LA Car Insurance, Discount Auto Insurance in Los Angeles

Being in an accident is any driver’s nightmare. Once you have time to get over your injuries, in case you sustained any you will be faced with an even more daunting task, dealing with your auto insurance company to claim compensation for the damage you have suffered. Here are some tips on how to negotiate an auto insurance claim settlement.

First, have all your facts ready. Get all the necessary information such as police reports of the accident, pictures of the damaged car, scene of the accident to determine liability and pictures of bodily injuries, medical reports, and medical bills and have them properly organized. Once you have all the information in front of you, you can plan your strategy.

Next, you need to work out the amount you are going to claim from the car insurance company. Take in to consideration the injuries sustained and the medicals bills involved as well as medical expenses you will have to incur in future as a result of the injuries you have suffered. Work out the cost of repairing the car using good quality parts and check for a place where it can be done. If the auto insurance company has a particular repair shop, check the suitability of the place.

You can also include a claim for the pain and suffering you underwent because of the accident. This is usually three times the amount of the medical bills. Also, include compensation for the lost days of work you had to take. You can get a letter from your employer.

Once you begin to negotiate with the insurance adjuster, do not let the adjuster intimidate you. He will compare your claim with another settlement they have done and talk of how many settlements they have done and how long they have been in business for. They want to make you feel very insecure and make your claim look unreasonable and absurd. Do not be forced to sign a settlement for a lesser amount and do not allow them to compare your case with any other cases.

Many people choose an auto insurance policy purely based on price. They fail to take into consideration what they really need from the insurance cover and actually end up paying much more. Therefore before you shop for a car insurance policy you should be aware of the types of coverage available and then make a decision depending on your requirements.

Firstly, what are the purposes of having an auto insurance cover?

1. To help protect you and your family in case you meet with an accident and suffer loss to your person or property.

2. To help protect your self and your family from losses suffered by others in the event of meeting with an accident.

Now look t the types of insurance covers available in the market.

Personal injury protection (PIP coverage)

States with a no fault insurance policy requires drivers to have a PIP injury protection cover which covers bodily injury caused to a driver. It covers expenses regardless of fault. This will usually cover expenses for the injuries of the driver, immediate family members and passengers, loss of wages and service loss expenses suffered due to the injuries as well as funeral expenses. It will pay up to 80% of medical expenses incurred.

Property damage liability

This will cover damages caused to another person’s property by the insured person’s vehicle. This generally covers expenses for repairs to vehicles, houses, fences and any other property damaged in the accident as well as legal fees for the driver in the event the other party files a case.

Bodily injury liability protection

Will cover the cost of bodily injury or death to other people caused by the insured driver. Some covers will include for medical bills and loss if income.

Comprehensive auto coverage

This will cover costs to repair the vehicle you were driving caused by incidents other than a collision such as damage by fire, flooding or if it is stolen.

Collision coverage

This type of car insurance will cover damage caused to the vehicle when it hits, or is hit by another vehicle or other object.