SimplyFinance - Car Insurance

Making an Auto Insurance Claim

2007-08-06T23:00:00Z

Half of one million people each year are injured in motor accidents and are entitled to compensation. Many of these people are unaware of the rights they have or are even unaware of how to make a claim to this compensation. Unfortunately, these people lose out on money due to them for pain and suffering.

The steps to making an appropriate claim begin immediately following an accident. After an accident, the policyholder must inform their insurance agent right away. Usually insurance claims offices have emergency claim help line numbers or a 24-hour claims assistant number. The staff helping with your claim will take down the details of the accident, including date and time, location, as well as damage and/or injuries incurred.

While the insurance representative is taking this information, they will check that cover is provided under the policy and give information on how to proceed with the claim, offering advice and guidance. When checking this information, the claims agent will make sure that the vehicle and driver were authorised under the policy. Also, the claims agent will check to see if any details of the accident exclude cover for any repairs.

In checking this, the agent will determine whether all damages arising from the accident are covered by the insurance policy. This would include checking for comprehensive cover if the policyholder sustained damage to their own vehicle. If the insured only had just Third Party or fire and theft, the damage to the vehicle would not be covered by the claim. The final step is ensuring the policyholder is up to date on payments of premiums, and that they are paid in full. The insurer will also satisfy that all information given in regards to the accident is complete and accurate.

These claims can be completed over the phone, giving a verbal statement. This process helps decrease the need for written claims, which can be time consuming for the policyholder and the insurer. Written claims are still necessary in certain circumstances, such as serious injury and/or property damage.

Insurers will also require an estimate of damage from approved garages. Use of approved garages will expedite the process of the claim by reducing paperwork, and they are also more cost effective and efficient for the insurance company. If the car is immobile due to damage, the insurer will usually cover the cost of removal and relocation by way of towing.

The approved garage and an engineer from the insurance company complete the estimate together to corroborate that the damage is consistent with the policyholder’s claim. If the claim and damage are consistent, the engineer will authorise the repairs to be completed. To help reduce the inconvenience to the insured, hire cars are often available through the insurer.

The use of an approved garage is in the best interest of the insured. The engineers may take longer in giving approval as the garage may be out of the area of his daily rounds, and a more detailed estimate may be required to authorise the repairs.

When repairs are completed on the vehicle, the insurance company will compensate the garage. This amount is the total for the repairs and labor less the amount in excess the policyholder pays. After this, the claim is completed and the insured receives the vehicle back.

If there is injury or substantial property damage, a claims investigator may be used in order to further inspect the circumstances surrounding the accident. This process involves taking statements from those who witnessed the accident, and it also includes the collection of evidence necessary in case of litigation.

If the vehicle incurred damage beyond economic repair, the insurer will offer the policyholder a sum equal to the market value of the vehicle at the time of accident. The value usually is determined largely by the use of “Glass’s Guide.” This guide factors purchase price, age, mileage, condition and overall depreciation of the motor vehicle. The engineers will also factor vehicle modifications in estimating the market value of the car.

Final claim payment is negotiated between the two parties, the insurer and the insured. The claim is resolved when all payments have been met and when all information has been collected in regards to the accident.

Remember, people have accidents every year and do not get the sum due to them for pain and suffering largely because of lack of education. Research is important to further your knowledge of not only how to make a claim, but to further your knowledge on your rights.

If you don't already have the amount of auto insurance you'd like to, fill out our short form, and a SimplyFinance representative will put you in touch with an insurance agent who will answer any questions you may have about auto insurance coverage. In addition, this agent will search through multiple quotes from different companies to find the coverage that's right for you.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR AUTO INSURANCE TODAY!

Finding the Right Auto Insurance Coverage

2007-08-02T23:00:00Z

When considering the proper car insurance coverage for you, it is important to consider two things: amount of coverage and cost of coverage. Switching to less expensive insurance can reduce your bills by hundreds of pounds per year, and it can even give you better coverage than you're getting through your current provider.

Quality is the most important part of insurance coverage. What is meant by quality is whether or not you are protected by your comprehensive coverage. Many reputable insurance companies in the UK will provide replacement autos while your current auto is being repaired. Also, it's important to make sure your comprehensive coverage takes care of fixing or replacing items that were broken, stolen or lost. More important than what is being covered, is what is not.

In the UK the sky is the limit when it comes to how much coverage you desire. You can, with preparation, protect against almost any event or risk. The insurance companies offer a broad variety of coverage, making it difficult to sift through all the options. SimplyFinance helps lighten the burden by providing a short form for you to fill out so our specialists can find the best quote for you. This will help save time while you look for coverage to protect you and your family, leaving you more time for what is important: them.

Allowing us to help you find the least expensive car insurance will help free up your disposable income, as well as protect you. It is important not to skimp on coverage just to save money. Shopping around is obviously important, but so is staying protected. Making sure you have appropriate and individualized coverage will also save you money in case of an unforeseen event.

Here are some important things to keep in mind when shopping for auto insurance:

Get breakdown coverage: Nothing is worse than being stuck with a flat. Protect yourself and save time by getting breakdown coverage.

Know how much comprehensive coverage you have: Ensuring that you have coverage for replacement parts, labor costs, and a replacement car while yours is being fixed.

Know whether claims service is open twenty-four hours, or just certain hours: Accidents and claims do not always happen during business hours, so make your life easier by making sure your insurance company is there when you need them.

Make sure to insure the items in your car: Covering gadgets and electronic devices does not come automatically with all comprehensive coverage, make sure you protect them by looking into supplemental coverage.

Will you be driving abroad?: Making sure you have the proper coverage for the once a year or once a month excursion to Europe will protect your assets, and your vacation. Whether you get supplemental coverage for your trip, or if you need it added to your plan is dependent on your needs.

Know the difference between comprehensive, third party/theft/fire, and third party only coverage: Even if your car is not valued at a high amount, make sure you have enough coverage to protect you.

Again, sorting through all of the different options out there can be daunting. With help from SimplyFinance, you will be on your way to finding the best and cheapest car insurance quote for you. Our service is quick, easy, and you're under no obligation to the SimplyFinance. Let us help you find the best auto insurance coverage today!

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR CAR INSURANCE TODAY!

Tips for the First Time Car Buyer

2007-08-02T23:00:00Z

Buying a car for the first time may be an overwhelming decision. Should you buy a new or a used car? Should you buy your car or should you lease it? These are just two of many questions a first time car buyer may have. SimplyFinance would like to help shed some light on any gray areas you may need help making a decision on.

If you are a first time buyer, there are some points to consider. The total cost of ownership is not just the price of the car. There is also gas, insurance and maintenance that will add to the overall expense. Insurance on new cars tends to be higher than on used cars. Lack of credit history can pose a challenge to getting financed. It might be in your best interest to establish some credit by getting a gas card or a department store credit card first. A co-signer is another option, but there are lenders willing to finance those will little credit history as long as they are deemed credit worthy with a stable job and with the same address for a long period of time.

Additional car buying considerations are whether to buy a new or used car. Certainly nothing can replace the ‘new car’ feel, but buying a used car comes with its advantages. First, the overall cost of the car, depreciation, insurance and taxes will be lower. Rental cars are a great possibility as they generally offer no-haggle sales and the cars are maintained regularly for safety purposes. If you are buying a used car from an individual, make sure to have the car inspected by your mechanic; take it for a test drive and do a vehicle history check. If you’re buying from dealer, it is wise to check into extended warranty options. Beware of the ‘as is’ clause, as you might get stuck with repairs and other expenses after you drive it off the lot. The benefit to purchasing a new car is the often the safety and safety equipment on a new car is superior to a used vehicle.

Sometimes it makes sense to lease a car instead of buying it. When you lease a car, you will usually pay less monthly payments and at the end of the lease term you either return the car or can opt to purchase the car. If you decide to buy the car, you will end up paying a buy-out charge. Leasing a car might be the right choice if you can keep within the annual mileage, want a lower monthly payment, like driving a new car and don’t want ownership. Buying a car will involve higher monthly payments, but you will build up trade in or sales value, and the car belongs to you. It will also be a less expensive choice long term.

Now that you've got some information to help you make your decisions, it's time to think about financing. By filling out a short form, you'll be put into contact with a lending specialist here at SimplyFinance. They'll be able to answer any questions you may have about finding an auto loan, and they'll even search through hundreds of auto loan lender to find the best possible auto loan for you. It's fast, easy, and you're under no obligation to take the advice you're given. Why not give it a try?

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR AN AUTO LOAN TODAY!