by Guest » Thu Feb 07, 2008 06:29 am
hi everyone, i'm new here. =) i have a question about collision coverage.
i was at a drive-thru banking center earlier (02/06) and pulled in to the rightmost lane. the lady at the window told me to move to either of the two lanes to the left of me. so i reversed the car far back enough for me to drive into the lane to the left of me. unfortunately i miscalculated and as i was driving into the lane i brushed against the thick pole to my right, so i reversed the car (which probably made it worse). there's a big dent on the rear door and large scratches extending from the rear to the front door. collision insurance should cover this right? thing is, we had just switched TO a new insurance company from a different insurance company last february 4th (policy effective 02/04). the photo inspection was done 02/05 (no damage whatsoever yesterday). is the car covered? they might say that it isn't since we had just switched. i'm so worried.
another thing is that even though the car is insured under my name, it is currently registered under my mother's name. our new insurance company said that i had 30 days to transfer the registration to my name. i did add my mother under my policy (as a non-driver) the other day but when i called in to check today, it was only under the "notes." so they added her again but said that i'll be seeing her name online in about 24 hours.
i haven't reported the incident to my insurance co. yet.
is the collision covered under the policy?
also, is this considered an "accident"? will it raise my premium?
thanks in advance.
i was at a drive-thru banking center earlier (02/06) and pulled in to the rightmost lane. the lady at the window told me to move to either of the two lanes to the left of me. so i reversed the car far back enough for me to drive into the lane to the left of me. unfortunately i miscalculated and as i was driving into the lane i brushed against the thick pole to my right, so i reversed the car (which probably made it worse). there's a big dent on the rear door and large scratches extending from the rear to the front door. collision insurance should cover this right? thing is, we had just switched TO a new insurance company from a different insurance company last february 4th (policy effective 02/04). the photo inspection was done 02/05 (no damage whatsoever yesterday). is the car covered? they might say that it isn't since we had just switched. i'm so worried.
another thing is that even though the car is insured under my name, it is currently registered under my mother's name. our new insurance company said that i had 30 days to transfer the registration to my name. i did add my mother under my policy (as a non-driver) the other day but when i called in to check today, it was only under the "notes." so they added her again but said that i'll be seeing her name online in about 24 hours.
i haven't reported the incident to my insurance co. yet.
is the collision covered under the policy?
also, is this considered an "accident"? will it raise my premium?
thanks in advance.
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 09:27 am Post Subject:
Hi graceiederf, was the new policy in effect at the time of the accident? Then you may receive the coverage depending upon the policy specification of the particular carrier.
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 09:49 am Post Subject:
You are right buddy, the accident should be covered under the collision component of your policy. The benefits will be paid irrespective of the party at fault ( this is the case of the single car accident).
also, is this considered an "accident"? will it raise my premium?
Once you report a claim to the carrier that goes to their book and will be looked upon at the time of policy renewal. However, the insurer may maintain a threshold limit for reportable damages, if the volume of the damage crosses the threshold, it'll then be counted for the rate alteration. Therefore, if you have suffered minor damages you may consider paying it of your own.
Thanks,
Cullinan Reaper
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:06 am Post Subject:
i haven't reported the incident to my insurance co. yet.
You may go ahead and report the claim with the insurer. You may receive the coverage. From the information provided by you it seems that the policy was running fine at the time of the accident, if so then you are entitled for the benefits. Best way to find it out by flipping through the pages of your policy. :)
is the collision covered under the policy?
May be if you have collision coverage on your car. However, you may prefer to wait for the experts comment on this matter. Hope you get some useful replies form them. :)
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:03 pm Post Subject:
Good morning graciederf, I'm sorry about your accident, but welcome to the community we are glad to have you...
You shouldn't have a thing to worry about re: coverage, someone at the bank saw this happen right? A teller maybe? they will be able to vouch for the date and time...so put that one out of your head...
The only real problem I can see is that you will be turning in a 'chargeable' accident on a brand new policy....This will be chargeable (at fault)...This can have differing consequences ESPECIALLY with a new policy...You no doubt will be rated up, and could be canceled at renewal...Here is what I would do were I you...but don't waste any time do it today...First is the bank claiming any damage? If so how much? What is your collision deductible? If I were you and the bank is not claiming any damage or it is a small amount, and if the damage to your vehicle isn't much over your deductible I personally would eat this claim myself...I wouldn't be saying this if a lot of damage to another person (or bank in this case) or if you hadn't JUST got this policy....Research the damages, but if you are going to turn in this claim you need to do it within the next 24 hours or so....Let us know....
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:35 pm Post Subject:
thanks, everyone. =)
my collision deductible is $500. i went to an auto body shop last night and they said it will cost considerably more than $500. the damage is pretty extensive, they said, probably needing an OM door replacement. the tellers saw me get out of the car and look at the left side of the car, but i'm not sure whether they saw what happened. they didn't really ask me about it. there was no damage to the pole i had "brushed up" against.
i checked my policy at my insurance's website just now and my mother's name still isn't included. i'm planning to go to my insurance co's repair center in an hour, but i'm worried about the registration thing since it's not registered to me as of yet. it's still under my mother's name. though the car is under the list of insured vehicles in my policy.
the policy was effective as of 02/04 at 12am.
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:40 pm Post Subject:
You should be just fine, re: mom's name etc...you said it was in the notes right? do you and mom live in the same household? I don't think that it will even come up....what you are saying (making sure I have this right) is that mom is the actual owner of the vehicle right? But you are the principle driver? When you filled out the application for coverage who did you list as the owner? Have you filled out the title transfering ownership to you? If so have you mailed it? Again if so when?
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:46 pm Post Subject:
thanks for the quick response. =)
yes, the car is currently titled and registered under my mom's name as far the as DMV and my insurance co. are concerned. but we filled out the necessary documents, including the title, a few days ago. it was just a matter of going to the DMV for submission.
yes, i'm the principle driver since my mother doesn't have a valid U.S. license or learner permit. i don't have any experience in this kind of thing, soi'm really scared about all this and the whole claims issue. will the adjuster grill me? i'm not really good with confrontations.
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 01:08 pm Post Subject:
Don't be scared....Well there should not be any confrontation to begin with...they may take a recorded statement about the accident, and maybe about the policy purchase...Just answer everything truthfully you will be fine...you didn't say, who did you list as the owner of the vehicle when you bought the policy? If you listed yourself rather than mom, and that comes up just tell them you have the title filled out transferring to you, (offer to get them a copy of it) and that is why you listed yourself as the owner...If you said mom was the owner that's ok too.
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 01:19 pm Post Subject:
when i filled out the questionnaire online to get a quote, i said i was the owner because it wouldn't let me continue if i said otherwise. but when i called in to inquire about additional discounts, i told the agent that the car is currently owned by my mother but we were in the process of transferring ownership to me. he said it was fine and that i had 30 days to do that.
thanks for the assurance. i've heard and read about a lot horror insurance stories and now that i'm finally confronted with an incident i'm shaking in my boots, especially with regards to the increase in premium (is that immediate?) and possible non-renewal.
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 01:47 pm Post Subject:
Ok, you are fine, then re: ownership...re: premium increase you cannot be raised until your policy comes up for renewal...the only thing I would worry about is there is a well I can't think of the name, but a time period that a policy can be canceled when it's new for really no reason...that does not mean they wouldn't have to handle and pay for this claim they would still be on it...most policys say in effect, during the first (let's say) 60 days we can cancel your policy for any reason not prohibited by law....after this 60days other things come into play and they have can only cancel you FOR certain reasons...they may not...so try not to get too worked up, (i know sounds easy...)you won't be able to do anything about it anyway...most companies don't it just depends on their underwriting guides...don't want to add to your fear, but it is something you should be aware of...look in your policy and see if you can find it ...it will be under a heading similar to ''CANCELLATION/MODIFICATIONS/REFUSE TO RENEW'' etc..
Pleae don't hesitate to come back and ask us any questions you have as you go thru the claims process.
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