How to Replace Your Car After a Natural Disaster

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Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and tornadoes can happen at any time and destroy your car. Here's what to do if disaster strikes. My family lost a car to a wildfire a few years ago. Firefighters went door to door, handling evacuations and we only had five minutes to throw some stuff into a bag, grab the pets, and head out in our Toyota Prius, leaving our house, all our possessions, and our other car behind. At times such as this, you realize that the only things of real importance in your life are in the car with you. Everything else can be replaced.
 
It was three days before we knew if we had a home to come back to. Our backyard was gone, our house survived, but our car was a burned-out shell. After such a stressful and gut-wrenching event, you need to get your life back on track with as little stress as possible. Here's how to make getting back on the road as easy as possible.

Does you Car Insurance cover Natural Disasters?

Right after you read this article, call your auto insurance agent. Make sure you are covered for natural disasters. Don't wait until it is too late. You need to do a refresh on what is covered and what is not. If you currently have comprehensive auto insurance, you are likely covered for a natural disaster. It covers most of the mishaps that occur due to storms, from flood damage to having a tree fall on your car.
 
If you own a newer vehicle, you likely already have comprehensive coverage. Some people with older cars might think of dropping their comprehensive insurance to save money. Don't do it. First of all, comprehensive insurance is relatively inexpensive, costing between $100 and $160 per year and this insurance covers your vehicle in the event of a natural disaster. If you live in an area that is frequented by flooding, earthquakes, or tornadoes, having this insurance as part of your ongoing coverage is a no-brainer.
 
Think about what happens after a devastating disaster such as a category 5 hurricane. Insurance companies are quickly deluged with calls and overwhelmed with claims. If you find yourself in such a situation, call your insurance agent right away. Try to be the first person to call your agent after disaster strikes. That is important because you want to file your claim fast since they are generally settled on a "first come, first served" basis. The faster you file that claim, the sooner you'll get your car fixed or replaced.

If a disaster has already occurred and you do not have comprehensive insurance, check your homeowner's or renter's policy to see if they cover your car in the event of a disaster.
Also, if you have been impacted by a wide scale disaster, you may be able to get state or federal assistance to replace your car. Visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ for details.

Take Photos
Whether your car is under water, has been thrown through the air by a tornado, is at the bottom of a sinkhole due to earthquakes, or has been ravaged by a wildfire, after calling your agent, start taking photos right away. You want to document the state of your vehicle. Make sure to stand back and get photos from every angle. Walk around the car and take lots of photos of the damage. Your insurance company will need to see the vehicle from every angle, top, sides, front, back, even inside the car, under the hood, and in the trunk (especially for water damage from a flood). Don't disturb the scene of damage by moving things or trying to clean up the mess. Take photos to document your case first.
Clear evidence will help your insurance adjuster to understand the extent of the damage to your car and help to determine if the vehicle can be repaired or if it should be considered a total loss. A vehicle is generally declared a total loss if the cost to repair it exceeds 70 percent of the car's estimated replacement value. That's why it is also important to take a photo of your car's odometer reading as the number of miles on the clock will help to determine the vehicle's value.
 
Make sure your insurance agent knows not only the year, make, and model of your vehicle and its odometer reading, but also its specific trim level, and make him or her aware of any special "packages" that enhance the value of the vehicle. Also, right now before a disaster has a chance to ruin your day, take photos of the car in its current condition to verify what it looked like prior to any incident that might occur.
 

Keep a Record

After a disaster, keep a file regarding your claim and a record of all interactions you have with your agent, adjuster, and anyone else you communicate with at the insurance company or body shop. Most of the time, it is easy to reach a settlement with your insurance company, but in some cases, it is good to have records of all conversations. Make sure to record the date and time as well as the name of the person you spoke to regarding your claim, and what you were told specifically. Having such a record will be essential in the event that you have any issues with your claim getting settled.Here at Lithia Motors, it is our mission to be the automotive home of drivers in the Medford, OR area. We provide a vast selection of new and used vehicles, exceptional car care and customer service with a smile!

Speaking of new Volkswagen, Dodge, Subaru, Audi, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Honda, CADILLAC, LEXUS, FIAT, GMC, Lincoln, Hyundai, Acura, INFINITI, Kia, Jeep, Buick, Mazda, BMW, Land Rover, MINI, Toyota, Jaguar, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Nissan, Ram models, you have your pick of our showroom. Our local dealership keeps a great stock of used cars, trucks, and SUVs in inventory. With competitive prices offered on every pre-owned model for sale on our lot, you won't find a reason to visit any other dealership in Medford.

New Wheels
Assuming your car was totaled in a natural disaster and that the claim process proceeded smoothly, you'll need a new car to replace your old one. Your insurance carrier will likely offer you a rental car for at least a portion of the time that you are without transportation. Check to see if a rental car is offered in the event that your car is being repaired or you are waiting for your reimbursement check to buy a new car.
Once you have your check in hand, you can start shopping. But like any new car purchase, it is best to do your research and know the market before you buy. For instance, in the event of a large disaster such as a hurricane, thousands of people may also be looking for a new set of wheels and that drives the market price up near you. Lithia Motors can help you in a number of ways. First of all, with over 75 years of experience and over 270 dealerships from coast to coast, we'll help you get into the right car for you whether it is new, used, or certified pre-owned.
Maybe you'd rather shop online for the perfect new car. Driveway.com lets you find the right vehicle, purchase online, and we'll even bring your new car right to you. It's the most stress-free way to buy a car.

Check for a Lithia Motors dealership near you right here. https://www.lithia.com/locations/store-locations.htm

Special Incentives

Automakers and dealers often offer incentives created especially for disaster victims. These incentives can include employee pricing and discounted financing. Like any other type of rebate or incentive, it is best to research what might be available to you. You might be surprised at how much you can save on your next car purchase.