Do I really need to read my car insurance policy?

Read car insurance policy

Read car insurance policy

Getting the right car insurance policy can seem like a long, stressful process. By the time you’ve gotten everything squared away, reading over the terms and conditions can seem like an unnecessary waste of time. However, there can be some hefty consequences to skipping over this bit of helpful homework. Here are a few reasons you should read through your auto insurance policy, even after you’ve gone over it verbally with your agent.

Why should you read your car insurance policy?

1. Make sure you understand what’s covered.

Every year, people end up losing money or paying more out-of-pocket costs after an accident because they didn’t properly understand what their car insurance policy covered. Your auto insurance is there to protect you and your car in an emergency. However, your policy will only cover certain accidents and instances that are specifically outlined in your policy. So, reading up on your policy is a key part of truly understanding the certain sticky situations that your car insurance can help you out of.

2. Make sure everything is correct

This goes beyond just checking how your name is spelled or that your contact information is actually yours. (Although, you should make sure this information is correct.) You’ll want to read through your policy to make sure you’re actually getting the coverage you wanted and that you believe you’re paying for. Instead of going up the creek without a paddle, read through your policy to make sure that all of your coverages are there and take the opportunity to ask your agent any questions about what is and isn’t included in your car insurance.

3. Understand when you have to pay your premium

Your auto insurance premium is the amount you have to pay just to have insurance coverage. Many people assume that this is a monthly payment amount. However, different carriers offer different ranges of available payment options, including monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually (the last of which may help you get a discount on your car insurance). So, it’s important to read through your policy to know exactly when your car insurance payment is due. That way, you can prevent lapses in coverage and keep your insurance rates low.

4. Prepare to pay your deductible amount

Your car insurance deductible is the amount you’ve agreed to pay in repairs or damages before your policy starts paying in full. But that’s not the only thing you’ll need to know about your deductible. You’ll also need to keep in mind that:

  • Your deductible can affect your premium
  • Deductibles are different depending on your policy.
  • Your deductible on one type of coverage may be different than another.

Reading through your entire policy can help you prepare for what you may pay after an accident. That way, you can set aside enough money to cover your deductible for whatever type of coverage you use before you urgently have to use it.

5. Learn how much coverage you have and in what circumstances

Additionally, there’s a limit to what your insurance will cover – literally. Reading through your car insurance policy entirely can help you understand how much your insurance policy can help you cover and when. Different scenarios call for different coverages, and different coverage may have different amounts that you’re covered for. If you only have a brief overview of how much your insurance might cover in a general sense, then you risk not having enough coverage for a certain situation when you need it.

6. Know when your coverage starts and stops

Just because you’ve made the decision to get car insurance, chosen a carrier, and chosen a plan, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your car insurance is in effect. Each policy has what’s known as an effective date, and a driver isn’t covered under that policy until that date. This means that if you’re starting a new insurance plan or you’re in between plans and you drive before your new effective date, you won’t be covered until your policy actually says you are.

Reading your policy to find this date is the best way to prevent car insurance lapses or even just the charge of driving without insurance (which is illegal all over the nation).

7. Generally, just feel good about where you’re putting your money.

In any case, it’s just good to know why you’re spending your money and how it’s being spent. Car insurance may be a legal requirement, but if you don’t know much about it, the whole process can seem like a big waste. In fact, many people think car insurance to be a nuisance that only costs them more money the more they use it.

Reading your policy, on the other hand, can help you see all the neat things that your car insurance does help you with, whether it’s an accident or a crack in your windshield. It can help people understand that you’re investing in a great amount of help in your future and peace of mind.

Of course, you may not be able to recite your policy forwards and backwards after you read it. In fact, you may not be able to read it all in one go. Your auto insurance policy may be a long-winded document but taking it in though bite-sized pieces every so often can help you truly understand and feel protected in the policy you choose.

our agents can also help you feel confident in the coverage and rates you choose for your car insurance. We’re here to walk you through getting free, customized quotes on the auto insurance you need in the easiest way possible. To start your best insurance experience, call us today, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today.

What happens with car insurance if a friend borrows my car?

What if a friend borrows your car?

What if a friend borrows your car?

There may come a time when a good friend wishes to borrow your car. Maybe they’re a great friend and they’re a good, safe driver who’s responsible behind wheel. So, without too much hesitation, you decide to agree – your friend just needs a set of wheels for a little bit, and you trust them. You are, however, a little bit curious about the auto insurance situation. Will a friend who borrows your car be covered, and how? We’ll explain.

What happens if a friend borrows my car?

Typically, car insurance will follow the vehicle itself. And that means that your friend would be covered by your auto insurance if they’re borrowing your car. (For that reason, you’ll want to be careful when deciding who’s allowed to borrow your car!)

If your friend only needs to use your car from time to time, your friend likely is covered by your insurance. However, insurance rates aren’t only about your car – they’re also about the primary driver of the vehicle. So, should your friend start driving your car a lot or more than you do, you may want to add them to your policy – that can help you avoid headaches down the, err, road – pun intended.

At any rate, be careful who you lend your car to! You want to lend your vehicle to people who will treat it as if it were their own – ideally, even better than their own.

What if you borrow your friend’s car?

But then there’s the reverse situation – what if you borrow a car from your friend? Well, hopefully, all goes well and you return the car to your friend without a scratch on it. That would probably be best for all involved!

Unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go according to your plans. You might have every intention of returning the vehicle in good condition, and maybe even with a full tank of gas, but what if that plan is rudely thrown off-course?

So here’s a situation – what if you borrow a friend’s car, but you get into an accident? What happens? Well, their insurance would most likely kick in first. (Basically, it’s the reverse of what happened in the previous hypothetical we described where a friend borrowed your car.) So, it might be an awkward conversation with your friend, but yes – it’s likely that they’re going to see their insurance step up first. But – yes, there’s a but – if they don’t have high limits of insurance and the accident exhausts them, your insurance could be up next. Just something to keep in mind before you roll down the street in the borrowed vehicle.

So, in summary, if your friend borrows your car, your car insurance likely follows the car. (So, think hard before handing over your keys to someone!) And to reverse the situation, if you borrow a friend’s car and then get into an accident, their insurance will likely be up first to cover it. If their limits are exhausted, your insurance might step in next. So be prepared for that and maybe have a conversation before any cars are borrowed and driven away.

Speaking of insurance, you can get car insurance quotes by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us. Our insurance professionals would be happy to help with your insurance needs.

How to get Atlanta Nationwide car insurance

Atlanta Nationwide car insurance

Atlanta Nationwide car insurance

Your car is one of your most valuable possessions, most likely, and you’re determined to protect it. You’re also determined to protect yourself financially in case you get into an accident. To make a long story short, you want to get car insurance. And you’re really after Nationwide car insurance, as you’ve heard a lot about the insurance company that’s on your side. But you’re wondering how to get Atlanta Nationwide auto insurance. We can help with that mission.

How to get Atlanta car insurance from Nationwide.

No matter where you live in the metro Atlanta area – Sandy Springs, Decatur, Kennesaw, Marietta, East Point, Roswell, or any other Atlanta suburb – we can help you get an auto insurance quote from Nationwide. That’s what we do! But how does it work, you ask? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the quote process.

1. Let us know you’re looking for Atlanta Nationwide car insurance.

The process starts when you reach out to us and tell us that you need a quote for Atlanta Nationwide car insurance. From there we can get you on your way to getting a policy that suits your needs.

We want to make the car insurance process as easy as possible, so we have a few ways you can contact us.

You can call us.

If you prefer to talk over the phone, all you have to do is give us a call. We’d be happy to discuss your insurance needs by phone – we know sometimes it’s easier to just talk on the phone instead of playing email tag.

You can fill out our online form.

You can also reach out to us with our online form. The form just allows us to gather some information that we need to get your car insurance quote from Nationwide. That way we’re prepared to get right to it and quest for that quote!

LiveChat.

You might not want to talk on the phone or use an online form. Maybe LiveChat messages are more your speed. That’s fine – one of our insurance agents can message back and forth with you if that’s most convenient.

Email/Text.

If your preference is to talk via email or text, we can do that, too. Just tell us that email or text is most convenient for you and we’ll be happy to oblige. Sometimes you have to handle insurance matters on the go!

Life gets busy, and as we want to make insurance easy, we want to communicate through whatever channel is most convenient for you. Don’t be shy about letting us know that you need to email or text.

2. You’ll talk with one of our agents.

The next step is having a quick chat with one of our agents. They’ll have a few questions for you so they can get to know you and understand your situation. We treat each client as an individual with unique insurance needs. At any rate, our agent will talk with you by phone, email, text, or chat to get the information they’ll need to get your Atlanta car insurance quote from Nationwide.

3. We’ll get your quote.

The next thing that happens is that we’ll get your Atlanta Nationwide auto insurance quote – the moment you’ve been waiting for! We’ll take the information you gave us and retrieve that quote for you.

4. We’ll present the quote to you.

Insurance can feel overwhelming, so we won’t just throw the quote at you and leave you hanging. We’ll explain the details of the quote and take the time to answer any questions you might have. This is a serious thing, and we want you to feel comfortable with your car insurance policy and like you’ve got a handle on your coverage.

5. Our team is here for you.

Once you’ve got your Atlanta Nationwide car insurance squared away, we’re not going to vanish into radio silence. If you think of any questions or you need to make adjustments to your coverage, just let us know. We’re here to troubleshoot any insurance requests or issues that come up down the line. Leaving people high and dry isn’t really our style.

And that’s how you get Nationwide auto insurance quotes in Atlanta. You might be in Alpharetta, or maybe Peachtree Corners. Perhaps you live in Milton, or perhaps you’re looking for Nationwide car insurance in Douglasville. You might be a long-time Atlanta dweller or maybe you’re moving to Atlanta. Wherever you are in the Atlanta area, we can help you with Nationwide auto insurance. We’re just a phone call, quote form, or LiveChat away.

How does a car insurance deductible work?

How does a car insurance deductible work?

How does a car insurance deductible work?

When you’re talking to your agent about car insurance, they may mention a little thing called a “deductible.” You may be a little confused about this amount you may have to pay in addition to your monthly premium, but it’s vital to the way that insurance works and what can make your policy and your rates work for you. Here’s how.

What is a deductible?

If something happens to your car, your auto insurance deductible is the amount you’ve agreed to pay – your insurance has its part, you have your part. For example, let’s say you have a $500 deductible. You’re in an accident where the damages total $2,000. You would have to pay the $500 deductible, and your car insurance would pay the rest of the money to fix your car ($1,500) so long as it’s a covered claim.

We say your car because a car insurance deductible typically applies to collision and comprehensive coverage. If you only have bodily injury and property liability coverage, your insurance company will probably just pay the other driver’s fees. However, the claim could make your rates go up for next year.

Why do I need collision/comprehensive insurance?

While Georgia requires bodily injury and property damage liability, these coverages are only to cover your responsibility to the other driver in an accident. Collision and comprehensive coverage are the types of coverage that can help you repair damage to your car. Without those, you’ll have to pay the entire amount of your car repairs out-of-pocket. So, a deductible, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t that bad.

What is a car insurance deductible?

Is it worth going through my car insurance for a repair?

Additionally, some things aren’t really worth going through your car insurance because of your deductible. For example, let’s say you have a $250 repair bill for your car. If you have a $500 deductible, you would have to pay out-of-pocket for the total amount of the repair anyway. Because the repair isn’t more than the deductible, it might not be worth it to file a claim for something you’d pay for out-of-pocket anyway.

Similarly, if you had a $600 repair and a $500 deductible, you may just want to take care of the repair yourself instead of making your insurance pay the extra $100, potentially raising your rates next policy term. However, if you have a much higher repair bill than your deductible, by all means, let your insurance help you out!

How does my deductible affect my car insurance?

The thing about deductibles is that they can affect your premium. So, if you’re already paying more for your monthly premium, you can have a lower deductible because you’ve, in a sense, already “paid (part of) your dues” on a monthly basis.

On the other hand, if you choose a higher deductible, your insurance company can see it as you taking more financial responsibility if you have to repair your car. So, they can lower your monthly premium/payment into the risk pool. It’s all a balancing act.

How do I choose my deductible?

So, what does all this mean for you? Well, it means you can be a little more informed in the deductible you choose. That way, you can customize your auto insurance policy for your needs. A good place to start considering the deductible you want is by asking yourself these questions:

How much would I be able to pay if I filed a claim?

Budget for how much you could reasonably pay if you had to repair your car. What amount could you put into your car without being significantly set back in your finances? Your insurance is there, ultimately, to help you. Don’t let it hurt you.

Am I willing to have a higher monthly payment or higher repair costs later?

If you believe you’re able to pay out more every month for your car insurance, and you don’t think something will happen later, go ahead and choose a lower deductible. Accidents happen, even to safe drivers. Still, if you’re not in a high-risk situation that could affect your auto insurance rates, you may be comfortable taking the chance that you won’t have to pay a deductible later on.

However, if you think you won’t be able to afford higher monthly payments, but you would be able to save up gradually for your deductible, choosing a higher deductible and a lower monthly payment may be for you. Remember, though, that your car insurance deductible doesn’t build on itself like health insurance. Each claim that you file means that you have to pay that deductible for that claim. So, if you have a $500 deductible, and 2 claims throughout your policy term, you would have to pay $500 for each of those 2 claims.

Do I still have to pay a deductible if I’m in an accident, but I’m not at fault?

It depends on the direction you want to take. If you want to ensure that your rates won’t go up, you could go directly through the other driver’s insurance policy to have your car repaired. However, going through another carrier may take longer than expected.

If you have collision coverage, you could go through your insurance to have your car repaired more quickly. In this case, you may end up paying your deductible while your insurance takes care of their part of the repairs. Then your insurance would subrogate (ask the other driver’s insurance company for money) and reimburse you for your deductible.

Overall, deductibles and premiums are a fine balancing act between your premiums, your coverage, and your budget. It can be tough to navigate. That’s why our car insurance professionals are here to help you every step of the way. We’ll walk through your risks so that we give you quotes and discounts on auto insurance that fit your needs. To get started, just give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with an agent today!

How to get Atlanta Safeco car insurance

Atlanta Safeco car insurance

Atlanta Safeco car insurance

If you have a car, you know you need to protect yourself financially. Not only do you need to protect the car itself, but you also need to protect yourself in the event that you cause an accident. And that’s why car insurance is so important. You’re wondering about Safeco car insurance and whether it would be a good fit for you. And you’re also wondering how to get an Atlanta car insurance quote from Safeco. You don’t want to deal with insurance on your own, and that’s why we’re here. We can help you get a car insurance quote from Safeco.

How to get an Atlanta Safeco car insurance quote.

1. Get in touch with our team.

Communication can be complicated. There can be a lot of frustration, but that’s why we’ve tried to make communication as easy as possible. We have several different methods for contacting us, and you get to choose the one that works best for you. We’re flexible – we want to make things as easy as possible for you. Anyway, here are your options.

Phone. You know, sometimes it can be easiest just to talk on the phone, and if that’s your mindset, no problem – just give us a call. We would be delighted to have a conversation over the phone with you.

Online form. If you’re looking for Atlanta car insurance from Safeco, you can use our online form to get in touch with us. This lets us get some details that we need to get you your quote.

LiveChat. LiveChat is another way you can get a quote for Safeco car insurance in Atlanta. Messaging is a thing, and we’ve adapted to the times. So, hop into a chat with one of our agents. We’d be happy to message back and forth with you if that’s what you prefer.

Email/Text. You might be too busy to talk on the phone or sit at the computer messaging with us. So, all you have to do is let us know that you’d rather email back and forth with us or text back and forth. We can definitely do that if that’s what works best for you. We’re all about making insurance convenient.

2. We have a quick talk with you.

The next thing we need to do is have a quick chat about your insurance situation. This is where we get the necessary information to get that Atlanta Safeco car insurance quote – we want to make sure that we best assist you with your insurance. But we also respect that you have a lot on your plate, and we know that you can’t spend all day on the phone or on email or on Chat talking about insurance, so we won’t take up too much of your time. We’ll be quick and let you get on with your life.

3. We’ll get your quote.

Then the real magic happens and we get that Safeco car insurance quote for you. It’s what we do.

4. We go over your quote with you.

It is then quote presentation time. We’ll go over your quote with you – we’ll take the time to answer any questions you might have about your car insurance policy. We want to make sure that you feel good about your coverage. So, feel free to ask any questions you have – we’re ready to field any inquiries. There are a lot of complicated things in insurance, and we’ll explain all of them.

5. We’ll be here for you.

If you ever have any questions about your insurance or if any issues happen, we’ll be here. We can help resolve those things, and we won’t just disappear on you. We’ll be there to help troubleshoot anything that comes up.

So, that’s how you get a quote for Atlanta car insurance from Safeco! You don’t have to stress about getting your car insurance. We light to make insurance easy. So, get started with your quotes by filling out our online form or sending us a message on LiveChat.

How to get Foremost car insurance in Atlanta

Foremost car insurance in Atlanta

Having a car is a big responsibility. You have to be a safe driver, of course, but you also need to carry the proper car insurance. You’re considering getting Atlanta car insurance from Foremost. But you’re not entirely sure that you want to deal with insurance on your own. That doesn’t sound like fun. Well, we’ve got good news – we can help you get Foremost car insurance in Atlanta.

How to get Foremost car insurance in Atlanta.

1. Get in touch with our team.

The insurance process starts when you reach out to our team. One of the goals of our team is to make insurance easy, and that means that communication should be easy. That’s why we have a few different ways in which you can contact us. You get to choose how you talk to us!

Phone. Well, there’s the phone call, for starters. You can give us a ring and we’ll get you in touch with one of our agents, who would be delighted to have a conversation about your insurance with you on the phone. So, you can just pick up your phone and reach out to us, easy as that.

Online form. Another way to get in touch with us is to fill out our online form. This lets us get some of your information so the insurance process goes as smoothly as possible. The form is pretty quick, and it lets us have a little bit of a head start on assisting you with your car insurance.

LiveChat. If you would not like to talk on the phone or fill out the online form, that’s fine – you can reach out to us through LiveChat. Messaging might be the way you want to go, and we’d be happy to talk about Atlanta car insurance from Foremost over chat.

Email/Text. Maybe you’re very busy and you can’t do a phone call or a chat. You might prefer to email or text back and forth so that you can be on the go, and that’s fine with us. Email and text are handy, after all.

2. We’ll have a quick talk with you about insurance.

The next thing that needs to happen is we have a quick chat with you so that we can best assist you with your insurance. We need to make sure that we have the information we need to get your car insurance quote from Foremost. But we know that you’re busy, so we won’t take up too much of your time. We’ll be quick about having that conversation with you so you don’t have to worry about spending your entire day talking about your insurance. (We love talking about insurance and could happily spend all day talking about insurance, but we understand that not everyone shares our obsession. We respect that.)

3. Then we get the quote.

This is the get-the-quote part of the entire process. We have to actually get you the quote you’re looking for. So – we shall embark on the greatest quest for insurance ever. Anyway, we’ll get right to work so we can get you that quote. The suspense is super intense with insurance stuff, you know.

4. We’ll go over the quote with you.

The next thing that happens is we’ll bring the quote to you and answer any questions you might have about it. We encourage questions and we want to make sure that you feel good about the car insurance policy that’s protecting you. So, feel free to ask any questions you need to clarify anything that seems confusing. Insurance can feel overwhelming, but our team strives to take away some of the stress of dealing with insurance coverage. Our goal is to help you get car insurance, not give you a headache. We want you to walk away from this insurance experience with a smile.

5. Our team will be here.

If any questions or issues arise, we’re here to help. We don’t just mysteriously fall off the face of the Earth right when you need us. So reach out to us any time you have a concern, and we’ll get it taken care of. Our team of insurance agents is here for you.

Anyways, that’s the scoop on getting Atlanta car insurance from Foremost. Our team would be happy to help you get the coverage you need. Get started with your quotes by filling out our form or giving us a call. Insurance can be easy – give our agents a chance to prove it!

How to get Atlanta car insurance from Auto-owners

Atlanta car insurance from Auto-owners

Atlanta car insurance from Auto-owners

If you’re looking to get car insurance, you probably want to get coverage that will truly be there for you when you need it. There are a lot of insurance carriers out there, and you’re curious about getting Auto-owners car insurance. But you aren’t sure that you want to go on that adventure alone…insurance is a little scary. And besides, how does one get a car insurance quote for Auto-owners car insurance in Atlanta? Here’s how our team can help you get a quote.

How to get a quote for Atlanta car insurance from Auto-owners.

1. Let us know you’re looking for car insurance.

The first thing that happens in this whole process is that you let us know that you need car insurance. Our team is really good at insurance stuff…not so much at reading minds. Anyway, we want to make insurance as easy as possible. That’s why we have a few different ways you can get in touch with us. You get to choose how you deal with your insurance. We don’t want to make insurance something that’s horribly frustrating, and our goal is to help you avoid the stress and headache that can come along with insurance. Here are a few ways you can get in touch with our team.

Phone. You can simply give us a call to let us know about your need for car insurance quotes. We enjoy having a nice chat on the phone, so if that works best for you, just give us a call and we would be happy to have a conversation with you about Atlanta car insurance from Auto-owners. We know that sometimes it’s easiest just to get things over with via a quick phone call.

LiveChat. You can also LiveChat with our team to find out more about Atlanta Auto-owners car insurance and whether it’s a good fit for you. If you’re not a big fan of talking on the phone, that’s no problem. That’s what our LiveChat is there for. Go ahead and reach out to us with LiveChat if that’s what you’d prefer.

Online form. We also have an online form that you can use to get in touch with our team. The form lets us gather some of the important details we need to get your car insurance quote. It’s a quick form – we don’t want to take up too much of your time. With this information, we can get straight to business and getting you that quote.

Email/Text. If you aren’t able to have a talk on the phone or sit at the computer chatting with us, that’s fine. We can email or text with you about your insurance – you just have to let us know that you’d prefer to email or text and we can definitely do that.

2. We have a quick chat about your insurance.

The next thing that happens is that we’ll have a quick chat about your insurance needs. We want to make sure that we get you the coverage that suits your needs. We’ll introduce ourselves and make sure we have all the information we need to get you the coverage that will suit your needs. We know you’ve got a lot on your plate, though, so we won’t take up too much of your time. We’re in the business of making insurance easy, after all.

3. Then we get your insurance quote.

And then comes the moment we’ve all been waiting for: we’ll go get your insurance quote. We enjoy getting quotes at light speed so we’ll do our best to get you that quote ASAP.

4. We’ll go over your quote with you.

When we bring the quote back to you, we’ll answer any questions you might have about the coverage. Insurance can be a little confusing, so feel free to ask any queries you might have. That’s what we’re here for. You don’t have to go through the insurance process alone when you team up with our agents. We’re happy to take the time to go over the coverage with you because we want you to feel comfortable with the car insurance policy that’s protecting you.

5. We’re here to answer any questions or address any issues.

If any questions or concerns about your insurance arise, we’re here to help. You can always reach out to our team to get some help resolving any issues that come up, no matter how small. We aren’t going to vanish right when you need us. That’s not how we do insurance.

Anyways, that’s how getting a quote for Atlanta Auto-owners car insurance works! You might be moving to Atlanta or you might have lived in Atlanta for years. Get started with your car insurance quote by filling out our online form, giving us a call, or messaging us on LiveChat.

7 things to know about car insurance if you’re moving

Changing your car insurance if you're moving

Changing your car insurance if you're moving

Moving can be quite the hassle, especially when handling important paperwork like your insurance. Transferring your home insurance plan may seem like a no-brainer, but your car insurance may seem like another beast. After all, one of the factors that contribute to your car insurance rates is your address, or where you park your car normally. So, what do you need to know when that address changes? Let’s look at these 7 things that you may need to know about your car insurance if you’re moving.

7 things to know about car insurance if you’re moving.

1. How to change the information on your car insurance

Changing your car insurance policy to fit your new location might be as simple as calling your insurance agent and going through a quick filing process. However, if you’re moving to an area that’s outside of your carrier’s area of coverage, you’ll need to shop for a new car insurance carrier all over again. Luckily, our agents have access to multiple insurance companies nationwide. So, we can help you determine the specific risks you’ll face in your new location and find similar carriers with the best rates around.

2. You have a certain amount of time after you move to change the address on your policy

Different states have different requirements for when an insured needs to have their car insurance policy registered with a new address. You’ll need to find out that exact timeframe, but it’s a good idea to go ahead and have your policy switched over as soon as possible.

As a rule of thumb, most states require you to register your car to your new address within 30 days of your move. So, it could be a good idea to go by this timeframe for your auto insurance as well.

3. You may have new state-required minimums if you move

Each state has its own minimum requirements for car insurance. If you’re moving out of state, you’ll need to know which coverages your new state requires and how much your coverage limits need to be. Some states require more coverage. Some states require less.

It’s important to note, though, that even though a state may require less coverage than your previous address, you could be putting yourself in a sticky situation by not having enough coverage if something does happen to your car.

More often than not, state minimums only require a certain amount of bodily injury liability and property damage coverage. In addition to the state-required limits not being enough, these coverages only cover the other person’s injuries and property. If you want to be able to protect you and your car in an accident, you may want to look into collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and medical payments insurance.

Car insurance when you're moving

4. Your car insurance rates may change if you’re moving

On the same token, since your car insurance coverage limits may change, your rates may change along with them. Although, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your rates will be more expensive. Car insurance rates depend on a lot more factors than just your address or what your location requires for auto insurance. It can depend on your deductible, your coverage limits, your age, your marital status, and more.

Plus, if you have to change carriers, there may be an entirely different market of insurance companies in your location that offer lower rates. So, just take the move as a blank slate for your insurance as well, and shop for what you need!

5. If you’re being removed from a policy, you may have to provide your new proof of insurance or proof of residency to your old insurance company.

If you’re a bit younger and moving out on your own, or you’ve just been taking advantage of a multi-car discount and are moving to a separate address, switching car insurance can be kind of tricky. There are certain documents that your old insurance company may need in order to take you off the original policy without putting you at risk for a lapse in coverage.

One way that you could change policies is by giving your old carrier proof of new residence for your new home. Showing multiple forms of official mail (i.e. a water bill, a copy of your signed apartment lease/house deed, etc.) could be enough to switch you to a new policy that’s all your own. However, be prepared to ask if your carrier needs additional documentation. Another method could be to give your old insurance carrier proof of new insurance. This way, they know that you’re canceling your car insurance with them while still being covered.

6. Know your new policy’s effective start date

Before you pull the trigger on canceling your old insurance policy, make sure that your new car insurance policy picks up exactly where your old one leaves off. Even if you sign the paperwork for a new policy on one date, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re covered from the signing date forward. And even if it’s just a one-day lapse in car insurance coverage, it still counts as a lapse.

That means that if you need proof of insurance while being pulled over or after an accident, you’ll be out of luck for any coverage that you need, and you may have to pay for damages out-of-pocket. Additionally, it’s illegal to drive without insurance in every state. So, check out your declarations page or even read your car insurance policy all the way through to make sure you know that you’re covered no matter what.

7. Know that you may be able to get a refund in the middle of your policy

Life doesn’t usually line up perfectly with your plans. So, moves don’t typically line up with the end of your policy date. Still, you don’t want to pay for an old car insurance policy if you already have a new one. Luckily, if you need to change your insurance in the middle of your plan, your carrier can refund you according to the number of days still left on your first policy.

Even if you pay for your policy on a month-by-month or a semi-annual schedule, a carrier can usually prorate the amount you’ve already paid and refund you the rest. That way, you don’t have to pay for what you don’t use!

These are just some of the things to keep in mind about car insurance if you’re moving. A new journey doesn’t have to mean a whole new set of problems, especially if you’re working with our professionals. Our agents are professionals in getting the auto insurance you need for a great price, no matter where you are in the U.S. To start getting free, customized quotes on car insurance, give us a call, fill out our online form, or LiveChat with a professional today!

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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.