Car accidents can result in damage to the vehicles involved that can be extremely expensive to repair. It is not surprising, therefore, that many accident victims who come to us are concerned about whether their or the other driver’s insurance company will pay to have their car repaired. The answer to this question in most cases is “yes,” but determining which insurance company will pay, whether they will repair it or pay you the value of the vehicle, and whether you actually want to file a claim depends on a number of factors.
Fault Determines Which Company Will Pay
Connecticut, like most states, is a “fault” insurance state. This means that a driver’s insurance policy will pay for losses caused by the driver – so if your accident was caused by someone else, it is likely that his or her insurance company will cover the damage to your vehicle. If the accident was your fault, on the other hand, you will need to file a claim with your insurance company to have your vehicle repaired, which could raise your monthly premiums.
Is the Vehicle Totaled?
Generally speaking, an insurance company will not repair a car if it is a total loss,1 meaning that it would cost more to repair than it is worth. In practice, however, insurers may deem a vehicle a total loss if the costs of repairs are close to its value. If a car is totaled, you will receive a check for its value and the insurance company will take the vehicle and obtain a salvage title. You can keep a totaled vehicle as well, but the amount you will receive from the insurer will be the value of the vehicle minus its salvage value.
Do You Want to File a Claim?
Your insurance rate is determined in part by the number of claims you have filed. In cases in which the cost of repairing a vehicle is less than your deductible2 or the damage is purely cosmetic or minor, you may want to forgo filing a claim with your insurance company.
Contact a Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer Today for More Information
If you have been involved in a car accident, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled lawyer can help make the process of filing a claim go much more smoothly and will ensure that you receive as much compensation as possible. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Hartford personal injury attorneys, call Leighton, Katz & Drapeau LLC today at 860-875-7000 or contact us online.
1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_loss
2http://www.iii.org/article/understanding-your-insurance-deductible
