It’s common for you to have car insurance questions. In fact, you probably have quite a few of them.
Whether you’re updating a policy or starting a brand new one, it can be confusing to navigate between mandatory and optional coverages.
You might be wondering what car insurance covers, and if you have everything you need included in your policy. It’s clear what you’re required to have, but what else should there be?
At Duliban Insurance Brokers Ltd., we answer many car insurance questions on a daily basis. It’s important to us to make sure our customers understand and know their policies inside and out.
That’s why we’re sharing our insider knowledge with you.
These are the top 5 most common questions we get, and the answers to help bring you peace of mind.
1. What is Accident Forgiveness?
For every car accident, the insurance company determines the percentage that each driver was at fault using a set of rules outlined in the Insurance Act. If you are found to be fully or mostly at fault for the accident, this can negatively affect your insurance rates.
Accident forgiveness protects your car insurance rates and driving record in the event of your first at fault accident. It will help ensure that your rates don’t increase as a result of the first at fault accident.
Talk to your local insurance broker to see if you qualify for accident forgiveness, and which car insurance companies offer it. Not every company does, and not everyone qualifies.
However, if you have a clean driving record when you start your policy, this is a beneficial option for you and can help protect you from rising insurance rates after your first accident.
2. What is Collision Coverage?
Collision coverage is an optional coverage that applies to any object you hit, whether it’s on the road or attached to it, and allows your vehicle to be repaired or replaced. This also includes repairs as a result of an accident with another car.
For example, if you slide on ice and lose control of your car, collision coverage will pay for the damage to your car, less your deductible. If you are in an accident and your car is damaged, collision coverage will also cover for those repairs.
It will also cover you if your car flips or rolls over, or in the event of a hit and run by someone with no insurance if identified.
3. What is Comprehensive Coverage?
Comprehensive coverage is an optional coverage. It applies to anything moving through the air, as well as damage caused by fire, flood, vandalism, or glass. Most damage caused by environmental circumstances will be included, according to your specific policy.
If debris comes flying in the air and damages your windshield, for example, comprehensive coverage would cover the damage, less your deductible if applicable.
This will also cover the cost of replacing your vehicle if the damage is too much to repair.
4. What Are Accident Benefits?
Accident benefits are automatically included with all automobile policies that include liability.
It doesn’t matter whose fault the accident is; you will still be eligible for compensation according to the terms of your insurance policy, regardless of fault.
This coverage applies to any accident involving an automobile, whether you were the driver, the passenger, or a pedestrian.
Here are some of the accident benefits that are usually covered. Standard amounts are included for these benefits.
- Lost income from time off work/ income replacement
- Medical / Rehabilitation care
- Funeral costs
- Attendant care expenses
This list isn’t conclusive, and you might find that your specific policy includes other coverages and costs. Talk to your local insurance broker to make sure you have these coverages included in your policy, or if you have questions about your accident benefits.
There are increased amounts available. The government has made some major changes to the coverages as of June 1, 2016. Discuss these options with your broker to make sure you have adequate coverage.
5. Why am I Not Speaking to the Same Person I Sat Down With When I Started my Insurance Policy?
At Duliban, each of our highly trained team members specializes in an aspect of the car insurance procedure.
The person you originally sat down with specializes in the SALES part of your policy. They are the expert in finding you the best coverage at the rates you need from one of the 20 insurance companies we partner with.
Once they have found you the policy that fits your needs, your coverage will begin.
Our Customer Service Professionals take over from there. They are the experts at maintaining your policy and discussing any changes with you. That’s because they have the highest knowledge of the information you need to apply changes to your policy.
So when you need to change anything or make a claim, you’ll speak with the customer service professional who knows what’s best for you.
Talk to Your Hometown Broker For More Answers to Your Car Insurance Questions
At Duliban Insurance Brokers, our team of hometown brokers want to make sure you understand everything about your policy. When you have car insurance questions, we’re more than happy to give you the answers.
As local insurance brokers in Niagara, Haldimand, and rural Ontario, we care about you like we care about our own family members. That’s why we go above and beyond for all of our customers, in addition to greeting you with a friendly face.
Part of our dedication to excellent customer service is to make sure all of our customers get the best premiums and coverages at the most affordable price. We work on your behalf with some of the best insurance companies in Ontario.
Get your online car insurance quote now!
