Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage

When you own a company consisting of fleet vehicles, you have a great responsibility when it comes to keeping them mobile. These vehicles are a big part of your business and they can contribute to your success or hinder. Regular maintenance for your vehicles in top-notch shape is vital, but it is just as important for you to get commercial auto insurance coverage.

The first thing that usually comes to mind when you think of car insurance is the type you must legally your vehicle, but there is another type. Commercial auto insurance can refer to insurance designed to help the drivers when they have an emergency situation along the way. It is not required by law to have but it is a great asset for any company. The purpose of such services is to help your drivers when they have a roadside emergency.

Depending on the nature of the emergency situation this service the vehicle gets back up and running again. If that's not an option, it will be towed to a location where the repairs or what type of service you need to get your drivers on the road as soon as possible.

What commercial auto insurance Covers

If your vehicle breaks down as a result of a small mechanical problem or if you have some other emergency situation that you stranded late, not covered by regular insurance policy. This is where a good roadside assistance plan can help. Do you have any type of mechanical failure such overheating, a belt to break or the engine not firing, you can use the towing service for these types of emergencies.

If your battery dies, you will receive a jumpstart. If you lose your keys, a locksmith will be sent to your location. They'll even send someone to provide you with two or three litres of gas if you like fuel exhausted. If you have a puncture and cannot change this, someone will be sent to your location to confirm the flat (provided you have a spare) and you'll be on your way again.

All your driver needs to do is call the number on the card, explain the situation to the representative and they will send someone to their location immediately. The average response time is 30 minutes. Of course, this time no longer if you're in a remote area a long ways from all companies.

How it saves you money

Now that you know what it covers, you must know how it can save you money. Let's say you have 50 vehicles in your fleet. Three of these vehicles have engine trouble during the month that the drivers are on the side of the road links. Another driver accidentally ran out of gas and another was in a hurry to go to a meeting and the keys locked in the car.

If you how much it would cost to tow the three vehicles add up, have a locksmith go to the vehicle to retrieve the keys and factor in the aggravation of invalidity and the time it takes for you to get to the driver that ran out of fuel, you can see how this service can save you money.

For an annual fee, all these problems would be taken care of quickly and efficiently with just a simple phone call. If your company fleet vehicles, commercial auto insurance, your company can save money, but more importantly, it can keep your drivers safe. It is an investment that you can trust.

Commercial auto insurance for fleet vehicles can save you money and your drivers safe. 

View the original article here

See More →Commercial Auto Insurance coverage for fleets can save you money

Saving money on car insurance is important, but those savings should not come at the expense of quality coverage. This article discusses the importance of getting the right value - not just the lowest price - when shopping for car insurance.

When you shop for car insurance, you might be tempted to cut corners to save a few bucks, but in the end that could be a very short-sighted decision. Car insurance is designed primarily to protect you, your family and your personal assets in the event of an accident. While car insurance can also pay to fix your car and get you back on the road, it is the protection from liability that is at the heart of this protection. If you cut back on that protection to save a few bucks, you could end up regretting that decision immensely if you ever are involved in a crash.

Is Minimum Coverage Enough?

Many drivers assume that the minimum level of coverage required by the state is enough to protect them in the event of an accident. After all, doesn't the state have the best interests of its drivers at heart? Unfortunately, relying on your state government to protect you is rarely a good idea, and in fact many state governments enact minimum coverage laws with affordability, not proper protection, in mind.

The goal of minimum coverage laws is often to maximize the percentage of drivers who choose to buy insurance for their vehicles. By making that coverage as inexpensive as possible, that state can increase those percentages and look good to the powers that be. Unfortunately, that inexpensive coverage is often inadequate in the real world, so if your own coverage is based on the minimum required by law you might want to re-evaluate your choices.

Consider that some states set the minimum for property damage protection as low as $10,000. The next time you drive to work, take a look around the parking lot and count the number of cars worth more than that amount. If you were to be in an accident that totaled one of those cars, you could be on the hook for any excess damage not covered by your insurance.

Look at Value - Not Just Price

Shopping based on price alone is certainly understandable, especially with an expensive purchase like car insurance. But when your personal assets and your protection are at stake, it is best to look at overall value and not just the bottom line price. After all, a low premium is not worth very much if you do not have the protection you need.

One strategy to consider is shopping around and requesting several different quotes, one for the minimum level of coverage required by law and two or three more for higher levels of coverage. When it comes to adding property damage and liability coverage protection, you might be surprised at just how little higher levels of coverage add to your premium.

After you have those quotes in hand, you can evaluate them and choose the one that provides you with the best coverage at the lowest possible price. Taking the time to look at value as well as price can give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are truly protected in the event of an accident.

View the original article here

See More →Shopping for Cheap Car Insurance - Don't Skimp on Coverage to Save Money

"You can save hundreds on car insurance!" Really?

We've all seen the commercials... "Call today and save hundreds!" Believe it or not, there is some truth to it. Take advantage of the cost saving tips below and then stay put! Your insurance company will reward you for staying with them; just make sure that you follow the tips below to save when you're ready to shop. If you feel like you're paying too much, you might be! Here are some tips on saving on home and auto insurance.

1. Shop early
Many companies offer discounts on auto insurance if you shop at least 7 days in advance of your current policy expiration date. This discount varies, but can be as high as 10% and depending on the carrier, can stay on the policy for several years. Companies reward responsible consumers who shop early and pay their bills on-time; they say it is an indication of predicting future losses.
Other products may be eligible for an advance shopping discount too. Be sure to ask!

2. Bundle your policies - but also shop individually!
Bundling your home and auto insurance together in the same place has been touted for years by the likes of captive carriers, but that's because they only offer one company. There is still some truth that it can save you money by packaging your home and auto policies together. Some carriers will discount your premium as much as 30% for bundling the two policies together. That said, it doesn't mean that their rate without the 30% discount is the best. Have your agent quote you out separately as well to ensure that it is best to bundle them together. Some companies offer "mini-packages" where you can put your auto and umbrella with one company (creating a mini-package) and home with another. Talk to you agent about what is best for you.

3. Go to a local independent agent
Local insurance agents offer insurance products through many companies and can save you time by shopping you through all of their companies at once! Think about what your time is worth. Do you really want to spend your time calling several different insurance companies, giving out your personal information over and over just to get a quote? Save yourself the hassle and look for a recommended local independent agent. Keep in mind that some 1-800 companies will not run your MVR (motor vehicle record) prior to issuing your policy. So, if you have any tickets or accidents your rate may be artificially low. They will send you a bill within 30 days for any missing violations or accidents.

4. Take EFT or pay in full options
By putting your policy for either your home or auto on an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or paying the policy in full, you can save upwards of 10% off of your premium. Ask your agent about different payment options and how much they differ. You're paying monthly by mail anyway, might as well save while you pay!

5. Talk to your friends
Friends love to share when they are able to save money on their insurance or any product for that matter. It makes them feel good! It is human nature to want to help others and feel like an expert at the same time... so start asking who your friends are insured with and maybe you can share this article with them to help them too!

6. Stay with the same company longer
Insurance companies now offer longevity credits for loyal customers. They know it is far better to retain a current customer than it is to attract a new one. Stay with a company longer and they will often reward you with perks such as accident forgiveness, better rates and disappearing deductibles! It is also good to touch base with your agent once a year to see if there are any new discounts too.

7. Keep your credit in good health
Like it or not, your credit has an incredible influence on your insurance premiums. Insurance companies say that credit is a good indicator of future losses. Credit improved lately? Your insurance company can often re-run your credit with your permission to see if you're eligible for a better rate.

8. Previous insurance limits
Those low policy limits may be hurting you. If you tend to select lower than 50/100 liability limits on your policy (we'd always recommend at least 100/300; ask us why) you will be penalized if you go to another carrier. When a new insurance company takes you on as a customer, they will actually tier you based partially on your previous insurance limits. Come to them with low limits and they will penalize you and your premium will be higher. Consider raising your limits. Not only is this a good idea to save money, it is a good idea to protect you financially in the unfortunate case of an accident.

9. Raise your deductibles
Are you carrying low deductibles? You're paying more for it. While everyone is different on how they want to use their insurance, consider this: Do you really want to make a claim for less than $500? This could affect your premiums in the future, even if you're not at fault! Talk to your insurance agent about what is the best option for you.

10. House rebuilding cost is different than what you paid for it.
This is a big one! Many people think that what they paid for their home is what they need to insure it for. Of course you want to protect it and have it rebuilt in the unfortunate even of a fire or possible storm damage. However, when you insure your home for what you paid for it, you're taking into consideration the value of the land. The average property has 30-40% of the value in the land. Most insurance agencies will use a cost estimator for the rebuild value of the home, but then will talk to you about it. Make sure you don't include the value of the land.

11. Avoid being a claims magnet
We see people all the time turn in theft or vandalism claims for stolen personal effects in their vehicles. Not only are those personal effects usually not covered (iPods, cds, cameras) the claim usually stems from them leaving it visible on the seat of the vehicle that was damaged. If you have an iPod or other MP3 device in your vehicle, consider stuffing it below your seat or putting it in the glove box out of sight. Furthermore, always talk to you agent BEFORE you turn in a claim so they have the opportunity to help with the claims process.

12. When shopping for a new car or house, consider the cost to insure it first!
The least expensive vehicles to insure are your conservative sedans and minivans. Many companies offer free insurance quotes for vehicle changes and you can often access right online through your insurance provider.

When looking at purchasing a new home, consider if it is near any creeks or bodies of water as your mortgage broker may require you to carry flood insurance which can run into the thousands of dollars a year. While that sound of water is tranquil, it will likely increase your insurance premiums to be near it. Get a quote before making an offer!

13. Education level
Like it or not, insurance carriers have started giving discounts on their products based off of how much education you've received. Have some college and you get a larger discount than someone with a high school diploma. Have a graduate degree and get the largest discounts available (usually only around 1-3%).

14. Ticket falling off soon? Ask for an MVR review!
Make sure you tell your agent about this. Penalties can vary greatly, but it isn't unusual for them to be in excess of 50% increase in your premiums. 1st tickets aren't as heavily penalized as the 2nd or 3rd. If you have a ticket coming off of your insurance the carrier can often do an MVR review (depending on your state). Keep in mind, if the company reviews your MVR, they may find additional tickets that you haven't told them about, so if you've recently received another, it may be best to keep quiet.

15. Other items to consider:
a. Simply by adding an umbrella to your auto policy can almost cover the cost of the umbrella itself!
b. If you have youthful operators in the house, they may be eligible for a good student driver discount.
c. Mature driver (55+)? Some companies offer discounts for mature drivers who have completed a safety course lately. To find one near you, just type in "Mature Driver Course" into Google and you will find many!

View the original article here

See More →15 Tips to Save Money on Auto Insurance

Modern cars require much less maintenance than their older counterparts. Curiously, though, many people haven't adjusted their thinking to keep pace with new automobile maintenance schedules. But, although maintenance intervals are now much more widely spaced, even the newest cars require scheduled service to have long, productive lives.

Whether it is the latest model or a car that was paid off years ago, the idea is to give this vehicle the maintenance it was designed to receive. Every car is supplied with a maintenance schedule in the owner's manual or in a separate maintenance logbook that details that vehicle's needs. Working within these requirements will help avoid the following common car-maintenance pitfalls, and can prevent lengthy or more expensive visits to a service shop

Proper Tire Inflation and Rotation

Tires leak naturally and need to be checked occasionally. Underinflated tires tend to burn up fuel. Under- or overinflated tires wear out sooner, and maneuver poorly. It's a good idea to check tire pressures monthly, or at least 3 to 4 times a year.

Additionally, front and rear tires wear differently and should be rotated to even out that wear. The owner's manual will have a recommendation on both pressure and rotation periods.

Replacement of Tires

The tire industry says tires are only safe for five years, but it really depends on heat, sunlight and ozone conditions. Most tires are good for about seven years. Check the date code stamped into the sidewall to determine their age if not completely sure.

Dirty Air Filters

Semi-clogged air filters hurt fuel economy. Under limited driving, an air filter might not see much grit, but routinely driving grimy city surface streets can overwhelm air filters. This one is strictly about conditions. If driving near, or over dirty roads, the air filter may need changing twice as often as the schedule calls for.

Replacing Brakes

When noticing anything different about the brakes, like a sound, a feel or the response means they are likely due for a visit to a mechanic.

Other maintenance steps include: Windshield Wiper Replacement, Spark Plug Replacement, Choosing the Proper Octane, and Tightening the Gas Cap;

Following the owner's manual and these steps can aid any motorist by saving them time and money. The money that is saved can be used for another important item every good driver needs: auto insurance! Be sure to speak with an independent insurance agent about auto insurance savings. He or she has access to a number of insurance companies and can find the right policy that suits an individual's needs, including price savings.



View the original article here

See More →Proper Automobile Maintenance Saves Money