Not all vehicles fall under your standard auto insurance policy. If you own a recreational vehicle; you will most likely need to purchase an additional policy specific for that vehicle. There are many different types of recreation vehicles which require special coverage. Some of these include Motor homes/RV’s, travel trailers, toy haulers, motorcycles, ATV’s, and boats and personal watercraft.

Motor Home/RV: Although you can cover your motor home under your regular auto policy; it is not a good idea. Your regular auto policy has many gaps in coverage. Click here to see a list of benefits compared between a regular auto policy and a motor home/RV policy.

Travel Trailer Insurance: In order for your trailer to be properly covered; you’ll need to purchase a separate travel trailer policy. A travel trailer insurance policy will cover you for damages resulting from collision, fire, smoke, flood, landslide, hail, windstorm, animals, vandalism, low branches, theft or lightning.

Toy Hauler: Before you take your next road trip; make sure your toy hauler is properly covered. Purchase a special toy hauler policy to ensure all your valuables and toys are properly covered.

Motorcycles: Motorcycles are typically not covered under your standard auto policy. You will need to purchase a motorcycle insurance policy to make sure you are adequately covered. Make sure to have enough protection to cover you and anyone who may be riding with you.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s): Although many ATV’s remained uninsured, it is a very smart idea to purchase a special policy for your ATV. Unfortunately, ATV accidents are common and serious injuries can occur. It is critical to make sure you are properly covered when riding on an ATV.

Watercraft/Boat Owners: In most places insurance is required for any personal watercraft. The penalties for being caught on the water without boat insurance can be the same or even worse than an automobile. It is very important to purchase the right kind of coverage for your boat. This type of insurance will usually cover your watercraft whether it is in the water or on your trailer.

Adding these coverages can really save you some headaches in the event of an accident. Remember, it is always better to be over-insured than under-insured.

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.

Comprehensive and Collision coverage are the two most common types of coverage for your vehicle. These types of coverage are not mandated by the state but may be by your loan or leasing company. The only type of coverage mandated by the state is liability coverage. Liability covers any of the damage to others that you are at fault for, up to your policy limits.

Collision Coverage:

Collision coverage takes care of damage to your vehicle, resulting from a motor vehicle accident. This can be an accident between you and another vehicle or between your vehicle and fixed property. Your collision coverage is applicable regardless of who is at fault for the accident. If the accident is your fault, you will have to open a collision claim if you want your vehicle repaired by your insurance company. If the accident is not your fault, you have the option to open a collision claim if you want. Assuming the person at fault for the accident has a valid auto insurance policy; your damage can be covered under their policy as a property damage claim. However, if you want your company to take care of the damages, they can and will then get reimbursed from the adverse party’s company.

Comprehensive Coverage:

Comprehensive covers your vehicle from any damage not caused by a collision. Examples of when this type of coverage would apply are if your vehicle is stolen, if your vehicle catches on fire, if your vehicle sustains damage from wind, a hurricane or any other act of nature and other situations where there was no collision. Just like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage is not mandated by any state agency. Like collision coverage, it is required if there is a bank interest in your vehicle.

Deductibles:

A deductible is the amount of money you will be responsible for when filing a collision or comprehensive claim. Deductibles range from $0 to a couple thousand dollars. The higher your deductible is, the lower your premium will be. The most common deductible amount is $500. Make sure you select a deductible you can afford. If you file a claim, you will be responsible for your deductible before insurance starts paying out. For example, if you have a $1,200 repair and your deductible is $500, then you will be responsible for paying the first $500 of the repair and then your insurance policy will cover the remaining amount.

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.

The laws covering car insurance vary from state to state. However, there are many general laws that are followed by most. The most important is the requirement to have insurance. It is against the law to drive or own a motor vehicle that is not insured.

Insurance protects you from liabilities that may arise from a car accident. If you don’t have insurance, then you are liable for any damage that you may cause; and that can be very costly. In addition to the damages you may have to pay for, you will most likely get yourself into some legal trouble as well. In most cases, you will receive a ticket for driving without proof of insurance.

If you plan on financing a vehicle or leasing one, you won’t be able to do so without insurance. Since the bank holds an interest in the vehicle, they will not loan you the money if they are not protected from liabilities. The lenders will also most likely have minimum requirements of insurance coverage. Sometimes this may be more than your states minimum requirements.

Many carriers offer a “persistency” or renewal discount, which rewards you for maintaining continual insurance coverage.  If you allow your policy to lapse, you can lose eligibility for this discount and will pay a higher rate.

So if you’re caught without the minimum required insurance; be prepared to pay fines, possibly do some community service, pay higher rates and even pay for damages caused. It is never a good idea to not carry insurance, no mater what the reason. If you can’t afford car insurance there are other ways to get around. Try to take the bus, the train, walk or get a ride from a friend or co-worker.

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.

It’s very important to prepare your teen driver for getting their driver’s license. A study conducted by the National Highway Safety Administration showed that 16-24 year olds account for 25% of overall traffic deaths. This is a scary statistic. However, as a parent there are many things you can do to teach your teen driver how to be safe and responsible on the road.Many teens feel empowered when they receive their license and do not realize the responsibility that comes along with it. Often teen drivers look at driving as a social event. This type of attitude can lead to bad driving habits and ultimately lead to traffic accidents.

Here are some tips to help educate your teen driver and make their driving experience safer for everyone.

-Limit Distractions. Nowadays there are too many distractions for drivers. These include making a call, sending text messages, listening and changing songs on your iPod, talking to friends, eating, applying makeup and much more. Create a driving environment for your teen that excludes anything that can be a potential distraction.-Is your teen driver mature? Just because they reach the state minimum age required to obtain a drivers license, doesn’t mean they should automatically get one. If your teenager is not mature enough to handle the responsibilities of driving; then it is best to wait until they are.-Lead by example. Most teen drivers inherit their driving skills from their parents. —–They’ve spent the first 16 or 17 years of their life being a passenger in your car. It is very likely they will pick up your driving habits, good or bad.

-Stay involved. Just because your teen driver has passed the test and received their drivers license does not mean they are expert drivers. They still have a lot of learning to do. Stay actively involved in teaching and monitoring their driving skills.

-Make them earn it. Involving your teen driver in the finances of owning and driving a car is a great way to teach them the responsibility of driving. If they did not get a car, or pay for it if they did, have them contribute to car insurance payments and gas money.

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 has been a hot topic amongst lawmakers for a bunch of years now. In some states, laws have been passed prohibiting drivers from talking on their handsets while driving their vehicle. Some states have complete restriction of cell phone use while driving and some are more lax.

In 2001, New York was the first state to prohibit cell phone use while driving. A few years after more states followed the lead and enacted the same strict laws. Those states include Connecticut, New Jersey, the area of Washington D.C. and beginning July 1, 2008 California. Aside from these states which have full bans, many states have partial bans and a handful of states are currently debating legislation.

Driving while using your cell phone can be very dangerous. Unfortunately, most states have not adopted a cell phone driving policy. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, motorists who drive while using their cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in an accident.

If you have to drive and use your cell phone, here are some tips to make it safer for you and everyone else on the road:

-Get familiar with the functions of your phone so you are not distracted trying to find buttons
-Only use it when absolutely necessary
-If you must use it, use a hands-free kit
-Let the person on the other end of the phone know that you are driving
-If possible, pull over to the side of the road to talk
-Don’t engage in emotional conversations while driving
-If you have to use your cell phone; don’t engage in any other distraction
-If you have a passenger, ask them to make or take the call for you
-When not in use, keep your phone in a safe and secure spot in your vehicle in case of an accident or sudden stop, so it does not become a flying object

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.

The average price in the U.S. today for a gallon of regular gas is $4.10. All drivers have been feeling the economic impact resulting from these record gas prices. As a result, people are thinking of new ways to reduce their driving and save on fuel costs.

Many people are carpooling, walking, switching to public transportation, scooters or bikes to combat the high prices. As a result of these changes, you may actually be able to reduce your auto insurance rates. The less you drive your car, the less likely you are to be involved in an accident. If you reduce the amount of miles you drive per week, you may fall into a lower rate bracket. It all depends on your insurance company’s rating system.

The fact is that if people are driving less, no matter what the reason, less accidents will happen. If you look back at the energy crisis in 1979-1980, studies show that amount of auto claims was drastically reduced. This was a result of drivers being resourceful and minimizing the time they spent behind the wheel. Even after the crisis was over, there was still a long period of decline in claims. It will be interesting to see if that trend holds true in today’s world. Although people are cutting back, will they continue on this trend as prices possibly get lower or alternative fuel methods become more mainstream?

So if you are feeling the crunch at the pump and are looking for other ways to save; check with your agent to see if you qualify for a reduction on your auto insurance premium by driving less.

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.

Airbags are designed to save lives. When a vehicle is involved in an accident, sensors automatically measure the impact. If the crash is severe enough, these sensors will send a signal that inflate the bags and cushion the occupants. This all happens in a fraction of a second.

Although airbags are designer to prevent and limit injuries; there have been instances where an airbag has injured occupants. Most injuries caused by airbags are minor scrapes and bruises. In an effort to reduce injuries arising from airbag deployment; the Federal government started allowing manufacturers to reduce the energy of force in which frontal airbags are employed, without sacrificing the effectiveness.

There are certain measures a motorist can take to avoid an airbag related injury. For drivers, it’s recommended to sit with your chest at least 10 inches away from the center of the steering wheel. However, as technology advances, manufacturers are developing new airbags that sense where the driver is sitting and deploy accordingly. If the driver is sitting closer than 10 inches, the airbag would deploy with less force. If you have an older vehicle without this feature, you can purchase pedal extenders which would allow you to sit a bit further away from the steering wheel.

It is also important when traveling with children and infants to take extra precautions to reduce their risk of being injured by an airbag. Never sit your infant, especially with a child seat, in the front. This would put the infants head too close to the airbag, possibly resulting in an unnecessary injury. Rear seats are always best for children and infants. If for some reason you are traveling with many children and one must sit in the front; make sure the oldest child is the one sitting there. Have the child sitting in the front sit with the seat as far back as possible.

Airbags are safety measures that have saved so many lives over the years. To be extra safe, make sure to follow these recommendations next time you get in your vehicle.

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.

In 2006 1,451 children under the age of 14 died as passengers in motor vehicle accidents, and another 200,000 more were injured. According to the NHTSA nearly half of those who died were not properly restrained in a seat belt or child safety seat.This doesn’t have to happen to you. There are a number of measures you can take to prevent injury or death to a child.

- All children 12 or under should be sitting in the back seat and properly restrained at all times. Even if you are just going around the corner, it is extremely important to properly restrain all children. Accidents can happen anywhere at anytime.

- Prior to installing a child safety seat, make sure to read all of the instructions and safety manuals. This will ensure you are installing the seat the correct way. A 2006 NHTSA report indicated out of 3,200 observed child restraint systems, 72% were being misused or not installed properly, resulting in a greater risk to the occupants of that seat.

 - Immediately after you purchase a car seat, make sure to register it with the manufacturer. This way if there are any recalls or safety concerns, you will be notified promptly by the manufacturer.

- If your vehicle was in an accident, replace all car seats that were in the car at the time of the accident. 

Taking these steps should help to keep your young ones as safe as possible. Aside from this list, safe driving will contribute the most to the safety of you and your passengers.

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.

When renting a house or apartment it is important to carry renter’s insurance. Although your landlord is required to insure the unit you are renting; that does not cover your personal belongings. All it covers is the building, structure, roof, etc. You’ll need to take out an additional policy to cover your personal items.

Most landlords or leasing companies will require you to show proof of renter’s insurance before they let you move in. In addition to covering your personal belongings, it will also protect you from liability arising from an accident on the premises. If a guest in your home slips on your floor and gets injured, you may be liable. Renter’s insurance gives you this extra protection so you don’t have to worry about losing many of things you have worked hard for.

Getting a renter’s insurance policy is easy. There are many companies that offer this coverage. Spend the extra time and speak to an agent to clearly identify your insurance needs and make sure you and your personal belongings are fully protected. PoliSeek is a great place to look for renter’s insurance. They have access to many providers and will do all the searching for you to make sure you are receiving the best rate and coverage.

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.

Leasing a car can be a headache in itself. There are many costs that the lessee may not really consider before leasing a vehicle. Such costs include early termination fees, extra mileage fees and wear and tear charges when you return your vehicle at the end of your lease. One kind of hidden cost is auto insurance.

When you lease a car, you do not own it. You are essentially renting it from the bank. Since the bank has the main interest in the vehicle, they require you to carry certain types of insurance to ensure they are protected. When you lease a car, more than likely you’ll be required to purchase liability and collision coverage. Collision coverage covers the damage to your own vehicle.  Most state laws require you to only carry liability insurance, but since you don’t own the car, the bank can raise these requirements.

Aside from being required to carry collision insurance, you may also be obligated to carry more than the state minimum limits. Many leasing companies will require you to carry bodily injury coverage with minimum limits of $100K per person and $300K per accident and property damage coverage of a minimum $50K. These limits are quite higher than the average state minimums of $25/$50K for bodily injury and $10K property damage limits.

Gap insurance is also important when leasing a car. Gap insurance will (with some limitations) pay the difference between what you owe on your vehicle and the actual amount it is worth, if your vehicle is deemed to be a total loss. Most cars depreciate quickly and if your vehicle has been declared a total loss and you owe more than it is worth, then you will be on the hook for the remaining amount. What this means is that you will have to still make payments on a car that no longer exists as well as payments for your replacement vehicle.

Remember, leasing a car also has many advantages. But before you jump into a new lease, plan out all the costs associated with it so there are no surprises.

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.