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 Do I need insurance to rent a car?
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Most insurance companies will extend your coverage to include a temporary substitute vehicle. However, you need to be careful. If you do not carry physical damage (Comprehensive and Collision) coverage, the rental vehicle will not be protected. Also, generally speaking, there are four areas
to which most insurance companies will NOT extend coverage:
1) Storage cost
2) Loss of
use or loss of income
3) Administrative
cost the rental company may charge
4) Diminished
value.
Be sure and contact your agent to make certain you understand where you may or may not be covered!
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Is there a difference between cancellation and non-renewal?
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In Washington State an insurance company will generally not cancel your policy mid-term, without cause. However, there are a number of reasons your insurance company may choose not to renew your insurance.
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How do I choose an insurance company?
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I think most people tend to purchase insurance based on price since this is generally the way insurance companies sell insurance. This is also the most dangerous. Consider this ... If your insurance company was always more expensive, then others no one would purchase insurance from that company? Competition will require your premiums be competitive. Insurance is a promise, a promise to bring you back financially to where you were prior to your loss. Some people tend to keep their promises better then others. Your insurance company may have a history or honoring their promises better than others. As your insurance
advocate, I will be prepared to help guide you in choosing which insurance company will best protect your interests
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Where can I buy insurance?
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Buying insurance is easier now then ever before. It is my desire to make the purchase of your insurance fast, fair, friendly and always with integrity.
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How can I save money?
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The cost of your insurance clearly is in your hands. Of course tickets and accidents as well as claims will all effect the cost of your insurance. Also, the insurance industry has adopted credit scoring. Credit scoring can now impact your premiums by as much as 50%.
When you purchase insurance, do so with the thought
that the only reason you're buying insurance is to guard against a financial loss you cannot afford to pay yourself. With that thought in mind, place the coverage where it is most needed and remove those coverages you don't need. I will help give you ideas on making your insurance dollar as efficient as possible.
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How much coverage do I need?
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Everyone's needs are different. The college student working their way through school would require different coverage than Bill Gates. My job as your insurance
advocate is to help you determine which coverage and how much coverage you need.
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What determines the price of my policy?
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How much you pay in premiums is based on a combination of factors, including:
* How much coverage you have
* What kind of coverage you have
* How large a deductible you pay
* Your driving record
* Theft and safety statistics of your auto
* Accident statistics in the area where you live
* How much you drive
* Other drivers on
your policy.
* How much you drive
* Other drivers on your policy.
* Your Credit Score
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What information do I need to give to my agent or company?
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Full name, dates of birth and driving history for all licensed operators in the household or regular drivers of your vehicles. Your residence address. How you use your vehicle. The Serial Number of your vehicle(s). The insurance industry has adopted credit scoring, so in order to obtain a valid quote they may require your Social Security Number.
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What can I do if I can't find coverage?
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Where there's a will, I'll find the way. Being associated with a large insurance
brokerage provides me access to over 100 different companies.
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How do I insure my teenage driver?
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That was a challenge for our parents when it came time to insure us and it's the same now. We know 20% of all drivers are under 25 years old. Yet that 20% are involved in 70% of all accidents. The reason is simple ... "inexperience."
You have to ask yourself; "Where is my biggest exposure?" You never know how much damage your teenager will cause to someone else. So the answer is your
liability. Buy as much liability coverage as you can afford.
My teenager needs their own car.
What should I buy them?
Two trains of thought. Perhaps a 1968 Buick made from steel? Since you'll only pay a couple of hundred dollars you won't need to purchase physical damage (comprehensive and collision). On the other hand there is a lot to be said for the new safety equipment the newer vehicles offer: air bags and antilock brakes. It might be better to purchase a newer vehicle and know you might want to carry comprehensive and collision?
Also ... remember if your teenager maintains at least a 3.0 GPA you may enjoy a 25% Good Student Discount!
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Should I purchase an umbrella liability policy?
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An Umbrella policy is an excess liability policy. In other words an
umbrella policy will act as a personal
liability coverage over your auto, homeowner, boat, vacation home, or most rental properties. Generally speaking these policies are inexpensive. To answer your question, I will always encourage you to buy as much liability coverage as you can afford. Remember, this
is your greatest area of financial
vulnerability.
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Will my insurance cover a rental car after an accident?
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Most insurance companies will extend your coverage to include a temporary substitute vehicle. However, you need to be careful. If you do not carry physical damage (comprehensive and
collision) coverage the rental vehicle will not be protected. Also, generally speaking there are four areas most insurance companies will NOT extend coverage:
1) Storage cost
2) Loss of Use or loss of income
3) Administrative Cost the rental company may charge
4) Diminished Value.
Be sure and contact your agent to make certain you understand where you may or may not be covered!
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How do I file a claim?
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Report all accidents promptly to us the first available working day: 206-282-1712 If there is an injury please contact your insurance company immediately.
If injuries or damage to property are in excess of $500 a state accident report must be completed.
Remember, our ability to protect you and give you the service your are entitled to as one of our Policyholders depends on your full cooperation.
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What should I do if I am having trouble settling my claim?
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In the event you should have "trouble" or concerns with your claim settlement I am your Advocate. Please contact me personally so I might help guide and direct you or work with your company
adjuster to clarify any issues.
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If I file a claim, will my premium go up?
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I think it's a safe statement:
Receive tickets/accidents or have
claims = pay higher premiums.
Remember, the only reason anyone
should purchase any kind of
insurance is to protect themselves
against a financial loss they cannot
afford to pay themselves. Save your
insurance for the big stuff? |
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