Feb 19, 2020 | Insurance
Texas is not a no-fault state, which means that who caused an accident plays an important role in determining who pays for the damage. If you were at fault, you will be the party responsible for payment. Luckily, if you’re insured, the insurance company will cover most of it. How is fault determined? Insurance adjusters will examine both the site of the accident and the damage to the vehicles. The information that is gained from these observations will allow them to determine who was at fault in most cases. If one of the drivers was committing a traffic violation that led to the accident, they’ll be ruled to be at fault. Can you admit fault in a car accident? If you were at fault in an accident, it is possible to admit fault. However, you should not do this unless you are certain that you’ll be ruled at fault by the adjusters otherwise. In most cases, it’s best to avoid admitting fault because you might not know about all of the factors that led to the crash. What happens if you were at fault? If you are at fault, your insurance company will pay for much of the damage, but you’ll be responsible for your deductible if you have one. In addition, the accident will impact your future car insurance rates, and the specific increase in your rate will depend on the severity of the accident and the circumstances of the crash. What happens if the other driver was at fault? If the other driver was at fault for the accident, your insurance policy will not be responsible for...Feb 12, 2020 | Insurance
You know that your bad credit prevents you from getting the best rates when it comes to auto loans and other advances. Did you also know that poor credit history affects auto insurance as well? Your ability to pay your bills on time comes with more benefits than you think. Why it is important to maintain good financial credibility The average American living in Austin, Texas, stays within his means and strives to pay bills in a timely manner. Some consumers, however, do not deem it necessary to maintain such good credibility. These individuals may view dedication to good credit as important only when attempting to purchase a home or car. There is more to financial health than showing good numbers when you want to buy a new house or car, though. Auto insurance providers consider your track record on paying bills when determining how much to charge in monthly premium fees. It is not uncommon for those with low credit scores to pay more for the same coverage that individuals with better credibility get for a fraction of the price. What does it mean to have “good” credit? Financial credibility is affected by multiple factors such as the length of your accounts and spending frequency. It is possible to have better credit with fewer revolving accounts than the person who has multiple credit cards with high balances. Those looking for cheap auto insurance in Austin, Texas, may want to keep their credit scores above 650. Those with credit scores above 700 may save even more money. Other factors that affect auto insurance Of course, affordable insurance in Austin,...Feb 6, 2020 | Insurance
Shopping for auto insurance can feel a little overwhelming at times – there are so many options to choose from, and it can be difficult to determine which will truly be the best policy for you. The best way to find reliable and affordable insurance is to ask questions. Don’t hesitate to sit down with your insurance agent and have an in-depth conversation about what makes the most sense for you as a customer. Here are some of the best questions to ask when shopping for auto insurance. What discounts do you offer? Almost every car insurance company has a list of discounts they offer for things like good driving history, being a student, or having safety features on your car. When shopping around, you should always ask about the different types of discounts that your car insurance company offers. You can leverage these discounts to get a more affordable insurance policy with a reliable company. What factors are causing my premiums to go up? If you feel like you keep getting unfairly high quotes for car insurance, it may be worth asking your agent what exactly is causing them. In many cases, these are things you can change. Knowing exactly what factors into the cost of your policy will give you more control when shopping for your insurance. How will my work and lifestyle affect my insurance? There are a number of different factors that affect the type of insurance you need and how much it is going to cost. For example, if you use your car for work, you’ll need to make sure that your policy has...
Jan 27, 2020 | Insurance
Commercial auto insurance is essential for any business, small or large, that deals with or uses vehicles. It covers vans, trucks, cars, and an entire fleet of vehicles in case of any damage. Many business owners assume their personal auto insurance policy covers any claims made during business operations. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case since personal auto insurance is limited to an individual when it comes to coverage. If you want a policy designed for business entities that can cover personal injuries, collisions, other liabilities, and uninsured motorists, commercial auto insurance is your best option. Additionally, you can purchase insurance that can cover you in case of damage caused by theft, fire, floods, and hail. Here are some reasons why you should buy commercial auto insurance for your business. 1. Insures employees Commercial auto insurance provides coverage for both you and your employees. For example, if you have drivers for your business, they are covered under your insurance policy’s terms. If your employees also use their vehicles for business purposes, most commercial auto insurance policies cover them. However, ensure you consult with your insurance provider to understand the circumstances of coverage for your employees. 2. Compliance Texas law requires all vehicles on the road to have insurance. Therefore, getting commercial auto insurance for your business ensures it’s compliant with the local and state laws. 3. Specialized coverages Through commercial auto insurance, your business can get many specialized coverages. Some insurance providers also include these without any extra charges. They include; • Loan or lease gaps: this gap occurs when a leased car is completely wrecked, and its actual cash...
Jan 20, 2020 | Insurance
One of the first steps to take after purchasing your new car is making sure you’re covered by quality auto insurance. If you already have insurance, ensure you renew your policy since you can’t predict what could happen while you are on the road. However, when it comes to purchasing online auto insurance, you can easily get confused about your car insurance plans. Here are some dos and don’ts that can help you navigate the online insurance buying process. Dos 1. Fill the proposal form yourself Ensure you fill this form by yourself and don’t provide any misleading or false information that may affect your premiums in the future. You should also keep a copy of this form for personal records. 2. Check who else is covered? If you own a family car, chances are you share it with your family members. Always check whether the policy you choose covers other drivers. Some insurance plans don’t cover drivers under the age of 25 who have a bad driving history. Thus, try asking your online insurance providers for policies that cover such high-risk drivers. 3. Update your policy Many vehicle owners forgo minor changes in their lifestyle, forgetting they can affect their premium rates. For example, if you get a new job in a low traffic area, it means your chances of getting an accident are lower. This can save you a lot of money since your insurance rates will be lower. Whether you’re looking for a new online insurance provider or renewing your policy, ensure you update it to get cheap auto insurance. Don’ts 1. Making false declarations Making...
Jan 13, 2020 | Insurance
The insurance industry is a frequent target for fraudulent activities because of the lump sum amount of cash people collect each year. Auto insurance fraud, for example, is estimated to cost many car owners between $400 and $600 in premium costs each year. Unfortunately, even if you aren’t directly involved in auto insurance fraud, it can significantly increase your premium and drag out legitimate insurance claims. It’s essential to avoid auto insurance cases at all costs and report to your insurance provider in case of any fraudulent suspicions. You should also learn to protect yourself from car insurance fraud to ensure you get low premiums and affordable insurance. Here are some types of auto insurance you should avoid. 1. Staged accidents When you deliberately stage a car accident, theft, or injury to collect some money, it’s considered insurance fraud. However, at times you may find yourself in the middle of a staged accident without your knowledge. For example, two vehicles trap you in a rear-end collision, or another car hits yours deliberately. In such cases, always take pictures and get the contact details of the persons involved in the accident. 2. Fake and exaggerated claims Due to the rising number of insurance companies in the market, there are a lot of fraudulent insurance agents that want to collect from unsuspecting clients. Such agencies collect premiums for insurance policies that don’t exist. Always go for a licensed and experienced insurance company to avoid such fraudulent claims and confirm whether the agents work for the said company. 3. Accident repair fraud When your vehicle is involved in an accident, it will...
Jan 7, 2020 | Insurance
If you own or lease a car, purchasing car insurance is essential since it’s illegal to drive without it in many states. On the other hand, for states where it’s optional, it won’t be smart to be on the road with an uninsured car. For instance, in case of an accident, you’ll have to pay for damages and injuries out-of-pocket, which can adversely affect your finances. Therefore, you need to buy auto insurance to protect yourself in case of any unforeseen circumstances. There are several ways you can purchase insurance, and they include; • Online from an insurance company • In-person from an insurance agent • From a local agent; this may be in person or online Purchasing auto insurance online has become popular since it’s easy and convenient. However, before making this decision, it’s vital to assess the pros and cons of online insurance to understand how it works. Below are some pros and cons you should be aware of when buying online insurance from a local agent. Pros 1. Available 24/7 Online insurance companies provide services at any time, any day. Thus, if you are too busy to walk around looking for car insurance, you can search for local insurance companies on your web. Online insurance agencies also provide 24/7 customer support. Therefore, if you have any queries regarding auto insurance, you can quickly contact them and expect a response within a short time. 2. It’s cheaper When buying insurance online, you skip the insurance agent (middle man) that needs to be compensated by the insurance company. This lowers your insurance policy since your provider doesn’t have...
Dec 24, 2019 | Insurance
If you’re under 25, your car insurance rates could be quite high. In fact, car insurance rates for people under 25 can be several times the rate of people who are much older. This is especially true if you are under 25 and male. However, it is possible to get a relatively good deal on car insurance if you know where to look and maintain a clean driving record. You can also save money by bundling. For instance, if you purchase renter’s insurance from the same company that you get auto insurance from, you may be able to save some money because of a bundling discount. What factors into your car insurance rate? In addition to your age and driving history, your habits related to driving can have an influence on the rate that you pay. People who drive in areas where accidents are more common will have to pay higher rates, and people who are in areas that require you to drive long distances are likely to deal with higher rates. Why are rates for car insurance higher for people who are under 25? People who are under 25 pay higher rates on car insurance because people in this age range are statistically more likely to have a car accident. This is true for people who have recently got their driver’s license, especially drivers who are under 18. Can young people save money by staying on their parents’ car insurance plan? If you are under 25, you can save money by remaining on your parents’ car insurance plan. In many cases, the savings will be substantial. If you’re...
Dec 18, 2019 | Insurance
You might be surprised by some of the things that your homeowner’s and auto insurance will cover. Your auto insurance covers much more than damage from accidents, and your home insurance covers more than damage caused by fires and natural disasters. Here are four unexpected things that home and auto insurance policies will cover: 1. Damage caused by rodents Your auto insurance policy will cover damage to your vehicle that’s caused by rodents. If you have a problem with mice, rats, or other rodents, this coverage can certainly come in handy since rodents can cause substantial damage to vehicles. 2. Injuries from a dog bite If a guest on your property is bitten by your dog, you could face an extremely serious lawsuit. Dog bites can cause serious injuries, and the average dog bite lawsuit could cost you over $30,000. Luckily, your homeowner’s insurance policy will be able to cover the costs beyond your deductible. 3. Vandalism that impacts your home or vehicle If your vehicle or home is damaged by vandalism, the cost of repairing it will be covered by home or auto insurance. This includes damage that is caused by vandalism in just about any setting, such as a protest that got out of control or a rowdy crowd after a sports game. 4. Valuables that are damaged by a natural disaster or fire If your valuables are damaged by a fire, storm, or other disaster, your homeowner’s insurance will cover the damage. This includes damage to jewelry and other high-value items. In most cases, homeowners’ insurance policies will cover $1,500 worth of damage per damaged item....
Dec 10, 2019 | Insurance
When you shop for a car and decide how to purchase it, be sure to think about insurance rates and other ongoing expenses. These costs aren’t always simple to predict; some vehicles are easy to buy, yet ownership is difficult to afford. The choice between buying and leasing has a major impact on a wide range of expenses. Calculating premiums Insurers generally charge the same premiums for equivalent coverage on owned or leased autos. Other factors like the vehicle model, your location and your age are more likely to affect rates. Nevertheless, you may be required to carry different types of coverage depending on how you obtain the car. This could have a significant effect on the total cost. Required coverage A lease agreement or loan will probably demand full auto insurance. You’ll need to pay for liability, comprehensive and collision policies. This protects you as well as the bank or lessor if a crash occurs. On the other hand, you only have to buy liability coverage if you buy a vehicle and pay for it in cash. A lease may necessitate more costly liability insurance as well. For instance, you could need to buy a plan that covers a maximum of $30,000 in property damage rather than $5,000. You’ll probably only have to purchase the minimum required by law if you take out a loan or pay in cash. However, you won’t have as much financial protection in an accident. What’s included? Many leases and new cars come with roadside assistance. A lessor may provide gap insurance; it ensures that you don’t owe money after a total-loss collision....
