Even when it’s winter or you’re not using your bike for whatever reason, consider insuring it to reduce your liability and decrease the amount you’ll have to pay in damages if something occurs. There are several policies and insurance options available, and we can help you choose the one that’s best suited to your circumstances.
You’re at greater risk when you take your motorcycle out in the winter than in the summer. This is because roads are icy and filled with salt and gravel. Animals like moose, deer, and elk are more active during winter. This means you’re more likely to hit these animals or have to swerve to avoid them. When you’re riding under these conditions, you increase the likelihood that an accident occurs.
Your motorcycle is at risk for damage even when it’s parked in storage for a few months a year. You may require liability coverage and insurance policies that cover you from damages or lawsuits should an accident occur or something happens to your bike. This is why it’s not necessarily the best idea for you to cancel your insurance policy in the winter and when your bike’s in the shed.
There are different coverage options available for a motorcycle that won’t be used for several months. Storage insurance can be classified under comprehensive or other than collision insurance coverage. This type of coverage normally includes protection against fire, storm damage, or theft of the vehicle. It may cover other types of damage that happen to your bike if it’s left in storage.
You may end up going for an insurance policy with a built-in reduced premium for your motorcycle. This type of coverage includes a layoff period for the time your motorcycle is left in storage as part of the premium. However, it can feel expensive to pay full coverage even during the offseason. But with this setup, you won’t have to think or worry about your coverage whenever the weather changes. You’ll be able to ride your bike whenever the weather permits.
However, if you have to provide full insurance for your bike throughout the year, you can ask to have your deductibles increased and your limits of liability lowered on a temporary basis. Your insurance premium is lowered with this setup, so you’ll be offered more affordable motorcycle insurance. In addition, risk of damage and loss to your bike while it’s in storage is minimal. There’s a good chance you won’t have to pay the high deductible.
When you’re constantly shifting the conditions of your motorcycle insurance policy, there’s a risk that your bike won’t have proper coverage at the appropriate times. Set reminders for yourself on the type of coverage your motorcycle has at any given moment. Make sure coverage is added back on before you take it out for a spin. Otherwise, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to large deductibles and other risks when you’re operating an uninsured vehicle.
Oxford Auto Insurance provides motorcycle insurance with extensive coverage and affordable rates in Chicago, Illinois. Our policies can cover the losses of the other drive, your property, and any injuries you may sustain from an auto accident. This includes medical payments coverage, comprehensive coverage, and roadside assistance plans.
For more information, contact us at 312-260-9000 or send us an email at [email protected].
If you’re planning to buy a car, one of the costs the you need to consider is auto insurance. An auto insurance ensures that you are protected from financial loss in case you are involved in a vehicular accident. It provides coverage for property damage or theft, liability insurance for bodily injury, and coverage for medical treatment and rehabilitation.
In choosing what auto insurance to purchase, you may be tempted to reduce your expenses by looking for an auto insurance with the lower amount of coverage or by raising your deductibles. While these two factors obviously affect car insurance costs, there are other considerations, some of which are not under your control, that can impact the price of auto insurance premiums.
Knowing what these auto insurance rating factors are will help you make a more informed buying decision:
Where you live is one of the factors that greatly affects auto insurance rates. Insurers will typically ask for your zip code to determine if your area is highly populated and if there are insurance risks present, such as damaging weather, acts of vandalism, and prevalence of insurance claims.
Your age, gender, and marital status are some of the lesser-known factors that are used in determining the cost of auto insurance premium.
Statistically, teen drivers and seniors are more likely to figure in an accident. As such, most insurance companies consider them more risky and expensive to insure compared to other drivers. Younger drivers tend to commit mistakes, such as tunnel vision, distracted driving, or speeding, which may lead to road accidents or put other drivers’ and pedestrians’ safety at risk. On the other hand, seniors age 70 years or older who have poorer eyesight and slower reflexes that impact their driving ability may be charged with higher insurance costs.
Some evidence suggest that women are safer drivers than men, hence, pay less car insurance. However, insurance costs levels off as women drivers get older. Studies reveal that between ages 30 and 50, men pay slightly less auto insurance than women do. Married car owners also are charged with less insurance premiums, they tend to be more careful now that they are driving for their families.
If you have years of driving experience, coupled with a clean driving record, you are likely to receive a good rate. You will be considered less of a risk compared to drivers with past records of traffic violations.
In addition to your driving behavior, insurers will look into past insurance claims. The number of claims you have made, whether with them or with another insurance company, will either keep you from surcharge or hike up your rates.
Insurance companies will also look into your credit score. Generally, the lower the credit score, the higher the insurance premium will be.
The type of car that you have affects insurance costs. If your car has a high safety rating and if it has safety features such as air bags, automatic seatbelts, and traction control, means that your car is safer to drive and may result in lower premium costs.
At Oxford Auto Insurance, we provide affordable insurance rates and flexible payment plans so you can get the financial protection you need while you’re on the road. Our team will help you find the comprehensive coverage for your needs.
For more information on our products and services, contact us today.
In the U.S., there are only two states where you’re not legally required to carry auto insurance: New Hampshire and Virginia. This, however, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a policy if you live there. Additionally, this means that if you do not have auto insurance in Illinois, you’re not only risking financial trouble but you may also face legal consequences.
Typically, a car insurance policy lasts for six months to a year. There may be some circumstances, though, when you’re driving a vehicle that isn’t yours. You may be using a rented car for a business trip or borrowing someone else’s for a short period. Does this mean you’d need another full-term car insurance in Aurora, IL? As a matter of fact, you don’t. Instead, you may apply for short-term auto insurance.
Car insurance protects you financially in the event of an accident that results in property damage, a totaled vehicle, or injuries. If you do not have a policy, you could get in financial and legal trouble if you’re involved in an accident, even if you aren’t at fault.
This is why an insurance policy is important, even for the briefest time that you’d be driving someone else’s vehicle. Among these circumstances are:
Basically, every time you’re using someone else’s car for more than a day and you’ll be driving around in said car, you need temporary car insurance.
Different car insurance policies provide different coverage, so before buying a short-term one, contact your insurance company. In some instances, you may actually already have coverage for driving someone else’s car. If you don’t, they’ll likely give you suggestions on what type of insurance you need.
When shopping for short-term auto insurance, be prepared that insurance companies may consider you a high-risk driver. Insurance companies will consider that you might be driving in places that are unfamiliar to you, which could make you prone to accidents.
Another thing to keep in mind is that your primary insurance provider isn’t likely to offer short-term coverage. It can also be difficult to find temporary insurance with attractive rates that will give you the coverage you need. Because of this, you may need to look for a temporary auto insurance policy beyond the usual providers.
Most importantly, you must remember the importance of being covered by insurance. Accidents can happen anytime, so being insured, whether it’s short- or long-term, is a smart move.
If you need motorcycle, SR-22, or auto insurance in Illinois, let Oxford Auto Insurance protect you and your vehicle. With the option to choose from different payment plans and multiple companies, we provide our clients with some of the most comprehensive and low-cost insurance policies in the state of Illinois.
Visit Oxford Auto Insurance today to learn more.
Motorcycle laws are different in each state. But their existence follows the same goal: to keep you, the other motorists, and pedestrians safe on the road. In Chicago, Illinois, motorcycle insurance acquisition and helmet safety regulations aren’t the only requirements you need to follow.
Here’s what you should know.
You need a license to drive a motorcycle in Illinois. It doesn’t matter what type of motorcycle you plan on riding.
The state issues two kinds of licenses. The first one is a Class M license, which is for bikes with engines larger than 150cc. The other one is a Class L license, which is for any motorcycle with an engine smaller than 150cc.
Individuals aged at least 18 years of age can apply for a Class M or L instruction permit. The permit will let you operate a motorcycle with some restrictions.
The state of Illinois requires motorcycles to have at least one side-view mirror (left or right). Also, it’s necessary to have brakes on both wheels. Apart from these, a motorcycle should also have:
All these serve to ensure a safe ride on the roads of Illinois. For example, a muffler is necessary to make sure that other vehicle drivers hear your motorcycle on the road. It makes your motorcycle “more visible” on the highway.
When carrying a passenger, you have to follow the same requirements for the seat, design, and footrest. And it’s necessary that you and your passenger put on eye protection (glasses or goggles). But this isn’t required if your motorcycle comes with a transparent windshield.
There is no required age for motorcycle passengers in the state. But the motorcycle’s design has to be for two people, which includes a proper seat and footrests for the passenger. And drivers should always make their passenger ride on the back of the driver, with one leg on either side.
Illinois is still one of three states in the US that doesn’t enforce helmet-use among motorcyclists. It’s still an ongoing debate in the state, but using a helmet is highly encouraged because it can protect you from debilitating injuries. It’s also best for motorcycle riders to wear high-visibility clothing, especially when driving on busy highways.
Following all the basic state laws for motorcycles can help reduce the risk of causing or contributing to a fender-bender. It’s best to adhere to them at all times, and at all costs.
But accidents will happen, which is why the state also requires that you have adequate insurance.
Your insurance policy needs to meet the minimum coverage requirements for bodily injury and property damage. For this particular regulation, Oxford Auto Insurance can help.
With motorcycle insurance, you can confidently drive on the road knowing you have the protection you need. Choose from our competitive rates on different types of motorcycles. We offer:
Call us today for your motorcycle insurance needs.
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