Accidents happen. Whether your car sustains damage from vandalism, theft or a collision, filing a claim with your insurance company should be one of the first things you do. Insurance can help protect you, but only if the incident is properly documented; therefore, it’s in your best interest to file accident claims.
Many insurance companies have streamlined the claims process so that all it takes is a phone call to your insurance agent and the completion of some forms. Here is a more detailed overview of how to file an insurance claim.
1. Call the police. If there are serious injuries, call 911. Otherwise, dial the non-emergency number to summon the police to the scene of the damage or accident. The official police report will be critical documentation to have when filing your claim.
2. Exchange information with the other driver(s). You’ll need the contact information, license plate numbers and auto insurance information of the other drivers. If accident claims are filed, it’s important to make sure all parties are accurately represented. If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you should still collect his or her contact information.
3. Document the details. Take photos of any damage and gather the contact information of witnesses to the accident. While a police report is the most objective record of the event, you’ll want to have as much evidence as possible just in case the other driver’s story changes.
4. Contact your insurance company. As soon as you’ve handled the situation at the scene, call your insurance company and report the incident, even if you are not at fault. The sooner you contact them, the better. The insurance company can then start its investigation into the incident and will be prepared if they receive a claim from the other party’s insurer. If the other party was at fault, your agent will explain how to file an insurance claim with the other party’s carrier.
5. Write down the details of the event. Whether you’re at fault or not, the other insurance carrier may contact you for your version of the event. It’s a good idea to write this down so you can be sure you don’t leave anything out.
6. File all forms and documentation on time. Because every incident is different, your insurance agent is best equipped to walk you through the claims process. Be sure to complete all necessary documentation according to the deadlines he or she provides. This will help to expedite the process.
Several insurance companies now offer web-based solutions and mobile applications to complete the car insurance claim process in the event of an accident. One great option for iPhone™ and iPod touch® owners: the Nationwide Mobile App. From calling the police to starting the claims process, this app guides you through each step, ensuring that you file your auto insurance claim properly.
Ultimately, your insurance company will issue you a check to cover the cost of repairs. In the event that your car was totaled, meaning the cost of repairs is higher than the value of the car, you may receive compensation equal to the value of the car so you can replace it.
Filing auto insurance claims may seem intimidating, but your insurance company should have the people and processes in place to make it easier. You never know when you may need to file a claim, so be sure that your current auto insurance coverage has you protected in the event of a car accident, vandalism or theft!
Tags: 2c, 911, 99s, Accident Claims, Auto Accidents, Auto Insurance, Best Interest, Critical Documentation, Emergency Number, How To File An Insurance Claim, Insurance Agent, Insurance Claims, Insurance Companies, Insurance Company, Insurer, License Plate Numbers, Objective Record, Phone Call, Police Report, Story Changes, VandalismRelated posts
How much insurance should you buy? Any insurance agent worthy of their salt will tell you that you should buy as much as you can afford. While this is a good rule of thumb, it’s about as useful as a stock broker’s tip to buy low and sell high. It might be sound logic but it doesn’t get you any closer to an educated decision. There are a few filters that need consideration in order to make that educated decision. First, what is the state required minimum coverage where you live? Second, what does the minimum cover? Third, what other coverage is available and can you afford it? And fourthly, what are you protecting?
What do the minimums cover?
Now that you know what your state requires, what are you actually covered for once you purchase the minimum? Using the coverage definitions that follow, find the types of coverage required and see what your state says is the accepted minimum.
Coverage Definitions
Bodily Injury Liability
Covers other people’s bodily injuries or death for which you are responsible. It also provides for a legal defense if another party in the accident files a lawsuit against you. Claims for bodily injury may be for such things as medical bills, loss of income or pain and suffering. In the event of a serious accident, you want enough insurance to cover a judgment against you in a lawsuit, without jeopardizing your personal assets. Bodily injury liability covers injury to people, not your vehicle. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have the same level of coverage for all of your cars. Bodily Injury Liability does NOT cover you or other people on your policy. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Comprehensive Physical Damage Coverage
Covers your vehicle, and sometimes other vehicles you may be driving for losses resulting from incidents other than collision. For example, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car if it is stolen; or damaged by flood, fire, or animals. Pays to fix your vehicle less the deductible you choose. To keep your premiums low, select as high a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Collision Coverage
Covers damage to your car when your car hits, or is hit by, another vehicle, or other object. Pays to fix your vehicle less the deductible you choose. To keep your premiums low, select as large a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. For older cars, consider dropping this coverage, since coverage is normally limited to the cash value of your car. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Medical Payments
Covers medical expenses to you and your passengers injured in an accident. There may also be coverage if as a pedestrian a vehicle injures you. Does NOT matter who is at fault. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Covers bodily injuries to you and your passengers when the other person has no insurance or not enough insurance in a crash that is not your fault. In some states, there is also uninsured motorist coverage for damage to your vehicle. Given the large number of uninsured motorists, this is very important coverage to have, even in states with no-fault insurance. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy
Personal Injury Protection Coverage
Covers within the specified limits, the medical, hospital and funeral expenses of the insured, others in his vehicles and pedestrians struck by him. The basic coverage for the insured’s own injuries on a first-party basis, without regard to fault. It is only available in certain states.
Property Damage Liability
Covers you if your car damages someone else’s property. Usually it is their car, but it could be a fence, a house or any other property damaged in an accident. It also provides you with legal defense if another party files a lawsuit against you. It is a good idea to purchase enough of this insurance to cover the amount of damage your car might do to another vehicle or object. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Rental Car Reimbursement
Covers renting a car if your car isn’t drivable or while your car is being repaired because of a covered accident.
What else is available and can you afford it?
Did you come across a coverage and think, “I need that but it isn’t required by state law” when you were reviewing the coverage definitions? Chances are you did. Can your budget afford the additional expense of these protections? Or maybe more to the point; can you afford NOT to have these additional protections? At CarInsurance.com it’s easy to get multiple quotes all with a click of your mouse. And during the quoting process, it’s simple to add or remove coverage to see how additional coverage will affect your budget.
What are you protecting?
What assets need to be protected from being plucked away if you cause injury or damage?
A) Your car itself. If this is a significant asset, or at least the bank you owe money to thinks so, then you will need comprehensive and collision.
B) Your net worth. Do you have an enormous net worth to protect. If so, either get it out of your name and into a trust or buy all the insurance you can. If you have little or nothing to protect, then you can get by with less and still be financially responsible.
However, after you determine how much protection to get, always ask how much more it is for the next level higher. Very often, you can get significantly more coverage for very little cost.
Car insurance isn’t flashy. There is no “wow” factor and the opposite gender isn’t going to be impressed by the size of your policy. But not having enough can be the difference between financial stability and financial ruin. For what its worth, CarInsurance.com finds financial stability incredibly appealing.
Tags: Accident Insurance, Bodily Injuries, Bodily Injury Liability, Car Insurance, Comprehensive Insurance, Definitions, Flood, Insurance Agent, Judgment Against, Losses, Medical Bills, Minimum Coverage, Other Vehicles, Pain And Suffering, Personal Assets, Physical Damage Coverage, Policy Coverage, Rule Of Thumb, Sound Logic, Stock BrokerRelated posts
Get Cheap Car Insurance For Your Teenager – Three Tips To Save Money
Our children bring us great joy first words, first steps, and first days of school, to name a few. Our children also bring us great worries and expenses, many of which are preventable. An event that brings us both worries and expenses is when our teenagers begin to drive. Statistics for auto-related injuries and fatalities keep us biting our nails until our teenagers get home, and the same statistics have us emptying our bank accounts every month for high car insurance costs.
While we may not be able to drive our teenagers every where they need to go for the rest of their lives, there are several ways we can get cheap car insurance for our teenagers.
1.Have your teen driver take a driver education course in school, as well as encourage your teen to make good grades. Many car insurance companies offer discounts to those teen drivers who have taken driver education courses and make fairly high grades.
2.Add your teen driver to your own car insurance policy. There is no reason to purchase a completely separate car insurance policy for your teen driver when you can add him or her to your own car insurance policy. This alone will save you money, and you may even be able to get a multipolicy discount, too. Ask your own car insurance agent.
3.Drive responsibly. If your teenager sees you speeding, ignoring stop signs, and giving in to road rage, he or she will most likely develop the same driving behaviors. These behaviors lead to traffic citations and traffic accidents, both of which will lead to higher insurance prices, as well as injuries and fatalities.
Sure, we can not stop our children from eventually driving, but we can find ways to get cheap car insurance for our driving teenagers. Some of these ways will also help our teen drivers become safe, responsible drivers. It is a win-win situation!
Tags: Car Insurance Companies, Car Insurance Policy, Cheap Car Insurance, Driver Education Course, Driver Education Courses, First Days Of School, Great Joy, High Grades, Insurance Agent, Insurance Costs, Insurance Prices, Own Car, Responsible Drivers, Road Rage, Stop Signs, Teen Driver, Teen Drivers, Tips To Save Money, Traffic Accidents, Traffic Citations