What is auto insurance and how does it work?
Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It's a contract where you pay a rate ---- commonly referred to as the "premium" ----- and the insurance company covers losses listed in your policy.
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Do I have to have auto insurance?
In every state but New Hampshire and Wisconsin, if you own or drive a vehicle, you must have Liability insurancecoverage. If you lease a car or have a car loan, you'll probably need Comprehensive and Collision coverages as required by your loan agreement. Your independent agent can tell you exactly what your state requires.
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Besides legal or loan requirements, why should I buy auto insurance?
The average new car costs close to $30,000, while some cost over $50,000. The relatively small insurance premium you pay covers you for much higher losses; without insurance you're liable for every penny. Plus, insurance companies are a big help in getting your vehicle repaired.
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Can I get insurance without a U.S. driver's license?
Some companies will insure you without it, some wont.
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Why buy auto insurance from a local independent agent?
A local independent agent is a member of your community who understands your insurance needs and has the ability to find you the best rate by shopping with multiple insurance companies (vs a captive agent like State Farm or Allstate who only sells insurance for one company). Your independent agent is your neighborhood resource who can help you understand your insurance, can help manageyour policy by making updates when your life changes and can assist you with all insurance related matters.
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What should I consider when shopping for insurance?
A few things to think about:
Rates: Does one company offer a lower rate for the same coverage?
Payment Option: Are they flexible? Does the company offer discounts for a particular payment method?
Service: Does the company off 24/7 bilingual customer and claims reporting service?
Claims: Do they have responsive claims service that can save you time and stress if there's an accident?
Financial Strength: Is the company stable, with a proven record?
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How Much Coverage do I need?
Coverage is based on your individual situation.
*Pick a deductable you can pay out-of-pocket in case of an accident.
*If you make payments or lease your car, you may need Comprehensive and Collision along with Liability coverage.
*How muchin personal assets do you need to protect? You may need liability limits higher than your state requires.
*Do any drivers live in your house but never drive your vehicles? In many cases, you can exclude them from coverageon your policy to lower your your rate.
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What is a deductable?
It's the amount of money you agree to pay out-of-pocket for damage from an accident before the insurance company pays. For example, if you have Comprehensive coverage with a $250 deductableand your car is stolen, the insurance company pays for the value of your car minus that $250. Going with a higher deductable lowers your premium, but increases what you owe out-of-pocket.
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What could affecy my rate?
Some examples of what can impact your rate are: your driving and violation history; your age, gender and marital status; the age and type of your car; where you live; how much coverage you buy; and your credit and prior insurance history.
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If I have an accident, will my rate go up? Will i lose my insurance?
That depends on the insurer and who is at fault. Some insurers wont renew drivers with accidents and tickets.
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How can I lower my rate?
Here are some simple ways:
*Clean driving: avoid accidents and traffic violations
*Increase your deductables: The higher the deductable, the lower the premium.
*Pay your bills on time: Good credit history may help keep your insurance rate low.
*Buy only the coverage you need
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Do I get an auto insurance discount if I own a home?
Many auto insurers offer homeowners discounts.
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Why do many insurers use credit history to set rates?
Some insurers have found that they can use insurance scores, calculated from your credit histor, as a way to offer consumers lower rates since they are useful in predicting an individual's likelihood of having an accident.
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Does my policy cover my family members/members of my household?
Any member of your household listed on your policy will be covered by the policy. If you do not want a memberof your household to be covered on your policy, consult with your independent agent for further information.
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