It’s been said that the average U.S. driver will experience three to four car accidents during their lifetime, filing a claim with their car insurance company about every 18 years.
Car accidents are an unavoidable part of our day-to-day lives.
Being cautious and using good judgment while driving can help reduce risks. However, nothing is guaranteed, especially with the number of drivers on the road at any given time.
For reference, as of 2023, the United States Department of Transportation reported approximately 233 million licensed drivers nationwide.
With so many drivers, all with varying degrees of aptitude and responsibility, it’s unsurprising that in 2022, approximately 5.8 million drivers were involved in non-fatal car accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recent report.
I have been driving for 32 years.
I passed the written examination and spent countless hours practicing behind the wheel with my parents in the passenger seat, holding on to the dashboard as if they were riding on a roller coaster.
I eventually passed the customary obstacle course test on April 18, 1992, discovering the freedom that often comes with getting your driver’s license.
I am one of the average U.S. drivers with three car accidents chronologically listed on my car insurance policy, with the most recent occurring on October 8, 2024.
While living in New Jersey, I experienced my first two car accidents—one on my way to work and the other on my way home. Interestingly, these accidents happened within a month and a half of each other, affecting both cars owned by my wife and me.
At one point, we had open car insurance claims for both incidents simultaneously as rental cars lined our driveway for weeks and weeks. What are the odds of that happening?
That was 18 years ago.
As mentioned above, the average U.S. driver files a car insurance claim every 18 years. Interestingly, I just reached the 18-year mark.
While the car damage in my first two accidents was extensive, they were repairable and serviceable for many years. But my third and most recent accident was a very different story.
Now residing in Colorado, I was involved in a t-bone accident, where the front of another vehicle struck the side of mine, forming a “T” shape.
The force of the impact was so intense that it spun my car around, causing the passenger side to collide with another vehicle. This was by far the most dramatic and traumatic of the three accidents I’ve experienced. Airbags deployed everywhere, and glass shattered from the side windows, which were fully open at that point.
For those of us who have experienced car accidents, the details often remain unclear for days or even weeks afterward. For example, I didn’t fully comprehend the pain in my knees until I realized I must have jammed them against the steering wheel or dashboard during the impact as a natural reaction.
A few days later, when I saw my car sitting sadly in the impound yard, I grasped how fortunate I was to have walked away from the accident unharmed.
The insurance company declared it a total loss, and as I walked around the car, the accident’s severity came into focus. My beautiful car had made an incredible sacrifice, ensuring I emerged from the incident with only minor cuts and scrapes.
Cheap Car Insurance Comes with Risks
Many of you have likely seen television commercials, online ads, or postcards in your mailbox claiming that you can save thousands of dollars a year by switching your car insurance to another company. One of the most popular advertisements comes from Geico, which states, “15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.”
Car insurance rates have undoubtedly increased dramatically over the past decade, primarily due to nearly six million car accidents in 2022 alone.
While saving money on car insurance is appealing, especially as the cost of living continues to rise, it’s essential to consider that reducing your payments may come with trade-offs. Often, you truly get what you pay for.
I’ve had Allstate insurance since I started driving 32 years ago. Although I was tempted by the idea of saving money on car insurance, reaching out to other reputable insurers at various times during my relationship with Allstate, I ultimately decided to stay with them.
While some may find it hard to understand this customer loyalty, my reasons are factual and valid.
Car accidents can be incredibly stressful, complicated, and inconvenient, especially after filing a claim. However, Allstate has consistently turned a challenging situation into a much more manageable one.
They truly live up to their motto, “You’re in good hands.” In each of my three car accidents, they were remarkably communicative, proactive, responsive, and compassionate, always prioritizing my best interests.
This was a major car accident involving several vehicles, and it occurred while their customer service teams were exceptionally busy managing two hurricanes in Florida.
Yet above all, Allstate has continually provided me with a level of personalization that makes me feel like their most important customer. I feel well cared for and trust they will always do the right thing.
Despite the police deeming my third accident my fault, the claim was fully settled in just over a week, and my other claims were no different.
Forbes.com writes, “Customer service goes beyond just assisting. It’s about creating a positive experience that involves building customer relationships, understanding their needs and preferences, and providing personalized solutions to their problems.”
In my opinion, Allstate understands the importance of customer service in retaining valued customers.
I can’t say the same for friends and relatives who have faced similar situations with less reputable car insurance companies.
These companies were certainly much less expensive, but they were uncommunicative, unresponsive, and showed a lack of compassion during challenging circumstances. As weeks and months went by with little resolution, it became clear that these insurance companies and their staff did not prioritize the concerns and issues of their customers.
I know there are cheaper insurance companies where I could get a quote for my cars. However, it’s crucial to remember that the quality of your car insurance matters when you need to file a claim. That’s when you realize that the money you might be saving each year could actually cost you much more in the long run.
American businessman, investor, and philanthropist Warren Buffet says, “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”
I’m fully aware that Allstate isn’t the only reputable care insurance company out there, and many of you probably have similar stories highlighting your loyalty to the organization.
The key takeaway here is that car insurance is an essential expense you hope you never have to use. Some choose to live with the delusion that car accidents will never happen to them, and therefore, there’s no need to incur high premiums for something they’ll never need.
Although we all begin our driving journey to stay safe and prevent accidents, we must acknowledge that accidents can and do occur. A safety manager I once knew often said, “Don’t assume that just because an accident hasn’t happened to you, it never will.”
When the time comes to file a claim with your car insurance company, don’t be surprised if the money you’ve saved on premiums over the years leads to poor customer service at a moment when you need help the most.