My family had just moved in here in Washington for my job offer. I have current car insurance in another state and I just don’t know if my recent coverage is applicable here in Washington. Is there any imposed car insurance coverage here to be followed?

Greg

Kent, WA

Every citizen in Washington is suppose to have a car insurance and because of this there are so many ways of getting car insurance as fast as you can. Car insurance here in this state is a must for the protection of the citizens in case they get any accidents or troubles along the way.

The other thing that the state asks with regards of car insurances is that they should at least have a Liability Coverage or at least increase your Liability Coverage than getting a lot of different coverage with different minimums since even if you combine the different coverage minimums it still not enough to meet all the claims in any accident on the road. Though Car Insurance Companies offer you such other car insurance coverage like collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection, uninsured or underinsured motorist and the like it doesn’t mean that the State of Washington impose you to get these coverage. In any offers whether the car insurance company or the state you still have the final say. If the state imposed something about such coverage and if you don’t think you need it you just have to relinquish or get a reduction form telling them about your decision.

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.