while buying auto insurance
be wary of coverage offers from door-to-door salespeople, phone callers or unsolicited internet classified ads.
be suspicious if the rate of coverage appears a lot decrease than the competition's. it could be a scam, or the coverage is probably complete of exclusions that are most effective found while you need the insurance.
touch your country's coverage branch to make sure the agent and enterprise are certified.
take a look at the employer's score on the higher business bureau.
make certain "free services" aren't virtually hidden to your insurance invoice.
ask if the coverage company has purchased or invested in car repair stores; that is a red flag. you are not required to apply them, and they'll not provide you with higher service or prices — in reality, they may be worse.
shield your coverage identity quantity the same way you would your social security wide variety, due to the fact once it is stolen, criminals can use it in a rip-off.
for greater recommendations, see "10 steps to shopping for vehicle insurance" and "the way to choose the proper coverage enterprise."
whilst driving
be cautious if a automobile pulls in front of you, forcing you to observe dangerously near. you'll be installation for a staged coincidence.
trust your instincts. if someone appears to be tailing you or in any other case behaving suspiciously, pull into the closest fuel, fire or police station, or other "safe spot" that you see.
convey an coincidence emergency kit, or at least a disposable digicam, to your automobile.
after a -car crash
exchange records with the individual driving the vehicle, which include driver license, vehicle registration and proof of coverage. take snap shots of all harm to both automobiles.
remember the number of humans within the car. get a call, deal with and phone wide variety for every one, now not simply the motive force.
call the police, and if feasible, have them come to the scene. get a police report with the officer's name, although the harm is minimum. this makes it more tough for a crook to damage the automobile later and try and collect a bigger declare. observe that during cities in which police are stretched thin, the police won't come to an coincidence scene except there are accidents pronounced.
keep away from folks that unexpectedly appear at an coincidence scene and try to direct you to particular doctors or attorneys.
keep away from those who provide you quick coins to fix your vehicle.
be wary of tow truck drivers who recommend a particular car restore facility without being requested.
demand detailed payments for any maintenance or clinical offerings. maintain all your receipts related to the twist of fate.
make certain you get unique system producer (oem) parts on the repair keep.
be cautious of physicians who insist that you record a private harm declare after an coincidence, in particular if you aren't hurt.
in no way sign blank coverage claim forms.
for greater pointers, see "what to do after a automobile coincidence." in case you suspect car coverage fraud, call the countrywide coverage crime bureau at (800) tel-nicb (835-6422). they will help you with next steps. also record capability fraud on your country's fraud bureaus.
