Category: Insurance

You’ve just purchased a vehicle that has prior damage and you’re probably wondering, am I going to recover the cost to insure my vehicle with this existing damage? Well, the answer is no, as you’re not going to get any coverage for previous damage. There are reasons that is so and here are a few explanations why.

 

Previous Damage

Any previous damage that happens with a vehicle is not going to be covered by car insurance. Say you have a truck with a severely crushed back fender, and you failed to make a claim for the damage when it occurred. Now you want to make a claim as you are selling the truck to a friend and want to repair the damage. Well, it’s too late, and you must pay for any repairs out of pocket. Car insurance coverage will not pay for any repairs or fender replacement at this stage.

 

When Damage is Covered

If the damage is present on your vehicle and you plan on selling it or passing on that vehicle to someone else, you must follow normal procedures with any kind of damage that occurs. If you want to qualify for coverage, you must report the damage at the time of the accident. Second, the damage has to have been an actual insurable occurrence, such as an accident with another vehicle.

 

Insignificant Damage

Usually, when previous damage is insignificant or slight, some vehicle owners will not make a claim for minor damage such as a gash or small dent. Repairing the damage isn’t worth the time and trouble when the deductible costs are more than the repair. So, instead of doing the repairs, most people will simply drive their vehicle with the damage.

 

False Claims and Insurance Fraud

When a vehicle has damage from a previous accident and a policyholder attempts to claim coverage weeks following the accident, that scenario hints of insurance fraud. Maybe your vehicle had a tree limb fall on it in an area where tree limbs often fall and you lacked the right type coverage (comprehensive) to repair the damage done. That means you failed to purchase coverage for falling limbs and other objects. Instead of paying for the damage out of pocket, you quickly add comprehensive coverage to your policy. In the meantime, another tree limb in the same area falls on your vehicle. Now you make a claim. An insurer would consider this kind of action insurance fraud.

When a policy is new, you cannot claim any damage that came before the inception of the policy. It will not cover damages that you fail to report at the time of an incident.

 

In-depth Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud can be even more in-depth when drivers create incidents and try to collect on claims under false pretenses. For example, maybe you’re trying to parallel park in a crammed parking spot and you jump the curb and badly scrape the side of your car and put a nice dent in it. Instead of notifying your insurance company, you wait a while and claim that someone ran into your vehicle and pushed it up over a curb and sidewalk while you were away from your vehicle. You then make it your intention to submit a claim for the earlier damage.

 

Can any Vehicle be Covered for Previous Damage?

When a vehicle exceeds damage limitations, there may be issues with coverage. If a vehicle has more than surface or cosmetic damage, there are questions whether the vehicle may be seriously impaired and actual driving made difficult if not impossible.

 

Liability Coverage

You might have a chance for liability coverage, and there is even less of a chance for collision and comprehensive coverage. With both collision and comprehensive insurance, you’re dealing with physical damage and insurance companies may not want to deal with those coverages for an already damaged vehicle.

 

Collision Coverage

With collision coverage, any previous damage usually negates coverage when a new accident occurs. An insurance company may have difficulty determining new accident-related damages from the old ones and deny coverage.

 

Comprehensive Coverage

Even a non-accident related incident that falls under comprehensive coverage will not garner coverage because of previous damage to a vehicle. There may be issues with comprehensive coverage, just as there are with collision coverage. A claim faces denial because of the difficulty in recognizing previous damage from more current damage, despite a non-accident situation.

 

The Safe Way to Go

If you own a vehicle with previous or pre-existing damage, you are eligible for liability coverage. Most any registered vehicle that’s legal to drive on the road is eligible for minimum liability coverage. Even if your vehicle has previous damage, liability coverage is available. It covers costs you incur on other drivers and any property. You need to know, however, that you might need to go through a different insurance provider that deals in high-risk insurance, particularly when there’s considerable damage to your vehicle. Also, you’ll probably be ineligible for either collision or comprehensive coverage when your vehicle has significant prior damage.

 

Prior Damage Legalities

With prior damage concerning your vehicle, it’s important to be upfront with your insurance carrier. When any damage occurs, contact your provider as soon as possible. Your company will document the damage and a company representative will assess the damage and take pictures of any damage. Any future claims will show documentation of previous damage that you report. Remember that any existing damage will not be under coverage. There is no reason to worry about insurance fraud when you are forthcoming about reporting damage when it happens.

When insuring a vehicle that has prior damage, it’s important to remember that an insurance company is unlikely to cover damage that is already there. It’s best to report any damage right away that happens whether you make a claim. If you fail to report previous damage, you could face the consequences of insurance fraud. If you’re still questioning how to insure a vehicle that has previous damage, complete the online contact form and a representative will get back to you with the options available to you.

Determining whether you need collision coverage is an important part of any decision making when establishing or re-configuring an insurance policy. There are different insurance coverage choices and collision is one of them. There are reasons for having it and not having it. Here is some general information on collision insurance coverage, just what it covers, and any current requirements. You can better decide whether you need collision coverage included on your vehicle insurance policy.

 

Collision Insurance Requirements

State car insurance laws vary from state to state. No states require drivers to carry collision coverage as part of their minimum requirements. Collision coverage is optional according to state laws.

 

What Collision Insurance Covers and Other Particulars

 

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance covers damage that you cause to your vehicle when you hit a stationary object such as a tree, pole, fence, pothole, mailbox, guardrail or some other fixed object.

 

Other

• Collision insurance will pay for a claim when hitting any of the above objects. Since these objects are avoidable on a street or in a road, insurance companies will consider you at fault for hitting any of them.
• Filing a claim for hitting an object may cause a premium increase.
• Accident forgiveness may negate increases.
• Insurance will only pay damage for your vehicle even when you’re at fault.
• Coverage will pay for damages when a rollover accident occurs. If you’re at fault, collision insurance will still pay the damages.
• When another driver is at fault in a rollover incident, the driver’s insurance should pick up the cost for damages.
• If a vehicle is in total disrepair and not salvageable, collision coverage will insure the vehicle at its current cash value. Insurance estimators will determine repair costs or whether damages extend beyond the possibility of repair.

 

Collision Coverage When the Other Driver is at Fault

• When another driver is at fault, collision coverage will pay for damage to your vehicle.
• When another driver completely totals your car or damages it significantly, your collision coverage will take effect.
• Collision coverage will cover costs when the driver of another vehicle lacks sufficient insurance to cover damages.
• Your insurance provider will cover the costs of damage to your vehicle and will pursue reimbursement through the other driver’s insurance company.
• When the insurance company of the other driver stalls or fails to act expeditiously, your insurance company needs to take prompt action to rectify the situation. If you carry collision insurance on your overall car insurance policy, you may ask your insurance company to act on your behalf.
• If you have to use this option and pressure your insurance company, and you were not at fault in the accident, you should not experience an increase in rates. It’s important to speak with your insurance agent concerning whether this situation will affect your insurance rates.

 

Property Damage Insurance

One thing to keep in mind with collision insurance coverage is that it only covers damage to your car. It doesn’t cover damage that you may do to someone else’s vehicle. Property damage insurance, which is part of your liability coverage, which is a requirement in nearly every state, is the coverage that will pay for damage to another driver’s vehicle. When the other driver is at fault and damages your vehicle, their liability coverage pays for damage to your car. Your collision insurance does not cover damage by someone else.

 

Other Situations in which Collision Coverage Operates

Sometimes collision coverage will pay for damage that is not part of your policy. Say you don’t have comprehensive coverage which covers acts of nature, vandalism, theft and other situations. When comprehensive insurance coverage is lacking, these losses can go through collision insurance coverage. Other instances include hit-and-run accidents or non-insured driver accidents. Remedies for losses under these situations can fall under collision coverage, but using it in these cases may increase rates. Your carrier may consider the damage your fault. That is one reason comprehensive insurance is an added benefit, as is underinsured motorist coverage (UIM). They both make up for most any damage in various situations.

 

When to Purchase Collision Insurance

When you have a newer vehicle or one that requires extensive and expensive repair, collision coverage is important. It’s also usually a necessary requirement if you took out a loan to buy your vehicle.

If you have an older and less costly vehicle, it makes little sense to buy collision insurance as the cost to repair your older vehicle may be more than what you put out for the insurance coverage. Since collision insurance is not a requisite, you’ll want to look at the cost to insure your vehicle, your vehicle’s value and the cost of repairs.

 

Consider Deductible Amount and Overall Costs

Another important thing to consider with collision insurance is the deductible amount you’re willing to go with if you add collision coverage to your policy. If you have a larger deductible, premiums will be lower but you’ll be paying out a large deductible if an accident occurs and your vehicle has major repairs. Your overall costs for collision insurance will vary and will depend on the car you own, its age, its current worth, your driving record, your age and gender. Collision coverage will probably be higher if you have a poor driving record and have filed claims for damage in the past.

Whether you need collision insurance is something that requires careful thought and consultation with your insurance provider. Should you have further questions concerning a collision policy, complete the online contact form and a representative will get back to you quickly with the answers you need to make an informed decision.

Switching your car insurance is not an end of the world event. In fact, it’s actually not that complicated. Everyone who owns a vehicle has at one time or another chosen to move on to another provider. With so many insurance carriers glutting the market, and prices fluctuating, there are unending choices and deals to be gained. Maybe you’re moving to another area or are experiencing poor service from your current provider. If that’s the case, think about changing insurance companies.

 

Steps to Follow

If you’re unsure of the process in switching to another carrier, here are some steps to follow and some precautions to take when changing your car insurance coverage.

 

Comparison Shop

In switching insurance providers, your first step is to do some comparison shopping. You want the lowest price possible in a policy along with good customer service. Contact as many insurers as possible.  Get 3-5 quotes through on-line providers, independent agents, or other insurance companies. Further research the going rates in your area to get a better understanding of competitive pricing. Also, seriously think about whether you need changes in your coverage. You’ll want to check for discounts that you may qualify for through a different policy.  Check whether you can eliminate certain coverages, like collision, particularly if you own an older vehicle that’s diminishing in value. Or, if you’re driving more in the evening hours, you’ll probably want to look at increasing your liability coverage to minimize your risk of nighttime accidents.

 

Know What You’re Getting

A low quote for car insurance is easy to pounce on but before you go full speed ahead with a different company, determine what kind of coverage you’re getting. The quote given to you may be lower, but it may also be for a lesser amount of coverage than what you are getting through your current policy. You may have to increase your coverage on a new policy, which means you aren’t initially saving what you thought you would.

 

Steering Clear of Mistakes

To steer clear of making mistakes, compare your current policy features with that of the new policy. Look at the types of coverage on the new policy and your limits and deductibles with it.  You should send a copy of your current declarations page to a potential insurer that includes a listing of your current policy provisions. You want any new provider to be aware of the coverage you need, plus you want a new policy equal to or better than your current policy.

 

Notifying your Current Provider

Once you’re done with your comparison shopping and have come up with a fair price and a good company to work with, notify your current insurance provider of your plans to make a change. Explain to them you’ve been a loyal customer and that you’ve found another insurer that offers similar coverage at a lower cost. Most insurers today like to keep long-standing customers, so they will likely go over your account and determine whether you are eligible for discounts. They may either match the quote or go below the other insurer’s quote.

 

Cancellation Process

If your current insurance company is unwilling to make adjustments to your policy or meet a competitor’s quote, you need to ask them about the cancellation process concerning your policy. You will probably have to give them sufficient notice of cancellation. That can be as much as 30-days. You may also have to pay a cancellation fee as some insurance companies charge penalties for going to another company before the end of the term of your coverage. If you cancel in the middle of a term, you may have to pay a percentage for any unused premium or there may be a standard fee. Other insurers may allow you to cancel whenever you choose as long as proper notice is given. Be sure and ask your insurance company if there is a cancellation penalty. You can then decide whether to make the switch right away or at another time to avoid any penalties.

 

Finalization of the Switch

If you complete a switch in your car insurance, pay for your new policy and verify that it is in place and active. Once your new insurer provides verification, contact your old insurer and cancel the policy. You should receive a refund for any time left on your old policy when making the change at the midpoint of the policy. You don’t want any interruptions in your coverage, so make sure you have coverage between the end of your old policy and the beginning of your new one. You don’t want to risk losing your license or receiving premium increases.

 

After Switching Policies

When you switch your insurance policy and are with a new company, you’ll want to notify any lease provider or loan holder right after you make that switch. Car lease holders and loan holders almost always require insurance coverage. If a loan company thinks you no longer have coverage, or that your insurance coverage has been cancelled, you could face repossession of the vehicle.

Your new insurer could drop your coverage during the first couple months that coverage is in effect (60 days). Within that time period, you want to be very careful to avoid traffic violations and accidents. You don’t want to wind up uninsured or worse yet, scrambling to find another provider.

Switching car insurance companies doesn’t have to be a drawn out affair, but you want to take time to research enough alternatives that offer adequate coverage at competitive rates. If you are still unsure how to go about switching your car insurance, complete the online contact form and a representative will get back to you with the information you need to help you make the switch.

Have you ever glanced through an entire car insurance policy? If you have, you know reading and reviewing one can sometimes be a long, boring and arduous process. You want to know the basics rather than plowing through page after page of insurance legalese, but you don’t want to be in the dark either concerning your policy and what it says.

Knowing and understanding the ins and outs of your policy is, however, important, and since a car insurance policy is a legal contract, and spells out the details of a policy, it’s definitely critical to know your coverage and the details of your policy.

 

Reviewing your Car Insurance Policy

So, how should you review your car insurance policy to gain the most knowledge? Whatever you do, don’t dismiss the details of your policy and other important content. You don’t want to come up short when an accident occurs. You’ll be out in the cold because of neglecting to examine your policy. If any adjustments or changes require clarification, consulting with your insurance agent is a must, but if you want to examine it yourself, there are several important things you’ll want to look for, including the declarations page.

 

Declaration Page

The first thing you want to do is read and review the declaration page(s) as it’s probably one of the most vital pages of your policy. There may be multiple pages so be sure and look through them all. The page (or pages) declare levels of coverage, driver names, deductions and prices for coverage. If you don’t have your declaration page in front of you, access it online by logging on to your car insurance company’s site and going to your policy.

Other information on the declaration page includes the following:

• Your policy number as well as your home address
• Policy time-frame – dates policy is in effect
• Drivers on the policy who are under the insurance plan
• Your vehicles on the plan along with their VIN numbers (Vehicle Identification number)
• Coverage Schedule – with limits, deductibles and premium cost for each coverage
• With more than one vehicle on a policy, any coverage for it will be listed separately
• Policy discounts – this includes any discounts that you may have received on your policy
• Surcharges – surcharges on your premium will be applied if claims have been made or tickets incurred

 

Policy Terms- Definitions

Since the legalese of your declaration page or the entire policy may create confusion, there will be a section in your policy entitled Definitions which will define terms or specific words in the policy. It’s an important section as it will define:

• The individuals insured
• The specifics of what is insured
• When those specific entities are insured

Refer to the definitions page whenever there is doubt about the who, what and when of your policy. Any keywords pertaining to those areas will usually be in bold print within the policy. If you don’t understand the words or wording, be sure to consult the definitions page or speak with your insurance agent about difficult wording.

 

Changes and Renewals to your Policy

When you make changes to your policy, which could mean adding another car or new driver, or removing a car or driver, a new declaration page will be sent to you showing that those changes have been made to your policy. Any time that you make changes to your policy, it’s important that you request the page and that you review it to ensure that everything is as it should be with the changes in place.

 

Review your Coverage

Along with your declaration page, you’ll want to review the coverage that you are carrying now and whether you want to make any changes. It is necessary to understand your coverage options to determine what is best for your current car insurance needs. The following coverages and levels of coverage are usually part of most any car insurance plan. They include:

 

Liability

Liability insurance is one coverage that is a requirement in most every state, but its limits vary among states. This insurance coverage pays medical bills, legal judgments, vehicle/property damage or injuries that you or a designated driver cause to another vehicle or person. It is also protects you if you are using another person’s vehicle with their permission. Determination of limits is through bodily injury and property damage.  Recommended amounts  for coverage are $100,000, $300,000 and $100,000 (100/300/100).  Consult with your insurance agent whether you need to increase these amounts.

 

Collision

Regardless of whether and accident is your fault, collision insurance covers and pays for any damage to your vehicle that occurs with another vehicle and with an object. Deductibles with this kind of coverage run from $250-$1,000. If you go with a higher deductible, your insurance premium will be lower.

 

Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your vehicle through an occurrence other than a car accident. Comprehensive coverage includes:

• Vandalism
• Theft
• Shattered windshields/ other glass damage
• Fire
• Earthquake
• Explosions
• Riots
• Hail
• Windstorms
• Floods
• Falling items (tree branches)
• Animal contact (deer)

As with collision coverage, there is a choice with deductible amounts that range from $100-$1,000.

 

PIP or Personal Injury Protection

Regardless of who’s at fault in an accident, this protection pays for any medical treatment for a policyholder and passengers who suffer injuries through a car accident. This coverage may also cover work and wages lost and funeral costs. The requirements for this coverage vary by state.

 

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This coverage pays for damages if you, another family member or a designated driver are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Requirements for this coverage depend on the state where you live. You can reject it in states where it is available. Should you waive coverage, the declarations page will show the wording “insured rejects.

 

Other Factors to Consider

Besides understanding your declarations page, you’ll want to know the details, limitations and intricacies in reviewing your car insurance policy. Your  policy is a legal contract after all that requires you to read and review your coverage and the insuring agreement, which is the actual contract over each type of coverage. It governs whether coverage allocation will occur with an accident or related event. Another thing to pay attention to will be the sections of a policy that contain exclusions. Exclusions can have a major effect on claims.

There is much to learn in reviewing your car insurance policy, and you’ll want to avail yourself of help if the review process becomes difficult. Relieve the stress of examining your policy by completing the online contact form. An expert representative will get back to you as quickly as possible with the answers you need to review your policy effectively.