Select a Collision Insurance Company That’s Right for You

Posted on: March 2nd, 2015 by Accurate Auto Body Denver No Comments

Select a Collision Insurance Company - Accurate Auto Body The commercials make the process of buying car insurance sound so simple—“So easy a caveman can do it!”—but it’s messaging such as this that actually makes buying auto insurance more difficult. With so many providers out there, how can consumers know the right insurance choice for them? With collision insurance, it’s especially tricky, since very few states require it. To streamline the process, follow these simple steps from Accurate Auto Body on how to select a collision insurance company, because we happen to handle insurance claims every day.

Step #1: Determine Whether You Need Collision Coverage

In most states—including Colorado—collision insurance is not required. Read our post on the different types of auto insurance to learn exactly what collision insurance is. Collision insurance covers damages done to your vehicle in case of an accident with another vehicle or a collision with a tree, structure, pothole, etc. It does not cover medical expenses, property damage, liabilities, or other expenses reserved for other types of auto insurance. Obviously, collision insurance costs money, and it should be weighed against the worth of your car and your record on the road. If you’re a confident driver in a cheap car, collision insurance may not be worth it.

Step #2: Choose Which Level of Collision Coverage to Buy

Like all types of insurance, collision insurance comes on a scale. The rule of thumb is the higher your premium (monthly/yearly payment), the lower your deductible (the lump sum you owe toward covering damages). Collision insurance is no different: limited, standard, and broad-form coverages cost more or less depending on how much they cover, especially based on who is at fault. Broad-form collision insurance is the only one that fully covers you no matter who is to blame, so it is the most expensive.

Step #3: Shop Around and Find the Best Deal

Most (but not all) insurance providers allow you to enter your information and driving record and get a free quote for insurance policies. Gather your information, know what level of coverage you want, and shop around online or via phone, getting quotes from various major and minor insurance providers. Note how much each company charges you—it can vary by hundreds of dollars per year.

Step #4: Rule Out the Bad Options

While cost is a major consideration here, you also don’t want to be too cheap and end up with disreputable, unreliable collision insurance. Check the Colorado insurance complaint ratio to see which providers have upset customers. It can vary state to state, so you can check how your top choices satisfy consumers in other states as well. This is a recommended way to rule out bad insurance options.

Step #5: Consult an Agent

Sometimes the best thing to do is work with an agent, rather than direct coverage from the company (like GEICO does). And there are two kinds of agents: captive agents, who represent specific insurance companies, and independent agents, who are not tied to any specific company. While we recommend independent agents, having any agent gives your insurance a human face and a specific person who is accountable for your customer satisfaction.

How to Use This Information

The best strategy is to have your collision insurance coverage squared away well in advance of needing to make a claim. When you are faced with an auto body repair, our technicians make it a priority to put your needs first. Please contact us online or give us a call at 303-344-2212 to let us know how we can help you!

Tell us the reasons why you have or have not invested in collision insurance.

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