The cost of living can be pretty expensive. Everyone is looking for ways to cut costs and lower expenses. Auto insurance premiums are one expense many would like to lower. While you may be tempted to lower your auto insurance limits, make sure to weight out all the risks. 

Determining Which Coverage You Need

An auto insurance policy is designed to provide you with a level of protection in the event you are involved in an accident. This includes protection against property, liability and medical costs. Understanding the different parts of coverage is important when selecting your auto insurance limits. 

• Property coverage pays for damage to or theft of your car.
• Liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage. 
• Medical coverage pays for the cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses. 
• Underinsured motorists coverage pays for property damage and bodily injury caused by another driver whose coverage is insufficient to cover damages suffered.  

Selecting the correct liability limits is fundamental. On your auto insurance policy you will see your limits listed something like this – 100/300/50. In this example 100/300/50 means you are covered for up to $100,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident and $50,000 in property damage per accident.

Many states have minimum liability limit requirements. You may be tempted to reduce your liability limits to the minimum legal level. Or even dropping underinsured motorists coverage. While it may reduce your premium, it could also subject you to substantial risks. 

Collision Coverage – Know The Value Of Your Car

Your policy will not pay for repairs that exceed the value of your vehicle. For this reason, if you are driving a vehicle that isn’t worth more than a few thousand dollars, it may not make sense to purchase collision coverage. Your agent can help you determine if collision insurance makes sense for you. 

Top Ways To Save On Your Auto Premiums

• Consider raising your deductible.
• Keep up your good driving record.
• Drive less to qualify for a low-mileage discount.
• Drive a car with safety features such as anti-lock brakes and airbags.
• Install an anti-theft device.
• Ask about our multi-policy discount. 

We’re here to help. Accidents happen to cautious drivers too. Having adequate auto insurance limits can save you from serious financial burden should you be involved in an accident. We can help you determine which auto insurance coverage is needed and what limits to purchase. 

Family time together, the open road, and visiting beautiful scenery. Those are just some of the benefits of having an RV or Travel Trailer. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full time travel buff, there’s lots to see on the open road. Your RV is your home away from home. That’s why you need to make sure it is protected. Just like you purchase Auto or Homeowners Insurance, you need RV Insurance to cover this investment. 

What is RV Insurance?

Travel trailer or RV Insurance has similar coverage to auto insurance, however it is more comprehensive and specialized for RV owners. RV Insurance is designed for the following vehicles:

• Fifth-wheels
• Pop-up campers
• Stationary travel trailers
• Park model travel trailers
• Truck-mounted campers

Click here to read about auto insurance.

Types of Coverage Available:

A typical policy will include the following overages:

• Comprehensive/Collision Coverage. Protects your RV from damages, such as fire, landslide, windstorm, vandalism and collision with another vehicle or objects. 
• Liability-Only Travel Trailer Policy. Protects against accidental damage to other people’s property or personal injury to individuals not listed on your policy. 

Additional Endorsements:

Because RV Insurance is specialized coverage there are additional endorsements you can purchase. These endorsements let you add extra protection not included in a standard policy. These additional option include:

• Emergency Expenses: Protection in case of a breakdown or damage to your RV or Travel Trailer.
• Accessories Endorsements: For items attached to your trailer.
• Full-timer Trailer Coverage: For those who live in their travel trailer most of the year.
• Campsite/Vacation Liability: Coverage while your travel trailer is parked in an RV park. 
• Low Branch Collision: Protection against damages from low-hanging branches to your trailer, awnings, and air conditioning units. 
• Towing and Roadside Assistance
• Total Loss Replacement

What Are The Benefits Of A RV Insurance Policy?

RV Insurance is specialized coverage different than auto insurance. When traveling in your RV, you will have additional items with you that you may not normally carry in your car. Jewelry, a computer, television, and camping gear are just a few examples. When you’re at a campsite, you are liable for other people’s safety around your trailer. Also, if you have an accident while traveling, you will need a place to stay  while the trailer is being repaired. Without an RV Insurance policy, none of these would be covered in the event of a loss. The biggest benefit is the peace of mind you receive. 

If you love the open road and seeking adventure, contact us today to get covered today. 

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Antique and classic cars are visibly different than the cars we drive today. You use them differently than your day to day car, so why treat them the same when it comes to insuring them? Antique and classic car insurance is specifically designed with your vehicle in mind.

The Basics

When insuring your antique or classic car, consider how you will be using the vehicle.

• Will you only drive the vehicle to car shows or in a few parades? If so, your policy should be limited to those circumstances.
• Are you going to use your antique vehicle to go to the grocery store, hit the beach or visit a relative? Then your policy should reflect this kind of use.

A typical classic car insurance policy includes the following:

• Agreed value coverage: Pays for the car’s full-insured value with no depreciation in the event of a total loss, less your deductible.
• Inflation guard: To compensate for inflation and appreciation, the policy increases the vehicle’s value quarterly.
• Spare parts coverage
• Flexible usage: Limits on mileage ranging from 2,500 o 5,000 miles annually. Not limited to parades.

Additional Coverage Options

You can also purchase the following additional coverage’s for you antique and classic car insurance:

• Emergency towing in case of breakdown
• Roadside assistance
• Emergency lockout
• Emergency travel expenses in case your vehicle breaks down while away from hoe
• Theft reward
• Car show expenses: This policy will pay for expenses associated with missing a car show due to a breakdown
• Personal effects: This policy will reimburse you for items that are vandalized or stolen when reported to police

Your Needs Are Unique

Since antique and classic cars are all so different, your insurance coverage will be specific to your vehicle. There are many considerations that you and your agent will discuss while creating a policy to suit your classic car. Contact us to day to build your personalized antique and classic car insurance policy.

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According to recent estimates from the Federal Highway Administration, there are over 300,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions in the United States every year. Even more concerning, nearly 2,000 of these indicents are deadly for the driver. These statisitics underscore why it’s important to take the proper precautions to avoid a collision with an animal. Whether you’re driving in the city or the country, here are some tips to keep you safe behind the wheel and prepared in the event that there are animals on the road.

Beware of Animals on the Road

• Remain alert at all times and watch out for animals.
• Slow down if you see an animal up ahead, as it is generally unpredictable.
• Slow down at designated animal crossing areas marked by road signs. These signs indicate that the area has a lot of animal traffic and an increased potential for accidents.
• Use your high beams at night to see animals easier.
• Watch your speed, especially during dusk and at night.
• Have your vehicle’s brakes and tires checked regularly to ensure they are in safe working order.
• Watch out for movement and shiny eyes on the roadsides. Slow down if you see anything suspicious. In addition, slow down on blind curve areas of the road.
• If you see an animal in front of you, do not swerve because it may cause you to hit another vehicle, side rail or lose control all together. Use your brakes immediately.
• Always wear a seat belt—it’s your best safety defense.
• Animal and vehicle collisions are especially commonplace between October and December. Make sure you are especially diligent as you drive during this time.
  

If a Collision Occurs

In the event that your vehicle collides with an animal, pull off to the side of the road and call the state patrol or local police department. Do not attempt to move the animal if it is lying in the middle of the road. Never leave your vehicle to check on an injured animal, as it may still be alive and potentially dangerous to you. Stay in your vehicle until help arrives.

For additional driving safety guidance and auto insurance solutions, contact us today.

Auto insurance can be confusing at times. Policies often contain a variety of auto insurance terms that can be difficult to understand, especially for someone without a background in insurance.

The following is a list of common auto insurance terms to keep in mind the next time you meet with your insurance broker:

• Accident report form: Sometimes referred to as a police report, this form contains important information about an auto accident, such as circumstances that led to an accident, the parties involved and details regarding the citations given.
• At fault: This term refers to the degree to which a party caused or contributed to an accident. This term is often used to determine whose auto insurance company pays for specific portions of damages incurred as the result of an accident.
• Automobile liability insurance: This refers to a type of insurance that provides coverage when a party causes an accident and either physical or property damage occurs.
• Bodily injury liability coverage: This type of insurance provides coverage for injuries or deaths to people involved in the accident other than the insured driver. This coverage kicks in if an insured person is legally liable for an accident and also provides coverage for defense costs if the insured is sued.
• Claims adjuster: A claims adjuster is a representative from an insurance company who investigates and settles claims. This person’s job is to ensure that all parties involved in an accident receive fair compensation.
• Collision coverage: A form of auto insurance that provides for reimbursement for loss to a covered vehicle due to its colliding with another vehicle, object or the overturn of the automobile.
• Comprehensive coverage: This coverage pays for any repairs not directly related to a collision. This includes damages from fires, thefts, windstorms, floods and vandalism.
• Covered loss: A covered loss is any damage to yourself, your vehicle, other people or property covered by your insurance policy.
• Declarations page: Sometimes referred to as an auto insurance coverage summary, this is a document provided by an insurance company. These documents list the following for policyholders:
  o The types of coverage elected
  o Specific limits for each coverage
  o The cost of each coverage
  o Specific vehicles covered by the policy
  o Types of coverage for each vehicle covered by the policy
• Deductible: A deductible is the portion of a covered loss that a policyholder agrees to pay out of pocket.
• Endorsement: Any change, addition or optional coverage added to an insurance policy. An endorsement may require additional premium.
• Garaging location: A garaging location refers to the primary location you park your car when it’s not in use.
• Limits: Limits refer to the maximum dollar amount of protection purchased by the policyholder for specific coverages. State laws often require drivers to have a minimum level of coverage.
• Loss: Refers to direct and accidental damages to a person or property.
• Medical payments coverage: Coverage that pays for reasonable medical expenses and death benefits to a policyholder and any passengers injured in the event of an auto accident, regardless of fault.
• Motor vehicle report (MVR): MVRs are official records held by states that detail a driver’s licensing status, violations, suspensions and other infractions incurred over the last several years. These forms are often used to determine premiums.
• Named insured: The primary person the insurance policy is issued to.
• No-fault automobile insurance: This type of coverage is used to compensate victims of accidents without having to prove who caused the accident.
• Non-owners policy: This policy provides liability and add-on coverage for someone who does not own a vehicle.
• Personal injury protection coverage: Sometimes referred to as PIP, this coverage pays for medical expenses, and, in some states, lost wages and other damages, if a person is injured in an auto accident, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage often covers pedestrians struck by vehicles as well.
• Premium: A premium is the amount a policyholder pays to an insurance company for coverage.
• Primary use: Primary use refers to how a policyholder mainly uses his or her vehicle. Primary use options often include work, business, pleasure or farm use.
• Principal driver: The principal driver is the person who drives the insured vehicle the most.
• Property damage liability coverage (PD): If an insured person is legally liable for an accident, PD coverage pays for damage to others’ property resulting from the accident. PD also pays for legal defense costs if you are sued.
• Rental reimbursement coverage: This coverage reimburses you (up to a set daily amount) for a rental car if your car is being repaired due to damage covered by your auto insurance policy.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM): This coverage helps pay for medical bills, pain and suffering related to bodily injuries caused by a driver who is uninsured or underinsured.
• Vehicle identification number (VIN): This is a unique 17-character sequence containing both letters and numbers that identifies a vehicle.

If you need clarification on any auto insurance terms or conditions when meeting with your insurance broker, don’t hesitate to ask. Doing so ensures that you fully understand your policy and get the coverage you need.

To discuss your auto insurance needs, contact Rinehart, Walters & Danner Insurance Agency today