Choosing insurance is not a popular job for anyone, but it has to be done. When requesting a policy, there is a description of what is covered. This is the most important reference document to have if an accident happens. Some words are thrown into a policy to intentionally mislead the person applying. The best thing to do when ironing out these misleading words, is to question the insurance company. When questioning, make certain you ask to have these terms defined in a language you can grasp. Insurance companies have a lingo, unless you have experience selling insurance this lingo might as well be a foreign language.
The policy can be manipulated to fit a budget. The excess or deductible is the amount subtracted from the sum received for repairs as a result of a wreck. Sometimes this is presented as a percentage of the vehicle value, and other times it is a fixed amount.
Excess is a term used on policies instead of the word deductible. Either way, this is defined as the expense that will have to be compensated by the owner and operator of the crashed vehicle. When a percentage is used to find the amount of a deductible. The total amount the will be needed to fix the vehicle is assessed. Then the percentage will be subtracted from that. The insured pays the percentage and the insurance company pays the rest.
It is urgent to make sure the insured will benefit financially from an accident. Use common sense when deciding if reporting an accident to your insurance company, is a wise decision. It may be a better financial decision to repair the vehicle on your own, or continue to operate it with a dent or two. Filling out a claim, will commonly increase the price of an insurance policy.
Instead of filing a claim expecting the insurance company to pay for damages, you can utilize the route of receiving a benefit for not filing a claim. You cannot file a claim and use this benefit at the same time, these two options cancel each other. There may be an incentive via a credit to your premium, or a slightly lowered premium. Also you could be entitled to a payment from the insurance company.
In most cases, there are a few choices of excess or deductible that you are capable of affording. Some choices are offered as a resolution to paying a high price per month. Other choices are most likely included in every insurance policy available through the company.
Sometimes the choice of an additional deductible is out of your hands. When a new driver is added to a policy, the risk level increases and an extra amount will be added to the original deductible. Another example limiting the choice in this matter, is attempting to add an individual that constantly violates traffic laws, or has frequent accidents.
In conclusion, there is always a set amount that will have to be paid by the insured. This amount can be fluctuated, depending on the variables of the individual policy. Sometimes changing this fixed charge can save money, and sometimes it is not feasible. The choice is yours.
Graham McKenzie is the content Syndication Manager at Insurance123.co.za South Africans leading car insurance information portal
