When to Hire an Attorney

One of the most common questions I get as a car accident attorney is whether or not a certain case requires my services, or if it can be handled without a lawyer. This is an incredibly important question for anyone involved in an auto accident, as you don't want to spend money on representation if that won't lead to you getting more for your claim.

The fact of the matter is that not every injury or car accident case will require the services of an attorney. There are a lot of lawyers out there that don't want you to know that, because small claims are easy enough to be handled by anybody, and are quick money for a lawyer that takes them. When injuries and property damage are minor, it is possible that the cost of hiring a lawyer will lower the final amount that you actually receive.

With this in mind, though, if you are considering hiring an attorney, chances are that you will actually need one. In the majority of cases, it will serve in your best interest to be represented by someone who has a firm grasp on the law and has experience fighting cases against insurance companies.
There is overwhelming evidence that a lawyer's representation will likely bring you a lot more money. The Insurance Research Council has found that those who hire an attorney get an average of 3½ times more in their settlement. The reason for this is that Insurance Companies are in the business of lowering or denying claims.

They know exactly how to make this happen, and can easily take advantage of auto accident victims who do not have an attorney representing them. The playing field is leveled once you hire a personal injury attorney, because they have spent the vast majority of their career fighting insurance companies. Fighting a small claim is simple and straightforward enough for most people, however, when the claim is bigger; there are a lot more variables to deal with. Fighting this on your own can be a very difficult and time consuming process that is virtually impossible without a legal education. Some cases may not be able to be resolved in arbitration or mediation, in which case it is imperative that you have an attorney to fight your case.

The biggest concern in most people's mind is the common practice where personal injury attorneys take 1/3 of the final settlement as the attorney's fee. Despite this, though, the overwhelming majority of cases show that you by hiring a lawyer, you will in turn get so much more money out of your case that it will easily make up for it. If you are unsure about whether or not the process is worth it for you, call up an experienced personal injury lawyer and ask for a free consultation. Because personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, it is in their best interest to only take cases that will pay out, so a trustworthy attorney will lead you in the right direction.

Want to Reduce Your Auto Insurance Costs? Let Me Count the Ways!

By Arthur Lewis

We all complain about the mounting cost of automobile insurance. So what are our options to lower our auto insurance expense? Take a look at the following list of opportunities to reduce your auto insurance.
1. Plan For And Include Auto Insurance Costs Into The Cost Of your Auto Purchase
To begin with, buying a car is a significant initial expense and auto insurance is a sizable subsequent expense in your ongoing cost of ownership. You should always look into what your insurance costs are going to be on any vehicle you consider buying.

2. Research Auto Insurance Rates On Different Makes And Models Before Buying Your Car.
Insurers rate vehicles on a risk scale based on statistics that cover a range of factors such as exposure to risk of injury or theft, vandalism, flashy or sporty vehicles, cost, cost to fix, past claims history, overall safety record, etc. The higher the risk, the higher the insurance premium. Many insurers offer discounts for low-risk vehicles such as sedans and station wagons. Check out this information with your state or provincial insurance agencies before you to decide what car to buy.

3. Research And Get Quotes From Several Insurance Agencies
Once you have decided on a make and model of car, the best way to make sure you are getting the most affordable price for your auto insurance policy is to do your research and compare, quotes. You should obtain a number of quotes from different insurers as coverage costs from one insurer to the next can vary by hundreds of dollars, and possibly thousands of dollars. Get at least three price quotes. Call insurers directly or get online quotes. Provide the same coverage, deductibles and limitations so you can compare apples with apples. Nowadays, comparison sites do all the legwork for you and provide competing rates side-by-side. Visit some of the sites advertised on my website listed below.

4. Save Money By Raising Your Deductibles
You can reduce your insurance premium considerably by increasing the deductible on the comprehensive and collision portion of your insurance policy. However, keep in mind that in the event you have an accident and file a claim, you will have to pay the deductible out of your own pocket. So make sure you can afford to do that. You can save 10 percent or more by increasing your deductible from say $500 to $1,000. If your claim is $2500 and your deductible is $1,000, you will pay $1,000 and your insurance company will pay $1500.

5. Save Money By Purchasing Home And Auto Insurance From the Same Insurer
Purchasing your home and automobile insurance policies with the same insurer may qualify you for a further discount, which may shave up to another 10% on both policies. Most insurers offer this saving as an incentive to get your home insurance business too.

.6 Save Money By Including All Vehicles Under The Same Policy
Similarly, many insurers offer a multi-auto discounts for those who insure more than one car on the same policy. You can save up to 10% by placing more than one vehicle under the same policy.

7. Save Money By Maintaining A Good Driving Record
Your driving record is a significant factor in determining your insurance rate. If you have a clean driving record (without accidents, traffic tickets, drunk driving convictions, etc.,) you may be eligible for further discounts on your auto insurance policy. A bad driving record can become very costly in terms of insurance premiums, as you may take three years or more to wipe out past misdemeanors off your record.

8. Save Money By Maintaining A Good Credit Record
Insurers are increasingly using credit information to price auto insurance policies. Developing and maintaining a solid credit history can reduce your insurance costs. To protect your credit status, pay your debts on time, don't get more credit than you need and keep your debt balances as low as possible. Review your credit record often and ensure your record remains accurate by getting errors corrected promptly.

9. Save By Asking For Low Mileage Discounts
If you are retired, semi-retired, car-pool or use public transportation to go to work, and generally keep your annual car mileage as low as possible you may be eligible for a low-mileage discount. The low mileage limit is generally around 10k-12k miles per year depending on the state or province you live in.

10. Research Other Discounts
Other discounts may be available if you meet certain conditions. Examples may include age group, low mileage, occupation, if you install an alarm or other safety devices in your car, taken a defensive driving or drivers education course, are a member of an auto club, or loyal to the same auto insurance company for a number of years. These discounts vary by insurer.

11. Inquire about Group Insurance
Some insurers may offer discounts to drivers who obtain insurance through an employer provided group plan, through professional, business and alumni groups, or trade associations. Ask your employer and check with groups or clubs you are a member of to see if you are entitled to such discounts.

12. Drop Collision Coverage On An Older Car
If your car is 10 years or older, you may want to consider removing the collision coverage on your policy. Before you do this, you need to weigh the cost of the collision coverage with the value of your car and your chosen deductibles. For example, if you had a 12-year-old car that was worth about $1,000, and your deductible was $1,000, that collision coverage is worth zero. However, remember that you will have to bear the cost of repairs directly out of your pocket should you get into an accident.

13. Take Defensive Driver Training Courses
Safer drivers pay lower insurance rates. Taking state and/or insurer approved defensive driving courses in the past 3 years will get you reduced auto insurance premiums.
14. Install Safety And Anti-Theft Devices In Your Car
Insurers may give you discounts on your auto insurance if your car is equipped with one or more of the following options: Anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, and airbags. Similarly, anti-theft devices such as car alarms and tracking systems may also get you a discount because they reduce the chances of your car being stolen or vandalized.

15 Reduce Auto Insurance By Moving
If you move from urban big city traffic location to a rural area with little crime and traffic congestion, your premium will generally be lower. Of course, you would do this only if it is in keeping with other life-style decision factors.

16. Where Do You Park Your Car?
If you park your car in a garage, you may be entitled to a slight premium reduction. Cars parked in garages are less likely to be stolen, vandalized, or struck by other vehicles.

17. Develop A Relationship With Your Insurer
If you have been with one insurer for a long time, most will charge an existing client who has more than one recent claim less than they would a new client in the same situation.

18. Keep Your Insurer Up To Date
Make sure your insurance company always has correct and up-to-date information on file. For instance, if you relocate from an urban to a suburban or rural area, your rates may go down.

The key to auto insurance savings is not the discounts, but the final price. An insurer that offers few discounts may still have a lower overall price. The discounts listed may not be available in all states or provinces or from all insurance companies, so once again, it pays to do your research as the savings are just too significant to lose!

If you enjoyed reading this article and want to learn more about saving on auto insurance, then I invite you to visit our web site [http://askartabout.com/saveonautoinsurance]Save On Auto Insurance, for more articles, free quote information, and tools to reduce your auto insurance.

Author: Art J. Lewis

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/