Car Insurance Help Needed, VA
Hi everyone, I’m looking for some guidance regarding my car insurance situation. My sister was involved in an accident with my car at the end of last year, which I allowed, and I filed a claim. However, I haven’t made any payments yet because the body shop hasn’t completed the repairs; they’re not expected to finish until April due to delays in getting parts.
Today, I had another accident in my car—I hit a column in my parking garage, and I’m really worried it might total my vehicle. I wasn’t thinking clearly and made a careless mistake while backing out, which is frustrating since I do this every day. I regret my decision to buy a Tesla, especially now, as the frame is likely damaged from this latest incident.
My questions are: Will I have to pay the deductible twice since the claims are filed in different years, despite not having paid for the first one yet? Or will the first claim be canceled, and my insurance just handle the second since it likely totals my car?
Additionally, since my car was already damaged from the first claim, if it does get totaled, will I only receive compensation based on its value after the first incident? Is there anything I can do to mitigate costs, or do I just have to brace myself for what’s coming?
I’m not very familiar with how car insurance works; last year was my first time filing a claim. Will my insurance even cover a totaled car, and how can I verify this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I’m sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds really stressful, but hopefully, I can help clarify some things regarding your car insurance.
Deductible for Multiple Claims: Generally, if you file two separate claims in different policy years, you may be responsible for paying the deductible for each claim. Since your first claim is still pending and not finalized, your insurer will likely treat the new accident as a separate claim. However, it’s best to check directly with your insurance provider for specifics regarding your policy.
Total Loss and Valuation: If your car is deemed a total loss due to the second accident, the insurance company will typically assess your car’s value before the accidents occurred. This means they shouldn’t factor in the damage from the first accident when pricing your car for the total loss. It’s worth reviewing your policy to understand how they calculate the payout for totaled vehicles.
Coverage for a Totaled Car: Most standard car insurance policies cover total loss, but this can depend on your specific coverage (like liability only vs. comprehensive/collision). Check your policy and talk to your insurer about your coverage details to confirm what is included.
Next Steps: To ease your worries, start by contacting your insurance agent. They can provide clarity on how to handle the claims and what to expect next. Document both accidents thoroughly and gather all relevant information.
Lowering Costs: Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to lower the costs after the accident has occurred, but discussing options for premium adjustments or discounts with your insurer might help in the long run.
Remember that insurance companies deal with these kinds of situations regularly, so staying in contact with them will help guide you through the process. Take it one step at a time, and hopefully, you can get everything resolved smoothly.