Synopsis: Post-Accident Insurance Claims And Your Rights

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What is included in a car insurance policy?

A car insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. In exchange for a premium, the insurer will help pay for covered expenses, which can include repairs to your vehicle, medical bills, and damage to other people's property.

Most states have minimum car insurance requirements, but insurers also offer several optional add-ons to customize your policy for your needs. Here are the main types of coverage included in a car insurance policy:

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage pays for costs associated with an accident for which you’re found legally at fault. It includes bodily injury liability, which covers the expenses related to injuries or death caused to others (e.g. another driver, their passengers, or a pedestrian); and property damage liability, which covers the expenses for repair or replacement of someone else's property (e.g. a vehicle, fence, home, etc.) that was damaged in your at-fault accident.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage reimburses you when an accident is caused by an uninsured motorist or in the case of a hit-and-run. Underinsured motorist coverage will cover costs when another driver lacks adequate coverage to pay for the costs of a serious accident.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal injury protection is a no-fault insurance coverage that helps pay the medical expenses for you or your passengers if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. PIP may also cover lost wages and expenses for tasks you can’t perform while recovering, such as house cleaning.

Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)

Medical payments coverage pays the medical bills for you and your passengers for injuries sustained in a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. However, unlike PIP, MedPay does not cover any additional or related expenses, like lost wages.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage helps pay for repairs if your car is damaged during a car accident or if it collides with another object, like a building or tree, even if you’re at fault. It may also cover damage from potholes.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage to your car that occurs during an event that’s not a collision. For example, it may cover damage from fire, hail, falling objects, or vandalism. It also reimburses you if your car is stolen.

In addition to these main types of coverage, car insurance policies typically include a declarations page, definitions of key terms, a list of exclusions, endorsements, cancellation terms, and contact information.

What is a car insurance declaration page?

A car insurance declaration page is a summary of your auto insurance policy, usually contained on one or two pages. It is sometimes referred to as a "dec page".

The declaration page will be sent to you by your insurance company via email, fax, regular mail, or through an online portal. It is usually sent when you first buy the policy, but you will also receive an updated version when you renew an existing policy or make changes to it.

The declaration page contains a summary of the most important aspects of your car insurance policy, including:

• Your name and the names of any other drivers covered by the policy.
• Details about any vehicles covered by the policy, such as the make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
• The name and contact information of the insurer or agency you bought the coverage from.
• Lender information (if applicable).
• Policy details, including types of coverage, coverage limits, deductibles, renewal date, and any exclusions.
• Premium information, including how much is due and when.
• Any discounts applied to the policy.

The declaration page is useful to keep on hand as a quick reference for your policy. It can be helpful if you need to understand what your policy covers and your insurance agent is unavailable. It can also be useful when comparing quotes from other companies or when renewing your policy, as it contains all the key details of your current policy.

What is excluded from car insurance?

When it comes to car insurance, it's important to understand what is covered and what is excluded from your policy. While insurance companies typically require all licensed drivers in a household to be listed and covered by the policy, there is an option to exclude certain drivers in specific circumstances. Excluding a driver means they are not covered by your insurance in any scenario, and their name will be listed as ""excluded"" on your policy. This option is usually chosen to avoid insuring a high-risk driver or to reduce insurance costs.

However, it's important to carefully consider excluding a driver. If there is a possibility that the excluded driver will still drive your vehicle, they should not be excluded. In the event of an accident caused by an excluded driver, your insurance company will not cover any resulting damages or injuries, leaving you or the excluded driver personally responsible for the costs. Additionally, your policy could be cancelled or not renewed.

Named Driver Exclusion

This is when a specific person is excluded from your insurance policy, typically due to their high-risk status or bad driving record. This exclusion is usually done to avoid increased insurance rates caused by the driver. Not all states allow driver exclusions, and some states prohibit excluding your spouse.

Family Member Exclusion Clause

This clause states that if two family members are in the insured vehicle and are in an accident, the driver's liability insurance will not cover an insurance claim filed by the passenger. Insurers include this clause to prevent fraud, as family members could collude to cause an accident and collect insurance payouts.

Intentional Act Exclusion

This clause voids insurance coverage for injuries or property damage if the insured driver intentionally tries to harm someone or something with their vehicle. In such cases, the driver will be responsible for any medical or repair expenses out of their own pocket and may also face legal consequences.

Medical Payments Exclusions

While medical payments clauses help cover medical expenses for the driver or passengers after an accident, there are certain exclusions. Insurers typically won't cover medical payments if the driver was using the car for business purposes, performing stunts or racing, driving without the owner's permission, living in their car, or if the injuries fall under worker's compensation.

Owned-but-Unlisted Vehicle Exclusion

This exclusion applies when a driver owns multiple vehicles but only insures one of them. If an accident occurs involving an unlisted vehicle, the insurance company will not cover the damages since the driver should have included all vehicles on their policy.

Act-of-God Exclusion

This exclusion covers acts of nature and unpredictable events, such as hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes, that could damage your car. While some comprehensive coverage policies may pay for damages caused by these events, it's important to check with your insurance company to understand what is covered.

Punitive Damages Exclusion

This exclusion relates to punitive damages awarded by a jury over and above actual damages to punish a driver for negligence, recklessness, or gross misconduct. In such cases, the insurance policy will not cover the punitive damages, and the driver will be responsible for paying those expenses out-of-pocket.

How to cancel your car insurance policy

A synopsis in post auto insurance is a summary of your policy information. This includes your policy number, term, company and agency information, personal information, vehicle information, coverage types and limits, endorsements, premium, discounts, and financial institution information.

Now, here is a guide on how to cancel your car insurance policy:

Cancelling your car insurance policy is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps you can follow:

• Purchase new coverage: If you intend to continue driving, it is essential to secure a new insurance policy before cancelling your current one. This will help you avoid a lapse in coverage, which could result in higher rates when you purchase a new policy.
• Connect with your insurer: Contact your insurance company or agent to initiate the cancellation process. You can do this by calling them, sending an email or postal mail, or visiting their office, depending on their specific requirements.
• Understand the requirements: Some insurers may require you to sign a cancellation form or letter. They will also inform you about any applicable cancellation fees and the process for obtaining a refund for any unused premiums.
• Request a policy cancellation notice: You may receive this automatically, but if not, be sure to request it for your records.
• Consider the timing: If possible, time your cancellation to align with the end of your current policy period. This can help you avoid unnecessary fees and ensure a smooth transition to your new policy.

When to Cancel Your Car Insurance

There are several scenarios in which cancelling your car insurance policy may be appropriate:

• Switching insurance companies: If you find a better rate or prefer the services of another insurer, you can cancel your current policy and switch to a new provider.
• Moving to another state: Insurance laws and requirements vary by state. If you're moving to a state where your current insurer doesn't offer coverage, you'll need to find a new policy that complies with the regulations in your new location.
• Selling your car: If you sell your car and don't plan on replacing it, you can cancel your auto insurance. However, it's recommended to wait until the new owner takes possession and the title is transferred before discontinuing coverage.
• Covered under someone else's policy: If you're a member of a household where another person has coverage and you can be added to their policy (e.g., after getting married or moving back in with your parents), you may want to cancel your separate policy.

What to Avoid When Cancelling Car Insurance

There are a few pitfalls to avoid when cancelling your car insurance:

• Failing to notify your insurer: Be sure to officially notify your insurer of your intent to cancel. Simply letting your policy lapse without notification can result in continued billing and negative reports to credit bureaus, damaging your credit score.
• Driving without insurance: Almost every state requires some form of liability coverage for drivers. Ensure that you have a new policy in place before cancelling your current one to avoid driving without insurance, which is illegal and can result in fines.
• Not providing proof of insurance: When you cancel your policy, your insurer will likely notify your state, and your Department of Motor Vehicles may ask for proof that you've obtained other insurance or sold your vehicle. Failing to provide this proof can result in the suspension of your car registration.

How to renew your car insurance policy

Renewing your car insurance policy is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you renew your car insurance policy:

Step 1: Visit the Insurance Provider's Website

Go to the website of your insurance provider. You will find the option to renew your car insurance policy there. If you cannot find it, look for the customer care number and give them a call. They will guide you through the process.

Step 2: Enter the Details

You will have to enter certain details, including your car registration number, mobile number, email address, policy details, and add-ons to the cover (if any).

Step 3: Complete the Process by Paying the Premium

Once you have entered all the details, the final step is to pay the premium. You can do this via online payment using your credit/debit card or net banking.

Step 4: Receive the Policy

After the payment is done, your car insurance policy will be renewed, and you will receive the renewed policy on your registered email ID.

It is important to renew your car insurance policy before it expires to avoid any lapses in coverage and to continue receiving the benefits of the insurance policy. If you do not renew your car insurance policy, you may face legal consequences, financial liabilities, and loss of No Claim Bonus (NCB).

Frequently asked questions