Category: Auto Insurance

9 Ways To Save on California Auto Insurance

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Since auto insurance is required by law, many individuals simply see the price they pay as a stagnant number that cannot be changed. Despite common belief, you are in complete control of your auto insurance premium. With the right lifestyle habits, you can keep your premium at a manageable rate. Compiled are 9 ways you can save on your auto insurance premium without sacrificing coverage:

  1. Did you know that your driving record has a heavy impact on how much you pay for auto insurance? Drive safely and refrain from speeding. Each traffic violation and auto accident will increase your premium.
  2. Did you know that you can receive additional discounts by taking defensive driving courses? These classes can also hide tickets from your record. Therefore, you can maintain your clean driving record by taking these classes. Before you enroll in one of these classes, contact us to verify qualification.
  3. Did you know that installing anti-theft devices in your car can help you save significantly? Since your car will be less susceptible to theft, you can receive a big discount.
  4. Did you know your credit score is taken into consideration when your premium is calculated? Make sure to conduct a credit report on a regular basis and fix any mistakes.
  5. Did you know that the neighborhood you live in affects your auto insurance premium? Your insurance provider will determine the risk factors of your neighborhood based on a number of demographics and provide you with a premium amount. If you are planning on moving, be sure to check the zip code’s premium rates.
  6. Did you know that the type of car you drive makes a big difference on how much you pay? Your premium will depend on how much it costs to repair or replace your vehicle. Before you go car shopping, be sure to ask your insurance provider what impact the purchase will make.
  7. Did you know that your daily commute determines your premium as well? If you drive an hour to work each day, expect to pay more on auto insurance.
  8. Did you know that if you raise your deductible you will not be paying as much each month? However, when making this change, you must keep in mind that you will be forced to pay more out of pocket if you get into an accident.
  9. Most importantly, did you know that you can save money on auto insurance by choosing to work with a local agent? You will get the coverage you deserve while working with an advocate on your behalf. They will find you the best rates, all qualifying discounts, and they will gladly explain any gaps in coverage. Working with a trusted agent like the experienced ones at Stromsoe Insurance Agency will allow you to control your risks, while protecting your family and maximizing your savings.

The experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency want to be your trusted agent. Contact us today to get started!

How To Lower The Cost Of Insuring Your Teen Driver

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

If you have a teenage driver on your hands, you know that your auto insurance premium is highly affected by adding them to your coverage. However, you don’t have to be emptying the bank account to insure your teen driver. Back to school time is the perfect opportunity to think about how you can save on your auto insurance.

As you watch your teen driver pull out of the driveway, you have a magnitude of worries crossing your mind. On top of worrying about their safety, you have to think about the costs associated with their new found freedom. The costs continue to build up as you purchase a car for them to drive, driving school, a driver’s license, and of course, their auto insurance. Many parents of new teen drivers fail to realize that they still have options to keep the costs low.

When choosing your teen driver’s first car, think about the insurance implications. Vehicles that require comprehensive and collision coverage will be more expensive to insure. If you purchase an older, yet reliable vehicle for your teen driver, you may only need to purchase liability insurance, keeping the costs down.

Additionally, you must take advantage of the discounts available to you. If your child takes additional driver’s education courses, they may be eligible to receive a discount. Is your child tired of hearing you encourage them to keep their grades up? You now have the luxury of saying that they will not be allowed to drive unless they maintain a B average. That way, they will be receiving the good student discount and your auto insurance premium will not be as high.

The insurance experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency can answer any remaining questions you may have regarding insuring your teen driver. We can help you review your current policy and help you manage the cost of insuring your teen. Contact us today!

Easy Ways you Can Save on Auto Insurance

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Prudent car owners will want to do everything possible to minimize the costs of operating their vehicle, and it’s particularly important to know how to save money on auto insurance.

When shopping for new auto insurance or when you are reviewing your existing policy, here are some easy tips to help you reduce costs:

Purchase the minimum bodily injury liability that is required by law. Make sure to consult with your insurance professional so your assets, such as your home or stock portfolio will be protected if someone sues you after an accident.

Determine how much you can afford to pay if you need your car fixed, and lower the amount of collision coverage accordingly. Higher deductibles will result in lower insurance costs.

Purchase less coverage for medical payments if your personal medical insurance will be sufficient to cover you to your satisfaction. To be sure, contact your insurance agent for assistance in making this decision.

The experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency are proud to represent more than 44 companies, enabling them to help customers find the optimal insurance coverage to meet their budget. For more information about saving money on auto insurance, please feel free to contact the professionals at Stromsoe Insurance Agency today.

Your Job Can Save You Money on Auto Insurance!

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

YOUR JOB CAN SAVE YOU MONEY ON AUTO INSURANCE!

Did you know if you are an engineers, firefighters, lawyers, teachers, and police officers you all have one thing in common: you qualify for Auto insurance discounts with some insurers who have found that people in certain fields tend to be less risky drivers than those in other occupations.

A number of insurance companies offer discounts to those in a variety of professions – everything from architects, CPAs, and college professors through librarians, military personnel, and pilots, to physicians, registered nurses, and scientists.

Here’s why: although practicing architecture or flying a plane doesn’t necessarily make a driver more responsible, insurance underwriters don’t have to prove cause and effect when setting rates. They need only show a relationship between these rating factors and risk.

A variety of factors can come into play in determining discounts. One Auto insurance company offers up to a 5 % discount to first responders, such as firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Because these people tend to work in the communities where they live, they probably don’t commute long distances. First responders might speed down the road in emergencies, but not in their own vehicles, and they tend not to work from 9 to 5 – which means that they’re at lower risk for accidents.

Discounts vary by occupation, insurance company, and state. Some companies offer discounts for a long list of occupations and professions, while others provide them to only a few, or none at all. Some jobs receive larger discounts than others.

Rules for discounts also vary by field. To qualify for one company’s discount, health care providers must have a license to practice, as well as a degree. However, policyholders who have earned at least a bachelor in engineering, math, or science qualify for an 18% discount, even if they work in other fields.

Your occupation or profession might well entitle you to a substantial discount on your Auto insurance – even if you’re retired. For more information, please get in touch with us. 877-994-6787

Auto Liability Insurance: How Much is Enough?

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Do you know what the three numbers that are usually written like this xx/yy/zz on your Auto Liability insurance?

The first number refers to the maximum amount of Bodily Injury Liability (BI) for an individual injured in an auto accident; the second is BI per coverage per accident; while the third covers Property Damage Liability (PD) per vehicle. For example a policy with 30/60/15 Liability coverage would pay up to $30,000 in BI per individual, $60,000 worth of BI per vehicle, and $15,000 in PD per vehicle.

Every state requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of Liability coverage under their Auto policy. Limits by state vary from 10/20/10 in Florida to 80/100/25 in Maine. These numbers have remained fairly stable for a number of years.

However, because a car accident can cost far more than the Liability minimums that most states require, people usually carry more coverage. The Insurance Information Institute recommends that you have at least $100,000 of BI protection per person and $300,000 per accident (known as 100/300).

If you hold the minimum coverage required by your state and you’re involved in an accident in another state that requires higher minimum coverage, the chances are that your policy limits will increase automatically to meet the other state’s minimum requirements.

We’d be happy to make sure that this feature applies under your Auto insurance– and to discuss the most cost-effective ways of protect yourself and your family from liability for accidents behind the wheel (such as increasing your Liability coverage or choosing higher deductibles).

For a complimentary review of your policy, just give us a call. 877-994-6787

Should You Drop Collision Coverage On Your Old Car?

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Do you find yourself asking if it’s a wise investment to continue buying collision insurance for that old car? The answer depends on your individual situation.

First, what’s the true worth of the car? Any repair or replacement costs following a collision will be based on the value of the vehicle at the time of the claim. Also consider your deductible amount. For example, if your car is now worth $2,000 and your deductible for collision claims is $500, insurance will pay no more than $1,500 for your loss.

Once you’ve estimated the maximum that your policy is likely to pay for a collision, ask yourself whether the value of the car would create a significant financial hardship if it were totaled in an accident without insurance. Is the cost of collision coverage reasonable, considering the maximum you can receive at the time of a claim? Don’t forget peace of mind — if dropping collision will make you lose sleep at night over a possible loss, it’s better to keep your coverage and get some rest.

If you’re considering whether it’s still worth insuring your older car for collision, call our personal auto representatives. We’ll be happy to review your current coverage, give you the book value of your vehicle, and estimate the changes in cost of your insurance if you make any changes. Let us help you make the best decision. (877)994-6787

Crackdown on Texting Drivers Could Raise Auto Premiums

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Enforcement has been weak for drivers who have been texting behind the wheel but they will soon find that this is no longer the case, thanks to Uncle Sam – and getting caught might kick up their Auto insurance premiums.

Although 39 states prohibit texting while driving, these laws have been tough to enforce; many people have been able to scoff at the law unless they’re involved in an accident while texting.

To help state authorities catch texting drivers in the act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued $550,000 in grants.

The impact of texting behind the wheel on Auto premiums varies by state. If a state penalizes these infractions as moving violations, a citation will add points to the driver’s record – which means that insurance companies could raise rates For example, according to an analysis of quotes from two leading Auto insurers, motorists in New York State who receive tickets for texting while driving will pay an annual premium penalty of $59 to $74 when they renew their policies. However, in states that don’t add driving points for this type of misbehavior insurers will not be able to hike premiums.

Let’s hope that the new federal grants, together with the pocketbook pain of higher Auto premiums, will help curb texting by thoughtless drivers – and make the nation’s streets and highways safer!

Car Care Means Coverage Care

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Taking good care of your car is good idea. Did you realize a well-maintained vehicle is more dependable, safer, and more valuable. However, did you know that careful maintenance can also save you money on Auto insurance?

For example, experts recommend replacing your wiper blades every 6,000 miles or six months. If your wipers leave streaks and smears, you’re ready for a replacement set. But also consider how unsafe it is to drive your car without clear vision. Every year motorists have accidents because they fail to see oncoming traffic or a car that stops in front of them.

While you’re thinking about a clear windshield, what about that non functioning defroster you’ve been meaning to fix.

Don’t forget about seat belts. Thousands of vehicle occupants every year suffer injuries because they don’t wear their belts. Are all of your belts functioning properly — even those in the back seat? Not only are unbelted rear seat passengers highly susceptible to injury, but 80% of fatalities among front-seat passengers wearing seat belts resulted from collisions with unbelted back seat passengers, according to a University of Tokyo study.

Taking preventative maintenance measures such as these, together with safe driving habits, will help curb highway accidents, reducing injuries and saving lives –not to mention lowering the number (and cost) of Auto coverage claims. That’s why insurance companies offer premium credits to drivers who take care of their vehicles.

One of our Protection Coaches® can provide advice on the types and amounts of coverage a vehicle owner needs. Here are 4 Easy Ways to Reach Us:
Call 951-600-5751 or 877-994-6787
Fax 951-677-6265
Email – [email protected]
Visit agency.thebutlerweb.com

State Minimum Auto Liability Coverage: Is It Enough?

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

State minimum insurance requirements are minimal. Most states demand less than $100,000 for bodily injuries and $50,000 for property damage. Some states require only $10,000 for property damage coverage.

How many cars valued at greater than $10,000 travel the highways? How many trucks carrying cargo are worth more than $10,000? $50,000? $100,000?

According to the 2010 census, the median family net worth exceeded $200,000. That amount includes houses, cars, savings, retirement funds, cash in the bank, college savings, and furniture and personal effects. Half the families are worth more, half have assets less than $200,000; all of it is hard earned.

If the family is underinsured for liability, their net worth is vulnerable to be seized in a lawsuit based on injuries or property damage caused by any family member driving a vehicle. The car owner and the car driver become parties to the suit.

Bodily injuries sustained in car wrecks devastate lives. People unable to work, the high cost of medical treatment, rehabilitation expenses, and the pain and suffering can only be compensated with money. The money comes from the insurance company or the liable party’s personal wealth.

Not convinced you need higher limits? Not all liabilities are released in bankruptcy. Many states have specific legislation disallowing debt reduction for certain accidents, most notably driving while intoxicated. Wage plans reduce take home pay by as much as 33%. Many employers do not tolerate either bankruptcy or wage garnishments.

Still not convinced? How about a selfish motivation?

Other drivers are either uninsured or underinsured. Most insurance companies will not provide uninsured motorist coverage in limits greater than the liability limits of the policy.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage from your policy pays on behalf of the driver who hits you if they are poorly insured. In a classic exercise of the golden rule, insurance companies only sell limits commensurate with the protection you offer others.

Proper limits of liability allow you to protect yourself from the improper coverage other people maintain.

So how much coverage is enough? What are reasonable limits of liability?

Call our knowledgeable Protection Team to get the right answers to your questions. And consider this:

Your assets are your excess insurance coverage. This means that when the limits of your policy are reached, your assets are at risk. Excess insurance – Umbrella policies, for example – is available in $1 million layers over your Automobile and Homeowners liability limits if those limits qualify – are high enough. Protect yourself against underinsured drivers by increasing your uninsured motorist coverage.

Here are 4 Easy Ways to Reach Us:

  1. Call 951-600-5751 or 877-994-6787
  2. Fax 951-677-6265
  3. Email – [email protected]
  4. Visit – agency.thebutlerweb.com 24/7