Know When To File A Claim With Your Auto Insurance

Your auto insurance is designed to protect you in case you get into an accident while on the road. However, there may be times when you do not want to use your insurance. While this may seem counterintuitive to having insurance in the first place, be aware that there are situations where it may or may not be best to avoid using your auto insurance. Here are three questions to ask yourself to determine the right decision.

Were There Personal Injuries?

It is always best to file a claim with your auto insurance company when somebody was injured. This includes situations where the person injured was in your vehicle, was in other vehicles involved, or were bystanders on the street. Your insurance will protect you in this situation against some of the greatest expenses that you would be liable for when it comes to bodily injuries.

Be aware of what your state's statute of limitations are so that you can make your insurance claim within the allotted amount of time. Not filing within the proper time frame could cause you to be responsible for the medical bills.

Are Repairs More Than The Deductible?

The total deductible that you have to pay before insurance kicks in plays a big part in your premium costs. You may have decided to go with a very high deductible to keep premiums low, or a low deductible to make a repair more affordable when you need one.

When damage is just to your car, you must decide if it is worth filing a claim for. If the cost to repair your car is less than your deductible, then it does not make sense to file a claim with your insurance company. Your best bet will be paying for the repairs out of your own pocket or to live with the damage if it is minor.

For accidents involving other drivers, consider making a claim. Once again, your insurance will protect you from the expenses caused by hitting another car, but you must file a claim to get that protection. If not, you could end up being found responsible for the accident by the other person's insurance company and need to pay the big bill.

Are There Additional Benefits To Take Advantage Of?

Your insurance company may offer additional benefits when you file a claim that make even a cheap repair worth making a claim. For instance, insurance may cover the cost of towing your car to an auto shop or even pay for a rental car. These could make it worth filing a claim when your repair costs are about the same as what your deductible will cost you.

For more information about auto insurance and when you should file a claim, contact an insurance company, or visit websites like http://www.crowelinsurance.com.


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