Not having sufficient auto-insurance coverage can be a bad thing, especially when you consider the number of accidents that happen each year. In 2012 alone, 9.9 million cars were involved in accidents. Having insurance is not enough. You absolutely need to understand the type and amount of coverage that you have along with the terms and conditions involved with making a claim. This is especially true for "not-at-fault" claims. This article will look at three common factors that come into play when attempting to file "not-at-fault" claims.

Time Constraints or Limit from Accident to When Claim Is Filed

Check your insurance policy to determine whether there are any requirements in regard to the time constraints or limits for when a claim needs to be filed after the accident. Some auto-insurance companies require that you file a claim within a certain amount of time in order for you to be eligible to be considered not at fault. In the event that you file a claim late, you are considered to have contributed to the accident and will be found to have some type of fault or responsibility for the aftermath. In these situations, even if all of the evidence is on your side, this won't matter to the insurance company.

Your insurance policy might also specify when you have to file a claim in order to receive compensation for any additional coverage purchased under your insurance policy. For example, if you have the new car-insurance coverage, you need to file a claim within a certain period of time in order to be eligible to get a new car after your car has been totaled from the accident.

Police Report of the Accident

Before signing off on your insurance policy, read over the terms and conditions to determine whether the insurance policy requires that you file a police report for any accidents that you plan on claiming. The police need to be called within a certain time of the accident, especially if you are involved in a hit-and-run incident. Without a police report that can prove when and where the accident happened, the type of damage that was sustained by your car, and other details, your claim cannot be filed under not-at-fault conditions. In short, you'll be required to pay a deductible if you file a claim and get your car repaired. Depending on the severity of the damages, your insurance premiums might even rise in the following year.

Read over the insurance policy to determine whether you will need a hard copy of the police report when filing a claim. Some insurance companies only require that you have the file number of your case and the contact information of the police officer who responded to your call.

Witness Testimony Supporting Your Claims or Identifying the Culprit

If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident, or if you were involved in a car accident about which it could be difficult to establish fault, some insurance companies will give the benefit of the doubt to the policy owners who have a witness on their side. Look over your insurance policy to determine how fault will be established and understand the importance of witness testimony.

Witness testimony is usually required in hit-and-run cases. If you cannot identify the culprit that collided with your car, your insurance policy may require you to pay a deductible before you can get your car repaired. However, if a witness is able to identify the culprit, you will no longer be on the hook for paying a deductible.

Conclusion

Understanding the protocols and procedures involved with filing a claim can really help you determine whether your auto-insurance policy is right for you. For your own benefit, you really should opt for a policy that has terms and conditions that are in your favor. Otherwise, you could be in for a real shock when you file a claim to repair your car.