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Unfortunate events can happen anywhere even when you are out of state. If you travel a lot either for business or leisure, it becomes crucial to learn more about car accident out of state insurance so you can avoid making a costly mistake when you get into an accident.
Not many people know that when a car accident happens outside your state, you can still make a report and file a claim with your insurance. But there are several things to consider like the claiming procedure and the coverage limit of your policy.
What to Do If You Get an Accident Out of State
Getting an accident outside your state may be more complicated if you are injured. Aside from the mental and physical trauma you have to endure, so many questions may pop up in your head including if you are still covered by the insurance.
The good news, your auto insurance company still covers you no matter where the accident occurs. Most car insurance policies cover all states in the US and US territories like Puerto Rico. Even some policies will cover you if the accident happens in Canada.
Whether you get an accident in or out of state, there are several critical steps to take promptly including:
- Call the police
- Find medical help
- Take photos of the scene
- Get information about the other driver and witnesses
- Call your insurance company
- Do not admit fault.
In the event you get in an accident out of state, you have three different options to file a lawsuit. First, you may file a claim in the state where the incident occurred. You can also file a lawsuit in the state where the other driver lives or in the state where your business is established if you are on a business trip.
Once you have decided where to file a lawsuit, figure out your time limit to complete the claim for car accident out of state insurance. It may depend on the type of claim, when your injury is discovered, who the defendant is, and your age.
What Will Your Policy Cover?
Being involved in a car accident out of state doesn’t sound familiar but it happens constantly. For this reason, insurance companies have made the protocols in case this event occurs so it can be handled easily and quickly.
Generally speaking, the limits of insurance policy will adjust to meet the requirements in the state where the incident occurs. If the state where the accident took place has higher minimum coverage limits than your state, your insurance coverage will automatically rise to meet it.
On the other hand, when the minimum coverage limit of the state is lower than your state, the coverage of your insurance policy will decrease. What if the state is no-fault?
Florida is among the no-fault states, which means your personal injury protection will pay for your injury no matter which driver was at fault. But if you get in an accident in a state that doesn’t use a no-fault system or is called a tort state, the faulty driver will be responsible for your injury.
Also Read:
- Should I Get a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
- Car Accident Out of State Insurance: What You Should Know
How a Lawyer May Help If You Get a Car Accident in Another State
Filing a claim for car accident out of state insurance policy can be intricate, especially if you have zero experience and insight into it. Hiring a lawyer can be a good idea to make sure you get your rights and avoid financial loss resulting from your mistakes. Here is how an attorney can help you.
1. Review Your Insurance Policies
Not every person understands things written in the insurance policies. And the fact that the accident occurred out of state, you might be clueless. A hired lawyer can help you review the policies and give you more insights into what is included and excluded from the coverage.
The attorney will determine what insurance coverage you will get and if it will pay for your injury or car damages.
2. Document and Estimate Your Damages
Filing a car accident out of state insurance claim requires you to enclose damage documentation and estimates of loss. A hired attorney will be responsible for calculating your losses both financial and non-financial as well as document your damages so you can determine how much to request.
3. File a Claim
You don’t have to worry about making mistakes when filing a claim due to a lack of experience and knowledge. Your attorney will take this action and may recommend a lawsuit if needed.
4. Leading Negotiations
In some cases, negotiations are required. With their expertise, a lawyer can lead settlement negotiations to make sure the liable party pays your compensation. Even if they refuse, your attorney can guide you to proceed to trial.
Car accident out of state insurance covers your injury and auto damage with adjusted coverage limits. Do the crucial steps promptly after the accident like calling the police and your insurance company. If required, hire a lawyer to make sure you get the compensation.
