Car Insurance Help Needed, VA
Hi everyone, my sister had an accident in my car with my permission at the end of last year. I filed a claim, but I haven’t paid anything yet because the body shop hasn’t completed the repairs. Due to parts availability, my car isn’t scheduled to be fixed until this April.
This morning, I had an accident in the same car. I accidentally hit a column in my parking garage, and I’m really worried that it might be totaled. I wasn’t thinking clearly and made a serious mistake. I navigate that parking spot every day, but for some reason, I turned too early today. I regret my decision to buy a Tesla, and now I fear the worst.
I have a few questions: Will I have to pay the deductible twice since these claims are filed in different years, even though I haven’t paid the first deductible yet? Or could they cancel the first claim and just focus on the second one since it might total my car?
Additionally, since the damage from the first claim already affects my car, if it gets totaled from this latest accident, will I only receive a payout based on its value after the first accident? Is there anything I can do to potentially lower the costs, or am I just stuck waiting for the inevitable?
I’m also not very familiar with how car insurance works—last year was the first time I filed a claim. Will my insurance cover a totaled car? How can I check or verify this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I’m sorry to hear about your accidents; that sounds really stressful. Here are some things to consider regarding your situation:
Deductibles: Generally, you will need to pay a deductible for each claim you file, especially if they are for separate incidents. Since your claims are filed in different years, it’s likely that you will be responsible for the deductible for each accident. However, be sure to read your policy or speak with your insurance agent to clarify.
First Claim Status: The first claim will typically remain in the system even if your second accident leads to your car being considered a total loss. Your insurance company will assess each claim individually. They may not cancel the first claim unless there’s a specific reason to do so (e.g., fraud).
Valuation of Total Loss: If your car is totaled due to the second accident, the insurance will usually consider the overall condition and market value of your car at the time of the accident. However, if the first claim has already been processed and your car’s value was affected by that damage, this could impact the payout you receive for the second claim. The insurance company can give you a valuation based on the current market conditions, which should factor in the previous damage as well.
Insurance Coverage: Most auto insurance policies do cover total loss situations, provided you have the right level of coverage (like collision or comprehensive insurance). You can verify your coverage by checking your policy documents or contacting your insurance agent directly.
Minimizing Costs: Unfortunately, once an accident happens, your options for minimizing costs are limited. However, you can ensure you’re getting fair value for your car’s worth and review any repair estimates carefully. Following up with your insurance agency will be crucial.
Next Steps: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the second accident. Ask for clarification on how the claims process works in your specific case, what you can expect regarding payouts, and any further actions you need to take.
In times like this, getting informed and knowing your options can help ease some of the stress. Take care, and best of luck moving forward!