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United Insurance | Insurance Questions

We are here to answer any questions you may have about the insurance basics. This page will contain key word definitions, information about the claims process, and answers to general questions. If you have specific questions not found on this page, contact one of our representatives here.

Claims

Claims Process

Our claims program is designed to provide:

Premium service

Quick and fair results

Help in understanding your insurance

What We Do

Gather facts about the accident

  • Recorded Statements of those involved in loss and witnesses
  • Obtain Police Reports
  • Obtain Injury Reports
  • Obtain photos of loss
  • Have an "In-House" appraiser inspect the damaged property

Review facts of the loss in detail

  • Review Coverages
  • Review facts of loss
  • Compare all material available
  • Determine Payment amount

What You Do

Contact Police to inspect the loss

Take pictures of the loss

Submit your claim

Provide all information to your claims adjuster

General Claims Questions

If you have general claims questions visit our questions section of this page.

If you do not find an answer to your question please contact us here.

Accidents

In Case of an Auto Accident

Call 911 to request police or emergency personnel assistance.

Take photos of the accident scene and the vehicles involved before they are moved or towed, if it is safe to do so. Most cell phones now have built in cameras that work great for this task.

Obtain the following information from all involved parties, including witnesses: Name, address, phone number(s), and the applicable insurance information from the parties involved in the loss.

Do not admit fault and don't discuss the details of the accident with anyone except the investigating authorities or a United Insurance Group representative.

If your vehicle needs to be towed, please contact NSD at 1-855-548-5624. Make sure to advise the investigating officer that you are requesting the tow

Submit a claim as soon as possible.

In case of Property Loss

Take reasonable and necessary steps to protect your property from further damage. If you need to make emergency repairs, please keep an accurate record of the repair expenses. When possible, retain damaged property for inspection and take photos before taking any action.

A lot of claims deal with a plumbing system releasing water into a home or business. As part of the duties after loss, the water entering the home needs to be stopped by you or a plumbing professional of your choice. It is important that this is taken care of as soon as possible in an effort to minimize damage. Following a substantial fire loss, your home or building will need to be boarded up to protect it from the elements and potential theft.

Please be advised that some types of losses and the resulting damages are not covered by the insurance policy contract.

If you need emergency assistance you are welcome to contact one of the contractors listed here. The list is comprised of companies that have exemplified great customer service and quality of work in our dealings with them. We do not guarantee their work, guarantee payment to them, nor do we accept any liability from their actions. Please know that you are welcome to choose a contractor of your choice.

Submit a claim to United Insurance Group as soon as possible.

Questions

General Claim Questions

Will this claim affect my Insurance Premium?

In truth, traffic citations, auto accidents and claims affect insurance rates. At-fault accidents tend to have a greater impact than not-at-fault accidents -- but exactly how much is hard to say. Our best advice is to consult your agent and - please - drive carefully.

How do I report a NEW claim to my company?

You can submit your claim 24 hours a day, 7 days a week here online. Or call toll-free 1-877-875-8038 Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Your agent can also assist you in making a claim.

Are there situations that I DO NOT need to report a claim to my company?

Generally, if you are in an auto accident, you should report it to your company. However, if your vehicle sustains physical damage but you have "liability-only" coverage and there are no injuries, you may not need to make a claim. Likewise, if the other party accepts fault and they, or their insurance company, have agreed to pay your property damages, you may not need to make a claim under your own policy. But, if there is a dispute regarding fault, if injuries were sustained, or if you would just like the assistance of your company, go ahead and report the claim.

I purchased "Liability Only" coverage. What does that mean?

It means that you have no coverage for damage to your own vehicle but your insurance company will pay for damages you cause to others -- to the extent you are legally liable for those damages and up to the limits (amounts) you purchased. Each state has required minimum liability limits. In Utah, the minimum liability limit is: $15,000 for property damage and $25,000 for bodily injury. Caution: If you are found liable for damages greater than your policy limits, you COULD be personally responsible for amounts and/or legal judgments beyond what your insurance covers. Consult your agent to discuss the coverage and limits which are best for you.

If I'm involved in an auto accident, should I always call the police?

Yes! Even small accidents can blow up into larger, more complicated matters. It's best to immediately involve authorities to investigate and obtain all the required documentation. Beware of "at-fault" people who don't want to involve the police.

If I'm cited in an accident, does that mean I'm solely at-fault?

Getting a citation generally means your actions are seen to, at least, contribute to the accident but it does not mean you are automatically "totally at-fault." Others involved in the accident may be found "comparatively at-fault." However, under Utah's comparative negligence statute, only the party with lesser negligence can collect from the party with greater negligence.

If police can't or don't show up, what information should I get from the other party?

In some situations police may be unable or unwilling to investigate. If that happens, record the other party's vehicle license plate number, make, model and color. Swap driver's license info and be sure to record their DL #, name and address. Ask for phone numbers of the other parties, all passengers and any witnesses. Also swap "insurance information" with an emphasis on getting the policy number and insurance company name.

After reporting a new claim, when will I be contacted by a claim representative?

Under normal conditions, you can expect to hear from your claim representative within about 24 hours of reporting the claim, often sooner. The claim offices operate Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

What is the purpose in taking recorded statements?

Claim investigation involves gathering facts, evidence and documentation to support claim conclusions. By formally recording reported information, the facts tends to be more objective while eliminating bias or misinterpretation. Recording statements also tends to increase the factuality of reported information.

Will a rental car be provided during the repair? How does it work?

If you purchased rental reimbursement coverage with your policy, you will be reimbursed for temporary substitute transportation through a legitimate rental car agency up to $30 per day for the number of days allowed in the appraisers estimate, but never more than 30 days. Since coverage is rental REIMBURSEMENT, you will need to incur the cost of the rental yourself and then submit a valid receipt for reimbursement.

Can I choose my own body or repair shop?

Absolutely! The choice of repair providers is up to you. We will have your vehicle professionally appraised and provide an estimate which you can take to the shop of your choice. If you don't know any local repair shops, your adjuster will have suggestions -- but the choice is always yours. Be cautious of second-rate shops or those who offer "deductible rebates" or other "creative" ideas. In the end, we all benefit by helping keep the costs of insurance fair and reasonable.

What is a deductible?

A deductible is the dollar portion of a claim which the insured must bear to have their vehicle repaired - usually $250 or $500 per accident. If you purchased collision, comprehensive or uninsured motorist PD coverage, and your vehicle sustains compensable damage, the insurance company will pay for the repair, less the insured's deductible.

What if the shop finds damage not identified during the original appraisal?

If the repair shop identifies other damages, they will contact the appraiser for re-inspection or approval.

Why am I required to pay a deductible when the other person was at-fault?

Out-of-pocket deductibles always apply to collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist property damage. The good news is if we are able to collect from the other at-fault party or their carrier, you will get part or all of your deductible back.

My car is a total loss, so why am I being paid less than my loan pay-off?

Unfortunately, we have no control over what someone pays for a car, how much a bank is willing to lend on a car, or the duration and terms of the loan payments. All those factors can result in a loan balance which exceeds the "fair market value" of the totaled vehicle. That situation is often called "being upside-down" on your loan. Most reputable lenders will work with you in these situations and some even offer "GAP" coverage to pay or offset any shortages.

How do you determine "fair market value" of a vehicle? Do you use NADA or Kelley?

Fair market value tends to be a function of the local car market within a few miles of your residence. Unfortunately, NADA (National Automobile Dealer's Association) is a publication which caters to retail automobile dealers and banking entities across large market segments. Like many insurance companies, we use CCC Information Services, Inc. While CCC includes NADA as a valuation factor, they further provide very detailed local information, including market comparables. CCC is considered by many to be the most accurate and thorough vehicle auto valuation service in America. Your claim representative will be happy to share the CCC analysis with you.

How long does it take for my claim to be resolved?

The duration of a claim depends on the type of claim involved and related complexities. Vehicle property damage claims usually resolve within a few days to a few weeks. Un-recovered auto thefts can take several weeks to finalize. The duration of injury and other complex claims depends on many factors. The statue of limitation for resolution of claims in Utah is three (3) years from the date of loss for property damage and four (4) years for bodily injury liability.