Whether you were recently involved in a minor accident or your cat gets totally killed from an unfortunate road mishap, it is crucial for you to learn about what you can expect insurance-wise. If you have comprehensive coverage from a trusted insurance company, getting your car repaired or replaced is simple and straightforward. Let’s find out more about the things that you can get from your insurance company in the event of car accident and vehicle damage.
What type of coverage pays for car repairs?
There are three basic insurance solutions that will guarantee your car will be taken care of- comprehensive, collision and rental car reimbursement insurance.
Collision Coverage
Collision and comprehensive are optional covers that will pay for repairs to your vehicle in the case of a road accident. Like any other insurance product, this coverage carries a deductible that may be between $250 and $1,000. By rule lower deductibles translate to higher premium payments. This means that the insurance company will need to pay for most repairs; hence is less stressful on your wallet.
Collision insurance also covers repairs and replacements if your car was involved in an accident with another car or an immovable object. It is best to obtain comprehensive coverage before adding collision coverage in your policy.
Comprehensive Coverage
If your car gets totalled, your insurance provider will pay out any claims up to your vehicle’s actual market value. This can be computed by finding out the difference between original purchase price minus depreciation. These numbers aren’t necessarily needed by law but are important to leasing and finance companies.
Comprehensive insurance pays for damages to your vehicle that isn’t caused by a collision. The incidents taken care of under comprehensive insurance are fire, theft, vandalism, storms, and acts of God. Problems or elements that are beyond your control usually fall under collision insurance. Your insurance carrier will reimburse the actual car value minus the amount of deductible if your vehicle needs to be replaced than repaired.
Rental Car Insurance
Rental car insurance is an optional cover that will pay for a rental vehicle while your car is at a Sydney car mechanic for its needed repairs. In most cases, insurance companies will utilise a per-accident, per-day, and maximum days limit basis, so you can have a rental car that will allow you to resume your daily routines. This optional coverage typically costs at least $10 per day.
Full-Coverage
The combination of comprehensive and collision is considered a full coverage policy. If you have a brand-new car, it’s best to get full coverage so you can avoid losing the value of your vehicle in case you run into a major accident or your car gets totaled.
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is a coverage that pays for the damages to another party’s vehicle and property. It will also pay for other costs, including replacement and bodily injuries from an accident you caused in the first place. To ensure protection, it’s best to have all this coverage or at least comply with minimum mandated standards.
What should you do after an accident?
Immediately following an accident, you need to contact the following parties:
- Emergency services
- Local police
- Owners of cars involved in the accident
- Insurance provider to file a quick and accurate claim
Ideally, your insurer should be involved as soon as possible. It is your insurance carrier that will determine who is at fault for an accident you were directly involved in. A claims adjuster will be tasked to your claim and they are most likely to process all the claims.
When talking to a claims adjuster, remember the following pointers:
- Answer all questions truthfully and with as many details as possible.
- Collection of statements from witnesses and third parties
- Thoroughly examine the accident details
- Assess medical reports relevant or involved in a claim
- A claims adjuster is responsible for inspecting all vehicles involved
- Come up with a damage repair estimate
Who will pay for your damaged or totaled car?
If you are obviously at fault, your insurance company will cover for all the cost of repairs after you are done paying the deductible. On the other hand, if another driver is at fault, you can go ahead and file a claim with their insurance company.
If the other driver who is at fault becomes uncooperative, you may opt to have your insurance company pay for the repairs as well. For minor damages, no injuries, and no personal property involved, you may choose to pay for repairs out of pocket.
If you need more information about repairs for damaged vehicles due to an accident, you may call HP Automotive in their direct line today. We offer our services to clients who suffered from major accidents that require simple and even extensive repairs. We will guide you through the insurance process, too!