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Can I Use Collision Coverage
For My Vehicle Damage?

When a car accident happens, the liable party has to pay for damages. But some car insurance coverage is lenient enough to allow you to collect damages even if you were at fault.

You can file a vehicle damage claim. But this may require you to have some legal knowledge as auto insurance rules differ by state.

If you have been involved in a car accident, suffered vehicle damage and wondering whether you can use your collision coverage, this article can help.

Using Collision Coverage For Your Vehicle Repairs

Collisions coverage is best when you have incurred damages and believe you were not at fault. According to Investopedia, collisions coverage is different from comprehensive coverage that covers your car when damages occurred when no one was driving it.

Drivers that have such coverage as part of their vehicle insurance policy may collect damages and pay for any repair costs. There are two main benefits why you may consider settling with your own collision coverage:

• Your case is likely to settle faster.
  This is because you don’t have to prove that someone else was liable for your injuries. Meaning no evidence needs to show the defendant lead to your vehicle damage. Nevertheless, if you were at fault, the at-fault drive insurance may raise concerns. This would call for you to dig for evidence with the help of Wasilla Alaska lawyers.
• You may get your collision coverage together with personal injury claims damage.
  If the accident left you with injuries that require medical costs, you would not be barred from getting damages in a personal injury claim. Such a claim will help you get your medical expenses, lost wages, future earning capacity, etc.

The best part is that even if you’re partly to blame, collision coverage doesn’t bar you from collecting such damages. However, if you are contemplating using your collisions coverage policy, you may not get a chance to collect any other amount from the at-fault driver insurance company for the same damages. So the next step is that your own insurance company will file a claim against the at fault driver insurance.

When to Consider Using Collisions Coverage

If your vehicle was damaged in an accident, having a collision coverage could significantly assist you in getting repair costs. Suppose you are contemplating using collision coverage for your vehicle damage. You can consider the below:

• You must be willing to pay for the deductible:
  This is the amount you pay before getting damages under your collision coverage. Such an amount is paid from your pockets.

  Depending on how much deductible amount you may choose, this will affect your premiums. Collision coverage proves to be expensive, but one best part is that you can choose lower premiums by choosing a higher deductible.

• Your car value:
  When paying for your deductible, keep in mind the value of your car. You can only get coverage depending on the actual cash value of your car. Even if you have an old vehicle, this doesn’t mean that your insurance premium will be reduced automatically.

  Many factors have to be considered, such as the type of vehicle, the amount to your deductible, etc. For example, if your collisions coverage offers you a lower amount than your repair costs, you will be forced to use your money to pay for the rest of the repair expenses. But your lawyer can help you get such an amount from the other driver's insurance.

• Your financial position:
  Remember you will be forced to pay the deductible out of your pocket. You may need to ask yourself whether you may have money to repair your vehicle or replace it. In such a case, you have to consider the cost of your collision coverage and weigh such against the value of your vehicle and whatever deductible you choose.

Work It Out With a Lawyer

You may have incurred vehicle damage, but with enough collision coverage, you will get your vehicle back on the road. In case your car was totaled, some coverage will help you replace your vehicle. However, collision coverage may limit what to recover.

Remember that you cannot collect damages from your collision policy and also file a claim to get damages from the at-fault driver insurance. 

Note that it doesn’t mean that if you don’t have collision coverage, you will not compensate for vehicle damages. Your lawyer can guide you on other options to file a claim.

There is much more to learn about collisions coverage and how it may cater to your vehicle's damages costs. If you have questions about using collision coverage for your vehicle damage, you can call a qualified car accident lawyer. Such a lawyer will help you explore the options available to help you get the best outcome.