Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who should I call if I'm in an accident?

A. Call your insurance agent before you leave the scene. He or she can guide you through the important steps that you otherwise might forget in a rattled state of mind.

Q. What should I do if Im in an accident?

A. Be sure to get names, addresses, telephone numbers, license plate numbers and insurance policy details of the other driver(s) involved before leaving the scene. Many drivers find it useful to stow a disposable camera in the glove box for documentation purposes.

Q. What will a claims adjuster do?

A. A claims adjuster will take a look at your car either at your home, a central inspection facility or the shop to which it was towed. If the shop has a regular relationship with your insurance company, the adjuster may accept the estimate for the repairs. If not, the company may require you to get two or three estimates from different body shops.

Q. What are my options if my car is totaled?

A. Your insurance company will pay you its estimate of the cars used retail value. The payment likely will be based on the value of that particular model in your region.

Q. What if my car is totaled and is less than a year old?

A. You may not be able to replace that new car with your settlement. The industry calls this situation being upside-down. Your options then are to buy a used car similar to the one you had or to put up additional money of your own for a brand-new car.

Q. What if my car is totaled and is leased?

A. Your insurer and the leasing company may disagree on what your car was worth. And you may have to make up the difference to the leasing firm, which is the actual owner of the vehicle. Thats why its wise to include GAP insurance in any lease to cover that potential shortfall.