THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 30, 1994 TAG: 9407300267
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SARAH HUNTLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
Starting Monday, state police will no longer routinely investigate auto accidents that result in less than $1,000 damage.
The policy change will cut down on the time troopers spend on minor incidents and facilitate faster cleanup of crash sites on the state's highways, police said.
Some insurance companies said the policy change will make collecting insurance claims more difficult, because troopers will no longer file accident reports. Those reports help claims agents determine fault. Instead, troopers will hand out forms to be filled out by motorists for insurance purposes.
State police say the public will benefit by the new policy.
``By permitting troopers to return much sooner to their enforcement duties, they can give more attention to serious highway safety offenses, such as speeding, drinking and driving, and other hazardous violations,'' said Col. M. Wayne Huggins, state police superintendent.
State police Sgt. D.A. Reckelhoff, who announced the change at a news conference Friday, said troopers average 20 minutes at each crash site, collecting information and statements. Motorists will benefit from the policy change because they'll have shorter delays if troopers can focus on clearing crashed vehicles instead, he said.
Many local and county law enforcement agencies already have adopted the $1,000 limit, state police said. In 1992, the Virginia legislature raised the level for non-reportable accidents from $750 to $1,000.
In 1993, 875 people were killed on Virginia's highways, 77,852 were injured and 120,265 traffic crashes were reported. State troopers investigated 37,975 crashes and more than 20,000 of these caused less than $750 damage.
Troopers will still have the discretion to investigate a crash if circumstances warrant. In addition, hit-and-run accidents or collisions that result in personal injury or death are not covered by the limit.
The increase could cause some headaches for drivers who seek to collect insurance claims, some brokers said Friday.
``We're not in favor of anything that curtails investigation,'' said Dan Risk, claims manager for Geico Insurance Co. ``We rely on the state police to help us settle cases. Without their reports, we may find more litigation.''
The owner of Barton Insurance Agency, a Virginia Beach firm that specializes in auto insurance, said police reports are helpful for determining fault.
``In all probability, the policy change will muddy the waters a bit,'' Rob Barton said. ``In the absence of the police reports - third-party corroboration - those involved in an accident will come up with different stories.''
Barton said it is also difficult to determine a damage estimate on site.
``They tend to grossly underestimate the cost of damage to avoid filling out reports,'' he said.
But an Allstate Insurance Co. spokesman in Fairfax said the change, which amounts to a $250 difference, will be insignificant.
``We value police reports, but the police are not trained in doing body repair estimates,'' Matt Stegle said, adding that Allstate's trained experts examine all crashed vehicles, no matter what the damage.
State police said crash victims will still be expected to provide basic information to insurance companies. Troopers will give out forms that indicate what information should be exchanged at a crash site, Reckelhoff said.
``We are anticipating that citizens can gather the information just as well as the police can,'' he said. ``In general, we just want to keep the traffic moving.'' ILLUSTRATION: ABOUT THE CHANGE
INVESTIGATIONS: In 1993, 120,265 traffic crashes were reported,
of which state troopers investigated 37,975. More than 20,000 of
these caused less than $750 damage.
EXCEPTIONS: Troopers will still have the discretion to
investigate a crash. Hit-and-run accidents or collisions that result
in personal injury or death are not covered by the limit.
INSURANCE CLAIMS: Reaction from the insurance industry is split.
``In all probability, the policy change will muddy the waters a
bit,'' said Rob Barton, with Barton Insurance. But an Allstate
Insurance Co. spokesman said the change will be insignificant. ``We
value police reports, but the police are not trained in doing body
repair estimates,'' Matt Stegle said.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC by CNB