Category: Auto Insurance

Your Teen Driver and Insurance

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Why is Your Teen Driver More Expensive or Hard to Insure

There are many factors that go into the cost of insuring a teen driver. Arthur Goodwin, senior research associate at the Highway Safety Research Center at the University of North Carolina, says that young drivers cost more to insure largely because they are inexperienced and have higher accident rates than more seasoned drivers.

Stand-Alone Policies

It can be expensive to purchase a stand-alone policy for your young driver. Teenagers have a higher risk of collision because of a lack of driving experience. This is a huge factor in their premium, even though they often drive fewer miles than adults. Here’s why adding a teen driver to your existing policy is almost always far less expensive:

  • Affordability. Your young driver will reap the benefits that you gained as a long-term driver with a clean driving record and a credit history that has been established.
  • Control. Since you are already monitoring the policy, it’s easy to add and update coverage to ensure that your teen driver and their vehicle have the proper protection.
  • Flexibility. If you have multiple vehicles in your household, your teen will be covered by insurance when driving your car and vice/versa.
  • Convenience. You’ll only have one policy to monitor.
  • Protecting Your Assets. Most importantly, a vehicle operated by your teen driver but registered to you, needs to be insured on a policy in your name.

What is the best way for a young driver to lower their premium?

Young drivers have unproven records and are far more likely to drive distracted. Teens pose a financial risk for insurance companies, but there are methods to lower the premiums. To keep insurance premiums down, maintaining a clean driving record is crucial for young drivers. A single incident or traffic ticket can cause insurance for a teen driver to spike, causing an already costly premium to soar. Other methods for keeping premiums low is to use discounts for good students, a company’s driving app, safety features or full payment. Not all insurance companies offer the same discounts, so it’s important to talk to your agent about what will work best for you and your family.

How to Lower Your Auto Insurance Premium

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Separate Policies

If you decide your teenager should have their own policy, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Ensure the right amount of liability. Choose a liability limit that will safeguard your assets. You are held liable if your teen driver caused damages or injuries to someone else.
  • Select affordable deductibles. You should make certain your teenager can pay the deductible amount out of pocket in case of a claim. This will come in handy if they are financially responsible for their own policy.
  • Physical damage coverage may not be necessary. If the vehicle on your teen’s policy is paid off, comprehensive and collision coverage may not be necessary. It may not be worth paying for one or both on an older vehicle worth less than a few thousand dollars.
  • Protecting Your Assets. Most importantly, a vehicle operated by your teen driver but registered to you, needs to be insured on a policy in your name.

How Much Car Insurance Is Enough?

 

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877-994-6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from one mother of teens that trusts Stromsoe Insurance Agency:
“I’ve had several other insurance coverage in the past, but I was never treated with such friendly personal service as with Stromsoe Insurance Agency. Everyone in the office is ready to take time with me and my family, always finding the best coverage for our needs, even with our teenagers.”
Rick and Diane Royer – Fallbrook, CA – Client Since 1988

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

How to Lower Your Auto Insurance Premium

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Your car takes good care of you. It’s more than getting from point A to point B, it keeps you warm on your way to work on a cold morning, gives you a place to feel safe after speed walking through a dark parking lot, and lets you dry off after quickly tossing your groceries in the back on a rainy day.

You do your best to take care of your car by giving it the expensive gas, keeping (mostly) up-to-date on your oil changes, and best of all, getting great car insurance to protect it! Taking care of your car can be expensive, but insuring it doesn’t have to be.

If you are a client of Stromsoe Insurance Agency, you’ve already made one huge step towards saving on your car insurance while receiving top-notch protection ! The beauty of choosing an independent insurance agency, is that we do the shopping for you, we are not beholden to any one insurance company, therefore we work for YOU!

Here are 5 other ways you can lower or control your car insurance premium:

  • Buy a car with a high safety rating – multiple air bags, ABS and anti-theft systems can bring down quotes from insurance companies
  • Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage
  • Drive safe to lower or eliminate your number of accidents and tickets
  • Stick to one insurance company, bundling your policies can often lead to discounts
  • Keep in touch with your agent annually or as often as possibly to update your coverage, your mileage and any other rating factors
  • Understand your policy coverage and rating factors; if you have any questions about your coverage or ways you can lower your risk, ask your agent!

 

Questions? Want to learn more? Here’s 4 easy ways to reach us:

Phone: 877.994.6787
Email: [email protected]
Text: 951-482-8144
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

PS Here’s a few words from people that trust Stromsoe Insurance Agency:
“SIA has helped my husband and I find the lowest rates for our car, home and business insurance. We are very happy with the service that SIA provides us. We would like to thank Cherie Wachel, but specially Shauna Smith who is always very helpful and very nice, she always has the perfect answer for all of our questions. Thanks.”          Luz Ma Silver – Silver Cleaning – Client since 2005

PPS Every policy is backed by our iron clad, 100% complete satisfaction guarantee. Ask for your copy today!

Personal Auto Premium Relief Update April 18,2020

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Your team at Stromsoe Insurance is thinking about you and your family. We hope this email finds you safe, well and healthy. We’d also like to share some great news about auto insurance credits coming your way.

All of us recognize the uncertainty and financial challenges you may be facing as the nation comes together to slow the spread of coronavirus. That’s why we’re thankful our insurance company partners are taking unprecedented action and offering auto premium relief to our clients. We’re so grateful for their empathy and partnership during this time.

And, our insurance companies are making it easy! You do not need to take any action – refunds will occur automatically. This week, the California Insurance Commissioner provided direction for insurance companies  to begin implementation of their relief plans.

Here are links that describe each company’s relief program in detail:

Please know we’re here to answer any and all of your questions, COVID-19-related or not.

Our entire team is here to help – even virtually from our home-based offices! You can still reach us any of these ways:

Phone at (951) 600-5751
Email at [email protected]
Website agency.thebutlerweb.com
Text: 951-482-8144

Be safe, and be well!

Mike Stromsoe and the Stromsoe Insurance team

Update on Personal Auto Insurance Rate Assistance

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Update on Personal Auto Insurance Rate Assistance

Most importantly, from our families to yours, we hope that everyone is safe, well and healthy.

It’s Mike Stromsoe, bringing you a quick update on the auto insurance rate assistance situation in the personal auto insurance industry via video.  Please click the link below for the video update:

Below is a list of carriers that I’ve been able to identify who are participating in the premium relief effort:

  • Mercury Insurance
  • Safeco Insurance
  • Kemper Personal Insurance
  • Travelers Insurance
  • Nationwide Insurance
  • Progressive Insurance
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance
  • Allstate Insurance
  • State Farm Insurance
  • Farmers Insurance
  • USAA Insurance
  • Pemco Insurance

If anyone has any questions about anything, including premium payment deferment, other policy changes, personal or businesss, please let us know.

Myself and my team are here to help you through this unprecedented time

Gratefully,

 

Mike Stromsoe
President & Team Leader

 

PS Here’s 4 Easy Ways to Reach Us:

Email: [email protected]
Text: 95-482-8144
Phone: 951-600-5751
Web: agency.thebutlerweb.com

We Are All in This Together – Personal Auto Premium Relief

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

From our family to yours, we wish you safety, wellness and health in these times that we all have never experienced before.

Your Stromsoe Insurance Total Protection Team is here to help you and anyone you know in any way….to make things a little easier right now.

Please know that many of our insurance carrier partners are taking massive action to support their loyal customers during these uncertain times, when many people are experiencing difficulties. Here is an update for you discussing the personal auto premium relief programs offered by many carriers right now.

As of right now, at least 8 personal auto insurance carriers have announced their intention to provide premium relief to their loyal customers in these difficult times. The reason insurance companies can do this is people are simply not driving their cars as much, therefore less miles are being driven and there are fewer claims. Many leading companies have decided to provide their customers the benefit of there being fewer claims.

It’s really important for all to understand that every company has created their own unique program of delivering relief funds. As of now, every company has advised that all relief fund deliveries are “subject to state or regulatory or Department of Insurance” approval.

For exact details about your specific insurance program, here’s 4 easy ways to reach our office to connect with one our helpful Protection Coaches:

  1. Phone 951-600-5751
  2. Text 951-482-8144
  3. Email  [email protected]
  4. Visit agency.thebutlerweb.com

 

 

 

 

How Much Car Insurance Is Enough?

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

https://youtu.be/fMKzmT9CuTM

Coverage with Stromsoe

How much car insurance is enough? Everybody knows that you NEED to have insurance but how much insurance is enough.

You may have heard the insurance term 15/30/5 used frequently…but what does that mean for your insurance policy?

In the early 1960’s the state of California set the MINIMUM insurance limits that you must carry. That translates to $15 in bodily injury per person, $30K per occurrence and $5K in property damage. Next time you’re on the road – take a look around you – most cars on the road easily exceed these dollar amounts which is why we here at Stromsoe Insurance Agency can help you avoid being under insured with upgraded insurance limits.

My name is Bobby Sabeh, give me a call at 951-239-4492 today!

How Your Driving Experience and Age Affect Your Car Insurance Costs

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Young, inexperienced drivers end up paying more for auto coverage.

When your insurance provider calculates your auto insurance rates, they will look at a variety of personal factors.  Two of the factors that will influence your premium calculations are your driving experience and age.  Here’s how these things will influence your coverage costs.

  • Inexperienced Drivers

Auto insurers assume that the more driving experience you have, the less likely you are to get into a car crash.  Unfortunately, this means that inexperienced drivers are considered a higher risk to insure.  Even if they have never been in an accident before, inexperienced drivers are more likely to be charged more for their auto insurance as compared to a driver with a long history of safe driving.

  • Young Versus Older Drivers

Young drivers obviously have less experience than older drivers.  However, this is just one reason why younger drivers are charged more for auto insurance.  Young drivers might also experience high insurance costs because they are considered more likely to display unsafe driving behaviors.  While not every young driver is reckless on the road, insurers across the board will charge more for young drivers to protect themselves just in case.

Keep in mind that older drivers can also pay more for insurance.  Eventually, older drivers will start to see an increase in their rates as their insurers start to feel concern about their ability to operate a car safely.  A good way to think about it is that drivers under the age of 25 and over the age of 65 are more likely to pay more for auto coverage.

  • Importance of Having an Insurance History

Even if you are no longer considered a young driver, you can still up paying high rates for your auto insurance if you do not have a consistent insurance history.  For instance, if you are 35 and have had auto insurance in the past but have not maintained your coverage, then you will be considered a risky driver.  Because auto insurers rely heavily on your claims history to determine what kind of driver you are, the absence of an insurance history will automatically make your insurer wary.  To protect themselves, they will charge you more for coverage—sometimes as much as a brand-new driver.

In conclusion, your driving experience plays a significant role in how your insurance premiums are calculated.  Fortunately, by maintaining a clean driving record, younger and inexperienced drivers can lower their rates over time.  Do you have questions about your auto insurance rates?  Then give our knowledgeable Total Protection Team a call at 951-600-5751, send an email to [email protected], or stop by our Murrieta, California office today.  We are always happy to help!

Don’t Overspend on Your Teen’s Auto Insurance

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Avoid these costly mistakes when insuring your teen driver.

If your teen is ready to set out on the open road, then it’s time to secure them the auto insurance coverage that they need.  Unfortunately, because teens are less experienced drivers and have a bad reputation for being reckless, auto insurers tend to charge more for their coverage.  However, many parents make other mistakes that can drive up the cost of their teen’s insurance even more.  If you do not want to overspend on your teen’s car coverage, then make sure you avoid making these mistakes.

  • Getting a Separate Policy

When securing insurance for your teen driver, you have the option to secure them their own policy or add them to your existing auto policy.  While getting them a separate policy will ensure that the premiums on your existing policy will not increase, insurance policies for young drivers carry high premiums because insurers consider teens more likely to get into an accident.  While your rates will increase when you add your teen to your policy, this move will actually end up saving you money in the long run.  Generally, the premium increase you experience will be less than the cost of securing a totally separate policy for your teen.  Additionally, adding your teen to your policy will allow you to access multi-vehicle discounts.  So, if you want to save on your teen driver’s coverage, your best option is to add them to your existing auto policy.

  • Failing to Use Discounts

Many parents do not realize that their teens can access special insurance discounts.  For instance, many insurers offer discounts for getting good grades, driving a car with driver and passenger airbags, driving a car with automatic seatbelts, driving safely for a specific period of time, and taking a driver’s education class.  When securing car coverage for your teen, speak to your insurance provider to learn about all the discounts you could qualify for and make sure that you take advantage of them.

These are some of the mistakes that you should avoid when insuring your teen driver.  Do you need help securing the right auto insurance to meet your needs and your budget?  If so, then contact the experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California.  We are ready to assist you with all your car coverage needs today.

Don’t Let These Mistakes Drive Up Your Auto Insurance Rates

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Don’t make these costly car insurance mistakes.

As a car owner, securing and managing your auto insurance can be a difficult task.  To make matters worse, making mistakes with your coverage can result in higher rates and other costs.  If you do not want your car insurance to cost more than it has to, make sure you avoid these common coverage mistakes.

  • Committing Insurance Fraud During the Application Process

While telling a little white lie or concealing certain pieces of information from your insurer might not seem like a major deal, this actually constitutes insurance fraud.  If you get caught lying, then you may experience an increase in your auto insurance rates.  In some cases, your deception can actually result in an insurer denying you coverage.  If this should happen, then you would be flagged as high-risk, making it extremely difficult to find an insurer willing to cover you at an affordable rate.

  • Canceling Your Previous Coverage Too Early

If you want to switch from one insurer to another, it’s important that you do not cancel your existing policy too early.  This can create a coverage gap that can leave you vulnerable.  For instance, if you canceled your policy a couple of days before you new one started and you got into an accident during this gap, then you would be responsible for all the costs associated with the accident.  So, to ensure that significant costs do not come out of your pocket, make sure that you do not create dangerous coverage gaps.

These are two of the costly car insurance mistakes that you should avoid.  Do you have additional questions regarding your auto insurance?  If so, then contact the professionals at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California.  Our dedicated team is eager to assist you with all your coverage needs today.

Steps to Take When You Get a Speeding Ticket

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Here’s what you can do after being issued a speeding ticket.

Speeding is one of the most reckless and unnecessary driving behaviors you can have. If you choose to speed, not only are you putting yourself and everyone on the road at risk, but you are also increasing your chances of getting pulled over by the police. Should this ever happen to you, here’s what you need to do to handle the situation.

  • Firstly, pull to the side of the road safely and out of the way of traffic.
  • Stay calm and be polite to the officer. Keep your hands in view at all times and avoid making sudden movements.
  • Say as little as possible. If you plan on fighting your ticket, keep answers short and don’t admit wrongdoing. Anything you do say can be used against you if you go to court.
  • Sign the citation. This document is not an admission of guilt, it is just recognition that you’ve received the citation and promise to either pay the fine or show up to court on the designated date.
  • Merge safely back into traffic once the officer has given you the all clear.
  • Once you arrive at your destination, read over the documents. There will be a phone number that you can call if you have any questions.
  • Write down everything about the event that you can remember.
  • If you plan on fighting the ticket in court, make sure you have a well-prepared case and a good argument for why you were speeding.

These are some of the steps you can take after getting a speeding ticket. Remember, speeding is never permissible and always dangerous. To keep yourself and other drivers safe, avoid speeding and make sure you have the right auto insurance protections in place. For assistance with your car coverage needs, contact the experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California today.