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If you’ve ever broken down in the middle of nowhere, it can be a scary proposition. It’s even scarier if you don’t have some type of roadside assistance or towing coverage. If you are 25-30 miles from civilization, it can cost about $200 to have a tow truck come out and get you to a qualified and trusted service facility to get your car fixed. Add this to the cost of your repairs, and you could be looking at a pretty substantial bill. If you add towing coverage for a few bucks every month, however, you could avoid having a huge towing bill, and give yourself a little peace of mind as well.

If you have a AAA membership, then you have at least a minimal amount of towing coverage. Keep in mind, however, that their basic package only provides for a five mile towing distance. If you need to be towed further, it will come out of your own pocket. It’s probably best to purchase the next level of membership, which allows 100 miles of towing. Make sure to add your spouse to the membership as well. It will only cost a fraction of your own membership for each individual that you add. If you are insured by a different carrier for your actual auto insurance, they may have their own towing coverage. Generally, AAA is better and priced about the same. AAA also has other advantages such as coverage for locksmith services should you lock yourself out of your car, and will bring you a couple of gallons of fuel for free in case you run out of gas. They provide travel services and discounts at major retailers, entertainment venues, amusement parks, and hotel/motels as well, and have additional benefits such as free travel magazines and maps for members, as well as trip planning services.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/booleansplit/3089762458/

Coverage through your insurance company isn’t as comprehensive, and may have limitations. Ask your insurance agent how reimbursement works, and what exemptions exist. Additional fees and charges for mileage may apply, depending on who your insurance carrier is. If you are in an accident that damages your car to the point that it cannot be easily towed, you may have to pay some additional fees out of pocket. A flatbed tow truck may cost you more than a traditional tow. It’s better to know the answer to these questions ahead of time, not when you’re stranded out on the road. You also need to find out if towing is covered to the nearest repair facility only or if you are allowed to choose the facility of your choice. Often it is better to be able to take the car to a mechanic you trust rather than whoever is closest.

Towing insurance doesn’t cover damages done by the two truck either. It only covers the cost of transporting your vehicle to a garage. Not all towing insurance covers roadside assistance, either. It is generally meant for serious breakdowns and accidents. Lockouts, tire blowouts, or running out of gas may not be covered and you’ll be on your own. Sometimes an automobile warranty or your credit card company will cover these types of instance, though, so it is worth some investigation.

Whether or not you need towing coverage depends mainly on a few factors including:

1.       How much do you drive? How far is your work commute?

2.       How old is your car? Is it in good shape and well maintained?

3.       Do you drive a lot of back roads or in loosely populated areas?

4.       How handy are you in fixing minor problems or changing tires yourself?

5.       What can you afford?

Click here if you would like to know more about auto insurance and the coverage we offer and a free Arizona Auto Insurance quote!

First off, determine what your car is worth. The best way to do this is to use the Kelley Blue Book. They have a website that will allow you to enter all of your vehicle’s information such as the year, make, model, any special features and the shape that the car is in. All of these factors will determine what your car

is worth. The categories for which Blue Book will determine your car’s value include trade-in value and also what you could ask if you were putting the car up for private sale. The private sale value is probably the best indicator of what your car’s insurance value would be.

So, if you’re driving an old car that is only worth $1,000, you probably won’t get it fixed if you’re in an accident and the damages total more than the car is worth. You also won’t fix the car if you have a $1,000 deductible

and the damages are$1,100. You would pay the $1,000 and the insurance company would only pay

$100. Collision and comprehensive coverage is generally the option that people with old cars skip because of these factors.

If you know what your car is worth, you’ll know how much insurance to buy, what size deductible you want, and how much repair is worth doing on the vehicle. Keep in mind, though, that the higher the deductible you carry on the car, the less expensive your monthly premium will be. Most people opt for a higher deductible to keep insurance costs down on older cars.

If you carry the minimal collision coverage because you have an old car and wouldn’t replace it in the case of an accident, that’s okay. Just make sure that you still cover yourself in case of damage or bodily injuries that you may cause in an accident. Even an old car can cause some serious damage to another person’s car, property, or body. In any of these cases, you’ll have to pay for that other person’s damages or injuries. This coverage is cheaper than other types of automobile coverage and is called bodily injury and property damage liability. Make sure that you have both.

You also need to make sure that you and your passengers are covered in case of an accident. Medical expenses can really add up and you don’t want to be on the hook for those costs. If you have health insurance, some of these costs may be covered. What won’t be covered is lost wages while you are in the hospital. In order to defray some of these other costs, you can add medical payments coverage, personal injury protection, and underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. This last one is very important in case you have an accident with someone who doesn’t have any insurance at all, which is more common than you might think.

Click here for more information on this topic and a free Arizona Auto Insurance quote. See how we can improve your coverage and savings today!

There’s no magic answer, but there are a number of guidelines you can follow in regards to auto insurance and rental vehicles. For starters, the only way to determine if your own policy will cover you is to actually call your agent and have them explain your coverage options.  Many auto insurance companies will extend the coverage on your personal auto policy to a rental car. If you have comprehensive collision coverage, it will pay for damage such as scratches and dents, and will also cover theft.

Another option that many people do not know about is that coverage may be provided by your credit card company. May credit cards will pay for damage to a rental car as long as you pay with your card. This coverage is secondary to your own personal policy. Your credit card company may also pay for towing, but won’t pay for damages or injuries to another driver. This type of coverage is called liability or personal injury coverage, and will be part of your personal auto insurance policy. Once again, it is worth a call to your credit card company to see if you are covered. Beware – just because your debit card has a Visa logo, it may not offer the same coverage as a dedicated card.

Another option is to rely on the coverage your place of employment provides. This coverage will only apply if you are using the vehicle for work reasons, however. Often, large businesses have this type of corporate coverage, though. Keep in mind as well that your own personal coverage will only work if you rent a car in the U.S. and travel within the U.S. Once you drive into Canada or Mexico your coverage will be more limited. In this case, you may need to buy the coverage offered by the rental car company. One final word of caution – don’t let anyone except for the named individual drive the car. If you let a friend or relative drive the car, your coverage could be nullified.

So, in order to make sure you have auto insurance coverage when renting a car:

1.       Call your insurance agent and ask what coverage you need

2.       Call your credit card company and ask what coverage they offer

3.       Ask about towing and liability or personal injury coverage

4.       See if your firm covers you for business rentals

5.       Don’t assume you are covered in other countries by your personal policy

6.       Don’t let anyone else drive your rental car

7.       If you are in doubt about coverage, bite the bullet and purchase the coverage that the rental agency offers. The good part about purchasing their physical damage coverage is that you can completely wreck the car and just turn in the keys without having to pay a deductible or any other costs.

Click here for a free Arizona Auto Insurance Quote to see if you can save more money or get better coverage now!

In Arizona, I like to start with what I believe is the most important :

UNINSURED and UNDERINSURED MOTORIST: This portion of your auto policy contract protects people in your car, including you ,that may be hurt or injured by another automobile that has no insurance or not enough insurance. Remember that in the State of Arizona, it is the at-fault party that is responsible for paying for your injuries…. If they do not have insurance , or they do not have enough insurance… you protect yourself and your family with this coverage! (I never rely on anyone else to take care of my needs, and thus I feel this to be the most important protection)

LIABILITY: If you cause the accident, you are responsible to pay for damages and injuries. This coverage is like the mote around your castle!! The liability insurance pays out first…. When the limits are all used up, the rest of the money owed comes out of your pocket! This could mean your future income is garnished. All of your assets, with a few exceptions are on the line! The more assets you have the more liability limits you want. (BIG CASTLE NEEDS BIG MOTE!)

Next in importance:

MED PAY: This provides medical coverage for all people in your car, regardless of who is at fault in an accident. If you have health insurance, you may not need this coverage. If you don’t have health insurance, or you have a very high deductible, you might want to add this to your policy.

COMPREHENSIVE and COLLISION: There are only two coverage’s on an auto policy that protects the car itself. To remember what each does, COMPREHENSIVE covers everything other than a COLLISION. If you can financially afford the loss of your car, (It’s so old it’s not worth much, or you have the ability to replace it without it being a financial burden) you might not want to purchase these two coverage’s. You have no choice if there is a lien on your car.

Nice to have:

RENTAL REIMBURSEMENT: Just like it sounds… but only comes into play if there is a COMPREHENSIVE or COLLISION loss. It is not going to pay because the car is in need of maintenance.

EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE/TOWING: This Coverage is so inexpensive, I believe that everyone should have this as part of their auto policy package.

DEATH & DISSMEMBERMENT: Inexpensive and nice to have in a tragic accident.

Loss of earnings: Usually a small percentage of your income

You will spend a great deal of money over your lifetime in purchasing Auto Insurance. Take the time to work with a professional to tailor a policy that meets your needs and expectations

Insurance Quotes R Us is an insurance agency in Scottsdale, AZ that is dedicated to helping residents of Scottsdale AZ with their insurance needs.  To get a free Arizona Auto Insurance Quote, fill out one of the forms on our website or call us at 480-946-5322.

New research shows how you talk to your teen about safe driving can affect the likelihood of your teen having a tragic crash

Car crashes remain the No. 1 cause of death among teens; however many teen driver-related injuries and deaths are preventable. This year, as part of National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW), Oct. 18-24, We have an important message to share with Scottsdale parents: how you talk to your teens about safe driving can significantly affect the likelihood of your teen having a tragic crash.

In 2007, 183 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers in Arizona. Since 2005, Arizona crashes involving teen drivers have claimed 1044 lives. On a national level, since 1999, almost 78,000 people have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers. October averaged the highest number of teen vehicle crashes and on average the number of 16- and 17-year-old driver claims involving injury or collision increases nearly 20 percent in October as compared to other months.

On October 23, 2009 during the Coronado/Tempe High School football game, agent Joy Estes, in conjunction with the Scottsdale Police Department, will be holding a teen driver safety fair. The Scottsdale PD’s crash car as well as demonstrations and other activities will take place. Participants will be exposed to a wealth of information critical to preparing teens for driving as well as information for teens already on the road.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia formed the Young Driver Research Initiative (YDRI) to reduce teen driver deaths through scientific research. A new study based on the National Young Driver Survey of more than 5,500 teenagers revealed that the way parents communicate to their teens about safe driving can strongly influence their teens’ likelihood of a car crash.

The study, Driving: Through the Eyes of Teens: A Closer Look, revealed that teens who said their parents set clear rules, paid attention to whom they were with and where they were going, and did so in a supportive way were:

• Half as likely to crash
• Twice as likely to wear seat belts
• 71 percent less likely to drive while intoxicated
• 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone while driving

The study also revealed:

• Parents need to be sure their teens receive at least 50 hours of supervised practice under a wide variety of conditions while learning to drive.
• Limiting primary access to vehicles during the first 6 to 12 months of driving is important. Teens who are the main driver of a vehicle are more than twice as likely to report having been in a crash than teens who share a car with a family member

Insurance Quotes R Us is an insurance agency in Scottsdale, AZ that is dedicated to helping residents of Scottsdale AZ with their insurance needs.  To get a free Arizona Auto Insurance Quote, fill out one of the forms on our website or call us at 480-946-5322.

About The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children’s Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking third in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service
programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu.

]]> http://www.insurancequotesareus.com/auto-insurance/how-to-talk-to-your-teenager-about-safe-driving/feed/ 13 http://www.insurancequotesareus.com/auto-insurance/car-thefts-are-down-how-does-this-affect-auto-insurance/ http://www.insurancequotesareus.com/auto-insurance/car-thefts-are-down-how-does-this-affect-auto-insurance/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:42:14 +0000 admin http://www.insurancequotesareus.com/?p=225 Car thefts are down, but don’t cancel the Comprehensive coverage from your auto insurance policy just yet. The average comprehensive insurance premium in the U.S. fell 3.3% from 2005 to 2006. (The most recent data available)

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) reports that 2008 marked the nation’s fifth consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts in the United States. To put it into perspective, in 2006 every 26 seconds a car was stolen in the US. That number is now down to one car every 28.8 seconds. The more likely a car is to be stolen, the more likely it will cost more to insure it.  In 2006 the HOT CAR was the 1995 Honda Civic. 1,095,769 motor vehicles were reported stolen in 2007, with Western states representing 35.7% of the total.

A car that has been broken into

The top 10 States ranked by number of auto thefts in 2006 placed Arizona in the number 4 position. California, Texas and Florida were in the top 3 positions.

City-by-city differences in auto buying habits are reflected in the preferences of auto thieves. For example, American vehicles tend to be the auto thief’s choice in Detroit and Chicago; pickups are popular in Phoenix and Houston; and Japanese models lead the most commonly stolen list in Los Angeles.

Carjacking account for only 3% of all motor vehicle thefts nationwide, and occurs most frequently in urban areas, but what may be more surprising, in a survey of American drivers conducted in April of 2007 by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the nations’ leading not-for-profit organization dedicated exclusively to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through information analysis, investigations, training and public awareness, and Lojack, a manufacturer of an electronic vehicle tracking and recovery system, found that 40% of drivers don’t hide their valuables, in fact, nearly half leave mail in their vehicle, a quarter have left a purse or wallet, and almost one third have left bank statements, all of which can put them at risk for identity theft.

Besides the cost associated with vehicle theft that are covered by the insurance companies, many people forget the cost in time and inconvenience that are not covered and can mount to many hours and lost income not to mention frustration.
Insurance criminals are ripping off the insurance industry and the American public daily. This results in higher insurance premiums for all of us. Keeping money in our pockets starts by educating ourselves about what fraud and theft is, who commits these types of crimes and how we can protect ourselves from becoming victims. Consumers are a vital part of the solution.

The NICB publications and fact sheets help to educate the American public and also assist in spreading the word about insurance fraud and theft and our collective efforts to counter these crimes.

Report Auto Theft and Fraud to your local law enforcement, as well as the National Insurance Crime Bureau at 1-800-835-6422. (1-800-TEL-NICB) Your call to NICB can be anonymous and you may be eligible for a reward.  Click here to obtain a free Arizona Auto Insurance Quote.