When it comes to knowledge about car insurance, you may think you know the basics, but do you know enough? A 2017 survey of 1,165 auto insurance consumers by insurance search engine The Zebra revealed that 99 percent failed to identify 10 basic insurance coverage types and terms.
Though the survey only reflects a small fraction of the entire driving population, it’s still concerning to know how misinformed vehicle owners are. Worse, some of what they do know about auto insurance are based on myths and hearsay.
Here, we’ll give you examples of common car insurance myths and the truth behind them.
Fact: We’re not sure where this myth came from, but it’s surprising how many people believe this. In one survey by the online insurance comparison site insuranceQuotes.com, 44 percent believe red cars have more expensive insurance coverage.
The truth is, many factors affect the cost of your car insurance. These factors include:
Other factors such as the cost of repairing your vehicle and how popular your car is with thieves may also affect your insurance rate. What’s not a factor is the specific color of your car.
Fact: You know your credit score is important when you’re obtaining new credit, but some don’t think the same when it comes to getting car insurance. The truth is in most states, car insurance companies view your credit scores to predict the odds that you’ll file a claim.
If you have a good credit history, you have a better chance of getting an insurance policy for the right price. However, people with bad credit scores or those called high-risk drivers may pay a higher premium to insure their vehicles.
Fact: Some people think that just because they’re not driving when their car is involved in a collision, they’re not in charge of the insurance.
In most states, insurance follows the car, not the driver. This means that regardless of who’s driving your vehicle at the event of a collision or any other accident, it’s your car insurance company that will cover the cost of damages.
Fact: Some drivers hesitate to file a claim with their insurance company when they get into an accident because they fear that their rates will automatically rise. The catch in this is that when you get involved in an accident with another driver, they may file for damage or injury claims. If they do, your insurance company will still know about the accident.
Additionally, your car insurance rates will increase only if you’re the at-fault driver, you live in a no-fault state, or the insurance company deems you more likely to get into another accident.
While some of these myths have convincing origins or reasons behind them, they’re still not entirely true and believing so could keep you from making the most out of your auto insurance policy.
Whether you need an auto, SR-22, or motorcycle insurance in Chicago, let Oxford Auto Insurance protect your car for you. With different payment plans and multiple companies, we provide some of the most comprehensive and low-cost insurance packages in the state of Illinois.
Visit Oxford Auto Insurance today to learn more.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Los Angeles is the 66th most populous city proper in the world, with a little over four million residents. Accidents are bound to happen in a city where the automobile is the primary means of transportation.
Auto insurance in Harvey LA is one way to protect yourself. While there’s no way to eliminate car crashes, you can mitigate its the impact by knowing what to do should it occur.
It may take a while for you to recover from the shock, but it’s important to get your bearings and try to stay in control. Once you’re able to, assess the situation.
If you can move, get out of your car. If there’s a risk of injury or if moving can put you at risk for worse injury, maintain your position. If it’s safer to move out of traffic, do so and don’t leave the scene of the incident.
If you’re riding with other people, check if they are OK or if they sustained injuries. If you’re able to, call 911 or the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Alternatively, pedestrians and other motorists may call for help.
As soon as the authorities arrive, follow their instructions.
The next step is to call the insurance company. Exchange car insurance information with the other party. Your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company will need both your information to figure out who pays for the damages.
Follow the instructions that your agent gives you. If possible, request a tow through your insurance company. Take note of the name of the tow company and the location where they will take your vehicle.
When the authorities start gathering information, be courteous and polite at all times. Give the police your name and insurance information. Provide only the following:
If possible, take pictures to document the scene of the accident. You need photos of the following:
A car accident is an unfortunate event to be involved in, but it pays to gather as much information as possible. The right auto insurance will be of use in such a situation. Our agents in Harvey LA can help.
At Oxford Auto Insurance, we can help you find the best car insurance. Our agents will help you look for a policy with the kinds of coverage that meet your specific needs. We highly recommend an insurance policy that comes with collision and comprehensive coverage.
We will get you the most reasonably priced and extensive coverage. On top of this, we will provide you with flexible payment plans, low down and payments, increased liability limits, and tow truck insurance. Contact us today for a free quote.
Motorcyclists are more vulnerable on the road, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). They don’t have the same protection that car drivers and passengers have, exposing them to greater chances of getting injured or worse, killed in a crash.
If you’re a motorcyclist, your vulnerability on the road is the biggest reason to get motorcycle insurance as required in Chicago IL.
Motorcycle owners make up only 3 percent of America’s total registered vehicles. In spite of this, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says motorcycle accidents happen 27 times more frequently compared to fatalities in other vehicles. The NHTSA further explains that at least 80 percent of motorcycle crashes result in injury or death.
This is why the state requires motorcyclists to get the minimum liability insurance. It’s to make sure you’re capable of handling the expenses before hitting the road. The insurance policy includes the following:
Compliance with basic liability insurance is good. The downside is it may not give you enough financial protection; motorcycle accidents can devastate finances. The minimum liability insurance only covers the losses of the other party involved in the accident, which you may have caused.
So what kind of insurance should you have?
The right motorcycle insurance for you not only covers the basic liabilities but also takes care of your property and any injuries you sustain in such accidents. Here’s what a good insurance plan includes:
For low-cost motorcycle insurance, you can come to us. We have the right insurance plans for you and your motorcycle.
Hit the road with confidence and protection for your motorcycle with our motorcycle insurance plans. We will find the most competitive rates among several types of motorcycle insurance plans and compare the policies of many insurers.
Many factors affect how the cost of motorcycle insurance varies. In general, it tends to be costly since riding motorbikes is statistically riskier than when riding cars.
But work with us, and we will find a policy with extensive coverage at an affordable rate. Our team will help you find the right financial protection you will need.
Find out how much motorcycle insurance in Chicago costs. Talk to us and get a free quote today.