Answer

Follow these critical steps:

Safety First: Move to a safe location if possible. Turn on hazard lights and set up warning triangles or flares.

Call for Help: Dial emergency services (911) if there are injuries or significant damage. Report the accident to law enforcement. Obtain the officer's name and badge number.

Exchange Information: Exchange details with the other driver(s): names, contact info, insurance, and license plate numbers. Gather witness information if available.

Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and license plates. Note road conditions, weather, and any relevant details.

File a Police Report: If law enforcement doesn't respond, visit the police station to file a report.

Connect with Us: We can help walk you through the entire process to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your claim.

Remember, staying calm and following these steps can make a significant difference in handling the aftermath of a car accident.

Answer

Before you contact your insurance company to file a claim, gathering the right information upfront can significantly speed up the process and protect your interests.

Essential documentation for any car accident claim:

• The police or crash report number (or a copy of the report itself)
• Date, time, and exact location of the accident
• Names, contact information, and insurance details of all drivers involved
• Photos of vehicle damage, the scene, road conditions, and any visible injuries
• Witness names and contact information if available
• Your own medical records and treatment documentation if you were injured
• Any repair estimates you have received

What each major insurer typically asks for when you first file:

AAA
AAA auto insurance is issued by regional clubs and may be underwritten by different carriers depending on your location — including CSAA Insurance Group in the West and AAA Mid-Atlantic in other regions. Contact your regional AAA club to identify the specific insurer handling your claim. AAA requires your policy number and accident details to initiate a claim.

Allstate
Allstate holds approximately 10% of the US auto insurance market. Allstate requires your policy number, a description of the accident, and the other party's insurance information. Allstate's claims adjusters may request a recorded statement — you are generally not required to provide one to a third-party adjuster representing the other driver's insurer. Allstate also owns National General, Encompass, and Safe Auto.

American Family Insurance (AmFam)
American Family Insurance operates primarily in the Midwest and Mountain West. American Family requires your policy number and accident details. Claims can be filed online, through the mobile app, or through your American Family agent.

American National Insurance
American National Insurance Company operates across multiple states. American National requires your policy number and accident details. Claims are typically handled through your agent or directly through American National's claims department.

Amica Mutual
Amica Mutual is a mutual insurer consistently rated among the highest for customer satisfaction in claims handling. Amica requires your policy number and accident details. Amica operates exclusively through direct channels without independent agents.

Bristol West
Bristol West is a non-standard auto insurer whose claims are now administered through Nationwide, which acquired Bristol West. Bristol West policyholders file claims through Nationwide's claims infrastructure. Policy limits may be lower than standard market carriers.

Chubb
Chubb is a premium insurer primarily serving high-net-worth individuals and businesses. Chubb auto policies typically carry higher limits than standard market carriers. If the at-fault driver carries Chubb coverage, the available policy limits for your claim may be substantially higher than with a standard market insurer.

Clearcover Insurance
Clearcover is a technology-focused insurer operating in approximately 20 states. Clearcover handles claims through a fully digital process via its app.

Country Financial
Country Financial operates primarily in the Midwest and Mountain West. Claims are typically handled through your Country Financial agent. Country Financial is a mutual organization owned by its members.

CSAA Insurance
CSAA Insurance Group is the AAA insurer for members in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Kansas, and parts of Arizona and New Mexico. CSAA claims are handled through regional AAA offices.

Dairyland Insurance
Dairyland is a specialty auto insurer serving non-standard and high-risk drivers. Dairyland's claims process is administered through Sentry Insurance. As a non-standard carrier, Dairyland policy limits may be lower than standard market insurers.

Direct Auto Insurance
Direct Auto Insurance is a non-standard insurer operating primarily in the Southeast and Midwest. Direct Auto operates through physical branch locations and by phone. Because Direct Auto serves higher-risk drivers, policy limits may be lower than standard market carriers.

Elephant Insurance
Elephant Insurance operates primarily in Virginia, Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, and Georgia. Elephant is owned by the Admiral Group and handles claims through its digital platform and phone.

Encompass Insurance
Encompass Insurance is an Allstate company serving the independent agent channel. Claims are administered through Allstate's claims infrastructure. Your Encompass agent serves as your primary point of contact.

Erie Insurance
Erie Insurance operates in 12 states and Washington DC, with concentration in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Southeast. Erie is consistently rated highly for customer satisfaction in claims handling. Erie claims are typically handled through your local Erie agent.

Farm Bureau Insurance
Farm Bureau Insurance operates through a network of state-level organizations, each operating independently. The specific insurer varies by state. Your local Farm Bureau office or agent handles claims.

Farmers Insurance
Farmers Insurance requires your policy number, a description of what happened, and any available documentation of damage or injury. Farmers assigns claims to regional offices, so the specific adjuster and timeline can vary by state. Farmers also operates the Toggle brand.

Fred Loya Insurance
Fred Loya is a non-standard auto insurer operating primarily in Texas, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, and other southwestern states. Fred Loya is known for in-person claims service at its local office locations.

Freeway Insurance
Freeway Insurance is a non-standard auto insurance broker operating primarily in California, Texas, Arizona, and other western states. Freeway sells policies from multiple underlying carriers — check your declarations page for the name of the underlying carrier handling your claim.

GEICO
GEICO holds approximately 12% of the US auto insurance market. GEICO typically assigns a claims adjuster within one business day of filing and offers 24/7 claims reporting through its website and mobile app.

Georgia Farm Bureau
Georgia Farm Bureau is a state-level organization serving Georgia residents exclusively. Claims are typically handled through your local county Farm Bureau office. Georgia Farm Bureau is separate from other state Farm Bureau organizations.

GoAuto Insurance
GoAuto Insurance is a non-standard auto insurer operating primarily in Louisiana and Texas. GoAuto operates through physical branch locations and by phone. As a non-standard carrier, policy limits may be lower than standard market insurers.

Good2Go Insurance
Good2Go is a non-standard auto insurer that markets state minimum liability policies. Good2Go policies are underwritten by multiple carriers depending on your state — check your declarations page for the name of the underlying carrier. Good2Go policies carry minimum limits, which may affect the compensation available for your claim.

The General (Permanent General Companies)
The General is a non-standard auto insurer heavily marketed through television advertising. The General serves higher-risk drivers who may have difficulty obtaining standard market coverage. Policy limits may be lower than standard market carriers.

The Hanover Insurance
The Hanover Insurance Group operates primarily in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast through independent agents and serves both personal and commercial auto markets. Claims are typically handled through your independent agent.

The Hartford
The Hartford is a major commercial and personal lines insurer with particular strength in commercial auto coverage. The Hartford assigns dedicated claim representatives for injury claims.

Infinity Insurance (Kemper)
Infinity Insurance is a Kemper company serving non-standard auto markets, with concentration in California, Florida, Texas, and Georgia. Claims are administered through Kemper's claims infrastructure.

Kemper Auto
Kemper Auto requires your policy number, the date and location of the accident, and contact information for all parties involved. Kemper also administers claims for Infinity Insurance, which it acquired.

Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual holds approximately 3% of the US auto insurance market. Liberty Mutual also administers claims for Safeco Insurance and State Auto, both of which it owns.

LIMU Insurance
LIMU is a regional non-standard insurer distributed through independent agents. Check your declarations page for specific claims contact information.

Mapfre / Commerce Insurance
MAPFRE Insurance operates primarily in Massachusetts and Florida under the Commerce Insurance and MAPFRE brands. Claims can be filed through your agent or directly with MAPFRE's claims department.

Mercury Insurance
Mercury Insurance operates primarily in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and several other states. Mercury claims are typically handled through independent agents.

Metromile / Lemonade
Metromile is a pay-per-mile auto insurer now owned by Lemonade. Pay-per-mile policies carry the same liability limits as standard policies — the billing method does not affect coverage amounts.

National General Insurance
National General is an Allstate company serving both standard and non-standard auto insurance markets. National General operates primarily through independent agents and also operates under subsidiary names including Integon.

Nationwide
Nationwide offers on-site vehicle inspections or drop-off at a BlueRibbon Certified repair facility. Nationwide also administers claims for Bristol West, which it owns.

NJM Insurance
NJM (New Jersey Manufacturers) Insurance operates in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Ohio, and Delaware. NJM is consistently rated highly for claims satisfaction.

Progressive
Progressive holds approximately 17% of the US auto insurance market. Progressive's Name Your Price tool means policy limits vary widely among policyholders — the limits available to compensate your claim depend on the at-fault driver's specific policy.

Root Insurance
Root Insurance uses telematics and driving behavior data to set rates. Root operates through a fully digital claims process via its mobile app and is available in approximately 30 states.

Safe Auto Insurance
Safe Auto is a non-standard insurer focused on state minimum liability coverage. As a minimum-limits carrier, policy limits available for your claim may be at or near the state minimum, which can be low relative to injury costs.

Safeco Insurance (Liberty Mutual)
Safeco is a Liberty Mutual company serving standard market personal auto customers. Safeco claims are typically handled through independent agents.

Sentry Insurance
Sentry Insurance is a mutual insurer operating primarily in the Midwest. Sentry also administers claims for Dairyland Insurance.

State Auto Insurance (Liberty Mutual)
State Auto Insurance is now fully integrated into Liberty Mutual following Liberty Mutual's 2022 acquisition. State Auto policyholders may contact Liberty Mutual directly or through their State Auto agent.

State Farm
State Farm is the largest auto insurer in the United States, holding approximately 19% of the market. State Farm's claims process begins with a First Notice of Loss (FNOL). State Farm assigns a claim number immediately upon filing and is available in all 50 states except Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Texas Farm Bureau
Texas Farm Bureau Insurance operates exclusively in Texas. Claims are handled through your local Texas Farm Bureau county office or by phone. Texas Farm Bureau is separate from other state Farm Bureau organizations.

Toggle Insurance (Farmers)
Toggle is a subscription-based auto insurer operated by Farmers Insurance. Toggle handles claims through Farmers' claims infrastructure.

Travelers
Travelers is one of the largest commercial and personal lines insurers in the United States. Travelers assigns a dedicated claim professional for injury-related claims and is particularly significant in commercial auto claims, where policy limits are often substantially higher than personal auto policies.

USAA
USAA serves active military members, veterans, and their families exclusively. USAA is consistently rated among the fastest for claims processing among major auto insurers and offers a fully digital claims experience through its app.

Wawanesa Insurance
Wawanesa Insurance is a Canadian mutual insurer operating primarily in California and Oregon. Wawanesa is known for competitive rates in California and handles claims through its US operations center.

Answer

A First Notice of Loss (FNOL) is the initial report you file with your insurance company after an accident — the formal start of your claim. Filing promptly is important; most policies require you to report an accident within a reasonable time and delays can complicate your claim.

How to file a First Notice of Loss with major insurers:

• AAA: Through your regional AAA club office or by phone
• Allstate: Online at allstate.com, through the Allstate mobile app, or through your local Allstate agent
• American Family (AmFam): Online at amfam.com, through the AmFam app, or through your agent
• Amica Mutual: Online at amica.com or by phone
• Bristol West: Through Nationwide's claims system (Bristol West claims are administered by Nationwide)
• Chubb: Through your Chubb agent or Chubb's dedicated claims line
• Clearcover: Through the Clearcover mobile app
• Country Financial: Through your Country Financial agent
• CSAA: Through your AAA regional office or by phone
• Dairyland: By phone or through your agent; claims administered through Sentry Insurance
• Direct Auto: In person at a Direct Auto branch location or by phone
• Elephant Insurance: Online or through the Elephant mobile app
• Encompass: Through your independent agent; claims administered through Allstate
• Erie Insurance: Through your Erie agent or by phone
• Farm Bureau: Through your local county Farm Bureau office or agent
• Farmers: Through your Farmers agent, online at farmers.com, or by phone
• Fred Loya: In person at a Fred Loya office location or by phone
• Freeway Insurance: Through the underlying carrier listed on your declarations page
• GEICO: Online at geico.com, through the GEICO mobile app, or by phone
• Georgia Farm Bureau: Through your local county Georgia Farm Bureau office
• GoAuto: Through GoAuto branch locations or by phone
• Good2Go: Through the underlying carrier listed on your declarations page
• The General: By phone or through The General's online portal
• The Hanover: Through your independent agent
• The Hartford: Through your agent or The Hartford's claims line
• Infinity / Kemper: Through your agent, online at kemper.com, or by phone
• Liberty Mutual: Online at libertymutual.com, through the Liberty Mutual app, or by phone
• LIMU: Through your agent or by phone
• Mapfre / Commerce Insurance: Through your agent or Mapfre's claims line
• Mercury Insurance: Through your Mercury agent or by phone
• Metromile / Lemonade: Through the Metromile or Lemonade mobile app
• National General: Through your National General agent or by phone
• Nationwide: Online at nationwide.com or by phone
• NJM Insurance: Online at njm.com or by phone
• Progressive: Online at progressive.com, through the Progressive app, or by phone
• Root Insurance: Through the Root mobile app
• Safe Auto: By phone or through Safe Auto's online portal
• Safeco: Online at safeco.com or through your independent agent
• Sentry Insurance: Through your agent or Sentry's claims line
• State Auto: Through Liberty Mutual's claims system (following Liberty Mutual's 2022 acquisition)
• State Farm: Online at statefarm.com, through the State Farm mobile app, or by calling State Farm's claims line
• Texas Farm Bureau: Through your local Texas Farm Bureau county office or by phone
• Toggle: Through Farmers' claims infrastructure
• Travelers: Online at travelers.com or by phone
• USAA: Online at usaa.com, through the USAA mobile app, or by phone
• Wawanesa: Online at wawanesa.com or by phone

After filing, your insurer will assign a claim number and adjuster — typically within one to three business days for injury claims. Use your claim number in all future communications with the insurer.

Answer

After a car accident, compensation is meant to cover both the financial hit and the personal impact. Missing even one category can leave real money on the table.

Economic Compensation

• Medical bills, including future treatment, rehab, and medication
• Lost wages during recovery
• Reduced future earning potential if injuries limit long-term work
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Diminished value: even after repairs, a damaged vehicle is often worth less than before the crash
• Other out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to appointments or home assistance

Non-Economic Compensation

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress or trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of daily activities
• Scarring or permanent physical changes
• Strain on relationships or loss of companionship

Not only can we assess the ultimate total value of your claim, we'll walk you through the steps needed to ensure complete compensation, including connections to legal resources.

Answer

A claims adjuster is the person assigned by an insurance company to investigate, evaluate, and settle your accident claim. Understanding the adjuster's role helps you navigate the claims process more effectively.

Staff adjusters
Staff adjusters are employees of the insurance company. When you file a claim with State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Nationwide, USAA, Travelers, Chubb, Amica, Erie, NJM, or The Hartford, a staff adjuster employed directly by that insurer will typically be assigned to your claim.

Independent adjusters
Independent adjusters are contractors hired by insurers to handle overflow claims or claims in regions where the insurer lacks staff capacity. This is common with regional and non-standard insurers including Bristol West, Kemper, Infinity, Dairyland, Fred Loya, National General, Direct Auto, Safe Auto, GoAuto, Good2Go, Freeway, Clearcover, Root, Toggle, Metromile, Elephant, LIMU, Wawanesa, Country Financial, and Sentry during high-volume periods.

Public adjusters
Public adjusters work for the claimant, not the insurer. They are licensed professionals who help policyholders document and negotiate their own claims. Public adjusters typically charge a percentage of the settlement amount as their fee.

What the adjuster evaluates:

• Liability — who was at fault and to what degree
• The extent of vehicle damage and cost of repair or replacement
• Medical expenses related to injuries sustained in the accident
• Lost wages if injuries prevented you from working
• Pain and suffering (in states where this is compensable)
• Property damage to items inside the vehicle

Your rights when dealing with an adjuster:

• You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company adjuster
• You have the right to get independent repair estimates
• You have the right to dispute the adjuster's damage assessment
• You are not required to accept a settlement offer — all offers are negotiable
• If you disagree with the adjuster's valuation, you can request an appraisal or file a complaint with your state's Department of Insurance

Knowing what your claim is worth before you speak with an adjuster puts you in a stronger negotiating position. BetterClaims' calculator uses actual settlement data from our attorney network to give you an independent estimate of your claim's value.

Answer

Insurance carriers are trained to minimize payouts. Handling a claim without our help can often lead to:

• Recovering only the obvious items, while missing payouts for long-term costs
• Accepting early lowball offers before your medical picture is clear
• Undervaluing pain, suffering, and future impact on work and life
• Overlooking claims for your car's diminished value or future medical needs

Our free service can help account for every dollar of loss, and build the evidence to support it, all while pushing back against tactics designed to pay you less.

Answer

A car insurance lawyer is a legal professional who helps you navigate the complexities of insurance claims, especially when dealing with an insurance company that denies or underpays a claim. These lawyers are particularly helpful in cases of personal injury from an accident, where the goal is to secure fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

An accident attorney can help:

Level the playing field: Insurance companies have their own legal and claims departments. An attorney can help you face them on equal footing.

Maximize compensation: Lawyers can ensure you receive fair compensation for all your damages, including future medical expenses, which may be overlooked or underestimated by the insurance company.

Handle denied or underpaid claims: If your claim is denied or an offer is too low, a lawyer can investigate the reason for the denial and fight to get the money you are entitled to.

Negotiate with the insurer: A lawyer can handle the negotiation process with the insurance company, which is especially useful in cases of bad faith insurance practices, where the insurer may be acting unfairly.

Litigate when necessary: If a settlement cannot be reached, a car insurance lawyer can represent you in civil court to litigate your claim.

Explain legal and policy details: They understand the intricacies of insurance policies and relevant laws, helping to build a strong case.

Remember, there's no charge to speak with a local accident lawyer — initial consultations are always completely free for those that qualify. And you're not obligated to work with an attorney if you feel it's not a fit.

Answer

The timeline for resolving a car accident claim varies based on injuries, fault disputes, and cooperation from insurance companies.

Quick, straightforward cases

• Usually 1 to 3 months
• Minor injuries or primarily vehicle damage
• Delays mainly involve inspections, repair estimates, and paperwork

Injury cases with longer treatment

• Typically 3 to 12+ months
• Settlement timing depends on medical stabilization for accurate valuation

Common reasons for delays

• Slow or incomplete documentation
• Disagreements on fault
• Medical treatment still ongoing
• Insurance carrier stalling or pushback
• Specialist care or surgical needs

Tips for keeping the process moving

• Complete medical treatment before settling for a stronger outcome
• Organize and submit documentation quickly
• Work with an attorney to address delays and protect full compensation

Understanding where your case sits on the timeline helps set expectations and avoid preventable setbacks.

Answer

Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage applies to a claim. Understanding how deductibles work — and when you may not have to pay yours — is important when navigating an accident claim.

How deductibles work in a car accident claim:

• If you were not at fault: You typically do not pay a deductible when filing a third-party claim directly against the at-fault driver's liability coverage.
• If you were at fault: Your deductible applies to any collision claim you file under your own policy.
• If fault is disputed: Your own collision coverage may be the fastest path to getting your vehicle repaired, in which case your deductible applies upfront. If the other driver is later found at fault, your insurer may recover your deductible through subrogation and return it to you.

Deductible waiver situations:

• Some policies include a collision deductible waiver (CDW) that eliminates your deductible if the other driver is identified and at fault
• Uninsured motorist property damage coverage sometimes carries a separate, lower deductible
• If your vehicle is declared a total loss, the deductible is typically subtracted from the actual cash value settlement your insurer pays

Common deductible amounts:

Standard market insurers — including AAA, Allstate, American Family, Amica, Chubb, Country Financial, CSAA, Erie, Farm Bureau, Farmers, GEICO, The Hanover, The Hartford, Kemper, Liberty Mutual, Mapfre, Mercury, Nationwide, NJM, Progressive, Safeco, Sentry, State Farm, Travelers, USAA, and Wawanesa — typically offer collision deductible options ranging from $250 to $2,000, with $500 being the most common selection.

Non-standard and specialty insurers — including Bristol West, Clearcover, Dairyland, Direct Auto, Elephant, Encompass, Freeway, Fred Loya, The General, GoAuto, Good2Go, Infinity, LIMU, Metromile, Root, Safe Auto, State Auto, and Toggle — typically offer similar ranges, though state-specific options vary. Non-standard carriers often serve policyholders who select minimum coverage, which can include lower collision limits or no collision coverage at all.

Your deductible amount is listed on your declarations page — the summary document your insurer provides when your policy is issued or renewed.

Answer

Subrogation is the legal process by which your insurance company, after paying your claim, seeks reimbursement from the at-fault party's insurer. It can directly affect your settlement timeline and whether you recover your deductible.

How subrogation works in practice:
If you were hit by another driver and filed the claim with your own insurer rather than the at-fault driver's insurer, your insurer pays your claim first and then pursues the at-fault driver's insurer for reimbursement. During the subrogation process, your insurer may recover your deductible as part of what they seek. If they succeed, they are required to return your deductible to you.

What this means for your claim timeline:
Subrogation can extend the time it takes to fully resolve a claim, particularly if liability is disputed. The process between insurers can take months or years. Your own property damage settlement is typically not delayed — your insurer pays you first and handles the recovery separately.

Subrogation applies regardless of insurer:
Subrogation applies whether the at-fault driver's policy is held by a major carrier like Allstate, GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, USAA, Travelers, Chubb, or Nationwide; a regional insurer like Erie, American Family, Amica, NJM, Country Financial, The Hanover, or Wawanesa; or a non-standard carrier like Dairyland, Fred Loya, Bristol West, Direct Auto, The General, GoAuto, Safe Auto, Freeway, Infinity, Kemper, or National General. The at-fault driver's policy limits are the determining factor in what your insurer can ultimately recover.

Subrogation and injury settlements:
If you received medical treatment covered by health insurance after your accident, your health insurer may also have subrogation rights — meaning they may seek reimbursement from your accident settlement for the medical expenses they covered. Understanding subrogation is particularly important when evaluating any settlement offer. A settlement offer that appears adequate may leave insufficient funds to satisfy a health insurer's subrogation lien. This is one reason claimants who work with attorneys — who are experienced in negotiating subrogation liens — often net more from a settlement even after attorney fees.

Answer

You do not technically need a copy of your accident report to file a claim, but having it makes the process smoother and protects you from disputes later.

You can file a claim without it if:

• The crash was recent and you are just opening the claim
• There is no disagreement on fault
• The damage or injuries are minor

It usually becomes necessary when:

• Fault is disputed or the other driver changes their story
• Injuries appear after the fact
• You are pursuing compensation beyond quick repairs, including medical bills or lost wages
• You are dealing with a hit-and-run or uninsured driver
• The claim may become a lawsuit

The police report is considered an objective account from a neutral authority. Insurance adjusters rely on it heavily to validate what happened, identify witnesses, and confirm details like location and time. Without it, the insurance company has more room to question or delay your claim.

We'll help guide you through the process of getting a copy of your accident report, as well as connecting you with the appropriate legal resources before filing a claim.

Answer

Making a diminished value claim is something most people don't realize they can do, and insurance companies rarely offer it unless you ask.

1. Confirm your state allows diminished value claims
Rules vary by location. Some states fully allow them, while others limit or prohibit them. We'll help you determine if it's available for you.

2. File the property damage claim first
Repairs must be completed before calculating diminished value. Keep all repair records and invoices.

3. Gather evidence the vehicle is now worth less

• Repair estimates and final invoices
• Pre-accident value based on year, mileage, condition
• Post-repair value from a reputable source or appraisal
• Photos of the original damage and repairs

4. Determine the diminished value amount
Use market comparisons, a professional appraisal, or recognized formulas like the 17c method to calculate the loss in value.

5. Submit a formal diminished value claim
Send your documentation to the at-fault driver's insurer requesting compensation for diminished value.

6. Push back against low offers or denials
Insurers commonly claim the vehicle is too old, mileage is too high, or the repairs restored the full value. Professional support can help you secure a fair result.

Key factors that strengthen a diminished value claim

• Newer or low-mileage vehicles
• Repairs done at a reputable shop
• Structural or significant damage
• Models with strong resale markets