Tips for Filing an Auto Insurance Claim

Having an auto accident can be one of the most stressful events. Filing an auto insurance claim does not have to be a dreaded event. If you know what you are doing then it makes the job easier to do.  The goal with any auto insurance claim is to get the auto insurance claim settlement as soon as possible so you can put the accident behind you and get back to life.

There are a few key tips that can help you to get your auto insurance claim payment quickly. The tips below is a handy guide to making sure that your claim is paid quickly.

Tip # 1 

Once you are safe, exchange information with the other driver.  In some states that police are not needed if the damages are under a certain threshold but you should always get the other drivers information.  You will want to make sure you get pertinent information like:
• Name
• Address
• Insurance information
• Plate number
• Phone number

Tip # 2 

File your auto insurance claim as soon as possible.  After you and the other driver have exchanged information and you are in a safe place call your insurer to let them know that you have had an accident. Provide as much detail as possible about the circumstances including if any citations were issued.

Tip # 3 

DO NOT make any repairs to the vehicle until you have spoken to the insurance adjuster and had the vehicle inspected for estimates. In some cases the insurance adjuster will make suggestions about which shop to take your vehicle too in other cases the insurance adjuster will come to wherever the car is and just hand you an auto insurance claim payment for the damages that they will cover.  Insurance companies have access to information about the cost of parts and labor that it will take to get your auto in good running condition again and will base the auto insurance claim settlement based on that information.

Tip # 4 

In most cases you can go to any body shop to have your repairs done once you have received your auto insurance claim payment but you may decide that using a shop that the insurance adjuster recommends may be the easiest way to do things.

Tip # 5 

Be patient! Most auto insurance companies will settle auto insurance claims quickly but if there is a question about liability or there are other extenuating circumstances involved then you may have to wait a little longer than you like.

Some other advice includes keeping your documents in order and in the car with you at all times so that if you need to call the insurance carrier you will have your information handy.  In some states it is not necessary to get law enforcement involved when there is minimal property damaged involved but if you are not sure you should check with your carrier.

Always be sure to get all the information that is needed from the other driver to protect yourself. Following the tips listed here can easily cut down on the time it takes to get your auto insurance claim payment.

The ARM Loan Alternative

In the course of recent years, most borrowers happily secured low settled rates. At the same time, you can trim your rate further with a movable rate contract. In the event that you do, pick a crossover ARM loan, which includes an introductory settled rate period took after by conformities after set times of time. Match the altered interest rate period to the time you hope to possess your home and you won't need to stress over the rate alterations. You'll discover mixture ARMs with altered rate times of three, five, seven and 10 years. In right on time January, the normal rate on a 5/1 ARM was 3.1% and the rate on a 10/1 ARM was 3.5%, contrasted and the 30-year altered rate of 3.9%, as indicated by HSH.com, which tracks rates. A few renditions change at regular intervals or even like clockwork.

Today's ARMs have constructed in shields that ensure borrowers against elements that powered the home loan emergency, for example, blasting rates at the first conformity and least installment alternatives that permitted the credit foremost to develop. Banks must illuminate you in advance what your new installment will be after the first conformity if your rate ascends to the credit's top (which ought to be close to two rate focuses). In the event that the ARM has an altered rate for five or less years, moneylenders must qualify you for the advance taking into account the installment sum that would come about if the premium rate rose to the top on the first alteration.

The Down Payment Obstacle

First-time home purchasers generally find that amassing an up front installment is their hardest test. The same goes for some present mortgage holders who lost a large portion of their value in the lodging bust. A mainstream misinterpretation is that you must put down no less than 20%. Ordinarily, you'll require a great deal less. For a credit of $417,000 or less that is supported by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (called an acclimating advance), you'll require only 5% for a settled rate contract or 10% for a movable rate credit. For "high adjust," or "acclimating large," advances of up to $625,500 in high-cost markets, you must risk up no less than 10% and meet marginally higher financial assessment prerequisites.

Non-conforming large credits of more than $625,500 are more broadly accessible than some time recently, with moneylenders offering them at rates similar to accommodating advances, says Guy Cecala, distributer of Inside Mortgage Finance. Since moneylenders keep these home loans all alone books instead of offer them to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the credits oblige higher financial assessments than for adjusting home loans and no less than a 10% to 15% up front installment, says Ramez Fahmy, a branch administrator with Caliber Home Loans, in Bethesda, Md.

After home costs tumbled, your alternative for a wicked good installment advance was a FHA contract, which requires only 3.5% down (and a base FICO rating of 580). Be that as it may, borrowers must pay for FHA contract protection an in advance premium of 1.75% of the credit sum and a yearly premium of 0.85% of the advance.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as of late revived advance projects that permit only 3% down on a settled rate contract. For Fannie Mae's system, no less than one borrower must be a first-time home purchaser. Fannie's project propelled in December 2014, and Freddie's will be accessible to borrowers whose credits settle on or after March 23, 2015. Huge banks aren't hurrying to offer the project, while littler, nonbank contract loan specialists appear to be willing to sign on, says Cecala. Borrowers who qualify will spare cash on premium and home loan protection contrasted and FHA advances.

On the off chance that you do put down under 20%, you must pay for private home loan protection (PMI), which ensures the moneylender in the event that you default. The more you put down and the higher your FICO assessment, the less scope you'll need and the bring down the expense of PMI.

You can lessen the up front installment and maintain a strategic distance from PMI with a supposed piggyback advance a 80% first home loan, a 15% second home loan and 5% down. This sort of advance is particularly valuable in the event that you haven't yet sold your past home however you have enough money to put 5% down and you can stand to pay the home loan on both homes briefly. You can pay off the second home loan (and pay down your new credit) when your past home offers.

You won't require an initial down payment (or home loan protection) in case you're a vet who meets all requirements for a Veterans Affairs home credit (see www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans), however you will need to pay an in advance "subsidizing expense" of up to 3.3% of the advance sum. Country Development Guaranteed Loans from the U.S. Bureau of Agriculture likewise permit qualified, low-salary borrowers in chose ranges to purchase with nothing down, despite the fact that they will pay an in advance certification charge (moved into the credit sum) and a yearly expense (www.rurdev.usda.gov/hsf-about_guaranteed_loans.html).

Bad Credit Loans Are Not So Bad

Believe it or not, there are good loans to be secured even if you have bad credit. In fact, there are companies that actually specialize in bad credit loans for people who have had trouble in the past. Obtaining unsecured bad credit loans may not be as difficult as you might think as these companies use different standards to customers who have less than perfect credit.

However, there are still predatory loan companies out there taking advantage of people who believe that their credit is not good enough to secure a traditional loan. Many of these predatory companies will charge high interest rates and may trap you into a cycle of debt where you are taking out new loans to pay off old ones.

Fortunately, there are plenty of good lending companies that work with those who have less than ideal credit to help them secure the loans they need.

How to Find the Best Lenders for Bad Credit 

The first place to start is with your own credit score and ability to pay off a loan. This is important because in working with a lender you’ll need to be honest about what you can and cannot do in terms of paying back the loan.

Remember that bad credit can mean different things depending on the lender. For example, some lenders will not consider your application if you are below a certain credit score while others may not even look at your credit report or it may be just a small consideration.

Here are a few lenders that specialize in bad credit loans and offer excellent services for those who have a less than ideal credit score. However, if your credit score is less than 640, then here are the lenders that you should consider.

Avant

One big advantage of this company is their high lending limit of $35,000 for unsecured loans. However, they also offer a reasonable 9.95% APR starting interest rate and their loans are immediately funded unlike more traditional peer-to-peer loans. You can even choose the payback plan from one to four years.

However, if your credit rating is below 600 then they will not accept you nor do they accept secured loans. So, you will have to fall into the 600 and above category to get a loan from Avant.

Peerform

This is a peer-to-peer lending service that offers better credit standards compared to most other traditional lending institutions. Credit scores as low as 600 may be accepted and loans up to $25,000 are available. However, it can take up to two weeks to secure the loan, so this is for something long term rather than immediate.

Springleaf

This is a company excels in providing secured loans for borrowers with low credit scores. They also offer unsecured loans and are accredited with the BBB. However, their average APR is 25.5% which is very high and they can only provide loans in 27 states so they may not be available in your area.

For those with low credit scores, there are bad credit loans available at reasonable cost and terms. If you are looking for secured or unsecured bad credit loans, then the three lending institutions mentioned should be a good starting point.