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Updated
This article was reviewed by Andrew Flueckiger, a member of the Finder Editorial Review Board and certified insurance counselor and licensed insurance agent in five states.
If you take a close look at your car insurance policy, you’ll see a long list of exclusions that your insurer won’t cover. If you get into an accident and your claim is related to any of these exclusions, your insurer may reject your claim. Avoid these exclusions for a better chance at a successful car insurance claim.
Some drivers may accidentally void their insurance policy without knowing it.
You can let nearly anyone drive your car and you’ll have coverage under your policy. But people that have regular access to your vehicle, such as other family members that live in your household, might need to be listed as drivers on your policy to have coverage.
And if the person behind the wheel is listed as an unapproved or excluded driver, your claim could be denied. So if you excluded your teenager from driving your classic car but your kid gets in a wreck while driving it, your insurance likely wouldn’t cover the damage.
If you don’t have certain types of coverage, your claim would be denied. For instance, you won’t be covered for theft or vandalism if you don’t have comprehensive coverage. If you don’t have collision coverage on an older car and you cause a wreck, your insurance would cover damage to the other car but not the cost to fix yours.
Don’t plan on having car insurance coverage if you decide to rob your local bank and attempt a speedy getaway. Driving while doing an illegal activity could cause your claim to be denied. Causing an accident with a suspended license or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol could also cause your claim to be denied, depending on the insurer.
Most policies require that you report any damage within a specified amount of time, usually 30 days. You can still usually make a claim even if you didn’t file a police report though.
If you get into an accident while racing, even on a private track or unused roads, your damage typically won’t be covered if your insurer can prove you were racing.
Your personal car insurance policy won’t usually cover you for accidents that happen while using your car for commercial use. This includes carrying goods for pay or using your car as a rideshare service unless you’ve added a commercial or ridesharing option to your policy.
If you haven’t paid your insurance premiums beyond the allowed grace period, your insurance policy can lapse. Your grace period can be between three to 30 days, depending on your insurance provider. A lapsed policy means you no longer have car insurance, and in the case of an accident, you’d have to pay for damages out-of-pocket.
If the cost of damage done to your car exceeds your limits, your claim won’t be denied, but you will be responsible for the difference. For example, if you financed a vehicle that’s totaled in an accident, you may get a check for the car’s market value after your deductible, instead of the total amount you owe the finance company.
There are certain types of damage that aren’t covered by most car insurance policies.
If you are denied a claim, the insurance company must provide a reason. If you believe your claim is valid, you can appeal your denial. Each insurance provider has a process for appealing a denial. Check with your provider to find out the process. You can begin by gathering all of the evidence and documentation to submit to the insurance company.
Another avenue would be to file a lawsuit if your initial appeal is rejected or ignored. Talk to an attorney to find out if your case could hold up in court. You can also contact your state’s insurance department to file a grievance with your insurer.
Discover coverage that’s broader than competitors, valuable discounts up to 30% off and perks like shrinking deductibles that reward no claims.
Make sure you understand what’s covered under your car insurance and what’s not covered before hitting the road. This is especially important when canceling policies or switching insurers.
Check your terms carefully to avoid a surprise when it’s time to make a claim, and compare your options to find the best coverage.
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Does paid insurance (Liability and/or Comprehensive) cover a car owner that has expired registration in MD?
Hi Ted,
Thanks for reaching out to finder.
Generally, expired registration doesn’t affect your car insurance coverage or void your policy. This means that if you were in an accident after your car registration expired, your car insurance policy should still cover you accordingly.
Not being able to renew your vehicle’s registration doesn’t mean you are a risk to your insurer not unless you did something that got your car registration revoked.
You may also want to contact your insurance provider directly regarding this as policies may vary from one provider to another.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Charisse