I’ve been hit by another car.  The other driver caused the accident.  What do I do?  This is a question that is frequently asked too late.  My first rule of thumb – don’t freak out.  Accidents happen every day.  Most accidents don’t result in litigation. If there is damage to your car, but no one is injured, you should exchange driver’s licenses and registration with the other driver, and immediately report the accident to your insurance agency.  If you have collision coverage, your own insurer will pay for your...

It’s the summer vacation season, so the following scenario may sound familiar to you… You’re standing at a car rental counter in the airport. You’ve just touched down after hours of flying to your week-long vacation in paradise. You’re tired, and you can’t wait to get to the hotel, drink a cold one, and hit the beach. The person behind the counter asks, “Do you want insurance with the car rental?” You freeze. You break into a cold sweat. And, you have no idea what to do. To insure, or not to insure. That is the question. The answer depends on...

I have noticed a disturbing increase in the number of unsolicited letters and telephone calls being made by law firms to accident victims. These law firms review police blotters to look for auto accidents, and then reach out to accident victims who are identified in the police reports. These contacts can be annoying and confusing, but unfortunately, they are allowed (with a few exceptions). This drags down the reputation of the legal profession and reinforces the stereotype of the ambulance chaser. The worst way to hire an attorney is to...

When is the last time that you reviewed your car insurance policy?  If you are like most people, the answer is when you first obtained the policy or perhaps never.  This can mean big headaches if you are ever in a car accident, even a car accident that is someone else’s fault. When looking for car insurance, people are often focused on keeping the premium as low as possible.  Unfortunately, you get what you pay for. Make it your New Year’s resolution to pull out your car insurance policy, and contact your insurance agent to...