Colorado Motorists: What to expect with an Auto Claims Process

So, you’re looking at your auto insurance policy, and you realize that you wouldn’t know what to do first if you get into an accident. With thousands of drivers on Colorado roads alone, chances are good that you’ll be in some kind of collision at some point during your driving career. So what do you do if that happens?

Filing an insurance claim is generally a fairly simple process. Most claims don’t involve personal injury; the majority of insurance payouts go toward physical damage on your car, not health complications.

If you are injured in a wreck, you’ll need more proof of injury and probably more persistence than you would for a simple vehicle-damage claim. But in Colorado, the process is more or less the same.

Right after you’re involved in an accident, file a police report and call your insurance agent. Keep your opinions and thoughts out of the conversation you have with your agent—just tell them the facts.

If you have a camera with you (tip: keep a disposable camera in you glove compartment for moments like these), snap pictures of the damage to both vehicles. These photos could be invaluable later during the claims process.

Before you leave the scene, make sure you have the other person’s license plate number, full name, and insurance information. Write it down in a secure place and hang on to that information. Also get phone numbers and contact information of witnesses and anyone involved.

An insurance adjuster will come out to assess the damage to your vehicle and may issue you a check right on the spot. Sometimes more information and/or a professional estimate is needed.

Find out from your local insurance agent if your insurance policy works with participating body shops, because you might get a better deal and a free estimate at the shops your insurance agency can recommend.

Is it Possible to Own a Home without Homeowners Insurance in Centennial, CO?

It is possible to own a home in Centennial, Colorado without homeowners insurance. But, it is not a good idea. If you bought your home with cash, or without using a lender, you do not have to have insurance coverage. The main reason people purchase homeowners insurance is to protect their investment. If your house were destroyed in a fire or other disaster, without homeowners protection, you would have to replace everything out of your own pocket. Usually, when people purchase a house, they borrow money from a lender and pay a mortgage payment each month. The lender will probably require homeowners insurance to protect their share of the investment in the event of a disaster.

If you are worried about finding affordable home protection, talk with an independent insurance agent in Centennial, CO. These professionals can compare multiple quotes and find the best rates for your insurance coverage. There are many ways to save money on house insurance including raising your deductibles and bundling your policies. If you raise your deductible from $250 to $500, you could save hundreds of dollars each year on your premium. In addition, if you bundle your automobile and house insurance together, you should qualify for a large savings. Ask your insurance agent to compare rates on different types of coverage and make sure you are getting the best deal for your situation.

Although it is possible to own a house without insurance, it is not recommended. If a disaster were to strike, you need to have home protection that will allow you to replace your house and your belongings quickly. Your home is a huge investment, so make sure you take care of your investment with affordable homeowners insurance coverage in Centennial, Colorado.

Will a Comprehensive Coverage Policy in Colorado Pay for a Hit and Run Accident?

We’re supposed to be civilized, responsible human beings. Yet hundreds of times each year, drivers who caused damage to someone else’s vehicle flee the scene. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety administration, 1 out of every 10 reported accidents turns out to be a hit and run.

So, are Colorado car owners with comprehensive insurance policies covered if they’re the victim of a hit and run accident?

As an insurance agent, I get questions like this all the time. Chances are, if you have collision insurance as well as comprehensive, your car is covered. Let’s look at the differences between comprehensive and collision policies.

Comprehensive policies cover your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than another vehicle. For example, if a meteor falls from the sky and crashes through your new power tilt-and-glide sunroof, a comprehensive policy would cover you. Comprehensive coverage policies also cover weather damage, fire, theft, and larceny.

However, Colorado comprehensive policies do not generally cover accidents that occur with other drivers who flee the scene. That’s what collision insurance is for.

Collision policies typically cover the damages that occur when your car hits—or is hit by—another vehicle or another object. That’s everything from a twenty-car-pileup on the interstate to a fender-bender on the way to your favorite ski resort.

This is the category under which hit and run collisions generally fall. It covers the guy who was checking his stocks on his iPhone that ran a red light, surgically removed your bumper, and didn’t stop to say howdy.

If you’ve been involved in a hit and run collision, the first step is to file a police report and give the authorities detailed information about what happened. Then contact your local insurance agent in Centennial to find out what your options are. Each insurance policy is different, so talking to your agent is the only way to find out for sure whether a hit and run will be covered.

Is Hazard Insurance Covered under Homeowners Insurance in Centennial, CO?

Depending on the type of homeowners insurance you have, different types of hazards should be covered by the policy. Many companies in Colorado will provide a named perils policy which limits the number of hazards covered by their homeowners insurance. It may save you money on your premium, but could cost you money if affected by a hazard not listed on your coverage. Other plans will include most types of hazards and will cost a little more each month. You will want to speak with your insurance agent to make sure you are covered for all types of disasters.

The main types of disasters covered by hazard insurance include fire, wind and water damage. Although your homeowners insurance in Centennial, Colorado may not cover flooding, it should cover water damage caused by leaking pipes or an over flowing washing machine. Wind damage is another hazard that should be covered, although you may have a large deductible. Fire is the most common hazard and usually does the most damage. When you are considering purchasing a new policy, talk with your insurance agent about how much coverage you need. You will probably want to take an inventory of your home to make sure you can replace all of your items if a disaster strikes., Be prepared before the time comes to make a claim!

The best way to understand your insurance coverage is to speak with an independent insurance agent in Centennial who will give you the information you need. You can save money on your premium by comparing quotes online and searching for the best rates. Hazard insurance is a basic type of coverage that should be included in your regular policy, just make sure you have the protection you need by comparing policy quotes today.