You pay a monthly or yearly amount for auto insurance to comply with state law and have peace of mind that you will get a return on your money if you get into a collision. This is what insurance is for, after all.
However, the reality is that often drivers find themselves facing monumental disappointment from their insurers and high expenses from an accident. You can avoid this situation by following these tips to get the most out of your coverage.
Make sure you have more than enough coverage
Too often, drivers get the minimal coverage that the state requires, usually due to the cost of insurance. While you may not think you can afford a comprehensive plan, what you definitely cannot afford is being left to pay expenses out of pocket in the event of a car crash. Using a motor vehicle comes with a high risk of accident, and accidents usually result in injury. It is worth the extra cost now to protect yourself from having to pay for expensive medical bills later. Be careful not to rely on the other driver’s insurance provider, either. The motorist may have minimal insurance, too, or none at all.
Take the right steps after an accident
The best thing you can do to ensure you get a fair settlement is to have as much evidence as possible. This requires that you take the right steps following an accident, such as:
- Photographing the scene
- Reporting the incident to the police
- Visiting the doctor immediately
The more proof you have of fault, crash type, damage and injury, the likelier you are to receive the full amount of financial compensation you have a right to.
Hire a lawyer
Unfortunately, even when you do everything right, insurance companies will not want to cooperate. They are more vested in keeping their profits than in helping you. You can benefit from having a qualified lawyer interact with insurers on your behalf, assist in gathering evidence and guide you through the legal process.