Reader’s Question:
We have three cars at home and only my car is insured, my wife’s and son’s cars are not insured. My wife keep telling me that her car should also be insured together with my son’s car, she says it’s really important to get it insured. Why should one’s car get insured here in Washington?
Todd
Everett, WA
Washington requires all the cars on the road should be insured before getting it on the road. If you have escaped yourself from this requirement, you will not be able to escape yourself from a huge disaster when you got yourself in an accident. Car Insurance is just like having a savings account that you can get in case of emergencies on the road.
Car insurance is just as important as the homeowner’s insurance for with a Car Insurance with you on the road, it will help you survive, not from death or physical injury but at least you will be saved from financial problems in case you got yourself in an accident. Car Insurance doesn’t only cover you in case of accident but also the other party. Car insurance is not supposed to be expensive for the state has set a minimum requirement but this might not be able to get everything covered if you had a major accident. Just imagine yourself getting a car accident which is your fault and the other party is not insured, though it is breaking the law if you don’t get yourself insured, you still need to have both of your mishaps covered. This is how car insurance protects you, not only you but also the other party that makes it really important.
Reader’s Question:
What would I do if I get into an accident here in Washington and the auto insurance company of the at-fault driver refuses to pay the bills for the repairs and medical expenses?
Adonis
Spokane, WA
If you get into an auto accident in Washington wherein the other driver is at-fault, his/her auto insurance company might refuse to pay for the repairs of your car and medical expenses of anyone injured. They would probably just say that they did not authorize it so they will not pay it. One good technique that you can use if the auto insurance company of the other driver who was at-fault during the accident refuses to pay for repairs and treatments is to tell them that asking for their consent for the repairs of your car and treatment would delay the process. You can also explain that other charges such as vehicle-storage would increase the amount of your claim and it would mean more legwork for the adjuster.
Additionally, the auto insurance provider of the at-fault driver could not push you to bring your car to a particular repair shop they want to use. Majority of the states let car insurance companies to suggest a vehicle body shop, however, car insurance companies are not permitted to require you to use a particular repair shop. Remember that that would be totally your choice especially that it is your car and you were the victim.
Reader’s Question:
I may have to dispute the figure that my auto insurance company here in Washington gave me regarding the value of my car which has been totaled. How can I argue against their offer and tell them that my car’s worth is more than what they are saying?
Garth
Tacoma, WA
If you do not agree with the figure that your car insurance provider in Washington gave you as the replacement value of your totalled vehicle, there several points that you need to remember. Car insurance companies have exclusive software to find out how much is the amount to replace your vehicle, with its present mileage and its form before the accident, at a dealership in your neighborhood. This may mean that your insurer acquires a bid for the lowest amount the dealer agrees to for your vehicle and not the amount the dealer may charge you. A lot of insurers would search as well within 100-mile range to compare prices.
To argue against the offer of your car insurance provider, you have to obtain price quotes from dealers within an acceptable distance in your area. You may ask Washington’s insurance department to figure out that ‘acceptable’ distance. The figures that you have to come up with should be higher than the offer of your car insurance provider. You should have a proof in writing that the replacement value of your car is more than the amount that the car insurance provider agrees to pay.
Reader’s Question:
I recently got involved in a car accident here in Washington, and I would like to make sure I file my auto insurance claim correctly so I want to know what things I should remember to do.
Brendan
Seattle, WA
Filing an auto insurance claim is just one of those things in life that we hope we never have to do, but don’t want to end up doing wrong. There are, however, a few things you need to remember before filing that claim:
Do you really need to file a claim?
Yes, it is quite understandable, you pour good money in that auto insurance policy for your vehicle there in Washington, so why shouldn’t you file that insurance claim for that scratch on the bumper? Well, its called a deductible, and it can range from $200 to $750 against the amount of money your auto insurance provider will pay your for the damage repair. So if the damage is less than your deductible it is not cost effective. If the damage is minor and you can afford to have it repaired yourself, it would be highly recommended that you do so.
Remember also that once you file a claim, even just calling to inquire about it, your auto insurance company will tend to look at you as a higher risk customer. And this can cause your auto insurance rates to go up.
Keep track of all information you have, names and contact numbers of the other party or parties involved. Also you might get a call from the other party’s insurance provider for your version of the event so make sure you take down notes, especially who called you and what was discussed.
Reader’s Question:
Is it true that my car insurance provider here in Washington can increase my auto insurance rates during winter?
Claude
Bellingham, WA
It is quite possible for your auto insurance provider there in Washington to increase your rates during the winter season. And you can’t really blame them, winter is a very perilous time to be on the road. The likelihood of getting involved in a car crashes due too icy, slippery roads, poor visibility due to fog or snowstorms and the freezing temperature causing havoc to your vehicles machinery, and even the danger of getting hit by frozen tree limbs and other kinds of falling debris. All these factors significantly increases your chances of filing a claim with your insurance provider, thus making this season a “high-risk” season, and hence the higher auto insurance rates.
It is not that difficult to prepare your vehicle for the winter, though. What you would want to avoid is to file for a claim, since this really a major reason for your insurance rates to increase. Here are some tip’s on how to prepare driving for the winter season:
1. Pre-Winter Checkup – Do take your car to a trusted auto mechanic and have them check your vehicles level of anti-freeze, transmission and brake fluids as well as its heater and defrosting system.
2. Drive with Discretion – If the weather is really bad, refrain from going out.
3. Use major roads – Stick to major roads and highways that are well plowed from snow so less chances of accidents.
4. Prepare for emergencies – have flashlights, blankets, stored food & water and emergency towing numbers handy.
Reader’s Question:
My rates has recently been increased by my car insurance provider here in Washington. I’m wondering if my recent traffic violation got anything to do with it. Can you tell me what factors can affect my insurance rates?
Jeffrey
Seattle, WA
It is quite possible that the added traffic violation ticket against your driving record there in Washington may very well caused your increased auto insurance rates. It really depends on how many violations you’ve had before and how the latest violation could have tipped your record off into a “high-risk” driver. There are other factors to consider whenever an auto insurance provider evaluates, or re-evaluates your record. It is quite possible that falling within a certain age group, such as becoming a senior citizen, could have also caused your insurance to increase. Elderly drivers, along with teenagers, are also considered to be high-risk drivers and therefore the cost of insurance for them is high as well.
Your credit history also has an impact on how your car insurance premiums come out. Simply put, a bad credit rating shows your not able to handle your finances or bills well and this will be taken by insurance companies as an indication of how good you take care of everything else, including how safe you are while driving on the road. It is important to realize that the major reason your car insurance provider will raise their premiums is due to an event or something that you may have done that puts you at a higher probability of filing a claim. The added premium compensates for the added risk the company is taking to insure you and your vehicle.
Reader’s Question:
I’m looking to buy a second car for my town house here in Everett, Washington and I wanted to know what attributed of a vehicle would affect its insurance rates?
Myers
Everett, WA
The kind of vehicle you have, make and model, coupled with the location where you live, your age and driving record will have a big impact on how your car insurance rates will come out. But let’s focus just on the things in your car that can affect your insurance rates there in Everett, Washington:
Make and Model
whoever you choose to buy a car from and the particular model you choose, are all part of a rating system that an auto insurance company will look into as part of the process of determining your rates. They will look into statistical data from sources such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showing the likeliness or frequency of this manufacturer’s vehicle getting involved in car accidents. This spans years of accumulated data and information, giving insurance companies valuable information in their end to compute insurance rates.
Car Theft
If you have a top of the line vehicle, it will be more prone to car theft and vandalism as compared to an older model. Since car insurance companies insure the financial worth of your vehicle a newer, more expensive kind or model of vehicle will translate into higher insurance premiums.
Safety Features
Finally, the safer and more secure your car is from accidents and theft(installing anti-lock breaks, for example) the better your chances of getting lower insurance rates.
Reader’s Question:
I am not satisfied with the service I get from my current insurance company here in East Seattle, Washington. My auto insurance and other coverage are ending soon so I’ll just cancel my policies altogether. If I don’t pay anything after the end of the coverage, it means that my insurance is canceled, right?
Bo
East Seattle, WA
You could opt to cancel your automobile insurance policy for several causes, and dissatisfaction is one of them. Be careful, though, that if you don’t give enough notification to your insurance provider, you may spend more or worse, it could have an effect on your credit rating. It has been a tradition for the majority of insurance providers to let their customers drop their policy at any time in the course of the policy term. All they need to do is to send a written notification that includes the exact date of termination.
Your auto insurance policy in East Seattle, Washington would not automatically be cancelled at the end of the coverage, so don’t assume that you could drop your policy by taking for granted the next bill. In case you don’t send them a notification that you’re terminating your policy, they would consequently send you a bill in advance for the following policy term’s premium payment. If you ignore it, they would drop your policy and it would go against your credit history. These details are not clearly explained in your policy; auto insurance providers always tell us that we can cancel our policies at the end of the coverage by not paying the next premium, but they never tell us about the consequences for not giving them any notification.
Reader’s Question:
My parents own three cars and I drive each of them once in a while. How would I know if I am covered under their car insurance here in Washington?
Orin
Bellevue, WA
These days, a lot of families own more than one vehicle because most family members are always on the go. Most families register each of their vehicles under only one name since car insurance providers normally check the driving record of the vehicle owner before selling car insurance policy. The other family members then become named drivers on the insurance policy and this procedure is legally accepted and could be able to save money on your premiums. To determine if you are part of your family’s car insurance policy in Bellevue, Washington and have sufficient coverage, here are some things to follow:
–You may ask every family member if your vehicles’ insurance is under one name.
–You may request the registered family member to inform your insurer to include your name in the policy.
–You may contact the insurance provider to verify that you name is included in the policy.
–You may obtain a copy of the policy and verify all the names and be sure that your name has been added properly.
–Examine the kind of coverage you have because in some instances, you could not be covered comprehensively.
–You should drive the car only after getting affirmation that you are included in the policy and make sure that you have a photocopy of the policy when you drive one of your vehicles.
Reader’s Question:
What kind of car insurance can I get if I don’t own a car but would occasionally borrow a friend’s vehicles here in Washington?
Kathy
Bellevue, WA
Dear Kathy, You would want to get a Non-Owner’s Auto Liability Insurance coverage there in Washington. A Non-Owners Liability Insurance policy will make sure that a person who don’t own a vehicle but rent or borrow a car from time to time will have adequate financial capability to compensate for any injury or damages he/ she may have caused a person or property while driving the rented or borrowed vehicle.
Specifically, Non-Owner’s auto insurance will provide the following coverage:
Bodily Injury liability Coverage
Covers you from any claims or lawsuits against you for injuries or deaths you may have caused in a car accident. This also pays for legal fees you may have incurred.
Property Damage Liability
Pays for the repair or replacement of damages caused by a non-owner to private or public properties while on the rented or borrowed car.
This would be a very responsible thing to do in behalf of the person you will be borrowing a vehicle from. It could also mean saving money on having to get rental car insurance should you need to rent a car, which could be much more expensive and charges you on a daily basis. It is highly recommended that you get Online quotes as well whenever looking for non-owners insurance since you can get very good rate comparisons to help you choose the best car insurance rates even if you don’t own a vehicle at the moment.