When you have a car accident there are a few keys things you need to do to make sure you are protected.
Key Things You Need to Know If You Have a Car Accident
1. Always stop if you are involved in an accident, this is your legal obligation. Even if you do not think there was any damage, any time you collide with something, you need to stop your car. 2. Never admit responsibility for the accident. Your legal contract with your car insurance company clearly states that you must not assume responsibility or liability under these circumstances.
What to Do at the Scene of a Car Accident
There are many ways to avoid a car accident but once one happens it is important to know before you get into an accident what to do and what questions may need to be answered by the other person involved in order to make your insurance claim. This checklist will help you know what to do after a car accident. It is best to review it now and then print it out and keep a copy with you in your car.
Determine the Extent of Damage or Injuries
Check to see if anyone needs urgent medical care. If you can, do not move the vehicles unless they are causing a major problem with traffic. If possible wait for the police before moving anything.
Contact the Police
Even in a minor accident, it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report. Read more about how to file a police report when you have a car accident in the article "Your Accident and the Police". Limit Discussion of the Accident with the Other Party It is important to limit your discussion of the accident and not to admit any fault or liability. You should only talk about the accident with the police, medical professionals and your insurance representative.
Get the Facts of Your Car Accident
This is the part most people know to do but often forget due to the stress of the accident. You can see a full list of information you need to collect at the car accident scene here. It is important to get names, address, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. A description of the car and license plate number can also be helpful, but make sure you also get their insurance company and the vehicle identification number of their car. Don't just assume the license plate number will do because most insurance companies only record the type of car and the vehicle identification number, not the license plate number. There is a complete list of how to collect this information for you in the 5 sections below.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your agent or insurance company's emergency claims number immediately. If you can call them from the scene, it may be even more useful. Sometimes a police officer can give your insurance company more accurate information than you can at the time because you are upset by the accident.
How to File Your Car Accident Claim
Your insurance agent or the person who you speak to at your insurance company claims phone number, will be able to walk you through how to file your claim after an accident. If your insurance company has an app, you may also have the option to start the claims process there or visit your insurance company website to see if you can fill in the information or follow up on your claim online.
Car Accident Information Checklist
Did you just have a car accident? Here's the information you will need to file a proper insurance claim:
Information about what happened
Information about the driver
Information for insurance
We cover each of these pieces of information in the 5 lists below by section. 1. Car Accident Form The best way to be prepared in a car accident is to get a car accident form used to collect all the information at the scene of an accident from your local DMV or police station. Every state has a different form, so it is a good idea to get one to make things as easy as possible. A car accident is really stressful and the last thing you need is to be worrying about the information you need to fill out. 2. List of Information to Collect After a Car Accident About the Driver
Name of Driver
Address of Driver
Phone number or other contact information
3. List of Information to Collect About the Other Driver's Insurance Company in a Car Accident You need the basic information here which can be found on their proof of insurance card. Get the other driver's:
insurance company name
insurance company policy number
4. List of Information to Collect About the Other Car Involved in the Accident
Vehicle Description, Make, Model and Year - Consider taking photos for your own record if it is possible.
Vehicle registration information
License plate number
5. List of Information to Collect About the Car Accident or Collision
Date and Time of the Accident
Address of the accident, or approximate address
Road you are on and the nearest cross street
The direction you were traveling in
The direction the other car was traveling in
Take photos from a few angles or sketch a diagram of the crash scene
What happened (As soon as you can write out your account of what happened, or use your mobile phone to record yourself telling all the details for your own records. It's easy to forget the details when you are all shook up from a crash, so recording you talking about it might help).
Any notes regarding the driving conditions, the weather, visibility
Any witnesses names and contact information
The name, badge number, and contact information for any police officer who comes to the accident
Should You Use a Mobile Phone to Take Photos at a Car Accident?
With most people having access to mobile phones, and cameras on the mobile phone, as well as the increase of insurance companies allowing you to submit claims information using apps or email, you may consider taking photos. This is especially useful for property damage images, images of the positioning of the cars, where they were on the street, etc. Please pay special attention to the potential risks of identity theft when it comes to your personal information. The other party needs your name, address and phone number to give their insurance company, but they do not really need your driver's license photo. By being prepared with a form to fill in, or the basic information already written out, you will avoid a situation where someone is asking for a photo of your license. Remember, when you're in a car accident, you do not know the other person usually and they do not know you. Always be cautious.
Tip: What Should NOT Be Included in Your Accident Report
You should never discuss fault with the other party or parties involved. The details of how you feel or what you were doing are not their concern. Even if you feel like you did something wrong, you must not ever accept responsibility or indicate responsibility. Your job in the car accident is to collect the facts and not get involved in any further discussion. If the other party tries to get you to admit fault or suggests you handle things without insurance, collect the information and do not commit to anything. You need to get the information necessary to report the accident, especially considering that in many states you have a legal obligation to report a crash. You can contact your state insurance commissioner or your insurance representative to ask them about the specific laws in your state. Remember at the scene of an accident you do not know the person you are dealing with, you do not know what kind of insurance they have or any of the details, so stick to the facts to protect yourself and make sure you get paid in a claim. Source : www.thebalance.com
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Unsure of Your Auto Insurance Needs?
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Once you have multiple auto insurance offers, what’s next?
Is there a way to get one auto insurance quote comparison to find the best auto insurance policy for you? Do you go with the cheap auto insurance policy or more complete coverage? Let netQuote help you choose your insurance by comparing insurance quotes. There are more options than just accepting the state minimum guidelines. In fact, car insurance is a risk mitigation policy. Say as a salesperson you drive a thousand miles a week; the chances of you being in a fender bender are greater annually. Selecting the right car insurance will keep you out of harm’s way when it comes to legality. Auto Insurance — Other Ways to Save Money The best way to start saving money on a new policy for your auto insurance is to manage your deductible. The higher the amount the less your monthly auto insurance payment. The higher amount will transfer the burden to you, however, if you have an accident involving small repairs to your vehicle. Another way to save money on your auto insurance is to check if you qualify for auto insurance discounts such as: Multiple Policies or commonly referred to as bundling your auto with your home, renter or condo insurance policy
Multivehicle
Newer vehicle
Low mileage
Safe driver
Defensive driver
Various vehicle safety features
Good student
Distant student
Military
Discounts may vary by state.
These are some of the many ways you can save with netQuote. We’ll help guide you through the maze of car insurance quotes comparison. Once you have those policy offers in hand, we will help you understand what can increase and decrease your monthly premium.
It All Starts with Your Car
A large part of an insurance premium depends on the type of car you drive. Is it a Corvette? Lamborghini? Maybe a Ferrari? Or perhaps you drive a Chevy Volt? Each car will impact the base cost of your monthly insurance mainly for the replacement value of the vehicle. In fact, some states and auto insurance companies will not cover certain vehicles. Also, high theft risk cars cost more to cover as well. Hummers, for example, are more costly than other SUVs and one of the determining aspects is the Hummer is stolen more often than other models. Either way, your premium may be higher due to one of those situations. Since you probably won't be going out and buying a new car just to lower your auto insurance, it's good to know what else can affect the costs of a new policy.
Other Ways to Save Money on Insurance
The amount of coverage is another big factor in determining your premium. If you're comfortable with a high deductible and the possible out-of-pocket expenses that might occur, you can lower your premium. Similarly, lower liability limits can also decrease your premium. But always remember that means you may pay more in the long run. For more detailed information, check out all of the great resources that netQuote has to offer to help you understand your car insurance comparison. See how much you could save today with a free car insurance comparison. Compare car insurance quotes online today! Source : www.netquote.com
As you prepare to buy car insurance, be a smarter consumer by shopping for online car insurance quotes before you settle on a policy. When you compare car insurance policies before you buy, you give yourself the chance to find the right coverage at the best price. Take advantage of free car insurance quotes, and get a policy that best fits your needs and budget. TIP: Consumers tend to find the best savings by comparing at least five car insurance quotes before making a commitment.
How to Get the Best Auto Insurance Rates
The best way to make insurance companies reduce your rates is to make them compete for your business. Take the time to learn about your insurance options and be prepared to walk away from a bad deal. Getting online insurance quotes provides consumers the opportunity to learn about their insurance options. Shopping for car insurance quotes online has several benefits:
You can get multiple insurance quotes without having to talk to an insurance agent or sales representative. At the Free Advice quote center, when you fill out an online car insurance quote form, you will be asked to provide driver, vehicle, claims and violations information online in order to show you insurance quotes from multiple companies.
You can also visit each company site individually and request a single quote from each. Many insurers now offer instant rate quotes on-line, such as Allstate, e-surance.com and Amica. Others, like Progressive, even provide their rates and the estimated rates of their competitors.
TIP: You should be wary of individual companies that promise to give you other company's rates. Insurance companies identify people they want to sell policies to and people they don't want to sell policies to, and can easily manipulate quote comparisons to attract customers they want and discourage those who they don't.
When you shop online without talking to an agent, it doesn't mean you have to buy online without talking to an agent. Most online services give you the option of talking to a licensed agent before you buy.
Car Insurance quotes do not commit you! You will not have to buy from a company with a bad rate, or stay with your company when it raises yours. Getting online car insurance quotes will give you the chance to lower your car insurance rates without committing you to any purchase!
KEEP IN MIND: Prices listed in quotes are not final! If you select a quote and pursue a policy with that particular insurance company then they will do a more thorough review of factors such as your driving history or credit score to determine your final rate. If you do not feel like the difference in price between the quote and the final rate is reasonable, then simply walk away and keep looking.
What to Look For in a Car Insurance Quote
Getting a lower rate is only part of the equation. It is important to look at what services the insurer provides. Consider the following service options when you are getting your online insurance quotes:
Many insurers have add-on features such as emergency road service available for a nominal charge.
Others have independent agencies throughout the U.S., so you can deal with a live person instead of trading e-mails and phone calls.
Some offer car insurance deductible rewards which provide an immediate $100 off collision coverage deductible and an additional $100 off for each year of accident free driving.
And some companies have simply built reputations for being easy to work with by having easy to understand claims processes and helpful agents that can relieve the stress of managing the aftermath of a car accident.
TIP: When you get your online car insurance quote, know what additional services are important to you, and what you expect from your insurance company beyond the cost of your premium payments!
How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes
Once you have narrowed your car insurance quotes down to a manageable number, you must compare them. It helps to have a copy of your current auto policy handy when obtain your quotes so you can identify what you want out of an auto insurance plan. When comparing auto insurance, look at the prices available for the coverage you need and the quality of the insurance company. Only you will know what is important to you when shopping for car insurance, so take the time to thoroughly compare your auto insurance quotes before making a decision about which policy to purchase. TIP: If buying care insurance just based on price, you could end up paying more later by not having enough coverage or being stuck with an insurance company that is either unable to pay your claim, or is inclined to find a way not to pay you! Before deciding on any auto insurance quote, you should check out the insurance carrier to make sure the company has an acceptable rating in the industry. Stick with companies that rate excellent or very good in the top categories, and have good customer reviews.
Crucial Times to Shop and Compare Car Insurance Quotes
Comparing auto insurance companies is especially important when you've moved as location directly affects your premiums. It is also important to compare auto insurance companies when circumstances in your life have changed, such as retirement, marriage, adding a teenager to your policy, adding another vehicle, whether the amount you drive has changed or if you've purchased a new vehicle. Changed circumstances cause insurers to re-evaluate their risk, and since all insurers use different methods to evaluate that risk, your current provider may not always have the best price for your new circumstances. Source : insurance.freeadvice.com
Car Owners Inundate Insurers With Claims After Hurricane Harvey
Auto insurers were already bracing for another bad year when the downpour started in Texas, producing potentially hundreds of thousands of new claims. “We do know that approximately 100,000 claims have come in” as of Thursday, said Matt Stillwell, manager of governmental and regulatory communications at the Insurance Council of Texas, a trade association. He said the number was expected to climb as high as 500,000. “It is looking to be a huge impact on the auto insurance market,” he said. While homeowners’ insurance policies almost always exclude flood damage, comprehensive auto policies do cover flooding. The typical household in Houston has two cars, and Mayor Sylvester Turner urged residents to “hunker down” as Hurricane Harvey made landfall, hoping to avoid a replay of the tie-ups and crashes that killed about 100 people fleeing Hurricane Rita in 2005. That means few people moved their cars out of harm’s way before the flooding started. Texas drivers are not required to have comprehensive auto insurance — the type that covers flood and other types of damage. People holding only the legally required insurance — liability coverage for damage done to other people’s cars — will not have valid claims, Mr. Stillwell said. Those who have comprehensive insurance should get a payment based on replacement value minus depreciation, if their car is a total loss. For insurers, the losses will affect some more than others. The big, household-name auto insurers “have sufficient geographic and product diversification to absorb the losses,” S&P Global Market Intelligence said in a report on the impact of the storm and flooding on various parts of the insurance industry. But “some of the regional and local players could face significant hits to their earnings, and possibly their capital,” the ratings firm added. As a possible example, it cited Hochheim Prairie Insurance, a mutual insurer that does business solely in Texas, offering auto insurance and other personal lines. Mutual insurers are owned by their policyholders and do not issue stock in the public markets, so they cannot raise fresh capital by selling new shares. Pam Lahodney, a vice president of marketing and underwriting at Hochheim, said in an email that it was too early for the company to assess the financial effects of the storm on its business. “At this time, our focus is to provide assistance to those members impacted by Hurricane Harvey,” she said. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance, Allstate Insurance, Farmers Insurance Exchange, National Indemnity Company (an affiliate of Geico), the Progressive Group, and Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance (a unit of MetLife) are among the big companies that write a large portion of their auto insurance business in Texas. Representatives of Allstate, Progressive and MetLife said they were busy dealing with policyholders in the flooded region and it was too early to estimate the magnitude of the disaster. Many auto insurers have been troubled in recent years by underwriting losses caused by factors unrelated to floods: texting and otherwise distracted drivers who cause accidents; increasingly complicated car components that cost more to repair; more miles driven, thanks to lower gasoline prices; and increasingly severe crashes that are raising the cost of treating the injured. A few large insurers, including Geico, Allstate and Progressive, have managed to avoid losses on underwriting in recent years. But in March, Fitch Ratings said auto insurers in the aggregate were reporting their weakest performance in 15 years. State Farm, the nation’s largest property and casualty insurer, is also the leading example of the negative underwriting trend. It reported in February that its 2016 underwriting losses on auto insurance had increased to $7 billion, from $4.4 billion in 2015. Its other lines of business were generally profitable. State Farm is a mutual insurer, and therefore does not have any shares whose price would swing in response to the news. Nor does it have shareholders to pressure it to turn around its financial performance quickly. Like the other insurers, State Farm seeks to earn investment income that would offset its underwriting losses. Fitch’s analyst, James B. Auden, said the auto insurers were already increasing their rates last year in response to their rising claim costs. He cited a 7.6 percent annual increase as of February, significantly higher than the overall rate of inflation. But state regulators often limit rate increases in a given year, so more increases are likely. Mr. Auden said the losses in Texas could drive up rates in the state, but were unlikely to affect insurance premiums elsewhere, because rate-setting is handled state by state. Kai Pan, an insurance equity analyst at Morgan Stanley, noted that insurance stocks generally decline immediately after a natural disaster, reflecting the possibility of big losses, then bounce back three to six months later “as losses become more defined and rates respond positively.” Source : www.nytimes.com
Tips for Adding a Teenage Driver to Your Auto Insurance
The financial shock of adding a teenager to a family auto insurance policy is getting less shocking — at least somewhat. An annual analysis by insuranceQuotes.com, a rate comparison site, found that adding a teenager still increased annual premiums substantially, but the magnitude of the increase has been falling over the past few years. Adding a single teenager to a policy caused annual premiums to increase an average of 78 percent, or $671. But rate increases have been decreasing since 2013, when the average increase was 85 percent. Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst with insuranceQuotes, said that factors in the trend may include safer automobile technology, a dip in the number of teenagers getting driver’s licenses and the continued impact of “graduated” driving programs, which place restrictions on new drivers until they gain more experience on the road. But the impact of adding teenagers to a policy is still a jolt to families, especially those adding boys. Putting a male teenager on your insurance policy increased rates an average of 89 percent, compared with 66 percent for a female teenager, the analysis found. Ms. Adams said premiums increased when a teenager was added because, statistically, younger drivers — particularly boys — have more accidents than older, more experienced drivers, and file more insurance claims. Nearly 1,900 drivers aged 15 to 20 died in car crashes in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, up 9 percent from 2014. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As with most insurance costs, the impact of adding a teenager varies by state. Adding a teenager in Rhode Island bumps up premiums by more than 150 percent, while parents in Hawaii get about an 8 percent increase. For the analysis, insuranceQuotes.com hired Quadrant Information Services, an insurance data firm, to calculate the price increase of adding a driver aged 16 to 19 to a family’s auto insurance policy. The averages are based on a hypothetical couple — a man and a woman, both 45 years old, married and employed — who each drive 12,000 miles each year and have good credit and driving records. The policy tested included $100,000 for injury liability, $300,000 for all injuries, a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Here are some questions and answers about teenagers and auto insurance:
How can I reduce the cost of having a teenage driver on my policy?
Kathy Bernstein Harris, senior manager for teenage driving initiatives at the National Safety Council, a nonprofit, said that some insurers offered discounts for students who get good grades (even though it’s not necessarily clear that being a good student correlates with safer driving). Discounts are also often available for new drivers who take driver’s education classes. Ms. Harris said the best way to reduce claims and hold costs down — and keep your child safe — was to set rules and spend time driving with teenagers and coaching them along, even after they pass their driver’s license tests. “Just getting a piece of plastic doesn’t mean they are totally prepared for the open road,” she said. “The first year of independent driving is the riskiest.” Many state programs set restrictions on teenage drivers, such as curfews for night driving and limiting the number of other people, particularly other teenagers, who can ride in the car with them. Ms. Harris urges parents to follow such rules. “With every teen passenger you put in the car,” she said, the risk of a crash increases. The council’s DriveitHome website offers resources for parents and teenage drivers, including interactive safety tests.
Are some cars safer than others for teenagers to drive?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety each year publishes a list of safe, affordable cars for teenagers. In general, larger, heavier vehicles are best. Ms. Harris suggests that parents not buy a new car specifically for their new teenage driver — or, if they do, that they make it clear that the car is the family’s car, rather than the teenage driver’s personal vehicle. By making the car a “family” car, she said, parents can better set rules for its use and talk about where their child is headed and who is expected to go along. Also, she advises getting teenagers involved in researching the safety and price of a new car, as a way of teaching them lessons about budgeting, and emphasizing the need for safe driving habits.
Are there apps that can help reduce distracted driving?
Technology is emerging that can disable texting and social media on cellphones while the car is in motion. One system, Cellcontrol, recently was favorably reviewed by Consumer Reports. The organization also offers other tips for reducing distracted driving and increasing safety for teenage drivers on its website. Source : www.nytimes.com
