All posts in Auto Insurance

Car Insurance: 3 Benefits to Having Your Own Insurance Agent

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/10/17 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off on Car Insurance: 3 Benefits to Having Your Own Insurance Agent

Having your own insurance agent is a good way to keep your insurance simple. You may have been happy with service you got from the corporate office, but there is a great deal you can do when you have an insurance agent who is focused on you. These private businesses are there to service customer accounts while also providing assistance to the community at large.

Personalized Service

When you are working with your own insurance agent, they know you inside and out. They are able to keep up with you, and they know what your specific needs are. When you call them because you have purchased a new car, they know that you likely want the same insurance as you did before. When you have kids, they know that you need comprehensive coverage for the family car. They may also recommend collision coverage for the car you drive to work so that you can save money (Source: Meyer’s Insurance Ltd.).

Something that can’t be stressed enough is that having an insurance agent personalized. They can help you anytime with any issues that you may be having with your insurance. With that said, many people are getting their insurance online now which often takes away the benefits of having a personalized agent. Dealing with insurance on your own and over the internet can be complicated and confusing. There is no personal touch with it that an insurance agent can provide. Also, the quality of customer service tends to be lower online than with your own agent.

Savings

Most people who are looking for savings will only get those savings from their local agent. The local agent spends most of their time trying to figure out how to save money for their customers. The agent makes commission on each policy, and they need to make sure that all customers retain their policies. If the agent is able to save you money, you are more likely to stay with them.

The agent also knows all of the discount programs that are specific to your job, your area or the size of your family. You get personalized service from someone who is spending all day trying to help people just like you. Your insurance agent will disclose any and all discounts that are available to you, but don’t be afraid to inquire about other discounts that you may not yet be able to qualify for as your agent will give you information about how to be able to qualify for those discounts as well.

They Are Close

The local insurance agent has an office in your community that you can visit at any time. The local insurance agent also has a phone number you can call directly. You never have to wait for a customer service agent to answer the phone, and you do not need to wait for someone to get back to you. The insurance company is not distant from you, and you know that other people in the community can give you extra information about working with the agent.

When you are working with your own insurance agent, you will find that you save more money, get better service and better policies. The local agent is committed to you and your community. Also, the local agent knows how to help you get just the insurance you need.

Shopping for Insurance? What Makes A Good Auto Insurance Policy

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/10/08 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off on Shopping for Insurance? What Makes A Good Auto Insurance Policy

Purchasing car insurance is crucial because most states require it, and you need it in the event that you are involved in a collision. Shopping around for insurance is important as is looking for these crucial elements.

Competitive Pricing

When you are calling different companies, find out what the exact price is for the policy and plan that you need. Some people take the word of estimates online. While some of these estimates might be accurate, other factors, such as your driving record, are going to come into play when you actually speak with a representative. Before you hang up the phone, find out exactly what the plan contains.

Discounts for Good Driving

Insurance exists to protect you in the event that you are involved in an accident. On the flip side of that is the fact that you want to be rewarded for good driving. Some insurance companies will lower the rate depending upon your driving reward. Look for an insurance company that offers a cost reduction program if you take a class. By taking a course in defensive driving or other skills, you can see a reduced rate on your bill.

Discounts for Your Teenage Drivers

Having to obtain insurance for the entire family is an entirely different ballpark than just needing it for yourself. Teenage drivers tend to have notoriously high insurance rates. Not only do you want to find a plan that has lower prices for them, but that also has possibilities open. For example, some insurance companies will lower the rate if your teenagers bring in proof of having a certain grade point average or letter average. You can also ask about reduced rates if you are having more than one person on your policy.

Bundle the Insurance Policy

Whether you are adding your child or spouse to your car insurance policy, this strategy is generally smart. Having more than one insurance policy is probably going to cost more money than just the singular unit. However, you should also find out if the insurance plan is able to be coupled with your home insurance policy too. The more money you are able to save on insurance, the more you will have for dealing with other issues and for your savings account.

Of course, the policy needs to provide you with full coverage, but a reputable insurance company should. You should allocate a decent amount of time and search to the cost.

Teen Driving: 5 Ways to Help Your Kids Understand Car Insurance

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/09/29 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off on Teen Driving: 5 Ways to Help Your Kids Understand Car Insurance

When you’re teaching your kids how to drive, you’re doing much more than showing them the how-to’s and handing them the keys: you’re opening a new world of responsibility for them. Car insurance is one of those things that you may take for granted in terms of knowing how it works, but you can’t take anything for granted when it comes to the safety of your kids.

Consequences

You may want to use the word “consequences” sparingly. Depending on your parenting style, your teenager may associate this word with an empty threat, or something minor. But your teenager needs to understand how costly accidents can be. If you’ve ever had an accident, show them in black and white how much the repairs cost. Express it as a percentage of all the household income for the month, or how many hours you need to work to make that money. This should effectively demonstrate the need for a solution other than paying for everything out of pocket.

Not a “Product”

Your teen needs to understand that, contrary to some popular ads, insurance policies aren’t a product that’s manufactured somewhere, shipped, then bought in a store. It’s more like a club. They also need to understand that it can be a very expensive club that they pay to be a part of every so often. They need to understand that if they are in an accident whether it is their fault or not, the insurance premium could go up in price. They also need to consider the kind of vehicle and the age of the vehicle as newer, sporty, or luxurious cars will cost more in insurance premiums. They also need to understand that their gender and age also play a role in terms of pricing of being in the insurance “club.” Teach them how to research each insurance company and how to find insurance quotes. This will help them determine which insurance company will be right for them.

The Club Analogy

In buying into the policy, you’re buying into the club. In this club, everyone agrees to regularly put money into a big pot. These payments are called the premium. If something happens to anyone in the club while driving, everyone agrees to use the money in the pot to help them cover the expenses.

Deductible

Make sure they understand, however, that insurance isn’t cure-all magic. Even with an insurance policy, there is always a deductible. Explain that insurance doesn’t cover everything: it just makes the costs bearable if something should happen. For example, if repairs from an accident cost $10,000, then the company will pay those costs minus the deductible. If your deductible is $5,000, then you and the insurance company are splitting it down the middle in this case (Source: Meyer’s Insurance Ltd).

No Magic

No matter how good the policy is, it can’t make you safe. No amount of insurance can undo the trauma of an injury or bring back a human life. While your teen should feel safe enough to not be driving to school with white knuckles, they also don’t need any help feeling invincible. Outlining the realities of insurance, what it really covers and what it doesn’t, can help your teen enjoy their new found freedom safely.

5 Tips to Saving Money on Car Insurance

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/08/25 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off on 5 Tips to Saving Money on Car Insurance

No one like to spend money on car insurance, but it is a necessary evil that everyone must buy into on some level. Every state requires that everyone carries minimum car insurance, but keep in mind that it doesn’t have to break your bank accounts. If you understand certain strategies, you can save money on car insurance. There are five ways to reduce overall car insurance costs.

Compare Quotes

Failure to comparison shop is one of the worst mistakes that most people make. Many people either take the insurance that comes the most recommended to them or claim they can save them the most money. According to a study, many individuals overpay nearly $368 each year on auto insurance. Make sure you get quotes from a lot of different companies and then compare each quote side by side. This way when you are comparing companies like State Farm, Geico, or Anthony Clark Insurance Ltd., you will be able to find the best insurance plan for you and for the best price.

In addition to comparing quotes, keep in mind that auto insurance companies measure risks in several ways. For example, if you move several miles from your current location, the cost of your policy will increase. This is why you must check auto insurance rates every year. In addition, you should comparison shop each time your location, marital status, or traffic violations change. Each factor affects insurance costs, and you will only get a good deal if you find rates that you qualify for.

Discounts

Most insurance companies do not advertise each specific deal that they offer. For example, if your insurance policy includes a college or high school student, find out if your insurer provides discounts for good test scores. Some companies also offer discounts to military officers and to people who have good driving records. Discounts are also offered to individuals who completed a defensive driving class and drivers who have certain safety features in their vehicles.

Bundle the Coverage

Bundling your car insurance coverage with your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance is a simple way to reduce your insurance costs. Most major insurance companies provide this particular discount.

Insurance companies offer a bundle discount so that they customers will not shop around. However, you should always compare rates with your current provider’s rates each year.

Try to Drive Less

The most overlooked discount is the low-mileage discount. Insurance providers calculate their rates based on your chance of having an accident. The low-mileage rates for each insurance company varies, but it is usually between 7,500 to 15,000 miles every year.

Walking, biking, and using public transportation can reduce the miles that you drive every year, which will lower your car insurance rates.

Maintain Good Credit

When insurance companies determine the cost of a premium, employees review a lot of information, such as credit. To boost your credit score, pay off your current bills and debts. These changes will improve your interest rates on loans and will lower your insurance premiums.

Overall, there are many other ways to reduce your insurance costs, such as driving an older car or dropping a coverage. You should never drive a vehicle without auto insurance, and you should never let your coverage lapse.

Fact or Fiction: What Really Shows Up on Your Driving Record

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/30 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off on Fact or Fiction: What Really Shows Up on Your Driving Record

If you’ve been in an accident or are just wondering how to cut back on insurance expenses, you need to know what is reported on your driving record. Insurance companies are interested in what is in your record for many reasons. Your driving record can negatively impact your insurance rates, and you can even be denied insurance. Like with any big payment, some "urban legends" about what does and doesn’t affect you exist. Be sure you know which is really fact or fiction. See how knowledgeable you are in the examples below.

Fact or Fiction 1: Your Credit Score and Food Stamp Eligibility Affect Your Driving Record

Do you believe that your credit score and assistance program status affect your driving record? Then you are one of many people who would be wrong in this case. Your credit score may affect the type of vehicle you can purchase, but does not affect your privilege to drive any vehicle. This "urban legend" has been around at least since the 1970’s, when many employers began using formal hiring processes. These processes are now commonplace, and include your permission to check your background, driving record, credit report, and ask questions regarding your assistance program(s) eligibility and benefits status.

Fact or Fiction 2: A No-Fault Accident Will Not Be on Your Driving Record

A tree falls into the road while you are driving, and you cannot reasonably avoid it. It hits your car, causing considerable damage. This is not your fault, so it won’t go into your driving record.
Most states require that all accidents, regardless of fault, are recorded in your driving record. The time the accident remains on your record may be less than an at-fault accident. Be sure to check your specific state laws regarding accident reporting and your driving record requirements.

Fact or Fiction 3: Taking a Defensive Driving Course can Expunge My Driving Record

Hitting a light pole, or running over the neighbor’s mailbox may not be the highlight of your day. In these cases, many lesser infractions can be removed from your record by taking a defensive driving course. Halifax auto insurance recommends you take the course in person rather than online to show your dedication. Check with your state regarding removing traffic violations, and how to pay for the class plus any tickets you may have.

Know your driving facts, so you are not caught off-guard by urban fictions! Always check with your state public safety office to find out the exact information that can be retained in your driving record and for how long.

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