There are many terms that are specific to auto insurance, and they can be confusing. At times you can become confused. This article discusses insurance industry terms in language that you understand. Once you know the meaning of these terms, you will be better able to make the right decision.
If you’ve been thinking about adding aftermarket parts to your car, check with your insurance company to see if they will cover the damage of these parts. Often, your insurance company will not cover the value of aftermarket parts, or will only cover the total value of the car with the parts added.
There is a myth that insurance premiums instantly go down when people turn 25. The reality is that after the driver has reached the age of 18, the rate starts gradually dropping.
You should always strive to keep your insurance from lapsing as a means to keep your rates low. Switching between many different policies and insurance companies can cause gaps in coverage, even if unintentional. Your insurance company will raise the rate charged once they discover you have had gaps.
Public Transportation
Carpool or take public transportation. One way to secure lower insurance premiums is to use public transportation, so you can put fewer miles on your vehicle. Many providers also offer discounts for commuting.
You should evaluate each item covered in your auto insurance to see if it might be worth dropping from your policy. The comprehensive and collision coverages are worth reconsidering for an older car. You may benefit from adjusting these downward, or even drop them entirely. Remove this coverage from your insurance and you could save a large amount every month. Comprehensive and liability coverage are some other things you may want to consider cutting.
Ask for an list of what insurance coverage discounts your company may have. Review all of their discounts and make sure you are getting all of the discounts that you qualify for.
It is important to know about the different types of coverage. You should be certain that you have a policy that covers any possible incident. Liability will come in handy when you injure someone, damage that person’s property, have a damaged vehicle, or medical bills. Other types of coverage that you need include protection from uninsured drivers and damage from fire or other disasters.
Remember, not all insurance covers other uninsured drivers. This can really increase the price you pay, so think twice. This type of policy will still pay if the other driver doesn’t have insurance.
Remove family members from your policy that do not operate your vehicles any longer. Taking inactive drivers off your policy can reduce your overall insurance cost, because your insurance company no longer has to cover them.
Talk to your own insurance agent before switching companies due to a quote from another company. They will probably cut you a deal so that you continue giving them your business.
Liability Coverage
You may be confused about how much coverage you need to carry. It is important to secure sufficient liability coverage, particularly if you own substantial assets. To drive this point home, suppose you have $200,000 in assets, but only $50,000 in liability coverage. If you are driving one night and smash into someone, causing $150,000 in medical costs, you could be sued for the remaining $100,000 in medical fees, and that could cost you your assets. Making sure that you are properly covered is the best way to protect yourself.
Car insurance companies carry reputations, and you are best served by investigating where they stand in the public eye. The lowest rates aren’t the only thing that should grab your attention when shopping for your car insurance. Problems settling claims and poor customer service take a lot of your time and energy, and you may be willing to pay a few extra dollars to get high quality service.
If you change providers, you should make sure you have no unpaid fines. Before issuing a policy, an auto insurance company will look at your driving history and record, so make sure that you pay all of the fines that you owe. Taking care of these minor infractions is not just your responsibility, it can also keep your insurance costs down.
Use this advice to make smarter auto insurance choices in the future. Knowing what your choices are is a good way to gain confidence in making the right decisions.