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...
Jun 28, 2019 | Insurance
Finding affordable auto insurance for high school students seems like something improbable. You could quickly notice your rates skyrocket once you add a teen driver onto your family plan. Nonetheless, there are several ways high school students can lower their insurance rates to standard levels, such as by taking advantage of discounts available to them. Below are the best ways to find affordable insurance for high school students. Choose the right vehicle for a teen driver One factor insurers look at when calculating insurance premiums is the type of car you’re driving. You will pay more for a black or red car (red is associated with speed while black is hard to see it at night), a jeep, sports car, or any other premium vehicle. Instead, pick something reliable yet affordable. The best car for high school students would be a four-door sedan in a visible color such as white, silver, green, and blue. Shopping around Shopping around is by far one of the best ways to get cheap auto insurance for high school students. Use the internet to compare different quotes from different insurance companies. Discounts for teen drivers Insurance companies offer some discounts explicitly for teens. One of them is the ‘good student discount.’ Insurers have determined that students with good grades are better drivers and therefore offer them such discounts. This applies to students with at least B-average (3.0 GPA). Another type of discount is driver’s education, which is extended to teens who have undertaken a drivers education course. Search for school-sponsored programs Some schools and colleges will actively provide their students with remedies, especially those...
Jun 17, 2019 | Insurance
Although leasing may allow you to avoid some of the costs and responsibilities of car ownership, you still need to buy auto insurance. Certain types of coverage are required by law or the lessor; others remain optional. State Law Texas authorities expect all drivers to carry liability insurance. A lease doesn’t change these rules in any way. The Lone Star State requires a policy that pays for a minimum of $25,000 in property damage and $30,000 in medical care for each injured person. Lease Requirements Before leasing a vehicle, ask the dealership’s staff about the rules. Many lessors require motorists to obtain much more liability insurance than the state demands. For example, you might need $50,000 worth of property damage coverage. Lease providers usually expect drivers to acquire additional types of insurance as well. You’ll probably need comprehensive and collision policies. These plans protect you and the lessor in a wider range of accidents and natural disasters. Even if you can find a car that doesn’t require collision or comprehensive coverage, it’s wise to purchase both types of policies. If a crash, fire, tornado or flood destroys a leased vehicle, you could owe many thousands of dollars to the dealer. Optional Policies When a serious accident “totals” an automobile, a guaranteed asset protection plan pays the difference between the car’s actual value and your total debt to the dealership. This type of policy is particularly important for vehicles that depreciate quickly. Many lessors provide GAP coverage and add the cost to your monthly payments. If your lease doesn’t include this service, you may buy it separately. Some insurers will...
Jun 10, 2019 | Insurance
Both auto insurance and extended car warranties shield Texas drivers from unexpected costs. People pay flat monthly or annual fees so that they don’t have to spend money on individual repairs. However, these two services differ in many ways, and they benefit motorists under much different circumstances. Extended warranty When the original warranty expires, a car owner has the option to buy extended coverage. Automotive clubs, manufacturers, dealers and various other companies sell these guarantees. They fund essential services when parts need to be fixed or replaced, but motorists can’t use these programs to pay for repairs after accidents or natural disasters take place. Extra features Some extended warranties include services that a typical manufacturer’s guarantee might not provide. For instance, a major auto club’s extended warranty pays for new batteries. It also provides drivers with rental vehicles when necessary. Likewise, some car insurance policies come with valuable extras e.g., motorists may receive roadside assistance at no additional charge. Auto insurance Unlike warranties, insurance pays for repairs that become necessary as a result of accidents and other sudden events. Liability policies usually only cover damage inflicted upon another driver’s vehicle. On the other hand, collision coverage generally pays for all crash-related repairs unless the accident involves animals. Comprehensive plans cover damage in several other situations. Drivers benefit from them when fires, hailstorms and natural disasters take place. This type of policy also comes in handy if vandalism occurs or a motorist crashes into a large animal. Some of these incidents may void a vehicle’s warranty, so comprehensive coverage is crucial. Breakdown insurance When you compare extended guarantees with insurance...
Jun 4, 2019 | Insurance
If you’ve been involved in an accident, chances are your auto insurance premiums are going to go up. Your insurer is going to consider you to be a bigger risk at this point, so they will up your premiums to compensate for that increased risk. However, you can still have affordable insurance after a crash – you just need to be savvy. Here are some tips to help you find reasonably priced car insurance after you’ve been in an accident. Take a driver’s safety course One of the best ways to lower your rates after an accident is to take a driver’s safety class. Many insurers will lower your rates if you take one of these classes, and they typically aren’t too time-intensive. Those few extra hours in the classroom can save you a lot of money over time. Adjust your policy Another way to quickly lower your premiums after an accident is to adjust your policy. There are a few ways you can do this. The first is to raise your deductible. The higher your deductible, the lower your rates will be, because you are less of a financial risk to your insurance company. Another way to do this is to get rid of your comprehensive coverage, which isn’t mandatory. However, keep in mind that doing both of these things will leave you a little bit more vulnerable in the event that you do need to file another claim. Shop around If you’re unable to get affordable premiums with your current insurer, try looking around at other insurers. Be sure to consider local options in addition to the...
May 29, 2019 | Insurance
Most Texans know that the Lone Star State requires motorists to purchase auto insurance, but you may wonder if any exceptions exist. For example, do you need to insure antique cars, mopeds or motorcycles before using them? Cars The state government expects citizens to possess liability coverage for all autos that they drive. It doesn’t exclude vintage, antique or other rare cars; these vehicles still have the potential to cause serious accidents. The only major exception is that you needn’t insure a car that always sits idle on your property. A police officer won’t request proof of coverage for a parts vehicle or antique auto in your back yard or garage. Motorcycles Texas authorities expect people to obtain insurance for both light and heavy motorcycles. These vehicles use public roads and travel at highway speeds, so their owners definitely need to purchase liability coverage. Mopeds A moped resembles both a motorcycle and a bicycle in different ways. It combines a small engine with pedals. These compact vehicles travel quickly enough to inflict injuries and damage, so insurance is required. Boats If you own a recreational boat, the state won’t force you to insure it. Your homeowner’s policy may or may not cover the vessel. Keep in mind that some marinas and lenders demand coverage. All-Terrain An ATV has three to four wheels and seats one or two riders. Texas doesn’t allow people to drive ATVs on public streets under most circumstances. Consequently, insurance coverage remains optional. Golf Carts Texas law permits very limited use of uninsured golf carts on public roads. If your city allows people to drive these...
May 16, 2019 | Insurance
Many people wonder exactly what insurance companies use to determine their premiums. Premium costs are different for everyone and can stem from a variety of factors, like your age, your driving record, and where you live. Many people wonder if their credit has any effect on their car insurance prices. The unfortunate truth is that it does in most cases. Car insurance companies will look at your credit to determine how much of a risk you are to insure. The logic is that if you have poor credit, you might be less likely to make payments, so they’ll charge you more to cover any potential losses. If you have poor credit, there are things you can do to mitigate the cost of your insurance. The first is to drive very safely and look for insurance companies that provide a discount for good driving. Even if the initial cost of your insurance is high, this can bring the total cost down and help show the insurer that you are trustworthy. Once you build up a reliable history of on-time payments and safe driving with your insurer, your costs may go down. Another option is to look for insurance policies that are use-based. These policies determine the premiums purely by how much you drive and how good your driving record is, so your credit won’t factor into the overall cost. With these insurance policies, you can actually keep your premiums down by minimizing the amount you drive each month. If you have poor credit, it’s worth it to take your time to really shop around for insurance policies. Get quotes from...
