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

If someone were to ask you what was covered under your auto insurance policy, would you be able to tell them? Like most of us, you would probably have a hard time confidently answering that question. Interpreting the various types of coverage offered under your auto insurance policy can be tricky. But it can also be extremely beneficial. The more you understand your policy, the more peace of mind you have knowing you are sufficiently covered in an accident. To help you develop a better understanding of your policy, here are six types of coverage that it may include.

6 Types of Auto Insurance Coverage 

1) Liability Coverage

Purchasing auto liability coverage can offer you financial assistance in the event that you are found liable for a vehicle-related incident. In most states, you are required to have two forms of liability coverage in order to meet the state’s minimum auto insurance requirements. The two forms of liability coverage offered are:

• Bodily injury liability: Bodily Injury liability coverage pays for medical expenses caused by an incident for which you are found at-fault. If you or others listed on your policy were to injure a third party with your vehicle, it would be covered under your bodily injury liability coverage. Not only does bodily injury liability cover medical expenses, it can also help cover lost wages of the injured party.
• Property damage liability: Similar to bodily injury liability, if you or someone on your policy collide with another person’s vehicle or property, your property damage liability coverage will assist you in paying for repair or replacement costs.

2) Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage

Unlike bodily injury liability coverage, PIP is designed to cover medical costs, lost wages and other expenses for you, drivers listed on your policy and passengers in your vehicle who may become injured due to a car accident. Regardless of who is deemed at-fault. As such, it is also referred to as “no-fault” coverage. PIP coverage is not offered in all states. Since PIP requires your insurance company to help cover expenses regardless of who’s at fault for the incident, having PIP coverage typically results in higher premium costs.

3) Collision Coverage

Damage to your vehicle from a collision with another vehicle or object should be covered under your collision coverage. Collision coverage is typically required if your car is still being financed. But, once your car is paid off, you often have the choice to keep or remove collision coverage from your auto policy. Although your policy may be cheaper without it, collision coverage can be beneficial in helping you cover damages to your vehicle for which you are found at-fault. If the damages were caused by a third party, it would be up to their insurance company to cover the damages.

4) Comprehensive Coverage

Simply put, comprehensive coverage provides insurance for losses caused by anything that isn’t covered under your collision coverage. Such as losses from natural disasters, riots, vandalism and contact with an animal. If a tree were to get struck by lightning and fall on top of your vehicle, your comprehensive coverage could help cover damages to your vehicle from the incident. Although comprehensive insurance tends to have lower premiums than collision insurance, the cost can vary depending on your deductible amount and policy limits.

5) Uninsured Motorist Coverage

A recent study by the Insurance Research Council revealed that, in the United States, roughly 1 in 8 drivers are uninsured. Having uninsured motorist coverage can ensure you are protected in the event that your car is involved in a hit-in-run or if you get in a car accident with an uninsured third party. Let’s say you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage—if an uninsured individual were to crash into your vehicle, resulting in major repair costs and medical expenses, you could be financially responsible for all of your vehicle repairs and medical bills.

6) Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Much like uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage applies if you are involved in an accident with an individual who doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover all of the damage to your vehicle or your medical bills. For example, if your claim exceeded the other driver’s policy limits, underinsured motorist coverage would help cover the remaining balance of the claim after the third party’s insurance limit was reached. Both underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage are required in some states, while it still remains optional in others.

Contact Us

For more information on the various types of coverage offered under your auto insurance policy, or for more information on your current policy, contact Rinehart, Walters & Danner today!

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