With winter and its dangerous weather just around the corner, there has never been a better time to review your auto insurance policy. If you have recently moved, this becomes very important, as different states have different amounts of coverage that are required by law.

The Basics-Having the Right Coverage

Collision Coverage. You skid into another automobile on an ice road, damaging both your car and that of someone else. Although the accident was not deliberate, it was judged to be your fault. Collision coverage saves the day, covering the cost to repair both vehicles (after your deductible). This coverage pays the cost to repair property or for injuries incurred by passengers in the other vehicle, up to the policy limit.

Personal Injury Protection. During the accident, one of your passengers got hurt. Accident-related medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses (if necessary) are all covered via personal injury protection. This coverage is mandatory in many parts of the United States.

Comprehensive Coverage. A winter storm causes a branch to fall from a tree, damaging your vehicle. Comprehensive coverage pays for the repair cost for physical non-collision damage to your car, like falling objects, fire, hail, floods, theft, vandalism, and even animal collisions.

Steps To File a Claim

• Should you find yourself in a position where you must file a claim, the following steps will help in your Phoenix.
• Check for injuries. Always call the police you will need their report to file a claim.
• If you have them, put out road flares, especially if it is dark out, and have someone direct traffic while involved vehicles that can be moved are removed from the flow of traffic.
• Contact your insurance company. Having the number at hand and contacting them right away will help to pass on the details while they are fresh.
• Exchange information with the other motorist, including name, contact information, vehicle’s license number, driver’s license number, and the name/contact info/policy number for their insurance company.
• Get contact information for any existing witnesses, including names.
• If possible, take pictures of the damage and the surrounding area. If you have a cell phone with a camera, upload the pictures as soon as possible.
• If serious injury, fatalities, or damage over a certain amount was involved, you will have to file an accident report with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. This is why calling the police department is imperative no matter how slight the damage may seem.

Sometimes, we find that filing a claim is not necessary. If your deductible is high, you don’t have enough coverage, or the damage is minimal, filing a claim would be a waste of time. There is no point in raising your premium unnecessarily. Examples of this would be a chipped windshield or scratched paint, which can be fixed with little expense in many cases.

While physical damage coverage isn’t always a must if you own your car out-and-out, common sense dictates that the right auto insurance policy will protect you in the event of an accident, no matter what time of year you are facing. It’s also intelligent to winterize your automobile and make use of winter driving instructions to help keep away from winter driving accidents altogether.

Find out how much you could save by requesting your free Phoenix online auto insurance quotes now!