Frequently Asked Questions About Automobile Insurance

How old do I need to be to purchase a policy?

As soon as you are old enough to obtain a driver's license, you are old enough to purchase your own insurance coverage. However, many parents choose to cover their teenagers on the family automobile policy because the rates are much cheaper that way than they are for a student driver on his or her own. Regardless of how you are covered as a young motorist, you can receive discounts for maintaining good grades in school (a B average or better) and for taking driver's education. You will also want to seek out a carrier that offers accident forgiveness for first offenses, to prevent you rates from going up if you are involved in an incident or traffic violation on the road.

I have a bad record. Can you help?

We work with drivers who have a variety of histories. Chances are, even with a bad record, we can find good coverage for you, as well. You can expect to pay significantly more for your policy, but the good news is that the longer you drive without any accidents or tickets, the better your pricing will be. In fact, after three years without incident, you should have a wide array of affordable opportunities.

Can I get cheaper rates through my work or another organization?

That depends on many factors. If you have an excellent record, obtaining insurance through a private membership organization is often a very good way to save - or at least to get great discounts. Unfortunately, most of these groups require you to be free from any traffic violations for the three years prior to seeking coverage. Even one speeding ticket can be enough to disqualify you. Luckily, we have options for drivers who have good, if not impeccable records, and we can find cheap car insurance for you.

Where can I find the insurance requirements for my state?

In order to find out how much liability you are required to carry, you should contact your local DMV or other driving authority. However, it is highly recommended that you purchase more coverage than you are legally mandated to have. If you are ever involved in a serious collision, more significant amounts will protect you against civil suits and other financial penalties from injured individuals and/or their relatives.

Is everyone who drives my car covered by my policy?

Usually, yes. As long as they have permission from you to use your auto, they will be protected if they are involved in or at fault in an accident. However, if they live in your home they must be listed on the policy in order to receive this coverage. All people of driving age who share your address absolutely have to be named when you make your purchase or added as they come of age or move in, or they will not be covered as drivers of your vehicle. Make sure you check the information given to you by your insurer before you make any assumptions, though.

Which states have no fault insurance systems?

Twelve states have some form. These include: Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah. In these states, drivers use their own liability to pay for damages to their own cars, trucks, or SUVs regardless of who is at fault in a collision. Some make provisions allowing lawsuits under certain circumstances. Others allow motorists to choose whether they want to be covered under the no fault system or the tort system.

Why do I have to have a deductible?

Insurance companies generally require drivers to have deductibles on their insurance to prevent small claims from taking up too much time for their claims agents and assessors. Usually, the deductible will be approximately $500, but you can choose to have a higher deductible and pay lower premiums if you are looking for a way to save money on your policy.