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When my child gets his/her drivers license, do I need to add them to my policy right away?
Yes, all licensed drivers in the household need to at least be listed on your policy. If a claim occurs with an unlisted driver, the company you are with may deny the claim and/or non-renew your insurance.
How Do I Keep My Auto Premiums Down?
*First and foremost keep your driving record clean. In order to qualify for the best plans most companies look for drivers with no more than one violation within three years.
*The model of car can have a big impact on your premium. The more expensive a car is, the more expensive the insurance. We are seeing for the first time since the 1970’s surcharges on certain high horse power models. The car companies are offering models with 200 HP and more and some of these are being hit with performance surcharges. Call us and we can inform you whether a car you are thinking of buying will have such a surcharge.
*Youthful Operators: Unfortunately insuring new drivers is very expensive. But there are ways to keep insurance costs down even with youthful operators. Think twice about giving your son or daughter their own car. The difference between the rate for a principal operator with his/her own car, and an occasional operator, sharing a car, is almost double. If they need their own car consider buying a safe, inexpensive, used car and insure for liability only. The difference between full coverage and liability only is again about double. A “B” average can save several hundred dollars a year. Above all, stress to your young driver that tickets, or worse, an accident, can increase the whole family’s insurance premiums, not just that driver’s.
*The town or city you live in effects your rate. There is nothing you can do about that, but keep in mind when your brother-in-law brags about his auto rates compared to yours, that his living in another town may be the biggest reason.
*Package your auto insurance: Our companies offer great discounts when you bundle your auto insurance with your homeowners insurance.
What happens when I loan my car to someone? Is that person covered by my policy? Am I still covered?
Yes. Liability and coverage for Physical Damage (i.e. Comprehensive and Collision) always follow your car. Plus, if the driver of your car is insured, his/her policy will also be available to cover the cost of damages and injuries on an excess basis.
The same rules apply when you borrow someone else’s vehicle; your own insurance follows you no matter whose car you’re driving, but the vehicle owner’s policy is primary in the event of an accident.
How can I challenge my insurers if they refuse to cover a claim?
Usually, insurers that refuse to cover a claim have a strong legal reason for doing so — even if you disagree. First, contact us if you feel you’re being treated unfairly. We are your strongest and most effective advocate in dealing with a company’s claim department.
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