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Our insurance guide will clarify what kinds of
insurance are available. Use the menu to the
right to read each topic. We hope our guide
will help you make a wiser decision about your
insurance needs.
State law (and/or your car's lender) often requires
you to purchase at least a minimum amount of auto
insurance. You may find it sensible to purchase
greater coverage, however, in order to protect
your auto investment, pay for necessary medical
expenses, cover your legal liability, and cover
any additional losses related to driving. Consider
the following: if you cause an accident and the
other driver suffers damages over and above your
insurance policy's limits, your personal assets
and future earnings may be put at risk.
First of all, it's important for you to know
how to read and understand an auto insurance policy.
Next, you'll want to carefully balance cost against
desired coverage. Finally, you should allow us
the opportunity to evaluate and compare the various
car insurance products you want or have, to ensure
that you get the best value for your insurance
dollar.
Your policy is broken into simplistic and logical
sections. It discusses types of coverage, rights,
and obligations under the policy, as well as exclusions
or limitations. Types of coverage include liability
coverage (injuries/damage you cause to other people
and other property), medical payments coverage
(medical expenses that will be paid--up to a specified
limit--regardless of fault), uninsured/underinsured
motorist coverage (losses caused by a driver who
is uninsured or has inadequate insurance), and
coverage for damage to your auto (accident damage
and other damage or loss).
Regarding damage to your own auto, collision
and comprehensive coverages may each include a
deductible. A deductible is basically a risk that
is self-insured. It's an amount of money that
you are required to pay before your insurance
kicks in. Deductibles can come in any dollar amount,
but are generally $100, $250, $500, or $1000.
You will always want to balance coverage against
cost. Choosing the appropriate level of coverage
depends on a number of factors, including the
value of your vehicle, the value of assets you
must protect, the amount of money you can afford
to pay out-of-pocket, and your tolerance for risk.
If a claim against you exceeds your coverage limits,
you will be personally responsible for the amount
that exceeds the coverage. As a licensed independent
agency we can tailor the policy to fit your needs.
To arrive at the cost of your premium, the insurer
will consider the coverage levels you select and
will use statistical information about you, the
area you live in, and your car.
Compare policies in terms of coverage, exclusions,
the reputation of insurer and then price. If you
ever find yourself shopping for different quotes,
make sure you are comparing extremely similar
policies. Also, weigh the policy cost against
both coverage and the quality of service provided.
You may need to purchase auto insurance whenever
you buy a new or used car. You may also need to
reconsider your present policy if your family
situation changes. Because marital status, number
of children, and asset levels may change over
time, you should try to review your existing policies
from time to time to ensure adequate coverage
is always maintained
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