What to do in case of an accident

Exchange of information form

How to help both you and your teen driver

Enjoying the freedom and mobility your vehicle provides is part of the American dream. Our job is to help you protect that dream.

Choosing the right automobile insurance coverage can be a confusing experience for most people. With different liability limits, comprehensive, collision, personal injury protection and medical coverages to choose from, it’s easy for most consumers to make simple mistakes that could quickly become a drastic consequence towards their financial stability and well being.

The value of good automobile insurance doesn’t become apparent until you really need it. Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a more substantial accident, it pays to have insurance coverage you can count on.

We offer competitive premiums and complete coverage for all your vehicles.

Coverages can include:

• Preferred and standard auto
• High risk auto
• Motorcycle
• Motor homes
• Camping trailers, travel trailers, utility trailers.
• Recreational vehicles: all-terrain vehicles, trail bikes, golf carts, mini bikes, dune buggies, jet skis and wet bikes.
• Antique, classic or special-interest cars.

An as independent agent, it’s our job to represent you, the customer. Consistently working to provide the individual coverage you require. When it comes to protecting your auto(s), don’t leave it up to chance…being insured with the best certainly has its advantages.

The following information briefly explains the components or the personal auto policy (PAP), as well as the persons and events typically covered under such a policy.

Declarations page: Your PAP is a written contract between you and your insurance company. The policy’s declarations page contains accurate information concerning you (as the owner of the policy), the vehicles covered by the policy, and other identifying features.

• Part A – Liability Coverage: Liability coverage insured you against injuries you cause to other people and damage you cause to other people’s property in an automobile accident. Liability claims for pain and suffering can be virtually limitless, so this is one area in which you definitely do not want to be underinsured. The PAP separates liability coverage into two parts: bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage.

• Part B – Medical Payments Coverage: Medical payments coverage (med pay) pays medical expenses resulting from an automobile accident up to a specified dollar limit. The purpose of “med pay” is to provide payment for immediate medical treatment for passengers of your car who are injured in an auto accident. Because of this, there’s no need to wait and find out who is at fault and ultimately liable.

• Part C – Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage insures you against losses caused by someone who is completely uninsured or who has less than adequate insurance to cover the loss (undersinsured).

• Part D – Coverage for damage to your auto: Part D coverage actually consist of two separate parts: collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. You can purchase either one or both of these coverages for each vehicle you own. In general, collision coverage insures you against damage to your vehicle caused in an accident. Comprehensive coverage insures you against all other physical damage to your car caused by such events as fire, theft, flood, and vandalism. These coverage can be written with or without a deductible (generally, anywhere from $100 to $1,000). The higher the deductible, the lower the premium, and vice-versa.

• Part E – Duties after an accident or loss: This part of the PAP deals with the specific procedures that must be followed in order to have your claim covered by the insurer. It contains a list of general and specific duties that must be complied with. It’s essential to follow these procedures carefully, since timely payment of your claim may depend on your doing so.

• Part F – personal auto policy provision: Part F or the PAP contains various provisions that limit and qualify the coverage provided in other sections of the PAP. Such provisions are commonly referred to as disclaimers. If the conditions set forth in this section are not met, the insurer may be able to deny coverage of a claim.

In addition to these basic parts included in every policy, there are certain optional coverages which can be purchased at an additional cost.

What’s not covered / Exclusions: You PAP identifies a number of events and situations that are specifically omitted or excepted from coverage. These are called exclusions. An example would be property damage and personal injury that you intentionally caused, or damage to a vehicle from normal wear and tear or mechanical breakdown.

Limitations: You PAP also specifies certain caps on the dollar amounts of coverage you are entitled to receive under the policy. These are called limitations. Separate limits are generally set for liability, medical payments, uninsured motorists, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

It’s important to read your PAP so that you’re aware of all the applicable exclusions and limitations.

• Individuals typically covered under a PAP: Named Insured – One section of the declarations page identifies you as the named insured, meaning you are the individual who is primarily insured under the policy. As the named insured, you and your vehicles receive the most extensive coverage under your policy.

• Spouses: Your spouse is generally entitled to receive the same coverage as you (the named insured) under your policy if he or she lives with you, even if he or she is not identified as a named insured on the declarations page of your policy.

• Family members: Family members (as defined in your policy) are insured by your PAP as long as they own, use, or maintain the vehicle covered by the policy. In fact, family members generally receive almost the same extensive coverage that you do (Unless an exclusion has been signed).

• Other People: If your covered auto is involved in an accident, other people are insured under certain sections of the policy if:
  • they were using the covered auto (liability coverage),
  • they were occupying the covered auto (uninsured motorists and medical payment coverage)
  • they are legally responsible for the actions of any other person insured under the policy (liability coverage) or
  • they are entitled to recover due to any bodily injury suffered by you, your resident spouse, family member, or anyone using the covered auto (uninsured motorists coverage)

If a vehicle other than a covered auto is involved, other people are insured under your policy as long as:

• they are not the vehicle’s owner and they are legally responsible for the actions of any other person insured under the policy (liability coverage) or,
• they are entitled to recover due to any bodily injury suffered by you, your resident spouse, or relative (uninsured motorists coverage).

INSURING YOUR RENTAL CAR

The best way to protect yourself when using a rental car is to purchase a regular automobile insurance policy that explicitly extends collision and comprehensive coverage to rental cars in any state or country. If you don’t own a car and you rent on a regular basis, you might want to purchase a “nonowner” policy that will give you the same type of coverage. Unless you have an individual policy that explicitly extends coverage to rental cars, you should be cautious if you wish to avoid exposure to liability when renting a car.

What about coverage offered by the rental agency?
The insurance packages that you purchase from a rental car agency (typically called “loss damage waivers”) may or may not provide the protection you need. In your rush to get out of the airport, you may not realize that the loss damage waiver you purchased insured the rental car against theft, but not the contents. That could be a big surprise if your laptop computer and expensive camera are stolen from the rental car along with your luggage, and the rental agency rejects your claim. (Check your homeowners insurance policy in this case—you may be covered.) Similarly, you may discover that the loss damage waiver you purchased for liability only provides limited coverage. Further, many loss damage waivers exclude certain items and/or situations from coverage.

Again, this is not to say that rental car agencies are unable to provide you with the protection you need. It is merely to illustrate that you should read the fine print, or get verification from a rental agent in writing if you have any doubts.

What if I have a regular policy, but it isn’t full coverage?
If is possible that you have insurance on your personal car, but you don’t carry collision and comprehensive, or sufficient liability coverage. It may not be necessary to call you agent and add all that additional coverage just so that you will be protected when you rent a car during your upcoming vacation. You can probably close the gaps in your coverage using loss damage waivers and coverage offered by your credit card insurer or rental car company. However, as discussed above, you need to be cautious. You want to be sure you are getting the coverage you need or expected to receive.

Other sources of coverage
If you have suffered a loss that isn’t covered under your auto policy don’t forget to check your other insurance policies. For example, if personal property has been stolen from you rental car, it may be covered under your homeowners or rental policy. Similarly, certain medical policies may cover costs of injuries not covered under you regular automobile plan.

SAVING MONEY ON AUTO INSURANCE

If you own a car and drive it, going without insurance is generally not an option. I most states, you may be required by law to purchase a minimum amount of liability coverage. And you should probably have more than just the bare minimum if you want to provide yourself with adequate protection. There are steps you can take, however, to reduce your auto insurance costs without having to go to extremes. Some or all of these steps may be appropriate for you, depending on your circumstances.

Specific ways to save money on auto insurance:
Increase your deductibles: For many people, raising the deductible on their auto insurance is a good way to cut the cost of the policy. Sometimes you can reduce your annual premium by 10% or more if you increase your deductible from, say, $250 to $500. If you do this, however, make sure you have the financial resources to handle the larger deductible if and when, the time comes.

Narrow the scope of your coverage: If you drive an older car worth less that $1,000, it may be cost-effective to drop collision and comprehensive coverage. The rationale is that even if the vehicle were severely damaged in an accident, the amount the insurer would pay for its repair or replacement would be relatively small.

You might also consider dropping any options you may have added to your policy (special provisions for items like towing and labor, car rental, and loss of income). Removal of these items may reduce your premium somewhat, but will also expose you to the costs in question.

Lower coverage amounts: You can also reduce the amounts of certain coverages. Again, be careful you don’t want to be inadequately insured, especially in the area of liability. You should almost always keep your liability coverage at as high a level as possible because this is where you can have the greatest losses. You my be able to lower your coverage amounts in other areas (such as collision and comprehensive), but don’t rush into such a decision just to save a few bucks. Talk it over with us first.

Drive Less: If you drive less than a certain number of miles in a year, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount. If the insurer offers this discount, try to limit your driving as much as possible. If you commute to work, use public transportation instead of driving. When you go away on vacation, fly, rent a car, or take a train.

Don’t use car for business purposes: Since work-related driving generally subjects you to a higher premium than pleasure driving, it may be in your best interest to stop using your car for business purposes if saving money is one of your goals.

Drive more safely: You may be eligible for a price break on your policy if you maintain a clean driving record for a specified period of time. A clean driving record generally means no accidents, moving violations, driving convictions, etc., during that period. The best way to qualify for the applicable discount is to drive carefully and defensively at all times.

Buy a low-profile car: Cars are rated on a risk scale for auto insurance purposes. In general, sports cars and other high-performance, flashly vehicles are classified as higher risks because they are common targets for thieves and vandals, and because statistically, the people who own them tend to drive more aggressively. I you own such a vehicle, you will likely pay a higher premium than if you owned a 4-door sedan, minivan, station wagon, or other low-risk vehicle.

Move: If you live in a rural community with little crime and traffic congestion, your premium will generally be lower than if you live in an urban area where your car is more likely to be stolen, vandalized, or involved in an accident. Granted, you shouldn’t move just to cut your auto insurance costs. However, this may be one of many factors in your decision if you’re thinking about relocating from the country or suburbs to the city.

Keep your car in a garage: Cars parked in garages are less likely to be stolen vandalized, or struck by other vehicles.

Have safety / antitheft devices installed: You may receive discounts on your insurance if your car is equipped with one or more of the following options: anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, and airbags. Similarly, antitheft devices such as car alarms and tracking systems (e.g., logack) may also get you a discount because they reduce the chances of your car being stolen or vandalized.

Inquire about multi-policy discounts: You may be eligible to receive a discount from the insurer if you buy more than one type of policy through that same company (e.g., auto and homeowner’s). A discount may also apply to your auto insurance if you insure multiple cars under the same policy or with the same company.

Other discounts: Other discounts may be available if you meet certain criteria, so be sure to ask us about this very important topic when reviewing your policy with us.

top of page

If you’ve ever been involved in an accident, you know how stressful it can be. Most people are flooded with a mix of emotions and worries. You’ll be concerned about everyone’s safety and anxious about your vehicle. You might be angry at the other driver. Then there’s the fear about what impact the accident will have on your driving record and your insurance. All those things can make it hard to think clearly and respond properly. And if there are injuries, the stress can be amplified. But that’s when a clear head and quick action are really crucial.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FROM GETTING THROUGH AN ACCIDENT WITH A MINIMUM OF HASSLE AND HEADACHES.

• After an accident, getting help for the injured is always the first priority.
• Regardless of the circumstances, report the accident to the police.
• Record the name, address and phone number of the other driver. Write down the make and license number of all vehicles involved. You’ll want to get as much information as you can about the other driver’s insurance agent, policy and insurance company.
• Don’t forget to collect the names, addresses and phone numbers of passengers and witnesses. Since many cases end up with the parties blaming each other, third-party witnesses can be important. Don’t hesitate to approach anyone who may have seen the crash.
• Be careful of what you say. Don’t talk about fault; even casual remarks can be used in court.
• Notify your insurance agent immediately. The faster we get information, the faster we can act. Discuss the accident only with your agent and, or course, with the police.
• Examine the damage carefully. Take photos if possible, particularly if the accident occurred on private property, such as a parking lot.
• Without being overly suspicious, observe the other driver’s actions. If the other driver later claims to have a serious injury, what you notice could be important.
• Consider purchasing a One-Time-Use camera next time you go to the grocery. Keep this camera in your car’s glove box, and use it to take photos of the scene. These photographs could easily become an important witness to what actually occurred.
• Stay calm.

Remember, these incidents are the reason you have insurance in the first place. We realize no auto accident is ever minor when you’re involved. We’re here so you can relax a little, doing everything possible to ease your stress and provide you with peace of mind.

top of page

Creating guidelines for your teen driver:

Many teens pass their driving test around their sixteenth birthday. Although it’s the legal age to receive a driver’s license in many states, it is not a magic number which means teens are experienced behind the wheel. Only you can decide when your teen is ready to drive without adult supervision.

After they have a license, teens are still gaining experience as new drivers. While they’re learning, you can help keep them safe by setting rules about when, where, and how and with whom they may drive.

• PUT A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS IN THE CAR: Teens are likely to have more trouble focusing on the road with laughter, music, food and other distractions, all of which increase with the number of passengers.

• ESTABLISH AND ENFORCE A HOUSE CURFEW: Check with your local police department to see if your town has a curfew for minors. If not, set your own.

• INSIST THAT YOUR TEEN AND HIS OR HER PASSENGERS ALWAYS USE SAFETY BELTS: Teens tend to use their safety belts less often than other drivers. Remind teens that the presence of air bags does not mean they can ignore safety belts. These two safety devices are meant to work together to reduce injuries and fatalities.

• LIMIT OF SUPERVISE YOUR TEEN’S DRIVING DURING TIMES OF HIGH RISK: The highest number of driving crashes occur on Friday and Saturday night and early Saturday and Sunday morning.

• SET DRIVING AREA LIMITS: If your teen wants to travel outside your geographic area, require that he or she request special permission

• PROHIBIT DRIVING OR RIDING WITH OTHERS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL: Driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol are life threatening issues as well as being illegal. In addition to the possibility of legal punishment, tell your teen you will revoke driving privileges for a given amount of time if found to be driving or riding with others under the influence.

top of page