You’ve just spent an amazing day up in Seattle with your family, watching the Seahawks play. They beat the Denver Broncos and you’re pumped! You decide to get everyone in the car and drive out of Seattle before stopping for dinner. Traffic is pretty heavy, but things are going smoothly.
While driving in the left-hand lane and minding your own business, the car in front of you suddenly slams on its brakes. You see it happen, but you have nowhere to go. You scream as you inevitably rear end the car in front of you. Thankfully, there were no other cars in close proximity driving behind you.
As you check with everyone in the car to make sure they are ok. The car in front of you starts to move to the shoulder and you follow. You are filled with all sorts of emotions. Thankful none of you are hurt, relieved that nobody was behind you and anger toward the car in front of you. The initial shock means that the farthest thing from your mind is whether or not you have an umbrella insurance policy.
Keep Calm And Assess The Situation
As you walk towards the other vehicle to hear a baby crying and a mother screaming because she can’t get the seatbelt off,. The driver of the car, presumably the father of the baby, is dazed and can’t get out of the car. Your anger diminishes as you realize they are injured.
You quickly call 911 and wait for the police. While you are waiting, you ask the other driver what made him slam on his brakes and he tells you someone cut him off and he had no choice.
The police and ambulance get there and you give your report to the police, as does the other driver. The ambulance drives away with the baby and two parents.
You start to realize how serious this could be and ask the officer what happens next. He tells you he needs to give you a ticket, because you were following too close. You are reeling now because you know the person in front of you slammed on their brakes, so it should definitely be their fault. However, the policeman reminds you that while following another vehicle, you should always leave enough space for the vehicle in front to stop in an emergency. Now you are worried: do you have an umbrella policy in place, or will you be at fault for all the possible charges?
Call Your Insurance Agent
You still can’t believe you are at fault, but you are thankful your family is ok. You drive the rest of the way home and in the morning you call your insurance agent. They gather all the information and help you start the claim. Your agent reminds you that this could all take a long time since they still need information regarding the other vehicle and the possible injuries. You start to worry, wondering how much the medical bills and the vehicle repair will cost. What if there are long term medical issues with the passengers of the other car? You are starting to wonder whether your umbrella policy will cover this. Are you now responsible for thousands of dollars in bills?
Your agent puts you right at ease, telling you that this is the reason you have an umbrella policy. Your insurance company will take care of everything for you, and you don’t have to worry.
Accidents are never a fun thing, regardless of whether it is your fault, or someone else’s. They are inconvenient, can ruin your day, or create long-term, complex issues in your life. This is when insurance comes into play, but it is essential to have the correct insurance. We offer umbrella policies at a low cost and a great value. Call us today at (360)414-8754 to find out how we can help you!
Disclaimer: The information used in these blogs is for examples only and does not pertain to every situation. All insurance policies are different and tailored to each specific client. Claim details can also change outcomes. In no way do these blogs represent your specific coverage or replace coverage advice from your insurance company/agent. You should always review your entire policy and contact your insurance company and/or agent to verify coverage your policy does and does not cover.