Ridesharing driving can be a great way to earn income on a flexible schedule. If you are working as a rideshare driver, it is important to ensure you have the auto insurance coverage you need. Insurance provided by rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft will not cover their drivers in all situations. Speak with our friendly agent for help with the coverage you need at the best available rates.

Will Personal Car Insurance Cover Rideshare Driving?

Most personal auto insurance policies exclude rideshare trips. Personal policies are priced based on personal use of the vehicle only and are not designed to cover business use of the vehicle. If you are rideshare driving, the typical personal auto insurance policy will not cover you while you are working. However, many major insurance companies now offer policies specifically for rideshare drivers.

What Does Rideshare Company Insurance Cover?

State laws require most rideshare companies to provide insurance for their drivers. This coverage typically will not apply when the rideshare app is off, and you are not on the clock. Uber and Lyft both provide different amounts of liability coverage depending on the circumstances:

• If the app is on and you are waiting for a ride request when a crash occurs, these companies provide third-party liability coverage of up to $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.
• If the app is on and you are heading to pick up a passenger or transporting a passenger to a destination, Uber and Lyft provide $1 million in third-party liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured bodily injury coverage, and contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.

What Does Rideshare Insurance Cover?

Rideshare insurance can fill in the gaps between your personal auto insurance policy and the company’s liability coverage. For example, rideshare companies typically do not provide collision or comprehensive coverage when the app is on, and you are waiting for a ride request. It is likely that your personal auto insurance will not cover that period, as you were technically on the clock. If a crash that causes damage to your vehicle happens during that interval, you may have to pay for the repairs out of pocket without additional rideshare coverage.

In some states, rideshare drivers may add a rideshare endorsement onto a personal auto insurance policy to help fill the gaps between personal coverage and the company’s coverage. What is covered by these policy endorsements can vary from state to state. It is a good idea to speak with a knowledgeable agent, so you understand exactly what coverage you have.

What Happens If You Fail to Notify Your Insurer That You Are Rideshare Driving?

There could be negative consequences if you fail to disclose to your personal auto insurance company that you are working as a rideshare driver. Your insurer could reject a claim after a crash or even cancel your policy. It could be financially devastating to be in business without protection, and car insurance is mandatory for all drivers in nearly every state.

The auto insurance policy you choose can be a lifesaver if you are involved in an accident, whether you or another driver was responsible. The amount you will pay out of pocket for repairs, whether your policy will pay for a rental car while it is being repaired, and if you are covered when traveling and driving a rental come into play when making a decision. These details are all found in the fine print of an auto insurance policy.

Choosing the best car insurance can be intimidating if you are unfamiliar with the legal language and terms. The best way to ensure you make the right choice is to understand the terms of a car insurance contract.

Common Car Insurance Terms Defined

You certainly do not need to become a car insurance expert to understand your policy, but it can be helpful to understand the meaning of some standard terms. Here are some car insurance terms that could be helpful to know:

Automotive liability insurance:

•  If you were to get involved in an accident that caused physical or property damage to others, automotive liability insurance offers protection in cases in which you are being held legally responsible.

Collision coverage:

•  If your car sustains damage from hitting another vehicle or object, this coverage covers some of the cost of repairs. This insurance is required when leasing or financing a vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage:

•  If any item is stolen from your vehicle or you sustained damage that was not caused by an accident or collision, comprehensive coverage could help cover the damages.

Deductible:

•  The deductible refers to your out-of-pocket expenses, which you agree to pay. The higher the deductive, the lower the cost of premiums.

Personal injury protection (PIP):

•  PIP encompasses broad protection for other risks, including medical costs and lost wages, no matter which driver was determined to be at fault.

Property damage liability (PD):

•  PD covers you when you damage another individual’s property with your vehicle. Generally, this refers to another’s vehicle but could be any type of property, including buildings, fences, etc.

Threshold:

•  Refers to the cutoff point that, if met, gives the injured person the opportunity to file a claim against the at-fault driver to recover damages for bodily injury.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM):

•  If you were involved in a hit-and-run accident in an accident in which the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, UM could pay you and other passengers in your vehicle for any damages or injuries sustained.

Third party:

 In the world of insurance, a third party refers to anyone other than the policyholder or family members covered.

Familiarizing yourself with these terms can be helpful as you review your options or acquaint yourself with the policy you purchase.

Protect Yourself with the Right Auto Insurance Policy

If you are shopping for new car insurance, our insurance agents will work with you to find the best coverage at the most affordable rates. We know it can be confusing to be confident you are choosing the best option. Our local agents can work with you to understand your needs and budget and find the best auto insurance at the best rates. Connect with us today for the personalized service you can rely on.

Car insurance is a necessity that can’t be avoided, but you need accurate information to choose the best policy. Unfortunately, several myths exist that could steer you in the wrong direction. Our local agents are here to dispel these myths and make the process of buying auto insurance simple, fast, and affordable.

Myth: Older drivers always pay more for auto insurance.

You may have heard that as you get older, you will be charged higher car insurance premiums. Actually, if you have a history of safe driving, you are likely eligible for special “safe driver” discounts that will reduce your rate. Generally, women will pay less than men, and younger drivers have the highest rates – all based on risk. It is true that older drivers (above 65) could pay more, particularly those who have had several accidents. Safe drivers, however, gain the benefit of reduced premiums, and if you haven’t accessed these reduced rates, speak with our local agent about your options.

Myth: Your credit won’t impact your car insurance premiums.

Your credit does make a difference in the cost of car insurance. Rather than the standard credit score, you have an “insurance credit score.” Insurance companies review this score when offering you auto insurance. The score measures the company’s risk when offering coverage. The higher the insurance credit score, the lower your premiums.

Myth: It is smart to have only the minimum coverage required by law.

The minimum coverage for underinsured and uninsured drivers or liability insurance may not cover the costs incurred after an accident, whether caused by you or another driver. A serious accident could lead to financial losses, especially if another party is injured, or your vehicle severely damaged. Discuss these issues with your insurance agent to ensure you have a reasonable amount of coverage, with little added cost – it could save you from suffering a financial disaster in some scenarios.

Myth: A red car costs more to insure.

Many people believe that a red car costs more to insure, but this is a myth. If you love the look of a red or other bright colored car, your insurance rate will not be affected. The make and model of the car are criteria affecting the cost of premiums, but not color, so feel free to drive the color car you enjoy.

Have car insurance questions? We are here to help.

Our local car insurance agents can help you make a smart decision about your auto insurance. We work closely with every customer to identify the best auto insurance options at rates you can afford. You may want to ensure you have access to a rental car should you get in an accident or have a child who has a learner’s permit or license and is about to start driving the family car. It is important that your car insurance is customized specifically to match your situation. For accurate information about car insurance, and a focus on finding the policy that works best for you or your family, our local agents are here to help.

Car insurance policies vary in what they cover. The state mandates certain types of coverage that you must have to legally get behind the wheel. However, the mandated minimum coverage may be far too low in some situations, such as being in a hit-and-run, in an accident with an uninsured driver, or if your car is damaged by a falling tree or fire. As a driver, it helps to understand the various types of auto insurance available, as you may decide to pay just a little more to gain a lot more protection.

• Liability: This is the coverage that will pay for the other party when you are responsible for a collision. This coverage comes with a limit the insurance company will pay if you are found to be responsible for a crash. You can increase the amount of liability coverage you have on your vehicle.
• Collision: This coverage replaces a damaged vehicle after an accident (no matter who caused the collision) and is required for drivers with financed or leased vehicles.
• Comprehensive: This type of coverage pays for damages to a vehicle caused by incidents other than collisions, such as a tree falling on a vehicle, vandalism, theft, fire, and so on.
• Uninsured/Underinsured: A shocking number of drivers operate vehicles without current auto insurance. If you are in the wrong place at the wrong time and in a collision with such a driver, you want to ensure you have this coverage in place. It pays out for vehicle damage and medical care. An underinsured driver may have only the minimum as required in the state, which does not cover your actual medical bills – this insurance could save the day.
• Rental Reimbursement: Your auto insurance may pay for a rental car for you to use when your vehicle is damaged in an accident. Knowing you will have transportation in this situation is essential.

Auto Insurance Policies – What’s Right for You?

You may be a very safe driver. However, even the most careful driver can run into trouble when sharing the road with a driver who is drunk, on drugs, speeding, distracted, or driving recklessly. As much as we hope to avoid car accidents, over a lifetime, they can happen. A collision can range from minor fender-benders to a serious crash. In addition, incidents involving theft, vandalism, or weather-related damage are fairly common.

Protect your vehicle and your family.

Why not make sure your investment in your vehicle is protected? For assistance in choosing the best auto insurance policy, get help from an insurance agent. You may be surprised to discover that adding extra coverage, such as uninsured/underinsured driver coverage or comprehensive insurance, will increase the premiums but add a layer of protection for when the unexpected happens. If you have a teen driver, don’t scrimp on auto insurance. Young drivers, even well-trained, lack the extensive experience that results in being a good driver. Statistically, they are more likely to be involved in a collision.

Life happens, oversights can occur, and payments sometimes get missed. If you missed a car insurance payment, don’t panic. Your policy will not be cancelled immediately. State laws require auto insurance companies to provide notice to policyholders before cancelling their coverage for nonpayment.

What Happens if I Don’t Get My Payment in on Time?

Most car insurance companies offer a grace period for late payments. If you submit your payment a few days late, it should not be a major problem. However, the grace period can vary from one provider to another. It is important to make your payment as soon as possible after you discover the oversight.

What if My Car Insurance Payment Is More Than a Few Days Late?

If the grace period has passed and your payment has still not been received, your insurance company will notify you by mail or by email before cancelling your policy. Generally, you will have between 10 and 20 days to rectify the situation by bringing your payments up to date. If you receive a notice of cancellation, contact your insurance company to find out if your auto insurance policy is still in effect.

What Should I Do if My Policy Has Been Cancelled?

If your policy has already been canceled, find out from your insurance company if you can renew it. Reinstating the same policy that was just cancelled for nonpayment will allow you to maintain continuous coverage without a lapse. To reinstate your previous policy, you will need to pay the past due balance to your insurer.

What if My Policy Cannot Be Reinstated?

You will need to purchase a new auto insurance policy as soon as possible if the insurance company will not reinstate your previous coverage. This may be more expensive, but it is nevertheless necessary. Without the minimum coverage, you cannot legally drive your vehicle.

What Are the Consequences of Not Having Auto Insurance?

Drivers are required to carry mandatory minimum auto insurance coverage in nearly every state in the U.S. If your car insurance lapses for nonpayment or any other reason, there may be financial and legal consequences, including:

• Driver’s license suspension: In many states, insurance companies are required to notify the government when drivers let their auto insurance lapse. It could mean automatic suspension of your driving privileges or your vehicle registration.
• DMV administrative fees: In some states, drivers are required to pay administrative fees to the DMV for lapses in auto insurance coverage.
• Higher auto insurance premiums: If you let your coverage lapse, even briefly, you are likely to see an increase in your auto insurance rates. Insurance companies want their policyholders to be reliable in their payments.
• Lower credit score: Failure to pay your auto insurance premiums can impact your credit score, which can affect your ability to get a loan.

If you need auto insurance, contact our agency today. We can help you find the best quote in the area for the coverage you need.

Driving a car with no A/C can be miserable during the hot summer months, particularly during a heatwave. As important as it is to your comfort and that of your passengers, automotive air conditioning can be expensive to repair or replace when it breaks down or malfunctions.

In many cases, when the A/C malfunctions it is considered normal wear-and-tear and not covered by auto insurance policies. However, there are certain situations in which insurance coverage may be available for air conditioning damage.

Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

This coverage option is available when you buy a new car. It works in a similar manner as a warranty or extended warranty, although it covers repairs outside the scope of a warranty. The air conditioning system is a mechanical component of the vehicle. Although wear-and-tear in the air conditioning system is not covered by mechanical breakdown insurance, it is likely that manufacturer defects would be covered.

Comprehensive Coverage for A/C Damage

Comprehensive coverage applies to losses other than those incurred in an accident or collision. It covers situations such as theft, vandalism, fire, and floods. If your air conditioning system has been damaged or destroyed as a result of a fire or another event covered under your comprehensive auto insurance, repairs to your A/C may well be covered.

Coverage for Air Conditioning Damage in an Accident

Auto accidents can happen in any number of ways and cause a wide variety of damage to the vehicles involved. Like other mechanical components of an automobile, the air conditioning system can be severely damaged in a collision.

When A/C damage is caused by an accident, it may be possible to file a claim to cover the cost of repairs. The types of auto insurance that cover vehicle damage resulting from an accident include collision, liability, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Liability claims are filed against the driver who caused the accident. If collision or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is used, you will file a claim with your own insurance company, in which case there is typically a deductible. If the accident has caused significant damage to your auto A/C exceeding the deductible, it may be well worth filing a claim.

Review Auto Insurance Coverage with Your Insurance Agent

We carry auto insurance to protect ourselves against liability, injuries, and property damage to our vehicles. To ensure you have the adequate coverage for all possible types of losses, it is important to discuss your auto insurance policy with an experienced agent.

Our local agency will be happy to review your auto insurance policy with you. We can help ensure that you have the coverage and policy limits to provide the comprehensive protection you need.

Many different factors affect auto insurance premiums, including age, gender, profession, marital status, location, vehicle age and size, and your driving record. Our agent can help you find the auto insurance coverage you need at the lowest available rates.

If you have recently purchased a motorcycle or are searching for a better option for motorcycle insurance in the area, we are here to help. The team at our agency lives and works in the local area, and we are committed to serving our community of motorcycle riders. We know you need coverage that gives you the highest level of protection at the lowest cost, and we can show you what is available to best suit your specific needs. You may have more than one motorcycle, or own an extremely valuable motorcycle, but no matter what your situation is, we will help you to find the best possible policy.

Protection After an Accident or Theft

You may need to insure custom parts for your motorcycle or get the right coverage for a vintage bike that would be extremely expensive to replace. Motorcyclists are at much higher risk than other drivers, even when traveling at slow speeds. The most common situation for an accident is an inattentive driver who fails to observe that he or she is sharing the road with a rider when changing lanes or making a turn. Not only is the rider at risk of serious injury, the motorcycle is often severely damaged as well and can be very expensive to repair. Having adequate coverage in place can allow you to get your bike fully replaced when necessary.

Whether you own a cruiser, sports bike, motocross bike, dirt bike, moped, or a classic motorcycle, we have a range of policies to cover you against bodily injury, property damage, collision, theft, and vandalism. We will also ensure you are protected against an underinsured or uninsured driver. Our team will explain your options so you can make a decision that makes sense based upon your individual situation. As we are local, we are easy to contact for any questions about motorcycle insurance.

We invite you to call us or contact us by email for information. We care about our clients and want to provide motorcycle insurance to protect against negligent drivers. You can count on us to be responsive and to be focused on finding you the policy you need at the lowest cost possible.

Unless you live in one of our warmer states, you will need to winterize and store your boat or motorcycle during the winter months. You have several options, including canceling your insurance, reducing the coverage, or increasing the deductible.

What is Lay-Up Insurance?

“Lay Up Insurance” is offered by insurance companies serving the northern states, where riding a motorcycle or boating over the winter is impossible. “Lay Up” refers to the boat or motorcycle being in storage and not in use, typically from the beginning of November to the beginning of April.

To put lay-up insurance coverage in place, boats must be moored in a safe anchorage and winterized. For motorcycles, lay-up insurance means pausing the cost of liability, collision, and other insurance costs that are not necessary if your bike is in storage, greatly reducing cost. Other parts of the policy remain in force, including protection against fire and theft. Every policy is different in what is offered, and some have a “sunny day clause” which covers you for one day during the season in which your liability and collision coverage is in force.

Increasing Your Deductible

Another option is to raise the deductible on your motorcycle or boat to reduce costs. This makes keeping your insurance in force more affordable during the winter. If you rarely ride your motorcycle during the winter months or may not plan to take your boat out on the water, raising your deductible is an option worth considering – but keep in mind that if your boat or bike is damaged due to theft, fire, or vandalism, you are now responsible for a higher deductible.

Canceling Motorcycle or Boat Insurance

Canceling your insurance altogether has some downsides you should consider. Most insurance policies cover a boat or motorcycle for one year and canceling the insurance can lead to an early termination fee, and the insurance company may refuse to insure you again. The other issue to consider is that even though you are not riding your bike, or taking your boat out on the water, fire and theft are still possible. With no insurance, you are at risk of losing all your investments. Anything that happens to your bike or boat over the period when it is uninsured will be your responsibility – with the costs paid out-of-pocket.

Winterizing Your Boat or Bike

Both motorcycles and boats must be winterized. For a bike, winterizing it will protect it from having sludge or other deposits in oil and fuel systems, cracked tires, dead batteries, or other problems that can be expensive to resolve. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to correctly winterize your bike. For a boat owner, the process involves ensuring all water is drained and removed, and special products added to your boat engine to protect against corrosion. Follow the winterizing directions provided by the boat manufacturer so all systems are safe and protected during the frigid winter months. Lay-up insurance does not cover damage to a boat or motorcycle due to ice or freezing.

Protect Your Investment with Lay-Up Insurance

Whether you own a bike, a boat, or both, speak with one of our local insurance agents about lay-up insurance. The cost savings are significant, and the risk of losing all your investment is greatly reduced. We will help you find the most appropriate insurance policy, at the rates that make sense for your budget.