Is what the insurance company did illegal?


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About 4 weeks ago, I was sitting at a stop light, and got rearended by a school bus... It was raining out, so apparently the bus underestimated it's stopping distance. Anyways, the bus hit my rear bumper, pushed my trunk onto my rear window, and cracked the taillenses. Well, according to damage estimates, the total to get it repaired was over $3,000, so I filed a police report. Once I told the buses insurance company about the police report, they started freaking out, which is something I was required to do by law. So the adjuster came out, looked at my car, and said there wasn't much damage, said the trunk could be reused, all that needed to be replaced were the lenses, according to him. So, today, I get the mail, and I have my check from the insurance company in the mail.

One problem I found, was the amount of the check... Over $6,000, and that including the money for pain & suffering, which I didn't have any problems or pains when it happened, nor did I miss any work or anything.

The next problem, was it was made out to me, instead of me and the collision company. I called the insurance company, and they said, that it was my choice of collision repair company. I also asked about the extra money, and why I got pain & suffering, and she said she didn't know, but be glad you have the money. And I found it kinda funny, that they didn't total my car, since the payoff is $2,000. I was also told that I wasn't allowed to persue the matter any further, or report anything to the newspaper, which did a little story on the accident.

I have came to the conclusion, that the extra $3,000 was hush money of sorts, but I can't prove it....

What do you think? Should I do anything, or just keep the money, and forget about it...

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I can understand the moral dilemma as such however I do not think it will br worth your time and effort to persue it. The way I see it is you have two options. 1. Keep the money and do whatever you want to do with it, or 2. keep the money that is yours (?2,000 or whatever it actually costs to fix your car) and give the rest to the school or something as a charity donation.

I will not make your decission harder by saying what I would do as the choice is yours as what I would do should not affect what you want to do. Do whatever you feel is the right thing.

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fix ur car and upgrade your computer with the rest :p

btw when you get in an accident, always come out of ur car in pain :) that way u get more money, just say u have a really sore back or something

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What do you think? Should I do anything, or just keep the money, and forget about it...

Send it to me :p...

Well ok in all seriousness I wouldn't pursue it any further. Just accept the money and invest it or something! Or buy yourself something really nice :p.

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well if you didn't sign anything and they just gave you money you can do whatever you want. but if you actually signed a paper saying you wouldn't talk about it or anything then you can get in trouble if you do. if i were you i'd sue the bus company/school. also if you are a minor and you did sign something it is possible for you to void it. because almost any contract by a minor is voidable under the right circumstances.

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I haven't signed a thing. Everything took place over the phone...

The only real person I talked to in person was the adjuster.

I think I am going to pay off my car, get my car fixed, and then trade in my car. They are giving me a rental car for 20 days, which I have to go pick up here in a few mins. Now, it is just time to decide what to do...

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I haven't signed a thing. Everything took place over the phone...

The only real person I talked to in person was the adjuster.

I think I am going to pay off my car, get my car fixed, and then trade in my car. They are giving me a rental car for 20 days, which I have to go pick up here in a few mins. Now, it is just time to decide what to do...

Signing and cashing the check is the equivalent of agreeing to their terms (no further action, etc.)

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