I am buying a used car that is worth only a few hundred dollars. Do I need to insure it?
An auto insurance policy is a package of different kinds of coverage. You generally have some flexibility in terms of both the types and amounts of coverage you select. However, practically every state has enacted insurance laws that require drivers to carry at least liability auto insurance. Many states even require that you present proof of insurance before you register a car. So the short answer to the question is that you will need to insure your car, regardless of its value.
Drivers must carry liability insurance. The liability coverage section of an auto insurance policy provides financial protection from liability claims against you when you (or certain other people) cause an accident that results in bodily injuries to other people and/or damage to their property. Every state has mandatory minimum limits of liability coverage.
Comprehensive and collision insurance is optional in virtually every state. The collision and comprehensive section of your policy covers physical damage to your own vehicle resulting from collisions and a variety of other causes (e.g., fire, falling objects). It may also cover losses associated with theft. However, your car’s value plays a big part in assessing your need for this type of coverage. It may not be cost-effective if your vehicle is worth less than $1,000 because you’ll have to satisfy a deductible, and the most you’ll receive (even if your car is totaled) will be its actual value (i.e., after depreciation). That’s not much, especially taking into account the premiums you would have been paying for coverage. If your care is over 15 years old (and is not a collectible), you may only get liability insurance on it.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums, Automobile Insurance, Insurance Doctor, Motorcycle Insurance, Road Safety, Uncategorized
My teenager just got his license. How can I insure him without spending a fortune?
As you have probably discovered, insuring a teenage driver can be very expensive. Drivers under the age of 25 pose the greatest risk to insurers. Insurance companies try to limit their exposure by charging higher insurance rates for 16- to 24-year-olds than for any other age group.
The least expensive option would probably be to add your teenager to your existing auto insurance policy once he gets his learner’s permit. Although this can still be an expensive prospect, your teen might be able to take advantage of certain discounts as a driver on your policy (e.g., safe-driver and multiple-car discounts for which you are eligible).
We can help you determine your most cost-effective option. If you’re thinking about purchasing a used car for your teen, be prepared to tell us the make, model, VIN#, and year of the cars you’re considering. This way, we can give you accurate insurance quotes and help you decide whether to purchase separate insurance for your son or add him to your policy. Sometimes these quotes can even help you decide which car to purchase.
- Published in Auto Insurance Premiums, Automobile Insurance, Insurance Doctor, Road Safety, Uncategorized
So my driving record is not that great! How does this impact my insurance rates?
In most states, the department of motor vehicles has a “point” system, which is used to track and measure your driving record. Generally, each type of infraction (moving violations, parking tickets, at-fault accidents, driving under the influence, etc.) is assigned a certain point value. When you are found guilty of one of these infractions, the appropriate number of points is added to your driving record. The more points you have, the worse your record.
Typically, an auto insurance company has the right to review the driving record of anyone who applies for an auto insurance policy from that company.
There are two purposes for this initial review:
To determine whether you meet the insurer’s standards of insurability
To evaluate your risk potential (i.e., how much your insurance will cost).
Each insurance company has its own method of evaluating applicants. So the points on your driving record may have a direct impact on the rates you pay for auto insurance. This is one of the reasons why we shop among 40 different insurance companies and programs to find the best policy for you.
There are certain times when you can be relatively sure your insurance company will be checking your record. These include:
When you initially apply for coverage
When your policy comes up for renewal
If a review of your driving record uncovers negative information, your insurance rates may increase. Insurers typically have their own “point” system to calculate the increase (if any). Then we go to work for you to find you the lowest rate even with this negative information.
You deserve the best and that’s what you will get here at The Insurance Doctor!
Lets talk about you for a minute – and what you deserve from people like us.
You want to save money… without spending your life learning the insurance business and shopping for the right policy. Research is our job. Leave that to us.
If you are a safe driver, you want to be sure you are getting the savings you deserve. You probably have no idea the discounts you may qualify for. We’ll show you.
If you have a bad driving record, you want to be treated fairly and respectfully. And you want the best policy for your current situation. We are proud to help you.
You want to pay on your terms. Maybe in small monthly payments by direct bill or EFT. Maybe you would rather pay by credit card – or in cash? We give you the choice.
You don’t want to be haunted by a traffic violation from years ago. Most insurance companies review the last five years of your driving before they will insure you. We only review the last three years of your driving record.
You don’t want to deal with the insurance company. We do it for you.
You want immediate service when you need it the most. We offer 24 hour claim service.
You want an expert as your own personal representative. Someone well-trained and friendly – who you trust to follow up with you quickly. That’s us. We’re open during lunch and in the evening to suit YOUR schedule. We’ll work with you by phone or email. Whatever suits you.
You don’t want to deal with an automated answering service or 1-800 numbers. We don’t want to jeopardize personal service just when you need it the most. You will get your own agent every time you call.
Let us make your life a little easier – and save you money at the same time.
Get a quote. And see how it pays to let us do the shopping for you.
We are here for you!
Whether you are a safe driver, have had bumps in the road with your driving record, or adding a teenage driver to your insurance, call on us. At Insurance Doctor, we know that if you are not shopping for your auto insurance every year, you are probably paying too much for your premium. We can take care of the insurance comparison shopping in order to find you great savings with the best policy that you deserve. By the way, paying cheaper car insurance premiums does not mean lower quality of service.
In fact, if you ever have an accident that occurs beyond the normal business hours, Insurance Doctor wants you to know that you can reach us anytime with our courteous 24-hour claim service. We also have office hours at convenient locations so that it will always be easier for you to stop in with your insurance policy questions. Also, you will have an assigned personal representative to turn for expert answers about your insurance policy.
We serve our customers from Brandermill, VA to Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, and Northern VA. We also cover Raleigh, NC and other areas of North Carolina. Insurance Doctor is your choice for flexible insurance at great rates.
Avoid Driving Distractions…
Avoiding distractions while driving could save your life
You’ve seen them on the roads; you might even know a few of them.
And you could be one yourself.
Distracted drivers in come in all shapes, sizes, ages and experience levels. Even if you’re not one today, you could become one at any moment — in the time it takes you to answer your cell phone or check the kids in the back seat when you’re driving through {neighborhoods}.
If you or someone else you know thinks you can drive just fine while talking on your phone, think about this: More than 450,000 people were injured in crashes that reportedly involved distracted driving in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 5,000 of those people died.
Distractions on the road come in many forms, according to www.distraction.gov, a U.S. Department of Transportation website. There are three main kinds of distractions:
- Visual – taking your eyes off the road
- Manual –taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing
To help you avoid all three kinds of distractions the next time you’re behind the wheel of your car here are a few tips:
- Put your phone in silent mode and store it away from the front seat or in a purse or bag. This helps reduce temptation.
- Have a passenger answer your phone or return text messages for you.
- If a call or a text can’t wait, pull over in a safe spot before using your phone.
- This one seems obvious, but finish shaving or applying makeup before you get in the car!
- If you’re emotional, wait until you’ve calmed down before hitting the road.
- Avoid road rage. You’ll be happier and safer.
Whenever you’re on the road, it’s not a time to multi-task. Focus on driving safely.
- Published in Road Safety
Teen driving tips to keep prom and graduation safe
High school is full of defining moments for teens and two of the highlights for most are prom and graduation.
However, this time of year often sees other, more tragic defining moments – serious car accidents involving teens who are distracted or even under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
At the Insurance Doctor, we want to help make this season one to celebrate for you and your teen. So, with the help of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, here are some tips that can keep your teen safe.
First, encourage your teen to follow these general safe-driving rules:
Absolutely no alcohol
Always use seat belts
No cell phone use (including texting) while driving
- Published in Road Safety
Preparing Your Motorcycle for VA and NC Winter, Part I
In Virginia and North Carolina, motorcycle enthusiasts are pretty fortunate: it usually doesn’t get bitter cold here, and even during those months when some areas are buried under several feet of snow, we can get surprised with a short string of days when the sun is bright and the temps remind you of spring. So unless you’re headed somewhere warmer for a couple of months (in which case – why aren’t you taking your bike with you?), a full winterization is not only overkill, it could rob you of the chance to take advantage of those intermittent warm days. So here is part one of what you might call “Winterization Light”.
Treat Your Gasoline
If you do only one thing, do this. Gasoline goes bad, in a manner of speaking, when it’s just left to sit. Not only does it tend to lose octane, it can actually gum up your carburetor or fuel injectors. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and a few bucks spent on fuel stabilizer is worth a couple hundred for a professional carb/injector cleaning. Start by filling the gas tank (a full tank helps prevent moisture from getting in the system as it sits), then adding a stabilizer per the instructions on the label. And remember: if you do get a chance to ride every now and then, top off the tank on your way home, taking care to add a bit more stabilizer when you park it.
Change Your Oil
Gasoline isn’t the only thing that breaks down over time: motor oil does as well, even when it’s not running through the motor on a daily basis. Most motorcycle owner’s manuals recommend oil changes either every few thousand miles or every few months for this very reason. And considering the low cost of purchasing oil and a filter compared to the cost of your motorcycle, it’s hard to argue this is a bad idea. So change your oil when you start parking more than riding, and change again when spring rolls around.
We’ll have the second part soon. In the meantime, if you need motorcycle insurance in VA or NC, get in touch with us. We’re glad to help.
- Published in Road Safety
Cell Phones & Driving: Safety and the Law
There seems to be little argument that using a cell phone while behind the wheel has an effect on driving ability. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) studied the effects of “distracted driving” in 2009, releasing a full report in 2010. Distracted driving, as defined by the NHSTA, includes things like eating, drinking, speaking with passengers, adjusting the radio or climate controls, and of course, speaking/texting on a cell phone. According to the report, the administration attributed 5,474 traffic deaths in 2009 to distracted driving. Of those, 995, or nearly 20%, were related to cell phone use while driving.
There is still quite a debate about the extent that driving ability is diminished by cell phone use. One study measuring drivers speaking on phones versus those who were not showed that, while following distance was increased, braking time and braking force were decreased. Another study indicated that drivers took their eyes off the road an average of four out of six seconds while texting.
Of course, these studies and more have given rise to cell phone usage laws in 34 states, with a wide range of regulations and punishments. Virginia and North Carolina are among those 34 states, so as a service, we’d like to provide a summary of the laws for each:
North Carolina
• Text messaging is completely prohibited for all drivers.
• Email and internet use completely prohibited for all drivers.
• All cell phone use prohibited for those drivers under 18 who have a provisional drivers license, unless calling parents.
• All cell phone use prohibited for school bus drivers.
Virginia
• Text messaging is completely prohibited for all drivers. Fines are $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offense.
• Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers under 18 years of age.
• All cell phone use prohibited for school bus drivers.
Help insure yourself against an auto accident: follow your state laws about cell phones and drive safely. And of course, contact Insurance Doctor for auto insurance quotes in Virginia and North Carolina.
- Published in Road Safety
Getting Your Car Ready for a Road-Trip – 1 Day Out
Thirteenth: Not to sound like a broken record but check your tire pressure and fluid levels again. Top off any fluids that need to be replenished frequently like windshield washing fluid.
Fourteenth: Check your list from last week for anything that requires special attention. It’s embarrassing to see blue lights in your rearview because you forgot to stop to have your gas grill tank inspected.
Fifteenth: This is just personal preference, but I like to pre-load as much as possible the day before a long trip and use a checklist like this:
• Do I have everything I need?
• Did I pack too much?
• Do I have room for the stuff I know I am going to purchase on the trip?
• Is everything laded in a manner that allows me to get to the things I need when I will need them? For instance, if I am stopping overnight on a long trip, is my overnight bag on top of all the big stuff so I can just grab it and check in?
• Do I either have the EZ Pass or plenty of toll money handy for the trip?
• Do I have a small toiletries kit handy in case the rest area I stop at is missing something critical? hand sanitizer and a bit of TP is especially helpful when travelling with small children.
• Is there plenty of bottled water, snacks, etc. for prolonged stretches of road with no service areas?
I know this sounds like a lot but these simple tips really can make all the difference between having a vacation to remember and having one you will never forget – no matter how hard you try.
- Published in Road Safety