My Car Caught On Fire and My Auto Insurance is Claim Was Denied?
Reader’s Question:
I have full coverage on my car in Kentucky and a few weeks ago my car was caught on fire however when the claims adjuster checked my vehicle in a few days he said that all of my aftermarket parts such as amplifier, CD, etc. made hot leads to the battery and that is where the fire originated which was according to the fire department so the claim will be denied?
James
Louisville, KY
Insurance carriers in Louisville, Kentucky vary on their guidelines with regards to aftermarket parts or the customizing of automobiles. Usually your auto insurance carrier would need to be informed about the performance parts beforehand for these to be covered under your car insurance policy. Most insurance providers want to do an endorsement for these non-factory parts to be covered under your car insurance policy.
You will have to speak to your car claims adjuster regarding the custom parts to check if those will be covered.If you have the receipts, it will be useful if your car insurance carrier will permit your car insurance claim. Keep in mind to always let your insurance carrier be informed about any addition to your car so you will be sure your car insurance policy will cover these parts.
You can always shop around for auto insurance company in Kentucky that will permit customized parts and get auto insurance quote for your vehicle.
Kentucky Auto Insurance Companies – Is Your Personal Information Safe?
Reader’s Question:
I was contacted by an insurance carrier in Owensboro and they told me that they compared their car insurance rates to our insurance carrier and they said they offer better car insurance rates. They said they were looking at our insurance policy and said we could get a better deal with them. How is it possible that they have access to our auto insurance information?
Desiree
Owensboro, KY
Normally a competing insurance company is not permitted to have access to your current insurance policy. For marketing, typically an insurer will look at your current registered cars and try to rate it with that. Competing insurance carriers/agents can access general information about you like your age, where you live, tax status, etc., however they should not have access to your actual car insurance policy without your permission. They are in violation of insurance privacy regulations if they do.
Most likely the insurance carrier that called you was using a marketing strategy to get your business. As for comparing their car insurance rates with your insurance carriers rates overall, that is possible since some insurers do publish sample insurance rate quotes. For instance, you live in Owensboro Kentucky, here the Kentucky Department of Insurance (DOI) provides a consumer guide that lists insurance carriers authorized to sell auto/homeowners/renters insurance in KY and those insurers have provided rate comparisons for certain situations.
If you believe that the insurance company that contacted you truly did have a copy of your car insurance policy then you can have the KY DOI, the insurance regulator for the state, investigate the issue and you can file a formal complaint with this state agency.
Free Windshield Replacement With Kentucky Auto Insurance?
Reader’s Question:
I would like to know if the state of Kentucky has free windshield replacement coverage on my auto insurance? And if so, what do I do to get it?
Sandra
The answer is Yes. You can get your windshield replacement meaning no deductible is paid, in Kentucky however you must have Kentucky comprehensive coverage on your car. If you only have liability coverage on your car you will have to pay to get your windshield replaced.
So if you have Kentucky based comprehensive insurance, the Kentucky laws state that your insurance carrier will waive the deductible for windshield repair or replacement, which means no out-of-pocket expense for you.
If your windshield has been broken or cracked so that it needs replaced or repaired then you should make a claim through the comprehensive portion of your car insurance policy.
Can I Add Learner Permit Driver to My Auto Insurance Policy?
Q: Can a person with a learner’s permit be on my auto insurance policy?
A: Anybody can be added to your auto insurance policy within reason, and if the person who is getting the learner’s permit is related to you or lives with you, then it may even be necessary. Everybody who has some kind of driving permission must drive an insured car, and regardless of age or learning status, if they are pulled over while uninsured, they will suffer the consequences, which in some cases could include not being able to get their driver’s license when they turn 16. If you have someone with a learner’s permit who is living in your house and you don’t name them on your policy, then if they ever get into a car accident, your company would be able to deny their claim. Your company could also cancel your policy as soon as they found out.
If you want to add a young driver to your car insurance policy but don’t want to pay outrageous rates, you can put them to work on getting discounts. Your new driver should be enrolled in a general driver’s education course, and you can enroll him or her in a defensive driving course as well and be provided with a discount for it.
What Happens If My SR22 Car Insurance Payments Are Late?
Q: What happens if my SR22 car insurance payment is late this month?
A: Your car insurance company will decide the outcome of such a situation, and it could prove very risky and expensive for you depending on their policies. Some car insurance companies have grace periods, so if your SR22 car insurance payment is done a few days late, you will still be able to pick up your car insurance coverage from where you left off. However, not every company guarantees that you will be covered for any claims you file during that period of non payment. Also, even with companies who have grace periods, late payment isn’t something you can do without consequences. If you pay late too often, then your car insurance policy could be completely canceled.
As for SR22 car insurance companies who do not have grace periods, it’s even worse for you to pay late. Your insurance could be canceled as soon as the day after it was due, and then the company will send an SR-26 form to your DMV office informing them that you have not paid your insurance. Your DMV will then suspend your license, and any driving you do after that will be illegal. If you want to reinstate your license, you will have to go to your DMV office and pay any fines and fees involved, and this can be pricy. You will also have to get SR22 insurance again.
Will Getting In An Auto Accident Affect My SR22 Filing?
Q: Will getting into an accident interfere with my SR22 filing?
A: Getting into a car accident will not directly affect your SR22 filing, but it could do so indirectly. Your SR22 filing is only affected by whether or not you are paying for car insurance. If you have car insurance, your SR22 status is fine. If you don’t, then it isn’t, and you can lose your license. What could affect your SR22 filing is your possession of car insurance coverage, which can be affected by an accident.
If you are already a high risk customer–which you probably are, since you are filing SR22 insurance–then getting into an accident which is caused by your own negligent driving is almost certain to cause negative consequences. While some companies may be lenient and simply raise the rates on your premiums as a result of the accident, other companies may choose to cancel your car insurance policy as soon as they find out.
You should remember, though, that your car insurance company may not necessarily find out about your accident. Most companies only check your record once a year or even once every three years, so your accident may have fallen off your record by the time they check. However, if they don’t find out on their own and you don’t tell them, then once they do find out they could still cancel your policy because of misrepresentation.
Kentucky SR22 Auto Insurance – Where To Get It?
Q: I’ve been turned down by three car insurance companies since the judge told me last Wednesday that I would have to get a SR22 policy in order to get my driver’s license back, and I can’t figure out where I’m supposed to go to get insurance. Is there a special place? Yes, I have 2 DUIs on my record.
A: Not really. No ’special’ place for SR22 insurance exists, although there are some companies which are more likely to insure you than others. Depending on a company’s policy for risk and the amount of trouble you have had in the past in addition to your need for an SR22 to be filed, your level of difficulty in finding a car insurance policy can change.
Mostly, though, it would make sense for you to start your search among companies which are deemed as high risk. Companies like these thrive on people like you, with your fast cars or your SR22 policies. Because you’re more risky, they can charge you more and make more money. However, although they insure most, they don’t insure everybody.
If you aren’t part of most, then you can fall to the final resort of becoming part of the SR22 assigned risk pool, where you’ll be guaranteed to be insured by a random company, although your premiums will be very high.
New Car Insurance – Best Rates in Kentucky?
Q: If I have a new car, what kind of coverage do I need for my auto insurance policy?
A: As the driver of a new car, your responsibility for the well being of your car rises. Your financer, who you are paying for the car, doesn’t want to lose thousands of dollars because you wreck your car and then default on the payments, so a system is set up. If you want your new car, then you need to have collision, comprehensive, and gap insurance on your car insurance policy. If you don’t do this, your financer can take your car back.
You can make this cheaper by taking on even more responsibility, this time with your car insurance company. With the more money your insurance company has to pay when you file a claim, the more you will have to pay on your monthly premiums to make up for that. You can save here by raising your deductibles so that you have to pay out more before your insurance will kick in in the event of an accident.
Another way you can save a little bit of money is by paying your insurance all at once, for the entire six months to a year.
The BEST way to lower your rates is by raising your deductible amount to as high as you feel comfortable. This will have a drastic impact on your annual premiums.
What Coverage Do I Need In Kentucky For SR22 Insurance?
Q: What all coverage do I need on my Kentucky SR22 insurance policy?
A: Kentucky is a no fault state, so on your Kentucky SR22 car insurance policy you will need to have your regular liability coverage as required in most states, and in addition to that you will need no fault personal injury protection.
First, let’s look at your liability insurance. You have bodily injury liability, which covers the death or injury of the other driver in their passengers when you are in a car accident which you are found to be at fault for. Your Kentucky SR22 policy must have $25,000 of bodily injury liability for each person, with a maximum coverage per accident, no matter how many people, of $50,000. Your second kind of liability insurance is your property damage liability. Your Kentucky SR22 will need ten thousand dollars worth of this coverage, and it will cover any damage you cause, to cars, fences, whatever, if you are at fault for an accident.
Next, we take in your no fault personal injury protection coverage, of which you will need ten thousand dollars worth on your Kentucky SR22 policy. Your personal injury insurance will cover any injuries you yourself sustain in a car accident.
Student Discounts on Car Insurance For Kentucky College Students?
Q: I was sad when college ended a few months ago, but I also felt a pang to see my good student discount go. I had twenty percent of a discount on my car insurance for that, and once it was gone my premium went up a few hundred dollars in total. Is there something out there which is equal in savings I can replace it with?
A: Maybe there is, but it depends on what you were studying so hard on to get that good student discount for your car insurance policy. If you were working on a degree in the field of science or mathematics, particularly in engineering, then your looking at a savings from some companies simply for that. Although this discount is still not widespread, it is taking hold in the car insurance industry, as many studies have found that people in the above fields are more meticulous and pay attention o detail, and, the kicker, file fewer car insurance claims.
If you don’t have one of these degrees, or even if you do and decided to go into the field of teaching, you can get another discount by joining a teacher’s union. Of course, unions do have membership fees, but it will be like getting free union membership because your discount will be around the amount of the fees, and you probably would have joined the union anyway.
1. Raise your deductible amount to as high as you feel comfortable – this can drastically reduce your annual premiums
2. Join a credit union or bank affiliate that offers insurance discounts – even Sam’s club and Costco offer discounts these days
