Getting into an accident is an inconvenience and there are certain states that don’t make it any easier. When you file a claim auto insurance rates have a tendency to rise. Did you know that if you file a claim for anything $2,000 and higher can cause your insurance to jump up to 40% in some places?
If you live in one of the places listed below, you could find yourself on the short end of the stick when it comes to rate increases.
- Massachusetts rates jump up 67% when claims are filed.
- California claims will get you a 62% increase.
- New Jersey has 59% increase.
- North Carolinians will see a 47% increase.
- Minnesota raises their rates 45%.
If you have a claim that is $2,000 or less and you can afford the repair, it would be better for your insurance rates in the long run to pay out of pocket than it would be to file the claim.
On the flip side of things, here are the states that have the lowest rate increases:
- Maryland with just a 20% increase.
- Alabama at 22%.
- Michigan & Wyoming both have a 23% increase.
- Oklahoma has a 25% increase.
If you find yourself in this situation, Scurich insurance services can help. Anyone of our friendly staff will be able to help guide you through this process.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: http://www.ibamag.com/news/5-states-where-you-dont-want-to-file-an-auto-claim-16616.aspx
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You are thinking so many things when you are getting ready to file a claim. ‘I wish I hadn’t done that, ’or ‘I should tell them I’m sorry or any number of responses that could be running through your mind. But before you indulge in them, you need to know what not to say to the insurance company.
- Sorry. Yes it is good to have manners, and apologizing for your actions is noble, but in the case of a car accident, let the police sort out the details and assign the blame.
- Whiplash. Certain phrases have a punch behind them. This would be one of those terms. It became so widely used in fraudulent claims that anytime anyone says whiplash, adjusters generally will call the attorney.
- Intentional. Don’t go around saying that your spouse destroyed your car intentionally. Insurance is there to cover accidents and bad judgment calls, but your insurance will not cover intentional damage.
- I’m fine, really. You may want to put your friends and family members at ease, but let a doctor make that determination.
- Ride-Sharing. Ride sharing has become extremely popular nowadays. The catch? You can’t use your personal insurance if you are a driver for a ride-sharing company and get involved in an accident.
For more information or to report a claim, contact our office today.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/07/23/12-words-never-to-say-to-your-insurance-company/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=email-2014-07-23&utm_medium=email
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On Saturday, August 9th a 2014 Ford Fusion was involved in a one car crash that left one person dead. 24 year old, Gwynne Coye of Aptos, a passenger in the vehicle, was killed and the driver, Marquis Edwards was arrested. Murder, Felony evading a police officer resulting in death, and other charges were filed against Marquis Edwards.
If Marquis is convicted on all counts, he faces life in prison. His next court date is Aug. 22nd.
Watson Murder Law
The Watson Murder Law was enacted after the case of People v. Watson. Defendant Watson had several prior convictions for drinking and driving. In this case, his actions resulted in the death of another human being. Implied malice is the term prosecutors use in order to charge a defendant with murder. When you drink and drive, a person knows that their actions can cause the death of another human, hence implied malice. Generally, murder charges in a drinking and driving case are only imposed against a defendant who has prior convictions for DUI.
Insurance and DUI
If you have been convicted of a DUI, you could find yourself without insurance. If you find an insurance company who will provide coverage, they will need to provide you with an SR-22 so you can file with your local DMV.
Scurich Insurance Services can assist you with any questions you may have if you are in this situation.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/santacruz/ci_26332756/driver-charged-murder-santa-cruz-crash
http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/california-dui-murder-aka-the-watson-murder-rule
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How do you decide how much coverage to purchase for your car? Do you go by the minimum requirements of your state or do you get as much as you can in case of a catastrophe?
Here’s what your average looks like for others who choose the coverage:
- 46% of drivers have bodily injury coverage is at $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
- 59% of drivers have $50,000 worth of property damage liability coverage.
- 60% of the drivers have collision coverage.
- 61% of the drivers have comprehensive coverage.
- 74% of the drivers have a $500 deductible with comprehensive and collision insurance.
Are you still undecided about what’s the best coverage for you? Here are a few tips to consider:
- Did you know that doubling up on your liability insurance only costs a small fraction of what you’d pay now? A $50,000 policy doesn’t cost much more than a $25,000 one.
- Raise your deductible will get your bill lowered. The catch? You need to be able to pay the deductible before your insurance will kick in.
- Shop! Shop around for the best possible insurance for your needs.
Stop by our office today for more information on how to get the most out of your car insurance!
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
Sources: http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2014/08/14/how-much-auto-insurance-do-you-need-dont-guess/
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People are more active when the weather gets warm. They participate in more sports and recreational activities. Do you have the right type and amount of insurance to be well protected against all of the things that can go wrong?
During the winter there are not as many boats out on the lakes and waterways. When summer comes around, the level of recreational boating increases exponentially. If you own a boat or a jet ski and are planning on taking it out of storage and into the water, you need to buy insurance. You pretty much have all of the same risks when you operate a boat as you have when you operate a car. If you run your boat into a pier, insurance can cover the repairs. If your boat is stolen you will not suffer a huge financial loss. Most importantly, a boat insurance policy can cover valid liability claims should you cause property damage or personal injury to another person while operating your boat.
When the weather is good and the kids are out of school, people tend to drive more. They go to amusement parks, the beach and on family vacations. The roads are more crowded and you may want to have more than your state’s minimum required amount of automobile insurance. If you don’t already have it, consider adding collision, comprehensive, roadside service, towing, and rental car reimbursement to your auto policy.
People get more active when the weather is warm. Whether you are out surfing, playing soccer, hiking, or riding a bike, you could fall and get injured. If you break an arm or need medical attention for some other reason, it is important to make sure that you are covered by medical insurance.
Most summer activities are just fun and work out just fine. However, for those cases when the unexpected happens, you will be glad you bought insurance.
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
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Everybody has felt that unpleasant surprise when a car comes zooming into view after being hidden in a blind spot. Older motorists are no different, and they see warning systems against this hazard as the top safety feature in newer cars, according to a new report by the MIT AgeLab and The Hartford Insurance Company. After surveying hundreds of drivers over age 50 who get behind the wheel at least three times a week, the study found that these “mature motorists” felt more confident with cars which have at least one of 10 advanced safety technologies.
Here are the top 10 safety features for older motorists (in order):
- Blind-spot warnings alert drivers when another vehicle is approaching unseen and also help with parking.
- Crash mitigation systems detect imminent collisions and can help reduce passenger injuries.
- Emergency response systems alert paramedics or other emergency personnel if there’s an accident.
- Drowsy driver alerts warn motorists when they nod off or otherwise become inattentive.
- Reverse monitoring systems help drivers (especially those with reduced flexibility) judge distances and back up safely by warning of objects behind the vehicle.
- Vehicle stability control reduces crashes by helping steer a car if it veers offline or has trouble navigating a curve.
- Lane departure warning alerts motorists when they drift from a lane.
- “Smart” headlights illuminate the road more effectively by responding to the direction the driver is steering and the vehicle’s speed.
- Voice-activated command systems allow motorists to use a car’s features without losing focus on the highway.
- Automated parking assist calculates the angles and steers the car into the space, reducing driver stress and increasing the number of potential parking spots.
How many of these safety features does your newer car have?
Content provided by Transformer Marketing.
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