Automobile Insurance Claim Washington

Reader’s Question:

If a pedestrian gets hit by a vehicle in Shoreline Washington, which car insurance is primary?

George

Shoreline, WA

If the automobile driver was at fault in the accident in Shoreline Washington and had personal injury protection (PIP) normally this would be primary and would extend to the pedestrian they caused injury to. The bodily injury liability coverages of the driver would be secondary.

The Washington State law does not require drivers to have personal injury protection coverage, but an insurance carrier must offer it to policyholders.

If you as a pedestrian is is at fault due to dodging into traffic in front of a vehicle, jaywalking or or some other negligent act, then you would need to check if you own personal injury protection coverages (if you have this as part of your own auto insurance) would cover you and if not then your own health or medical insurance.

If you know someone who was a pedestrian hit by a vehicle and suffered injuries and you need more consumer advice on how to put an insurance claim, then contact the WA Office of Insurance Commissioner directly.

Auto Insurance Companies Washington

Reader’s Question:

I would like to know when auto insurance companies in Washington check driving records?

Carol

Spokane, WA

An insurance carrier in Spokane, WA can check your driving record anytime. The most common times that they check your driving records are:

• when you apply initially for auto insurance coverage
• when you request a change to your car insurance policy such as adding or removing drivers, change auto insurance coverage, etc.
• when you add a car to your car insurance policy or change the covered car
• when your car insurance policy comes up for renewal
• every two renewal cycles

Some insurance providers use a random method for checking driving records. Other insurance providers randomly spot check some car insurance policy records at the above intervals. This isn’t common, however it may happen with some car insurance companies.