When I got my kids a dog, I had no idea that it could affect my homeowners insurance. I happened to run into my insurance agent in the store when I was buying dog food and he asked me what kind of dog we had. When I told him, he said I should stop in the office the next day. I had no idea that things like this could affect premiums, so I started asking what else could do it as well. I created this site to help others understand some of the finer points of homeowners insurance and what they should think about to manage their rates.
If you've been in a car accident, you'll need to take steps to avoid potential problems with your insurance. You might not realize this, but what you do after an accident has a direct impact on how your claim is handled. Here are four steps that will help you avoid problems with your insurance company after an accident.
Don't Let Your Policy Lapse
Your life can become quite stressful after a car accident, especially if you've sustained injuries, or your car has been totaled. However, it's important that you continue paying your insurance premiums. Allowing your coverage to lapse while your claim is being processed can cause serious problems for you. If you're concerned that you might forget to make your payments while you're recovering from the accident, contact your insurance company and arrange for payments to be taken directly from your bank account. That way, you know that your coverage will be secure.
Report the Incident as Soon as Possible
You might not realize this, but most insurance companies have specific time frames for when you need to report an accident. If you've been involved in a car accident, and you haven't reported it to your insurance company yet, you need to take care of that. This is an important step, even if you've already filed a claim with the other driver's insurance company. It's also important that you notify the DMV and local law enforcement, especially if there was significant property damage, or there are injuries involved.
Provide All Necessary Information
While your claim is being processed, your insurance company may require paperwork and documentation for you. It's important that you provide all necessary information as quickly as possible. In some cases, your insurance company won't be able to proceed with your claim if you fail to provide documentation promptly. Even if the other insurance company is handling the claim, your own insurance company will still require documentation regarding the accident. This is particularly true if your car sustained significant damage. That damage and the repairs will be considered into your coverage. Your insurance company will want to ensure that the damages were taken care of.
Maintain Communication with Your Insurance Agent
After a car accident, you'll need to maintain communication with your insurance agent. You never know when the other insurance company is going to refuse to cover some or all of the claim. If that happens, you'll need your insurance agent to step in and get things handled for you. If you've been maintaining communication with them, they'll be able to provide you with more beneficial service.
For more information, contact a company like Koski & Co.
Share13 April 2018
