Frequently Asked Questions about Auto Insurance: |
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In most states, if you want to register and drive a car, you must have insurance.
- Auto insurance helps to cover auto related damages, injuries or other loss due to an auto accident.
- Auto insurance protects you, your family, your passengers, pedestrians and other people’s property,
plus your own car.
- Auto insurance can also help protect you in the event of a lawsuit related to an auto accident.
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| How Can I Save Money? |
The price of auto insurance is affected by many factors. Here are the most common:
What you buy
You have several options available to you beginning with the coverages you purchase.
Each coverage has a specific price.Some coverages are mandated by state law, while others are optional.
The more coverages you purchase, and the higher the limits your purchase will affect the price of your policy.
Remember you only get what you pay for, so make sure you are purchasing what you need.
What kind of car you drive
Generally, the more expensive the car, the more you pay.
Where you drive
Generally, due to higher rates of vandalism, theft and accidents, urban drivers pay more for insurance than those in small towns or rural areas.
How much you drive
People who use their car for business and long-distance commuting normally pay more than those who drive less.
Your age, sex and marital status
Accident rates are higher for drivers under age 25, especially single males, so their rates are higher. Insurance rates in most states and for most companies reflect these differences.
Your driving record
Drivers who cause accidents generally pay more than drivers that have not had accidents for several years.
Your credit history
Studies have shown that credit history is a powerful predictor of future auto insurance losses. Many insurance companies consider credit characteristics along with many other factors in determining premiums.
What can I do to save money on my auto insurance?
The choices you make in the following circumstances can affect the premium you pay:
- When shopping for a car, consider that the type of car you buy will probably affect your premium. Cars that are easily damaged or that do not protect the occupants as well will generally have higher rates.
- Size matters. Smaller cars, two door sporty models and cars with larger engines (for speed) will usually cost more to insure.
- Look for discounts. Common factors that provide discounted rates include: good students, accident-free driving history, insuring more than one vehicle on the policy, higher deductibles and others.
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| Glossary of Insurance Terms |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Claims: |
| How do I report a new claim? |
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The first thing you should do is immediately contact the claim office at Occidental by calling 800-223-5994. The Occidental claim staff will assist you with any questions you may have and make the necessary arrangements to get you back on the road.
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| How does my deductible apply to the claim payment? |
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The claim payment amount is the total repair cost or the actual cash value, less your deductible. If another party involved in the accident is at fault, the Occidental Claim Unit will make all efforts to have the at-fault party reimburse the entire amount of repairs, including the deductible.
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| What can I expect if my car is a total loss? |
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If you have Collision Coverage on your car, we will ask your permission to move the car to a salvage yard to stop storage charges that may be accumulating. You will need to remove all personal belongings and license plates from the car and leave the keys with the vehicle. An Occidental representative will gather all the information needed to establish the value of your car, then discuss the results with you. You should locate the vehicle title and, if a lien exists on the car, you should know the name, address, phone number and account number of the lien holder.
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| If my car is financed, will that affect the payment of my claim? |
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It will not affect the amount of the payment; however, if the amount of the claim is greater than $500, the lien holder’s name will be included on the settlement check.
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| Who handles my claim and how can I get in touch with them? |
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Your claim will be handled by an Occidental claim representative, and if necessary, assisted by an appraiser. If you have any questions, you can contact your representative directly, or call our toll free claim number 800-223-5994. Once your claim is filed, it will be assigned a claim number. Whenever you call us with questions about your claim, having your claim number available will speed up the process.
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| Will making a claim have an impact on my premium or coverage availability? |
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It is difficult to say, since individual premiums depend on a variety of factors. Some of those factors include repair costs in your state, the overall claims experience in your state, the type of automobile you drive, how far you drive to work, etc. Your specific claim history is only one factor. EAGA wants to keep good customers. If you have any questions, please contact us.
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After an Accident |
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Things are stressful when you have an accident. Be prepared by keeping your proof of insurance card in your car.
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Here are some key points for you to follow:
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- Make sure that no one is injured. Move a safe distance from the scene of the accident and seek medical attention for any injuries.
- Call the police as soon as possible, no matter how minor the accident.
- Write down names, addresses, telephone numbers and driver’s license numbers from other drivers and witnesses. Make a note of license plate numbers, vehicle identification information (year, make and model) and damage to vehicles.
- Do not admit fault. Do not discuss the accident with anyone except an Occidental representative or the police.
- Contact Occidental as soon as possible at 800-223-5994. For faster and more efficient service, please have your driver’s license, vehicle information and policy number available.
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