Coronavirus and Car Insurance: What You might want to think about (Part 1)
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The coronavirus pandemic has meant fewer
people on the road, which has logically led to fewer crashes and thus a drop in
insurance claims.
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It's still too early to have a
lot of hard numbers, but one insurance tech company says personal auto claims
could be down as much as 50 percent and that March could see the lowest number
of claims in half a century.
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In California, which has reported
some data, the number of crashes is down 43 percent so far in 2020 compared to
2019.
Will auto insurance
claims be affected by COVID-19?
With social distancing measures in place across the country,
insurers are making sure their employees and customers stay safe by keeping the
claims process digital.
Depending on how tech-savvy your insurance company is, this may be a big change from a typically hands-on process or you may not see a change at all. Some insurers already have full-service apps where their customers can find everything they need “which includes filing a claim by submitting photos of the damage.”
The Coronavirus pandemic has closed down schools and non-essential
businesses. Essential businesses such as doctors’ offices and hospitals
continue to see patients. And if you already have an ongoing car accident claim, you might be
wondering how the pandemic affects you, your claim, and it’s progress.
Medical Treatment May Be Limited
If injured
in a car accident, you will receive life-saving medical care but your ongoing
non-emergency medical care may be postponed. Because of the Pandemic, people
who have been in car accidents and need routine ongoing care may have to wait
longer than usual. Many doctor’s offices are limiting the care they provide to
patients, often referring them to the hospitals or setting up telephone/video
visits instead. Even hospitals are limiting visits to seriously ill or injured
patients. Furthermore, going to doctor’s offices for routine visits may not be
worth the risk of contracting or spreading the virus.
Your Personal Injury Case May Be Extended
The courts have placed personal injury cases on hold to help contain and reduce the Coronavirus outbreak. It means that claims are not flowing through the court system, and won’t proceed to trial until the Pandemic is under control. If you have any questions about a personal injury claim, contact your car do some research on accidents in your state
I’m not driving as much.
Should I cancel my car insurance?
How can I submit a car
insurance claim during the outbreak?
Many companies allow you to
submit a claim on a mobile app or website. Apps often allow you to upload
photos or videos of any damage without the need for a claims adjuster to see
the car in person.
Can I Get an Insurance Discount Because I'm
Not Driving to Work Every Day?
Yes, you can potentially save a bit of money because you’re not commuting back and forth to work
