In order to drive, you have to have car insurance. In some cases, it can be one of the biggest expenses in owning a car. Although nobody wants to have to deal with car insurance companies, it’s a fact of life. Unfortunately, people sometimes have problems with their insurance companies. When they do, it’s important to know how to deal with them.
We have put together a list of some of the most common car insurance problems that people have. Whether your insurance company is charging you for a feature that you don’t want, or the company is having trouble processing your claim expediently, there is a solution to most common car insurance problems.
YOUR CLAIM WAS DENIED
One of the last things you want to hear when you file an insurance claim is that your claim was denied. Fortunately, you have rights as a policy holder. As long as you have paid your premiums on time, you have a contract with the insurer, and the insurance company is obligated to fulfill their end of the deal. You have the right to have your claim processed quickly. If you are having trouble with a denied claim, you can follow these steps:
Write to your insurance company, informing them that they have mistakenly denied your claim. Provide them with any necessary documentation to make your case.
Appeal the insurer’s decision with your State’s Insurance Commissioner.
Call an attorney that specializes in insurance cases in order to discuss your case. Many times, an insurance company will be motivated to solve the problem once they receive a letter from an attorney.
If all else fails, call back the insurance attorney and pursue a lawsuit against your insurer for breach of contract, bad faith, or perhaps, violating other aspects of your state’s insurance law.
THE INSURER SNEAKS IN EXTRAS
Some insurance companies will make money by adding in extra insurance options that you don’t need or want. In Colorado, $5000 of medical payments coverage will automatically be included in your policy, but you have the right to refuse this coverage. You probably already have health insurance, so why pay twice for the same thing? By sending your insurance company notice in writing that you don’t want this additional extra, you won’t have to pay the extra premium for it.
YOUR RENEWAL NOTICE HAS SURPRISES
When it comes time to renew your auto insurance coverage, check your new contract carefully. You may discover that the company has added in extra coverage that you don’t want. You may also find that your rates have increased. Check to make sure that you’re still getting the coverage that you want. If you have noticed that your insurer is offering discounts to lure in new customers, ask if you can have the discount too. You can just as easily take your money and go with another insurance company.
YOUR DEDUCTIBLE IS TOO LOW
If you get into an accident, you have a deductible that you will have to pay if you need to make a claim on your comprehensive or collision insurance. Your deductible might be set lower than you would like it to be, such as $250 rather than $500 or $1000. The higher the deductible, the lower the premiums you will pay, so it makes sense to have a higher deductible. Call your insurance company and compare the costs for different deductible levels. Find the deductible that you are most comfortable with, and then put the money you save in your savings account.
THERE ARE MANY INSURANCE FISH IN THE SEA
If your insurance company is not playing fair, by providing you with more insurance than you want, changing the terms at renewal time, or not processing claims quickly, you may want to look for other providers. There are plenty of companies to choose from, and if it is not working out with your current insurance company, it may be time to check out the competition.
Source: www.automobile.com/common-car-insurance-problems.html
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