While treatment and recovery from physical injuries are typically the primary concerns of our car accident injury clients, the question, “Who’s going to pay to fix my car?” is another important concern. If our client carries collision insurance, they can have their own company pay for the damage to be repaired or, in the case of a total loss (i.e., when the repair exceeds 70% of the car’s market value), the vehicle’s current value. The host vehicle’s insurer will also pay a set daily amount for a rental car while the damaged vehicle is being repaired. For those with collision coverage, a collision claim is the easiest, most convenient, and quickest way to pay for car repairs. NAVIGATING DAMAGE CLAIMS AFTER AN ACCIDENT Who Will Pay to Fix My Car?
Kids these days! They don’t know how to curtsy before their lords, stay stoic and straight-faced when photographed, or duel to the death when someone besmirches their honor. In all seriousness, while some courtesies have gone out of fashion, there are still manners your kids should know. Manners are essential for people of all ages and can significantly improve your kids’ social standing, success, and behavior in the years to come. Here are three need-to-know manners to teach your kids. WHAT’S THE MAGIC WORD? It may sound simple, but no common courtesy is more important than knowing when to say “Please” and “Thank you.” It also helps establish a model of good behavior and parental respect that is important to reinforce in children. When your children ask for something, remind them to say, “Please.” When someone has done something for them, remind them to say, “Thank you.” You also need to model the practice and return the same courtesy! It shows how important it is for everyone to have good manners. MAKE AN INTRODUCTION. Greetings and introductions may seem trivial; however, they are anything but . Properly introducing yourself, especially on the phone, is pivotal to starting a relationship or phone call on the right foot. It also gives you more authority and respect for the remainder of the conversation and beyond. LEARN TO BE HELPFUL. No act is more endearing to others than offering a helping hand. Whether mowing your neighbor’s lawn, staying after class to help your teacher clean up, or lending a hand in dinner prep with a parent, acts of kindness can help build character. They are also a great way to forge new friendships and cement current relationships, as you never know what others are going through, and a bit of help may be just what they need. Build Character With Manners 3 Behaviors to Teach Your Kids
The potential negatives of making a claim against your carrier are:
• You will probably have to lay out a deductible (which your insurance carrier may be able to reimburse you for if they recover it from the at-fault insurer). • It will become part of your claim history with the company, which will be considered when your policy renews and a new premium is determined. The other option is to make a property damage claim against the at-fault party’s insurer. If the accident was clearly the at-fault party’s fault (for example, you were hit in the rear while stopped at a red light) this type of claim is probably the best. However, if liability is disputed (as in a “he said/ she said” dispute over which driver had the green light and which driver had the red light in an intersection accident) a property damage claim against the at-fault party may be frustrating and disappointing. In the red light/green light example, the at-fault party’s insurer may offer only 50% of the damage repair. While property damage claims can be litigated, most people want and need the property damage portion of their claim resolved quickly. The delays and uncertainties of litigating the property damage claim make doing so impractical and unacceptable. If you have concerns about property damage sustained in an accident involving physical injuries, call us so we can address the specific circumstances of your claim.
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