Posts Tagged ‘automobile;truck’

Car Insurance: Steps for Making a Claim

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

A car accident can be a harrowing and traumatic event. One will be shaken and often not thinking clearly. If you are involved in a car accident, you have to think about your condition as well as the events that took place because you will most likely have to file a auto insurance claim.

In order to prepare for the results of a car accident, the following steps should be followed in order to make a proper claim:

1. After an accident, your heart will be racing and you may be disorientated. You need to gather your thoughts and think about how to proceed. If you are hurt, and the car is not a danger such as on fire, retrieve your cell phone and call 911. If there is no emergency such as a serious injury, call the police. Check to see if anyone else is hurt. Ask for people who witnessed the accident to stay and talk to the police.

2. Swap contact information, including phone numbers, license plate numbers, and car insurance details with the other drivers involved in the accident. When the police arrive share all the details you remember about the accident so that they can write an official report that can be given to the insurance companies. Make sure you tell the police officers that you want a report. If the officers won’t do it because the accident took place on the property of an establishment like a store parking lot, then ask the store owner or a security guard to write something up. If you have a camera, take pictures of the accident scene that includes any vehicle damage.

3. Contact your insurance company, even if you are not at-fault. Also, compensation is based on the extent of fault so you need evidence to support your claim. Most insurance providers have a toll free claim number. Make sure you have your policy number available. If the other person is at-fault, you must make a claim. You are entitled to have the insurance company process your claim and resolve any disputes. Your insurance company will advise the other driver’s insurance provider that you are making a claim and seeking compensation. You will have to make a list of all items damaged. If the other driver does not have car insurance, you will have to negotiate directly or go to court. Some experts suggest that if the other party is at fault, you should file claims with both insurance providers.

4. Once you have submitted all of the paper work to the insurance companies, they will sort out the claim. You may have to speak to the other driver’s provider about your recollection of the accident. Your insurance provider will tell you what statement is required. Before you give your statement, write down what you remember about the accident.

5. A claims adjuster will inspect your damaged car in order to assess the costs of the loss. They will also assess if the damage can be repaired or if you require financial compensation. If you are financially compensated, the insurance company will write you a check minus the deductible. A car accident can be a very emotional time in one’s life. It is important to remember that you need to keep yourself together so that you can make the right decisions regarding your physical well-being as well as filing a car insurance claim.

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Will You Have To Undergo A Car Inspection When Getting Car Insurance?

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Normally when purchasing auto insurance you probably will only be asked for basic information about your vehicle. You are typically asked to provide the year, make, model and to provide the accurate mileage from the odometer. You will also need to provide some idea as to the condition of your vehicle and project your driving needs. Car owners who travel long distances for work are charged higher premiums than those who drive less frequently. Armed with this basic data and your car or truck Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the insurance company is able to generate a quote after a quick check of collision history of your vehicle.

Using the VIN number the agent would get all the information required about the vehicle, and may even like to arrange an inspection of that particular vehicle so that your actual rates is reduced to a much lower price. Car accessories such a custom made rims, wheels or expensive stereos which you would like to claim along with the vehicle, needs to be inspected before the insurance company provides you with the coverage. This is because there is a possibility of people having an ordinary cassette player, giving false information about it and claiming it to be an expensive one in order to get it covered, which might actually reduce the asset of the Insurance company.

Often the Insurance Company may insist on Inspection, just to know the overall condition of the vehicle alone and if they find the actual condition of the vehicle is poorer than what it is claimed, it may affect the actual insurance coverage. Mechanical faults, improper maintenance such as rust or faded paint, poor condition of seats all make your vehicle go down its ladder for maximum coverage. Moreover it will also let you down when it comes to the blue book, as it mainly depends on the perfect condition of the car which may inadvertently make you to lose a fair amount of money, slashing your pocket with few thousands of dollars. In case of accidents, where the actual damage done to the car is summed up and in the event of blue book claim, the total value is paid to you only after the insurance company analysis the perfect numbers to be paid.

Insurance companies usually protect their assets from undue claiming and fraudulent claims. This may include an inspection seldom, to analyze the exact condition of your vehicle. The process, indirectly favours both the parties, as paying an enormous amount of premiums for a vehicle that is in fair condition seems absurd when you can actually pay less by stating the true condition of the vehicle. Also, the Insurance Company has the right to withdraw or modify their coverage accordingly, if they find the actual condition of the quoted vehicle is poorer than what is claimed.

Sometimes there is damage to a vehicle that is not noticed by the current owner and has never been reported. Sometimes previous owners do not report minor accidents. They make quick patches and sell the car to unsuspecting buyers. Unfortunately, there are other types of fraud which insurance companies must look for. Filing false claims based on questionable values costs insurance companies millions of dollars each year.

This is why inspections can happen at any time. The insurance company needs to know if you are honest. So it is best to be truthful when looking for a quote because the day after you get your policy, the insurance company might be at your place taking pictures of your car.

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4×4 Insurance In Detail

Monday, August 17th, 2009

If you are looking for 4×4 insurance for the first time you are probably surprised by just how many different kinds there are. Just like motorcycles, trucks, and cars, 4×4 vehicles have insurance that?s all there own, geared toward the risks that are often involved with the type of driving required. You will notice that the biggest difference in 4×4 insurance is the price, which is much higher compared to regular insurance prices. Before you go ahead and sign onto a policy, make sure you find the one that is right for you.

Your insurance for a 4×4 vehicle will vary depending on exactly how you will be using the vehicle. People who use them as normal day to day trucks don?t have to worry about the extra costs of getting off road insurance. 4×4?s are specifically designed to handle off road driving. Although this can be very fun and exciting, it puts you at much higher risk for vehicle damages and injuries. Make sure your policy covers off road driving before you attempt it. If necessary you can get an all terrain insurance policy for a day or two just to have some fun.

4×4 trucks and SUVs have all of the regular types of insurance available for drivers. The minimal type is called liability insurance, and it covers other vehicles and individuals that were involved in an accident, but not your own. Comprehensive and collision insurance can also be obtained like an average vehicle. Unfortunately these will often be more expensive than regular policies. The monthly rate you pay will reflect on how much overall coverage you have. The extra cost will cover the increased likely hood that your 4×4 may be stolen or vandalized.

4×4 vehicles are often more expensive to insure because they cost more to repair. Unlike cars and other mass produced vehicles, the parts for 4×4 trucks and SUVs are harder to find a replace. Your insurance company will therefore have to pay more to fix your vehicle. If you have added anything on to your 4×4 you can expect that it won?t be covered by traditional insurance policies. These add-ons will have to be individually insured or paid to fix by you. Wide screens are very popular features of 4x4s that are not covered by regular insurance. If the truck has this feature be sure that your policy insures its repairs.

Salvage retention rights are offered directly to 4×4 drivers, especially those who participate in off road driving. These rights allow you to use the parts of your 4×4 vehicle. Even if you make changes and add on other parts your 4×4 will still be insured. If your 4×4 happens to get totaled you can retrieve the parts for future repairs while still being compensated for the damages. Salvage retention rights are difficult to come by on other vehicles, buy you will sometimes see them applied to 4×4?s. If you want this as part of your coverage you will have to be sure to request it first.

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Temporary Auto Insurance

Friday, August 14th, 2009

If you are looking for a short term car insurance policy theres a good chance that you may not even need it…

Is car insurance for a temporary period of time required when renting an automobile?

The rental place will likely offer you liability coverage, personal effects coverage, accident coverage, and/or a loss damage waiver. As long as you are using the rental car for recreational use (not business use) you own car insurance will cover the each of these offered insurances.

Below is a list of the 4 insurance options that the rental car service may offer you and why you probably don’t need them…

Liability coverage: The liability insurance on your own policy will protect you.

Loss Damage Waiver: The collision & comprehensive coverage, which you probably have on you car, make the LDW unnecessary. Collision coverage pays for damages to the car regardless of who is at fault and comprehensive coverage pays for damage caused by things such as a thunderstorm or a collision with a deer.

Personal accident insurance or accident coverage: If you already have either Personal Injury Protection, Medical Payments Coverage, or health insurance, you can skip on this additional insurance.

Personal effects coverage: Rental car companies offer this type of coverage for stolen items. However, it is very likely that your homeowners or renters insurance already covers items that are stolen not just inside the house, but outside of it as well.

If you want to be 100% sure that your homeowners, renters, and/or car insurances carry over, call them or read the policies for yourself. If you pay for the rental using a credit card, the card company may automatically give you some coverage, so its worth calling them as well.

What if you’re not renting, but borrowing somebody’s car?

If you have your own car and thus have the respective car insurance, you needn’t worry. Furthermore, the lenders policy (as long as they give you permission to drive the car) transfers over to you. But what if you’re borrowing somebody’s car and don’t have your own car insurance?

Lack of liability coverage is the main thing, which can hurt you, if you are borrowing somebody’s car. If the lenders liability coverage is not enough (say it is $4,000 short of paying for the damages), you are responsible for the difference in an accident in which you are found to be guilty. You don’t have to worry about this happening if you get a nonowners policy, which provides liability coverage for those who borrow others cars. And, as always, if you are the innocent party in an accident, the guilty one will pay for the repairs (this isn’t the case in every state as some are no-fault states).

If you borrow somebody’s auto, who is going to pay for damage done to the lenders car? If the owner of the car has collision and/or comprehensive insurance, they will pay. You may pay if you have these two insurances.

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What Is An Initial Examination Checklist For

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Car insurance is very important. When a vehicle is stolen or broken into, insurance plays a large role in reimbursement for lost property. Insurance also allows the victim to make a claim to their insurer and the insurer handles the costs of repairs and/or replacement of the damage to the vehicle; of course, there is generally a modest deductible depending upon the insurance plan one has.

When you speak to the insurance agent about the claim they will start an initial examination checklist to ensure that the claim is valid and what part of the claim if any is to be paid by the insurance company according to your policy. There are many questions the insurance company might ask of you and any other information gathered will be from your policy and coverage information.

Your policy needs to be active. The insurance agent will verify that the police is before anything else transpires. The agent will also ensure that your payments have been paid and that you are not behind. If it is determined you lapsed in payment, you will not be eligible for coverage.

The Claims are usually Validated after reviewing the policy rules and if there are items damaged or stolen which are not covered by the policy contract, the coverage amount cannot be claimed. You will also not be able to claim if you just have a liability insurance or a third party cover in instances of car burglary.

You cannot claim the coverage amount if the exclusion criteria of the policy such as fire or flood is a part of the claim but you can claim coverage during a break in burglary or vandalism, in case if your expensive car accessories such as stereo or golf clubs are stolen, if it is covered or listed in the actual policy contract.

While the insurance company is liable for valid claims, it is dependent upon the policy holder to uphold the policy requirements. If the holder failed to take the proper actions on their end, the insurance company will deny the claim. This will leave the victim of the crime responsible for the damages that occurred.

Other than looking out for policy reasons, the trained insurance agent might even carry a checklist to rule out suspicion in case of fraudulent claims. For example Expensive trunk load of goods carried in an old car, if reported as stolen and has been filed for a claim, the agent might raise a suspicion that it might be a fraudulent claim by the policy owner. Misleading facts and false information might lead to the coverage being denied. Once the checklist is complete along with the Initial examination, the agent forwards the case to its assessor along with his reports of examination, to assess and approve claim, if it is genuine.

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How To Lower Your 4×4 Insurance Premiums

Monday, August 10th, 2009

4×4 vehicles are notorious for having higher insurance premiums than other vehicles. Although it may come as a surprise at first, 4×4 are considered by many insurance companies as a higher risk vehicle. To counter these hazards insurance companies charge higher premiums. There are several things you can do to avoid these higher rates and obtain a more manageable monthly insurance premium. While using these techniques, it is still very important that you shop around for the best quotes you can find.

Since 4x4s stand out more than regular cars, they will end up receiving more vandalism and will get stolen more often. While getting your quote, reassure your agent that you will keep your vehicle out of sight when it is not being used. This may mean keeping it in a garage or behind your home. By doing this it is at a lower risk for incurring damage, so you will be offered lower rates. These cases are particularly common in areas of the inner city.

Drivers looking for lower insurance rates should also try to get some experience by driving a 4×4 beforehand. Luckily this does not necessarily mean you have to own one before you get insurance. Try driving around a friend or family member?s car for a bit to become familiar with the specific type of handling required. While sitting down with your agent you can tell them that you already have experience with such vehicles and are less likely to get into an accident.

Keeping your driving record clean is always an important part to getting low insurance rates. The fewer claims you have on your record, the better. If an insurance agent sees you already have several different claims they will charge you even more for insurance just because you are at a higher risk. If you manage to go for a period of time without any claims you may subject for a claims bonus, a discount given to drivers after about a year of claims-free driving. Mention that you this and your insurance agent will work to get you the best rates possible. Sometimes you may want to pay for an accident yourself just to save money that may add up to more if spend on increased rates from claims. This only works if the accident was very small and with little damage.

The security of your 4×4 will always be looked at before you get a final rate on insurance. Agents will ask what type of features it has and what category the safely standards are. If you have a category 1 or 2 4×4 you can get lower rates. Better security insures that your vehicle will be less likely to be damaged or stolen.

Military personal, including those from the National Guard, can take advantage of special discounts. Even if you are not a part of the military you should always be on the watch for discounts that may help you. Search online for the best quotes before going to visit your insurance agents personally.

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Insurance History and Premiums-Cause and Effects

Friday, August 7th, 2009

Not all people know that their insurance premiums are partly determined by their insurance history. The lack of a current insurance policy or a substantial history of insurance can result in a higher premium when soliciting new coverage. Conversely, continuous coverage can result in receiving lower quotes from other insurance companies when you decide to get more quotes versus just renewing your old policy.

Many will argue that the lack of insurance history should not increase one’s premiums. Regardless, among the many considerations in determining premiums are an applicant’s demonstrated ability to maintain their payment schedule, their proclivity for making claims on their past policies, and their demonstrated clean driving record. A failing in any of these areas will have the effect of markedly increasing your premiums to a much higher rate than you would prefer.

Persons having previous lapsed policies, and are in need to find a new one with better quotes are generally not entertained. Even if it happens, the credit history is checked for timely payment of premiums for the previous policy, so that the new company has some points for consideration.

New drivers, drivers with multiple claims for accidents, those with a history of moving violations, and persons who currently do not have insurance coverage sometimes find it easier to obtain coverage through brokers that specialize in “high-risk” drivers. Companies these brokers tend to work with, however, do not tend to offer the most advantageous terms – oftentimes asking for more sizable down payments, offering only high deductibles, and providing minimal coverage.

So once you have started a policy, be sure to complete it. If you want to establish yourself as a desirable customer, purchase a policy for six months. Drive carefully, _don’t_ get any tickets, and make your payments regularly and promptly. When it’s time to renew, get out the phone book and start checking other brokers. Now that you have a good insurance history, other insurers will be eager for your business. Your original insurer will be reluctant to lose you, and will most likely match any quote you get from another company. Your next six months could end up costing you hundreds of dollars less than your first.

It never hurts to shop around for a better rate at policy renewal time. Your current insurance company would be happy to keep you on at last year’s higher rate. It’s up to you to have them review your policy. If you change jobs or change your address, you may have a shorter and/or safer drive to work. Changes like these can make you eligible for lower premiums, so review your policy when they happen. Now that you have a good history, other insurers will want your business, and they’ll offer you lower rates to get it. Your current insurer, remember, will want to keep you, so they’ll also make you a better offer.

In summary, drivers should be vigilant about looking for the best available insurance rates. In order to ensure the lowest premiums, it is essential to keep up with one’s payments, to maintain constant coverage, and to keep one’s driving record as clean as possible.

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The Ways That 4×4 Insurance Varies From Standard Car Insurance

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

4×4 owners may wonder why their insurance rates are higher than they are with cars. The fact is that 4×4 vehicles are much different than normal cars and vehicles. They have extra capabilities and features that the insurance company sees as more hazardous. You should know what to expect before you buy a 4×4 vehicle.

The type of policy you have will affect what type of coverage you?re getting. All types of policies will cover other drivers and their vehicles in an accident. You can also get policies that cover your vehicle and your passengers along with theft and weather damage. 4×4 insurance has similar properties as regular car insurance however there are some slight differences. The main problem is that you?re going to do more damage to another vehicle if you hit them than you would in a car. Since the estimated repair costs will be higher they increase the insurance premium you have to pay.

4×4?s will also be subject to higher rates because of their popularity. If you live near the city rates will be higher than normal for vandalism, theft, and other damages. Drivers of 4×4?s in rural areas often do not need this type of coverage, but it will be less expensive if they do get it.

Costs to fix 4×4 trucks and SUVs are much higher than the cost to fix regular vehicles. This is because parts are harder to find and repair. Insurance companies will look at this as an extra cost to insure your vehicle and will charge you more. If you have extra features added to your 4×4 that didn?t come with the stock you will have to get extra insurance to have these repaired in case of an accident. Insurance companies won?t voluntarily pay for these extra add-ons unless your policy specifically covers them.

Finally the biggest difference between 4×4 vehicles and cars is it?s off road capabilities. Your standard car insurance won?t cover your vehicle if you go off road. This means that you will have to either pay for the repair costs yourself or have to see if your car insurance company offers off road protection. If they do then you will have to pay a higher rate. Also if you?re an enthusiast that likes to race or enter other various competitions you may have to get those covered separately. In some instances it?s better to be covered for a single day then pay high interest rates every month.

It?s important to know that as with sports cars 4×4 vehicles will be more expensive naturally when it comes to insurance. The best thing you can do is to compare quotes from various companies and find the lowest rate. You can also greatly reduce the rate of your vehicle by having it just for a recreational vehicle. You will also want to read through the policies that each company offers. This is because some companies will cover some situations while others won?t. If you plan on doing something besides driving your 4×4 vehicle you should ask your insurance agent what they can cover.

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How You Can Save On Your Car Insurance With These Tips

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

It really does not take much to transform you into a savvy shopper, just consider the following car insurance tips. You might be surprised by how simple, easy, and effective these strategies are at saving you money. Here’s some foolproof ways to shave ten, twenty, or even hundreds of dollars off your car insurance policy.

First, drive cautiously. A driving record with few accidents or speeding tickets is not good enough. You will still spend more for a car insurance policy than if you keep your record completely clean. Instead of shelling out your hard-earned money for insurance premiums, carefully observe all traffic regulations and keep the money to yourself.

Another is, take note of the numerous discounts you can receive from car insurance companies. To best avail of this deal, you need to be acquainted with what they offer. For example, you can include all of your vehicles in one policy to acquire a multiple vehicle discount.

Another is to insure your house and your vehicle in the same policy, so you can avail of a multiple line discount. It is also worth inquiring if companies give credit for good student card report, low mileage, airbag and anti-theft safety systems, age of car, and occupational and auto club discounts. The more discounts you accumulate, the more money you can save.

Another word of advice for car insurance: make your deductibles larger if possible, provided the price is sound. Your deductible is how much you will have to pay up front when filing a claim before the insurance company gets involved with the payment. When you have a low deductible, say you paid the first 250 dollars, your premium will be bigger. On the other hand, if you have a higher deductible of 500 dollars, your premium will be smaller.

Whenever you change your address, it’s a good idea to make sure your auto insurance is still the best deal in that area. Frequently when you move you can find better rates for your new location than you could previously. Auto insurance companies are like snowflakes, they all have the same idea in mind, to insure their customers, but each one uniquely tailors their own plan to go about doing this. So if someone tells you it does not matter which company you pick for insurance so long as you have it, do not believe them.

The most effective way to save money on your insurance is to shop around. An insurance with the lowest premium isn’t necessarily the best deal, since the coverage may be limited, or may be inferior to other insurances. Instead, be sure you compare and contrast plans with similar coverage, deductibles, and limitations, so you can be certain youre really getting the best possible deal.

Checking out websites that compare insurances may prove useful for collecting needed facts about different plans. Hopefully these car insurance tips are exactly what you need to start saving money on your premiums today.

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All About Incidence Rate

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Consumers in the automobile insurance market often come across “incidence rates”. This phrase, while confusing to some people, is actually a simple method for determining the level of risk for a specific vehicle.

Certain types and models of vehicles are more attractive to thieves. Also, certain models have been shown to be more likely to be involved in accidents or violations such as speeding or reckless driving. The insurance quote not only takes into account your personal driving history, but is also determined by the type of vehicle that is being insured.

Any insurance company will have data that shows the likelihood of cars being stolen, how often they’ll be in accidents, etcetera. This is what your insurance agency will use to determine how high the risk level of your vehicle will be and the effect this will have on your policy rates, if you have a vehicle that falls in to one or more of the high risk categories for incidents then your rate will be dramatically higher than you would like.

It seems common-sense that sports cars are more likely to be involved in reckless driving incidents or speeding violations. But there are also some incidents that are not so obvious. For instance, statistics show that a white or light-colored vehicle is more likely to be involved in accidents than darker vehicles. Knowing this information can help consumers make better decisions about the types of vehicles that they choose. Incidence rates can be found either by searching the Internet, or by asking a car dealership for the information. By knowing this information and how it affects your insurance premiums, you will be able to see why your quotes differ from other drivers with similar driving records.

Every year thousands of cars are stolen and never recovered, which makes some cars a big risk for insurance companies. If your car is listed as being likely to be stolen and sold for parts it could hurt your rates. You can counteract this by installing security features to deter thieves or help you locate your car.

If your car is a color that’s more likely to be hit by another car, such as white, you can add uninsured or underinsured motorist protection to ensure that you are covered in case the other driver isn’t. Most of the time the insurance company will allow a lower rate in this case as they’re protected from extra costs. Remember that even though it’s illegal to drive without insurance it’s still very common to find people who don’t think they need it. You have to think ahead to protect yourself in this situation.

It is important for drivers to know the Incidence Rates for their vehicles. By knowing how much more likely it is for your vehicle to be stolen, involved in accidents, or be severely damaged, are better equipped to make smart buying decisions, both when purchasing a vehicle and when determining what types and what levels of insurance to buy. The savings may have you considering buying that economical minivan rather than that sporty white corvette.

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