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.

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.

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.

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.

Getting online quote for my auto insurance is probably a better way to go. What are the things that I should know before getting an online rate quote for my car insurance here Issaquah Plateau, Washington?

Collins

Issaquah Plateau, WA

Before getting an online rate quote for your car insurance in Issaquah Plateau, Washington, you need to make sure that the company you are going with has a good reputation. You can do this by doing a little research on your own by going online as well. If you find out that the auto insurance company is okay, you could then get a quote from them through their website. It is also a great idea to check out the state regulations for car insurance so that you could be sure you’re complying with the state law.

You need to have with you some personal details to be able to get a quote. If you’re going to add other members of the household in your auto insurance policy, you need their details as well. Normally, these details include your vehicle identification number, your driver’s license and social. Shop around by getting quotes from different insurance companies so that you can get the best rates possible. You could compare these quotes and decide which auto insurance company is the best for you.

Will my current auto insurance company find out I have had a DUI conviction here in Tacoma, Washington?

Margarita

Tacoma, WA

Auto insurance companies can sometimes miss DUI convictions so it’s possible that your current insurance company will not find out you have had a DUI conviction in Tacoma, Washington if they don’t check your motor vehicle report and if you are not required to file an SR22 insurance with them. Computer error and human error, as you know, happen all the time. If your current auto insurance company doesn’t find out about your DUI conviction, one way to keep your current policy is to buy minimum liability with another provider with an SR22 insurance.

That way, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would be satisfied because you have made your filing and since you current auto insurance company has not found out about your DUI offense, you’re able to keep your current policy. This would be especially helpful when you have full coverage, higher liability limits, other family members/vehicles or coverage on a valuable vehicle, where the rates on a standard policy could be very high. This website can gladly provide a free online rate quote for you.

I have a serious charge of DUI here in Washington and one of my biggest concerns is the problem I would have with my auto insurance. What consequence shall I face with regard to my auto insurance after being charged for DUI?

Bruce

Bellingham, WA

The consequence that you would have to face with regard to your auto insurance after your DUI charge in Bellingham, Washington is that you should file an SR22 auto insurance. This is a form for an auto insurance policy that you would have to obtain from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in order get your driver’s license reinstated and legally drive again.

The SR22 auto insurance would essentially become a written agreement between your insurance company and the DMV. The agreement would oblige your insurance company to provide accurate coverage for your specific needs and let the DMV know if your insurance company is no longer providing coverage for you for whatever reason. Generally, the DMV would suspend your driver’s license again after they have received the notice that your insurance company is no longer providing coverage for you. You have to find an auto insurance company that will give you coverage for the SR22 insurance if your current insurance company is not providing this for you. Good news is, an online rate quote for SR22 auto insurance is readily available from this website.