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At the Scene of an Accident

Fireman with Power Wedge at car crashNo one wants to get into a car crash. But knowing what to do if you are involved in an accident can save lives, reduce injuries and make the claims process simpler and easier.

Be Prepared

  • Keep your registration and auto insurance papers, as well as any relevant medical information for you and your family, in the car.
  • Make sure you have the right amount of auto coverage to fit your needs.

Immediately After an Accident

  1. Assess the Damage. If possible, pull the vehicle to the side of the road to a safe place to see if anyone is injured, and the extent of the damage to the vehicle.
  1. Call the police or highway patrol, if you are in a serious accident.  Let law enforcement know if anyone is hurt and the extent of injuries. The police will notify the nearest medical unit. If the police can’t come to the scene of your car accident, you can head to the nearest police department (or their website) to file an incident report yourself. Having an official report can help in case the other driver decides to sue for damages or medical injuries, or there is more damage done to your car than initially thought. If the police do come to the accident scene, get the officers’ names and badge numbers and ask where you can get a copy of their report.
  1. Collect as much information as possible.  Get the names and contact information of everyone involved in the crash, including witnesses. Ask the driver (or drivers if you are involved in a multi-car accident) for their license, car registration and insurance ID card. Get the make and model of the cars involved. Lastly, make note of the location of the accident, time of day and the weather conditions. You can use your smart phone or other device to document this information, as well as the accident itself, but it’s also a good idea to always keep a pad of paper/pen in your glove compartment. It may not be high-tech, but it is an easy way to record important information. When talking to others, keep to the facts.  Do not discuss who was at fault, or how much insurance you have, with other drivers
  1. Don’t leave the scene of the accident.  If you run into an unattended vehicle, try to find the owner. If you can’t, leave a note containing your name, address and phone number.  Record the details of the accident, including the make and model of the car and the address where the accident occurred.
  1. Get the claims process started.  Notify your insurance professional as soon as possible—the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remember the details.  Many insurance companies now use mobile apps to get the claims process started.  These apps allow you to report a claim, check the status, upload photos, check your deductible, schedule an appraisal, reserve a rental car, and request reimbursements for towing and glass claims. Some apps even allow you to notify the insurance adjuster what happened by visually re-creating the events and circumstances of your car accident. When working with your insurance company, make sure that you get the name, title and contact information of everyone you speak with. You will likely also receive claim forms to fill out. Make sure that you do this as soon, and as accurately, as possible.  If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask the claims adjuster for assistance. Your insurance company wants your claims experience to be as pleasant and efficient as possible.

Finally, keep a file of all of your notes and any claim forms. The more organized you are, the simpler and easier the claims process will be.

Source: Insurance Information Institute, “At the Scene of an Accident” iii.org website. Accessed December 1, 2015. http://www.iii.org/article/scene-accident

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

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Are You Protected?

UmbrellaWith everyone looking to save money nowadays and getting an insurance quote on the Internet as easy as pie, why should you still be concerned? Easy – there’s a lot of agents out there who have not had the experience to help ensure you have all the coverage you need – or don’t.
Here are three tips to make sure you get what you deserve:

  1. Most insurance providers give breaks to policy holders who maintain more than one type of insurance. For instance, if you have both your car and home insured with one carrier, you may save up to 15% on your annual premiums. Sometimes, this can save you a bundle and still provide the utmost in both types of insurance coverage.
  2. Do you have more than one car in your family? Does one of them belong to a young driver who is being charged more due to their age and lack of driving experience? There are ways to place that young person’s information on your policy to allow for exactly the same coverage but at a significantly different premium.
  3. Let us check over your insurance policies to ensure you have optimal coverage. We first check to see they contain the correct information, then we compare the same details with the other companies we represent to see if you can do any better with your coverage and your premium. There’s no charge or obligation.

Call us for more information and to get the lowest auto and homeowners insurance rates through the many fine companies we represent.

 

© Copyright 2014 intouch Business, Inc. All rights reserved. Certain names and articles used with permission of owners. Trade names mentioned herein are owned by third parties.

 

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Are You Protected? 3 Ways to Make Sure!

Poeple_LadyMakingHmmmFaceWith everyone looking to save money nowadays and getting an insurance quote on the Internet as easy as pie, why should you still be concerned? Easy – there’s a lot of agents out there who have not had the experience to help ensure you have all the coverage you need – or don’t.

Here are three tips to make sure you get what you deserve:

  1. Most insurance providers give breaks to policy holders who maintain more than one type of insurance. For instance, if you have both your car and home insured with one carrier, you may save up to 15% on your annual premiums. Sometimes, this can save you a bundle and still provide the utmost in both types of insurance coverage.
  2. Do you have more than one car in your family? Does one of them belong to a young driver who is being charged more due to their age and lack of driving experience? There are ways to place that young person’s information on your policy to allow for exactly the same coverage but at a significantly different premium.
  3. Let us check over your insurance policies to ensure you have optimal coverage. We first check to see they contain the correct information, then we compare the same details with the other companies we represent to see if you can do any better with your coverage and your premium. There’s no charge or obligation.

Call us for more information and to get the lowest auto and homeowners insurance rates through the many fine companies we represent.

 

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

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What Is Covered by a Basic Auto Insurance Policy?

1. Bodily Injury Liability

This coverage applies to injuries that you, the designated driver or policyholder, cause to someone else. You and family members listed on the policy are also covered when driving someone else’s car with their permission.

It’s very important to have enough liability insurance, because if you are involved in a serious accident, you may be sued for a large sum of money. Definitely consider buying more than the state-required minimum to protect assets such as your home and savings.

2. Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection

This coverage pays for the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder’s car. At its broadest, PIP can cover medical payments, lost wages and the cost of replacing services normally performed by someone injured in an auto accident. It may also cover funeral costs.

3. Property Damage Liability

This coverage pays for damage you (or someone driving the car with your permission) may cause to someone else’s property. Usually, this means damage to someone else’s car, but it also includes damage to lamp posts, telephone poles, fences, buildings or other structures your car hit.

4. Collision

This coverage pays for damage to your car resulting from a collision with another car, object or as a result of flipping over. It also covers damage caused by potholes. Collision coverage is generally sold with a deductible of $250 to $1,000—the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Even if you are at fault for the accident, your collision coverage will reimburse you for the costs of repairing your car, minus the deductible. If you’re not at fault, your insurance company may try to recover the amount they paid you from the other driver’s insurance company. If they are successful, you’ll also be reimbursed for the deductible.

5. Comprehensive

This coverage reimburses you for loss due to theft or damage caused by something other than a collision with another car or object, such as fire, falling objects, missiles, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, flood, vandalism, riot, or contact with animals such as birds or deer.

Comprehensive insurance is usually sold with a $100 to $300 deductible, though you may want to opt for a higher deductible as a way of lowering your premium.

Comprehensive insurance will also reimburse you if your windshield is cracked or shattered. Some companies offer glass coverage with or without a deductible.

6. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This coverage will reimburse you, a member of your family, or a designated driver if one of you is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

Underinsured motorist coverage comes into play when an at-fault driver has insufficient insurance to pay for your total loss. This coverage will also protect you if you are hit as a pedestrian.

 

Source: Insurance Information Institute, “What Is Covered by a Basic Auto Insurance Policy?” iii.org website. Accessed May 23, 2014.

© Copyright 2014 intouch Business, Inc. All rights reserved. Certain names and articles used with permission of owners. Trade names mentioned herein are owned by third parties.

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IN: Auto Insurance: Are You Protected? 3 Ways to Make Sure!

Dear Valued Customer,

Auto insurance is not just an option, it’s a legal necessity! In this issue of the “———–“ we’re including information and tips that can ensure you are protected in many ways.

Understand all the options in your auto policy by reading “What Is Covered by a Basic Auto Insurance Policy?” an informative article from the Insurance Information Institute. Make sure you and you family are protected, at the best possible cost, by checking out the article entitled “Are You Protected?” Plus, find helpful tips on how to conduct yourself at the scene of an accident.

We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

 

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At the Scene of an Accident

Knowing what to do if you are involved in an accident can save lives and also make the claims process easier.

  1. Stop your car and find out if anyone is injured.
  2. Call the police or highway patrol. Tell them how many people were hurt and the types of injuries. The police will notify the nearest medical unit.
  3. Cover injured people with a blanket to keep them warm.
  4. Try to protect the accident scene. Take reasonable steps to protect your car from further damage, such as setting up flares, getting the car off the road and calling a tow truck.
  5. Ask the investigating officer where you can obtain a copy of the police report. You will probably need it when you submit your claim to your insurance company.
  6. If necessary, have the car towed to a repair shop. But remember, your insurance company probably will want to have an adjuster inspect it and appraise the damage before you order repair work done.
  7. Make notes. Keep a pad and pencil in your glove compartment. Write down:
    • the names and addresses of all drivers and passengers involved in the accident
    • license plate numbers
    • the make and model of each car
    • driver’s license numbers
    • insurance identifications
    • the names and addresses of witnesses
    • the names and badge numbers of police officers or other emergency personnel.
  8. If you run into an unattended vehicle or object, try to find the owner. If you can’t, leave a note containing your name, address and phone number. Record the details of the accident.

 

Source: Insurance Information Institute, “At the Scene of an Accident,” iii.org website. Accessed May 23, 2014. 

© Copyright 2014 intouch Business, Inc. All rights reserved. Certain names and articles used with permission of owners. Trade names mentioned herein are owned by third parties.