Vandalism can be one of the most maddening car insurance claims. Someone intentionally bruising your property feels individual even if you were a random victim. Common acts of vandalism include keyed cars, violated windows, and smashed headlights. If your car has been vandalized, you may be wondering if your insurance policy will cover the harm.
A keyed car is considered a vandalized car and vandalism is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy.
Finding low car insurance rates is not easy. Before choosing an insurance company, many read reviews, articles on the Internet.
Determining whether or not you purchased the coverage if fairly elementary. Check your declaration page to see if a dollar amount is listed under comprehensive or other than collision coverage. One amount should be your deductible and the other amount should be how much you are paying for the coverage. If you are not able to locate your declaration page, contact your insurance agent or check your insurance policy coverage online. If you still can’t figure out your coverage, call your insurance carrier’s customer service number to get help.
Filing a vandalism claim is not all that difficult, it is more about your time and inconvenience. Save time by understanding the claim process and commence with these elementary steps. It never hurts to ask your insurance claims adjuster how to speed up the process. Nobody wants to deal with an insurance claim, especially one caused by a vandal. The best advice is to get the claim taken care of as quickly as possible so you can budge on with your life and put this mess behind you.
Steps to Filing a Claim for a Keyed Car or other Vandalism Harm
Most insurance companies require police reports when it comes to vandalism claims. Intentional harm to your vehicle by another individual is serious and needs to be decently documented by police officials. If the culprit is caught, the insurance company, or you if you do not have coverage under your insurance policy, could possibly go after the individual to cover the damages.
It is always nice when your insurance company can take care of it for you.
The claim needs to be called in directly to your insurance carrier. Many times your agent will help you with this process. Whether you talk to your agent or the claims representative the questions will be the same.
- What was the date and time of the incident?
- Where is the harm located on your car?
- Where was your car parked?
- Do you know who caused the harm?
- What is the police report number?
- Does the harm cost more than your deductible?
- Where do you want to get your car repaired?
- What is a good phone number to reach you?
Vandalism is a type of claim that almost always requires an adjuster to look at the harm. Unluckily, both vandalism and theft claims are commonly filed fraudulently. Insurance adjusters always cautiously document vandalism claims looking for warning signs of potential fraud.
Determine if you have car rental coverage
Car rental can be paid out when your vehicle is in the shop for repairs but only if you have coverage on your policy. Some policies give you an automatic coverage without purchasing it.
It is usually a low dollar amount but every bit helps. An example of automatic coverage boundaries is $15 a day for up to $30. If you purchased coverage you can determine your thresholds by looking at your declaration page or calling your insurance agent.
Take your vehicle in for repair
The repair of your vehicle should go sleekly. Look for a repair shop who will assure their work. Find out if your insurance carrier offers assured work through specific preferred assets shops.
Typically, you will pay your deductible to the figure shop at the time of your repair. How much your deductible is, depends on how you setup your insurance policy at the time you added the vehicle. Undoubtedly, check into how much your deductible is before you get your repair done. You do not want to be shocked when you go to pick up your vehicle.
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It is possible to have a zero deductible depending on what your insurance carrier offers and your selection, however, it is not common.
Do not procrastinate when it comes to obtaining a police report and filing your vandalism claim. Many times vandals get away with the crime, but it is possible someone eyed something or a camera caught the act on gauze. It is nice when you understand your insurance policy and know you are covered against such violations as a keyed car. If you have any questions about your policy, the best bet is to contact your car insurance agent.
Car insurance is helpful after harm occurs to your vehicle, but planning ahead and making wise choices can be your best defense. Please look into ways to help prevent keyed cars and vandalism for reducing your chances of this happening again.
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