After a car accident in Scranton, you may suffer many different types of damages. Damages are typically monetary payments that compensate you for your financial losses or injuries. Property damage is one type of loss you may suffer, and this can include damage to both real and personal property.
Keep reading below to learn all the details about property damage after an accident.
What Types of Property Damage Can Be Claimed After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?
There are several types of property damage that you may be able to claim after a Pennsylvania car accident.
You have a right to be reimbursed for your losses, such as:
- Cost to repair your vehicle
- Cost to replace a totaled vehicle
- Towing and storage fees
- Damage to vehicle accessories or aftermarket parts
- Damage to personal property inside your vehicle
In addition to vehicle-related damages, property damage can also include other items. For example, if a driver hits your mailbox at your home, they would be responsible and could face liability for the cost of repairs. Property damage includes all damages and losses to both personal and real property.
How Does Insurance Cover Property Damage?
Drivers in Pennsylvania are required to carry at least $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. This type of coverage pays for any damage that you cause to someone else’s property. You would typically file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance, although you may sometimes file a claim with your own insurance coverage.
The cost to repair most modern vehicles can quickly exceed $5,000, so the minimum required coverage in Pennsylvania is usually considered fairly low. If damages exceed the coverage amount, the at-fault party could be held personally responsible for the difference.
First-Party Property Damage Claims After an Accident
A first-party claim occurs when you file a claim with your own insurance coverage. You would typically do this when the accident was your fault or the other driver did not have insurance. The specific types of first-party claims that you can file will depend on the details of your policy, since most of the coverages below are not mandatory.
Some common types of first-party claims include:
- Towing charges: Many insurance policies include coverage for towing charges if you are unable to drive your car after an accident.
- Rental car coverage: Your policy might even reimburse you for the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired.
- Collision coverage: This type of coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle after an accident, especially when you were at fault. If you have a car loan, your lender likely requires that you carry collision coverage until the loan is paid off.
- Gap insurance coverage: Although not required, gap coverage will pay the difference between the value of your vehicle and the amount you owe on your car loan in the event your car is totaled. This can be extremely beneficial because many vehicles are worth less than the current amount of their car loan.
In some situations, you might file a first-party claim with your insurance company even though another driver was at fault. When you do that, your insurance company could go after the at-fault driver to recoup the money it pays to you under a first-party claim.
Third-Party Property Damage Claims After a Car Accident
Car accident victims usually file a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This prevents the victim from needing to pay a deductible to their own insurance company.
After an accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance may offer you a settlement based on the insurance adjuster’s evaluation of the damage. However, some damage might not be visible until a repair shop can perform a thorough assessment of your vehicle. You have a right to choose your repair shop, and it is always a good idea to obtain more than one estimate prior to getting the work done.
What Happens if My Car Is Totaled?
If your car is totaled, the insurance company will owe you the fair market value of your vehicle.
This market value is assessed based on many factors, such as:
- The year, make, and model of your vehicle
- The mileage on the vehicle
- The condition of the vehicle prior to the accident
- Any aftermarket parts or accessories on the vehicle
- Your geographic location
You can also get an estimate of your vehicle’s value using industry tools such as NADA and Kelley Blue Book. If the insurance company’s offer seems low, you can always present evidence to prove what you believe is the accurate value. Insurance companies sometimes try to make you a lowball settlement offer to avoid paying you the full value of your claim.
Contact the Scranton Car Accident Lawyers at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC for Help Today
Knowing your options after an accident can help ensure that you are getting all the compensation you are owed. The team at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC can help you understand all the details of your property damage claim to help maximize your recovery. Contact us today at (570) 714-4878 to schedule a free consultation with a Scranton car accident attorney who is ready to help.