{"id":754,"date":"2016-01-07T16:09:40","date_gmt":"2016-01-07T16:09:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=754"},"modified":"2023-08-17T16:30:43","modified_gmt":"2023-08-17T16:30:43","slug":"top-10-common-auto-insurance-claims","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/top-10-common-auto-insurance-claims\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 10 Most Common Auto Insurance Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"

Because <\/span>auto insurance<\/span><\/a> companies use your claims records to <\/span>determine your annual rates<\/span><\/a>, keeping the count down is in your best interest. Regardless of how small the claim may be, your insurer has his eye on you. String a few together in a relatively short period of time and you could be looking at a whopper of an increase to your premium.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can argue that you\u2019ve had no moving violations in ten years, and that may be true, but you\u2019re costing your auto insurance company money and that\u2019s never a good thing \u2013 simply because they\u2019ll get their money back by jacking up your premiums.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to 2012 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics, 12 million auto accidents occur each year. While the majority of those are categorized as \u201cfender benders\u201d, resulting in relatively minor damage and rarely in major injuries, 42,000 people still die each year in serious crashes, of which almost half are due to drunk drivers.  It’s important to be aware of the state laws regarding automobile insurance and financial responsibility, so you can make sure you have the right kind of coverage. <\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on where you live, the average driver can expect to be involved in an accident about once every six years. It’s a good idea to have adequate car insurance coverage to protect yourself in case of an accident. Your auto insurance policy may cover medical expenses, property damage, and other expenses related to a car accident. Knowing what kind of coverage you need can be helpful, since it is important to find the right policy to fit your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, you may be one of those lucky drivers who have gone virtually your entire life without having an auto accident. But, you\u2019re a rare breed and the rest of us can only regard you with envy. Knowing what coverage you need to protect your vehicle can be helpful. Below are 10 of the more common auto insurance claims you\u2019ve probably filed.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Rear-end crash<\/b><\/h2>\n

No matter the cause, this type of collision will always be your fault. As the driver in the rear, it\u2019s your responsibility to control your vehicle and stop, if needed. You can often expect a whiplash claim by the driver you hit to follow. If you have a collision insurance policy, you\u2019re covered. <\/span><\/p>\n

2. Chipped or cracked windshield<\/b><\/h2>\n

You can be driving innocently along and a truck up ahead sends a rock flying at your windshield cracking it. The replacement is covered by your comprehensive insurance, but a deductible will apply.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Damage to a parked vehicle<\/b><\/h2>\n

This can involve a number of scenarios \u2013 from a ding caused by an opening car door to a <\/span>parked car<\/span><\/a> being hit by another driver. Either way, the claim will be paid under your collision coverage, whether it\u2019s your fault or not. If the damage is due to a hit-and-run, the repairs may be covered under your uninsured motorist coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Backing up accident<\/b><\/h2>\n

This type of accident is common, especially if two drivers are backing out of opposite parking spots at the same time. It also occurs when a vehicle drives down a parking aisle and the other driver backs out without looking. In some cases, who\u2019s at fault is not cut and dry, and an investigation may be needed to establish which insurance company will pay. The good news is \u2013 you\u2019re covered by your collision insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Vandalism<\/b><\/h2>\n

Your vehicle can be broken into, spray painted, and keyed. All three fall under your comprehensive coverage, but you\u2019ll still have to pay the deductible.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Hail damage<\/b><\/h2>\n

While you may not have to worry about hail stones where you live, take a road trip to Texas or other areas in the country prone to hail the size of golf balls, and you\u2019ll be glad you\u2019ve got comprehensive coverage. Even more so if your ride is deemed a total loss<\/a> by your insurer.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Single-car crash<\/b><\/h2>\n

These crashes can involve colliding with a tree, road sign, pole or simply losing control, running off the road and rolling over. Unless it\u2019s the result of a mechanical failure, you\u2019re at fault. But, your collision coverage will pay for the damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Crash at an intersection<\/b><\/h2>\n

Failing to yield right-of-way, or running a stop sign or red light are the main causes of these types of crashes. At high speed, such an accident can be fatal.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Theft of vehicle<\/b><\/h2>\n

Your vehicle can be stolen for a number of reasons. It can be used in the commission of other crimes, including a drive-by, bank robbery, drug trafficking or just to be chopped and sold for parts. Should it not be recovered, you will be paid the replacement value under your comprehensive coverage, minus the deductible.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Multi-car crash<\/b><\/h2>\n

Multi-car pile ups can occur when a driver fails to stop and rear ends another vehicle on a congested freeway, shoving them into the next vehicle. While fairly common, establishing liability is not always easy and may take time to determine responsibility for the claim. Having collision coverage can save the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choosing the Right Car Insurance Provider<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When choosing an auto insurance policy, it’s important to consider not only the cost but also what the policy covers, especially when it comes to financial responsibility for accidents caused by uninsured drivers. For example, does it provide coverage for family members or others who may drive your vehicle? An insurance agent can help you understand the policy coverage and answer any questions you may have.<\/span><\/p>\n

Insurance agents can also help you understand the different types of coverage available under an auto policy, such as liability coverage, property damage coverage, and collision coverage. It’s important to determine if full coverage is right for you, which typically includes auto liability insurance, comprehensive, and collision coverage. In addition, understanding the types of insurance claims you may need to file, including car insurance claims, can help you make an informed decision about your coverage. <\/span><\/p>\n

In case of an accident, <\/span>medical bills<\/span><\/a> can quickly add up, so it’s important to have adequate coverage for personal injury protection and medical payments. Bodily injury coverage can also be crucial if you are found at fault for the accident and the other party is injured. It’s important to notify your driver\u2019s insurance company as soon as possible after an accident to begin the claims process and ensure you receive the coverage you need. Pull over into a rest area if possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing you\u2019re getting the best auto insurance rates possible can save the day as well. Why pay more for insurance coverage than necessary? Get a free auto insurance <\/span>rate comparison<\/span><\/a> today when you call Freeway Insurance at 800-777-5620.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Because auto insurance companies use your claims records to determine your annual rates, keeping the count down is in your best interest. Regardless of how small the claim may be, your insurer has his eye on you. String a few together in a relatively short period of time and you could be looking at a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[76,5],"tags":[79],"importance":[],"type-content":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/754"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=754"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/754\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9117,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/754\/revisions\/9117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=754"},{"taxonomy":"importance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/importance?post=754"},{"taxonomy":"type-content","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/type-content?post=754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}