Help Is On the Way

When you are in a car accident and your car is damaged, it's time to figure out what your options are. Who pays for the damages your vehicle sustained depends on a number of factors. The state in which the accident occurred, who caused the accident, the amount of property damage insurance the driver at fault has, and what type of insurance you have are all considered. No matter what state the accident is in, the insurer is only going to pay as much as the policy covers. When you consider if the accident is in a no-fault state, your insurance may pay for some or all of your auto body repair.

Understanding Policy Limits

Each insurance policy has limits when it comes to covering the damage to your vehicle. The insurance company responsible for paying for damages only has to pay as much as the policy covers. If your car sustains more damage than the limit on the policy, you are only going to get the limit that goes towards repairs and will have to pay the rest on your own. If it is decided that the damages are more than what your car is worth, your car will be co nsidered totaled and you will receive the cash value of your car at the time of the accident.

Knowing Your Collision Coverage for Uncovered Costs

If your car repairs are more than the policy limits of the negligent driver, you can make a claim against your own insurance policy. This is beneficial when the at-fault driver doesn't have enough vehicle insurance to cover your damages and you do. While you don't want to go through your own insurance unless you have to, it is good to know that your expenses can be covered by insurance so that your car can be repaired.

Determining Damages to Your Vehicle

An auto body repair shop can take a careful look at your vehicle to determine what the damages are. Talk to your technician about the extent of damages and whether it makes sense to repair or replace your car at this time. Once there is an estimate for repairs to your vehicle, your insurance company or that of the negligent driver will determine what is going to be paid.

Getting into an accident is never easy. When your car has been damaged, your first step is to figure out what is wrong. Once damages are assessed, you can then figure out whose insurance is responsible for paying for the damages.