Auto Insurance

When you’re looking at your monthly Atlanta car insurance payment, you might wonder how exactly the insurance company came up with that number. Did they just pick a premium out of the air? We get that it may feel that way, but the truth is that there are many factors that affect the cost of car insurance. These factors can be separated into two categories: details about you and details about your car. We’ll explain how insurance companies set car insurance rates.

What factors affect the cost of Atlanta car insurance?

Insurance companies want to know about you when they’re determining your car insurance rates. They’ll want to know where you live, what kind of driving record you have, your age, and so on. These details matter to your Atlanta car insurance rates because they give the insurance company an impression of how risky you are to insure. For example, they’ll look at the following…

• Your age- Young drivers often pay more for car insurance because they have less experience on the road and are at a higher risk of having an accident. Atlanta teen car insurance will probably cost more than car insurance for an adult.
• Marital status- Another problem for hopelessly single people to be worried about. Drivers who are single get into more accidents than drivers who are married, so married drivers could see lower rates if they have clean driving records.
• Driving record- If you have a history of a series of automobile accidents, you may pay substantially more than someone with a clean record. That’s because you’re seen as being more likely to have another accident and cause another claim. There are many benefits to being a safe driver, and car insurance rates are one of them!
• Credit score – Your credit score may be a factor in your car insurance rates. If you have a good credit score, you could see lower car insurance rates.
• Location- Where you live can alter how much you pay. A small, quiet town is going to have significant differences in car insurance prices compared to a loud, sleepless city. Living in a busy urban environment comes with certain risks – such as traffic, theft, and potential damage to your vehicle. That is another component that going to influence how much you are going to pay.

While details about yourself, such as your driving record and where you live, play a part in determining your car insurance premium, there is additional information that insurance companies need to calculate your car insurance rates. They also use details about your vehicle to figure out what your rate will be. The following are some of the more car-related factors that influence your Atlanta car insurance rates:

• The car itself- The amount of coverage you will want on your car varies greatly depending on the type of car you drive. The size of the vehicle and its engine can also play a part in determining your rates.
• Purpose- Why is it exactly that you’re using this car? Is it a secondary luxury car you use on weekends or is it used to fulfill job obligations? Or are you using it to drive to your university campus across town? Insurance companies realize that constant use is going to increase your risk of getting into an accident.
• How many miles you drive – The question of how much you drive matters because more mileage each year increases the probability of a wreck.
• Safety features- Does your car contain recent vehicle features such as anti-theft protection? Can this vehicle protect you and keep your passengers safe should an accident occur? Your insurance company may inform you that you qualify for certain rewards!

These details are essential to insurance companies when they establish your automobile insurance premium. Details about your driving habits and, well, yourself help them figure out how much a risk you are to insure. And all of these things together factor into your Atlanta car insurance rates. So, no, your car insurance premium isn’t just an arbitrary number the insurance company picks out of thin air. There’s a lot of reasoning that goes into it.

If you’re looking for car insurance in Atlanta, we can help. Our team of insurance professionals can help you shop for the best insurance at the best possible rate. By getting multiple quotes, you can save money on Atlanta car insurance. You can get started with your Atlanta car insurance quotes by filling out our online form or calling us today.

Source:

https://www.moneycrashers.com/factors-affect-car-insurance-rates/

Insurance can get a little complicated. If you’re dealing with your car insurance, you might be operating under certain assumptions that are widely believed to be facts…but that maybe aren’t as true as you think they are. It’s important that you’re equipped with all the facts when you handle any type of insurance, so we’re going to debunk 13 popular car insurance myths. Let the debunking begin!

Car insurance myths: Debunked

1. Myth: Red cars are more expensive to insure.

What’s the truth? This one is a classic myth and widely-held belief, but it’s actually not true. Red cars do not cost more to insure than cars of other colors. The logic behind this myth is that the type of person who wants a red car is more of a risk-taker, meaning they’re more likely to speed and drive recklessly, leading to more tickets. But the insurance company really doesn’t care about the paint job your car has – they care about how safe the vehicle is. They want to know the make, model, year, and so on.

So, don’t let this myth hold you back. If you really want that fire-engine red car, go for it. Don’t let car insurance myths get in the way.

2. Myth: Your car insurance will repair or replace your car if you’re in an accident.

What’s the truth? If your car is damaged, your car insurance will only pay to repair or replace it if you have collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage can repair or replace your car if you’re at-fault in an accident. Comprehensive coverage can pay to repair or replace your car if something other than an accident (fire, animal strike, vandalism, falling objects like trees) damages it.

If you only have liability coverage, your insurance will only pay for your legal obligation to the other driver in the accident – their medical bills, lost wages, car repairs or replacement, and so on. You would be out of luck when it comes to the repairs to your own car.

3. Myth: Comprehensive insurance covers mechanical repairs.

What’s the truth? Unfortunately, this is one of those car insurance myths that is blatantly false. Comprehensive coverage will cover losses such as fire, vandalism, animal strikes, and objects that randomly crash from the sky (like trees.) It even covers theft. But a  whacky transmission? Nope. You’re on your own.

4. Myth: Belongings stolen from the car are covered under auto insurance.

What’s the truth? It’s actually your home insurance or renters insurance that might help you out here. But you have to consider your deductible.

5. Myth: It’s less expensive to get insurance online.

What’s the truth? The Internet is useful for a lot of things. Your car insurance? Well, maybe not so much. There are lots of advantages to working with an actual, real-live person. A good, trustworthy insurance agent can help you make sure that you’ve got the coverage you need to fully protect your vehicle and your liability. They can make sure you’re not underinsured, which means that you won’t be diving between the couch cushions for change if you have a claim.

If you buy insurance online but don’t get high enough limits of coverage, you could be facing a huge financial loss if you’re in a bad accident. Besides, that computer can only go so far in understanding your unique insurance situation. Real agents can take the time to get to know you – and another cool trick? They can help you get car insurance discounts. Bonus!

6. Myth: The insurance company only looks at my driving record – my tickets and accidents.

What’s the truth? Insurance companies look at many details about you and your vehicle to determine your car insurance rates. They consider your age, the car you drive, what the car is primarily used for, how many miles you drive, and your credit score. So, as you can see, it’s way more than just your driving record. (Although of course being a safe driver can help you avoid accidents and keep your car insurance rates down.)

7. Myth: Smaller cars are less expensive to insure.

What’s the truth? Well, it depends on the coverage you have on it. If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, it could be a bit pricier because a small vehicle will sustain more damage in an accident than a larger vehicle. Think about what would happen if a two-seater convertible rear-ended an SUV.

Exactly.

8. Myth: If I total my car, insurance will pay the rest of the amount on my loan.

What’s the truth? Not quite. The insurance company will pay the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle at the time of the accident – well, less your deductible, which you have to pay. The problem is that the ACV of your vehicle might not be enough to cover the rest of what’s left on your loan since car values depreciate so quickly. If you owe more on your loan than the vehicle is worth when you have an accident and total the car, you would have to pay the difference. You would need gap coverage to fill this difference.

9. Myth: A car that cannot be driven away from an accident is totaled.

What’s the truth? The insurance company decides if the car is totaled based on the amount of damage it sustained. If the amount for the repairs is above a certain percent of the value of the car, it could be declared a total loss.

10. Myth: An out-of-state ticket can’t follow me back to my state.

What’s the truth? Actually, it can. And it will. Just because you were in Tennessee for the weekend does not mean the ticket you got in Nashville goes away the second you cross the Georgia border. That ticket will be with you.

11. Myth: Newer cars cost more to insure.

What’s the truth? Your insurance rate really depends on the car itself. Your premium depends on the year, make, and model of your new ride.

12. Myth: I shouldn’t worry about my old car getting stolen. No one’s going to take it.

What’s the truth? Actually, old cars are often targets of theft. It seems a bit backward, but car thieves can get more money for car parts coming from older-model vehicles. Who would have thought? And besides, it’s usually easier to steal an older vehicle, and car thieves are looking for the easy take. Your car may have many miles on it and a few scrapes and dings, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take steps towards preventing a car break-in or theft.

13. Myth: The state minimum level of car insurance is fine.

What’s the truth? This is perhaps one of the most dangerous car insurance myths out there. You will probably want to get more than the state minimum level of insurance. Georgia’s minimum limits of auto insurance are $25,000 bodily injury per person, $25,000 property damage liability, and $50,000 of bodily injury per accident (meaning all people in the accident.) Yes, at first glance that seems like a lot of money. But if you’re in a very bad accident and you end up getting sued, that amount suddenly looks much, much smaller. You will probably want more liability coverage than the state minimum to fully protect yourself financially.

(And Georgia does not require collision or comprehensive coverage, which will pay to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged. If you only have the state minimum requirement, that’s just liability coverage. Should something happen to your beloved car, you’d be out of luck.)

As all of the above car insurance myths show us, not everything you hear or assume about car insurance is true. It’s important to get all the facts from a trusted insurance agent and advisor. Our team here at Atlanta Insurance would love the opportunity to become that trusted advisor to you. We can answer your car insurance questions and help you shop for the best insurance at the best rate. We’ll go over your coverage options with you so you know you’re getting good intel (and not just car insurance myths.) And we’ll help you save money on car insurance. Get in touch by filling out our online quote form or giving us a call today.

Source:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/chi-car-insurance-myths-201112223-story.html

https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2014/10/21/344167.htm

When we think of the rainy season, we usually think about the summer. Or April. But one of Georgia’s rainiest months is actually February. So, it seems like a good time to go over some tips for driving in the rain. Driving in the rain puts many people’s nerves on edge, but with these tips, you can take care and stay safe in the rain.

1. Check your car before you depart.

Make sure that your car is ready to take a trip in the rain. Check that your brake lights, turn signals, and headlights are all functional – it’s really important that you’re as visible as possible in the rain. Replace any windshield wiper blades that aren’t doing their job very well. Lastly, check your tires. They should have a good tread depth; bald tires do not get as much traction on the road as newer tires with proper tread depth, which makes them dangerous. It’s also a good idea to check your tire pressure, especially when it’s cold.

2. Slow down.

When it rains, you need to slow down and take it easy. You don’t want to hydroplane. Hydroplaning is when the tires of a car actually rise off the asphalt and coast on top of the water.

Anyway, all of this is to say that it’s important to take it slow when it’s raining. It’s also a good idea to slow down early and gently if you’re coming to an intersection, a turn, or another traffic stop. Give yourself time to come to a stop safely.

3. Increase your following distance.

Leave plenty of room between your car and the car in front of you. When the roads are slippery, it takes more time for your car to come to a stop, so you need to give yourself some personal space. Rain can lead to more traffic, too, which makes it especially important to leave lots of room in front of your car. Handling Atlanta traffic is not easy sometimes.

4. Avoid braking hard and turning sharply.

If you jam on your brakes, your car could skid. When you come to a turn, slow down and take it easy.

5. Turn on your headlights and windshield wipers.

Headlights help other drivers see you when you’re driving in the rain, and windshield wipers help you see other drivers. It’s hard enough to see clearly in the rain – help yourself out by activating your headlights and wipers.

6. Try to avoid pools of standing water.

It’s easy to hydroplane if you go through a puddle too fast. If you can, try to safely avoid driving through standing water on the roadways by changing lanes. At the very least, slow down before reaching the water. But remember – don’t slam on the brakes.

7. Know how to handle hydroplaning.

If you get into a situation where your tires lift off the road, it’s important to do a few things:

• Don’t slam on the brakes. It’s a knee-jerk reaction, but try to resist it.
• Take your foot off the gas.
• Hold the wheel steady and gently steer in the direction you’re skidding if that’s what the car needs to do.

8. Postpone any trips that aren’t strictly necessary.

If it’s bucketing down rain and you don’t have to be out on the road, try to reschedule your trip or postpone it. Of course, there are times when it can’t be helped and you have to drive in the rain, or maybe you’re already on the road and it starts pouring. But if it’s at all possible, you may want to take a literal rain check.

Driving in rain is not something most people like to do. Slick roads and poor visibility are definitely not ideal driving conditions. It’s important to remember to slow down, increase your following distance, and turn on your headlights and windshield wipers. Stay calm and keep your attention on the road – definitely no texting and driving in the rain. Remember, there are many benefits of being a safe driver, and that means knowing how to handle the rain.

If you want to save money on your car insurance, we can help. Our team of insurance professionals are pros at helping people shop for the best rate on their auto insurance. All you have to do to get car insurance quotes is fill out our online form or give us a call.

Sources:

https://driving-tests.org/beginner-drivers/how-to-drive-in-rain/