Car Insurance in Vauxhall

Become a better driver with these safe driving tips

There are so many benefits of driving safely. First, it makes you less likely to get into a car accident, which as we all know, can have serious consequences, and second, it can minimize how much you pay for car insurance since your driving record will be clean. To reap these benefits, practice responsible defensive driving by adopting these safe driving tips:

Know the weather that’s in store

Knowing the weather forecast isn’t just important when you’re deciding how to dress for the day, it’s also important when deciding whether to drive. Certain weather conditions make driving far more hazardous, like fog, snow, ice, and heavy rain. So before pulling out of the driveway, check your weather app so that you know what to expect when on the road. If inclement weather is on its way, perhaps delay your errand or, at the very least, adjust your driving habits accordingly. For example, if the roads will be slippery due to rain or snow, drive slowly and use your windshield wipers to increase visibility.

Focus on the cars around you

Anytime you are behind the wheel, it is imperative that you focus 100% on the road. This means keeping track of the other cars around you, as well as any pedestrians. To ensure your eyes remain on the road, put your smartphone somewhere where you can’t see it, and try to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while driving.

Obey the posted speed limit

Driving the speed limit isn’t just recommended, it’s the law. When driving in Vauxhall, pay attention to all posted speed limits and make sure not to exceed them. There are even times when experts recommend driving under the speed limit. For example, be sure to slow down when driving through a construction zone, in adverse weather conditions, through a busy pedestrian area, or when turning.

Use your signal when merging, turning, or changing lanes

Let other drivers know what you plan to do by using your signal. Whether you’re turning, merging, changing lanes, or even parking, using your signal can be the difference between success and a car accident.

Do everything you can to increase visibility

Increasing visibility is a must at all times. There are several situations in which visibility might be reduced, like at night, on a sunny day, or in fog or snow. Different ways of improving visibility include turning on your high or low beams, wearing sunglasses, using the sun visors in your car, and using your windshield wipers or scrapers to clean all mirrors and windows before leaving the house.

Learn how to file an auto insurance claim in Vauxhall

With car insurance, you can file a claim with your insurance provider if something goes wrong. If your claim is approved, you will receive a payout from your insurer to help cover the costs. But the process of filing a claim with your provider can seem daunting - especially if you have never done so before. That is why the BrokerLink team has put together this guide to submitting a car insurance claim in Vauxhall:

Let your insurance provider know about the accident

Anytime you want to file a claim, you first need to contact your insurance provider. You must inform them of what happened so that they can provide you with further instructions. Prepare to answer basic questions, like the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as what damage resulted from the accident. Once they have this information, they can tell you what type of claim to file and how to proceed.

Collect information to support your claim

To give your claim the highest chance of succeeding, you will need evidence to support it. Gather as much as you can to submit alongside any paperwork that you are required to fill out (more on that below). Supporting information or evidence for a car insurance claim may look like photos and videos of the accident, eyewitness statements, police statements, and the personal and insurance information of the other driver involved.

Fill out any required forms

Many insurance companies require policyholders to fill out a specific form or series of forms in order to submit a claim. Get a hold of these forms, either physically or digitally, and fill them out to the best of your ability. If you have any questions while filling them out, contact your insurance agent or broker.

Work alongside the insurance adjuster

Before the insurance company can make a decision regarding your claim, they will hire an insurance adjuster to review the case. The adjuster’s job is to investigate the claim and make a recommendation to the insurer on whether to approve or deny your claim. In order to make this recommendation, they may have extra questions for you that were not covered on the forms you completed. Thus, you should prepare to hear from the adjuster during this phase. If they have questions, respond respectfully and promptly to ensure a seamless investigation.

Wait for a status update from your insurance company

The last part of the claims process is waiting to hear from your insurance company. When they have made a final decision about your claim, they will contact you - usually by phone or email. At this time, they will let you know if your claim was approved or denied. If it is approved, you will find out how much money you will receive and how long it will take to receive it. The insurer will also let you know how the money will be sent, whether by cheque, direct deposit, or another method.

Ultimately, if you get into a car accident and need to file a claim with your insurance provider, reach out to BrokerLink right away. We can answer any questions you may have about the claims process and give you helpful advice.

We’re in your community

BrokerLink is proud to be a member of the Vauxhall community, today, tomorrow, and every day. Since we were founded in 1991, we have made corporate social responsibility a pillar of our brokerage. What this means is that we not only strive to provide world-class insurance services, but we also aim to get involved in the community and give back however we can. Find out what community initiatives we are currently involved in by reaching out to BrokerLink today.