Category: Auto Insurance

Common Gaps in Auto Insurance

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Common Gaps in Auto InsuranceMake sure that you are getting the auto insurance coverage you need.

If you own a car, every state requires you to have some level of auto insurance.  However, these insurance minimums aren’t enough to adequately protect you and can leave you vulnerable.  Learn about the most common gaps in auto insurance and make sure you have all the protection you need.

Transportation Expenses Coverage

If you are in an accident and are unable to drive your vehicle, you might have to rely on a rental car or other transportation service (bus, taxi, etc.).  However, many auto insurance policies don’t provide coverage for these expenses.  If your policy doesn’t cover transportation expenses, that taxi fare might be coming straight from your pocket.

College Student Coverage

Most auto insurance policies provide coverage for you and the family members who live with you.  If you have a child who is going off to college, they might not be covered by your policy.  Students living in college dorms are typically covered by their parents’ insurance, but students staying in off-campus apartments may be excluded.  Check with your insurance provider to ensure that your college student is protected while they’re away.

Original Equipment Manufacturer Coverage

If your luxury or specialty vehicle sustains damage, your car might not be repaired using original manufacturer equipment.  While your insurance policy will cover damages, coverage might not include new, manufacturer specific parts.   For example, if your brand-new BMW needs repairs, then there is a possibility that broken equipment might be replaced using non-BMW, or refurbished BMW parts.

Flood Coverage

Standard auto insurance policies may not cover flood damage to your vehicle.  This means that if your car is damaged during a flood, then the cost of repairs falls on your shoulders.  If you live in a high flood risk area, then talk to your insurance provider and make sure that your car is covered in the event of flooding.

Mind the gaps in your car insurance and remember to contact our knowledgeable team at Stromsoe Insurance Agency in Murrieta, California for all of your personal and business insurance coverage needs. We will work with you to ensure you have the right amount of protection, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Should You Spring for Auto Insurance Add-Ons?

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Does your auto insurance need all of the added bells and whistles?

A typical car insurance policy covers you from having to pay for damages that you cause. However, for truly personalized coverage that protects you from all sorts of accidents and financial hardships, auto insurance add-ons are available. When comparing auto insurance policies and add-on coverage, the cheapest policies tend to be the ones without all of the trimmings. However, motorists should be advocates of getting the right level of coverage at the right price, rather than opting for the cheapest, most minimal policies. After all, insurance protects your wallet in the long run.

Here’s a run-down of the extras most commonly offered, so that you can work out your desired coverage!

Accident forgiveness – For those who are normally a safe driver and rarely file a claim, this is for you! Some insurance companies will provide those who are qualified with forgiveness for accidents that rarely occur.

Small claim forgiveness – Small claims, such as fender benders, can increase your auto insurance rate.  In the spirit of forgiveness, this coverage means that your rate remains the same even if you file a minor claim.

Loss of use – Anyone who has been without their car after an accident knows the frustration of using public transportation and taxis or splurging for a rental car. This coverage reimburses your expenses that you face when your car is getting repaired or replaced.

Personal umbrella – Personal Liability Umbrella insurance supplements the liability coverage you already have on your auto and homeowners policies, providing an extra layer of protection.

Towing & Roadside Assistance – Avoid the heart-sinking feeling of breaking down on the side of the road with no means of help. Your auto insurance policy can provide you with a tow truck that will transport you and your car to a mechanic, locksmith services, jump-start your battery, or deliver you fuel so that you get back on the road quickly.

Rental car reimbursement – If you need a rental vehicle after an accident, your policy can foot the bill of this expense so that you don’t have to be without your car and money!

Extended customized equipment coverage – If your ride has a new stereo system, subwoofer, chrome rims, spinners, or a similar feature, you may not be covered if they’re damaged or stolen. With this coverage, you can protect this equipment!

Talk to your independent insurance agency today to customize your auto insurance policy so that you can cruise the roads, protected! Contact our knowledgeable team at Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your personal and business insurance coverage needs. We will work with you to ensure you have the right amount of protection, all at the right price to fit your budget.

Is Cheap Insurance Always Best?

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Cheap insurance may satisfy the legal requirements but it may not satisfy your real life coverage needs.

We don’t blame you for wanting to save the most money, not all insurance coverage is chump change. You’ve just spent a ton of money on that new car and every penny you can save on your car insurance policy is another penny that you can spend on things you need like food, gas, and the iPhone 7. But when it comes to your coverage, cheaper isn’t always better. We’ll explain why you should look for a policy that covers your needs–even if it does cost a few extra bucks.

Cheap rarely ever translates to good

When is the last time you purchased something cheap and got a pretty good return on investment? In the world of insurance and other items the phrase, “you get what you pay for” may come back to hit us in the face. Minimal payments means minimal protection. Be sure to look at your coverage needs and what your insurance company offers to meet those needs.

There are other ways to save

Just because your rate says one thing, doesn’t mean you are stuck with that number. There are plenty of discounts available to you that can drastically lower your payment. If you’re unsure which discounts are available, talk to your agent about the following discount to see if they apply to you.

  • Claim-free discount
  • Multi-car discount
  • Homeowners discount
  • Good driver discount
  • Switch & save discount
  • Paid-in-full discount
  • Vehicle safety discount
  • Good student discount

When it comes to protecting your car, having the right team of insurance experts behind you can give you the peace of mind that you deserve. Contact the experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your commercial insurance coverage needs. We will work with you to ensure you have the right amount of protection, all at the right price to fit your budget.

What to Do After a Car Accident

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Car accidents can be stressful, so it’s best to brush up on post-collision protocol now while you’re sane and level-headed. 

Car accidents can leave us stressed and dizzy. It’s because they are unexpected–and the fact that a two-ton piece of metal just smashed into you–is what leaves us stressed out. The stress of the accident may not allow you to look up “what to do after a car accident”, so it’s best to do it now while you’re sane and level-headed. Here is the post-car accident protocol you should follow after a traffic collision.

1. Pull Over – If your cars are able to move, get to the side of the road–out of the way of traffic. This is important for two reasons: 1) You’re out of the way from oncoming traffic; 2) The thousands of people behind you shouldn’t have to sit in traffic because of your mistake. If your cars can’t move, then activate your hazard lights to alert the other drivers your cars aren’t going anywhere.

2. Check on the Other Drivers – Make sure that everyone is okay and call 911 if anyone has been injured. Even a small bump on the head can be fatal.

3. Gather Necessary Information – All of these things will make the claims process much, much smoother.

  • Names of all drivers and passengers
  • Insurance info
  • License plate numbers
  • Makes and models of all cars involved
  • Contact information of eyewitnesses
  • Geographical location of the accident
  • The name and badge number of any responding police officers
  • Photograph the accident with your phone

4. Call Your Insurance Agent – After the accident and having made sure that everyone is okay, be sure to call your insurance agent and file a claim. A good insurance agent will walk you step-by-step through the whole thing.

Knowing the right protocol is useless if you don’t have the policy to take care of you. For all of your auto insurance needs in California, be sure to contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We are more than happy to help you get the coverage you deserve!

How Can I Qualify for a Good Driver Discount?

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We all love discounts because they mean we’re going to be saving some money. Do you know how you can get a discount on your car insurance?

Each auto insurance company has different definitions on what “good driver” actually means. Most, however, fall into two categories that are quite easy to understand. Some companies offer discounts for every year you avoid an at-fault accident or moving violation. Other companies gauge your good driving based on your driving record over a period of years. Many of those companies have a three-year window.

How You Can Qualify for a Good Driver Discount

When determining if you qualify for a good driver discount, keep in mind that each company has different requirements for determining what qualifies as a good driver. Generally, it means these things.

  • Having a clean driving record free of moving violations like speeding tickets, DUI/DWI, and reckless driving will certainly help your case for a good driver discount.
  • You’ve avoided at-fault accidents, showing your insurance company that you are a responsible driver and are able to hold your own on the road. This is a nice green light for your insurance company and can help you acquire this discount.
  • Being claims-free is a big bonus as well. The less hassle you cause your insurance company, the more inclined they’ll be to reward you a nice discount. If you keep driving claim-free for the time required by your insurance company, they’ll see this as a good sign and will be more likely to extend discounts to you.

As a good driver, you deserve to get a good driver discount and put some more money in your pocket! For all of your auto insurance needs in California, be sure to contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We are more than happy to help you get the coverage you deserve!

Will My Auto Insurance Cover a Cracked Windshield?

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What should you do when a rock hits and cracks your windshield?

It’ll happen to everyone at least once in their driving life. You’re driving behind a construction truck and a pebble will fall and hit your windshield like it knew exactly where you were going to be. Or, perhaps, you are parked under a tree and a branch falls off and it leaves a sizable crack on your windshield. What are you to do, and who’s going to pay for the damages?  Know if your insurance will cover you, and what you should do when a pebble or other rogue object hits your windshield.

What to Do, What to Do?

Rather than ignore it, you should inspect the crack to determine the severity of it. Will you need to get it repaired or go the whole 9 yards and get it replaced? If it’s a small crack, it usually just needs to get repaired and you can move on. If it’s too big, it may become life-threatening and you may need to get the entire window replaced.

The dollar bill comparison is a good way to tell what you’ll need: if a dollar bill is bigger than the crack, then a repair is the likely option. Anything bigger, and you should expect to get the replacement.

Does My Auto Insurance Cover the Crack?

If you have comprehensive coverage, then you are more than likely going to be covered. You’re probably going to have to pay a deductible for the following procedure. Meaning if your repair costs $499, and your deductible is $500, you’re going to have to pay for the repair out of pocket.

Your windshield is a crucial part of your car which protects you from the dangerous elements that lurk just beyond. For all of your auto insurance needs in California, including coverage for your windshield, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency.

Car Insurance Discounts For Senior Drivers

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Senior drivers, you can save on your car insurance with these discounts!

Your parents might not have told you, but they paid a pretty penny for your car insurance when you were a teen. Because teen drivers are inexperienced, they’re riskier for insurers to cover. They pass that risk along to parents in the form of higher premiums.

It makes sense, then, that as you gain experience behind the wheel you would pay less for your coverage. We want to help you save as much as possible for all of your years on the road, so we’ve collected some of the best car insurance discounts for a senior driver.

  • Mature Driver: Ask your insurer at which age they shave a specific percentage off your premiums. Most providers have a certain age in mind, and once you hit it you automatically qualify for this discount.
  • Driving Course: If you take a safe driving course offered to senior drivers (the AARP offers them all over the country), you can shave down your premiums.
  • Low Mileage: If you’re not driving as much as you used to, you might be able to save. Some insurers will offer a significant discount if you drive fewer than a certain number of miles each month.
  • Membership: Are you a member of the AARP or another senior organization? If so, tell your insurance provider. Most of them offer certain discounts to people with these types of group memberships.

Want to save more on your California coverage? To talk to a car insurance agency that will work hard to dig out all of the discounts for which you apply, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We know that every senior driver deserves to save big, and are here to help you do just that!

Your Teen Drivers Need Car Insurance (Even If They Don’t Have A Car)

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How to get your teen drivers the car insurance they need.

In theory, your teen becoming a licensed driver takes a lot off your plate. You don’t have to drive to school in the mornings, you’re not responsible for shuttling your teen and his or her friends to after-school activities, and you free yourself from playing weekend chauffeur.

Unfortunately, though, when your teen starts being able to drive you do have or thing or two you need to worry about. For starters, you need to focus on making sure your family’s newest driver is safe behind the wheel.

Secondly, you need to consider your insurance coverage. That’s right, even if your teen doesn’t have his or her own car you still need to insure him or her. In the state of California, all drivers on the road are required to have liability insurance. That means that if you let your teen drive without having coverage for him or her, you’re letting your teen break the law.

Fortunately, insuring your new driver is easy! Just give your insurance agent a call, and he or she will be able to add your teen as an operator on your family’s existing coverage.

Let us forewarn you: when you add a teen, your rates will go up because teen drivers are statistically some of the riskiest people on the road. The good news is you can combat this by limiting how much your teen drives, getting a good student discount if he or she gets As and Bs, and waiting to buy him or her a car.

If you have questions about the California car insurance your growing number of drivers requires, don’t wait to contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. We know that you already have enough to worry about with your new teen driver, and are here to making getting him or her covered easy! Protect your family, your vehicles, and your liability by calling us today.

Accomplishing The Goal Of Saving On Auto Insurance

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Auto Insurance Discounts

Saving on insurance is an aspiration that every individual hopes to achieve one day. What would you say if we told you that you can save on auto insurance today? No, this is no joke! There are a handful of ways to save on auto insurance that you may not be taking advantage of, including:

  • Have you checked to make sure that your driving record is accurate? Accidents, tickets, and claims all make negative impacts on your auto insurance rates, so if your vehicle report is inaccurate you may be experiencing unnecessary penalization. Contact your auto insurance agent to make sure everything is accurate on your record.
  • When was the last time you took a defensive driving course to hone your skills? Completing this simple task can actually qualify you for a discount while simultaneously making the roads a safer place.
  • Still not liking your premium amount? Slightly increasing your deductibles can help it so you do not pay so much out of pocket. However, be ready to pay that increased deductible if you ever need to file a claim.
  • There are different payment options that may help you out a little as well. Many insurers will offer short and sweet discounts for paying in full or paying your premium twice a year as opposed to monthly.
  • One of the easiest ways you can save on insurance is by keeping all of your policies in one place. Bundling for insurance discounts should be a no-brainer for anyone with more than one insurance policy!

Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your California auto insurance needs. Saving on auto insurance is possible when you entrust the experienced agents at Stromsoe Insurance Agency to handle your coverage. We will make sure that you are taking advantage of each and every auto insurance discount that you qualify for.

Pad Your Pocket With These Auto Insurance Tips

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A Quick Guide To Maximizing Your Savings

Adulthood and bills seem to go hand in hand, but that does not mean you have to put all your fun money towards your responsibilities. You can keep more cash in your piggy bank by utilizing a few money saving tips when it comes to your auto insurance. To help you save:

  • Get To Class: Ask your insurance provider if taking a safe driving course could qualify you for savings. A quick trip back to school could be well worth your while in lowering your premiums month after month.
  • Get Tech-ed Out: Installing safety features in your car will not just protect your loved ones; it can also protect your pocketbook. If your car has airbags, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft systems, or other safety features, let your insurance agent know. They will likely qualify you for discounts.
  • Get Organized: Statistically speaking, your car is at less risk for being damaged or getting stolen if it is parked in a garage. Take the time to clean out your garage so you can leave your car in safety overnight, and you will likely see savings on your insurance bill.
  • Get Shopping: Compare quotes from multiple insurance providers to ensure you are not overpaying for the coverage you need. By working with an independent agency, you can have an insurance expert do that work for you. Whether you use an agent or do it yourself, shopping around will help you find the best policy for the best price.

Are you working with a dedicated insurance agent who will point out all potential discounts to help you keep more money in your pocket? Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your California auto insurance needs. We are here to show you how to lower premiums and maximize savings. Call us today!