You’ve gotten into a car accident. Worse yet, you’ve gotten into a car accident out of state. The unfamiliarity of your surroundings can cause you to make several costly errors. Especially when it comes to unanswered questions you may have about how insurance coverage works in a state you’re not familiar with. After all, insurance rules can change wildly from state to state, with some things being okay in some states, and very not okay in others. Thankfully there are very simple steps you can take to help get your bearings. So, if you’re looking for cheap car insurance help in Illinois because you suffered an accident out of your home state, read on for the basic steps you need to take next.
#1. Find out how far-reaching your insurance policy is
Your insurance company should be a phone call away, so this shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. Most auto insurance policies extend their coverage across the entire United States. Even so, it never hurts to check and make sure. If your company does extend their coverage out across state lines, then calling in an accident is no more difficult than if you were at home. So, if you wish to have your car towed, repaired etc. then there shouldn’t be any barrier because you’re out of state.
#2. Be aware of the laws of the state
Say you’ve been injured, decided to sue the at-fault driver, and now you’re going through with it. Before everything goes down, you need to read up on how this sort of trial is handled in the state the accident took place in. That includes statute of limitations for auto accidents, as well as many other factors that you normally wouldn’t think much about in your own state. Out of state accident cases are almost never cut and dry ones, so speak to an accident attorney as soon as possible, in order to make sure that everything goes smoothly.
Bottom line, obeying the laws of the state you’re in, keeping a cool head, and touching base with your insurance company is the best way to handle an out of state accident.
