Category: Insurance

It seems common knowledge today that some auto body repair shops have chosen a dishonest way to do business, and fraud has become part of the game with auto body work. There are ways to avoid both insurance fraud schemes and other scams, and the signs are definitely out there to watch for and be aware of in the collision repair racket. Here are some tips on how to deal with them.

Deductibles and Related Maneuvering

Be cautious when auto body shop personnel suggest that your deductible can be waived, buried or recovered. Your deductible could simply be hidden in an over inflated repair estimate, or in shop charges for more expensive original equipment parts that are then substituted with cheaper, damaged, counterfeit or previously repaired parts. You also need to watch out for services not given or parts paid for, but not installed. Inflated costs, switching out of parts, the inclusion of parts or neglect of services are unlawful in many instances.

More can happen when the body shop repairer misrepresents the actual damage and states that a vehicle is more seriously damaged than it actually is. This type of action is hiding repair costs from the insurer and including the deductible within the repair costs. Obviously, the repair costs have been increased and the body shop profits while the insurer is left with paying the manipulated repair costs and the deductible.

Tow Truck Connection

If you’ve been involved in an accident and your vehicle looks to be a serious contender for body work, you want to be cautious when an unsolicited tow truck driver shows up on the scene a little too quickly and attempts to get you and your vehicle to a repair shop right then and there. This is a ploy used by unscrupulous tow truck drivers as they charge outlandish fees for transport, plus they take your vehicle to a dishonest body shop that may hold your vehicle hostage with ever increasing fees and demands for insurance payments. Also, the tow truck driver may make a concerted effort to refer you to unethical health care providers and lawyers who make a living through fraudulent insurance scams.

Airbag Replacement

Believe it or not, this is just one other car repair scam that is both dangerous and expensive for insurers and policy holders. Faulty airbag replacement is really no replacement at all. Once an airbag has been deployed through an accident situation and is brought into a repair facility for replacement, mechanics simply neglect replacing the airbag with a new one and resort to stuffing the vacant airbag compartment with all kinds of junk materials like aluminum cans, packing peanuts and other materials, which will allow the airbag deployment sensors to function.

Another tactic that fraudulent mechanics use is the installation of an already used or stolen airbag. Once installed, the repair shop simply charges full price to the insurance company for a new airbag. There are even crooked shop owners who will attach an already used or deployed airbag to a steering wheel to create the appearance of an already deployed airbag when the one behind the steering column is still in perfectly good shape. This is just another tactic to increase the amount of an insurance claim.

In most instances, you’re not getting a new airbag and any bag that may be a replacement will likely be unusable and unworkable. With the prevalence of this kind of scam, some states have passed laws to protect consumers from faulty airbag replacement. If an airbag has been replaced with a defective one, those responsible could be penalized with prison time and high fines.

Glass Replacement Fraud

Another insurance fraud involves windshield and other vehicle glass replacement on your vehicle. If you are approached out of the blue by a so-called windshield or glass repair technician, be wary of what they are pitching and selling. They may try to convince you that your windshield needs to be replaced on the spot, and they may just have the perfect windshield replacement for your vehicle. You will likely be told that your car insurance will completely cover the replacement, and their replacement windshield will probably be one that has seen better days. Your insurance rates could be impacted by such a scheme, especially if a technician latches on to your car insurance information and uses it to make other replacement claims using your name and insurance. Falling for this scam could cost you your insurance coverage and a lousy windshield or glass replacement.

Watch for Chop Shops

Another problem with untrustworthy repair shops is their “side work” that usually involves taking on parts from stolen vehicles. You certainly don’t want to unknowingly put your damaged vehicle in a repair shop that is a front for a chop shop that has dismantled stolen vehicles and sold the parts to your repair shop. You don’t want stolen parts as replacements for your vehicle and the strong possibility of your insurance being overcharged for stolen parts.

A Word to the Wise

If you want to avoid auto body insurance fraud, you want to find an auto body shop that is ASE ( Automotive Service Excellence) accredited as well as one that is associated with other creditable organizations. You also want to find a shop that is clean, organized and run in a professional manner and has a stellar reputation.

Another important aspect on your part is to request a full and complete written estimate of any work to be performed and the parts that will be used before any vehicle body work is initiated. Any unusual services, costs or parts used should also be questioned. Consult with your insurance agent if you have any questions concerning your bill.

Avoiding auto body insurance fraud is something that every vehicle owner should have a working knowledge of and if you are at all unsure as to how your car insurance can be affected by fraudulent activity, complete the online contact form and an informed expert will provide you with the information you need to protect your interests and the interest and safety of your vehicle.

Having a child can make car insurance cheaper but the steps involved in making that happen concern a number of changes and policy adjustments. Savings can be realized with a family addition, but rates are no doubt going to be higher for carrying an older child or teenager as opposed to a baby or toddler. So, just what makes an insurance policy less costly when it comes to children? There are different circumstances that can have an impact on insurance costs. Here are a few particulars that will affect insurance costs when it comes to children.

Family Changes

Anytime a family member, particularly a new baby, is added to a family there are considerations to be made with car insurance. The safety of a child needs to be assured and that means assessing current insurance coverage and including coverage that benefits a child’s welfare, at an affordable family rate.

Vehicle Capacity

When you think of providing affordable insurance coverage for a new baby, you have to take a look at your vehicle’s capacity. Is it large enough to accommodate a baby car seat, a baby carrier, diaper, blanket and clothing bags as well as food and bottle bags, a stroller and any other items that are necessary to have on board.

Safer Vehicles

A large, heavy-duty vehicle is going to withstand crashes better as well as provide safety. A larger and safer vehicle, like a van or SUV, may present the possibility of a lower premium. It’s to a family’s advantage to investigate larger and newer cars that are top-rated for worthiness and overall safety.

Newer vehicles are usually safer and better able to withstand collisions, and finding the right vehicle with built-in safety features is important. Vehicles with smart airbags, an airbag on/off switch, adjustable rear shoulder belt anchors, rear shoulder belts, (LATCH) Lower Anchors and Tethers, active head restraints, automatic door locks, child safety locks, push/pull window switches, driver-operated window disabler, anti-pinch automatic windows, accident avoidance system, collision warning, transmission shift interlocks, built-in GPS and a host of other safety features that even include teen driver systems are all features that can be of help in lowering car insurance premiums while protecting precious cargo.

Lower Risk Drivers

Owning a larger, safer and newer car is a good precautionary measure, especially when it comes to transporting children. A new parent is more likely to drive in a responsible and safe manner when a baby or younger child is riding in the same vehicle. A conscientious driver is more likely to receive lower premiums as opposed to an adult who has no children and has a less than stellar driving record. In addition, married adults usually pay lower premiums for coverage than single individuals, as married couples are considered lower-risk drivers.

Lower Premium Possibilities

Though not every parent owns a home, there are those planning on a family who do own property of some kind, which probably qualifies them for a discount or lower insurance rates. Lower premiums are also available to those who have an additional policy through the same insurance company for both their car and home. Joint policies with multi-car, multi-driver discounts are another good way to secure lower rates. Any connection with driver safety and the ownership of a newer car can prompt discounts or lower premiums.

Home Ownership

Buying a home or condominium and becoming a legitimate homeowner is another way to gain a discount on car insurance. Most insurance companies offer a homeowner’s discount on car insurance policies.

Revisions

When family dynamics change, it may be time to revise and increase your liability limits. With children and additional riders in a vehicle, the thought of a possible accident could create a real challenge. With added coverage, there is supplemental insurance available to relieve the cost of all damages. When coverage is limited, any other damages that exceed the limits of the policy will be the personal responsibility of the policyholder.

Deductibles

In addition to liability limits, you may want to look over your deductibles. When family size increases and finances and budgets change, premiums can be affected. As premiums for car insurance can fluctuate with deductibles, there are ways to budget them. You can either lower your deductibles, which will increase monthly insurance payments, or raise deductibles to keep your rates lower. It is advisable and makes sense financially to pay slightly more on a premium particularly if you have to make a claim. Out of pocket expenses will be lower if a claim does occur.

Discounts for Older Children

There are discounts that parents can qualify for in relation to their teen drivers. Professional driving schools, defensive driving courses, electronically monitored driving, good student discounts, and other incentives are available to parents who want to lower their insurance costs and keep their teen driver safe.

Whether you have younger or older children, there are approaches that can be of help in lowering your car insurance rates. It’s important to explore the best providers and their policies. You want to find a policy that will support a growing family and the changes that come with new family additions. If you need further assistance with finding that policy, complete the online contact form and a specialist will get back to you with the information you need to make an informed decision concerning your car insurance needs.

In looking at both comprehensive and collision insurance, there are strategies to determine which one is preferable in the sense of the needs of a driver and his or her vehicle. Both forms play a pivotal role in maintaining your vehicle.

Wherever you drive your vehicle, you are going to be susceptible to accidents and possible property damage. There are few safeguards for your own protection as well as that of others, and any property that may be involved, whether yours or theirs. There is a day-to-day concern with accidents and determining which coverage is better doesn’t have to be confusing. Here is a rundown of comprehensive and collision coverage to help you determine which one, or both, works best for you.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to a vehicle that happens through varying incidents in contrast to a direct vehicular collision. This type of car insurance covers other vehicles you drive as well. A rider goes along with your comprehensive insurance and specifically states what will be covered.

Comprehensive Coverage Details

A rider to a comprehensive plan will usually include coverage for:

• Glass repairs as well as repair for windshield chips, cracks or shatters that can occur
• Vehicle contact/collision with animals (usually deer, elk or other animals in the wild)
• Protection from natural disasters, fires, storms, floods, wind and hail
• Vandalism damage from break-ins, interior theft, keying or outright
• Vehicle theft
• Fairly priced coverage with low deductible

With the potential of most anything happening to a vehicle, in addition to a collision, comprehensive insurance is definitely a plan to consider for protection against any type of accident or material damage. You’re not left holding the bag when it comes to the added costs of damages caused through a casualty or unforeseen event. Comprehensive insurance can also be coupled with other coverage, or it can be used as an altogether separate coverage.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is critical as it protects your vehicle from damage. It will allow for repairs that occur when two vehicles collide and damage is present. Collision coverage will cover accidents when you are at fault or when the other driver is at fault.

Collision Coverage Allowances

Collision coverage pays for your vehicle repairs, but when the repair costs go beyond the true value of your vehicle, you will only be paid for the book value of your vehicle. Your options will be repairing your vehicle for less or taking what payment you are given and putting it towards a vehicle replacement.

This type of coverage is usually purchased with basic automobile insurance and is often combined with both liability and comprehensive coverage. Your deductible will likely be high, but your monthly payments will be low.

Other areas that a collision policy covers include:

• Damage repair for vehicles that may have been involved in a collision while in drive or reverse modes
• Damage caused by hit-and-run accidents
• Damage caused by uninsured drivers
• Coverage for hitting road ice and sliding into a stationary object
• Coverage for pothole damage
• Coverage for roll overs
• Collision insurance can be costly and choosing a higher deductible will help lower policy costs

Comparison Aspects

In comparing the two types of coverage and deciding which one is better, there are aspects to be considered. One aspect is knowing the real worth of your vehicle. If your vehicle is new and of greater value, both collision and comprehensive coverage would be necessary, particularly in the event that your vehicle required extensive repairs or complete replacement.

Accident risk –

The greater risk of an accident is another consideration. If your continually driving great distances on a regular basis, having both policies would be necessary to cover different types of accidents that would fall on your shoulders expense wise.

Theft –

Also, what if your car were stolen, would you be able to take that money out of your savings to replace it?

Location –

Another important aspect is the area where you live and the places where you drive on a regular basis. Is the location one that has frequent reports of vehicle damage because of severe weather, falling power lines, tree branches or road encounters with wildlife?

If you are still questioning what coverage is best for your vehicle, you want to first consider the cost of coverage as well as the current value of your vehicle along with the possible costs of any repairs or replacement. If you have further questions or concerns and want more information about comprehensive or collision insurance, complete the online contact form and a representative will get back to you as quickly as possible with answers to your car insurance needs.

When trying to save money on car insurance, many people look at raising their deductible to make premiums lower. It is true that the higher the deductible, the lower your premiums may be but a high deductible also means your insurance covers less when you have a claim. If you are considering a raise in your deductible to lower your premium costs, there are some tips you should follow to be sure the change actually saves you money.

How Much Do You Have Saved?

If you have a significant amount of money in savings, raising your deductible to the maximum amount possible could save you a considerable amount in premium costs. For example, if the maximum deductible you can choose is $5,000 and you have more than that in a savings account, you could cover the cost of the deductible with your savings should you be involved in an accident. In addition, you can add the premium savings to the amount you set aside each month to grow your savings account faster.

How Much Will You Actually Save in Premiums?

The next thing to look at is how much you will actually save in premiums. Is it worth saving $30 per year if you will need to come up with $1,000 should you be involved n an accident? In most cases, the higher your premium, the more you will save if you increase your deductible. You also need to determine if you are in a financial position to handle the higher deductible. If you would be unable to pay the deductible, saving a few dollars a month in premiums would not be beneficial.

How Often Do You File Claims?

If you rarely ever file insurance claims, you may be able to afford a higher deductible should something happen. Raising your deductible may result in additional savings because, for every year you don’t make a claim, the saved premiums can go in your pocket. If you have made several claims, your premiums may be fairly high. Consider negotiating the deductible with your insurance rate to get the best discount on your premiums.

Higher Deductible Discounts

Although every policy and insurance company are different, the average savings you can see when you raise your deductible is between 5 and 10 percent. The higher you raise the deductible, the more you save. With some policies, if you raise your deductible from $200 to $500 just on collision and comprehensive, you could save as much as 30 percent and if you raise it to $1,000, you could save as much as 40 percent.

If your vehicle has been damaged in a collision, schedule an appointment today by calling or filling out the easy online form.

A car crash can be highly stressful. When you have a collision, you might be left to deal with injuries as well as damage to your vehicle. Car accidents are common in the U.S., and there were approximately 6.3 million crashes in the nation in 2015 alone. If you are in an accident and are uninjured, your primary objective will be to evaluate the damage to your vehicle. To receive reimbursement for the repairs, you will need to have collision coverage with your automobile insurance company. Elmer’s Auto Body works with many different insurance companies to repair damage to people’s cars.

What is collision coverage?

Collision coverage is optional insurance coverage that pays for accident damage accidents with objects and with other cars. However, it does not cover everything. It won’t pay for vehicle damage that did not directly result from your accident or for your medical bills.

Choosing a deductible

Before your insurance coverage will start covering your damages, you will first need to pay the deductible amount. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible, you will have to pay $1,000 before the collision coverage will take over. You can choose the deductible amount with which you are comfortable. Lower deductibles come with higher premiums, so you will need to keep that in mind. However, the cost is not the only factor that you should consider.

You should also think about your risks, including your age, normal times when your vehicle is being used, the climate, and others. If you believe that your risks are higher, choosing a lower deductible might be a wise choice. By contrast, if you have a spotless driving record, live in a climate that has generally good conditions, and drive your vehicle in an area that has minimal traffic, a higher deductible policy might be a good idea. You should also consider the age of your vehicle and whether you have an emergency savings fund.

Should you purchase collision coverage on an older car?

If your car is older than 10 years, you might want to forgo collision coverage. Insurance companies will only pay the fair market value for damage to your car. However, if you are leasing or financing your car, you will likely be required to keep your collision coverage. Some vehicles also keep their values better than other cars. Check the Kelley Blue Book and NADA to find the value of your car so that you can determine whether collision coverage makes sense. Finally, if you do not have an emergency savings fund, it might be best to keep your collision coverage.

Contact Elmer’s Auto Body

If you are involved in an accident and need to have your vehicle repaired, contact Elmer’s Auto Body. We work with all insurance companies and can give you a reliable estimate of the costs to repair your car. Call us today, or fill out our online contact form.