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Archive for insurance

Many factors affect what and how much you can recover at the end of the case.

How soon can I recover income and expenses?

Even if it’s obvious that the other person was at fault in the accident, and even if there is a police report to support that fact, the insurance company for the at-fault party does NOT pay any claims until the case is settled. And your case cannot be settled until you finish treatment for any injuries. That means settlement can take weeks or even months, depending on the injuries you sustained and the treatment involved.

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Jul
27

Documenting wage loss

Posted by: Loren Etengoff | Comments (0)


Most people understand that they can submit a claim to an insurance company for medical expenses and damage to a vehicle.

Did you know, though, that you can also submit a claim to the insurance company for the at-fault party to recover earnings and benefits that you lost as a result of an accident?

What is included in wage loss claims?

Whether you are an employee or self-employed, you can claim lost wages or income, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and any benefits you used.

Benefits might include vacation or sick time, contributions to a 401K or pension plan, and so on.

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Recovering lost wages at the end of the case from the insurer for the at-fault party does not help when you have bills to pay today.

Understanding PIP benefits

When you are buying a new automobile insurance policy, insurance agents may not fully explain PIP coverage. Even when you are renewing and checking coverage, you might start questioning provisions of the policy. For those who are trying to save money, PIP coverage might seem like an expense that might not be necessary since you may already have health insurance through your employer.

That’s why it’s important to understand the benefits of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, particularly the benefits for medical expenses.

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This article focuses on the differences between PIP coverage in the state of Washington versus the state of Oregon.

What does PIP cover?

The Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage in an automobile insurance policy includes provisions for:


  • Medical expenses

  • Wage loss

  • Essential services

PIP availability in Washington vs. Oregon

In Washington, PIP coverage must be offered with any auto insurance policy. If you choose not to buy PIP coverage, though, you must sign a form to specifically decline that coverage. Read on to better understand the benefits you might receive before you reject that coverage.

In Oregon, PIP coverage is mandatory in all auto insurance policies.

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Jul
09

Temporarily covering lost income

Posted by: Loren Etengoff | Comments (1)


You were injured in an accident. You had to take off time work, so you lost income or benefits. Now you need to find a way to cover that lost income so you can pay your bills and take care of your family.

Eventually, when you settle the case with the at fault party, you can recover your lost income and benefits as well as medical and auto repair expenses. However, that might be months down the road.

In the meantime, what can you do to cover lost wages?

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Categories : Lost Income, insurance
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Jun
03

What is PIP insurance?

Posted by: Loren Etengoff | Comments (2)

By law, you are required to have insurance for your vehicle.

But as you look at insurance coverage—whether by talking to an agent or searching on the Internet—the terms of the policy seem like Greek to you. For example, what is PIP coverage?

What does PIP mean?

“PIP” is an acronym for Personal Injury Protection.

The Insurance Commissioner for the State of Washington states:

PIP is insurance coverage for medical and other expenses, such as wage loss and funeral expenses, which result from an auto accident, no matter who is at fault.
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Jun
01

Assess Vehicle Damage

Posted by: Loren Etengoff | Comments (2)


No one ever wants it to happen, but at some point you might be involved in an accident.
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, vans, and commercial vehicles all start, stop, and move along at various rates of speed. They are all equipped with mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and electronic systems—all opportunities for failure.

Then there are drivers. Distracted, drunk, or with just plain bad driving habits.

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