Filing your Uninsured Motorist Coverage Claim

When you are in an auto accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, the driver's car insurance is supposed to notify your insurance company as to the lack of coverage. Don't wait for them to do so; call your car insurance company immediately to let them know about your claim.

When you file an Uninsured Motorist Coverage claim, remember that your car insurance company is acting on behalf of the uninsured driver and will only pay if that driver is determined to be at-fault in the accident. So get an attorney to assure that you are represented fairly and that you get what you paid for from your car insurance company.

Car Insurance Collision Coverage: An Option, Not a Requirement

Auto Collision Coverage is an option, not a requirement, in most states in the U.S. (If you are financing your car, lending institutions require proof of auto insurance collision coverage.) Collision car insurance covers damage to your car, but does not cover the damage to any other car you may hit in an auto accident.

There are many instances, however, when having collision coverage is a tremendous help:

* When you hit a stationary object and are clearly at fault;
* When you hit another car and are at fault;
* When you are hit by a driver who does not have liability car insurance coverage.

"Stacked" Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Stacked Uninsured Motorist Coverage means that, at the time that you purchased your car insurance policy, you selected uninsured motorist coverage for every car covered by your policy. For example, if you chose $25,000 UM coverage, and you have two cars, stacked UM coverage means you have $50,000 of coverage under which to make a claim.

Auto Insurance and Rental Cars

For private passenger cars, car owners can elect to have Rental Car Reimbursement coverage added to their car insurance policy. This reimbursement coverage pays for a rental car in the event that the insured auto is not drivable or is in the shop for repairs made necessary in a covered auto accident.

The Rental Car Reimbursement does not cover car rental for everyday or business purposes; however, if your auto insurance policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage, a rental car used for pleasure may be covered.

Auto Insurance Definitions: Garage Location

In your policy, the car insurance Garage Location refers to the zip code where your insured car resides when it is not in use. The auto insurance garage location is normally the same as the insured driver's home and/or primary residence.

Auto Insurance Coverage: Liability Option

Most states require car owners to have a minimum amount of car insurance Liability Coverage. Liability coverage insures you, your spouse, family members, and anyone who uses your auto with your permission. The amount of auto insurance liability coverage you select determines how much the car insurance company will pay you in the event of an accident.

Auto Insurance Coverage: "No-Fault" Insurance

Approximately half of the states in the U.S. have enacted legislation for some type of No-Fault Car Insurance. In these states, the victim of an auto accident is paid by his/her car insurance company. Fault is not determined.

No-fault auto insurance was created in an attempt to reduce the number of car insurance claims and litigation. No-fault car insurance laws vary greatly from state-to-state and may or may not cover you when you drive outside the state in which your auto insurance is issued.

Auto Insurance Definitions: Deductible

In your policy, you determine the amount of the car insurance deductibles you pay in the event of a claim against your auto insurance. For example, if you have an auto accident that costs $1000 to repair, and your auto insurance deductible is $500, you pay the $500 deductible and your car insurance company pays the remaining $500. One way to lower your costs is to select higher car insurance deductible amounts, which result in lower monthly auto insurance premiums.

Auto Insurance Definitions: Principal Driver

In your policy, the car insurance's Principal Driver is, simply put, the person who drives the insured car the most. Private passenger vehicles included in the principal driver list include ordinary cars, station wagons and jeeps, pick-ups, trucks, vans, and trailers designed to be pulled by an passenger car.

Auto Insurance Definitions: Occasional Driver

In your car insurance policy, the Principal Driver is the person who drives the car insured by your auto insurance. In comparison, the Occasional Driver is someone who is not the principal driver and, as the name infers, only drives the insured auto on infrequent occasions.

Auto Insurance Coverage: Bodily Injury Liability Option

Car insurance Bodily Injury Liability Coverage is an option for private passenger vehicles. Under this auto insurance coverage, bodily injuries that the insured driver causes to other people are covered.

Claims against Bodily Injury Liability include:

* Medical expenses
* Lost wages
* Emotional suffering.

It does not cover damage to your car. Bodily injury liability coverage varies based on the amount specified in your car insurance policy.

Auto Insurance Claims Can Affect Your Car Insurance Policy

Depending on the policy type, your car insurance coverage may need to be renewed every 6 to 12 months. During this renewal evaluation, your car insurance company may opt to cancel your insurance rather than renew your policy. The main factors contributing to your renewal evaluation are:
*Driving record for the last period of coverage for everyone on the policy
*Credit problems (including bankruptcy)
The number one factor that can affect your renewal is the frequency of filed claims. When deciding to file claims this is one thing you should take under serious consideration. Insurance companies assess whether or not a customer is an acceptable risk and therefore a candidate for policy renewal.