Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance Claims
- Will a claim affect my premiums?
- How does an insurance company decide who’s at fault?
- What is a deductible?
- Where can I get my car repaired?
- Am I entitled to a rental vehicle?
- My car is a total loss. What does that mean?
- How does my insurer determine the actual cash value of my vehicle?
- I’ve spent a lot of money maintaining my vehicle. Will this affect its value?
- Who does my insurer pay when my vehicle is a total loss?
- The other party offered to pay for my damages. What should I do?
1. Will a claim affect my premiums?
An at-fault claim will generally have an effect on your insurance premium. However, if you purchase The Crash-Proof PolicyTM from belairdirect, your insurance premium may remain unaffected. Please contact one of our agents for further information.
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2. How does an insurance company decide who’s at fault?
The degree of fault must be determined, in order to assess what coverages apply to the claim and to ensure that premiums are adjusted properly. In Ontario, insurance companies determine fault by applying a set of rules called the "Fault Determination Rules". According to these rules, the degree of fault is determined without reference to weather or road conditions, to visibility or to the actions of pedestrians. The Fault Determination Rules cover most accident situations, but if, as in certain situations, fault cannot be determined by one of these rules, it will be determined in accordance with ordinary rules of law.
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3. What is a deductible?
A deductible is the amount you agree to pay towards the cost of any single claim. The deductible amount, if any, is shown on your Certificate of Automobile Insurance. Depending on the type of claim, you may need to pay a deductible even if it was determined that you were not at fault in the accident.
But if you choose The $0 Deductible Offer from belairdirect, you won’t have to pay a deductible for the All Perils, Collision or Upset, or Comprehensive portion of your policy.
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4. Where can I get my car repaired?
Though the decision on where you take your car for repairs is entirely yours, we are happy to refer you to our Rely Network of preferred repair shops. We guarantee repairs done on the body of the vehicle by members of our Rely Network as long as you own the car .
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5. Am I entitled to a rental vehicle?
If the other insurance company accepts complete fault for the accident, you may be entitled to the use of a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired (additional charges may apply, depending on the coverages included in your policy). If you are partially or completely at fault, and did not include “Loss of Use” coverage in your policy, the cost of a rental vehicle may not be covered. You should always call us to discuss your coverages before renting a vehicle.
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6. My car is a total loss. What does that mean?
A "total loss" means that the cost of repairing your vehicle exceeds its value. If you do not have a limited Waiver of Depreciation, you may be offered a settlement based on the actual cash value of the vehicle.
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7. How does my insurer determine the actual cash value of my vehicle?
To determine the actual cash value of your vehicle, an appraiser will search a database for the sale prices of similar vehicles in your area. He will also consider the condition of your vehicle prior to the accident, including, but not limited to, its mileage, options and any damage not caused by the accident.
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8. I’ve spent a lot of money maintaining my vehicle. Will this affect its value?
Putting a fresh coat of paint on your vehicle, installing new tires and installing an old transmission or engine all affect the value of your vehicle. Changes of this nature should be discussed with an adjuster. However, regular maintenance checks – oil changes, spark-plug changes and mechanical work – help keep a vehicle in good working order, without increasing its value.
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9. Who does my insurer pay when my vehicle is a total loss?
If a claim settlement is payable, it may be paid to one of three recipients: (a) directly to you (if you own the vehicle); (b) directly to the leasing company (if your vehicle is leased); or (c) jointly to you and to the finance company, if your vehicle is financed.
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10. The other party offered to pay for my damages. What should I do?
We do not recommend settling any claim privately. Problems can easily arise and you could be left holding the bill, with no recourse against the other party and no opportunity to claim it from us. Please report the claim to us, so that we can deal with your situation equitably and fairly.
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