A guide to interacting with this sub – read me first

Welcome to Our Community: A Guide for Engaging with This Sub

This post is intended for newcomers, long-time volunteers, and everyone in between. Our goal is to foster a more positive and supportive environment in this community.

If you’re new here, it’s important to understand that we have no vested interest in your claim or insurance coverage. We’re not selling anything or aiming to save a company money. Responding negatively to answers you may not like only invites more negativity.

You may encounter some frequently asked questions that we hear often:

• How much will my insurance increase after a ticket/accident/lapse in coverage? We can’t provide a specific answer unless your state has laws that pertain to your unique situation.

• My premium increased by $X. How can I appeal this? Unfortunately, you can’t. Your best option is to shop for new coverage, which we cannot do on your behalf.

• What does everyone else pay for insurance? Unless you find someone in your exact demographic and location, their answers may not be relevant to you.

• How much is my claim worth? We can’t determine this without more specifics. (Note: More detailed questions about your claim may yield different insights.)

• How long will my claim take to resolve? We can’t provide a timeframe without more details (again, complex questions may yield different answers).

• Why is someone trying to sell me something? Please report any suspicious posts/comments to the moderators for resolution.

• Can you assist me in committing fraud or breaking the law? Absolutely not. We may ban anyone who attempts such actions.

Our primary aim is to assist you. This community consists of dedicated volunteers eager to help you navigate the complexities of the insurance system, which plays a significant role in many lives. To receive the most effective assistance, here are some guidelines for creating a helpful post:

• Location (At minimum, your country and state/province)
• Type of insurance (Auto, Homeowners/Renters, Commercial, Health, etc.)
• A brief description of your issue and any advice you’ve received thus far

To help you communicate effectively, here are some common insurance terms defined:

• Adjuster: The person who manages your claim, makes coverage decisions, and processes payments.
• Agent: The individual responsible for selling a policy. While some agents may assist with claims, it’s not their primary role.
• Underwriter: The person who determines the cost of a specific policy based on the risk involved.
• Rate: This represents how your final price is calculated, often used interchangeably with “premium,” “cost,” or “price.”
• ~~Full coverage~~: Avoid using this term; it lacks a standard definition, and using it can lead to confusion.
• No Fault: A system where, in certain states, automobile injury claims are paid by your own policy first. This varies by state and can affect your inquiry, so please specify your location.
• Collision coverage: This insurance pays for damage to your car resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object.
• Comprehensive coverage (Other Than Collision): This covers various incidents not related to collisions, such as floods or natural disasters, though coverage may vary.
• Deductible: This is the amount you agree to pay before insurance kicks in for a claim. While deductibles can sometimes be waived, this is not common.

Our community strives to understand the insurance landscape thoroughly. When we miss the mark, it’s usually due to a lack of necessary information. We hope this guide helps you obtain the answers you need effectively.