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Six Tips in Case of an Auto Accident

July 28, 2011 Auto Insurance Tips
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No one is immune from car accidents. They can happen to even the most conscientious drivers, so being prepared “just in case” is always recommended.

First of all, before getting behind the wheel of a car, you must have auto insurance. It’s the law. Next, make sure you know what your particular insurance policy covers as this may save you a lot of trouble down the line. For instance, does it cover towing, ambulance service, etc.? Knowing the basics of your coverage can help you make sound decisions if the time comes.

Also, it is always a good idea to have a proper “emergency kit” in the car, which includes first aid materials, flares or orange cones, emergency contact names, a cell phone, pen and paper, and finally a camera.

Now that you are prepared to leave your driveway, here are a few additional tips just in case you get into an accident.

  1. Remain calm. This is the most important thing to keep in mind and perhaps the toughest to pull off. Remember that the calmer you are, the more you will recall and the more logical your decision-making will be.
  2. Report your accident and let the authorities know if there are any injuries.
  3. Assuming there are no injuries, carefully exit your car, remaining aware of all traffic, and exchange insurance details with the other driver.
  4. Find out if any witnesses saw the accident and if so, take down their contact information.
  5. Do not blame or admit fault to anyone. This is something that will be better resolved during the investigation process.
  6. Take pictures of both cars and the damage incurred.

At Auto Insurance Specialists, we are here to protect you, so please keep the above tips in mind, and happy driving!

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 at 2:16 pm and is filed under Auto Insurance Coverage. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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Five Tips for Lowering Your New Car Insurance

June 22, 2011 Auto Insurance Tips
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June 21st, 2011 jess Posted in Insurance Categories | No Comments »

Before you decide to buy a new car, it’s helpful to know how much it will cost to insure. You can ask the seller for the year, make, model and approximate mileage of the car so you can get a preliminary estimate. While many facts remain to be discovered on the car you are considering, having an insurance estimate can help you to decide if the car will fit into your budget long-term.

1. Always get several quotes.

Several websites offer auto insurance quotes, like those you can get right here. All you need to do is enter your zip code in the box at the top of this page to get started. You’ll have several quotes after just a few minutes.

Once you have your quotes, go to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website to find your state’s insurance department. From there you can research insurance companies for help in deciding among companies. For most of us, however, price is the biggest factor. Check your quotes to be sure they all offer the same coverage. Only then can you objectively compare one policy to the next. The NAIC guide should help you understand the basics when it comes to getting auto insurance quotes online.

2. Ask About Car Insurance Discounts.

Certain habits indicate responsible behavior on your part and can help you qualify for auto insurance discounts. For example, both high school and college students may be eligible to receive a discount based on their grade point average. You can also receive insurance discounts for things like having a good credit rating, completing defensive driver courses and going for a specified length of time without making a claim. Make sure the companies quoting insurance for you factor these good habits into your rate.

3. Tweak Your Car to Reduce Risk Factors.

Beyond proving yourself a responsible driver, you can lessen the risk for your insurance carrier with some small changes to the car. Check the price of features like anti-lock brakes, automatic seatbelts and airbags that deploy on both sides if the car doesn’t already have them. All of these features will make you safer in the event of an accident and present less of a risk to your insurance company. Find out the cost of adding an anti-theft device as well. Compare the cost with the insurance savings to determine if you should install one.

4. Consider a More Conservative Car.

Sports cars are associated with high-risk drivers. If you have your heart set on a roadster, you can expect higher insurance premiums even if you are a safe driver. Look for the most practical car you can find that still suits your style. Take time to look for a car that gets good gas mileage since insurance companies favor fuel-efficient cars with better rates.

5. Seek Multiple Policy Discounts.

Take time to get a quote from the insurance company you already have. You may qualify for a discount that saves you more than if you switched carriers. It is also smart to ask the companies that quote insurance for you about any multiple policy discounts they might offer if you move your other insurance to them.

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Six Tips to Maximize Your Family’s Disaster Preparedness

June 18, 2011 Auto Insurance Tips
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The surest way to turn a natural disaster, like a flood or an earthquake into a personal financial crisis is to not be fully prepared. Use these six tips to help your family prepare for a disaster.

  1. Make sure you have the right insurance policy to cover all your needs and that the insurance policy is up to date—our representatives are happy to help you find a policy that’s right for you. In California, for instance, flood and earthquake insurance policies protect against these two natural disasters and most homeowners policies do not cover damage incurred by either.
  2. Take careful inventory of your valuables so that, in the event of a disaster, your insurance company can process all your needs quickly and efficiently. When compiling your inventory, note the model and serial numbers of each item, and remember to keep copies of all sales receipts, cancelled checks, and credit card receipts for your records.
  3. Check with an AIS representative to determine whether your policy should be based upon actual cash value of your insured items or their replacement cost. Replacement cost coverage is more expensive, but often times it is in the insured’s best interest. If your policy does not reflect replacement cost, you may want to consider adding the additional coverage.
  4. Keep all important documents including wills, insurance policies, and, of course, your inventory of valuables in a safe location away from your home, like a safe deposit box.
  5. Have periodic appraisals of your home to take any improvements into account, and as you acquire more valuables, e.g., jewelry, art, etc., make sure your insurance policy reflects them. You may need to purchase additional insurance though, as many general policies do not provide the specific coverage needed.

By simply taking the time to plan for the worst and following these six tips for disaster preparedness, you can avoid the financial ruin that sometimes accompanies natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, and with that, comes piece of mind.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 17th, 2011 at 2:50 pm and is filed under Natural Disasters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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