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Being in an auto accident can leave you frazzled, not just in the moments following, but also days later. You may be asking yourself questions about your car and your belongings. We want to give you peace of mind so here are some basic tips for you to consider amongst the aftermath:
*Take Photos! Take photos of your car as well as all vehicles involved and the accident scene. Your belongings should also be photographed so you have proof of what was inside your car at the time of the accident to later verify with your insurance.
*If your car is towed, you need to obtain the wrecking yards information either from the police or the tow company. There is a specific timeline that you must abide by in order to obtain your car. Many states have a 30 day policy so be sure to check with your state to find information on how long they hold onto vehicles before they go up for auction. Also, find out how long the wrecking yard will hold onto your vehicle before accruing charges. You want to be sure to get your car towed over to your body shop before those charges start applying because while your insurance will cover the tow, they will not cover any charges from the wrecking yard.
*The wrecking yard is required to let you have access to your belongings inside the car. If they say there is a fee involved, simply call the police and have them stand by while you get your property out.
*Depending on your insurance, your rental car is covered. You will be covered not just for a couple days, but rather until your car gets out of impound, the body shop or when you are given the appropriate settlement money for your vehicle. Along with that, your rental car should be comparable to the vehicle to which you were insuring. If you had a luxery SUV prior, your rental car should be the same.
*Very important tidbit….. If you’ve been in an accident and there appears to be no damage, you should still take down the other drivers information and take it to your trusted auto body and have it looked at. Cars these days are made to “give”. Meaning that if they’re bumped, the frame can be pushed in then it can pop back out having little to no marks. Meanwhile, under the frame of your car “that appears to have no problem” there can be significant damage.
Click here to find a body shop in your area.
*Be mindful that you can take your car to any body shop, not necessarily who your insurance agent chooses. They can recommend who they would like you to use but they are required to pay the charges to fix your car no matter who you take it to.
*For newer cars, get gap insurance. This is great insurance that will cover the gap in what the loan of your car is vs. the totaled amount. Making sure you are getting the fair value for your car is key. Don’t settle on the figure that they come back with because at times it can be thousands less than what your car is worth. Do your research. Click here to check out KBB and Craigslist to find comparable vehicles. To push the topic you or your attorney may have to go to bat and dispute your findings but in the end, you’ll be compensated with the accurate value of your car.
*Yet again, depending on your state you are required to file an accident report or your license can be suspended. Sometimes it’s mandatory and sometimes it has to do with the amount of damage. Check with your local laws to decipher where you fall. For more about your state laws, please click here.
*Depending on your insurance, your belongings inside the car can be covered. Liability insurance covers damage to property and persons after an accident. This includes clothing, electronics, car seats etc. For more about car seats please click here. Check with your insurance agent to be sure of your coverage.
*Take Photos! Take photos of your car as well as all vehicles involved and the accident scene. Your belongings should also be photographed so you have proof of what was inside your car at the time of the accident to later verify with your insurance.
*If your car is towed, you need to obtain the wrecking yards information either from the police or the tow company. There is a specific timeline that you must abide by in order to obtain your car. Many states have a 30 day policy so be sure to check with your state to find information on how long they hold onto vehicles before they go up for auction. Also, find out how long the wrecking yard will hold onto your vehicle before accruing charges. You want to be sure to get your car towed over to your body shop before those charges start applying because while your insurance will cover the tow, they will not cover any charges from the wrecking yard.
*The wrecking yard is required to let you have access to your belongings inside the car. If they say there is a fee involved, simply call the police and have them stand by while you get your property out.
*Depending on your insurance, your rental car is covered. You will be covered not just for a couple days, but rather until your car gets out of impound, the body shop or when you are given the appropriate settlement money for your vehicle. Along with that, your rental car should be comparable to the vehicle to which you were insuring. If you had a luxery SUV prior, your rental car should be the same.
*Very important tidbit….. If you’ve been in an accident and there appears to be no damage, you should still take down the other drivers information and take it to your trusted auto body and have it looked at. Cars these days are made to “give”. Meaning that if they’re bumped, the frame can be pushed in then it can pop back out having little to no marks. Meanwhile, under the frame of your car “that appears to have no problem” there can be significant damage.
Click here to find a body shop in your area.
*Be mindful that you can take your car to any body shop, not necessarily who your insurance agent chooses. They can recommend who they would like you to use but they are required to pay the charges to fix your car no matter who you take it to.
*For newer cars, get gap insurance. This is great insurance that will cover the gap in what the loan of your car is vs. the totaled amount. Making sure you are getting the fair value for your car is key. Don’t settle on the figure that they come back with because at times it can be thousands less than what your car is worth. Do your research. Click here to check out KBB and Craigslist to find comparable vehicles. To push the topic you or your attorney may have to go to bat and dispute your findings but in the end, you’ll be compensated with the accurate value of your car.
*Yet again, depending on your state you are required to file an accident report or your license can be suspended. Sometimes it’s mandatory and sometimes it has to do with the amount of damage. Check with your local laws to decipher where you fall. For more about your state laws, please click here.
*Depending on your insurance, your belongings inside the car can be covered. Liability insurance covers damage to property and persons after an accident. This includes clothing, electronics, car seats etc. For more about car seats please click here. Check with your insurance agent to be sure of your coverage.
Below are some common questions you ask yourself about your car after you have been in an auto accident. We have taken the time to help you answer those questions and give some other tips and facts that you might not be aware either about your own car or getting a rental.
Can The Car Be Repaired?
If your car was badly damaged, it may be “totaled.” Insurance companies usually consider a car to be a total loss if the cost of repairing it is 75% or more of the fair market value of the car.
Can The Car Be Repaired?
If your car was badly damaged, it may be “totaled.” Insurance companies usually consider a car to be a total loss if the cost of repairing it is 75% or more of the fair market value of the car.
What Is The Fair Market Value?
Fair market value means what your particular car would have sold for in the local area about he time of the wreck. You may find that “fair Market” is less than what you think your car is worth. Insurance adjusters look at classified advertisements rather than dealer prices to find fair market value. This is often not an ideal situation. If your car is financed you may owe more than it is worth.
What About A Rental Car?
If your car is undriveable or unsafe to drive, and the accident was not your fault, the other drivers’ insurance company is responsible for your reasonable expenses in getting a rental car. Likewise, if your car is totaled, you are entitled to a rental until the other insurance company makes a fair offer on the value of your totaled car.