Does car insurance cover your belongings if they’re stolen from your car?

What if your belongings are stolen from your car

What if your belongings are stolen from your car

If you drive around a lot and tend to keep your life in your car, you might keep a lot of your stuff in your vehicle. And since you keep a lot of treasured possessions in your car, you might be wondering if your car insurance would protect your stuff. What if your car is broken into and your belongings are stolen? You’d want to be able to replace your possessions. Well, you may be a little surprised at the answer, but we’ll explain what you need to know about insurance for this unfortunate situation.

What happens if your stuff gets stolen out of your car?

So – would your car insurance cover your belongings if they’re stolen out of the vehicle?

The response to that completely reasonable question is no. Your car insurance would most likely not cover your stolen belongings. If you have comprehensive coverage, it may cover the car itself if it’s stolen…but no, car insurance won’t cover your stuff if your window gets smashed and someone swipes your belongings.

But wait – listen to the rest of the answer to the question.

Your car insurance won’t cover it, but don’t despair. The bright side is that your home insurance or renters insurance might. The thing is that these policies typically come with personal property coverage that protects, well, your personal property. The nice thing about this coverage is that it typically follows your belongings, whether they’re tucked away neatly in your home or tossed across the backseat of your car.

To recap – does car insurance cover the items stolen from your car? No. Are these items covered? Quite possibly yes, but by your home insurance or renters insurance. See, you just have to know which insurance company/policy to ask for money.

Don’t forget your deductible.

The catch is that your home insurance or renters insurance comes with something called a deductible. Your deductible is the amount you agree to pay if you have a claim. For example, you might have a $500 deductible. If you have a covered $2,500 claim, you’d pay $500 and your insurance would pay $2,000. However, if you experience a car break-in and your stuff is stolen, you might not meet your deductible amount…which means your insurance may not be terribly helpful. You really have to consider the amount that the claim would be as it compares to your deductible.

What does car insurance cover?

So, this might leave you wondering about what exactly your car insurance will do for you in this situation. Shouldn’t it do something to help you? Well, yes, it can. If you have comprehensive coverage, your car insurance could help you cover the costs of repairing the broken window if it was smashed. (Comprehensive coverage is the one that can help you repair your car if it’s damaged by a covered loss such as fire, vandalism, theft, falling objects, and so on – basically, damage not caused by an accident.) And like we said, if the car itself is stolen, your comprehensive coverage could also help you cover that.

(If you only have liability coverage for your car, however, it isn’t going to help much in this situation. You’d be out of luck. You’d need to have comprehensive coverage.)

There is that little catch called your deductible once again, though. You have to consider the amount of your deductible and the cost of the damage to evaluate whether it’s worth filing an insurance claim.

Anyways, it’s super frustrating to have your car broken into, and it might leave you feeling shaken. But if necessary, you could go through your home insurance or renters insurance to replace your belongings, and you could go through your comprehensive coverage to repair the window if it was broken.

Get started with car insurance quotes or home insurance quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.

How to get a quote for Atlanta Grange car insurance

Atlanta Grange car insurance

Atlanta Grange car insurance

So, you’re on a quest for Atlanta car insurance. One option is Atlanta Grange car insurance. You’re always very busy, though, so you’re hesitant about dealing with car insurance. How can you make insurance as easy as possible? Our team can help with that. Here’s how the insurance process works.

How to get Atlanta Grange car insurance.

1. Get in touch with our team.

The first thing that has to happen at the start of the process is getting in touch with our team. Since we want to make sure that getting a quote for Atlanta Grange car insurance is as easy as possible, we have a few different ways that you can talk with our team. You can choose what works best for you. We want to provide a stress-free insurance experience.

Phone. You can just pick up the phone and give us a call if you want to have a chat about your insurance needs. We greatly appreciate a nice conversation about insurance, so we’d love to have a phone call with you to help with getting a quote for Atlanta Grange car insurance. Anyway, a simple phone call is an easy way to get started with your insurance.

Online form. You can also fill out our online form to get in touch with us and get started with your car insurance quotes. The form just lets us get some of the information we need to get your quote. The form is pretty quick, and it gives us the opportunity to collect some of the details we need. So, if you want to get in contact with our team, our form is a good way to get started.

LiveChat. We’ve got LiveChat so you can send us a message and chat with our team. It’s another quick and easy way in which you can contact us. So, if you’d rather not talk on the phone or use our online form to talk with us, you can just send us a message through LiveChat and strike up a conversation with us about your insurance.

Email/Text. If you don’t want to talk on the phone with us because you’re busy and on the go, that is completely fine. We can email or text you if that works best for you – just let us know that that’s easiest for you and we can make that happen. Email and text are both fine with us.

2. We’ll have a conversation about your insurance.

The next thing that happens is we have a chat with you about your insurance. We want to help you get you the coverage you need. We also want to make sure that we get the chance to introduce ourselves. Anyways, we won’t take up too much of your time because we know that you’re busy and can’t spend all day dealing with insurance stuff. So, we’ll just have a quick conversation about your insurance.

3. We’ll get your quote.

We can imagine that at this point you’re wondering when we’re going to actually get around to getting that quote for you. We understand – enough talk, more insurance quotes. So, we’ll go fetch your quote and prepare it for you. (That’s the whole goal of the process, right?) We know you don’t want to spend forever waiting for your insurance, so we’ll be quick about getting your Grange car insurance quote in Atlanta.

4. We’ll go over the quote with you.

The next thing that happens is we’ll go over the quote with you and let you ask any questions you have. We want you to feel good about your car insurance policy, so we’ll clarify what needs to be clarified. There’s a lot of insurance stuff that seems complicated, so we can help with any decoding if needed. So, feel free to throw any questions our way – we really love questions and talking about insurance, so it would actually make our day if you were to launch some queries our way.

5. We’ll be here to help with your insurance.

When you’ve got your insurance, we’re not going to mysteriously vanish. Let’s say a question or concern comes up. We won’t ignore you in your time of need. We’ll be here to help with anything insurance-wise. All you have to do is reach out to our team and we’ll be on the case, ready to lend a helping hand.

So, that’s how getting a quote for Atlanta Grange car insurance works. We’re here to give you an easy, stress-free insurance experience. Fill out our form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat to get started with your quote.

How to get Atlanta Travelers car insurance

Atlanta Travelers car insurance

Atlanta Travelers car insuranceIf you drive in Atlanta, you know you need the right car insurance just in case things go…awry. It’s really important to have car insurance that suits your needs. Maybe you’re considering Atlanta Travelers car insurance. If that’s the case, you might be wondering how to get a quote for Travelers car insurance in Atlanta. Well, you don’t have to do it alone. Our team of agents can help, and here’s how.

How to get Atlanta Travelers car insurance.

1. You get in touch with our team.

The first thing that has to happen, of course, is you reaching out to us. We need to know that you’re looking for Atlanta Travelers car insurance. Now, you might groan and dread having to deal with insurance, but we do our best to make things easy and convenient. We have a few different ways that you can reach out to us, and you get to choose what’s going to work for you. Here are your options.

Phone. If you prefer to talk on the phone, we can certainly manage that. When you give us a call, we can connect you with an agent who can assist you with your quote. Dealing with insurance over the phone might be most convenient for you, so you can just give us a ring. We like talking on the phone, so call away!

Online form. You can also fill out our online form to reach out to our team. The form includes several questions that help with the insurance quoting process, so it lets us collect some of hte information we need to get your Atlanta Travelers car insurance quote. So, you can fill out the quick form to let us get a bit of a head start.

LiveChat. We also have LiveChat so you can message back and forth with us about your insurance. Maybe you’re not a fan of talking on the phone, and that’s fine. LiveChat is an easy, convenient way to connect with one of our agents, who would be happy to help with your insurance needs. LiveChat with us and let us know you’re looking for Atlanta car insurance from Travelers.

Email/Text. You might not be able to talk on the phone or carry on a chat conversation with us. And that’s okay – we can email or text with you, if that’s most convenient. All you have to do is let us know that you’d prefer to email or text with us and that can be arranged. Like we said, we want to make insurance as easy as possible.

2. We’ll chat with you about your insurance needs.

We need to have a quick chat with you about your insurance needs. We want to make sure we have the information we need so we can get you the coverage that suits your needs. That means we have to ask a few quick questions and have a brief conversation about your insurance. We understand that you are very busy, though, so we won’t take too long and we’ll keep the discussion brief. We don’t want to monopolize your time with insurance matters – we know you would probably prefer to not spend all day thinking about car insurance.

3. We’ll go get your quote.

Next on the list is the part where we go forth and get your insurance quote. Our agents enjoy working at a mind-blowing speed, so we won’t keep you waiting. We’ll get you that quote in a timely manner so you don’t end up tapping your foot in impatience. Our goal is to provide a stress-free insurance experience.

4. We’ll go over the quote with you.

When we get your quote, we’ll go over the coverage with you so you won’t feel overwhelmed by the coverage and all of the insurance terms. We really enjoy talking about insurance and getting into the nitty-gritty of insurance concepts, so feel free to ask us questions to your heart’s content. We know that insurance can be stressful and scary, so we want to put your mind at ease by explaining anything about the car insurance policy that needs clarification. That’s how we like to do insurance.

5. We’ll be here to help.

We also want to help with your insurance after your policy is in place. Whenever you have a question or a concern, we want to hear about it. Reach out to our team and let us know how we can help. You don’t have to deal with insurance on your own when our agents are around. We’ll be right there with you.

And that’s how you get a quote for Travelers car insurance in Atlanta. All you have to do is reach out to our team and we would be happy to help with your insurance needs – and make insurance as easy as possible. So, fill out our online form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat and get started with your quote today.

How to get a quote for Atlanta State Auto car insurance

Atlanta State Auto car insurance

Atlanta State Auto car insurance

If you’re looking for car insurance, you might be considering State Auto car insurance. It’s important that you have the right coverage to protect yourself when you hit the road. But you might not want to deal with getting car insurance on your own – that sounds messy and complicated. We know that a lot of people don’t really like handling insurance, and we can help you get Atlanta State Auto car insurance. Here’s how that whole process works.

How to get Atlanta State Auto car insurance.

1. You get in touch with us.

We want to make insurance easy, and that means that you get to choose how you talk to our team. We have a few different ways you can get in touch with our agents. We want to make communication simple and convenient. The last thing we want is for you to feel stressed out just trying to talk to an insurance agent to get your insurance sorted out.

Phone. You might just want to have a quick phone call to get started with your insurance. Some people prefer talking on the phone and taking care of insurance with a conversation. Our agents like talking on the phone, so we would be delighted to have a call with you. You can just give us a ring and we’ll connect you with an agent who can help you with your insurance needs.

Online form. We also have an online form so you can get in touch with us through the Internet. This lets us collect some of the information we need to assist you with getting an Atlanta State Auto car insurance quote. That way we’ve already gathered some of the important details we need.

LiveChat. You can also message us on LiveChat – we have a messaging system so you don’t have to call us if you don’t want to. We love LiveChat, so feel free to jump into our messaging system and send us a note that you need car insurance. We’d be happy to chat with you.

Email/Text. If email or text is more convenient, we can do that, too. Just let us know what method of communication is best for you. We get that you’re busy and can’t always slow down long enough to make a phone call.

2. We’ll have a quick chat.

Next, we’ll introduce ourselves to you so that you can at least have a voice to place with the insurance agency! We want to make sure we have all the information we need to help you get the coverage that best suits your situation. But you don’t have to worry – we won’t take up too much of your time and you won’t be stuck talking to us all day. (We don’t take offense – we know that you probably want to spend the least amount of time possible talking about insurance.)

3. We get your quote.

The next step is that we’ll go forth and get your quote. That’s kind of the objective of the entire mission, right? To get an Atlanta State Auto car insurance quote? So that’s what we’ll do. We’ll get you that quote you need for your car insurance. We like to be lightning-fast, so we won’t keep you waiting too long.

4. We’ll go over the quote with you.

The next thing that will happen is we’ll come back to you with your quote. And since we don’t want you to feel confused or overwhelmed, we’ll go over it with you and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have. We like being helpful, and in our books that means making sure you’re good with your car insurance policy. So, throw any questions you have our way. We’re happy to field them.

5. We’ll be here.

Once you’ve got your insurance, you’re not going to be on your own. We’ll be here to answer any questions that come up or address any concerns that need to be taken care of. We won’t abandon you right when you need some assistance with your insurance. That’s not our style. We’re here to help with your insurance needs.

So, that’s how we can help you get a quote for State Auto car insurance in Atlanta. Get started with your quote by filling out our online form or giving us a call. (And if you need home insurance or renters insurance, we can help with that, too!)

What’s the difference between an insurance score and a credit score?

Credit score vs. insurance score

Credit score vs. insurance score

If your credit score has taken a few hits over the years, you may think all is lost when it comes to getting affordable insurance. However, there’s actually a little-known difference in the insurance world when it comes to getting rates or quotes. Finding better insurance premiums truly depends on your insurance score, which is different from your credit score. However, the two are very closely related. Here’s how.

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Liability vs. medical payments coverage in car insurance

Auto liability vs medical payments

Auto liability vs medical payments

So, there are a lot of different car insurance coverages out there. They all have different (often confusing) names and they all do different things. The thing is that these coverages all work together to protect you from the various risks you face when you get behind the wheel. It’s important to understand how each coverage differs from the next so that you know what risks you’re protected from. Two coverages that might seem similar at first glance are your liability coverage and medical payments coverage. We’ll explain each of these coverages and why they’re different.

What is liability insurance?

When you drive, you’re sharing the road with other drivers. What happens if you hit another driver or cause an accident? You’d have some legal responsibility to the other driver. That’s where your liability insurance comes in.

Bodily injury liability can cover the other driver’s medical bills and their pain and suffering. It can even cover the wages they lost while unable to work due to the accident.

Property damage liability can help cover the expenses of repairing or replacing the other driver’s car. (It can also cover other property that you happen to take out, such as a fence.)

It’s also important to note that your liability insurance can help cover your legal expenses if you’re sued because of the accident.

Most states require drivers to carry liability insurance to legally be able to hit the road. Georgia requires drivers to have $25,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability. Again, this is to cover your obligation to the other driver if you hit them and cause an accident. With medical expenses being what they are, it’s easy to see why this is such an important coverage.

It’s important to have high enough limits of insurance to truly protect yourself if you’re involved in an accident. You want to be able to cover the expenses you’re obligated to pay to the other driver without putting your assets in jeopardy. Serious accidents can come with some very serious expenses.

What is medical payments coverage?

Medical payments coverage, on the other hand, is a no-fault coverage that can help you cover your own medical bills – and those of your passengers – if you’re in an accident. It may also help you if you’re riding in someone else’s car and get into an accident. Plus, if you’re walking or biking and you get hit by a car, medical payments might help you cover those medical bills.

However, you need to be sure that you understand how your medical payments coverage works with your health insurance. If you have health insurance that would be there for you in the event of an accident, you might not need medical payments coverage. Make sure that you check out your health insurance to see what would happen if you’re in a car accident.

The difference.

So, the main point we’re making is this: bodily injury liability doesn’t help cover your medical bills following an accident. That’s not what it’s designed to do. (Likewise, it won’t cover your own car following an accident. You would need collision coverage to help you out in that case.) Medical payments, however, can help with those medical bills.

The other point we’re making is that it’s important to understand the coverages you have for your car and how they work. Are you covered for all the risks you face? Do you have coverages like collision and comprehensive that can help repair your car if something happens to it? Do you have coverage like rental reimbursement that can help cover the costs of renting a car if yours is in the shop following an accident?

It might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team of insurance agents can help you get the car insurance you need to make sure you’re protected when you hit the road. We strive to make insurance easy, too, so that you don’t have to worry about getting stressed out when you get auto insurance. Anyways, all this is to say that you can get in touch with our team by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat. We’re happy to help with your insurance needs.

8 things you need to know about maintaining your car

Maintaining your car

 

Whether you’ve had your car for a few months or a few years, sooner or later, you’re going to have to service all its little moving parts. It can be expensive, time-consuming, and just generally unpleasant if you’re not an auto enthusiast. But there are tons of benefits to maintaining upkeep of your vehicle. These are some of the core reasons why maintaining your car is so important.

The importance of maintaining your car.

1. You’ll have a smoother drive

The funny thing about cars is that they give you warning signs of the slightest issues, and we’re not talking about just your “Check Engine” light. There are tons of sensitive parts working together to keep your car going. If even one of these parts isn’t performing at its best, you could hear grinding, squeaking, or simply the sounds of your car working harder than usual. You might also feel a shake in the steering wheel, excess heat from the hood, or a new, weird way that your engine turns over.

In any case, regular car maintenance can catch small problems like these quickly so that you have less of a rough ride on the road.

2. It saves you money in the long run

Maintaining your car can also save you from more expensive vehicle repairs later on. If something seems expensive to repair now, the replacement cost of the malfunctioning piece is usually a lot more. For example, not getting an oil change can cause parts of your engine to fail due to a lack of lubrication between parts or warping due to temperature control.

It’s important to note that your car insurance probably won’t cover damages due to neglecting vehicle maintenance. So, if something like that does happen, you’ll need to come up with the money yourself.

3. You’ll get better mileage

Think about it like this: you would run a marathon much more slowly and with greater strain if you weren’t at peak condition than if you were, right? That’s kind of how your car works. If something is wrong with it or its parts aren’t at their best, it takes a lot more effort to run like it normally should – which means it needs more fuel to run at the same pace as a “healthy” car. So, think of maintaining your car as being good for its health.

Regular vehicle maintenance can make sure that there are no loose or cracked hoses leaking vital fluid everywhere. It can also help keep your filters and tanks clean and using all the respective fluids possible in the best way. That way, you can get the most out of each gas fill-up (which, these days, are not cheap).

4. It helps you keep control of the car

Your ability to handle a car can depend on everything from power steering fluid to alignment to certain gears. If you take your car in for maintenance, even just an oil change and tire rotation, your mechanic should be able to tell you about these issues before start struggling with your steering wheel. Some auto shops will even offer you a free diagnostic check if you tell them about your car issues, so maintaining your car can be really helpful.

5. Your tires last longer

In a regular maintenance check, a mechanic can usually tell you if there’s any uneven wear on the inside or outside of your tires. They can tell you if your air pressure is low, if your alignment is off, and if it’s time to get new tires.

(You also need to keep an eye on your tire treads to make sure your tires aren’t too worn or going bald.)

The treads on your tires are especially important for maintaining a safe stopping distance as well as driving and braking safely in the rain. So, this is definitely not a type of vehicle maintenance you want to put off.

6. Your car will last longer

Let’s turn back to our body analogy. If you feed your body the right fuel and keep your parts working well, then you’ll generally live longer. If you give your car the right fuel and keep its moving parts working properly, you’ll have the car longer. A mechanic is like your vehicle’s doctor. They check what may be wrong with your car, what you need to keep an eye out for, and how to keep its “body” healthy for the future.

7. Your car is safer overall

Even minor car issues can negatively affect the way your car drives. However, it can also affect your ability to stay safe on the roads. Of course, you want to get regular oil changes to keep the moving parts of your engine from grinding against each other. Of course, you want to replace your brake pads before they stop working while you’re driving. Still, some people neglect another vital part of their car’s maintenance that can keep you safe – how clean the car is.

Keeping your car clean, dusted, and vacuumed can help keep your cabin filters clearer, your windshield and mirrors crisper, and generally make your driving experience more comfortable. In turn, this gives you a clearer view of your surroundings, a greater sense of alertness, more attentiveness, and greater reaction times while you drive.

8. It’s the law

In some states, certain types of vehicle maintenance are required. Emissions testing has been a huge example of this in the past few years, and for good reason. Besides preventing the pollution of the environment, your emissions system can keep vital parts under your car from getting dusty, dirty, and therefore potentially damaged or not running optimally. So, check your state and city laws regarding how frequently you need to test your emissions and other systems.

There are tons of other ways that maintaining your car can benefit you in the long run. But if you keep these major reasons in mind, your next trip to the mechanic might not seem so bad.

If you’re looking for lower rates on the car insurance you need, talk to our agents today. We love making insurance easy, and we’re masters at finding the discounts that fit you. To start your free quotes on affordable auto insurance, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today.

What do I do if I hit someone’s parked car?

What do you do if you hit someone's parked car?

What do you do if you hit someone's parked car?

Even the best and most experienced drivers may hit a parked car in their driving career. You may think, “How could someone possibly hit something that’s not moving?” But it’s more common than you think. In fact, a study showed that around 69 percent of hit-and-run accidents happened to parked cars. But how can you be the responsible party if you’ve made this small oopsie? Let’s take a look.

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Am I covered if someone hits my car in a parking lot?

Are you covered if someone hits your car in a parking lot?

Are you covered if someone hits your car in a parking lot?

Imagine this – you’re in the grocery store. You’re pretty pumped because they had your favorite ice cream on sale. You walk out to the parking lot and to your car…only to have any thoughts of sundaes vanish. The rear end of your car is pretty smooshed. Someone hit your poor car. Now instead of debating topping choices your question is this – are you covered if someone hits your car in a parking lot? We’ll explain.

If the other driver left you a note with their information…

Well, it would be nice if the other driver left a note on your windshield with their name and contact information. That would be helpful – and it’s also common courtesy. If you have the other driver’s information, you can give them a call and see about getting the damage repaired through their property damage liability coverage. That could be a viable option for getting the damage repaired. (In theory, the other driver should have property damage liability insurance – Georgia requires drivers to carry $25,000 of coverage per occurrence.) Then you could get your car all fixed up.

Pro tip: Take pictures of the damage.

What if the other driver took off after hitting your car in a parking lot?

What if the other driver is nowhere to be found? They might have backed into your car in the parking lot and split. (Which is pretty rude.)

You could get the damage to your car repaired through your collision coverage. (This is the coverage that can help repair or replace your car if it’s damaged in an accident or by a, well, collision with something.) If that’s what you want to do, you might want to give your insurance company a call and let them know what happened. They can give you some guidance on how to proceed.

However, you have to consider your deductible. Are the costs of the repairs going to be higher than your deductible? If they aren’t, your insurance might not be too much help. (Your deductible is how much you agree to pay if you have a claim – you have your deductible and insurance helps take care of the rest up to the policy’s limit.)

Pro tip: Call the police and have them file a report. This could help with the insurance claim.

But – if you don’t have collision coverage and you can’t locate the other driver…that’s unfortunate. Your liability insurance won’t help cover the repairs because, quite simply, that’s not what it does. Your liability insurance can help you cover your legal obligation to the other driver if you’re at fault in an accident, but it doesn’t cover your car. Bodily injury liability can help cover the other driver’s medical bills and pain and suffering while property damage liability can help cover repairs of the other driver’s car – and possibly other property you happen to damage.) It can also cover your legal expenses if the other driver sues.

Long story short – if you only carry liability insurance, your insurance isn’t going to be super helpful. That’s not its job.

So, that’s how you could get your car repaired if someone hits your car in a parking lot. You might be able to go through the other driver’s liability insurance. Or you could go through your own collision coverage if there’s no way to get ahold of the other driver. So, you have options! Your poor car will not have to stay damaged forever.

And another option you have is choosing what car insurance you want. We can help you get quotes for your car insurance to help you get great insurance at a great rate. All you have to do to get started with your auto insurance quotes is fill out our online form, give us a call, or message us on LiveChat.

What to do if you get a speeding ticket in Atlanta

Speeding ticket

Speeding ticket

Getting a speeding ticket can put a lot of stress on your mind, your wallet, and your car insurance rates. On top of a fine or worse punishment, your insurance can take quite the hit, depending on the offense. So, what steps do you need to take after a police officer gives you that little printed sheet? Here are some tips.

What to do if you get a speeding ticket.

1. Pull the car onto a shoulder, side road, or parking lot as soon as possible.

The instant you know that the officer is pulling you over, look for a safe place, out of the way of traffic, to bring your car to a complete stop. Not stopping in a timely manner could give the officer the impression that you are trying to evade them or a negative outlook of your situation before they even speak to you. When you do stop, put the car in park and turn off the engine.

2. Have your information ready and both hands on the wheel when the officer gets to your car.

If you have time before the officer gets to your car, it can help to have your license and registration already out in the open. Use slow, even movements to retrieve your documents, roll your driver side window down, and place both hands on the wheel while the officer is approaching the car.

3. Answer the officer’s questions and respond respectfully.

The officer may ask you a few questions, and they’ll explain why they’re pulling you over. Respond to any questions honestly and respectfully. Don’t give any more information than necessary or argue. During the traffic stop, this could be construed as disobeying an officer, which could result in another charge. If you have any complaints or arguments against the tickets, save them for the court date that will be printed on the ticket (more on that later).

4. Listen carefully to the officer & be observant.

Make sure you clearly understand all of the information they’re giving you and what you’re being cited for. Note the road conditions and if there were any external factors preventing you from obeying the speed limit. The officer may also ask you to sign a document when they pull you over. The document isn’t an admission that you were speeding; it’s just an acknowledgment that you have received the speeding ticket.

What to do if you get a speeding ticket

5. After you’re given the ticket, drive safely to your destination.

You may be a little shaken up from an encounter with the police. Breathe slowly in and out before you pull off. After you’ve safely arrived at your destination, carefully read the information on your ticket. It’ll tell you how to proceed.

6. Read over the ticket carefully

Read over the ticket carefully and understand the noted reason for the stop. Make sure you know how far over the limit they registered your speed, and if they’re citing you for any other offenses. These factors can affect the number of points added to your license. In the state of Georgia, if you have 15 total points on your license within two years, you could have your license suspended.

7. Find the court date/due date of your ticket.

Every traffic ticket issued will have a court date noted on the document. This is the date on which you must appear in court if you have not paid the fine beforehand. Here’s where it’s important to understand your options:

  • Pay the fine

The easiest and quickest way that most drivers put a traffic ticket behind them is to pay the listed fine before the court date on the citation. Remember to read your ticket carefully when it comes to paying your fine. Some counties in Georgia may still require you to show up in court even if you pay the fine beforehand.

Paying the ticket may be an immediate fix, but depending on where you were issued the speeding ticket, the fine may be hundreds of dollars. Plus, the offense will be marked on your MVR, which may raise your insurance rates in the long run.

  • Take a defensive driving course.

In some cases, a speeding ticket may be dismissed if you agree to take a certified defensive driving course. You’ll need to call your local municipal court to find out if this is an option for your situation, where to take the course, and what type of documentation you’ll need to prove that you’ve attended.

  • Appear in court

You can also choose to fight your ticket in court on the date that’s printed on the citation. Before you appear, build your case noting what type of speed tracking device the officer was using, the time of day you were pulled over, and any legally justifiable reasons that you may have been going over the speed limit (i.e. a speed limit sign that was not clearly visible, a recent change in the timing of a speed limit in effect, a medical emergency, etc.) You’ll have to do some research on what a court may find to be a “legally justifiable” reason to speed.

Keep in mind that if the citing officer doesn’t show up in court on your court date, the ticket will more than likely be dismissed. But don’t count on them not showing up! Be prepared!

  • Do nothing

Of course, you could always choose to do nothing. You could choose to ignore the court date and not pay the fine. However, this would either result in your license being suspended and/or a warrant for your arrest for failure to appear in court.

Overall, it’s important to remain alert and drive at a safe speed whenever you’re on the road. Doing so can keep you and other drivers safe, save you from paying hefty fines, as well as keep your car insurance rates down. However, if you do find yourself being pulled over, it can help to know exactly what to do during and after you’re given a speeding ticket.

For other sticky situations, our agents are here to save you money on the right car insurance. We can give you quotes on the coverages that fit your specific situation at prices that fit your needs. To get started with your quotes, call us today, fill out our easy online form, or LiveChat with an insurance professional today!