopped cars and running his red light until too late:
His car strikes mine in the passenger side rear wheel, spinning us 200 degrees around, stopping against the curb. My 5 year old boy, sitting against the door is crying and bit his bloody lip, but otherwise OK.

4. Man runs up, identifies himself as an off duty policeman, who seen it all and questions the other driver who was still inspecting his smashed car.

5. Policeman tells me he is willing to be my witness and gives me his card.

6. My car can not be driven normally due to severe damage to the rear door, folded up wheel and crumpled fender. I drive it home and park it.

7. I contact State Farm who says "Good luck" and was the only help they offered.

8. Filed claim of $3,500 with Safeway, a lowball figure with the other guy's insurance.

9. 5 Weeks later still no decision from Safeway. I fax over a signed statement from the police officer and a copy of the police report, showing how he ran the light.

10. I call a few days later- claim they never got the fax, so I decide to deliver it personally. I arrive at their office and eventually a manager comes out reporting the driver says he didn't do it, so the claim is denied.
Upon my pleas, and although remaining calm- I am asked to leave the office.
"My only recourse is a lawsuit" was the last thing I said to her.
Flipping her glasses at me, only said "Do your worst"

11. Won a $5,750 judgement against the driver in small claims court.
3 weeks later got the full check from Safeway.

It would have been better for all parties if Safeway would have just lived up to their obligation.

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT