Auto Insurance information and online quotes
AUTO INSURANCE QUESTIONS
What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
What is Full Coverage?
What do I do if I have an accident?
How can I improve my insurance rate if I am already a safe driver?
Does my auto insurance cover me outside the the state I
reside in?
Why are rates in my state so expensive?
What is my state doing about Uninsured drivers?
When I turn 25 will I receive a discount?
Does it cost more for a car used to commute?
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What is Uninsured motorist coverage or Underinsured motorist coverage?
Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is insurance that you, "the insured," purchase
to protect yourself and passengers in your car from bodily injury caused by a person who is not insured (or who is underinsured - meaning they do not have enough bodily injury liability to cover the expenses sustained). Uninsured motorist property damage coverage is insurance that you purchase to protect the value of your car from loss or damage caused by a person who is not insured (or who is underinsured - with not enough property damage liability to pay for your vehicle). Uninsured/Underinstured motorist property damage coverage will only cover up to the current value of your car (NADA), but will not pay any more.
What is "full coverage" with regards to automobile insurance?
Full coverage is a term used to imply that the insured has all
coverage's offered by their insurance company on their policy. This includes
but is not limited to:
- Liability coverage (both bodily injury and property damage)
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (both bodily injury and property damage)
- Medical coverage (immediate payment for injuries to the driver and passengers in your car)
- Comprehensive coverage, with deductible (loss due to theft or damage other than collision)
- Collision coverage, with deductible (damage to your car from collision or flip-over)
- Towing
coverage
- Rental Reimbursement coverage
- Along with specific company-only
coverage's such as:
- Accidental Death coverage
- Gap protection coverage
- New
Vehicle replacement coverage
- Accident forgiveness
- Deductible reduction
- Guaranteed renewal
- Audio System coverage
- Special/custom equipment coverage
- Stated value coverage
Check with your
agent to make sure you do have "Full Coverage," and whenever possible, specify exactly which of the above you are interested in.
What do I do if I have an accident?
You can best be served on what to do if you have an accident by posing
this question to your insurance agent at the time you purchase insurance. But a few steadfast rules do apply:
- Make sure everyone is safe, doctor, hospital or medical treatment if
necessary should be attended to first and foremost.
- Call the local authorities to report the claim.
- Take a deep breath and Relax if possible.
- Save your explanation as to how the accident occurred for the police officers at the scene of the accident.
- If no local authorities are available exchange name, phone numbers and
policy numbers with the other party. Save your explanation as to how the accident occurred for the insurance companies.
- Call your insurance company, most furnish you with an 800 number and tell them exactly what happened and they will guide you from there, through the rest of the claim process.
- Rest assured your claim will be handled and you will have the opportunity to ask and an all questions you feel relevant to your claim.
How can I improve my insurance rate if I am already a safe driver?
Insurance companies will give a better rate:
- If you carry higher limits of liability;
- If you are changing insurance companies;
- Shop your insurance change in advance of the renewal date instead of waiting till the last minute
- Married drivers have lower rates
- Multiple vehicles combined onto one policy (with one driver per vehicle) will have lower rates
The reasoning is simple: The items above indicate a higher level of responsibility. If you are conscientious about your insurance....you are more likely to be a responsible driver.
Does my auto insurance cover me outside the the state I
reside in?
Most insurance companies extend coverage throughout the United
States and Canada. If you're not sure, call the customer service number shown on your policy and ask.
Note that very few companies extend coverage into
Mexico (you need to purchase trip-specific Mexico Auto Insurance - contact us for details)
Why are rates in my state so expensive?
Rates are based on the number of uninsured motorists in the state and the number of accidents/losses from all drivers - these factors affect the overall premium base so that insurance companies have enough premiums to cover their losses.
What is my state doing about Uninsured drivers?
Your state is currently sending out letters stating that if a vehicle is uninsured then the registration will be suspended.
When I turn 25 will I receive a discount?
After you turn 25 most insurance carriers will give a small 1-3% discount on your next renewal.
Does it cost more for a car used to commute?
No! In fact, it is exactly the opposite. Just like the rate reduction information given above, driving a vehicle on a regular basis to a regular location tends to indicate a higher level of responsibility - both in your driving and in the care of your vehicle. Auto insurance quotes for the same vehicle driven for commuting will very often have rates lower than the same vehicle indicated as being driven for pleasure. The same is true when it comes to employement status. It is often less expensive for an older driver with a commuting job as compared to a retiree.
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