Our Chesapeake customers have lots to say…
The Insurance Doctor was there when I needed insurance the most.They worked with me to find a policy that suited my needs at a price I could afford. ~Sherman W.
Chrystal is amazing. I have been with the Insurance Doctor since 2009 and I have always been happy with her professionalism and mannerisms. ~Tonia M.
Always friendly staff! Great rates, & they always answer all my questions! ~Erin K.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums, Automobile Insurance, Customer Testimonials, Employee recognition, Insurance Doctor
See what our customers in Hanover are saying about us…
Julie at Insurance Doctor is always pleasant and very helpful, whether in person or over the phone. She never makes me feel rushed or like I’m anything other than her TOP priority. I could pay my premium online or in the mail, but I enjoy coming in to see her once a month! ~Madelyn B.
The best customer service! Dawn helped me pay my insurance in a timely fashion and secure a cheaper premium! I’m thankful for her and the insurance doctor. ~Taylor L.
What Does “Compulsory” Mean?
This question comes up a lot… “What does compulsory mean?”
In short, it means the minimum acceptable amount of insurance as dictated by your state of residence. In other words, if talking about auto insurance (which is typical) compulsory is the bare minimum insurance coverage for you to be allowed to legally operate your vehicle.
Typically, compulsory coverage can be loosely considered a minimum damage protection policy to pay for damages if you injure another person or damage property with your vehicle.
Please note that compulsory coverage is a mandated minimum amount of insurance that changes from state to state and should not be considered the recommended amount of coverage, but rather just enough to be legal.
Of course, compulsory insurance coverage applies to more than auto insurance. It affects business policies as well. For example, if you operate an engineering firm , you may find that “E&O” or “errors and omissions” insurance is required in order to practice.
Basically, the term “compulsory” as it relates to insurance can describe any type of legal insurance policy minimum. That said, this is the minimum and not the ideal amount of coverage. So when it’s time to explore that new policy, if you are thinking of doing just compulsory, take a few minutes and compare the difference between that and the policy recommended by your agent. Often times the price difference is minimal but the value from enhanced protection will always be exceptional.
Just think of it this way… If something did ever go wrong, would you want the barest minimal assistance to help you out of the jam?
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums
Factors That Determine Your Car Insurance Rates
How do insurance companies determine your insurance premiums? In addition to your driving record, there are other factors taken into consideration when doing the math to figure out what your insurance premium will be.
Five Factors Used To Determine Car Insurance Premiums:
1. What type of vehicle do you own? The model, year, and value of your car can have an impact on your insurance premium. Cars that are more expensive to repair will be more expensive to insure.
2. What is your age, sex and marital status? Statistics show that older drivers, female drivers and married drivers tend to have better driving records. Because of this, these drivers usually have lower premiums.
3. Is your vehicle used for work or pleasure? Using your vehicle for work will probably increase your premium.
4. What is your prior insurance coverage? If you are a new driver or if you do not have insurance coverage, you will incur higher rates.
5. Where do you live? States with high population density tend to have more accidents, and therefore, charge higher insurance premiums. Also, the type of insurance system in the state can affect insurance rates.
If you are shopping around for car insurance, contact Insurance Doctor. We can provide a free insurance quote either on-line or over the phone.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums
What Happens If You Are Late Paying Your Insurance Premium?
Yikes! What happens when you miss an insurance payment? Will your policy be canceled? You should check your personal auto policy section regarding termination and cancellation conditions. It will explain when, how, and for what reasons your personal insurance coverage will be terminated.
Every state has its own rules regarding policy cancellation of your automobile insurance. If you neglect to pay your premium in a timely manner, your insurance company has the right to cancel the policy after giving you at least 10 days notice. The notice of cancellation will be mailed to the policy holder with the date and time that the cancellation will take effect. Even if you are only one day late with your payment, you run the risk of cancellation.
That being said, some insurance companies may not immediately issue a cancellation notice. You may simply receive an overdue notice, asking you to pay the past-due premium plus a late fee. If you policy is cancelled it may be possible to have your coverage “reinstated” by paying the overdue premium and, in some cases, an additional sum.
Contact Insurance Doctor if you have questions about the cancellation policy on your automobile insurance policy.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums, Automobile Insurance
Are You Getting The Good Student Discount?
Are you taking advantage of all the discounts possible on your automobile insurance? Most vehicle insurance policies offer a good student discount to young drivers that can lower your family policy. The definition of a good student is different from one insurance company to another but it basically is a student who ranks in the upper 20 percent of his or her class, and makes honor roll at his or her high school or university.
Studies have shown that there is a correlation between good students and good drivers. Students with higher grade point averages have a tendency to be more responsible when driving an automobile. The discount will probably vary from one insurance company to another, but you should ask if you are eligible to receive that discount on your policy.
Call Insurance Doctor if you have questions about your auto insurance policy and possible discounts that you should qualify for. We will work to find you the best policy at the best possible price.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums, Automobile Insurance
Liability Coverage – Loaning Out Your Car
It is important to understand all the different components of your automobile insurance. What happens if you allow someone else to drive your car and they have an accident? Will they be covered under your insurance policy?
Most insurance coverage is protection for the car, so, yes, if another person drives your car, he or she should be covered under your policy. With that said, that person should be defined as an occasional driver. Insurance companies base your premium on your car, but also on the “primary” driver of that vehicle – and that should be you. If the primary driver of the vehicle changes, you should report that to your insurance company and have that individual added to your policy. If your car is involved in an accident and the insurer believes that you are no longer the primary driver, your insurance company could deny your claims.
Contact your automobile insurance company if you have questions about your coverage or the rules of your policy pertaining to people that borrow your car.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums
Should Newly Married Couples Combine Their Car Insurance?
Have you recently gotten married? Are you wondering whether you should combine your car insurance to both be covered under the same policy? There is no right or wrong answer; but it is definitely something you should look into.
Most insurance companies consider married couples a lower risk than single drivers; they are perceived as safer drivers. Because of this, most married couples will qualify for lower insurance premiums. Another benefit to combing your car insurance coverage is that you can qualify for the multi-car discount. These savings can be significant.
One reason to keep your policies separate is if one spouse has a bad driving record. Your cost may actually be more than what the two of you pay separately or the insurance company may be unwilling to add the spouse with the bad record. If you have joint insurance and one spouse is at fault in an accident, then the premiums are certain to increase affecting both drivers.
If you have questions about your automobile policy, call Insurance Doctor. We can evaluate your current policy and find the best deal for you and your new spouse.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums, Automobile Insurance, Uncategorized
Insure Both Your Home and Your Car With One Company
The two most expensive items that you buy in your lifetime are your home and your car. It is important to have the best possible protection for both of them.
At Insurance Doctor, we provide competitive auto insurance quotes AND homeowners insurance quotes to residents of both Virginia and North Carolina. We shop multiple companies that we know provide great rates and coverages in order to find the best coverage for you. We spend the time on the phone, not you, finding you the best possible deal.
We constantly monitor changes in both the homeowners insurance industry and the automobile insurance industry to ensure that you get a great deal on the insurance policy that best suits your needs.
Call Insurance Doctor today to get your free auto insurance quote and don’t forget to ask about a quote for your homeowner’s insurance as well. You will be glad you did.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums, Automobile Insurance, Homeowner's Insurance
Will The Type of Car I Buy Affect My Insurance Premiums?
So, you’ve had your eye on that sweet little red sports car. When trying to determine which car to purchase, keep in mind that the vehicle that you choose can have a direct influence on how much your car insurance premiums will be. Here is a list of vehicles that typically will increase your insurance costs.
In some cases, these vehicles can cost more to insure:
Sports cars
High performance vehicles
Luxury vehicles
Vehicles equipped with added technology features
Large SUV’s
Very small vehicles
Vehicles known to have a history of theft
If you are concerned about how your new car will impact your insurance premiums, call Insurance Doctor. We can give you the best possible insurance price on the policy that best suits your insurance needs.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums, Automobile Insurance