Selfish Parents or Unreasonable Teen? (car insurance catastrophe)?

When I turned 18 my parents bought me a car so I could get to work and such as a birthday present. They put it under their names and I kept under their insurance, but pay them monthly. I normally maintain the car myself, and hold all responsibilities. On Jan 3 I got rearended by a drunk driver. Physically I was alright, but my cars back is busted and a huge eye soar. I got on top of the insurance agency and brought my car to a shop for an estimate. My parents seemed releaved that they werent dealing with the situation themselves. Today the apraiser came to apraise the car. All of the sudden my mother took a very strong interest to what was going on. The guy gave me an estimate of 4g, which is higher then the 2g estimate the car shop gave me for repairs. I go to take my car in to the shop + my mom informs me they are keeping the check and that I will not be getting my car fixed. I dont want the extra $, i just want my car fixed. Do I have a right to be mad, and what do I do??

Public Comments

1. You take the 4g check and go to the shop that will fix it for 4g. That's fair for all. Technically, if they bought the car and it's under their name, it's their decision.
2. yes you do have the right to be mad, they should pay to get it fixed, it sounds like you are very responsible and you were handling everything like a mature adult, they have no right to take that money. you really need to explain to them that they should pay to fix the car and if there money left over they can have it since you just want your car fixed
3. i agree with you. you have the right to be mad. you've been maintaining the car and you pay the insurance. so technically even if they own the car, the insurance money is yours b/c you pay for it. i would maybe try and compromise and tell them that you will try and find the cheapest place to fix it and give them money that is lef,t but that you will be getting it fixed with some of the insurance money.
4. That really isn't fair, maybe you could ask your mum if you can have the money to get the car fixed and she can keep the extra money!! I would be really cranky if my mum did that to me!! Good luck!!
5. it does seem a bit unreasonable but have you tried talking to them about it to find out their reasons why??
6. you do have a right to be upset about that. your parents are definitly being selfish here. it honestly sounds like they just want the money. it would be more understandable if the accident was your fault, but clearly wasnt. try talking to them and tell them how you feel.
7. I suppose they can legally do that since it is in their names, but it certainly is tacky. The least they can do is repair the car and keep the extra money. I wouldn't do this to my son.
8. Tell your mom she can keep the other 2K (since she bought the car) after the car is fixed! Otherwise the insurance can cancel them and sue her if the repairs were never made...insurance fraud! (This really can't happen but it might scare her into fixing the car at least!) Then you both are happy...she has some extra $ and you have a fixed car. Otherwise that's pretty crappy for her to do that!
9. It sounds like your parents just used an unfortunate incident to pull a insurance scam. Sorry about your car and your parents but the next time they complain about high insurance fees tell them that too many ppl like them are ripping off the Insurance companies. Take care
10. First off, that sucks. I'm an insurance agent....and I've also had my fair share of banged up cars. Here's the deal. The appraiser was off...to say the least. The insurance company is not going to let you profit off a loss so, he's not going to give you $4K...if the body shop is saying they'll do it for $2. Didn't he ask for the repair order? If not, then if I where you, call him and say you have a body shop that will do it, but the check needs to be sent to him. That way, your car gets fixed and your parents don't get to cheat the insurance company and keep the cash!!! Just don't tell your parents that you requested it so they don't get pissed off at you. Next thing, what your parents are doing isn't "illegal"...it's just morally wrong. I would def call the appraiser and ask him to pay the repair shop directly when the car is done. Just tell your mom that he called you and said that they can't issue the check to anyone other than the body guy. Hope that helps. Good luck!
11. I would be angry as well, especially since it was not your fault. That money is to be used to fix your car. Have you explained to your parents that you just want your car fixed and do not necessarily want the extra money from it? I would call the insurance company and tell them about the situation. Maybe they can get you off your parents' insurance and on to your own. That way your mom would have no say in what happened with the check. I am not completely sure if she does now... just call and speak with them.
12. I WOULD BE UPSET TOO!!!! YOU'VE BEEN IN CHARGE AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCIDENT. UNFORTUNATELY, YOUR PARENTS MAY HAVE A VERY GOOD REASON FOR KEEPING THE MONEY. THEY MAY HAVE MONEY PROBLEMS OF THEIR OWN THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT. I'M SORRY THEY MADE THAT DECISION, I KNOW IT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR HOWEVER, TRUST IT WILL WORK OUT IN THE END. YOU ARE SAFE FROM THE ACCIDENT AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S AN EYE SOAR MAYBE THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO MAKE IT BETTER LOOKING. YOU DO STILL HAVE A CAR!
13. If you've been paying the insurance, if they were nice, they'd give you whatever the insurance paid them. I mean, the payment is for repairing the car...so what they're doing is fraud. But since the car and insurance are in their names, I guess they can do what they want. I'm not sure how well you could argue this case since it's in their names. But no, the insurance money is for repairs, and it should be used for that. But they'll probably do like my brother did: keep the money after the insurance pays off, say they'll use it for something else, blow the money on...whatever, then have a busted car and no money. Bad parents! BAD!!!! Now, since the accident wasn't your fault, there isn't much of a case for insurance fraud. But if you had done it on purpose (like some people do...trust me--I'm related to some of them), it would be insurance fraud and you could be in serious trouble. I don't know whether their insurance will drop them for using the repair money for anything other than repairs, but you never know. I'd say since it was earmarked for repairs, if your parents are smart and want to maintain the value of the car and their insurance coverage, they better get it fixed right quick.
14. I think you are not being unreasonable. If your car bumper is damaged, if you get rear ended again it could cause more damage and possible getting yourself injured. The money from the insurance company should be used to fix your car for your own protection..
15. Morally you have every right to be mad. Unfortunately legally they have every right to the cash as it is their car (in their names) In your position (which I was once in a similar situation with my folks at 17; I am now 31), I would say okay here is the money and the car with it. Let them take over all the maintenance and everything else. Assuming you are prepared to go it alone on another car. My story is as follows....My father co-signed my car loan in which I was responsible for payments and everything else, and when going away on vacation and leaving my car behind my father informed me that my irresponsible brother had rights to MY car. I of course said I don't think so...where my father then threw the I co-signed card at me. I said you are absolutely right ...therefore here are the keys to YOUR car now as well as the payments. ENJOY!. He of course changed his tuned very quickly. I am sorry your parents have decided to be so selfish and have put the money ahead of even your safety as a wrecked car jeopardizes that. I hope you and your parents will find a way to resolve this. I too would be PISSED!!! Good Luck.
16. You have every right to be angry and your parents are not only wrong, but are cheating their own child! Unless they are putting the money into buying a NEW car, that money is for fixing your car. My suggestion is to buy your own car and let them keep their car. I'm sorry that you have such trashy parents, but at least you know at a young age not to trust them.
17. First of all, you are not a teen. You are a legal adult. Second of all, it's your car so I don't understand why parents would put it under their name if they give it to YOU as a birthday present. Lastly, just get it fized yourself. You're 18, so you're a big girl now. You can do whatever you want to do. So do as you wish even if your parents disagree. I am 17, turning soon, I also drive my parents' car, but I'm getting my own this summer and I know I will be held responsible for all things that come with it. Just like moving out. Same thing. Take care
18. buy yourself a used car now, dont give any explanation to them (you are over 18 now) they will understand afterwards that you're not a kid anymore and it wasnt your fault and at the same time you start building your assets by your own. They are afraid they might lose you, but life is life and if you are going to die, you will die at anytime even ready this msg. This is a good chance to start growing up.
19. Even though it's in their name, it's yours. Not legally but morally. It's like my laptop, it's 100% mine and my decision with it, is my decision, but it's in my father's name. You mum shouldn't take your repair money. That's selfish, if the accident was not your fault, you should have the right to have it fixed. Tell them you do not want them cashing in on your repair check. This is ridiculous! and greedy! You should be very mad.