Reader’s Question:

Can my insurance rate increase if I will be hit on the rear and my passengers will be paid by my uninsured/underinsured part of auto insurance?

Zoe

Philadelphia PA

Typically, your insurance rate should not be increased due to uninsured/underinsured motorist claim that you or your passengers will file with your auto insurance company due to an accident that is not your fault. Your insurer will pay the uninsured/underinsured motorist claim because of the negligence of the vehicle that hit you and not because of your own negligence. You did not cause the accident, it was the other driver.

Different states will have different take on this. For example, in Pennsylvania, the law will not allow an auto insurance company to increase your rates if they will pay for the first-party benefit for you. This kind of benefit is not very popular and is only required in Pennsylvania. This kind of benefit is actually similar to medical payments coverage and Personal Injury Protection. The first-party benefit will help you pay for medical expenses if you
and your household members are injured in a car accident. This law will somehow protect the residents of Pennsylvania who is careful and have not been in any accident where in he is at fault.

It is most likely that your auto insurance rate will increase once you get into an accident where you are responsible even at one time only. The increase will not be immediate but when it’s time that you will renew the policy, that’s when you will be surprised with the new price. The rating system of your insurance company and the law of state where you live in will determine the future of your auto insurance policy. If you have not been
in any accident or have not been convicted of any traffic violation there is a big possibility that you insurance rate will not increase.

The biggest factor in insurance rate is determining your risk in getting in an accident. Accidents caused by others is still an accident and the fewer accident you get into the lower your risk is and this will equal to lower payments.

Reader’s Question:

What are simple procedures to keep in mind about filing my auto insurance claims?

Sidney

St. Paul MN

Knowing now about what needs to be done when you get into an accident is more recommended than having to know it on the moment you get into the accident already. Knowing the procedures now will help you remember to do the necessary work during an accident. Although it is better to call your auto insurance agent while you’re still in the accident scene, we can’t generally foresee that our agent will always be available for us on that certain time. Here are some tips that will guide you on your auto insurance claims filing.

Do you really need to file this claim? Remember that each time you make a call to file auto insurance claims will be on your insurance record. Although we have the right to file claims against our policy since we’re paying for it, maintaining a clean claims-free insurance record will have beneficial effects on your auto insurance in the future such as having to pay premiums with huge discounts. One tip is that when you can pay for the damages with your own pocket money, you may not file a claim.

While you are still in the accident scene, you may take as many pictures as and as many recorded documents as you can. These include photos of the damages, injuries and the whole accident scene. Reports also include the police report. Note down necessary details such as plate numbers, names and contact numbers of witnesses and the other party. You may also have to call your insurance agent to help you with these.

You must file your auto insurance claims claim as soon as possible to avoid delays. Always keep your records and receipts related to the accident. Keeping records, especially notes about details of the accident, will help you maintain a consistent answer in case you will be asked again about the accident. Sometimes, disputes may arise. There are times when the other parties’ insurance provider will have to call you to hear your story of the accident. You should also get the details of who was calling you and the details you have mentioned.

Do not have your car repaired immediately thinking that you might be reimbursed. Consult your insurance provider first. Sometimes, they will recommend some auto repair shops that are authorized to repair your vehicle.

Reader’s Question:

If you got involved in an accident and the other person’s car insurance company is not included in the police report, what will you do? Is there any way for you to know their car insurance information or if they are insured? Please help.

Margot

New York NY

In most states you may be able to get the other person’s car insurance information from the law enforcement officer.

It is the police officer’s responsibility to put this information on the police accident report. If there is no accident report made, then I suggest that you speak with a police officer to file a report. If you have a report, you will need to speak with the police officer that wrote up the report.

In addition to that, you can speak with your car insurance carrier to help you with filing of car insurance claim. .

If you are unable to find the at fault party’s car insurance information, then you will have to file the claim under your car insurance policy if you have the right coverage for the claim.

Reader’s Question:

My sister got into an auto accident 2 days ago. Her car was a total wreck and also needs to take care of property damages resulting from an accident. She kept a few documents to support it but she was very much preoccupied at work to file claims with her car insurance agent right after that. Now she’s worried that she won’t be able to get claims if she files them. What’s the maximum length of time could she report the car accident to be able to get claims?

Helen

Chicago IL

In the event of an accident, ask your sister if she was able to keep necessary proof and documents useful when settling claims in court. It could be a medical certificate, pictures of the accident, police records and if possible witnesses who could attest the accident. File and organize them in time when her insurance company needed some documents to present.

As far as the maximum length of time she could file the claims, there’s really no penalty as to whether she had failed to file it within 48 hours. The length of time depends on the contract they had agreed upon, and the state requirements to which that applies.

It is important to contact her insurance agent as soon as possible, to be able to avoid disqualification from getting claims. Know the policies, terms and required documents to get her rightful compensation from her insurance company.

Reader’s Question:

I got into an accident and I was not at fault so I would like to know how long do I have to report a claim from my car insurance company?

Carl

Los Angeles CA

Most car insurance contracts includes provisions showing how long you have to file a car insurance claim or suit against a certain insurer. This is called Contractual statute of limitations. Failure to file automobile insurance claim within this time period, you may lose all rights to recover for your claim.

Lets say your car insurance policy may show that you have a year from the date the injury or accident happened, or from the date the claim was filed, or from the date the claim was denied.

It is best that you make an automobile insurance claim as soon as possible when the accident happened. If you wait to file a claim with your insurer or a third party claim with another insurance company, you will probably be required to explain why it took you long to file a claim. In addition to that, the adjuster may want to look at your vehicle thoroughly to be certain that no other damage was done after the accident and before the claim was filed.

Reader’s Question:

A friend here in West Virginia filed a claim on his car insurance policy for the damages on his car. His car insurance provider explained to him that his car already experienced diminished value. Because of that, he couldn’t get the same amount as when he bought the car, what is diminished value?

Robert

Huntington, WV

For example, the value of your car is $10,000 as stated by the National Automobile Dealers Association guide. You get into an accident and you have collision coverage as part of your car insurance policy. Now, you will file a claim to your car insurance company in West Virginia and they cover the repairs on your vehicle once you have covered the deductible and you make a decision on selling your vehicle. When you are looking around, you discover that you won’t get a payment for your vehicle that is near $10,000 since it has been ruined and fixed. What happened to your vehicle is that it went through diminished value which is also identified as diminution in value.

A lot of those who have car insurance have challenged that their car insurance companies are responsible to return their vehicles to its “pre-loss condition” after car crashes. A fiscal value is normally added to that condition and they say that a vehicle which has been in a car crash would get a lower value in the market in comparison to a same vehicle that has not been in a crash. This means that the value of the vehicle naturally reduces following a crash, no matter what the quality of the repair is. Consumer advocates believe that those who have car insurance are eligible for a diminished-value payment from their insurers once they file a car insurance claim in case they can prove that their automobiles have not been put back to its pre-accident condition.

Reader’s Question:

My car here in Colorado got wrecked in an accident, my question is can I file an auto insurance claim against the other party’s car insurance company or am I only allowed to file with my carrier?

Nguyen

Arvada, CO

You have two options since you are allowed to file a claim to either your auto insurance carrier or you can opt to file the claim for whatever damages and injuries you sustain to the other party’s carrier. Filing an auto insurance claim with another insurance company is termed as a “Third-party” claim. Before you do so, it is important that you speak to a knowledgeable insurance agent or contact Colorado’s insurance regulations department about specific laws and information regarding a third-party claim since most state have different laws regarding this.

Unlike a “First-party” claim which is filing the claim with your own carrier, submitting an auto insurance claim with a third-party carrier may not be as easy. First, their obligation focuses first on their own policyholder. So be prepared to provide all the necessary information and itemization of the damages that your vehicle has incurred. Be prepared for a call from the other party’s carrier as well to verify all the information you provided.

Auto accident insurance claims are tricky, and the other carrier would want to settle as soon as possible, they would also want to settle with paying you with the least amount of money as possible so stand your ground. If you feel that you are not being compensated properly you may opt to negotiate the settlement or, if push comes to shove, take legal action.

Reader’s Question:

How will auto insurance claims affect my auto insurance rates in Florida? I am also wondering if I switch to a different auto insurance company, will they be able to see the car insurance claim made?

Thomas

Miami FL

Florida insurance providers vary in their rating systems so this would depend on how your specific insurance provider determines their auto insurance rates your auto insurance premium could be affected by the auto insurance claim made. I suggest that you contact your car insurance company to know exactly if the auto insurance claim will affect your auto insurance rates. To know about your auto insurance company’s rating system you may contact your state’s insurance regulatory body where insurance providers file their auto insurance rates with.

If you switch to a different auto insurance company, it is likely that the new auto insurance carrier will see the claim in your record. The reason for this is that auto insurance providers share information regarding previous auto insurance claims.

Reader’s Question:

I am looking for some ways to save on my auto insurance here in Wyoming so I was thinking to slash some things off. For a married guy with two kids, how do you think I can reduce the payment for my auto insurance?

Jay

Cheyenne, WY

In case you are already up for a renewal on your auto insurance in Wyoming, make sure that you find some ways wherein you could be able to save some money. And cutting out some coverage that you don’t really need is a good start of reducing your premium payment. If you have a lot of drivers listed in your auto insurance policy, you may opt not to add those who don’t drive your vehicle on a regular basis. It would cost you less to list another driver for one day or a weekend in case it would be one off occasion. Alternatively, since you are already married, if you have listed your spouse to your policy, it can really help lessen the premium that you pay since single men are perceived as riskier drivers.

Do not list your kids to your auto insurance policy except if it is very essential. Adding a teen driver would actually raise the price up to the roof. Likewise, if your kids are listed on your policy, do not forget to take off their name once they leave home. A higher deductible would aid you to save on your insurance costs and in case you are a safe driver, this could be specifically beneficial. However, do not forget that in case you get involved in an accident where in you are at fault, you would have to pay the deductible before your auto insurance kicks in.

Reader’s Question:

I just moved in here in New Jersey and unfortunately I’m still not very familiar with many things. Can I actually file a car damage claim here in New Jersey with my own car insurance?

Kate

Clifton, NJ

Here in New Jersey, you have the option whether you are going to use your own car insurance or the other driver’s car insurance for filing a claim if in case the other driver had caused the accident. If you have enough coverage you should be able to choose your own policy to file claim. But before you do this, you should first and foremost file an insurance claim if in case your car is damaged or stolen.

If you want to file a claim by your own policy you have at least the Collision Coverage or the Comprehensive coverage. If you file a claim to your own insurance company your insurers will pay the repairs for the damages of your car or if the damage repair of your car exceeds the value of your car, your insurers will pay the value of your car instead. IF you have chosen to file a claim with the other driver’s car insurance then you will only receive a payment for the damages incurred to your car even if the other driver is legally responsible with the accident, there is also a possibility that the other driver’s car insurance might not be able to pay everything you have lost.