Expert: Charlie Barone - 8/30/2009

Question
hi i upgraded my auto ins on my van because i was told the weather gets pretty bad where i am and there is always an accident somehow. so i was worried and upgraded to full coverage. later that night my hood flew up while driving on the highway causing damage .. i reported it to my ins agent and they are claiming i might not be covered because it was the same day. but when i upgraded i was NEVER told that my coverage wouldnt be immediate. what can i do???

Answer
As long as you can document the time and date of your upgrade to full coverage, as well as the time and date of your loss, you should be covered. Naturally, an insurance company will be suspicious of someone who makes a claim on the same day as they enrolled in coverage, but they would have to prove that your loss pre-existed the coverage.

Your coverage should take effect immediately as of the time and date of your upgrade or billing to your policy. If it did not take effect immediately, then ask the insurance company when it was supposed to be effective.