Auto Insurance Claims Information

The Auto Insurance industry is a very technical one, with strict guidelines and stipulations put in place to insure business is conducted both fairly and legally. There are advantages for both the customer and the company. This article will discuss some of the finer points regarding claims and the claims process and will touch on subjects such as automobile theft, accidents, and even acts of God.

“The FBI reports there were an estimated 765,484 motor vehicle thefts nationwide in 2016” (Online Sources). With this many stolen vehicles, many people are realizing it could happen to them. There are certain steps you should take before calling the police and reporting your car missing. First, make sure you did not misplace the vehicle such as in a multilevel parking garage or large parking lot. Second, make sure you did not give anyone permission to borrow the vehicle. Third, make sure it did not get towed; possibly for unpaid balances to the bank or parked in a tow away zone. Once all of these steps have been exhausted it is time to report it stolen. First call the police and file a report with them (they will normally come to your location to write the report). After the police, call your insurance company to file a claim.

Calling the police and insurance company after an accident is usually necessary. The first thing you should do if involved in an accident is to check yourself and passengers for any  injuries. Next get out of your vehicle and check others who were involved. Once clear  call the police so they can determine who is at fault by completing an investigation (If necessary). “Collision Auto Insurance” is the coverage you need to cover accidents. There is usually a five hundred or one thousand dollar deductible on the policy; however companies offer lower deductibles. If you were the driver that caused the accident it is likely that your car insurance premium will increase. And if you did not have insurance at the time of the accident you may be required to purchase Florida SR22 car insurance going forward. If alcohol was involved then Florida FR44 car insurance may be required.

Lastly, there are certain “Acts of God” referring to Mother Nature which can be covered by “Comprehensive Coverage”. These acts include hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods and lightning. As mentioned earlier safety is paramount. Before worrying about the financial aspect of the incident or act insure all people and animals are safe and out of harms way. The power may be down and some companies unable to respond immediately however they are aware of the situation and are working diligently to come back online.

When calling your company to file a claim, it is a good idea to document the details of the call. Write down the names of people with whom you spoke, the time you called, details of the conversation, and of course a claim number if one is available. A claims adjuster will be assigned to you and he or she will conduct a thorough investigation. It is important to always be honest when answering questions about a claim. Being dishonest about a claim is a crime and punishable by fines and/or jail time in the State of Florida. Your claim will usually be handled in a timely fashion, and a check will be issued accordingly.

Florida Auto Plus Insurance is family owned and operated with over 25 years of experience in the industry. With over 150 positive reviews on Google, it’s an easy choice. Call Cliff or Andrew today at (305)-278-1388 for a fast free Florida car insurance rate quote and experience superb customer service and honest feedback. We look forward to speaking with you about all of your Auto Insurance Needs!