Tag: car insurance

Do Red Cars Get Pulled Over the Most? The Answer Might Surprise You!

Posted on by Active Insurance

Do Red Cars Get Pulled Over the Most? The Answer Might Surprise You!

If you’ve been in the market for a new vehicle, or if you’ve recently started shopping around for car insurance, you’ve probably heard that red cars get pulled over the most. Some might say it’s due to the color’s popularity in sports cars while others claim it’s because it catches law enforcement’s eye quickly. Whatever the case, these urban legends are not accurate! The answer and the reasoning behind it are surprising!

The Proof is in the Numbers

According to the National Motorists Association, white-colored vehicles get pulled over the most! With that said, red does come in second, followed closely by gray and silver. Surprisingly, white cars are stopped by law enforcement because it’s the most colored vehicle! That’s right, there’s no hidden cop agenda or psychological reason behind it!

Does Make and Model Matter?

The short answer is yes! The make and model of vehicles are more significant reasons they’re stopped. According to a Motor1.com article, the Subaru WRX is the most ticketed car on the road followed by the Scion FR-S and the Volkswagen GTI. All of them are fast and easy-to-maneuver vehicles. So, how do you avoid getting a ticket?

Please keep in mind that the driver is always the one being ticketed, not the vehicle. Prioritize your safety and the safety of those around you by obeying the rules of the road, being aware at all times, and planning your journey first. And, as always, get the peace of mind you need with the car insurance you deserve.

3 Things You Didn’t Know Could Affect Your Car Insurance Costs

Posted on by Active Insurance

3 Things You Didn’t Know Could Affect Your Car Insurance Costs

No matter what you drive or how new a driver you are, one thing is certain: car insurance is a must. So, if you’re currently comparing rates and are trying to find the information that will lead you to the best decision, we may have some facts that may interest you. Of course, we’re talking about three things you didn’t know could make an impact on your car insurance costs:

One Fell Swoop Could Be Cheaper

When you look for insurance rates there’s a big chance you’ll be drawn to the smaller, monthly payments you’re presented with. However, if you do the math, there’s a possibility you may save more money by paying for six or 12 months up front!

While it may seem like a huge amount of money, but in terms of savings, you could see a big difference. The best thing you can do is speak with your insurance agent so you can discuss the options that best fit your needs.

Your Souped Up Car May Prove Costly

You love your loud, fast, gas guzzling car to bits. And why wouldn’t you? After all, you spent significant amounts of money to modify it and get it to its current state. However, these modifications could affect your insurance rates. This is because some modifications can impact your car’s emissions or even its legality on the streets.

Expensive Cars Mean Expensive Rates, But Why?

If you’ve been shopping for insurance for a while now, there’s a big chance you’ve come across this factoid: luxury vehicles tend to have expensive insurance rates. But is this because luxury vehicles get into more accidents or are frequently stolen? Partially! The truth is, even if you get into a non-serious fender bender, the repairs can often be extremely expensive.

4 Consequences of Driving Without Insurance

Posted on by Active Insurance

While most people on the road drive safely with insurance, there are many others that don’t. The truth is that, in many states, if you drive without insurance, you could face serious consequences.

It’s Illegal

Auto insurance is required by law in most states. If you can’t provide proof of insurance when asked for it, you are breaking the law. So, when exactly are you required to provide proof of insurance? Take a look at the following:

• When you get into an accident.
• When you renew your registration.
• When you register a vehicle for the first time.
• When having your vehicle inspected.

Face Fines and License Suspension

Almost every state will fine you if you’re unable to provide proof of insurance. The amount varies, but it can be as high as $5,000! Many states will additionally suspend your license if you drive without insurance.

Get Towed

In most cases, it’s up to the officer to decide if your vehicle will be towed. If your car is impounded, you may be faced with expensive impound fees along with other legal fines.

Lawsuits

In the event of an accident where you’re at fault without insurance, you might be sued for bodily injury and/or property damages. You might also be forced to pay anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on how severe the accident was. Keep in mind that many states pile on legal penalties for uninsured drivers.

Does Your Insurance Policy Offer the Right Coverage?

Posted on by Active Insurance

Does Your Insurance Policy Offer the Right Coverage?

If your vehicle lacks insurance, then you’re setting yourself up for some potentially hefty fines if you’re pulled over. You might even have to deal with even bigger headaches if you end up in an accident. Luckily, there are plenty of coverage plans out there that will surely fit your needs. There are so many, in fact, that you may just feel overwhelmed! But don’t worry, Pronto Insurance is here to help you make the right call.

What to Consider

No two drivers are the same, which means there’s no one-size-fits-all insurance policy. Factors like the type of car you drive, how much you paid for it, and your driving history may contribute
to the coverage you get.

Fortunately, identifying these factors is easy, and after you’ve recognized them, you can begin mulling over the following insurance considerations:
 Liability – This is required by almost every state in the nation.
 Uninsured/underinsured motorist – If you end up in an accident with a driver that lacks
insurance or whose policy doesn’t cover damages or medical expenses, then this will
ensure that you aren’t fending for yourself.
 Personal injury protection – This can protect your family, friends, and other passengers.
 Collision and comprehensive – If your vehicle is declared a total loss, then this coverage
can help you.
 Rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, mechanical breakdown – Unfortunately, cars break down when you least expect it. If you have a flat tire, leaking radiator, or other breakdown, then this coverage makes sure you aren’t left stranded or with out-of-
pocket expenses.

Your Guide to Parking Lot Vehicle Safety

Posted on by Active Insurance

Your Guide to Parking Lot Vehicle Safety

Finding out your vehicle has been broken into or stolen can feel like a punch to the gut.Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to ensure that this doesn’t happen.

What You Drive Says a Lot

There are certain vehicles that thieves tend to target quite often. CBS News revealed the 10
most stolen vehicles in the U.S.:
 Cadillac Escalade
 Ford F-250
 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
 Ford F-450
 GMC Sierra 1500
 Chrysler 300
 Ford F-350
 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
 GMC Yukon

Now, while it isn’t realistic to purchase a different vehicle to prevent a break-in or theft, it’s smart to take a few precautions.

Pick the Right Spot

Always make sure to park in a well-lit area at night. Additionally, you’ll want to park close to entrances or security cameras whenever possible.

Always Lock Up

In many cases, vehicles are stolen because the owner simply forgot to lock it. There’ve even been instances where keys were conveniently left inside! Do yourself a favor and avoid giving thieves an invitation by locking up.

Hide Your Valuables

This may go without saying, but thieves are often more inclined to break into a vehicle if valuables like electronics, purses, or other items are left in plain sight. Do the smart thing and hide them under your seats if possible.

What causes auto insurance rates to increase?

Posted on by Active Insurance

Several factors can lead to a higher auto insurance premium. Insurance companies (insurers) lose money when they cover drivers who get into accidents and make claims, so it’s in their best interest to predict driver risk factors that indicate a higher chance of a claim and charge the driver an increased premium to compensate for the elevated probability of a payout.

Based on this knowledge there are many factors that can lead to increased premiums, but some of the most popular ones include:

Accidents

If you file an accident claim with your insurance company, your premium will increase at its renewal period based on the claim.

Violations

If you are convicted of a moving violation, your premium rate may increase at its renewal period. Your driving history, length of time you’ve been insured with a company and speed you were going when cited can affect whether your rate increases or not.

Moving

Where you live (zip code) influences your rate. If you move to an area with higher theft or accident rates (city versus a rural town for example), your renewal premium could reflect this change.

New Car

A new car is worth more than an older model and will cost more money to replace if it is damaged or stolen, which could result in a spike in your premium rate.

Age and Marital Status

If you’re young, single and without children, you are considered part of a higher risk category than a married person with kids. Besides the fact that a young driver will have less experience on the road than an older driver, it is assumed a single adult may not be as serious about becoming a better driver than a married adult with kids, and that can cause increases in your auto insurance rate.

Commute

If you drive a lot and have a long commute to and from work or use your car for work, your premium rate can be higher because frequent driving leads to more opportunities for accidents to occur.

Many insurers use credit score to determine auto insurance rates, but at Active Insurance we work with companies that don’t use credit history so you’re eligible to receive the best rates from us, even if you don’t have the best credit score.

Car insurance is mandatory for all drivers and how much you pay is determined by several factors. It’s important to contact your insurance company with any questions regarding increased premium rates. Contact Active Insurance for more information about car insurance in Chicago. We provide a variety of options that fit the needs of Illinois drivers and would be happy to help you.

 

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Does my car insurance policy cover car theft?

Posted on by Active Insurance

The short answer is every individual car policy will be different in regards to theft, so it depends. But there are some common factors that will apply to most policies.

If your vehicle is stolen and not retrieved by the police your insurance policy may cover the theft, but you must have full coverage that includes comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive insurance protects your car against damages outside of a collision, which include a wide range of events like falling objects, fire, vandalism and theft.

If any standard part of your vehicle is stolen (engine, stereo, etc.) you could be covered by your car insurance policy assuming again you have full coverage. If any personal property items are stolen from your vehicle, your car insurance policy will not cover it since protection applies to the vehicle and not to the personal items in it. However, if you have renters or homeowners insurance with off-premises coverage, one of those policies may cover your loss if you have proof (a receipt, for example) you owned the lost items.

Unlike property damage and other basic coverages where the amount of protection you want dictates the cost, comprehensive coverage prices depend on the deductible you select and the amount of coverage comprehensive insurance provides will depend on your car’s actual cash value (the car’s purchase price minus depreciation and the deductible).

It’s important to stress again that all auto insurance coverage is not equal in regards to theft. It depends on what kind of individual car insurance policy you have, so it’s important to understand what exactly your policy covers and ask your agent any questions you may have regarding theft.

Car theft isn’t completely preventable, but there are some ways to stop it by making your vehicle unattractive to car thieves. Keep your doors locked at all times, hide valuable items out of sight, always roll up your windows, never leave a spare key in the car and never leave your car running when you are not in it. Many stolen cars are due to the mistakes and oversights by the owner, so use a little common sense with your vehicle and it can go a long way.

 

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What if I get into a car accident out of state?

Posted on by Active Insurance

outofstateaccidents

Getting into a car accident is rough, but getting into one out of state can feel even worse when you are in an unfamiliar territory. Reduce the potential anxiety and mistakes associated with out-of-state auto accidents by knowing the basics.

If you get into an accident out of state, what will happen depends on a case-by-case basis. However it is always beneficial to have adequate auto insurance and generally become familiar with the road laws of the state you plan on visiting before you leave home in case of a ‘what if’ scenario.

Most automobile policies cover all areas in the U.S., U.S. territories and even Canada so you shouldn’t have an issue reporting claims that occur out of state. Your insurance company will assign you to an insurance adjuster who will handle the accident.

Liability limits vary from state to state so you will be required by the state in which the accident occurred to comply with their auto insurance requirements, not the state where you live. Insurance policies may not adjust to meet a state’s minimum legal requirements. So if, for example, you have car insurance in Chicago and the state of Illinois’ liability limit is lower than the liability limit of the state where your accident occurs, the insurance company may not adjust your policy to meet the higher liability limit of the other state. What exactly happens will depend on your specific situation, but in any case it’s important to check your policy to see if it meets the requirements of the state you plan on visiting before you leave home.

If you are injured in an out-of-state accident and want compensation for the bills acquired from it, you will need to find out if you are supposed to file in your state or in the state where the accident occurred. This will depend on the laws of the state where the accident happened. As each state has their own laws regarding limitations and conditions, several factors can affect your ability to be compensated. Contact your insurance company and an attorney (depending on the severity of the accident) to better understand how you should proceed.

State-by-state minimum coverage requirements

The following table provides information on each state’s minimum coverage requirements. The first two figures refer to bodily injury liability limits, and the third figure refers to the property damage liability limit. For example, 20/40/10 means coverage up to $20,000 for each person injured in an accident, up to a maximum of $40,000 for the entire accident, and $10,000 worth of coverage for property damage. The state minimums are based on the most current information available. You should check your specific state requirements to verify these figures.

 

State Type(s) of Coverage Required Minimum Liability Limits
AL Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/25
AK Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 50/100/25
AZ Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 15/30/10
AR Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/25
CA Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 15/30/5
CO Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/15
CT Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist 20/40/10
DE Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection 15/30/10
DC Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/10
FL Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection 10/20/10
GA Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/25
HI Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection 20/40/10
ID Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/15
IL Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/20
IN Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/10
IA Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 20/40/15
KS Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/10
KY Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection 25/50/10
LA Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 15/30/25
ME Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist 50/100/25
MD Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured Motorist 20/40/15
MA Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured Motorist 20/40/5
MI Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection 20/40/10
MN Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist 30/60/10
MS Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/25
MO Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/10
MT Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/10
NE Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/25
NV Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 15/30/10
NH Financial Responsibility Only, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/25
NJ Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability (Standard Limits Shown), Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured Motorist 15/30/5
NM Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/10
NY Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/10
NC Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 30/60/25
ND Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/25
OH Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 12.5/25/7.5
OK Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/25
OR Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/10
PA Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection 15/30/5
RI Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/25
SC Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/25
SD Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/25
TN Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/15
TX Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/25
UT Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection 25/65/15
VT Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist 25/50/10
VA Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist 25/50/20
WA Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/10
WV Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability, Uninsured Motorist 20/40/10
WI Financial Responsibility Only, Uninsured Motorist 50/100/15
WY Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability 25/50/20

See more at http://www.360financialliteracy.org/Topics/Insurance/Cars-and-Auto-Insurance/State-by-State-Minimum-Coverage-Requirements#sthash.ttCThm6d.dpuf

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No-fault Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on by Active Insurance

no fault insurance

What is no-fault insurance?

No-fault insurance, also called personal injury protection (PIP), is designed to lower potential litigation lawsuits and expenses associated with auto accidents. In its strictest form, no-fault insurance applies to state laws that both restrict the right to sue and provide for the payment of no-fault first-party (policyholder) benefits. The insurance companies in no-fault states compensate their policyholders for economic damages (personal injury claims), regardless of who is at fault in an auto accident.

There are only 12 states that currently have or include no-fault insurance. They are Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota Pennsylvania and Utah. Three of those states—Kentucky, New Jersey and Pennsylvania—have a “choice” no-fault law and may retain the right to sue for auto-related injuries, while the other nine states have no alternative to no-fault insurance.

How does no-fault insurance work?

Let’s say two cars collide in a no-fault state and both drivers need medical care. Each driver files their personal injury claims with their respective insurance companies instead of recovering their economic damages through reimbursements from the other driver’s insurance company. The insurance company must pay the personal injury claims filed by its policyholder regardless of who is at fault for the accident.

Under current no-fault laws, motorists may sue for severe injuries and for pain and suffering only if the case meets certain conditions, which are known as thresholds. A verbal threshold may be expressed in verbal terms (such as death) or a monetary threshold can be expressed in terms of dollar amounts for medical bills. The main idea of using thresholds is to prevent lawsuits over every single injury and to limit the suits to “serious injuries.” However, state no-fault laws differ on the definition of “serious.” As a result, it is crucial to understand your state’s no-fault laws.

What does no-fault insurance cover?

Bodily injury: Liability coverage in a traditional car insurance policy pays for bodily injury claims for anyone injured in an accident which you have been deemed at fault. The bodily injury coverage with no-fault insurance extends to you.

Medical bills and other losses: No-fault insurance covers your medical bills and possibly any associated losses (such as loss of income for a period of time) depending on the policy and state where you live. Because no-fault systems restrict litigation on economic damages, personal injury claims from an auto accident are paid pretty quickly as you don’t have to go after the other party’s insurance company to get reimbursed for damages.

What does no-fault insurance not cover?

No-fault insurance doesn’t generally apply to property damage claims (repair bills for your car or personal property inside the car that was damaged during the accident) since it covers the costs associated with personal injury. No-fault insurance also doesn’t cover severe injuries and pain and suffering.

If you live in a no-fault state, check the specifics of your policy to better understand what exactly it covers.

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