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Monthly Archives: September 2018

Why Illinois Drivers Need Good Auto Insurance Coverage

September 26, 2018

The mandatory auto insurance law of Illinois requires drivers to carry minimum insurance coverage in case they cause a traffic accident on public roads and highways. However, when shopping for auto insurance deals in Cicero, drivers should consider more than the bare minimum they need to fulfill. Carrying enough insurance protects drivers from shelling out their own money for potentially high costs they may incur in vehicle accidents.

Illinois Auto Insurance Requirement

The laws of Illinois require vehicle owners to carry liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage for their registered vehicles. Drivers must always have their car insurance card with them when they are on the road. The minimum coverage includes:

The minimum liability insurance covers medical expenses, property damage, and other incurred costs from people injured or property damaged. Banks and money lenders may require drivers to carry extra auto insurance coverage such as collision, comprehensive, medical, and property damage insurance before they can receive auto loans.

Illinois’ authorities monitor drivers’ car insurance statuses through random verification questionnaires and traffic stop inspections. Drivers must respond to questionnaires with their insurance carrier and policy number, which authorities will use to verify their existing insurance. Traffic enforcers also have the right to ask for proof of insurance randomly during traffic stops.

Drivers found without a minimum insurance policy may face fines ranging from $500 to $1000. Repeated offenses may result in license plate suspension.

Protecting Yourself from Extra Costs

Illinois follows a “fault” system to determine who is financially responsible for the injuries, vehicle damage, and other losses caused by a car accident. In case the costs incurred go beyond the coverage limit, the driver has to shell out his/her own money and pay for the excess.

The Illinois Department of Transportation and the National Safety Council published the 2016 Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics in 2018 and found that the total estimated cost of vehicle crashes in the state was $7.7 billion. Broken down into the various vehicle incidents in 2016:

Given these statistics and the legal minimum coverage, basic insurance may not be enough to protect the driver from accident costs. Drivers might not be able to pay for the cost beyond their coverage, and a severe accident might bring them and their household to bankruptcy.

Apart from the costs they have to pay the injured parties, drivers also need to pay for their injuries and properties. Basic liability insurance does not cover the driver’s injuries or property damage. Drivers are unprotected in case the injured party sues for personal injury.

When shopping for auto insurance, drivers in Illinois should look at their options as more than just a legal requirement. They should also look at it as a way to protect themselves and their families from going into debt should they ever cause an accident. Thus, they should find the best policy they can afford that gives them the most financial protection.

Comprehensive auto insurance is affordable with Oxford Auto Insurance. Our teams compare policies of up to 15 providers to give you the best options for your insurance needs. With monthly payments as low as $23, you can have increased liability limits and maximum protection from expensive road accidents.

Call Oxford Auto Insurance at 312-260-9000 today for a free quotation.



How Can Comprehensive Car Insurance Help You?

September 24, 2018

While shopping for a car insurance policy, you might have heard of comprehensive coverage. Some car owners think that obtaining this type of insurance means they won’t have to pay a penny out of pocket when an accident happens. But this kind of misinformation could lead to frustration when you get into an accident and expect your comprehensive insurance policy to cover the damages.

Contrary to its name, comprehensive car insurance doesn’t cover everything. It pays for specific non-collision issues, including theft, floods, fire, animal crashes, weather disturbances, and more.

Obtaining comprehensive auto insurance in Aurora is the best way you can plan for the unexpected and protect the value of your vehicle after an accident happens. Learn more about how the policy works below.

Coverage from Various Sources of Damage

Comprehensive car insurance provides coverage for things that damage to your car — beyond your control. These include:

What Isn’t Included in the Policy?

Since comprehensive insurance doesn’t cover collisions with other vehicles, it won’t cover you if you get into a, for example, fender bender. For better protection against unforeseen events, insurers recommend getting collision and comprehensive coverage to include both losses.

On a similar vein, the insurance policy does not include medical or legal expenses related to a collision or other events involving your car. This extends to you and your passengers, as well as the driver and passengers of the other vehicle involved in the incident.

Optional Coverage for Enhanced Vehicle Protection

Comprehensive coverage is not part of the state minimum requirement for car insurance. In cases where you have a lease or loan on your vehicle, however, your lender may require you to purchase full insurance coverage for your car, requiring you to take out a comprehensive coverage.

When your car is new and still has value, it makes sense to buy broad insurance coverage for enhanced vehicle protection. But since comprehensive coverage covers different risks, it can also benefit those who own older cars, too. After all, the cost of damage can affect your finances, regardless of whether your vehicle is new or old.

Comprehensive insurance is a smart move for most drivers. Ultimately, obtaining the policy depends on the state of your car and your ability to pay off accidental damage.

Oxford Auto Insurance ensures that you stay financially protected even when you’re on the road.

Contact us today for help in finding an insurance policy that fits your needs.



5 Ways to Find the Best Auto Insurance Company

September 6, 2018

Specific car insurance companies appeal to different types of drivers. Some companies specialize in servicing families while others cater to drivers with less-than-perfect driving records. You can save hundreds of dollars or get additional benefits if you choose to buy insurance from a company that is a good fit for your needs.

As such, comparing car insurance companies in Aurora is just as vital as comparing insurance quotes. Here are a few ways you can effectively shop for the right insurance company:

1. Check Out the Car Insurance Company’s Consumer Track Record

One way to know if an insurance company matches your requirements is to research its consumer track record. Read reviews online to see what the consumers say about its insurance policies and services.

If you’re comparing two or more companies, check their complaint records on the website of the National Association of Insurance Commissioner (NAIC) or your state’s insurance department. You can quickly remove companies with the highest number of complaints from your list. You don’t want to work with an insurance company that doesn’t provide excellent customer service.

2. Compare the Exact Same Coverage

Many car owners commit the mistake of comparing different coverages from two insurance companies. What you should do, instead, is to establish your desired coverage limits before shopping for insurance. And make sure you use those same limits to request a quote from every company you check out. This way, you get to see which company offers the better deal.

3. Inquire About Car Insurance Discounts

Before you begin comparing insurance quotes, make sure you inquire about potential car insurance discounts. Perhaps, you can bundle your home and auto insurance from one company. Or, ask if the company provides low down payment or low monthly rate options. Checking possible savings is a great way to trim down your choices.

Just a quick reminder, though: make sure to use the same desired coverage limits when comparing insurance discounts. This way, you get a clearer view of the possible savings offered by each company and see which discounts are more worthwhile for you.

4. Compare Optional Coverage

Many insurance companies offer optional coverage such as tow truck insurance, which you may need for sudden car breakdowns. So, if one provider offers add-ons that you want at the same price or close to the price of another company’s insurance without the extras, it may be worth choosing the company that offers optional coverage.

5. See If the Company Caters to Your Specific Needs

Having a less-than-perfect credit score or driving record doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance to get a good auto insurance deal. Make sure to work with a company that understands your specific situation and helps you get great, affordable coverage despite that.

Comparing auto insurance companies is easy, once you know what to look for. So, make sure to follow the tips above to make your shopping more efficient and to find the provider that best suits your needs.

If you want further assistance in your search for the auto insurance that’s right for you, we’re here to help. Talk to us today.



Auto Insurance is Your Financial Protection While on the Road

September 3, 2018

Auto insurance is essential for drivers. It provides benefits that can protect you financially in case you get involved in an accident. Most states in the US mandate every driver to have basic personal insurance, but with different laws.

To ensure that victims of vehicular accidents can seek compensation easily, drivers in Chicago must have car insurance with the minimum insurance coverage. Drivers without proper insurance could pay a substantial amount of money if accident victims decided to file a lawsuit.

What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

The Insurance Information Institute (III) explains that your car insurance can give you coverage in various aspects. These include property, liability, and medical. You can use this if someone stole your car or if it gets damaged due to a road incident like a car crash. It can also cover your legal responsibility to victims of the accident, especially if you’re at fault. In this situation, you may be financially responsible for the damages.

If you don’t have car insurance, you might have to pay out of your pocket. This also applies when there are medical expenses involved.

Although insurance can cover the damages from a collision or any road accident, it doesn’t reimburse you for normal wear and tear or mechanical failure of your car.

Find the Insurance that Fits Your Needs

It is essential to have basic car insurance, but this may not be enough. This only protects victims and not you. That’s why you should consider getting insurance that gives you extra protection but still complies with the state’s requirements.

In Illinois, auto insurance must at least have the following:

Since they are just the minimum requirements, you can purchase liability insurance with a higher amount than what the state imposes. You can choose comprehensive car insurance to cover any loss on your car. This is an ideal solution to protect the value of your asset.

Collision insurance is another type of insurance to consider. What’s good about this insurance is that it covers the damage to your car after hitting something like a road sign or another car.

You can also get medical insurance to cover the healthcare costs you’ve incurred after an accident.

Protection at a Low Cost

Auto insurance saves you from spending a hefty amount of money due to an accident, so purchasing it could prevent financial difficulties in the future.

We can help you get car insurance that is affordable yet gives you the features and services you need. Our team will also make the process convenient by enabling you to purchase online, anytime.

You don’t have to pay too much money for down payments just to secure a policy. We’ll let you drive without worrying about paying expensive claims.

Contact us now so we can help you.