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All those things can make it hard to think clearly and respond properly. And if there are injuries, the stress can be amplified. But that’s when a clear head and quick action are really crucial. Here are some tips for getting through an accident with a minimum of hassle and headaches.

1. After an accident, getting help for the injured is always the first priority.
2. Regardless of the circumstances, report the accident to the police.
3. Record the name, address and phone number of the other driver. Write down the make and license number of all vehicles involved. You’ll want to get as much information as you can about the other driver’s insurance agent, policy and insurance company.
4. Don’t forget to collect the names, addresses and phone numbers of passengers and witnesses. Since many cases end up with the parties blaming each other, third-party witnesses can be important. Don’t hesitate to approach anyone who may have seen the crash.
5. Be careful of what you say. Don’t talk about fault; even casual remarks can be used in court.
6. Examine the damage carefully. Take photos if possible, particularly if the accident occurred on private property, such as a parking lot.
7. Without being overly suspicious, observe the other driver’s actions. If the other driver later claims to have a serious injury, what you notice could be important.
8. Stay calm.
9. Notify our office immediately at 805-781-6336. If the accident occurs after hours, please refer to the my policy section of our website for 24-hour claims hotlines for our insurance companies.

Remember, these incidents are the reason you have insurance in the first place. We know that no car wreck is ever minor if you’re involved. We’re here so that you can relax a little, knowing that Engle & Associates are on your side doing everything possible to ease your stress and give you peace of mind.

Backing accident 1

A driver reported backing his Ford pickup into a fire hydrant in a commercial warehouse area with a large paved parking lot. The resulting damage and expenses included:

- Fire hydrant replacement, including cost of installation

- Damage to the parking lot caused by the sinkhole created by water escaping from the damaged hydrant. Did you know that a six inch water main connected to a fire hydrant can flow between 1000 and 1500 gallons of water per minute?!?

- Bill for hundreds of thousands of gallons of water.

Backing accident 2

- Creation of a large lake in the remaining parking lot, requiring special handling, pumping, and resulting in possible additional damage to structures.

- Cost of business interruption due to lack of access to parking lot until repairs are made.

- Extra security to block off damaged area to prevent other accidents.

Backing accident 3

ARE YOUR CURRENT INSURANCE LIMITS ENOUGH?

Accidents can cause a domino effect, resulting in unanticipated damages and expenses. Without adequate liability coverage, you could be putting your assets and future earnings at risk. An Umbrella Policy is an inexpensive option to better protect you from worst-case scenarios like the one above. The average personal umbrella policy costs less than a video rental or latte per week! Call my office for a FREE coverage checkup today! (805)781-6337 or toll free (877) 364-5380.

So you’re shopping around for auto insurance. What do you need to know? Well, there are lots of ways – at least 10 – that you can save money. Many of these money-saving ideas may apply to you.

1. One Insurer, Multiple Policies – Do you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy? If so, is it with the same insurance company that provides your auto insurance? If the answer is no, you’re paying too much – for both policies. Almost every insurance company that sells auto insurance wants its policyholders to also buy homeowners or renters insurance from that company.

These insurers offer so-called multi-policy discounts. Usually, these discounts are at least 10% and some insurers apply the discounts to both the auto and the homeowners/renters policy.
* Tip. Talk to your agent about multi-policy discounts.

2. Good Driver, Good Price? – It’s no secret that the better your driving record, the less you will pay for auto insurance. But did you know that most people qualify as “good drivers” and are eligible for discounted premiums? Some good drivers pay a lot more than others, however.

Many auto insurers are actually a collection of several insurance companies in which each caters to a certain type of driver. The worst drivers go in one company, the best in another, and a lot of people wind up in one of the middle companies.

These middle people pay less than the worst drivers, but more than the best. The thing is, many of these middle people have driving records that are just as good as those who are insured by the companies that offer the lowest rates. Yet these middle people are paying more. Why? The usual reason is that they don’t know any better. No one told them which insurance company in the group had the best prices. And, probably, no one told them there was even a group of insurance companies. If you have a spotless driving record, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be paying the lowest price a group of insurance companies has to offer.
* Tip. Make sure you’re getting the best discount for your driving record. Talk to your agent. And remember, be a safe driver. It will save you money.

3. The Beauty of the Bus (or Other Mass Transit) – Do you drive to and from work? If you do, you are literally paying a premium to do so. Insurance companies charge you significantly higher premiums if you drive to work. And, the longer your commute (in miles, not minutes), the higher the premium.
* Tip. Some drivers should consider mass transit. Yes, there’s a price there, too. But you will reap the savings of gas and lower insurance costs.

4. Low Mileage, Low Price – On average, people drive 1,000 to 1,250 miles a month. That is what insurance companies consider average use.
* Tip. If you drive less than the average, you could be eligible for low-mileage discounts, which some insurers offer.

5. High-Profile, High-Cost – The type of car you drive is a major factor in what you pay for insurance. Is your vehicle a magnet for thieves? Is it more expensive to repair than most cars? If the answer to either of the last two questions is yes, you’re paying more than the average car owner for insurance.
* Note. To get detailed information on your vehicle(s) – or a vehicle you’re thinking of buying – write to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at 1005 North Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22201 and ask for the “Highway Loss Data Chart.”

6. Raise Your Deductible – The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in if you have a claim. For example, if you have a $250 deductible and you have an accident in which your car sustains $1,000 in damage, you pay the first $250 and your insurer pays the balance, $750. The lower the deductible you choose, the more you pay. If you have assets, you can probably afford to absorb at least $250 and probably $500 if you have a claim.
* Tip. If it’s been years since you’ve had an accident, you may be better off raising your deductible and paying less each year for insurance.

7. Drop Unnecessary Coverages – Let’s say you have an older car, one not worth very much. There’s really little point in having collision and comprehensive coverages. You don’t have much to protect. Remember, too, that you have to subtract your deductible from any potential payout you might get.
* Tip. As a general rule, any car worth less than $1,000 shouldn’t have collision and comprehensive coverage. Between the deductible and the extra expense of these coverages, the cost is probably greater than the benefit. How much is your car worth? An auto dealer can tell you, or there are plenty of books that have values of vehicles going back many, many years.

8. Discounts, Discounts, Discounts – Auto insurance companies offer several discounts for a variety of reasons. The car has automatic seat beats, air bags, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, etc. The driver is a good student, which is especially valuable if you have teenage children who will be on your policy.
* Tip. Make sure you are taking advantage of all the discounts available to you!

9. Taking the Defensive – Many insurance companies also offer discounts to those who have taken defensive driving courses recently.

10. Low-Cost and High-Cost Areas – Are you planning to move? If you are, you should take into account the cost of insurance. Generally, the more urban the area, the higher the premium. The costs can vary even within a community.

Whatever your driving record or coverage needs, you should shop around, or let an experienced insurance professional shop around, for the best deal for you. There are literally thousands and thousands of coverage options from hundreds and hundreds of insurance companies.

In addition, not only should you try to get the best deal you can, you also need to make sure you have all the coverage you want/need. Using an Independent Insurance Agent is usually your best bet to get the most value for your auto insurance dollar.

At Engle & Associates, we take a personal interest in our customers. We like to share information that helps you protect yourself and your family from financial loss. If you have any questions, regarding this information or your insurance coverage, please don’t hesitate to contact me.