instant quotes
You are probably responsible for the damage to the car ahead of you. The one that hit you is responsible for any damage to your car. Generally, even when someone else forces you forward, you are held responsible for the damage to another car when you hit it from behind.
You might want to question his judgment for precipitating an accident over a cat, but you were expected to have your car under control. In this situation, control means being far enough behind the other car to stop safely -- even in the event of an unexpected stop.
If somebody with out-of-state insurance hits my car, Where do I file a claim?
Call your insurance company and file a claim as if the other party was from your state.
If the insurance company pays you for the value of a totaled car, they normally are entitled to keep the damaged vehicle.
What's the agent's role in the claims process?
It varies from company to company. At some companies, the agent could do the initial paper work claim submission. At others, the agent may just serve as a resource, referring you to the claims office or to a claims representative.
Probably not. Comprehensive coverage is mainly to cover the car -- not the items left in it. Some comprehensive policies will cover personal items if they are destroyed by fire or lightning - and yes, sometimes even theft. Also, you should check your homeowner's or renter's policy. It may cover theft of items from your car.
What happens if my loan was more than my insurance company says my car was worth?
If it was a leased car, you should check to see if you had GAP insurance. GAP insurance is designed to protect against this very problem. GAP insurance is less common with owned cars.
What if the other driver's liability insurance isn't enough to pay all my bills?
Your underinsured coverage provides bodily injury coverage when the other driver has some insurance, but it is insufficient to cover your bills. Underinsured motorist coverage pays the balance - up to the limit on your policy.
What happens if the company adjuster misses something on the repair estimate?
You have a right to challenge the estimate. You should point out as soon as possible that the estimate of damage to be repaired is incomplete.
Are there a certain number of estimates a company requires?
It depends on the company. Some years ago, three estimates was more-or-less standard practice, but some companies may now have a lower requirement. Many companies also use estimate provided by their own claims adjusters.
Notify your insurance company and risk higher rates. It is the business of your insurance company to work on your behalf and get the case settled.
Does the company have to provide me with an explanation for denying a claim?
Yes. You are entitled to know why your claim is denied so that you can make an intelligent decision about accepting or challenging the denial.
The insurance company wants to total my car and I want to fix it. What can I do?
You can try to negotiate with them, but the cost of repair is apparently more than the value of the car, so it may be difficult to get such an agreement.
Try further negotiation. If you have a specific complaint and can demonstrate that the proposed settlement is unfair to you, you may be able to get assistance from the state insurance department. Ultimately, you can take the insurance company to small claims court -- or sue them, if enough money is at stake.
Can the insurance company pay me less than blue book for my totaled car?
The insurance company will offer you an amount that they consider fair, taking into consideration such factors as wear to the car, mileage, and previous damage. If this amount is less than what you consider fair, you should turn down the offer and continue to negotiate until you reach an agreement. Ultimately, if you cannot reach an agreement, you might have to consider the possibility of litigation -- provided enough money is at stake to justify the cost of litigation.
My car was totaled. Isn't the company required to give me the actual cash value?
The actual cash value refers to what it would cost to replace your vehicle with one in similar condition. In making this cost calculation, conditions such as mileage, previous unrepaired damage, and tire wear are considered. Ultimately, the value to the insurer may not be the same as the market price of a car of the same make, model and year.
My car was recently stolen. I filed a police report. Must I continue the car insurance payments?
Assuming you will be compensated for the stolen car and that no insurance premiums are due immediately, you should talk to the insurance company about how long it will take to resolve your stolen car claim. Normally, you won't need to pay for insurance on a car that you no longer have -- but you have to consider the possibility that the police will recover the car in a few days.
Of course, you don't need insurance for the stolen car unless you get it back. If the theft is properly reported and the thief is in an accident, you are in no way responsible.
The company financing the stolen car will probably expect to receive car payments until they are compensated by your insurance company. But, if the delay in settling the claim results in overpayment of car payments or insurance premiums, you can expect refunds of the overpayment plus interest. Discuss the specifics of your situation with the bank and the insurance
What should I do if I am having a disagreement with my company over a claim?
If you cannot resolve it -- and you feel that the company is not treating you fairly -- you should contact the state insurance department. They will assist you if the company is in the wrong.
What is depreciation and how does it relate to claims payments?
The value of your automobile (in most cases) decreases over time because of the wear and tear of driving. So, naturally, the amount of money the insurance company will pay you if your car is totaled in an accident will generally be less as it gets older and has racked up a lot of miles.
Can the company settle for more than $10,000 and make me pay the difference?
Q:
A claim was filed against my insurance company for $15,000 because a person got hurt when I hit his car. My automobile insurance policy only covers $10,000 for bodily injury to one person. Can the company settle for more than $10,000 and make me pay the difference?
Continue reading "Can the company settle for more than $10,000 and make me pay the difference?" »
After an accident, you should call your insurance agent and ask for instructions about filing a claim. The agent may take your information and file the claim for you or give you instructions on how to file yourself. In some cases you may need to take your car to a claim office.
What should I do at the scene of an accident?
If you have an accident you should:
1. first check to make sure that everyone is all right -- call for an ambulance or the paramedics if needed
2. for most accidents you should call a police officer
3. exchange information with the other drivers
Continue reading "What should I do at the scene of an accident?" »
You are probably responsible for the damage to the car ahead of you. The one that hit you is responsible for any damage to your car. Generally, even when someone else forces you forward, you are held responsible for the damage to another car when you hit it from behind.
You might want to question his judgment for precipitating an accident over a cat, but you were expected to have your car under control. In this situation, control means being far enough behind the other car to stop safely -- even in the event of an unexpected stop.