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Reader’s Question:

My car got scratched by another car door. I would like to know what I need to do to have it fixed.

Michael

Miami FL

If you actually know who did the scratch on your car, you need to contact the police to file a report. They will in turn contact that person to try to assess the guilt. The next thing to do is to file it in court or with your insurance company and let them subrogate the claim against the guilty party.

If on the other hand you do not know who did the scratch and if you are not at fault, you need to coordinate with the at-fault party’s insurance company and file your claim and you won’t pay your deductible. If you have physical damage (comprehensive and collision coverage), you can file a claim with your insurance company. If you opt to file with your insurance company, you must pay the deductible and your insurance company will be the one to do the work in recovering damages which includes the deductible from the at-fault party’s insurance company. This is called subrogation. This is the amount your insurance company actually paid out plus your deductible amount. Most policies have a subrogation clause that allows your insurance company to get hold of reimbursement from the at-fault party’s insurance company for the charges of repairing your car.

Reader’s Question:

When in an auto accident, what are things that I have to keep in mind that relates to filing a car insurance claim?

Samantha

Augusta ME

It can be very hard to think clearly when you are in the scene of an auto accident already. Therefore, it is essential that you know what needs to be done and what information to gather as early as now just in case the accident will actually occur. Doing these tasks may help hasten the processing of your car insurance claim.

Maintain a peace of mind and keep calm. You cannot think clearly if you panic. There has to be one that will check the injuries needing immediate medical help and that will determine the seriousness of the damages.

Discuss the incident only to the police. It is most recommended that you should not admit liability to the incident. Your goal is to discuss what really happened in a factual manner. Do not express opinions. Determining who’s at fault is the job of your car insurance provider’s investigator based on the evidences and facts gathered.

Do not leave the accident scene without the policeman’s full accident report. This is very important even if the incident is just a very minor matter. This will serve as a legal report that can be one of the bases for your car insurance claim.

Gather as many evidences about the incident as you can. Take down notes and details. These include gathering pictures on the damages to the car, any injuries or casualties involved as well as pictures of the whole incident. Gathering names and contact details of the people in the accident can also be very beneficial, especially those of the witnesses and the other parties in the accident.

Call your auto insurance agent as soon as possible, even while you’re still at the scene. It is recommended that you call him immediately so that when he arrives in the scene, he can be the one to discuss matters with the police and ensure accuracy and completeness of the data gathered to help you with your auto insurance claim.

Reader’s Question:

I had to take on some of the expenses following an accident. I’m thinking of filing an appeal to my California car insurance company to reimburse for the amount I paid. Why is it that sometimes when filing for car insurance claims, only a minimal amount is paid?

Edward

San Francisco, CA

The State of California has recently implemented the comparative negligence law. This law states that all individuals involved in a traffic accident have a contribution or are partly to be blamed for the accident. This system believes that liability is based on fault, and that the degree of fault or responsibility should dictate the degree of liability.

In this system, one can still make car insurance claims from his or her car insurance company even if he or she was declared to have demonstrated greater negligence which resulted in the accident. This essentially means that any party can collect for damages but the percentage of his or her fault will be deducted from the total amount. For instance, the damage summed up to $20,000. If the first party was declared to be 20% at fault, he or she will only get to receive $16,000 for damages. Determining who is at fault in an accident may be difficult and problematic. Typically, long court litigations ensue and the victims are left unattended. In your case, though, it may be because you were declared to have a higher percentage of negligence and was only extended the amount equivalent to your negligence. Seek the advice of your car insurance agent. Or better yet, engage the services of a lawyer with extensive experience on comparative negligence law.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance law, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

I am visiting from Wisconsin. Can I use my aunt’s car here in Texas with my current driver’s license? If she does not have insurance and I get into a road mishap, can I still make car accident insurance claims?

Shawn

Houston, TX

A Wisconsin driver’s license can be used in any state, including Texas, provided that you do not have any traffic violation in your home state and was not ordered any driving restrictions. In case an accident occurs and you’re found responsible, you will need to fulfill the financial responsibility laws of Wisconsin. This is why your car insurance coverage is very important. You should always bring any proof or certification about the existence of car insurance coverage when you are behind the wheel because not only will it cover you in Wisconsin but in Texas, as well.

However, before driving your aunt’s car, you need to ask her if she has coverage. This is very important as your own coverage will only come secondary, and it definitely affects the possibility of your making any car accident insurance claims. If she does not have any coverage, then she is violating some serious insurance and financial responsibility compliance laws in the State of Texas. The state obligates any car owner to have his or her vehicle insured adequately. Minimum requirement in Texas is the liability insurance to cover for any bodily injury and ruined property. Failure to meet this requirement may result to revocation of license, car getting sequestered, payment of hefty fines and possible jail time.

Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance coverage, car insurance law, traffic violation

Reader’s Question:

Hello! I’m looking for tips for choosing and comparing car insurance quotes online until I have stumbled upon this site. I want to ask you guys something. Where do I start when comparing quotes? What things should I consider to make my car insurance premiums cheaper?

Tyler

Lansing, Michigan

Hi Tyler! Searching for cheap car insurance can be similar to shopping for a product or service. You want quality and affordability in your product both at the same time. But the good thing about car insurance is prices differ between car insurance companies, even for the same type of coverage. In some cases, the difference in prices can even reach up to a maximum of $2000 so if you want to save more money, finding and shopping for car insurance is a must.

The invention and ongoing development of the internet has made it easier to search for car insurance quotes from A-rated car insurance companies. The first step you need to do to find a suitable car insurance policy is sign up on an online car insurance comparison website. This is a quick, secure and obligation free process of comparing your car insurance quotes. Websites like these usually provide a list of A-rated car insurance companies where you can get your quotes for comparison.

Choosing a car insurance policy is one thing. Choosing a car insurance company to get your quotes from is another. Basically, you want to check the car insurance company’s credibility and type of service first before doing any business with them. The best thing you can do to check the company’s service and credibility is by looking them up at your state’s department of insurance.

Tags: auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company, car insurance quotes

Reader’s Question:

I am looking to lower my car insurance premiums here in Massachusetts. Can I just go ahead and take out my PIP insurance since I have health coverage?

Holly

Boston, MA

Massachusetts is one of the 12 states in America that has elected to adopt the no-fault act to curtail lengthy court litigations following car accidents to find out which party is responsible and is ultimately accountable for all the damages. Although this law serves to hasten necessary financial assistance for medical care and rehabilitation, it does not mean that the other driver is wholly at fault and the other totally blameless. It just means that an individual has to file claims against his or her own car insurance company for benefits.

The only instance where a driver can sue the other is if the costs incurred exceed the limit of the car insurance policy. The other driver’s insurance company has to cover the remaining amount in this case then. Additionally, a driver can sue another for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

In the no-fault State of Massachusetts, all motorists need to purchase the no-fault insurance policy. This actually is the Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which gives monetary assistance to medical treatment for sustained bodily injuries and wages lost. Funeral expenses are also covered. The PIP amount extended to the insured can be up to the amount of $8,000. Those with comprehensive health insurance can only avail of up to $2,000. Any amount remaining shall be paid by the health insurance company.

Remember to read thoroughly the declarations section of your car insurance policy. If it is stated there that there is coordinated or excess medical coverage, then this means that you will have to file the medical payments claim from your health insurance company first.

Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company, no-fault