With roughly 6 million cars sold each year throughout the United States, most Americans spend a significant amount of time on the road. And while we rely on our vehicles to get us from place to place, there’s a good chance that a collision could impede your ability to provide your own transportation (at least temporarily). If and when that happens, you’ll want the assurance that you’ll be covered for potential damages. That’s where your car insurance agency will come in, of course. But if you make miscalculations pertaining to your insurance needs, you could find yourself dealing with mounting costs and no peace of mind. In today’s post, we’ll discuss a few key car insurance mistakes to avoid in the hopes that you’ll know for certain that your policy is among the options for car insurance Portland drivers can count on — no matter what.

MISTAKE: Forgetting to Shop Around

Whether you’re in the market for some classic car insurance or want more than just the bare minimum policy for your minivan, you’ll need to shop around before making any final decisions. Even if the very first insurance agency you talk to ends up being the right one for you, you should compare rates from at least a few different providers before making a choice. Different insurers may offer similar coverage at very different rates or policies that are similar in price but that are structured quite differently. You’ll need to weigh your options, especially if your current policy is about to expire. Rates and coverages can vary drastically, so failing to shop around will do yourself a disservice.

MISTAKE: Making Assumptions About Your Coverage

Because the insurance process can be quite confusing, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. When we feel rushed or simply just want to get this task over and done with, we might be prone to making assumptions about what a given policy will cover. If you assume that you’re covered for a certain scenario, you might end up paying for a policy that doesn’t suit your needs. Alternatively, you could be stuck paying for damages out of pocket if you find out later that your policy won’t help you. You’ll want to zero in on the gaps in your coverage before you buy and determine what you can do to minimize those gaps. You might choose to purchase a supplemental policy or go for a completely different option that provides the coverage you’re looking for. But if you don’t find out what’s covered from the start, you’ll be in for an unwelcome surprise later on.

MISTAKE: Overestimating or Underestimating Necessary Coverage

Before deciding on the insurance agency for you, you’ll need to accurately determine the amount of coverage you need. If you buy too much coverage, you’ll end up paying for a policy that’s worth more than your vehicle or its cost of repairs. You might also have policies that overlap, which means you’ll be paying more for an area to be covered twice. But on the other hand, buying too little coverage can have major financial repercussions. To save money on your premiums, for example, you might be inclined to purchase the minimum insurance coverage required by your state. But if you’re in an accident that exceeds what that policy covers, you’ll regret your frugal decision. Therefore, you’ll want to take an honest assessment of the kind of coverage with which you’re comfortable; while you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to your insurance agency each month, you also don’t want to find yourself in a scenario that renders you unable to pay for damages.

One of the best ways to avoid the pitfalls of car insurance? Make sure your insurance agency has a stellar reputation and that your agent can answer any questions or address any concerns you may have. For more information on our insurance options, please contact us today.

Choosing the right insurance provider is a tough decision that most Americans will go through at some point in their lives. There are a multitude of factors that determine your decision. Maybe your insurance needs include collector vehicles like classic cars. Or, perhaps you need RV insurance. Then, you have to balance your coverage needs against the best cost. Finally, all the benefits in the world can’t paint over the need for quality customer service. With all that being said, here are a few benefits of choosing a family-owned, local insurance agency.

Local Knowledge

A family-owned insurance agency is going to be very knowledgeable about the local area. If you have to file a claim for an accident, they will actually know the road it happened on. This is because they themselves have probably been driving on it all their lives. That knowledge can help them better evaluate your claim. This is especially true for the three most common types of insurance claims, fender bender, theft, and whiplash. Personal knowledge of the area could give them added insight into your claim.

Customer Service

Without a doubt, the strongest asset of a family-owned, local insurance agency is their customer service. In a world where big, faceless corporations seem dominant, the value of quality customer service has never been higher. Family-owned insurance agencies take the time to create relationships with their customers. They often provide their personal contact information and make themselves available at all hours. This creates a bond of trust where customers are comfortable knowing that if they get in an accident, their insurance agent is going to be there for them.

Community

As family-owned insurance agencies are local, they are committed to the success of the community. They sponsor youth sports teams, lend help in volunteering, and support other local businesses. At the end of the day, they are neighbors first. Choosing them as your insurance provider reaffirms that commitment to the community.

Overall, choosing the right insurance provider can be difficult. But, selecting a family-owned insurance agency can provide a lot of advantages. If you want someone that is locally knowledgable, has great customer service, and is invested in the community, then it could be the right choice for you.

Most drivers today understand the need for auto insurance. But what isn’t as widely understood is what auto insurance typically covers or what factors play a role in determining your insurance costs. While these questions can certainly be answered be the experts at your insurance center, it may also help to take a look at today’s post. We’re dispelling some common (yet totally misguided) beliefs pertaining to car insurance.

MYTH: The color of your car impacts your auto insurance premiums.

Truth: Whether you’ve got a red Mustang or a black mini-van, it’s not the color of your car that will determine how much you pay for your insurance needs. The idea here is that flashy cars are more likely to be pulled over on the road or to be stolen by criminals, so it makes sense that someone might assume that a bold color could be a warning sign to insurers. But actually, it has no bearing on your premiums. What does matter is the vehicle make, model, age, value, engine size, and a few other factors. You won’t be penalized for liking a particular hue.

MYTH: If your friend borrows your car and is involved in a crash, your friend’s insurance policy will cover the damages.

Truth: As anyone at an insurance center will tell you, the policy follows the car — not the driver. So if someone borrows your vehicle and is involved in a crash, it’s the owner of the vehicle (you!) who will be responsible for dealing with the damages. Any claim being filed would go through your insurance company, even though your actions weren’t what caused the damages. Unless you’re on a shared auto insurance policy with other family members who also drive your vehicle, this can be a good reason not to trust anyone else to drive your car.

MYTH: If I have comprehensive insurance coverage, I’m covered for virtually anything.

Truth: The word “comprehensive” can be a bit misleading. While it may sound as if it’s all-encompassing, there are actually some major scenarios that are left out of comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Comprehensive insurance protects against causes of damage to your car other than accidents — such as theft, vandalism, and other natural disasters. This kind of coverage is great when the unexpected should occur, especially if you’re not in your vehicle at the time. However, it’s really best when coupled with collision insurance. When the two are combined, both you and your car will be protected against most situations.

MYTH: I don’t need comprehensive auto insurance for theft if I drive an older vehicle.

Truth: Comprehensive auto insurance is typically optional. But that doesn’t mean you should opt out, even if you own a car you don’t think will attract attention. While there were over 268 million registered vehicles on U.S. roads during 2016, it actually isn’t the unique vehicles that are most tempting to criminals. Statistics show that it’s actually the run-of-the-mill cars that tend to be most enticing. If there are more of those models available on the roads, their parts have more value. So while it’s certainly essential for rare and classic cars to be properly insured against theft, this type of criminal activity should also be a concern for those who drive common cars.

Now that you know the truth behind these misconceptions, you’ll feel much more informed when you talk to someone at your insurance center about obtaining or changing a policy. We’re known as a source for car insurance Portland motorists trust — and we’re here to help make certain you’re protected. For more information, please get in touch with us today.

If you’re a lover of unique vehicles, chances are that you’ve at least dreamed about collecting classic cars. Although these autos can present a number of challenges, they’re undoubtedly unparalleled in both their quality and their aesthetic appeal. If you’ve made the leap to start collecting these amazing automobiles, it’s understandable you’d have some questions about how you can protect them through your insurance coverage. Due to the special considerations surrounding these cars, there’s actually a whole different type of policy specifically geared towards collector vehicles. But how exactly does classic car insurance differ from the kind of standard insurance you’re used to obtaining? We’ll answer some important questions surrounding insurance for antique cars in today’s post.

How Are Classic Cars Defined?

There are a few different ways that older vehicles are categorized, sometimes depending on the state you’re in. Generally speaking, a classic automobile is a car that’s at least 10 years old (usually between 10 and 40 years old) that’s been maintained and restored in a fashion that stays true to its original design and holds some type of historical interest. Antique cars are typically at least 25 years old and have also been maintained and restored in a fashion that stays true to the original specifications. “Vintage car” is a term that’s up for debate, but it usually means a vehicle that was manufactured between 1919 and 1930. The difference there is that vintage cars can actually be modified and still keep their status; the same cannot be said for classic and antique cars.

How is Classic Car Insurance Different From Standard Car Insurance?

The average car owner puts roughly 13,500 miles on their vehicle every year. But if you own a 1960’s Mustang or VW Bug, chances are that you’d drive it far less. For example, you’re not going to be operating it in the snow. And yet, you’ll probably want a lot more protection than one might expect with a modern sedan or a mini-van, even in extreme weather conditions.

That’s where classic car insurance comes in. One of the main differences between classic car insurance and standard car insurance is that insurance for classic vehicles is actually less expensive. That’s really because you aren’t going to be driving the vehicle year-round, which means the insurance company isn’t taking as big of a risk in insuring you. Many providers won’t even have a deductible for classic vehicle insurance.

What’s more, the value of your vehicle is determined differently when you obtain insurance for a classic car. With conventional auto insurance, your policy will only cover you up to the car’s actual cash value — in other words, the cost of replacement minus depreciation. Unlike a modern vehicle, a classic car’s value will typically rise over time, particularly so if they’re in great condition and have been lovingly restored. Classic auto insurance is different in that your policy will cover you for what’s called a “guaranteed” value. This agreed-upon value is usually what the vehicle is worth, based on an appraisal or classic car guides. In other words, your insurance company will compensate you for your car’s full value, if you’re in an accident that totals the vehicle.

What is Covered By Classic Car Insurance?

Although coverage areas for this type of insurance will likely depend on the company you choose and the vehicle you own, policies will likely be available for both comprehensive and collision coverage, as well as liability, medical payments (for no-fault situations), emergency roadside assistance, uninsured motor vehicles, loss of earnings, or fatalities. Some insurance companies will also offer original replacement parts coverage, which may be an important point to note — these parts can often be difficult to track down. With any policy, you’ll benefit from guaranteed value coverage.

If you’re a classic car owner, you’ll likely do everything to safeguard your most prized possessions. Obtaining classic car insurance is the ideal way to obtain peace of mind — often for an extremely affordable rate. To learn more about our policy options, please contact us today.

After you buy or lease a car, the next thing you need to do is buy decent car insurance. Getting the right policy for you may seem like a daunting task but it does not have to be. There are things you can do to get the right car insurance plan for your insurance needs. Here are some tips to help you get the right policy from the right insurance agency.

• Every year, check to see if you are getting the right rate. On an annual basis, you should take some time to go online or call around and see if the rate you are paying is the best one around. You can also contact your current insurance provider to see if you are getting the best rate they have available. There are a number of tools to comparison shop for the best auto insurance possible to cover your insurance needs. Remember, no one can tell you they can get you a better deal on your car insurance if you do not ask, so ask!
• Go with an insurance agency or company that is reputable. There are a lot of really good insurance carriers from whom you can get a good plan. Having stated that it is important to note that there are even more, smaller companies out there that like to lure people into buying policies with them by offering low rates. These companies are ok if you are only getting insurance to be allowed to drive the car on the road but if you have any problems or are in an accident, you may find yourself out of luck. Go with a well-known company for your insurance policy.
• Pay attention to your credit rating. Not everyone out there understands the connection between getting their insurance needs met and keeping a good credit score. The premium you pay can be impacted by your credit score.
• Pay attention to the deductible you pay. No matter what kind of insurance you are looking for, from renters insurance to motorcycle insurance or personal insurance, the premium cost is not the only thing you have to worry about. All insurance companies have different deductibles for different plans. You have to balance the deductible you have to pay if you have to use your insurance with the cost of the premium.
• Look for discounts. There are discounts in all sorts of places. You can get discounts for having a membership with AARP, AAA, or even your school’s alumni association. You can also get discounts for being a good driver, not getting tickets, and taking courses in defensive driving. You can also get protection for your new car to help make your payments lower. Also, if you can develop a long-term relationship with an auto company, that can help lower your premiums.
• Make sure you buy the right vehicle. There are about six million cars and trucks that are bought and sold every year around the United States. The main driver of the costs of car insurance is the cost to repair cars and trucks. Whether you are looking at old or new cars to buy, take a look at the collision data for the ones you like. The car dealership should be able to help you get information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There are also cars and trucks that need less in the way of maintenance so it helps to get one of them.
• Make sure you understand your policy. It is crucial that you really understand your coverage vis-a-vis your liability, property damage, and bodily injuries. You should know if your policy covers theft or other problems with the car other than accidents. As time passes since you bought your car, the chances you will need to use the coverage you have go up so you should make sure you have the insurance you need.

Finding the right policy for your insurance needs may seem complicated and challenging. In the same way that many people are intimidated by the process of buying a car, the process of buying car insurance can also worry car buyers. These tips should take some of the guesswork out of the process and make it easier.