HALAMAN SELANJUTNYA:
Secrets Your Auto Insurance Company Doesn't Want You to Know
Many drivers rely on good faith and may not expect to be forced to sue their auto insurance company in order to receive payment for expenses resulting from a car accident. Typically, most just want to have their car repaired and their medical bills paid.
Unfortunately, the auto insurance attorneys of Michigan Auto Law deal with many car insurance companies on a daily basis that take advantage of their customers by cutting off their benefits without reason or notice. Some insurance companies also put people "under investigation"- the excuse for stopping payment of all medical bills and wage loss. People are being ignored, threatened, intimidated and even lied to by their insurance claims adjusters.
The following are common tactics used by many auto insurance companies to either avoid or minimize their payouts to customers. Suggestions are included on how you can protect yourself to avoid or minimize problems with your automobile insurer.
1. Many restrictions and limitations are buried in your policy's fine print
Knowing how to read and understand the fine print of auto insurance policies is not an easy task. Auto accident lawyers have seen far too many people lose out on important benefits because they were unaware of important filing requirements buried in their policies. For example, many auto insurance policies pose strict notification requirements, such as 30 days notice for hit-and-run accidents. Many contracts have separate conditions for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage requiring very prompt notice, and insurance carriers can change their policy filing requirements at any time. When car accident victims do not respond to notification requirements on time, they can lose their coverage.
How to protect yourself:
Notify your insurance company immediately after any type of accident. Be sure you have your complete auto insurance policy, including any notification of coverage changes from year to year. This can also include pamphlets or notes that are mailed with renewal statements, reflecting any policy terms and changes. Most policies include declarations, conditions, insuring agreements and exclusions with conditions.
It's also important to check insurance policies for any benefits that overlap with your own health and disability insurance; and to review any additional coverage (such as uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage). When receiving ongoing medical care for car accident injuries, having a solid understanding of insurance policies can help ensure that health care providers bill appropriately.
If you are confused with your auto insurance policy and have questions, don't hesitate to contact a lawyer who specializes in auto accidents - most are happy to offer advice and guidance for your protection.
2. Insurance agents don't always recommend the best coverage
Following a car accident, there can be numerous issues and challenges navigating health insurance plans, managed care plans, retirement plans such as ERISA, and coordinated/uncoordinated policies. In addition, insurance agents may avoid mentioning important coverage options and applicable discounts due to payout losses or lower premiums that reduce their commissions.
Many people choose to carry more insurance coverage so they will not be personally liable if they cause a serious car accident. However, some people only pay the minimum insurance premium to renew their license plate each year, and then let the auto insurance lapse. Without an uninsured/underinsured motorist policy, a driver or family members severely injured by an uninsured motorist will have no source of legal recovery for their injuries other than filing a lawsuit against the uninsured driver for his or her personal assets. Most people do not have sufficient personal net worth to compensate a person that they have seriously injured.
How to protect yourself:
If you are injured in an auto accident, contact an experienced auto accident lawyer who is best qualified to provide guidance on issues of which insurance is primary, and who will pay medical expenses that are incurred after a crash.
If you carry ERISA health insurance, uncoordinated or primary coverage is the safe move. An insured person with both ERISA and coordinated insurance may end up recovering nothing for their pain and suffering in the event of an auto accident.
Check your insurance policy for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. If this type of coverage is missing, contact your insurance carrier to add it - the cost is minimal and highly recommended to protect you and your family.
Raising your deductibles to at least $500 or more can also lower your auto insurance premiums by 15 percent to 40 percent. Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage on older cars. If your car is worth less than 10 times the premium, eliminating those coverages can save you money, unless you still owe money for the car. Finally, if there is any reduction in the amount of miles you drive annually, contact your insurance carrier for quotes on low mileage discounts.
3. Accident Settlement Offers Are Always Too Low
Imagine you just suffered devastating injuries from a car accident and are now recuperating at home, in pain, and worrying about how you are going to pay your bills. An insurance agent knocks on your door with a check for $100,000 for your accident. With the emotional and physical trauma following a car or truck crash, a large amount of money sounds great, and some victims rush into accepting the first settlement offer. Yet determining the value of an auto accident case goes far beyond a simple calculation of injury type, future expenses not covered by no-fault insurance and the wrongdoer's policy limit. Offering to settle is essentially a backdoor approach by insurance companies to saving litigation costs at the expense of an accident victim's right to a full recovery.
How to protect yourself:
It never hurts to call an auto accident lawyer and ask for advice. Many lawyers can explain accident law, what you are entitled to and make sure your own insurance company is paying everything they are supposed to - with no fee or obligation.
4. Releases and Recorded Statements Are Pushed Early On to Overwhelm Accident Victims
Many victims rush into signing adjusters' documents without having the language reviewed by an auto accident lawyer, believing these are just basic verifications of the accident. Therefore, they may lose their right to sue a negligent driver for accident-related injuries. Claims adjusters often try to get recorded statements early, aiming to minimize the victim's pain and injuries for later use in court. Even vehicle damage releases can contain unrelated language that can jeopardize your other claims.
How to protect yourself:
Never give statements to an accident claims adjuster and never sign a release or allow the adjuster to look at the auto damage. Simply tell the adjuster that you need to review the paperwork with your attorney and will get back to them with your response. No matter how desperate you may feel after suffering the financial burden of medical bills, lost wages and disabling pain, involving an auto accident attorney will ensure your rights are protected. Keep in mind that the claims adjuster works for the insurance company, and has its best interest in mind - not the injured victim.
5. Standard practice is to deny or delay claim payouts
Most people suffering injuries from a car accident call their auto insurance company to find out what to do next. They assume that when they follow the process, they will receive fair, timely compensation for injuries resulting from the auto accident. After all, they paid for the auto insurance for that reason - to be covered in the event of a car accident.
Yet many insurance companies engage in common delay tactics including denying claims, not returning calls, placing people on hold for extensive periods, requiring a victim to repeatedly gather records, and passing you from one adjuster to the next. Soon the financial burden of time off work and mounting medical bills drives innocent car accident victims to contact an attorney. Or worse, it makes them desperate enough to accept an extremely low settlement offer, limiting any future recovery of damages.
How to protect yourself:
If you are experiencing these typical delay tactics, contact an auto accident attorney who can assist you with getting your claim processed and the benefits you are entitled to under your state's law.
Bottom Line:
If your auto accident involves injuries to you and/or your family (even seemingly minor injuries), consult an auto accident attorney as soon as possible. Not only will you better understand what benefits you are entitled to, but you will have the peace of mind knowing that you received the full value of benefits and compensation available to injured drivers.
Secrets to Getting the Cheapest Auto Insurance?
Auto insurance is designed to help protect you in situations that involve your vehicle. Which is one of the reasons that auto coverage follows the car, Auto insurance is a necessity and requirement in all states? Auto insurance is a complete must for all the drivers. Auto insurance provides third party coverage and has emerged as a legal requirement.
Auto insurance is a very simple thing that may cause much confusion for many people. The lack of knowledge, when shopping for general auto insurance, is the problem that most people have. Auto insurance is one of the most used types of personal insurance. Most states require that you purchase some kind of insurance coverage to drive legally in the state. Auto insurance is a "necessary evil" which is necessary for all automobile owners. But it is not enough to have an insured vehicle; the main thing is to have an insured vehicle with best auto insurance.
Auto insurance is certainly one expense that you have to budget for where doing a little research and making some calls can pay huge dividends in both the short and long term. With little time invested, you can potentially save hundreds a year and tens of thousands over your lifetime. Auto insurance is mandatory for drivers in all 50 U.S. However, most drivers rarely, if ever, look at their auto insurance coverages to see exactly how they are protected financially in the case of an auto accident, natural disaster, or vandalism.
Auto insurance is meant to make you whole in the case of an accident with injury or property damage. It is to protect your assets and protect you from liability. Auto insurance is mandatory for all new vehicles, be it for commercial or personal use. Insurance Companies are coming out with comprehensive policies for its customers. Auto insurance is a mandatory thing, but like wearing a seat belt, it is fundamentally good idea. This is why so many people are reluctant to purchase only the bare minimum required by law in their states.
Drivers are classified based on a number of different characteristics including, but not limited to, age and gender, marital status, where the vehicle is garaged, driving record, make and model of vehicle, prior insurance coverage and annual miles driven. History has shown that drivers with certain characteristics, such as a poor driving record, have a greater chance of being involved in an accident, and the drivers in those classifications must pay higher rates. Drivers do not realize how expensive it is to have and operate a vehicle. This "privilege" is heavily subsidized. Drivers who are similar in other respects: age, gender, location, driving safety record, pay nearly the same premiums if they drive five thousand or fifty thousand miles a year. Just as an all-you-can-eat restaurant encourages more eating, all-can-drive insurance pricing encourages more driving.
Coverages include the type of losses for which the company agrees to pay. Each kind of coverage you buy will have its own section in the policy that details the situations it covers, persons insured under it, definitions of various words used, exclusions that apply to the section, and the limits of the company's protection in that section. Coverage provided by group and non-group policies generally is similar. Remember, however, that different companies offer different coverage options in their policies.
Companies having insurance for auto mobiles are accorded a rating depending on a combination of factors such as total experience, claims handling, policy opportunities, pricing and financial strength. Companies frequently adjust rates such that no one company stays in the low cost leader slot very long. Unless you get new quotes every year, you never know that you might be able to get better rates from a different auto insurance company. Companies offer discounts to policyholders who have not had any accidents or moving violations for a number of years. You may also get a discount if you take a defensive driving course. Companies renew policies after expiry. A discount on premium is sometimes provided to existing clients.
Car insurance rates for a 16 yr old can gradually decrease as the teenager learns how to show their level of responsibility more effectively. The less risk that driver shows, the lower their rates will be. Car insurance is one such item because they were very easy to possess but today they create difficulty for our pockets. People think a large number of times before going for any particular insurance plan. Cars that have more expensive parts, or are sportier are equipped with higher insurance rates. Buying a less expensive car will cut down on your insurance and liability coverage costs.
Carefully study coverage extent, the length of time it takes to process claims and extras such as free towing or road assistance. Customer support is also extremely important you want an auto insurance company that can give you maximum support whether online or over the phone. Cars with larger engines typically waste even more gas while idling than cars with smaller engines, according to Consumer Reports, as a rule of thumb, turn off your engine if you will be idling for more than 30 seconds.
Car accidents happen more frequently than you think, and car repair costs are higher than ever. And, in our increasingly litigious society, the chances that you will also be sued by another driver in the accident are very high. Cars are given a rating from 1 to 27, and the higher the number, the higher your premium.
Plan your next car purchase as a negotiation between what you really want and how it will affect your insurance premiums. Determine how much extra you are willing to pay in insurance for a car and use that figure to help you determine what your price range is. Plan ahead and potentially saves lots of money.
Persons sharing characteristics with high claims groups will be charged more for insurance coverage. Personally Identifiable Information might include your name, age, mailing address, telephone number, mobile phone number, email address, and other identification and contact information.
Comprehensive insurance policies have deductibles - the amount of money you have to pay out before your insurance company starts picking up the bill, the higher your deductible, the cheaper your monthly premiums. Comprehensive auto insurance will also protect you from any public liability claim made as a consequence of the accident. As well as accidents, your vehicle can also be covered from damage caused by from fire, theft, vandalism, adverse weather and other scenarios. Comprehensive insurance can assist you financially in this but only up to the Kelley Blue Book value of the car. If repair costs exceed this value, the car insurance company will declare it totaled and award you the full cash value of your car.
Additional coverage is recommended if you have a larger net worth. Additionally, life insurance can help pay for funeral costs and therefore ensure that your death will not be a financial burden for your family.
Liability insurance covers the damages caused by your vehicle, whether bodily injury or property damage. The amount of coverage varies by policy and by the kind of damages covered. Liability coverage pays for damage that you're responsible for and have caused to other people or their property.
State-run insurance guaranty associations, which are supposed to pay claims for insolvent insurance companies, exist in each state. However, while these associations are an important safety net for insurance consumers, they are by no means perfect. State regulators must explicitly approve the type of insurance policies that insurers offer, and in many states current regulations would not even allow pay by the mile policies.
Accordingly, buy a little more than the minimum required, to give you extra cushion of protection. What price are you willing to pay for piece of mind? According to industry professionals, teen drivers add anywhere from 50 percent to 500 percent to a premium. However, many insurance companies will discount the rate when a child is away at school. According to the Insurance Information Institute, increasing your deductible from $250 to $500 can save you up to 20 percent on comprehensive and collision coverage.
Thank you for taking your time to read this article. Information shared here does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice. This article is intended to provide general information only and does not give advice which relates to your individual circumstances.
How To Compare Auto Insurance Quotes
The growth of internet has made the comparison of insurance quotes easy. The best place to compare auto insurance quotes is through the internet. The security of the vehicle is very important for the owners. The right way to maintain the security is to buy an auto insurance plan.
There are several insurers around the world, which offers auto insurance policies to the automobile owners. All these companies have their own their coverage plans and rates.
The comparison of auto quotes helps a person to understand the rate and the suitable policies. Most of the insurance websites allow the person to compare the auto insurance quote without any charge, while some others charge small service fee. The idea of both the insurance websites are similar. It is better to choose the free quote websites for the comparison process at the initial stage.
The comparison websites compare both, auto insurance quotes and the policies. The online auto coverage quote helps a person to save both time and money. A person can avoid paying the commission to agent. Thus, with the help of an auto quote comparison, the role of an agent is unnecessary. A person gets clear idea about the plan and the rates, with the comparison of the online auto quotes.
Tips To Compare Auto Insurance Quotes:
It is essential to compare the auto coverage quotes, to ensure that a person gets the lowest auto insurance quote. Numerous quotes are available on the internet. However, people need to keep in mind, certain tips to compare auto insurance quotes.
As an initial step, a person has to fill some personal information in online registration form. The registration is important, to request free comparison chart of auto quotes. Compare auto insurance quotes for the all the desired coverage plans with different companies.
The insurance rate is only a basic factor to buy auto insurance. Evaluate the stability of the car insurer in automobile area. Most of the new insurance companies provide lower auto insurance quotes. A person has to make sure that these companies offer good customer service and holds strong financial stability.
A person has to build up the credit history before requesting an auto quote. A bad credit history creates unpleasant impression on the insurer and as a result, insurer will give high rate insurance quotes.
Stick to the current company for a longer period, to cut down the insurance quote. When a person has to buy new type of insurance policy, a long-term stay with an insurance company provides lower quotes for them. The history of traffic law violation and two accidents will lead to a higher auto insurance quote.
Conclusion:
The comparison of auto insurance quotes with the help of local agents is a time consuming process. Therefore, the best place to compare auto insurance quote is the internet. In brief, a person needs to compare auto insurance quotes online, to access an affordable auto coverage policy. For more on this topic and actually getting a quote you can always refer to the resources below.
