First, you must know what type of claim you are filing when you file an auto insurance claim. Because of the strict no fault law, most claims in Michigan can be filed using your auto insurance policy. This applies to both medical and physical coverage. This means that regardless of fault, each person’s policy covers their own damages. You must insure your vehicle with appropriate coverage to get coverage.
If you have an auto insurance claim that needs to be filed, it is best to contact your agent or insurance carrier. If you have any questions about where to file your claim, don’t hesitate to call them.
Standard Claim Filled on Your Own Auto Insurance Policy
Hit a deer? Do you hit a mailbox or guard rail? Fender bender on the road? All claims filed under your auto insurance policy will be covered. It doesn’t matter who is at fault. It doesn’t matter who is at-fault. What matters most is the type of coverage that you have on your vehicle.
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle against many different losses. You can get coverage for almost anything, even a collision.
- Windshield Damage
- Treating an animal
- Storm Damage
- Fire Damage
- Theft
Collision coverage covers you for injuries sustained in an accident involving another vehicle. Your vehicle’s collision coverage will determine if you have coverage. You may also have to pay a deductible.
Questions Commonly Asked by Insurance To File a Standard Claims:
- Verify your Name, Address, Phone number, and Policy Number
- Time, date, and location of the accident
- Which Vehicle were You Driving?
- Please describe the accident
- Is the vehicle a driver?
- Is there any damage to the vehicle?
- Police Report Number
- Information about Other Vehicles (name, phone number and vehicle year, make and model), insurance carrier, policy number and insurance policy number
- What place do you want your vehicle repaired?
Mini Tort Claim
Mini tort claims can be filed in Michigan when the driver who is not at fault files a claim against the driver at fault for up to $1000. Mini torts are only allowed under certain circumstances.
- The Vehicle of the Not at Fault Driver has no Collision Insurance
- A Deductible is required for the vehicle of the not at fault driver.
This is it. These are the only instances in which a mini tort against the at-fault driver can be filed. To file a mini tort you must know the identity of the at-fault driver and their insurance. It is also helpful to have a police report and their policy number. Without these, it can be difficult to file a mini tort.
Information Required for a Mini Tort Claim
- Same information as a standard claim
- Copy of your Declaration Page showing your Coverage
- Get an estimate from a body shop showing the amount of damage
Property Damage Claim
Michigan’s only time you can be fully reimbursed by an at-fault driver’s vehicle insurance is when your car is struck while it is parked. You can have your vehicle fully restored, and you may even be eligible for rental coverage if you file a property damage case. The police won’t usually come out if a vehicle is struck in a parking lot. In these cases, the at-fault driver must admit to fault.
Property damage claims can be filed in the same way as standard claims, but the information will only be filed on the vehicle policy of the at-fault driver. You will need to identify the driver at fault, their vehicle’s insurance number, and the policy number to file a claim.
Claim
Your insurance policy will cover you if you are hurt in a Michigan car accident. And I mean covers you completely! Drivers are protected without any limits on medical costs by paying the MCCA fee. You may have a deductible depending on how your policy is set up.
For an injury claim, contact your agent or insurance company and give the same information as for a standard claim. Include a detailed list of injuries and the places you have sought or planned to seek medical treatment.
Suffering and Pain Claim
You may be eligible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering if you are seriously injured in a car accident that was caused by negligence. No-fault laws reduce the risk of car insurance law suits. For more information, contact your insurance company or a lawyer for car accidents.
* I refer to the at fault driver’s vehicle insurance often throughout this article, because claims against the driver and not the vehicle are filed. The vehicle’s insurance policy will still be covered even if the driver was not involved in an accident.