Auto Insurance Basics Archives - Page 2 of 9

June 17, 2013

Should I Let Someone Borrow My Car?

There are times when you need a friend to run an errand for you, a co-worker may need to borrow your car to do company business, or a family member may need to borrow your vehicle.

Should you let someone borrow your car? And, if an accident does happen, will that person be covered under your insurance policy?

Life happens. There are times when you need a friend to run an errand for you, a co-worker may need to borrow your car to do company business, or a family member may need to borrow your vehicle. What do you do?

Lawyers.com, says “Generally, insurance coverage ‘follows the vehicle.’ As long as a driver has the vehicle owner’s permission to use it, the owner’s policy will provide coverage no matter who the driver is. Whether you’re lending or borrowing a car, the vehicle owner’s policy should cover injuries and property damages. “

There can always be exclusions within any policy. About.com brings out one example, “If a girlfriend you live with uses your car, she may not be covered if you did not list her on your insurance policy. On the other hand, if you live separately, she could use your car with your permission and be covered.”

It is always best to consult your independent insurance agent regarding specifics to your individual policy. These licensed professionals are qualified to help you make the right choices and clarify any confusion.

“The information on this site is general in nature. Any description of coverage is necessarily simplified. Whether a particular loss is covered depends on the specific facts and the provisions, exclusions and limits of the actual policy. Nothing on this site alters the terms or conditions of any policies, nor does it provide any guarantees. You should read your specific policy for a complete description of coverage.”

July 1, 2012

How Can I Find Cheap Car Insurance?

There is no such thing as cheap car insurance. Like anything, you get what you pay for.

With that out of the way, there are ways to decrease your car insurance rates.

Shop for the Best Auto Insurance Rates
The best place to start is by contacting an independent insurance agent. As opposed to captive agents, who are limited to one carrier, independent insurance agents offer multiple product lines and thereby exposing you to increased opportunities for savings.

Buying a new or used car?
Check the insurance rates before signing that contract. Knowledge is power and, in this case, good financial sense.

What type of car do you drive?
Look at the type of car you are driving. Is it racy convertible? Sportier cars attract younger, riskier drivers, therefore they can be more expensive to insure. On other end of the spectrum, it would seem like larger, boxier vehicles, like SUVs, may be less expensive to Insure. Not true. Due to their extra weight and greater potential to inflict damage, these cars can also be expensive to insure.

In general, mid-size sedans offer the best insurance rates.

Move to a Lower Crime Area
If you live in a high theft area, consider getting a different vehicle.

Kelley Blue Book lists these findings:

The 10 Most Stolen Cars in 2008 Included:

1. Cadillac Escalade ESV (2007)
2. Ford F-250 SuperCrew (2005 – 2007)
3. Cadillac Escalade (2005 – 2007)
4. Dodge Charger (2006 – 2007)
5. Ford F-350 SuperCrew (2005 – 2007)
6. Hummer H2 SUT (2005 – 2007)
7. Dodge Magnum (2005 – 2007)
8. Hummer H2 (2005 – 2007)
9. Dodge Durango (2005 – 2007)
10. Honda S2000 (2005 – 2007)

The 10 Least Stolen Cars in 2008 included:
1. Mercedes E Class (2005 – 2007)
2. Buick Rainier (2005 – 2007)
3. Subaru Forrester (2005 – 2007)
4. Buick Terraza (2005 – 2007)
5. Volkswagen Beetle (2005 – 2007)
6. Ford Focus (2005 – 2007)
7. Volvo V70 (2005 – 2007)
8. Toyota Prius (2005 – 2007)
9. Saturn Relay (2005 – 2007)
10. Ford Freestyle (2005 – 2007)

Clean your driving record
Tickets and accidents build bad driving records and your finances. To buy back some dependability and reduce your insurance rates, take a defensive driving class. A variety of in-class and on-line courses are available and are often directed at specific target audiences such as mature drivers and truck drivers.

Teen drivers at home?
Good grades pay off in many forms, including insurance discounts. Exact amounts vary among carriers.

Consolidate your policies with one company
How easy is this! Buying your home and auto insurance from the same company earns you a discount and an A+ in economics.

September 21, 2011

Tips For Protecting Boats And Motorcycles

Before you take your motorcycle on the road or put your boat on the water, it may pay to be certain your insurance is ship-shape.

Motorcycles and boats are often significant investments, and the right insurance policy can help protect them. Here are a few tips, courtesy of Insurance Cleveland Agency:

Evaluate your specific needs. Insuring a boat or a motorcycle is different than insuring your car or home. A specialized motorcycle policy, for instance, can provide coverage for custom paint jobs and aftermarket equipment that might not be covered if the bike were just added to a generic auto policy.

Similarly, a specialized boat policy could cover things like the cost to replace lost or damaged fishing gear and costly services such as emergency on-water towing and fuel-spill cleanup. You probably wouldn’t get this coverage by adding a boat to a homeowner’s policy.

Consult with an independent agency – like Insurance Cleveland Agency. Unlike “captive” agents who represent only one company, independent insurance agents and brokers are licensed insurance professionals who represent several companies. They can offer you a variety of coverages, review and evaluate your policies, suggest new coverage options that meet your changing needs and answer your questions.

“An independent insurance agent or broker can make sure you have the specialized coverage you need to protect your boat or bike,” said Jim Lloyd, of the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. “Some insurance companies provide only bare-bones protection for your boat or motorcycle by simply adding it onto your existing auto or homeowner’s policy, but independent agents and brokers can review and evaluate your needs to help match you with the company that will provide you with the combination of specialized coverage, service and price that’s best for you.”

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