Chicago Auto Insurance Claim – Who Gets The Money

Reader question:

When I make an auto insurance claim in Chicago, then who gets the money, me or the repair shop or the other driver?

Greg

Thanks for asking, Greg.

Well, that depends on a few things. Was the accident your fault or the other driver’s fault? Because those are the two defining issues. If a car accident is your fault, then the title put on the IL auto insurance claim is first party claim. On the other hand, if the car accident is not your fault, then the IL auto insurance claim is instead called third party claim. Here is a break down of the two.

• First party claim.

You file a first party claim on your IL auto insurance policy if you are found at fault for an accident and yet you have collision coverage to take care of damage to your own property. You will first pay the deductible that you have signed up for, and when the claim is approved, your IL auto insurance company will issue a check. Whose name is on the check depends on what terms you signed off on in your contract. So long as you agreed to it in your contract, you have no right to complain.

In most cases, the check for a first party claim will have both your name and the name of the mechanic who is repairing your car. The reason for this is that lots of fraud goes on and this insures that the check cannot be used for fraudulent purposes and that you end up repairing your car as desired. In some cases, though, your IL auto insurance company might make the check out to you. You will then be allowed to find a repair shop that you like and have your vehicle repaired there. It all depends on the company and, most of all, the contract.

• Third party claim.

Third party claims are a lot easier, because you are working with the other driver’s car insurance company. Since you have no obligations to them, not having signed their contract, they have to treat you better than they would their own IL auto insurance policy holder. This usually goes more quickly, and the claims check is made out to you.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

Chicago Auto Insurance Quotes For High Performance Vehicle

Reader question:

Is it possible to get a cheap Chicago insurance quote on a high performance car?

Mary

Thank you for asking, Mary.

High performance cars fall in the category of high risk when it comes to Chicago insurance quote rates, and as such the prices will be inevitably higher. However, like with anything else, the initial high ratings that you get with a high performance car Chicago insurance quote is only a setback, and there are plenty of things that you can do to ensure that your Chicago insurance quote isn’t as high as you would expect.

The main thing that I would suggest to someone buying a high performance car is that they get their Chicago insurance quote from a car insurance company that specializes in insuring high performance cars. There are plenty of these kinds of companies out there and they offer more special protection when it comes to the high price and riskiness of your vehicle. They are also preferable because, unlike with your regular auto insurance company, a high performance car insurance company is more likely to cover any upgrades that you make to your car. If you don’t have the upgrades covered on a regular car insurance policy, then you could lose a lot in a collision, and if they are covered then your Chicago insurance quote would be rather high.

I would also say that if you are going to buy a high performance car and want a good car insurance quote, then it would be a good idea to maintain an active interest in your car and possibly join some kind of club or organization for it. Not only will you learn a lot of great information about your new vehicle this way, but you will also probably be able to get a discount on your Chicago insurance quote through your car club. Normally, car clubs have some kind of relationship with a group of car insurance companies and you can get discounts through those companies.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

Who is Covered on My Auto Insurance in Chicago

Reader question:

Who is covered under my auto insurance in Chicago?

Jackie

Good question, Jackie.

It’s a subject that often comes up because most of the time the text of your auto insurance policy in Chicago isn’t all too clear. You might have to hassle a car insurance agent or read the policy several times to figure it out, but even then you cannot always be certain of who is covered under your auto insurance in Chicago.

First of all, let’s state the obvious. You are covered under your policy for auto insurance in Chicago, as are any other named drivers on your policy. It doesn’t matter who they are or where they live, if they are on your policy then they are covered under your auto insurance in Chicago.

Beyond that, there are a couple of more groups of people who are also covered under your auto insurance in Chicago. The first group is members of your household. This does not mean, as it seems, anybody who lives in your house and drives your car. It has the more specific meaning of being anyone who lives in your house and is related to you by marriage, adoption, or blood. So that means your spouse, child, stepchild, grandmother, and so on, so long as they live with you.

The second not so obvious group of people that are covered under your policy for auto insurance in Chicago are your friends and other relatives. However, there is a clause attached to this. They are only covered by your policy for auto insurance in Chicago if they

• have your permission to drive your car, or
• have reason to believe that you would give them permission to do so.

The trouble on that second part is that it is often very difficult to prove that your friend or relative had no reason to believe that you would have allowed them to drive your car.

Now, while these groups are covered under your auto insurance in Chicago, you have to remember that insurance follows the car, not the driver. They are only covered under your policy so long as they are driving one of the vehicles listed on the policy.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

Chicago Auto Insurance With Mechanical Breakdown Coverage

Reader question:

Should I add mechanical breakdown coverage to my Chicago auto insurance policy?

Luke

Thanks for asking, Luke.

There was a time a year or so ago when I would have killed to have mechanical breakdown coverage on my auto insurance policy. I worked about an hour away from home and had a terrible car that was always breaking down on me. I can’t count the times that I was stranded without a cell phone and quarters to call on a pay phone until someone noted my absence.

I think I would only recommend mechanical breakdown to be added to your  automobile insurance policy if you’re in a situation kind of like that. For example, if you have a car that has a high risk of breaking down, and you’re far away from home very often or you live out in the middle of nowhere, and maybe you don’t have a cell phone or your city doesn’t have many taxis or public transportation. Otherwise, it might not be very necessary.

Mechanical breakdown coverage also covers a lot of things that your warranty already covers. However, if you have a car that is constantly breaking down, it might be a good idea. The only catch is that insurance companies that offer mechanical breakdown coverage don’t offer it for wear and tear, which is where most people are going to be breaking down. Take out wear and tear and you’re losing a whole lot of coverage right there.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

I Need To Save Money On Illinois Auto Insurance Rate

Reader question:

How do I get my auto insurance and quote and save money, I am new to America

Jorge

Thank you for asking, Jorge.

There is a way that you can get your auto insurance and quote and without having to do anything other than what you’ve already done. Sound too easy? I can see your concern. You hardly ever see a company selling auto insurance and quote and making it simple. It’s usually the opposite. However, it does happen.

The particular discount that I am talking about is a discount that many car insurance companies are offering for people based on their occupation. This way, you can get your  auto insurance and quote and not have to anything other than call up your car insurance company with proof that you work in a certain field or hold a certain degree. There are two types of people who fall under this discount.

• Teachers.

Teachers can get their auto insurance and quote and save on a discount through their teacher’s union. Normally, the costs of the credit union will be about the same as the savings that they get from the discount. However, since you get so many benefits from being a member of a teacher’s union it’s kind of like getting free membership.

• Engineers/mathematicians/etc.

Car insurance companies like people who have degrees in engineering and other math and science related fields. The reason that they give these majors a chance to get their  auto insurance and quote and save is because studies show that people in these fields are more likely to pay close attention to their surroundings and file fewer claims. This makes them low risk, and a target for savings.

Cheers,

Fashun Guadarrama.

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