Protection Against Vehicle Damage
Prepare yourself for the unexpected. At Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, we care about protecting your vehicle with coverages that fit your needs. That’s why we cover damages caused by collisions, as well as non-collision damages, to keep you safe wherever you’re headed next.
Damages
Farm Bureau Insurance offers a variety of coverages to assist you if your vehicle is damaged. We’ll help to get you back on the road quickly and safely.
Non-Collision Damage
Comprehensive coverage covers damages other than collision and is optional under the Family Auto Policy. Non-Collision damages can include falling objects, fire, theft or an impact with an animal, such as a deer.
Towing
To report a road service claim, call 877-FBINSMI (877-324-6764) and Press 1.
If your policy includes Comprehensive, Collision or Emergency Road Service coverage, a representative will help to arrange assistance for you. This can include towing, flat tire change, lockout, battery jump start and emergency fuel. Towing is covered up to $300 and must be within 15 miles to the nearest repair facility. Those without coverage will be provided with contacts of three local repair facilities to arrange their own road service.
Glass
To report a glass claim, call 877-FBINSMI (877-324-6764) and Press 2.
A representative will assist you in scheduling a glass repair or replacement. To find out if you qualify for chip repair on your auto glass, contact your agent.
Collision Damage
This coverage helps pay repairs or replacements if you’ve had an accident with another vehicle or object, like a tree, causing collision damage. From documentation to rentals and deductibles, your Farm Bureau Insurance agent can help you understand and prepare the necessary information required for your auto claim.
Police Report
Police Reports are needed for all collisions with other vehicles or inanimate objects, whenever possible. Police reports are also necessary for all theft and vandalism claims. Our Claims Department will order it or you can get it if you prefer (cost of the report is reimbursable). If it is not possible to get a police report, the next best thing would be a security guard or witness statement.
Rental Vehicle
Auto Rental Reimbursement is an optional coverage available on the Family Auto Policy. If you elected to include this endorsement on your policy, please call Claims for specific details during business hours at 517-323-6614 or 800-292-2680, extension 6614.
Average Claim Timeframe
You should receive more information from your claim representative, but the following are average time frames for processing vehicle claims.
- Roadside assistance or glass – Two days
- Minimal Vehicle Damage – Review of estimate and photo only, no personal inspection – Four business days
- Extensive Vehicle Damage – Personal inspection of damage by a field auto appraiser – Five business days
- Total Loss – Seven business days
Estimates & Photos
If your vehicle is safe to drive, your Claim Representative will need:
- One repair estimate from the body shop of your choice; and
- Clear photos to show all damages. (Your agent can take the pictures if you need assistance.)
Photos & Estimates can be sent to us in the following ways:
- Mail - PO Box 30100, Lansing MI 48909
- Fax - 866-249-5516 or
- E-mail - [email protected]
Save Money
You can save money on your deductible if you qualify for a chip repair on your auto glass or a paintless dent repair. Please talk to your Farm Bureau agent or auto appraiser for more details. If your vehicle is not safe to drive a Field Auto Appraiser will contact you to schedule an inspection of the vehicle.
Note: Please provide a daytime location of your auto, so it can be assigned to the appropriate appraiser.
Deductibles
There are three types of collision deductibles available under the Family Auto Policy:
- Broadened Collision – The deductible will apply if the insured is substantially at fault
- Regular Collision – The deductible always applies.
- Limited Collision – The deductible would always apply. However there is no collision coverage for losses where the insured is substantially at fault.
What if the accident was not my fault?
Under Michigan’s No-Fault Law, you always report the accident to your own insurance company. If the other driver was at fault, you may be entitled to a maximum of $1,000 from them for damage to your vehicle that is not covered under your own policy, such as a deductible. Mini-Tort is an optional coverage that you can purchase for your policy. It would cover up to $1,000 for someone else’s vehicle in the event that you were at fault.
Vehicle Total Loss FAQ
There might be differences in parts, prices or labor costs that were identified during the appraisal process.
When the cost for repairs and salvage value exceed the value of the vehicle before the damage, it is declared a total loss.
Yes. The value of the salvage will be taken into consideration in your settlement.
There are two types of titles for total loss vehicles that are five years old or newer.
Salvage Title (75% - 90% damaged)
Salvage titled vehicles have a title that is orange in color and depreciates the value up to 50%. The State requires vehicles with salvage titles to be inspected after repair, before a new registration can be issued.
Scrap Title (Over 90% damaged)
Vehicles with a scrap title cannot be registered for license plates and are normally only used for parts.
The total loss evaluation process uses mileage, options and condition of the vehicle to determine the value. Auto policies pay actual cash value in a total loss situation. Actual cash value is what the vehicle would sell for in the owner’s front yard. It is often referred to as a private party value. Vehicles sold in a dealer lot may have higher values because of possible reconditioning, warranties, sales commissions and advertising that are also included in the price.
The valuation reports used by Farm Bureau Insurance’s Total Loss Appraisers are available to insureds and their agents for review.