Get calls every year on some of these issues regarding pennsylvania auto insurance so I thought a refresher might help some folks understand a bit better.
Comprehensive Coverage- This is one of the coverages that is referred to as “physical damage” coverage. It covers the vehicle for damages incurred under the definition of “other than collision or upset” What does that mean ? Well here’s a few we get every week: deer damage, animal damage, falling objects such as hail-trees-softballs-birds,etc. Some of the ones we get occasionally that also fall under comprehensive are flood water, animals chewing up wiring, animals building nests in engine parts and vandals scratching paint, etc.
Remember, “other than Collision or Upset” and you should determine if it is covered under comprehensive. I’ll cover a few of the oddball things that are frequently covered under collision that surprise most people as well.
Collision Coverage- This coverage applies in all other circumstances than comprehensive. Collision or upset is the most frequent cause of losses. Suprisingly, a good deal of these claims are misunderstood by clients. Of course we all know that any “at fault” collision with cars, houses, mailboxes, bushes, trees, guardrails, etc will be covered as a collision. A few that we aren’t so clear on might be….
Hit and Run…Oh these ones really burn me…What a nice surprise when you come out to find that someone busted your mirror, backed into your door, scraped the side of you car and then took off. We almost never find out who it was. You always get stuck with the $$ up to the deductible and rarely is the damage over the $500 deductible that most of us carry. I think Amy and I have had three of these in the last few years that we ended up paying “out of pocket” so I can sympathize with you when this happens.
Roadbed Collision.. You hit a monster pennsylvania pothole so hard it knocked a tooth loose ! I know some of those stretches of road… Frequently I get a call from a client who actually suffered some serious damage to their car as a result of this type of loss. Unfortunately, this falls under collision due to the fact that the road is a stationary object. I know the drill…you didn’t see it !…I get that..I’ve had my share of pothole experiences after dark that were totally unavoidable. Bottom line is “collision”
Uninsured Driver- This ones tough to take as well. The driver you got tangled up with has no coverage to pay your damages. Only two options: You can file suit against the driver and hope for the best, or turn it in as a collision loss and we will pay everything after your collision deductible. Of course we will then persue the other driver and try to get your deductible back for you. Normally, the first $500 or $250 or whatever is collected will go straight back to you for reimbursement of your deductible. I know it doesn’t seem fair and it will probably get your blood pressure up, but its much easier to just let us handle it for you.
Miscellaneous…
Tractor, ATV, Snowmobile in the back of your truck, slid forward and hit the back of the cab…collision!
Hit an object laying in the road…collision
Hit a pedestrian…comprehensive
Swerved to miss a dog, deer, person and hit a tree,pole,etc….collision
Bicycle ran into the side of your car…collision
Shopping cart ran into the side of your car…collision
I’m sure there are more but It’s 6am and I’m probably not using all the braincells I need….
Next time we’ll go over what type of claims will affect your rates.
Pennsylvania auto insurance rates can be affected by many different types of claims, be sure to stay tuned for more information shortly. Same bat station!
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