Auto Insurance

There’s a misconception by most people that the insurance company will rip them off when a vehicle is a total loss, we want you to know that’s not true. Erie Mutual hires an independent auto appraiser who assesses the damage to your vehicle. The appraiser researches based on the current market value of your vehicle and provides us with a value for your automobile. If you do not agree with that value you have the right to hire your own independent appraiser. Your satisfaction with a fair and prompt settlement is important to us.

We know that auto accidents can sometimes result in mild to severe injury. If you are involved in an auto accident you can collect “Accident Benefits” from your own auto insurance company. These benefits include but are not limited to an Income Replacement Benefit, Medical Benefits including massage, chiropractor and physiotherapy treatment, prescriptions and in some cases Attendant Care coverage. On June 1, 2016, the government changed the limits available to you. You should speak with a professional insurance advisor to ensure you carry appropriate coverage and limits. Let us explain why you need to increase your limits, it’s more important than you realize.

Don’t panic if you’re in an auto accident, it happens. Ensuring you’re safe and getting your vehicle repaired is our job, and we do it well. If you are reporting an automobile accident it is important to give the adjuster your name, policy number (if you have it), particulars of the vehicle that was involved in the accident, the driver information (if it was not you), passenger information, the date of loss and police report details. We will need more, it is also very important to get the other driver’s name, address, drivers license number, insurance company, policy number and type of vehicle. To make it easier for you, simply take a picture with your phone of the drivers license, insurance slip, and license plate number and forward to the adjuster. We’ll have your claim started immediately.

That can depend on details of the accident and the coverage you carry under your auto insurance policy. If you are not at fault for the accident and your insurance company confirms the other driver has valid insurance then yes, you are entitled to a rental while your car is being repaired, we’ll get you back on the road as soon as possible.

However, if you are at fault for an auto accident or the party that caused the damage is unidentified then you need to have purchased an OPCF 20 endorsement (Ontario Policy Change Form – Coverage for Transportation Replacement) that provides you the option to rent a vehicle. This endorsement normally has a maximum limit to the amount payable, it is recommended to discuss with our professional insurance advisor to ensure you have the appropriate level of coverage. This is an important coverage for single vehicle families, or if you commute daily, talk to us so we can add this coverage today!