Practicing safe driving is a great way to prevent costly damage to your vehicle that is often associated with car accidents. Unfortunately, some events are completely out of your control. Even the safest drivers cannot prevent damage from severe weather, such as hail, flood or wind damage. If such an event occurs, you might end up calling your Ten Eyck Group agent to discuss your options. Vehicle damage caused by a storm is really quite common and is worth filing a claim for if the damage is extensive. However, minimizing the risk of having to file a claim is also important. Here are a few ways you can achieve this objective:
Know The Risks In Your Area
Talk to your Ten Eyck Group agent. Discuss the types of claims people file as a result of storm damage in your area; specifically car-related damage. Here in the Northeast, we see everything from wind, hail, and heavy snow causing falling objects. However, rain can also be a factor — as can flooding in some areas.
Also speak with your agents about your options for coverage. Do you carry Comprehensive coverage? What level of deductible are you comfortable with versus what deductible you actually carry?
Have Your Car Inspected
You likely take your vehicle to the mechanic often for tune-ups and oil changes. This is also a good time to talk about the seals and gaskets on the vehicle. These are the small, rubber areas that help to keep moisture out of your car. They are located on the doors and along other edges.
Over time, seals and gaskets can wear down and create gaps. The damage caused by freezing and thawing water can be extensive. Sometimes, the seal along the windshield or one of the windows can begin to fail. Have these items repaired now to avoid a claim later.
Storage Matters
Whenever possible, store your vehicle inside a garage. If you cannot do so, position it as close to a structure — such as your home — as possible. This helps to reduce some of the wind and potential hail damage.
If you have trees in the area, prune them. Be sure that any dead or damaged limbs come off the tree early on – you want to be sure the tree is not likely to suffer damage during a storm. You can also cover your vehicle if you do not use it often. A simple carport is a good way to minimize the risk of hail damage to your vehicles inexpensively.
Some natural events or "Acts of God" are unavoidable, and reimbursement for the resulting damage is the foundation of why we purchase insurance. With that said, the more effort we can take to avoid a claim and the longer you go without a claim, the better rates and options for coverage will be.
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