Collisions can happen for many reasons. Most of the time, they occur due to an unavoidable accident or simple distraction. When they occur, you want to know your auto insurance can help cover your costs. Collision insurance is one form of car insurance many people should have, but it does have some limitations to it. It is important for you to know when this insurance applies to your bumper damage. Here’s some insight to help you.
What Is Collision Insurance?
This form of auto insurance covers instances in which there is damage to your car that you caused when you collided with something. It sounds pretty simple, but there are some things you need to consider.
First, not every vehicle owner has this coverage. Contact your insurance company to verify your coverage. If your car has a lease or a loan, you generally have this coverage. Most vehicles with significant value should also have it.
Consider the Cause
The next important consideration is the cause of the damage to the bumper. Bumper damage can occur very easy, and it can be very costly. This type of insurance applies to situations in which you hit another object such as a car, a person, a wall, or other structures. When you do and have bumper damage, file a claim. This type of policy does not cover intentional acts that cause damage to the bumper. It also does not apply if someone else does damage to your car.
Think About Your Deductible, Too
Some types of bumper damage are very minor. It may not look good, but it does not cost much to fix. Most auto insurance policies have a deductible. This is the amount of money you must pay first before your insurance policy pays for the rest of the loss. With bumper damage, it really depends on the structural damage that occurs. If the bumper has cosmetic problems with it, such as a dent in the material, that may not be enough to file a claim. On the other hand, replacing the bumper may cost far more than your deductible, making it wise to file a claim.
If you have bumper damage, call your auto insurance agent. Discuss what happened. Find out what coverage you have that can help. Your agent may then request that you get a quote to determine the level of damage. And, from there, you can file a car insurance claim.