Your annual rates are determined by auto insurance companies using your claims records; therefore, it is in your best interest to keep the count as low as possible by Understand the Causes Of Auto Insurance Claims and how to avoid them.
Your insurance is keeping a close check on you, regardless of how insignificant the claim may be. If you have several claims within a relatively short period of time, your premium could go up significantly as a result of the accumulation of these claims.
You can argue that you have not been convicted of any moving violations in the past ten years, and while that may be true, the fact that you are costing your auto insurance company money is never a good thing, simply because they will get their money back by raising your premiums.
You can argue that you have not been convicted of any moving violations in the past ten years.
According to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the year 2012, there are 12 million auto accidents each year.
Despite the fact that the majority of these accidents are referred to as “fender benders,” which result in relatively modest damage and only infrequently in catastrophic injuries, 42,000 people are still killed in serious accidents every year, and over half of these deaths are attributable to drunk driving.
While auto insurance is a necessary expense, the cost of coverage can be a significant burden for many people. In this blog post, we will explore some common causes of auto insurance claims and how to avoid them.
Accidents
One of the most common causes of auto insurance claims is accidents. Accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, such as driver error, poor weather conditions, or mechanical failure. Accidents can result in damages to your vehicle, as well as injuries to yourself or others.
To avoid accidents, it is important to always drive safely and carefully:
- This means following the rules of the road,
- maintaining a safe speed, and
- paying attention to your surroundings.
It is also important to ensure that your vehicle is in good working condition, with regular maintenance and timely repairs.
Theft
Another common cause of auto insurance claims is theft. Vehicles can be stolen for a variety of reasons, such as being left unattended with the keys in the ignition, or having valuable items visible inside the vehicle.
To avoid theft:
- it is important to always lock your vehicle and
- remove the keys when you are not using it.
- It is also a good idea to park in well-lit and well-populated areas, and
- to avoid leaving valuable items visible inside the vehicle.
Vandalism
Vandalism is another common cause of auto insurance claims. Vandalism can include damage to your vehicle, such as broken windows or scratched paint, as well as theft of items from inside the vehicle.
To avoid vandalism:
- it is important to take steps to secure your vehicle. This can include installing security features, such as an alarm system or a steering wheel lock, and parking in well-lit and well-populated areas.
- It is also a good idea to avoid leaving valuable items inside the vehicle, as this can make it a target for vandalism.
Natural disasters
Natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes, can also cause damage to your vehicle and result in auto insurance claims. Natural disasters can be unpredictable and can cause significant damage to vehicles, even if they are parked in a garage or other protected area.
To avoid damage from natural disasters:
- it is important to take steps to protect your vehicle. This can include installing flood barriers, such as sandbags or flood gates, and securing your vehicle with straps or chains in the event of a hurricane.
- It is also a good idea to have a plan in place in case of a natural disaster, such as knowing where to go and how to evacuate safely.
Animal collisions
Animal collisions are another common cause of auto insurance claims. Animal collisions can occur when a vehicle hits an animal, such as a deer, squirrel, or dog, while driving. Animal collisions can result in damages to your vehicle, as well as injuries to yourself or the animal.
To avoid animal collisions:
- it is important to always be alert and aware of your surroundings while driving. This means paying attention to the road and looking out for animals, particularly at night or in areas where animals are common.
- It is also a good idea to slow down and use your headlights when driving in areas where animals are present, as this can give you more time to react if an animal suddenly appears in the road.
Fire
Fire is another common cause of auto insurance claims. Fires can occur in vehicles for a variety of reasons, such as mechanical failure, electrical issues, or smoking inside the vehicle. Fires can result in significant damage to your vehicle, as well as injuries to yourself or others.
To avoid fire:
- it is important to maintain your vehicle in good working condition and to have regular maintenance and repairs performed.
- It is also important to avoid smoking inside the vehicle, and
- to be cautious when using portable heaters, cooking devices, or other sources of heat or flame inside the vehicle.
Some Additional Common Causes Of Auto Insurance Claims
Here are some additional common causes of auto insurance claims:
- Collisions with other vehicles: This can occur when two or more vehicles collide while driving, resulting in damages to the vehicles and injuries to the drivers and passengers.
- Single-vehicle accidents: This can occur when a vehicle crashes into a stationary object, such as a tree, pole, or guardrail, resulting in damages to the vehicle and injuries to the driver and passengers.
- Rollovers: This can occur when a vehicle rolls over, either due to excessive speed, sharp turns, or other factors, resulting in damages to the vehicle and injuries to the driver and passengers.
- Weather-related accidents: This can occur when poor weather conditions, such as snow, ice, rain, or fog, cause accidents and resulting in damages to the vehicles and injuries to the drivers and passengers.
- Pedestrian accidents: This can occur when a vehicle hits a pedestrian, resulting in injuries to the pedestrian and damages to the vehicle.
- Bicycle accidents: This can occur when a vehicle hits a bicycle, resulting in injuries to the cyclist and damages to the vehicle.
In conclusion
Even when they only involve one car, car accidents may be extremely nerve-wracking. The presence of adverse weather or the need to swerve in order to avoid colliding with an animal are common causes of accidents involving a single vehicle.
In the aftermath of a collision with a single vehicle, the driver frequently does not feel at fault. However, according to insurance companies, you are at fault unless the damage to your vehicle was caused by a flying object.
Your car is protected by both collision and comprehensive insurance policies. However, collision insurance covers car accidents, including incidents involving a single car, whereas comprehensive insurance additionally covers occurrences that are regarded as being beyond the control of the driver.
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