car insurance

You may think that shopping for car insurance is easy enough to do on your own. If you have the right information, why not just go straight to a car insurance company? Well, there are actually tons of benefits that you may be missing out on if you go straight to a car insurance carrier. Here are 5 of the biggest advantages of working with a car insurance agency vs. a car insurance carrier.

What is the difference between a car insurance carrier and a car insurance agency?

For a client, the main difference between a carrier and an agency is the ability to choose different options. A carrier is an insurance company that will directly write and pay out a car insurance claim for only their products. An agency or insurance broker is a company made of a group of agents, or people who represent a carrier.

This is where the term “agent” can get confusing. There are captive/direct agents who work with only one carrier and independent agents who work with multiple carriers. If you use a direct agent to get car insurance, you’ll only be able to compare that particular carrier’s insurance plans. However, if you work with an independent agency, their agents can connect you with and write policies for multiple carriers. That way, you can work with someone who can help you compare different features for different plans across multiple companies.

In this way, independent agents can focus more on the client’s needs and saving the client money than direct carrier agents who are more focused on selling their company’s product. There are also other specific benefits to using an independent insurance agency or broker.

They can explain the process easily.

If you go directly to a car insurance carrier, they may start throwing terms at you that sound unfamiliar because they’re specific to that company. This may only give you a vague idea of what their policy covers. So, you may end up getting a type of coverage, limit, or rate that doesn’t quite make sense for your situation.

However, an independent agent that works with multiple carriers knows the lingo of all the different insurance companies they work with. That way, when they shop for your rates, they know which coverages are a true toe to toe comparison, no matter what each carrier calls it.

For example, one carrier may recommend umbrella insurance to help you cover costs that your regular car insurance may not. Another carrier may call this same type of insurance “excess liability.”  Another insurance carrier may add this coverage on as a rider. An independent agent will be able to truly determine if these types of insurance policies are the same and get you the best rate on what you need.

They know the exact type of policy you need.

Anyone can spit out a quote for your insurance policy if you provide surface level information. However, independent agents can dive deeper into your needs, your history, and your present situation to give you quotes on the insurance that fits your unique needs. That way, you pay for only the coverages you need and not a generalized plan generated by a computer.

They’ll take a more personal approach to your policy.

Let’s say you go through a significant life change like getting married or getting a car for your teenager. If you’ve worked directly with a carrier to get your car insurance plan, you may not talk to that specific agent again to solve an issue. You may start dealing with an automated phone system and customer service representatives who can only refer to computer notes.

If you work with an insurance agency, the agent you work with can help you manage your policy from the first call onward. They’ll understand the ins and outs of your changed situation. That way, they can work directly with you to alter your plan and still potentially save you money.

Additionally, if you have any issues with your policy, you know that there’s someone you can speak with directly – someone who already personally knows you and the history of your insurance plan. So, the independent agent can pinpoint the issue more easily than an automated system or a customer service representative who hasn’t worked with you from the beginning.

They can work with special situations.

Sometimes, major insurance companies will determine that a client or multiple clients in an area are too risky to insure. For example, you may have trouble finding affordable insurance if you have a spotty driving record, even if the reports were from years ago but are not quite off of your driving record. You may also struggle to find good rates on car insurance if you live in a coastal area or in an area that has a high crime score. Major carriers may also deny you coverage if your car is extremely expensive or if you’ve ever been non-renewed. These types of situations are considered “high-risk” for insurance companies, and they may reject or drop you from your car insurance because of cases like these.

So, while you may want to find an auto insurance carrier you’ve heard about through a commercial or word-of-mouth, but they may refuse to write your car insurance policy, or they’ll offer it to you at a higher rate.

However, if you work with independent agents, they’ll be able to use their industry knowledge to work with special carriers that will work with your unique situation. They’ll know about insurance companies that are willing to write policies for “high-risk” drivers. Plus, connections may allow them to, again, get you a better rate.

They can advise you on the discounts that are best for you.

You may know about discounts like bundling, combining policies if you’re married, multi-car discounts, etc. However, because a direct agent only has their company’s product as a point of reference, they may only recommend these options because they’re the cheapest for that carrier.

An independent agent can compare coverages across multiple insurance companies and may determine that it’s best to keep you and your spouse’s policies separate, or that it’s best not to bundle, or that you might be better off insuring different things with different carriers entirely. An independent agent can work with a much wider range of carriers to get you the most affordable options, regardless of your situation.

These are only some of the main ways you can benefit from working with an independent insurance agency like ours. To find out about the many other perks of working with our agents, just give us a call! Our agency has decades of combined experience under our belts and numerous relationships with trusted carriers. That way, we can get to know your specific situation and shop tons of options to get you unique coverage for the rates you need. Make sure you’re not missing out on the best car insurance at the best rates by filling out our online form today!

So, getting Atlanta car insurance might seem like a monumental task – and one that you’re not too keen to embark on. You may even be dreading it. To help boost your confidence about the entire ordeal, we’ve put together a list of eight tips to keep in mind when you’re getting car insurance.

8 tips for getting car insurance in Atlanta

1. First of all, remember that liability insurance doesn’t protect your vehicle.

So, the first thing to remember about getting car insurance is that liability insurance won’t cover your car. If you’re in an accident or if something else happens to your ride, your liability insurance won’t cover the bill to repair or replace it. That’s because it’s meant to protect the other driver in an accident in which you’re at fault, like so:

• Bodily injury liability: This covers the medical expenses and pain and suffering of the other driver.
• Property damage liability: This covers the repair/replacement of the other driver’s car (or other property you damage) if you’re at-fault in an accident.

(Liability insurance can also help you cover your legal expenses if you get sued.)

However, there is a way to make sure your investment in your vehicle is protected: collision and comprehensive coverage. These coverages will help you repair or replace your car, but we’ll explain each of those coverages in a second.

2. Understand the different coverages you can get for your car.

There are many different coverages you can choose for your car that will help you protect your vehicle. It’s important to understand the various coverages you can choose for your car – and how they can shield your bank account from harm.

Liability insurance – The bodily injury and property damage liability that we explained above.

Collision coverage – Helps you repair or replace your car if you’re at-fault in an accident or otherwise crash into something.

Comprehensive coverage – Helps you repair or replace your car if it’s damaged by fire, theft, vandalism, animal strike, or falling objects (i.e. tree branches.)

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) – Helps you out if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance (underinsured motorist) or who doesn’t have insurance (uninsured motorist) and can’t cover all of the expenses of an accident.

Rental reimbursement – Can help you cover the expenses of renting a car if you’re in an accident and your car has to go to the shop.

Medical payments – Helps cover the medical expenses and those of your passengers if you’re involved in an accident.

Anyways, it’s important to understand the basics of different coverages when you’re getting car insurance.

3. Make sure you get enough insurance.

It’s important to make sure that you completely cover your risk and protect your bank account. Georgia’s state minimum liability insurance limits are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability. At first glance, it might look like that’s a ton of coverage. But when you consider how much you could owe someone if you cause a serious accident, or how expensive a lawsuit could be, that amount suddenly seems a lot smaller. Those limits can quickly run dry.

Anyways, what we’re saying is that you might want to get more than the state minimum level of car insurance. You may want to set higher levels of liability coverage than 25/50/25.

Also, you might want to consider adding coverages like collision and comprehensive instead of just getting the bare minimum liability insurance. Other coverages are also essential to protecting yourself financially.

4. Give some thought to bundling.

Bundling is when you get multiple lines of coverage from the same carrier – for example if you get home and auto insurance from the same insurance company.

Why should you think about bundling?

A lot of carriers offer a discount for clients that bundle their home and auto insurance. And discounts mean that you get to save money on your insurance. It’s definitely something to think about when you’re getting car insurance.

You can also bundle your auto insurance with your renter’s insurance if you don’t have a house. Just keep that in mind.

5. Understand the different factors that affect car insurance rates.

There are a ton of things that can impact your car insurance premium. It’s not just an arbitrary number that comes out of nowhere. Many, many things go into determining your rates, including:

• Your car’s year, make, and model
• Where you live
• Your driving record (tickets, accidents, etc.)
• Claims history
• Your credit score
• How old you are
• What deductible you set
• The coverages you’ve selected

So, be prepared for the above to play a part in your premium when you get car insurance.

6. Set the deductible that works for you.

Your deductible is the amount you agree to pay if you ever have a claim. Basically, you have your chunk of the loss and the insurance company has theirs. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and then have a $3,000 loss to your car, you pay $500 and the insurance company pays $2,500.

So, when you’re setting your deductible, you have to consider how much you’re comfortably able to afford in the event of a claim. Keep in mind that if you set a higher deductible, you could get a lower premium because you’re less likely to file a claim. However, you don’t want to set your deductible so high that it would be burdensome to pay if you ever did have a claim.

7. Don’t forget car insurance discounts.

Car insurance discounts can help you save money on your car insurance. Many carriers offer discounts like the Good Student Discount, the multi-car discount, a bundling discount, and more. Check out the discounts that your carrier offers.

8. Get car insurance quotes.

It’s also important to get car insurance quotes so that you can get great coverage at a great rate. Do some research about the companies you’re considering and make sure they have a strong financial rating and good claims handling and customer service.

Get a quote for Atlanta car insurance by filling out our online form or calling us. You can also Live Chat message us to get started.

You might worry about how much your car insurance bill costs – and the toll it’s taking on your bank account. It’s a perfectly reasonable concern. Car insurance can be expensive, and you might feel that you’ll leave no stone unturned in your quest to get a lower auto insurance rate. If you’re paying more than you’d like for your insurance, you should look into different car insurance discounts to score some quick savings. One discount offered by many carriers is the multi-car discount. We’ll explain what the deal is about it and how you can get it.

What’s a multi-car discount?

The multi-car discount is, well, a discount for insuring multiple cars on a policy. (Get it? Multi-car discount?) This is a natural fit for households that have two or three cars insured with their carrier. The percentage you’ll save can depend on the carrier you’re insured with but still – any savings are helpful, and it can help offset the extra expense associated with having to get coverage for multiple cars. (Because let’s face it, that adds up.)

But the next question is this: do all the cars have to be on the same policy? Not necessarily. Generally, the cars can be on separate policies and still score a discount so long as they’re with the same carrier. So for example, let’s say you’ve got your grown-up kiddo living at home with you and they’re paying for their own, separate car insurance policy – but they’re with the same insurance carrier that you are. Or let’s say you’ve got a teenager who’s on their own policy. You may still be able to get a discount, depending on your carrier.

Sticking with the same carrier can pay off.

Keeping your insurance with one carrier can make your bank account happy. The multi-car discount is just one example.

You can also benefit from keeping your insurance with one carrier by bundling your home and auto insurance. (Basically, that means you get both lines of coverage from the same insurer.) Many insurers offer a multi-line discount. If you don’t have a house, you can still take advantage of a multi-line discount by getting your renters and auto insurance from the same carrier.

So, that’s just something to keep in mind as you get your insurance sorted out. It’s an easy way to score some savings if it’s the right choice for you.

Don’t forget about other car insurance discounts.

Why should the fun stop at the multi-car discount? There are plenty of other car insurance discounts you can consider. These are a few others you should ask about.

• Safe driver: If you go a certain amount of time without an accident, you could qualify for a safe driver discount.
• Low-mileage discount: If you don’t drive very much, you could get a low mileage discount.
• Good Student discount: High schoolers and college students (and even young adults) can get a “good student” discount if they make good marks in their classes.
• Automatic payments: You can get a discount simply by setting up automatic payments so your car insurance bill will never be late.
• Paperless discount: If you go paperless and choose to do your bill-paying online, you could score some savings.

So, that’s the scoop about the multi-car discount. It’s an easy way to save money on your car insurance premium, so be sure to ask your agent about it if you’re insuring more than one car with them. And don’t forget about other car insurance discounts! Let the savings pile up and graciously accept your bank account’s thanks.

Get quotes for great Atlanta car insurance. Message us on LiveChat, fill out our online quote form, or give us a call.

Source:

https://www.thebalance.com/how-do-i-get-a-multi-car-discount-527538

Sometimes, all of the terms and phrasing in car insurance policies can make your head spin. There can be tons of different names referring to the coverage you need, but how do you know what they mean? How do you know you’re getting the right auto insurance? Here are 10 basic Atlanta auto insurance terms to help you crack the car insurance code.

Auto insurance terms to know.

1. What does at-fault mean?

“At-fault” is basically who is responsible for an accident. It might give you someone to blame, but for your insurance company, it’s a way to determine which auto insurance carrier will pay who. If you’re at-fault, your insurance company will have to pay the other driver or their carrier. If the other driver is at-fault, their insurance company pays you or your carrier.

2. What is a covered loss?

A covered loss is an incident that your insurance can help you pay for, such as an accident or a tree falling on your car. This is a section you really want to pay attention to on your insurance policy because each type of car insurance policy doesn’t cover the same things. Plus, not every car insurance policy covers every type of damage to your car.

For instance, your auto insurance may cover the cost to repair your vehicle if you’re in an accident with another car. However, it may not pay for certain windshield repairs if it’s damaged by something other than a crash.

3. What is a declarations page?

The declarations page of your insurance is what gives you a basic run-down of what and how much your car insurance covers. It will usually include information like:

• The types of coverage you have
• The limits for each type of coverage
• The cost of each type of coverage
• Which vehicles are covered by your policy and how much coverage they have under your policy.

Your entire policy will go into more detail, but your declarations page can be a quick way to know what and how much your insurance actually covers in a sticky situation.

4. What is a deductible?

If you’ve ever had to file a car insurance claim, you’ve probably wondered why you have to pay anything out of pocket if you have insurance. Your deductible would be the reason why. Your car insurance deductible is the amount that you’ve agreed to pay out of pocket if you have a claim. (So it’s another one of the auto insurance terms on the list that has to do with money.)

For example, let’s say that your policy has a $500 deductible. If you hit a deer, and it causes $4,000 worth of damage, you would have to pay $500 out of pocket. Then your insurance would pay the rest of the repair amount, $3,500.

5. What is a coverage limit?

Your coverage limit is how much money total your insurance company is willing to pay out in a given plan year. Usually, each state has a required limit that your insurance has to cover. For Georgia, the easiest way to remember the coverage limit requirement is 25/50/25, which means you have to have at least:

• $25,000 in bodily liability coverage per person (what your insurance can pay out to another driver if you’re at-fault for an accident)
• $50,000 in total liability coverage per accident (the total amount that your insurance company can pay out to everyone in the other car in the accident)
• $25,000 in property damage coverage (the max amount that your insurance can pay to fix the other vehicle if you’re at fault in an accident)

Again, this is just the minimum coverage limit you’ll have to have to legally drive in GA. However, these limits may not be enough to fully cover someone else’s medical bills and car repair costs. So, it’s probably a better idea to get more than the minimum requirements for coverage.

6. What is an MVR?

MVR stands for Motor Vehicle Report. It’s the report that an insurance company looks at to determine how risky you are to insure and thus, what your rates should be for the year. The report is a record of your license status, traffic violations, license suspensions, and accidents.

7. Who is the named insured?

The named insured on an auto insurance policy is just who the main person who is covered on the policy.

8. What is primary use?

This is just another term for the main purpose you use your car for. Your insurance company is going to need to know this info so that they can insure you properly. Even if you use your car for personal and to travel/transport things for business, your carrier will need to know since insuring a car for that type of use is different than insuring a driver that only uses a vehicle to run errands.

9. What is a car insurance premium?

This is one of the auto insurance terms you’re probably most concerned about. Your premium is the monthly payment you make just to have the insurance policy. It doesn’t count toward your deductible and is determined by different factors, such as:

• Your driving history
• Where you live
• What kind of car you drive
• How old you are
• The primary use of the car
• The types of coverage and deductible you’ve chosen
• Your credit score

Different car insurance companies will usually determine your risk and rates in different ways. So, if you’re shocked by the sticker price of one insurance carrier, shop around for a quote. You may be pleasantly surprised. Also, be sure to ask your agent about any car insurance discounts you may qualify for. It can help you save on your monthly premium and give you room to get the auto insurance you truly need.

10. Who is the principal driver?

The principal driver is going to be the main person who’s driving the insured car, or who is using the car the most. Your insurance company may also ask about any secondary drivers, especially if you’re married, but the principal driver is usually the one that’s listed on the car title.

Now that you know some of the basic auto insurance terms, you’re ready to make informed decisions about which kind of coverage to choose. However, there are a lot more factors that go into finding the right auto insurance specific to your needs.

That’s why our agents are here. We’ll use our professionalise to find you quotes on great coverage for the best possible rate. We specialize in breaking down the nitty gritty parts of car insurance that are too complex to cover here (including going into more detail about auto insurance terms.) That way you know why your quotes make sense for your unique situation. To make sure you’re not missing out on the best car insurance coverage you can get, give us a call today, fill out our online form, or live chat with an agent today!

The situations that can cause you to file an Atlanta car insurance claim are never pleasant to deal with. The event itself can be stressful enough without having to worry about paperwork for your insurance company – whether it’s for a car theft, a cracked windshield, or an all-out car accident. Everything can be overwhelming to handle all at once. So, here are 9 tips to help you breathe easier when filing a car insurance claim.

Pro tips for filing a car insurance claim.

1. Give the police as much information as you can

Call the police, and when they arrive on the scene, tell them exactly what happened. Even if you think you may have been at fault, remain as neutral as possible. The police and your insurance company can determine fault later. For the police report, just give them the initial, factual information. The more detail the investigating officer places on your report, the better your insurance company may be able to understand the situation for your car insurance claim.

2. Take photos (and possibly video) of the damages

Take as many photos as you can of the accident. Capture the damages done to your car, the other driver’s car, and the position of the vehicles if you can. If possible, also take video of the aftermath. To make sure that you can access the photos and footage from anywhere or just to keep them safe, consider uploading the information to a cloud system – either your cell phone carrier’s, iCloud, or Google Drive.  It can help give your insurance agent and any appraisers more of a point of reference for your claim payout.

3. Ask the investigating officer for a copy of the report

After recalling and recording all of the information about the vehicle damage and the accident itself, make sure you get a copy of the police report to show to your insurance company. Some carriers require a copy of the police report to file your claim; some don’t. However, it never hurts to have a copy of the report just in case.

4. Write down the information of any drivers involved

If you were in an accident, take down the information of the other drivers involved, whether it was a one-on-one accident or a pile-up. Remember, the only type of information you need to exchange is:

• First and last names
• Best contact numbers
• License plate numbers
• The make, model, year, and VIN of the vehicles
• The name and phone number of the other drivers’ insurance companies
• Auto insurance policy numbers

However, take care when exchanging information and only give what’s necessary. Some people can use other forms of information to steal your identity. Your insurance company should be able to file your claim only using the information above. However, if they can’t, they’ll ask you or the other driver to provide additional details that will just stay with the insurance company’s records.

5. Write down the information of any witnesses

If there were any witnesses that were willing to stick around when the police showed up, take down their names and numbers as well. They may be able to help your case when filing a claim or if you end up going to court.

6. Try to get the names and badge numbers of the emergency responders on the scene

Ask the police officers and the EMTs if they will give you their badge numbers and names. If you have to refer to someone who was on the scene or who was investigating the incident, it could help you identify the specific person who gave you the original information on the case or your injuries. It could also help your insurance company find any additional information that you could not provide on your own.

7. Write down as many details about the incident as soon as you can after the accident.

Time can do a lot of things – heal, fly by, bring a lot of changes – but it can also play tricks with your memory. So when you have to file a claim to your car insurance, your account of events right after the incident will probably be the truest to form and have the most detail.

So as soon as you get to a computer or a pen and paper, write down everything about the incident exactly as you remember. If you feel so inclined, you could even record yourself retelling the story and time-stamp the footage. In either case, no detail is too small. If your insurance company or a court only wants certain details, you’ll have the very least that they’re asking for. Having an account of the accident can’t hurt when it comes to filing a car insurance claim.

8. Keep track of all the correspondence you have about your claim

Whenever you speak to your insurance company, your lawyer, your car repair service, your rental car service, or anyone else you’ve had to speak to as a result of a car-related incident, take notes. With every interaction, make sure you note the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and their title. Take notes on important information about the conversation and keep it all in one place.

If you’re in an accident, do NOT talk to anyone else about the accident itself besides your lawyer, your insurance company (not the other drivers’), and the police. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you directly, you can politely decline and ask them to speak with your insurance company or your lawyer.

9. Keep track of any expenses that come about because of the accident.

Find out what type of parts will be used for your repair BEFORE any repairs take place. Your insurance carrier is going to need to know if your vehicle is being repaired using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or aftermarket parts so that they can properly compensate you for the repairs. Also, keep track of other expenses that might come up because of the accident.

Navigating the process of making a car insurance claim can seem a little overwhelming. Hopefully, these tips can give you a framework to work from when keeping track of the process. However, when you’re looking for more detailed help, it helps to have an experienced insurance agent on your side.

Our insurance professionals know how to protect you before an incident with the right insurance. We can help you make sure that you have the coverage you need and save you money. Call us today or fill out our online form to make sure you’re not missing out on the best, affordable Atlanta auto insurance coverage you can get.