With increased traffic laws and penalties that the government has enforced, insurance is the only safe way to save ourselves from these extra expenses that can cause to empty our pockets if not taken care at times.
Here are our comprehensive policies and coverages that can help you save a lot of cash if by chance you get caught in an dire situation.
Liability Insurance:
This package includes the minimum conditions and coverages that are necessary for any driver in the city to drive a vehicle. Under this policy, the owner gets coverage for the injured persons, property damage caused and a cap per accident. All these benefits go to the other party that is involved in the accident and has taken damage. In other words, the liability policy just gets you the permission for driving on the roads. However, it does not take care of your state at all. This least coverage plan is also called the minimum in the insurance world.
The policy covers all you family members if it’s not you who was driving at the time of the accident, but one of your family members were at the scene then they are also eligible for breaking the policy funds and paying the other party involved in the accident. Talk to an agent for more details as policies change, can be modified, or are different from case to case.
However, if you want to cover yourself in the plan, you can always choose from our various extra coverage plans which include;
Collision Coverage:
This coverage plan will enable you to get the funds required for any repairing your vehicle or in some cases new parts. If your vehicle has taken some damage and needs immediate attention, this plan can help you in the costs involved in the fixing. Even if your vehicle is irreplaceable, then you may also get the minimum at present value of your vehicle from the insurance company. The policy covers anybody that you have specified at the time of purchasing the plan.
Other than Collision Coverage:
If however, your facing vehicle damage other than from collisions then this plan can help you get the most out of it. The cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle if your car was stolen or was damaged in a fire, hailstorms, falling objects or some other cause other that collisions are refundable to you by the insurance company. If you have filed a report for your missing stolen vehicle, then you are eligible for releasing the fund available to you by the policy as per your wish.
The payment you get in return is the actual value of your vehicle at present, taking off the deductible charges that are applied by the insurance company. Each policy can be different so make sure you speak to your agent.
Medical Payments Coverage:
Medical Payment Coverage pays you for all the medical or funeral need because of the accident. The policy automatically covers all the passengers of the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Towing and Labor Coverage:
If you are stuck anywhere in your way and need a towing service, then the insurance company has got your back if you have added Towing and Labor
Coverage plan in your list. All the labor cost and towing cost would be paid to you at the time of fund release.
Ask about the 24 Hour plan so you can receive assistance at any time.
Some of the major services provided under the ’24-Hour Roadside and Towing Assistance.’ programs are;
24-Hour Emergency Towing Services: Allows you to tow your vehicle from anywhere in the company’s covered area to anywhere in the company’s cover area.
24-Hour Emergency Delivery Service: If you are stuck in the midway and need resources like gasoline, water, oil or other necessary supplies then this service can aid you in this situation. A service vehicle is dispatched to your location with the required supplies, for which you only pay for the supplies, but it can vary from company to company and your position.
24-Hour Emergency Battery Service: It happens a lot that we see people standing on the sides of the roads with open bonnets and a frustrated look on their face. Well, a majority of them have their batteries died out, and they have nothing or no-one for fixing it. But if your insurance covers ’24-hour Roadside and Towing Assistance’, all you need to do is make a call, and mechanic would be sent to your location, who will kickstart your battery and get you going instead of waiting for hours for any help.
24-Hour Emergency Lockout: You don’t have to feel embarrassed asking for help from your friend or family if you have accidently locked up yourself in the car and waiting for someone to come and assist you while you are stuck in the parking. However, if you have your insurance and it covers ’24-Hour Emergency Lockout.’ then a locksmith will definitely come if you call your insurance company and explain your situation.
Many big insurance companies who have linkups with other big companies, provide some extra benefits and services such as parking discounts at some theaters and parks, an additional discount on shopping with their partner stores and their sponsored clubs, etc.
The features mentioned above may sound like an excellent deal. However, you must always be cautious about your investments as not all insurance companies perform well in their promised services, it is always a good practice to read and learn beforehand about the company’s history in customer satisfaction.
Consulting a local insurance agent instead of going directly to the insurance company can have many benefits and here’s a list that explains these benefits in detail.
Why Select a Local Insurance Agent
Researched Options:
A local agent’s living comes from its clients, so it is 100% sure that he would never compromise the quality of his services. If you consult a local agent for buying insurances, you are bound to get a well-researched and to the point insurance package, which would be selected from thousands of similar offers out there. As researching through all these proposals would take immense amount time, which you save by hiring a local insurance agent. All your questions are always cleared by these agents at priority basis, which the companies care the least about.
Works for Your Benefit:
A local agent instead of working for the insurance company will work for you. His primary objective would be your satisfaction, instead of company’s promotion. This way you will be able to get a quality and legal experience while engaging a local agent. You would be saved from the insurance company’s additional activities and those annoying extra offers that all these companies suggest. Having a local insurance agent is like having an extra pair of limbs, which are continuously working in your favor.
Friendly advice:
Local Insurance Agents completely understand that it’s tough for their clients to completely understand the terminology used in describing the insurance plans. So, they would try to break things down for you and explain what’s written in simplified form. They ensure that you have understood about the coverage plan, from what is included and what is not, to all the suggestions that might prove helpful in the future.
After you buy a policy, a local insurance agent is always available for you. To answer any number of your doubts which are not taken care of if you consult the company directly.
One-Stop Shops:
A local insurance agent has all types of insurance policies, whether its health, life, vehicle, commercial or anything else. A local agent will search the best options for you and suggest the best suited from all. A local agent can represent many insurance companies and therefore knows what each insurance company has better than other companies for client benefits. Hence knowing all these varieties, a local agent suggested best-suited policies to its customers for different areas. The best part is that even on getting the policies of different companies, you don’t have to bother about going to each company separately for any query. Your local agent that represents all those companies is always available for you to answer your questions.
Local Awareness:
Your local agent must be live near your home so he would know all about the area, and it’s security, unlike those big buildings where whenever you go, you are assigned a new face to talk to. Based on the knowledge about your surroundings, a local agent is able to suggest best policies for safeguarding your future.
Personalized Customer Service:
Where the big firms feel proud of moving with time and using the latest technology for customer services, local agents provide a face-to-face question answer sessions for the clients. That are more comforting and informative than speaking to a new voice every time you dial a customer service number.
Cheapest Auto Insurance has been serving its clients for thirty years, and they have set only three goals for themselves which include;
Decreasing your monthly insurance bills.
Keeps you and your loved ones under protection
Providing amazing customer service experience for their clients.
These types of firms help customers get most out of their policies with minimized efforts on the client’s side.
Being Prepared for Extreme Weather
One of the essential cause of car accident mostly related to weather issues. The foremost cause of accidents is due to wet pavement which is caused by the rain. On the average 573,784 crashes are due to the cause of rain. In a 10 year survey instituted by Booz Allen Hamilton from 2005 to 2014, it has been observed that an average of 228,196 persons have been injured and 2,732 persons have been killed due to rain. This is due to the negligence of traffic rules and proper precautionary measures.
The first thing everyone should possess in a car during rainstorm is a charged cell phone which will allow you to call 9-1-1 or any nearby hospitals. Other than that, one should always carry an phone charger. Everyone who is travelling in a car during rain should bear a radio and the weather forecast should be observed within a span of an assertive time. It is better not to start travelling for the highway if the reports are not positive. Everyone should carry a first aid kit for safety. Any minor injuries can be resolved with a first aid kit. It is better to keep a Personal ID and an emergency contact of the owner of the car for the worst possible outcome.
The most significant thing that a person can carry during a drive in the car is a spare tire sealant. It can enable one to get to the next town in a pinch rather than being stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire. Another thing which should be in the trunk of every car is a flashlight. Flashlight will enable to signal far reaching distance if the car is stuck or got into an accident. If water gets into the engine then the first thing one should do is dry the ignition system. It will automatically make the car run the next day. But if the car is completely submerged into water then the first thing one need to do is pull the oil dipstick and look for signs of water present. If there is any existence of water, then the water has to be changed alongside with oil and filter. The next step is making sure the engines spark plugs are good. The plugs may have to be replaced if your car doesn't start.
Alongside the electrical supplies, a tool kit and first aid kit it is worth mentioning that one should always carry. Everyone should keep dry foods in car for travelling. If rain starts then the nearby shops get closed and one may feel hungry. In that situation, the dry food may save one from going hungry. The list gets longer and the needs might vary from person to person. But these are the most essential stuffs everyone driving a car during rain should carry. Alongside this, all the stuff mentioned above does not take much space.
How to Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter becomes a dangerous season for drivers when they don’t take the necessary precautions with their cars.
During these few months, your car may suffer from damages due to snow and water. Knowing how to prepare your car for winter will save you from going through small inconveniences or big irreparable damages to your car or your health. There are some advices for protection you’d better take serious to not suffer from injuries as a result of car accidents.
Look for current weather predictions and history
To winterize you vehicle you need to know what the lowest temperatures are for the year. Having this in mind, you can choose what type of car tire you need. Some tires have better perform under certain conditions, take a look to the car shop or talk with your insurance about what type of tires they offer for this season.
A good tire for winter has better traction, it needs to stay steady while going on roads with snow or ice. The
tire manufacturer use a special kind of rubber to improve braking. There are
also special ones for temperatures below 45 degrees, these tires are designed to preserve their pressure under subzero environments.
Take care of your mirrors and windshield
Look for cracks in your windows or windshield and make an expert repair them. In addition, replace the wiper fluid for an antifreeze one, make sure your wipers can handle the snow and other elements distinct from water that can fall in your windshield.
Test your battery and anti-freeze.
Cold weather decrease battery power faster than warm weather. To ensure the life of your battery will last longer, try to maintain your car under a roof or with cover when parked. You need to check your coolant system as well, it needs to be in the best condition to not overheat the car system.
Look for any leaks of water
inside of the car, it may freeze and cause damages. Also, use a cover that protects completely the exterior of your car so you can preserve the painting and
temperature better.
Good visibility for drivers
Have the right brightness for headlights and brake lights improves your visibility and make you noticeable for other cars. Frozen water over your lights distorts the colors, making them blurred to other cars
Oil Temperature
Pick the right motor oil for your car in cold weather. When the car is exposed to low temperatures, the viscosity of the oil tend to change, therefore, choose one with resistance to thickening. Remember that the engine is partly submerged in oil, if you pick an oil that is
too thick, the performance of your car can be compromised.
Always carry an emergency equipment
Weather prediction are not hundred percent accurate, for heavy or light snowfalls carry with you tools to
help you get out of troubles. Have at hand small utensils such as flashlight, battery, charger candles or even flares if you are driving far from urban places. You keep in your truck camping shovel are blankets. In case of emergency try to contact the insurance or local authorities before getting out of the car.
All About Insurance Claims
How to tackle the process of making an auto insurance claim after an accident is an experience many car owners would rather avoid altogether. Apart from the anxiety, trauma or injury individuals have to deal with the aftermath of an accident, the heartache, headaches and the red tape involved in making a claim could drive you mad.
But you can avoid a lot of confusion if you have basic knowledge about the blueprint of your insurance policy and its components. A clearer understanding of what you can and cannot do in the event of an accident will help you to avoid various pitfalls on your road to making a claim. Here are things you need to know about car insurance coverage and claims.
Do I know How to Read and Correctly Interpret My Policy?
One wrong assumption many people make is that once they have a policy in place, their protection is guaranteed. This is technically correct because, after all, does car insurance coverage not promise to do that? Of course it does so, but under special limitations and references.
That is why it is important to know what to look for when you are reading an auto policy contract. Being a legal document, it might appear confusing at first glance, but so long as you know what to search for and where to look, interpreting the content and the requirements becomes easy. Regardless of your state or the insurance company, all insurance contracts for vehicles have these three standard components: the declaration page, the insuring agreement, and the conditions of the policy.
The Declarations Page- The page not only indicates the maximum or upper dollar limit the company will pay for a claim made under every coverage, but it also shows the amount of premium you will pay. Other than that it states the policy period for your coverage, and it is where you will find your name.
Insuring Contract- By keenly reading the fine-print in the insuring agreement, you will stand a better chance of getting good value for every insurance dollar you pay. It forms the central part of any policy by describing what the obligation of the insurer will be in exchange for the premium you are charged.
In an attempt to eliminate misunderstandings, the contract specifically spells out all details related to the following: what is covered, who is/are covered, and how many residents of the household will use the car with the insured’s permission. It also has a definitions part which indicates any exclusions that might bear upon every type of coverage.
To make your insurance work for you, it is essential to understand the extent of your coverage and what you are not covered for in the event that your car is stolen, vandalized, damaged by flood or fire or when it is involved in an accident. Its not bother to get a copy of the contract from your insurance agent.
The Policy’s Conditions- This is the final part of the contract which defines your responsibilities when you need to file a claim. It stipulates the type of documentation you need to give the insurer, and the time-frame within which you must do certain things such as reporting an accident. This section also indicates under what circumstances your policy can be terminated. Usually, the terms for policy cancellation by the insurer or you are explained here, and although you are at liberty to end your contract at any time, your insurer must give you prior notice and the conditions necessitating an intended cancellation before acting.
Which Policy Components Must I know?
It is safer to assume that you are asking for several separate policies when you are seeking insurance coverage. Whereas many plans are optional, some states require certain types of coverage depending on where you reside. And since every type of policy has its premium, you need to find out about all the options before settling on how much coverage you need.
To know what your car insurance can cover can benefit you, add up all the options you intend to take and eliminate all the ones you may deem unnecessary, so that you can have an upper hand in controlling what you will end up paying. Below are different types of coverage.
So what happens if you do have an accident and need to file a claim? Here are some tips!
- Contact Your Insurance Company Immediately or as soon as possible and inform them of the accident or any other mishap that may befall your car. If it is an accident involving another car, to protect yourself, note down the other driver’s information before parting from the scene. There are several things you may be tempted to do at the crash site which can bring complications later. Therefore, do not do the following:
- Never admit fault. Sometimes you may appear to be at fault until the insurance company investigates further to realize the other party was at fault for the accident.
- Do not move anyone if at all there is injury. Make sure you call 9-1-1 in a severe emergency.
- By accepting any money from the other party, you will be forfeiting your right to make a claim.
- Never accept to leave the accident scene with the promise/assurance that the whole matter is better dragged under the rug. You might be surprised by a law suit filed against you by the other party at a later date.
- Lastly, never disclose the level of insurance you have, and remember to make a police report or record.
It is only then that you can get on the phone and call your insurance representative or agent. Inform the agent where your vehicle is located, and take all necessary steps to protect it from more damage.
You can then find out from the agent how you are to proceed, and what kind of supporting documents may be necessary when you are filing a claim. A form proving any loss you suffer and other documents which will support your claim such as the police report, repair bills from a car repair shop and medical reports are things that will be needed later, so you must not forget them.
The phone number for your insurance company can be found among the documents for your policy if it is not on the front of the insurance card. The insurance card will also have instructions as what to do in the event of an accident. You can also find their contact on the company’s website. Presently, many insurance agencies provide their clients with online portals for uploading support documents, filing claims, and checking the claim status. You can find out from the insurance agent whether the company has such options or if you must make the claims in person.
Review Your Policy to get all relevant details related to particular coverage information once you are safely back at home. Granted, the fine print and explanations of auto insurance policies oftentimes read like Latin, but that is not a reason to stop you from investigating what is entailed in your coverage. Before you get yourself deeply embroiled in the claim tussle, read your policy several times to enable you understand and interpret two things –
- The extent to which the insurance company will be responsible, and
- What the complexities of your personal responsibilities are in the event of an accident or any other misfortune involving your car.
To be on the safer grounds, make sure you ask the company rep or your agent questions such as these:
- How much is my deductible, and what is my policy limit?
- Does my coverage take care of this loss/damage/misfortune?
- How long will it take me to complete my claim process?
- Is there a time limitation on my policy for filing a claim? If so, how long do I have?
- After filing a claim, how long should it take for it to be resolved? Specify the duration during which you must get a resolution.
It is always best to understand you policy before a claim as well. Now If you are satisfied with what you have heard, you can now confidently move to the next step, which is to –
Forward all the necessary information to the company relating to the nature of your claim and the type of your policy/coverage. Different types of information will be required from you by the company depending on you claim’s nature. So that you are not made to run around in circles, when you are initially contacting them, find out exactly what kind of information the agency will expect from you.
Generally, the preliminary or primary information that you will be required to provide include
- The starting and ending dates of your policy
- The type of damage your vehicle has suffered
- Your full name and policy number
In some circumstances the company may ask you to give them supplemental information such as:
- The time and date of the mishap
- The identity of the drivers involved in the incident/accident.
- The weather conditions at the time of the accident.
- The names and addresses of any passengers
If you are involved in a collision, jot down and forward all the details of the other driver/car such as the color and car model, the license plate of the other vehicle, the name, policy number and the insurance company for the other person.
While you are doing all the above, try to determine whose fault it was that has caused the accident. And where the police are involved, forward the police report and a copy of the ticket they issue. The company may also request for a sworn statement about the accident details and your claim. All the paper work, including photos of the damage to your car, should be kept in a folder together with your insurance policy for easy access whenever they will be needed for later references.
If you are found to be at fault, you may have to pay a deductible which is a fee intended to offset the cost of the accident. But if it was the other driver’s fault, your insurance company should assist you to recover the deductible from the other party.
Reckless Driving
The Dangers of Tailgating
What is tailgating, you might wonder! It is driving too close to the vehicle ahead of you. Or it is to be unmindful of the safety distance between your vehicle and the one in front. How frequently have you driven like that? And have you been intimidated by someone driving too close to you with horns blaring and headlamps flashing?
There is quite a number of infuriating driving habits that you encounter on your daily commute; however, none comes as close to giving you bad moments as tailgating. A survey recently conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety found out that apart from being victims to tailgaters, many drivers routinely engage in tailgating without conscious awareness.
Interestingly, over 70 percent of drivers say they have been tailgated at one time or the other over the past 3 months, but less than 10 percent of them have admitted to being tailgaters. What does this indicate? Either many of them are not aware of what tailgating means or they take it to be an ordinary happening on the road.
Whichever your reasoning is, tailgating is not only terribly annoying, but it is also a dangerous driving habit that you should avoid anytime you are driving. It completely eliminates the braking distance you have, and the reaction time required to adjust to any unforeseen emergency. Apart from being quite a selfish way of driving, it can turn out to be very expensive when an accident occurs.
Many pileup road crashes, some of which have ended in fatalities, happen because of this risky way of driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety, about 25 percent of all rear-end collisions result from tailgating which accounts for nearly 100,000 injuries and over 2000 deaths annually. With such shocking figures of deaths and injuries in mind, how can you effectively deal with a tailgater or stop being a tailgater?
Passive and Aggressive Tailgaters
Before we look at various safe options of dealing with tailgating, let us consider the types of tailgaters you find on the roads. If you haven’t been aware of your tailgating habit, here is how to know. There are passive and aggressive types.
Aggressive tailgaters leave no doubt that their intention is to push you off the road so that they can pass. They normally drive up close to your rear, honk and toot their horns, and flash their headlamps in ways that shouts “Give space or I’ll drive over you.”
On the other hand, passive tailgaters give no indication of their intention to pass you. In fact, they will gladly follow as you lead, but they keep too close to your rear. A glimpse of your rearview mirror might make you think their faces are right in your backseat! It is likely an unconscious driving habit of a driver, whose mind is only half on the road, meaning they are not concentrating or they simply don’t give any care about a safe driving distance.
Dealing with Tailgaters
Authorities may wrongly penalize you for an accident that is not of your making. It would be unfortunate for you to get a ticket or an insurance point on your driver’s license because when you apply for insurance coverage, the premium you get charged could rise as a result of such negative information on your driving record. Here are ways of shaking off a tailgater.
- If the tailgater is the aggressive type, your only safe option is to allow them to get ahead- let them pass. Never be tempted to devise tricks to annoy or hold them up. That will only make them madder! Since they are already predisposed to aggression, they will never let you drive in peace.
- If you're not in a hurry to get anywhere, pick a slow lane. In many roads, the right lane is ideal and in some cases its the law in some states to be in a slow lane if you're not passing.
- To deal with yourself, always leave enough space between you and the vehicle ahead of you. It is an assured means of avoiding multiple crashes. It is always safer to allow a couple car lengths at slower speeds, but the gap should be larger if the conditions on the road are wet or you are both driving at high speeds.
- Adjust your speed to that of the entire fleet on the particular stretch of road. It pays nothing to be a traffic bottleneck. If you cannot drive faster, allow other vehicles free passage.
- Do not force aggressive drivers into unpredictable actions that may cause more problems by trying to make them back off.
- Always work at remaining calm because if your stress levels increase, it could lead to another potentially risky incident. If you get flustered and lose control of your emotions, what is to stop you from losing control of the car?
- Attempt not to try teaching tailgaters any lesson while you are driving because mostly they are not even aware of what they are doing.
- Your driving, if it is too slow, might aggravate the situation, so always make a self-assessment of how you are driving. Do not make the motorists behind you impatient and frustrated by hogging the entire lane in slow drive. Always use your indicators to alert the next driver of what you are about to do. By tailgating you, it means their reaction time is reduced.
- Maintaining the 3 second rule of the following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Texting and Driving
Despite recent bans and continuous warnings from the region, (not to mention safer cars and highways), accidents are still rising, which are mainly caused by texting and driving. Accordingly, this became one of the primary reasons for the price hike for the auto insurance rates, notwithstanding the fact that many insurance companies have faced thousands of claims because of the damage done by severe storms like Hurricane Harvey. So if you’re paying high insurance premium for your car last year, unfortunately, the trend is likely to continue in the years to come. Better save up more money or choose wisely.
This summer, the Texan state has passed the law to become the 47th state to forbid texting and driving. Hence, the premiums would now be spiking to its peak. Considering the recent data that reported 110, 000 accidents caused by distracted driving, the insurance rates this year is pretty much upsetting. From 2014 to 2015, the auto insurance premium has dramatically increased up to 7 percent, based on the data given by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. With this accident upsurge, many auto insurers have accumulated losses. To combat the loss, insurance companies have to increase the auto premiums. The increase would be a concern in the next few years, especially for minimum wage workers.
But aside from this ground, the Texas insurance system will soon take into account the number of storms, as well as the magnitude of each, so that it will be more practical for both parties. There will be, of course, higher rates for flood-prone areas, but as to how much would be the increase is still be unclear because of the major adjustments. As of now, it is still in the planning phase and the insurance market is collecting all needed information for this sizable changes. It will be a long process to prove that the skyrocketing rates are justifiable to every car owner.
New to Cheapest Auto Insurance?
It's no secret that life is unpredictable and can throw curve balls at a moments notice. That is why it is so important to carry insurance on your vehicles. That way you have the piece of mind that what ever may happen you are covered. Here at Cheapest Auto Insurance we are able to help you find the coverage that matters to you most. To get a quote Call us at 918-744-5145