Full coverage - Do you still need the car to be photographed?

amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,329
246
106
Let's say I bought a used car, and I insure over the net with full coverage. Is it still the norm to have to get photos of the car before they'll provide you the coverage?
 

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
Oct 21, 2006
5,401
2
0
It depends. If you're a female between the ages of 18 and 35 and have decent bodywork, a clean motor, and still have the title in hand, then photographing is recommended. And on the contrary, full coverage is not required and actually not recommended by many.

Otherwise, yes; full coverage and a car is recommended.




Sorry, couldn't resist. :D
 

nickbits

Diamond Member
Mar 10, 2008
4,122
1
81
Ive never had photos of mu car taken to get insirance. Then again, i've never bought a used car so maybe it is different.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,512
21
81
I've bought several used cars and have never needed to submit photos for full (comprehensive) coverage. I think the OP is much mistaken.

ZV
 

boomhower

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2007
7,228
19
81
I have once and it was because it had a rebuilt title so it was understandable.
 

amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,329
246
106
I've bought several used cars and have never needed to submit photos for full (comprehensive) coverage. I think the OP is much mistaken.

ZV

When I bought my Civic, Geico had called me to take photos of the car. I remember asking them why it was necessary since I bought the car brand new...lol

The said forget it after I said that, which I was really happy for since the car was keyed the very first night I owned it. :(
 

duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
11,234
4
81
Yes I had to do this last week with Geico.

Bought a used Mazda 3 and initially just transferred my existing liability insurance to it at the dealer. A day or so later I got onto Geico's site to get comprehensive and collision coverage added. After I submitted it, I got an email saying I needed a Carco photo inspection. So within a few days I got the inspection (free) and faxed the receipt and now I have full coverage.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
What? I've never heard of this. I've never had anyone even look at, let alone take pictures of my car. Though, I have heard State Farm usually wants to look at the car.

I signed up with Progressive online, and that was that.
 
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amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,329
246
106
Yes I had to do this last week with Geico.

Bought a used Mazda 3 and initially just transferred my existing liability insurance to it at the dealer. A day or so later I got onto Geico's site to get comprehensive and collision coverage added. After I submitted it, I got an email saying I needed a Carco photo inspection. So within a few days I got the inspection (free) and faxed the receipt and now I have full coverage.

So an outside company inspected the car? I am looking at something right now but the car has been modified (ricer) somewhat. I'd hate to take photos of it...lol
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,512
21
81
What? I've never heard of this. I've never had anyone even look at, let alone take pictures of my car. Though, I have heard State Farm usually wants to look at the car.

I signed up with Progressive online, and that was that.

My family has been with State Farm since before my parents were born and none of us have ever been asked for photos of a car we were trying to insure. (Hell, my father has had the same agent since he learned to drive.) This includes the time I bought a car from out-of-state that didn't have a title anymore.

If I had to guess, there must be some flag coming up that is causing some people to need photos because the insurance company believes they're more of a risk. Perhaps they're only required for people who are below a certain credit score or something?

ZV
 
Dec 28, 2001
11,391
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My family has been with State Farm since before my parents were born and none of us have ever been asked for photos of a car we were trying to insure. (Hell, my father has had the same agent since he learned to drive.) This includes the time I bought a car from out-of-state that didn't have a title anymore.

If I had to guess, there must be some flag coming up that is causing some people to need photos because the insurance company believes they're more of a risk. Perhaps they're only required for people who are below a certain credit score or something?

ZV

Coincidentally, I currently work for a State Farm agent's office - and of all the car quotes pulled/made there's never been a request for car photos regardless of credit history, outside of a loss(accident) occurring. Now I can't speak for other insurance companies/states as each state has it own laws governing insurance, but not for State Farm in Illinois. The only reason I can think of may be when/if you're classifying your vehicle as a "classic/antique" class or for special circumstances, but I've never run into that either!

But on a general basis, it's a good idea to keep photos of valuables in case of loss as proof of ownership - including cars - but not a necessity.

Btw, there's no such thing as a "full" coverage . . .. ;)
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
All State instructed me to take pics of all 4 sides, the license plate and the VIN when I got full coverage. It wasn't for All State directly... they had to send them in themselves and one came back rejected because the VIN wasn't clear enough (through the glass).
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
It is common here in NJ for Comprehensive or Collision coverage.
They want to know 1): The car does exist .. 2): Any preexisting damage
I just had mine photoed early Feb when I switched carriers. Nothing to hide.
 

SunnyD

Belgian Waffler
Jan 2, 2001
32,674
146
106
www.neftastic.com
Depends on the state. I have full collision & comp on my car, no pics required in Alabama.

New York on the other hand required it.

Same insurance company both cases.
 

Gillbot

Lifer
Jan 11, 2001
28,830
17
81
the only car i've been asked for photos is in the sig, and that was a special policy.
 

duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
11,234
4
81
So an outside company inspected the car? I am looking at something right now but the car has been modified (ricer) somewhat. I'd hate to take photos of it...lol
Yes. The company was Carco, but they list places in your area that actually do it. In my case, there was several used car lots, a performance/custom audio place, etc.

I think it's just something Geico requires (edit: looks like a state thing)? My credit isn't amazing but it has no issues, and the car is no a salvage title.

Anyway, it took 5 min for paperwork and 2 min to take the pictures (they do everything) and was free. So if it is required for you, I don't see any issue with it.

It makes sense really. Otherwise, someone could buy a used car for cheap because it had damage, but if the damage to it that was not reported by its VIN #, the person could turn around and make a claim and get it fixed.
 
Dec 28, 2001
11,391
3
0
Yes. The company was Carco, but they list places in your area that actually do it. In my case, there was several used car lots, a performance/custom audio place, etc.

I think it's just something Geico requires (edit: looks like a state thing)? My credit isn't amazing but it has no issues, and the car is no a salvage title.

Anyway, it took 5 min for paperwork and 2 min to take the pictures (they do everything) and was free. So if it is required for you, I don't see any issue with it.

It makes sense really. Otherwise, someone could buy a used car for cheap because it had damage, but if the damage to it that was not reported by its VIN #, the person could turn around and make a claim and get it fixed.

I suppose so, BUT - and I'm basing this on my (somewhat short) time working as a claims adjuster - if there's anything fishy about the claim (car was insured immediately prior to loss, there's paint transfer from another vehicle but no loss from the other side reported, there's obvious signs of rust/paint-overs/correction over the damage, the story doesn't match, etc.) the company will investigate fraud and that might turn out ugly for the person.

Of course, even if you receive the benefit of doubt from your insurance company, the claim you've filed may come back to haunt you - and your premiums - down the road.