Auto insurance » Damages

Differences Between Firearm Insurance and Firearm Business Insurance

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:22:38 +0000

The difference between firearm insurance and firearm business insurance is based on the use that the weapons receive. Therefore, a business working with firearms should not be satisfied with firearm insurance and should get firearm business insurance too.

Simple firearm insurance protects the bearer from accidents and liability by damages produced with the gun. However, if the firearms are used as part of a business like in sporting firearm commerce or collector’s exhibitions, there is another kind of policy that needs to be purchased. Moreover, there are actually two different policies that are known as firearm business insurances.

Firearm Insurance

Firearm insurance protects the owner and or bearer of the weapon from damages caused by its use or misuse (depending on the extension of the insurance contract). The average policy includes only accidents caused by the use of the gun, however, some insurance policies may include other risks like damage to properties when using the weapon reasonably, etc.

Under no circumstances an insurance policy will cover for the illegal use of a firearm that results in damages to people or possessions. However, damages caused when using a firearm to defend oneself are usually covered by firearm insurance policies as the self defense is an exception that excludes the misdemeanor from most actions that would otherwise constitute a crime.

Firearm Business Insurances

As explained above, there are two different types of firearm business insurances. Neither of them has to do with actual firearm insurance and should complement it. These insurances protect the holder, user or transporter of any damages caused to the weapon or by the weapon under its commercial use. Since firearms can be used commercially in different ways, more than one insurance policy had to be created.

Collector policies are firearm business insurance that protect the owner against damages when the weapons are not fired or used. This includes the use of weapons only for exhibits, and needs also to protect the goods while they are in route to a show or exhibition against: fire, flood, theft, damage, explosion or other accidental damages that may render the firearm useless for the commercial purpose covered.

Sporting firearm business insurance, on the other hand, protects weapons that are used for competitive shooting, target shooting, hunting or any other LEGAL use that implies firing the weapons. It obviously protects both the weapons and other possessions and people from the damages caused by the firearms.

On both cases, it is very important to obtain, prior to the insurance contract, an appraisal of the firearm value, especially when the weapon is an antique. It is advisable to get it from a third party and not to resort only to the insurance company’s appraisal specialists even if your are asked to provide a value yourself for the insurance contract as price variations can occur and you should be protected of that too.
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By: Hilary Bowman

Guidelines For Filing Insurance Claims

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 05:45:35 +0000

Different Procedures for Filing Different Insurance Claims

Guidelines for filing insurance claims differ with the different types of policies. If you are filing insurance claims for medical insurance, then you should do it within two months of the medical appointment. Before filing insurance claims, do not forget to get the photocopies of all the papers you are sending to the insurance company. If the matter is not settled even after the 45 days of filing claim, contact the insurance company to resolve the issue immediately. You also need to ascertain that the doctor has indicated appropriate diagnosis codes in the receipts. Insurance company may delay the process in absence of these codes.

Call the Agent Immediately

Guidelines for filing insurance claims for other kinds of insurance require that you should thoroughly examine whatever property has been damaged. Then call the insurance provider or the agent so that you can report the damage to the insurance company. Here it is important that you note the name of the person to whom you are talking along with the record of date and time. Do not forget to give him your phone number so that he can contact you immediately as and when required. Keep handy your insurance policy number at the time of reporting. Call a photographer so that the photography or the video recording of the damaged area can be done.

Make Temporary Repairs Only Before Inspection

Do not make any permanent repairs unless the claim adjuster has examined the property and estimated the extent of the damage. However, it is possible to do necessary repair work to prevent the property from being damaged further. For example, you can repair holes in the roof or windows so that the water does not come in and make further damages. You are entitled to get the reimbursement for the amount of money you paid for temporary repairs, so keep a record of it along with all receipts. However, you should keep damaged material so that you can show it to the adjuster as a proof of the loss. It will make it easy for the adjuster to assess the damages to the property. You should put your signature on the statement of proof of loss and ascertain that if any further damage is discovered it will also be added.

CAT Offices

One important question regarding filing insurance claims is what you would do if the office of insurance company itself is damaged and closed. In such circumstances, insurance companies send catastrophe—also known as CAT‑teams in or near damaged areas so that people can contact them. If you are unable to find the CAT office, you can visit the official web site of the insurance company to get the address.

By: Alexander Gordon

Personal Auto Insurance In Mexico

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:52:02 +0000

When the traveler drives into Mexico, he or she must ride over strange roads. Such a driver views new, distracting sites and seeks guidance from street signs that bear words in Spanish. The traveler driving into Mexico enters a country where he or she is at increased risk for involvement in a car accident. That traveler needs personal auto insurance.

In Mexico an insurance policy that offers only collision coverage does not satisfy the requirements of Mexican law. Mexican law stipulates that anyone found at fault at the scene of an accident must show the financial means to cover the costs of that accident. A traveler in Mexico thus needs an insurance policy that provides liability coverage.

What should a driver expect when an insurance provider promises personal insurance in Mexico? A driver with such insurance should have no liability for damages or injury to persons other than those in the insured vehicle. The insurance policy normally refers to such persons as “a third party.”

A few tricks can facilitate completion of the process that guarantees delivery of insurance coverage. One trick involves the taking of photos at the scene of an accident. A second trick calls requesting a copy of the police report. Use of tricks can help a driver to benefit fully from personal auto insurance purchased in Mexico.

When the traveler secures personal auto insurance in Mexico, he or she has taken an important step toward aversion of possible problems. Still the possession of such insurance does not guarantee avoidance of troubles in the event of a car accident. An insurance provider can not cover a claim, unless the driver contacts the insurance provider before returning to the United States.

A driver with a cell phone might think that he or she should have little trouble calling-in information about a potential car accident. Travelers in Mexico must realize that a cell phone frequently fails to work properly in Mexico. Calls from Mexico to an insurance provider should be made from a land phone.

Personal insurance in Mexico can not always cover a lost or stolen vehicle. Such a policy can only cover the specified problem if the driver obtains the proper Mexican documents. What are those documents?

A driver who hopes to be reimbursed for a lost or stolen vehicle must obtain both a local and federal police report before leaving Mexico. Then after returning to the United States, the same driver must get something called a “Courtesy Report.” That Report must come from a State Highway Patrol Agency. All of the indicated documents should be sent to the insurance provider.

By: Robert Mall

Auto Insurance – The Questions You Ask

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:08:39 +0000

Once you own a car, it becomes mandatory by law that you get a minimum insurance cover at least to ensure the safety of other road users. Since it is compulsory, you need to note some these facts.

You need to first know the types of car insurance.

The first is Liability coverage which is actually compulsory because it protects other road users. You can in addition to this take up a collision coverage which pays you for damages to your car caused by accidents. You can also decide to take up a comprehensive coverage to take care of any damage to your car. Adding a personal injury coverage will ensure that whatever injuries sustained in an accident would be taken care of.

You need to decide exactly what you want and then look at the types of coverages that are available and pick policies that soot your need.

Next know the implication of your deductible. What is this?

This is the amount you are required to come up with before the insurance company would make good on your claim. The rule for this is simply this. The higher the deductible you choose, the lower the rates you pay and the lower the deductible you choose, the higher the rates you pay. A lot of people rush into choosing the lowest deductible possible thinking they have a wonderful deal. You would likely be better of with a higher deductible and a lower premium.

Find out what is the minimum coverage for the state you live in as the minimum vary from state to state. Knowing this, you can the decide if it is okay for you or need to get more.

A lot of people pay a lot more than they should pay simply because they did not take enough time to compare several quotes before committing to one.

Free quotes are one of the most effective tools for getting the best deals on your insurance. Many don’t believe until they have tried it.

Try it, get and compare as many quotes as you can before making a commitment and you would testify to how it saved you a lot of money.

Don’t take my word for it, get free online quotes now and decide for yourself if it is worth it. What do you loose, since it is absolutely free of charge and obligation.

In fact, start with these two.

By: Chimerenka Odimba

Auto Insurance Policy Coverage Basics

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:05:28 +0000

While most people think of insurance as either being “full coverage” or “liability only” I thought it would be a good idea to lay out a basic outline of what options are available with an Arizona Auto Insurance Policy. Insurance is regulated by each state so if you’re outside of Arizona these may be different.

Liability Coverage – You have two types of liability coverage: Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability. Bodily Injury Liability pays for damages to other people you injure when you’re at-fault for an accident. It will not pay for your damages. Property Damage Liability will pay to repair the things you hit like cars, lightpoles and other people’s personal property. This is the only coverage required by the state of Arizona and the minimum required limits are $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident of Bodily Injury Liability coverage and $10,000 for Property Damage Liability coverage.

Uninsured and Under-insured Motorist Liability Coverage – Unlike many other states, Arizona breaks these coverage options into two separate options Uninsured and Under-insured. One of the coverages would pay damages to you or your passengers if you’re hit by someone that didn’t have any Bodily Injury Liability coverage (uninsured motorist) or if they didn’t have enough Bodily Injury Liability coverage (under-insured motorist) to pay for your injuries. This coverage does NOT pay for any damages to your vehicles and is not required by Arizona law.

Medical Payments – This coverage option will pay for medical bills only regardless of fault or reason as long as it’s an auto related claim. If someone is injured getting in or out of your vehicle this could pay for medical bills they incur. In Arizona, it can also pay a death benefit if you or a passenger is killed in a covered claim.

Collision Coverage – This coverage basically pays for damage to your vehicle for any collision claim if it’s your fault or not. If you hit another car, another car hits you, or you drive into a toolbox in the middle of the road, it would be covered under your Collision coverage option and would be paid minus your deductible.

Comprehensive Coverage – This basically pays for damage to your vehicle for anything other than a collision. So, if a tree falls on your car, or it gets vandalized or stolen, it would be covered under your Comprehensive coverage option. Claims would be paid by the insurance company minus your deductible. You also have the option to purchase a waiver your deductible for glass only losses.

These are the key components that make up the basic coverage options available to you on an Arizona Auto Insurance Policy. If you’re coming from another state, remember Arizona breaks out Uninsured and Under-insured Motorist Coverage into two separate coverages and does not offer Personal Injury Protection coverage. Keep that in mind when getting quotes.

Last, this is a very simple, plain English explanation of the policy and you should always contact your agent for all coverage details and make sure you’re covered correctly.

By: Matthew Fox

Ever Wondered What An Auto Insurance Claim Adjuster Does?

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:44:29 +0000

An auto insurance claim adjuster works for the insurance company with whom you purchase a policy. Some insurance companies use independent adjusters so that they get an unbiased report. When you have an accident and make a claim on your insurance, the company will send out an adjuster to access the damages and come up with an amount of money that will be needed to complete the repairs. The auto insurance claim adjuster has to contact the garages to get an estimate of what the parts and labor will cost.

When you report a claim for an accident to your auto insurance, they will contact the appropriate adjuster. The auto insurance adjuster assigned to your case will contact you to get the details on where he/she can assess the vehicle. Then you will receive a report from the insurance company regarding the assessment the auto insurance claim adjuster submits. If the damages exceed the value of the vehicle, it will be “written off”.

The amount you get on your auto insurance policy depends on the policy itself. If the auto insurance claim adjuster determines that the vehicle is written off, the insurance will pay you the book value of the vehicle. This could be more or less than what the car is worth. With some auto insurance policies, you can pay extra to have a clause included stating that if the vehicle is written off within the first two years, you get the full amount that you paid for the automobile.

There is a certain process that an auto insurance claim adjuster has to use to come up with the amount the insurance company will pay. You will usually get two quotes – one that will see the car getting repaired at a top of the line garage and another if you take a cash settlement on the claim and get the work done yourself. The auto insurance adjuster knows that many people have friends who can do the work cheaper and often take the money.

Once you decide how you want to proceed, the insurance company will issue a check. If you are paying on the vehicle, the check will be made out jointly to you and the lender. Otherwise the check comes directly to you. The job of the auto insurance adjuster is only to access the damages, Any dispute you have regarding the report made by the auto insurance claim adjuster has to be done through the insurance company. Keep this in mind because the adjuster is only an ordinary person like yourself trying to make a living.

An auto insurance claim adjuster doesn’t have an easy job.

By: Peter Crump

Cheap Full Coverage Auto Insurance

admin — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:22:50 +0000

If you are in the market for cheap auto insurance, you are bound to be confused by the wide variety of choices available. It pays to take some time before you make a decision. It is therefore important that you consider several aspects before you take a definite decision. Once you are armed with the basics, you will be ready to go ahead and choose the perfect auto insurance plan for your needs. You can — and should — of course, seek some help. When you hear the phrase “full coverage auto insurance”, do you know what it means? This is simply a comprehensive coverage that would cover you, personally, in every aspect and possible type of insurance the company offers.

For example, coverage for medical costs may be optional with some insurance policies. But if you have a full coverage auto insurance policy, you can have your and your passengers’ medical costs covered, should you be in an accident where injuries are sustained.

A full coverage auto insurance policy also covers liability. This means if you are at fault during an accident, the coverage will enable your policy to compensate for the damages caused by you. It is always advisable to have liability coverage in your auto insurance. Although you may always claim that you had never been at fault, you can never be sure where the blame will ultimately be placed in an accident. It is always better to be on the safer side with auto insurance.

The premium to be paid and the policy period will differ based on the insurance company, your age and also your gender. The age of your vehicle also determines whether you should go for full coverage or not. Supposing yours is an old vehicle on its last legs, it is not necessarily a good decision on your part to go for full coverage, as you will end up paying a higher premium. You may end up paying more premiums than the current market value of your car. Newer cars, or any vehicle for that matter, are better served with cheap full coverage auto insurance policies. There are other comprehensive policies that can cover you in cases of vandalism or arson, as well, though they are not as commonly purchased by people.

You can always check out the various online resources available for more details on cheap full coverage auto insurance. Also, don’t be afraid to get in touch with insurance agents, as they can provide you great information on the current trends in cheap auto insurance.

By: Jennifer Bailey

Non Owner Auto Insurance – What You Need to Know About Non Owner Car Insurance

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:43:56 +0000

You can buy car insurance even if you don’t own a vehicle. This type of coverage is known as non owner auto insurance. So why would you consider this?

When To Buy Non Owner Coverage

You may want to consider buying this type of coverage in a situation where you are living in a city and rely on public transportation most of the time but are renting or borrowing a vehicle from someone often. You want to have adequate insurance protection if an accident occurs to pay for injuries or damage to property.

What Happens After An Accident

If an accident occurs while you are behind the wheel of a borrowed or rented car, the owner’s insurance policy would be in effect. He or she would be responsible for any damages owing over the policy limits. As the driver at the time of the accident, you may be faced with legal action from the owner or the insurance company to recover the money paid out after the accident. Buying a non owner car insurance policy will protect your assets.

The Cost

In a situation where you are renting a vehicle often, it may be less expensive for you to buy your own insurance than to get coverage through the rental company each time. You also have the added assurance that you are covered for every vehicle you are driving, not just the one you have rented.

Another scenario where buying a non owner auto insurance policy may make sense is when you drive a company car for work. You will be covered under the employer’s insurance policy, but how many people would ask how much coverage the company’s insurance policy provides when they get behind the wheel of a company car.

How To A Find Non Owner Car Insurance Policy

You look for non owner car insurance in the same way as you shop for other car insurance coverage. You can look online for a company that offers this type of coverage and request a quote, or contact an independent insurance agent who can get quotes for you.

Family or friends may be able to help you find non owner car insurance coverage as well. Ask around to see if anyone knows of a company you can contact to get this type of protection.

Compare Non Owner Car Insurance Quotes Online

Once you have quotes in hand, you need to go over them very thoroughly to make sure you understand the policy provisions. Every auto insurance company will have use different language in its policies and it’s important to go over each clause so you understand exactly what you are getting.

Pay special attention to the policy’s exclusions as well. No policy covers all situations, and you don’t want to assume that you have protection only to find out after an accident that you don’t.

By: James J. Robinson