Check your coverage

With the hurricane season just ahead and Katrina behind us (at least chronologically), now might be a good time to see if you are covered for just these kind of disasters. Storms can do a number on your car, and since the millennium auto insurance claims due to severe weather have almost doubled.

Comprehensive coverage is the thing for fire, falling trees (et.al.) storms, vandals, animals and floods and usually has the option of a one to three hundred dollar deductible (go for the higher deductible for a lower rate).

Make sure that your policy will cover the cost of a replacement rental car while yours is in for repairs or you are waiting for reimbursement to purchase a new one. And when the big one comes, know ahead of time what you are covered for…and report the damage to your insurer right away.

But before you give the auto body shop the go ahead, get an estimate of the charges, and make sure the insurer has reviewed the damage with you and told you exactly what the procedure is and what your coverage is. If you gotta have that GM part, make sure you have delineated “original parts” in your policy.