Unfortunately, when others think of the auto claims process, horror stories come to mind. For some, the ordeal might resemble the process of a bill becoming a law, as portrayed humorously in this Schoolhouse Rock cartoon.

Your claim doesn’t have to be that lonely bill who’s “waiting while a few key legislators discuss and debate.” In fact, the process can go quite smoothly, especially if you follow these few guidelines.

At the time of the accident:

1. Report the accident to the authorities and get a police report if possible.
2. Obtain the information (e.g. name, address, phone number, car make/model and license plate number) of all parties involved.
3. Snap a few pictures of the accident. Note the date, time, location and other indentifying markers.

When you get home: 

1. Call the loss reporting center or go online to report your claim.
2. Contact your agent with additional questions if necessary.

Oftentimes, the loss reporting representative can transfer you directly to an adjuster who gets the process started. So far, not too bad, right? It’s definitely a bit quicker than a “long, long journey to the capital city.”

A claims adjuster will walk you through the claims process and begin by inspecting your vehicle. Adjusters estimate the damage and might even write you a check while they’re there. No worries, though. If more damage is discovered later, they can write another. Then, you can take your vehicle to a body shop and get it repaired.

And remember, every insurance provider is different and there can be hiccups and unusual circumstances. If you follow these steps, your claim can be less likely to end up like a lonely bill “stuck in committee.”

One final note: watch out for those pesky turtles and share this article with any new driver that’s unsure of the claims process.

With these changes come reevaluations, both personal and financial. Money matters might seem daunting, especially the prospect of purchasing insurance. Take it from me. As a COUNTRY Financial production assistant, I’ve fielded plenty of questions from first-time buyers.

Here’s a list of some of the most common topics and terms I have helped our clients with over the years. If you know a friend who might benefit as well, “Like” this post to share it on Facebook.

Do I still get a Good Student discount after graduation?

Being a student can be tough financially, but it has its benefits. After all, what student hasn’t used their ID to get a discounted movie ticket? Wouldn’t it be nice to keep those perks even after donning a cap and gown?

The specific benefits of a Good Student discount vary by state and insurer. Depending on your situation, it’s possible to continue receiving a Good Student insurance premium discount until age 25 if married or 30 if single. In some circumstances, you receive a discount no matter your grade point average (GPA) at graduation. However, if you had a higher GPA, the discount can be greater. For specific details and eligibility, check with your insurer.

Even if you manage to stay forever young, your student ID won’t get you a discounted movie ticket for that long after graduation!

What is my deductible?

A deductible is the amount that you are responsible for paying if you have a claim. For example, if you file a claim for $2,000 worth of damages and you have a $1,000 deductible, you’d be expected to pay $1,000 on the claim. Your deductible can be changed. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium since you are assuming more risk.

Comprehensive vs. collision coverage

The easy way to remember the difference is if your car runs into something, it’s considered a collision. Anything else is categorized as comprehensive. Accidents in the comprehensive category are considered things out of your control. There are a few variations. For example, hitting a deer falls under comprehensive coverage.

Suffice to say, insurance is a tricky business, but that’s what I’m here for! Hopefully the subjects we discussed shed light on some common problems. As always, every situation is unique, so consult a professional for specific answers.

There’s one about a skunk invading a home and a kid who “borrowed” his parents’ car. However, I also get recurring calls from people asking the same question over and over again.

So, here’s the first in a series of posts, which will document these frequently asked questions and my typical answers to them.

Do I have coverage on a rental car?

If I had to count, this is easily the most-asked question, and the short answer is…yes. However, as you can guess, there’s very little in insurance that’s solved with a one-word answer. There are contingencies.

On most policies, you have coverage for “non-owned autos,” which includes rental cars. The caveat is a rental usually gets the coverage of the vehicle on your policy with the best coverage. For example, if you have two vehicles, one with full coverage and one with liability only, a rental car has the same deductible and coverage as the full-coverage vehicle.

On the other hand, if both of your vehicles had liability-only coverage, so would a rental. Therefore, you wouldn’t have insurance to cover rental car repairs if needed.

Is it okay to let a friend borrow my car?

It’s an insurance myth that you can’t loan your car to someone who doesn’t have their own insurance. The truth is your policy follows your vehicle. As long as you give another driver permission, your car may still be covered by your policy.

However, if your friend has an accident, this claim is tied to your vehicle. The same rule applies to drivers on a learner’s permit. Teenagers, for example, can’t be added to a parent’s policy until they have a driver’s license.

A better question might be, is your friend a good driver?

Why does my older car cost more to insure than my new one?

Another myth is that a premium will decrease as a vehicle increases in age because of its declining Blue Book value.

However, premium values are based on a multitude of factors, not just a vehicle’s age. If your car’s quite old, its parts might be harder to find or more expensive than a newer vehicle!

Again, even in that circumstance, the rate depends on many other factors, such as the rating of the driver. As always, be sure to consult a professional for advice tailored to your particular situation.

These Q&A’s are just the beginning! In my next post, I’ll be dispelling more insurance myths and tackling more of our clients’ most popular questions. If you have insurance-related questions you’d like answered, feel free to leave them in the comments!

Carrie is the newest COUNTRY blogger. Check out her profile. She’s a licensed production assistant for Scott Jackson in Champaign, Illinois. Carrie also has her own blog about couponing and saving money at www.simplyadorabledeals.com.