8 Things Car Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know

There are numerous car insurance companies throughout the nation. For example, Geico is the second-largest car insurance provider in the U.S., but there are many others.

Car insurance companies are a great resource in many cases if you’re in an accident, but you also have to remember they are businesses first and foremost.

As a business, their goal is to reduce what they pay out to policyholders and on other claims. Many vehicle owners tend to forget this and often encounter various credit issues due to unforeseen expenses not covered by the insurance company.

With that in mind, the following are eight things many car insurance companies and claims adjusters don’t want you to know.

1.) Car Insurance Is Tied to the Car

There’s a misconception that your car insurance policy is tied to the driver when in reality, it’s tied to the car.

So what does this mean?

Basically, if you let someone else drive your car and they’re in an accident, your insurance coverage should still apply, although you need to read the fine print before you let someone drive your car.

You might also be able to exclude certain drivers in your household as a way to reduce the cost of your policy.

2.) It’s Likely You Can Lower Your Car Insurance Costs

Car insurance companies have a lot of different ways their customers can end up saving money, but they don’t always advertise them, and you may have to proactively ask about them. They’re not just going to offer you discounts in most cases, which is why you need to know what you’re asking for.

For example, there is technology that will allow car insurance companies to monitor your driving with telematics devices, and then they can offer you discounts on that.

This can save anywhere from 10 to 15 percent in some cases.

This is just one example of how you can save money, but you need to do your research to find out what you might be eligible for.

You may be eligible for discounts even if your driving history is less than perfect.

3.) If You’re In An Accident, You Might Not Want To See the Doctor Recommended

If you’re ever in an accident, you want to be very careful and mindful of some of the things the insurance company might do to avoid paying.

For example, an insurance adjuster might refer you to a particular doctor to check out your injuries if you’re hurt. That doctor is likely someone they have an existing relationship with, and they might trust that they’ll minimize your injury. This is just one of the many ways they can try to deny your claim or reduce how much is owed to you in a settlement.

4.) Insurance Adjusters Aren’t Your Friend

It sounds harsh, but the reality is that no matter what they might try to make you think, an insurance adjuster isn’t your friend. Insurance adjusters have a job to do, and that job is to pay you as little as possible.

Don’t be overly friendly or conversational with an insurance adjuster or offer more information than you have to because they can use it against you.

5.) You’re Not Locked Into Your Car Insurance Policy Over the Long-Term

You should plan to regularly compare your current auto insurance rates and see if you can get a better deal not just through discounts but maybe by switching companies altogether.

You may be nervous about moving to a car insurance company that gives you a better rate, but you shouldn’t be.

It’s up to you if it’s time to renew your policy whether or not you want to make a change, that’s a smart financial decision.

6.) Your Credit Score May Impact Your Costs

What a lot of consumers don’t know is that your credit score can and often does play a role in how much you pay for car insurance. A few states don’t allow this—California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, but the rest do.

If you have a poor credit score, the idea is that you may be more of a risk to your insurer.

7.) Insurance Companies Follow the Three D’s

There’s a concept of the Three D’s that insurance companies follow. The first D is for Delay. They want to delay handling any injury claims.

The second D is Deny. This means once they delay they’re also going to try and deny you were hurt from the car accident. The third is Defend. This means they’ll defend their decisions in court.

8.) You’re Probably Going to Get More Money with a Lawyer

Finally, if you’re injured in an accident, research shows that you’re likely to receive on average 40% more money if you work with an attorney compared to not.

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