What You Need To Do In The Event Of A Hit And Run Accident

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Being involved in a hit and run accident can be a distressing experience. Knowing how to handle such situations and being prepared in advance can help you navigate the shock and ensure you are adequately covered for any losses. While hit and run incidents can happen to any driver, whether their vehicle is parked or in motion, understanding the following steps will assist you in dealing with this unfortunate situation.

Safely Park Your Vehicle:

If the accident occurs while you are driving, safely pull your vehicle over to the side of the road. If possible, make a careful note of the license plate and description of the vehicle that struck you. This information will be helpful to the police in their investigation. In the case of your vehicle being hit while parked and unattended, look for any signs left by the other vehicle, such as paint transfer or a note on your windshield. Check if there are security cameras nearby, such as at a gas station, that might have captured the incident.

Assess Injuries:

If anyone involved in the accident is injured, attend to their immediate needs and promptly call 911 for medical assistance. It is normal to feel shaken after such an event, so take a moment to collect yourself as well.

Contact the Police:

Once you have safely parked your vehicle, it is important to file a police report. Some police stations may not respond if there are no injuries, but it is still necessary to document the incident. Your insurance company will likely require this report when utilizing your uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) coverage.

Gather Witness Information:

If there are any witnesses present, ask for their contact information, including phone number and name. Your insurance company may want to obtain their statements regarding the accident.

Notify Your Insurance Company:

Evaluate the damages to your vehicle and consider whether you want to file a claim. In some hit and run cases, the damages may be minimal, and you might decide not to pursue a claim. Keep in mind that if you do not carry the appropriate coverage for hit and run incidents (often known as uninsured motorist property damage), your claim will be processed as a collision loss, and deductibles may apply in both cases.

While we hope you never encounter a hit and run accident, being prepared can help you effectively manage such an unfortunate situation. Stay vigilant, drive responsibly, and ensure you have the necessary insurance coverage to protect yourself in case of any unexpected incidents.

The Importance Of Maintaining A Home Inventory Checklist

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While most of us hope to never experience a catastrophic home loss, it is crucial to be prepared in the event that such a disaster strikes, whether it be a flood, fire, earthquake, or any other unforeseen calamity.

Creating a comprehensive home inventory may seem like a daunting task, but dedicating the time to do so can make a significant difference in the aftermath of a claim, potentially saving you thousands of dollars and streamlining the claims process.

Our homes and the belongings within them often hold deep symbolic and sentimental value. Our personal items reflect our memories, individual style, and sometimes even serve as valuable investments, such as artworks. When you consider the cumulative worth of all your possessions, the value can easily reach tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Disaster-related home insurance claims, whether due to fire or flood, can be overwhelming and traumatic. This is where a home inventory checklist becomes invaluable.

It helps you quickly recall the items you owned. Would you be able to remember the exact number and brand of jeans you had? What about the number and brand of shoes? And when it comes to your valuable artwork, could you recall the artist’s name and the price you paid for each piece?

Maintaining a home inventory can prove beneficial in case of theft or damage to the contents of your home. Keep track of your items using an easy-to-use chart, and consider attaching photographs for documentation. This way, you can swiftly provide your insurance agent with the necessary information to expedite the claims process.

Another effective method is to create a thorough video or series of videos documenting your belongings. Be sure to store your home inventory checklist in a secure location, such as the cloud, for easy access and protection.

The good news is that your insurance agent likely provided you with sufficient coverage for your personal property. However, if you feel the need for additional coverage, be sure to discuss this with your agent. Home, renters, and condo insurance policies typically include standard coverage for personal property.

Taking the time to create a detailed home inventory checklist is a proactive step that can bring you peace of mind and protect your financial interests. Remember, it is better to be prepared and never have to use the inventory than to face a loss and struggle to recall the details of your belongings.

Protect your investments, streamline the claims process, and ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve by maintaining an up-to-date home inventory checklist.

How to Create an Emergency Survival Kit

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Emergency Kit

If a massive disaster wiped out power to your region right now, with no hope of recovery for at least several days, would you be ready?

Would you have a way to connect with your family? Would you have enough nonperishable food for everyone? In short, do you have the right plan and supplies to get through an emergency?

In the insurance business, we know a little something about helping people recover from disasters. We know that a little preparation goes a long way. So here are some tips from the Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control and others on what you should put in an emergency preparedness kit for you and your family:

The big stuff: food and water
At home, consider keeping a two-week supply of nonperishable food on hand in a safe, dry place. You might already have a good head start on this, depending on what’s in your pantry. You also need a two-week supply of water, according to the Red Cross. That’s one gallon per person, per day. Don’t forget your pets. They’ll need their food and water as well. For evacuation situations, take a three-day supply of the above.

Safety items
If the power is out for an extended period, you’ll need flashlights or battery-powered lanterns (with extra batteries). A portable, hand-crank radio will ensure you stay informed on the situation. A first-aid kit is a must, along with at least a week’s worth of any medications that family members need. Emergency blankets and warm clothes are crucial if the weather is cold. Don’t forget personal hygiene items.

Paperwork
You could be forced to evacuate, so it’s important to have certain things down on paper — for example, family and emergency contact information. You’ll also want to keep copies of personal documents, such as proof of address, passports, birth certificates, and insurance policies.

Other items
There are a multitude of other things you can include in your kit, of course. A multipurpose tool, extra cash, and maps of the area are a few recommendations, along with games and activities to keep the kids occupied, if needed.

Above all, consider the unique needs of you and your family when putting together your kit. Put everything in labeled containers that can be accessed quickly and carried if necessary. Once you’ve created your kit, check it each September during National Preparedness Month for expired items, including medications, and missing supplies.

Of course, we hope you never have to use your kit. But it’s far better to have one you don’t need instead of needing one you don’t have.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.

Top image by Flickr user Global X used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.