Steps To Filling Auto Insurance Claim.

These are the steps that one have to follow to file a claim for recovery of his damage:

1. Evaluate whether or not you should file a claim: Did you know that just when you call your insurance company with a question about possibly filing a claim it is often recorded on your insurance record? It is important to keep your insurance record clean and one way is deciding whether or not you should file a claim. It doesn’t matter if the accident is your fault or not, you should ask yourself first if you can pay for the damage. Simply put, if you can pay for it yourself without financial hardship, don’t file the claim.

2. Fill out your what to do after an auto accident worksheet: This worksheet, which when you click on the title is provided for print-out, will help you keep track of the information you will need to file your auto insurance claim. It is important to get every detail of the accident documented and to try to find witnesses that would be willing to talk to your insurance company to back-up your story.

3. File the claim ASAP: You will want to file the claim as soon as possible with your insurance company. Even if it is not your fault, your insurance company will handle the claim process as your advocate.

4. Prepare for a possible call from the other insurance company: If there is a dispute between the two parties in the accident, you may get a call from the other driver’s insurance company asking for your version of what happened at the accident scene. If this happens make sure you document everything you say and the name of the customer service agent you talked too.

5. Finally, getting your car fixed: If you had body damage to your vehicle this is when you will finally get it fixed. After your claim is approved, you will likely get a call from your insurance company about sending an insurance adjuster out to assess the damage or asking you to send your car to a pre-approved shop to get it fixed.

What To Do If You Are Not Able To Find Auto Coverage?

Some drivers have a hard time obtaining insurance. This can result from a number of factors, including a poor driving record, type of vehicle, claims history, experience, etc.

There are insurance companies that write non-If your driving record prevents you from obtaining standard policies in this state.

They include:

* Allstate
* Dairyland
* Farmers
* Financial Indemnity
* Guaranty National
* Infinity
* Leader
* Nationwide
* Progressive
* Safeco
* Viking Insurance Company of Wisconsin

If your driving record prevents you from obtaining a policy in the non-standard market, your agent or broker will contact the Automobile Insurance Plan on your behalf.

More than 55 years ago, the Washington State Legislature created this plan to provide auto insurance coverage to high-risk drivers who are unable to find coverage. To qualify for this special coverage, you must:

* Be a Washington state resident or a member of the U.S. military
* Hold a valid Washington state driver’s license
* Not have any debt from previous auto
* insurance coverage

How To Save Money While Buying Auto Insurance.

Since most of us are required to carry automotive insurance - whether it be basic liability or more - the quest to save money is a common topic. If we go with cheaper, "discount insurance agency" type places, we often sacrifice service - not to mention the trust that many of us put in brand names. If, on the other hand, we go with well-established, trustworthy agencies, we often end up paying a lot more - several hundred dollars a year in some cases. But there are plenty wats to save a little money without giving up qualiy, here they are:

Figure out how much auto insurance you need

If your car is not yet paid off, you will have to have more insurance coverage than someone who owns his car outright. In addition, different states require different minimum amounts of insurance. Many people prefer to have more than the minimum required, just to be covered in the event that an accident does occur, while others prefer to carry only the minimum coverage. Take into account how much you drive, how much your car is worth, how much you have in assets in case you are sued, and how likely your car is to be stolen when considering how much auto insurance you need.

Shop around

Just as you take your time when buying the vehicle, checking several dealerships to get the best price, you should do the same when looking for the auto insurance. A site like this is a great place to start because it gets quotes from all the top companies.

Buy the right vehicle

Some vehicles are cheaper to insure. Insurance actuaries collect information about traffic accidents from all over the US. They rank vehicles according to the likelihood they will be involved in an accident or stolen. Although you may think some vehicles lack style and are boring to drive, it can be worth buying them to reduce your premium.

Drive safely

Insurers rate drivers by age, gender and driving experience. You can tilt the points system in your favor if you avoid accidents and do not pick up tickets.

Check out the ranking points for safety features

You will pay less to insure vehicles fitted with antilock brakes, airbags, and so on. It’s also cheaper to insure a vehicle if it lives in a garage or is parked off the road at night.

Read the policies before you decide which to buy

Check whether the policies give you the cover you need. Read through to see exactly what is and what is not included. Try to fit the policy to your situation, only buying as much cover as you need. Even then, everything may look good on paper, but the crunch comes if you have to make a claim.

Check out the insurance companies

Every state has an insurance department or commissioner, and their websites confirm which insurance companies are licensed to sell auto policies. The best also carry information about the number of complaints upheld against all these companies. Most of the complaints are about the way policies are sold and how the claims are handled. This can give you vital information on which companies to avoid. Even though the premium may cost slightly more, it can be worth paying the extra to get with a company that handles claims well.

What about the new online-only auto insurance?

By eliminating the costs of running a brick-and-mortar operation, insurance companies can offer you better terms at more affordable premiums.

Check your cover regularly

Using this site, it costs you nothing to check whether the quotes for the insurance to cover your vehicle have changed. New companies may have different policies on the market. competition may be bringing down premiums. It can save you a lot of money to change insurance companies every six or twelve months. With budgets tight, never just renew the existing policy. Always check out the market.

Keep a clean driving record

One of the best ways to save money on car insurance is to simply be a good driver. Without accidents or tickets on your record, your auto insurance premiums are going to be much lower.

Know Your Coverage Types.

­What is your car insurance actually insuring? Although you're buying a single insurance policy covering a specific vehicle, a number of components make up the final cost:

* Bodily injury liability: Covers injury and death claims against you, and legal costs, if your car injures or kills someone.

* Property damage liability: Covers claims for property that your car damages in an accident. Because liability coverage protects the other party, it is required in all but three states.

* Medical payments: Pays for injuries to yourself and to occupants of your car. This is optional in some states. In "no-fault" states, personal injury protection replaces medical payments as part of the basic coverage.

* Uninsured motorist protection: Covers injuries caused to you or the occupants of your car by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. "Under-insured" coverage also is available, to cover claims you may make against a driver who has inadequate insurance. In some states, as many as 30 percent of drivers are uninsured.

* Collision coverage: Covers damage to your car up to its book value. Collision coverage carries a deductible, which is the amount per claim you have to pay before the insurance takes effect. The lower the deductible, the higher the premium. While it is legally optional, a lending institution or leasing company usually requires collision coverage.

* Comprehensive (physical damage): Covers damage to your car from theft, vandalism, fire, wind, flood, and other non-accident causes. Comprehensive also carries a deductible.