Weather Related Auto Owners’ Insurance Claims Up 50%

By: Mike Silverstone, Car Insurance Analyst
CheaperCarInsurance.com

Recent storms in Texas are causing a drastic rise in weather related auto owners’ insurance claims. The state has been seeing an increase in claims since 2009, with flooding, hail and thunderstorms causing the majority of the damage. In fact, weather related claims have risen 50% from the recent storms!

Despite the fact there was no hurricane damage in Texas last year, the state hit a record $2.43 billion in catastrophic losses, making up 23% of losses in the entire country. This year, storms are causing another rise in car insurance claims and insurance companies anticipate that the number will skyrocket as summer hits in full force.

Avoiding Auto Owners’ Insurance Claims

Most people want to avoid making a claim and raising their auto insurance, so how can Texans keep their cars safe this storm season? There are a few basic tips to ensure that vehicles sustain little or no damage during the storms.

• Keep vehicles in the garage when not in use
• Park in areas not likely to be flooded
• Don’t start a car after flooding; electrical damage could ensue
• Air out flooded vehicles to prevent mold growth
• After hail, clean your car thoroughly to avoid broken glass injuries

After the storm, be sure to inspect your vehicle for dents and other damages so you can decide if you need to file a car insurance claim. If your vehicle needs to be inspected, it’s a good idea to hose it off so the insurance inspector can see all the damage clearly.

Common sense goes a long way when it comes to avoiding auto owners’ insurance claims. Keeping your vehicle out of the weather as much as possible and avoiding problem areas will help ensure that your vehicle stays secure and undamaged.

Weather Related Damages: Are They Worth Claiming?

Considering that your insurance premiums go up when you put in a claim for your vehicle, is it really worth it to do so after a storm? That depends on how badly damaged your vehicle was. In Texas, some of the damage after the storms has been pretty impressive.

Chances are, if you can bang a dent out on your own or if the deductible covers the majority of the repair costs, you won’t want to file a claim. However, some people have no choice. Let’s take a look at some of the damage that can be caused by what appear to be simple storms:

• Broken windows, headlights and tail lights (hail)
• Complete electrical failure (flooding)
• Collapsed buildings on top of vehicles (storms)
• Tree branches denting the roof, trunk or hood (wind)

From minor damage to utter destruction, there are all levels of problems caused by storms. These may be most common in Texas, but any state in the country will face similar issues at some time or another, so it’s a good idea to keep the tips in this article in mind. As auto owners insurance claims skyrocket due to the weather related damages, those who have taken the time to make sure their vehicles are out of the weather are able to continue driving without problems.

Posted: April 30, 2010