Sep 11, 2019 | Insurance
Auto insurance companies want to reward safer drivers. The safer you are, the less likely you are to make a claim, which reduces the financial risk the insurance company is taking on you. Buying a car with reliable safety features can qualify you for discounts, making your premium more affordable in the long run. Here are some important car safety features that can give you a discount on your insurance policy. Anti-lock brakes Anti-lock brakes have become fairly standard since the ’90s, and auto manufacturers are now required to include them on their vehicles. They prevent you from losing control if your car starts to skid. Insurers prefer that you have a newer car with anti-lock brakes, as opposed to an older model without them that puts you at a higher risk for an accident. Airbags Airbags are another standard safety feature that is required in all vehicles. They can protect you from injury in a crash by catching you before you hit the hard surface of the car. Some cars have additional airbags beyond what is required by law, and some insurance companies offer discounts for this. Backup cameras/lane change sensors Some newer cars have backup cameras, which help you to see behind you while backing in and out of parking spaces. They may even show you digital guidelines for where you should park. Lane change sensors are also very helpful – if there’s someone in your blind spot and you start to change lanes, the car will beep to warn you and prevent a collision. Anti-theft devices There are many different types of anti-theft devices you can...
Sep 10, 2019 | Insurance
When an accident takes place, auto insurance can help you avoid the burdens of huge repair and medical bills. However, insurers will only provide reimbursement when motorists supply enough information and allow adjusters to thoroughly assess the extent of the damage. You can hasten the process and increase the likelihood of success by following these tips: 1. Contact the local authorities right away. Your insurer will probably want to see a police report when it processes the claim. Police officers can provide basic estimates of the cost to repair each vehicle. Be sure to seek emergency medical attention if necessary. 2. Take photos and record information about the accident when you can do so safely. Gather contact info for witnesses and any other motorists who were involved in a collision. Take the time to collect and share auto insurance details as well. 3. Call the insurer without delay. You should have the company’s telephone number in your car. A representative will ask several questions about the collision, vehicle, witnesses and drivers. Have a pen and paper ready; he or she will provide you with a claim number and other important details. Remember to quickly respond to any subsequent phone calls. 4. When you speak to an adjuster, it’s crucial to tell the truth. Describe what you actually experienced rather than what you believe. Never accuse another motorist of intentional misconduct or drug use unless you’re absolutely certain. Don’t blame yourself for another person’s mistakes or vice versa. 5. Let the insurance company assess accident damage before you repair the car. If the vehicle needs immediate service to prevent water...
Aug 30, 2019 | Insurance
If your vehicle requires major repairs, it could take a service center multiple weeks to complete the work. Many motorists need rental cars while they wait; this often increases the total cost by $250 to $850. Luckily, your auto insurance might pay the bill under the right circumstances. It depends on the cause of the damage and the type of coverage that you carry. Optional Most insurers sell rental reimbursement as an optional add-on or “rider.” If you want the insurance company to pay for this service when an accident or disaster harms your vehicle, you’ll need to sign up for extra coverage and accept a slightly higher rate. Other add-ons are also available, such as roadside assistance. Situations An insurer will only reimburse you when the damage is covered by your insurance plan. If you have a comprehensive policy and a rental reimbursement rider, you can rent a car for free when vandals, severe weather or animals harm your auto. You’ll only be reimbursed when a traffic accident causes the damage if you just carry collision insurance. When a fellow motorist causes a crash, his or her liability policy might cover a rental vehicle. However, there could be delays and the other driver might lack insurance. It’s preferable to have your own coverage. If you need to rent an auto because of a defective part or normal wear-and-tear, your insurer won’t pay the bill. Limits Normally, rental reimbursement riders have no deductibles but limits do apply. You might not be fully reimbursed if you rent a luxury vehicle or your car takes an unusually long period of time...
Aug 20, 2019 | Insurance
Around two out of every 10 serious car accidents happen when cars hit stationary obstacles, such as light poles or trees. A limb can also fall on your vehicle during stormy weather. Many motorists wonder if auto insurance covers damage to cars or valuable trees. Crashes When you hit a tree while driving, collision insurance will probably pay the repair bill. The same goes for accidents involving utility poles and fence posts. If you only pay for the minimum amount of coverage, you don’t have collision insurance. Liability A property owner might want compensation when a car destroys a tree that he or she purchased in the past. If you have a liability policy, it might provide the needed funds. This type of coverage pays for car-inflicted damage to other vehicles and structures as well. Falling Limbs A dead tree or branch may fall and strike your vehicle at any time. Insurers treat this as a “falling object” incident rather than a collision. Consequently, you’ll need to have a comprehensive plan if you want to make a claim. Weather A major storm could knock a tree over or break its branches. Uprooted trees can also cause power lines to hit cars. Like falling objects, severe weather damage is covered by comprehensive policies. This kind of auto insurance costs extra but remains relatively inexpensive. Deductible Most plans won’t pay for all of the repairs; they usually have deductibles. For example, your collision policy might have a $250 deductible that will be subtracted from the total cost. The insurer pays $2,550 if a crash results in $2,800 worth of damage. Exceptions...
Aug 13, 2019 | Insurance
Your car is susceptible to thievery and vandalism at any given time in your absence. In case your car is broken into or stolen, one of the first questions that come to mind is, “does my insurance cover theft?” This varies depending on the type of auto-insurance and situation. Your auto insurance policy should include comprehensive coverage to cover for vandalism and theft. If you have liability insurance, you will not be covered in the event of a break-in. Liability insurance usually protects against any bodily injury or damage to property as a result of an accident. On the other hand, collision insurance covers your repair costs in accidents that do not include another vehicle. Therefore, it won’t be of any help. Comprehensive insurance Comprehensive coverage is the only form of insurance that reimburses you in case of car theft. Even when your car is recovered, you will get Actual Cash Value for your vehicle. It is also meant to protect you against damage caused by vandalism or miscellaneous events like flooding or a fallen tree. You can also add rental reimbursement coverage to your auto insurance policy to receive your rental fees back. Comprehensive insurance is optional, and you should discuss with your provider if your plan includes the coverage. Without it, you cannot receive any compensation for car theft. Steps to take in case of car theft and vandalism Following the appropriate steps ensures your insurance claiming process is smooth. First, call the police to file a report. You are required to provide some information to help correctly identifying your vehicle. This includes the make, year, and...
Aug 7, 2019 | Insurance
The deer is a fairly common animal in Texas. This agile creature has a habit of darting across highways at inopportune moments. Sadly, such behavior often results in the animal’s death and a serious auto accident. Deer-vehicle crashes have become increasingly frequent in the Lone Star State. Precautions Motorists can reduce the chance of crashes if they exercise caution in high-risk locations. It’s wise to reduce your speed during certain times of the day and year. Remember that deer are more likely to cause traffic accidents at night in the autumn or early winter. Always drive slowly in foggy weather. Consequences This type of crash can damage a car’s lights, bumper, fender, grille or hood. It could break the windshield, especially if you have a low-profile vehicle. Human injuries may also occur. Although frontal crashes are much more common, a deer could run into the side of your vehicle and damage windows or doors. Insurance Coverage Unfortunately, basic collision or liability auto insurance won’t pay your repair bills in this situation. You need to have a comprehensive policy to receive compensation when you hit any kind of animal. Photographs of an accident scene and vehicle damage may increase the likelihood of claim approval. Many deer-car accidents result in repairs that cost $2,000 to $6,000. The average expense is approximately $4,200. A comprehensive plan’s deductible is frequently much lower than this amount. These deductibles can be as high as $2,500, but they’re often below $1,000. You may be able to find a policy that only subtracts $100 from your repair claim. Even if you don’t have comprehensive auto coverage, your...
Jul 31, 2019 | Insurance
Tires are a crucial part of your vehicle that can cost a substantial amount of money to replace. Auto insurance may reimburse you if your tires become damaged, but this will only happen under certain circumstances. Crash When a traffic accident takes place and it ruins your vehicle’s tires, you might qualify for compensation. You must have collision coverage to receive an insurance payment. A basic liability policy won’t fund this sort of repair. Pothole If you accidentally strike a large pothole and it seriously harms one or more tires, you will probably have the opportunity to make a claim. As its name suggests, collision insurance covers collisions with other vehicles as well as most inanimate objects. Vandalism When vandals slash or otherwise destroy this part of a car, motorists can sometimes turn to an insurer for assistance. However, you’ll only qualify for help if you’ve purchased an optional comprehensive plan. Theft If someone steals your wheels, tires or the entire car, the right type of insurance might enable you to gain reimbursement. You must possess a comprehensive policy to receive compensation. Worn Out Insurers generally won’t pay to replace rubber that has simply worn out after traveling long distances or being used for many years. The same goes for most other parts, such as wipers and headlights. Defective It’s normally not possible to make an insurance claim when this equipment fails due to manufacturing defects. You may be able to obtain funds from the manufacturer through a warranty claim or lawsuit. Flat When you drive over a nail and your tire becomes flat, an insurer might be able...
Jul 19, 2019 | Insurance
When you are buying your auto insurance online you may be offered the option of using a tracking device in your vehicle in exchange for good driving discounts. These devices are available in the Austin area, but not every auto insurance company offers them, so you may not understand how they work. If your company offers this discount, you will be offered either an app that you download to your phone or a small device that will plug in under the dash of your car. If you sign up to use the plug-in option, the insurance company will normally mail the device to you along with instructions showing where to plug it in under your dash. The purpose of tracking your driving habits is to let the insurance company know things like how many miles you drive each day, when the car is used, distance driven, how fast you typically drive, and any incidents of hard braking. These details let the insurance company know if you are eligible for good driver discounts. If you have a teen driver in your family, this is also a good way for parents to monitor your teen’s driving habits. Most of the companies who use tracking devices provide an app or a website that you can visit to see the information that has been gathered. You do need to make sure that all the drivers understand that after you start using the tracking device, you can’t unplug it or turn it off. If you do disconnect the device, the insurance company will be notified and you normally lose your good driving discounts. We...
Jul 12, 2019 | Insurance
Insurance rates in Austin, Texas, differ depending on various factors. Therefore, when looking at the different options available, it is important to understand that there are numerous factors which determine the cost of auto insurance. These factors include your driving history and zip code. However, the most significant determinant of insurance rates is your preferred vehicle’s make and model. How does it affect your insurance cost? Luxury cars are expensive, so if you choose to buy a luxurious car, be ready to pay higher insurance rates. Apart from their more costly purchase price, the spare parts and repair services of high-end vehicles are also more expensive. So, finding cheaper auto insurance for such vehicles is not that easy. Age of your car An old car is not as highly valued as a brand new one. The insurance company will consider the claim likely to be paid in case your car crashes depending on its age. However, depreciation of vehicles vary among various vehicle models. That’s why some insurance companies may have cheaper rates for some new cars models and higher rates for old car models. But in most cases, the older the car, the cheaper is the insurance cover. The demand for the car Usually, some cars have a higher demand in the market, which means that they are likely to appear on the list of the most stolen vehicles. If your car falls on this list, auto insurance will cost you more. The insurance company knows that there is a higher risk of paying out if the vehicle is stolen. Therefore, you will be required to install some...
Jul 4, 2019 | Insurance
Finding the right insurance policy to meet your needs can feel like a monumental task. That’s why it’s best to work with a local agency that understands how tricky it can be to navigate the policy selection process. It’s difficult to calculate the amount of coverage you need and the policy features that you require. A local agent will better understand exactly what you need, much more so than someone on the other side of a computer screen. When you choose your insurance wisely, that good decision can make your life a lot easier should you ever experience a catastrophic event. Why it’s best to work with a local agent Just because you want affordable insurance, it doesn’t mean that you’re willing to settle for the cheapest option. There are insurance options that are affordable and still provide the coverage that you want. The right agent can review your current situation with you and present the affordable options that are within your budget and meet your needs. Even though insurance is one thing that we hope to never need, it’s great to have when we do face those situations. Because your local agent is right here in your hometown, they can provide valuable assistance in the event that you need to file a claim. Filing an insurance claim is no picnic, and wouldn’t you rather have someone helping you through the process instead of going it alone? That’s exactly why it’s best to work with someone local. They are there to answer any questions that you may have and help you to complete your claim accurately. Errors during the...
