Vehicle Insurance
- Auto Insurance
- Recreational Vehicle Insurance
- Motorcycle Insurance
- Watercraft Insurance
Auto Insurance
Today, a motor vehicle accident occurs every second. Auto accidents cause an injury every 14 seconds, and every 13 minutes a car accident results in a fatality. More than 31 million accidents occur annually at a cost of more than $100 billion. Theft and vandalism are other major perils, with a vehicle being stolen every 20 seconds.
With more than 150 million drivers and registered vehicles on the road today, auto insurance is the most widely purchased of all property-casualty insurance, yet few drivers are familiar with the details.
When you buy an auto insurance policy, you are buying a package of individual coverages. Each coverage protects you against different types of losses. Once you understand the various coverages, you can decide which ones to include in your personal insurance package. You can also determine the limits of coverage you will need. The following are some common coverages found in an auto policy. NOTE – Your policy may not contain all of these coverages.
Types of Auto Insurance (rollover for definition)
FAQ Auto 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) follows your car. If a friend borrows your car and has an accident, you’re still protected against the cost of damages or injuries. And, if the driver of your car is insured, his/her policy may also be available to cover the cost of damages and injuries. It is the same for you if you borrow someone else’s vehicle. Your own insurance follows you no matter whose car you are driving. But the vehicle owner’s policy is the primary coverage if you have an accident.
Why are rates different for different cars, even if the cars cost the same?
Vehicles are grouped into categories according to the statistics of those types of cars being damaged, vandalized or stolen. Insurers generally consider the size and type of vehicle, as well as the value and the cost of repairs (which can vary greatly, even on vehicles that cost roughly the same).
Safety is key when buying an automobile! Some cars are considered safer than others because of their performance record in safety tests and real accidents. It helps to research insurance coverage before you buy your car.
What is No-Fault Insurance?
No-fault does away with the concept of one party or the other being at fault. It eliminates lengthy lawsuits and so helps to helps keep rates down. Florida is a no-fault state.
How can I Lower my Rates?
Insurers generally offer discounts for:
- Safety Features—Anti-lock brakes, air bags and passive restraint systems (i.e., automatic seat belts).
- Defensive Driving—Clean violation record, driver’s education courses for teenagers and defensive driving or accident prevention courses for adults (insurance discounts for the latter are required in some states).
- Security Systems—Alarms, electronic locks and disabling devices.
- Changing Driving Habits—Commuting by public transit, using a company vehicle for work-related travel and car-pooling.
- Formal Agreements Not to Drink and Drive—The availability of a discount for signing such an agreement varies among insurers and states.
- Buying Homeowners and Auto Policies from the Same Company—If you own a home and an automobile and you are insured by two different companies, check into the cost of carrying both policies by one insurer. Your agent can give you guidance as to which insurers offer discounts.
You can also lower your insurance rates by requesting higher deductibles (the amount of money you pay before you make a claim). Increasing your deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage from $100 to $250, or even $500, will bring your rates down. Moreover, you may not need collision and comprehensive coverage if you drive an older car
