Low Cost Auto Insurance in Asheville and all of North Carolina
Auto Insurance to fit your budget & needs
Don’t exchange personal information following an auto accident?
You generally only need give the other driver your name and information (name & phone number of your insurance company).
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has developed a mobile application – “Wreck-Check” to help you take the guesswork out of what information to share. It’s free and available for both iPhone & Android smartphones. WreckCheck App for Smartphones In the course of your lifetime, an auto accident is bound to happen. When it does, take some of the guesswork out of a tense situation with the NAIC's WreckCheck™. This free mobile app for iPhone® and Android® smartphones outlines what to do immediately following an accident and walks users through a step-by-step process to create their own accident report. Don't have a smartphone? Download a printable accident checklist and other tips for staying calm, safe and smart on the road. Liability Coverage? Collision Coverage?
Uninsured Motorist? Medical Payments? But, I just need car insurance... Purchasing car insurance seems simple enough, but when you really start shopping, it can feel overwhelming. Let's break down the four basic coverages of the standard personal auto policy: Liability coverage. Liability Coverage provides you with the coverage you need in the event that you're at-fault in an automobile accident. This coverage offers two types of protection: coverage for injuries to other people and coverage for damage to someone else's property while you or a family member are operating any automobile. So, if you accidentally hit someone else's car and injure the other driver, your Liability Coverage would pay for not only the covered damages to their vehicle, but also for the medical expenses related to their injuries... And yes, I said "their" injuries, not your own, which leads us to our second coverage... Medical Payments Coverage. Because Liability Coverage only provides coverage for injuries caused to the other people involved you'll need Medical Payments Coverage to help pay medical expenses related to injuries sustained by you or your passengers in an accident. This coverage comes into play no matter who is at fault. The third part of personal auto insurance is Uninsured Motorists Coverage, or UM Coverage. UM Coverage protects you if you're involved in an accident with someone who breaks the law by not carrying their own auto liability insurance. It does this by helping pay for any medical expenses you incur as a result of getting hit by an uninsured driver. And although it may not sound fair, these types of accidents do happen. According to statistics, nearly one in seven drivers on the road is uninsured, which makes protecting yourself an absolute necessity! In many states, you can also purchase additional protection called Underinsured Motorists Coverage. Underinsured Motorist Coverage provides you with additional protection, for when the other driver has insurance coverage, but just not enough to fully cover all of your medical expenses. By now, you may be wondering how you're going to pay for damages to your own car. That's where the fourth and final part of your auto policy comes into play... Coverage for Damage to your Car. Also known as Physical Damage coverage. It pays for direct and accidental loss to your vehicle, there are two parts to Physical Damage coverage: Collision - for when your car impacts another vehicle or object, or is upset, and Other Than Collision, which covers almost any other type of direct, accidental loss not excluded by your policy. As I said, the details of insurance can be confusing...This video is just a short overview of the four main parts of the standard auto insurance policy. To ask questions and learn more about the exclusions and limitations that may apply, be sure to contact our agency right away! 
Did your teenager get a driver’s license?
It is generally cheaper to add your teenagers to your auto insurance policy than for them to purchase their own. If they are going to be driving their own car, consider insuring it with your company so you can get a multi-car discount. And choose the car carefully — the type of car a young person drives can dramatically affect the price of insurance. You and your teens should choose a car that is easy to drive and would offer protection in the event of a crash. Also, encourage your kids to get good grades and to take a driver training course. Most companies will give discounts for getting at least a “B” average in school and for taking recognized driving courses. If your teenagers move at least ten0 miles from home — for example, to go to college — you might get a discount for the time they are not around to drive the car (assuming they leave the car at home). Insurance needs change as circumstances in your lives change, which is why an annual insurance review is recommended by our agency. Advertisements for cheap car insurance seem to be everywhere. Is this good enough for you?
It is a misconception that all auto insurance policies are the same. For some people, the least expensive policy is good enough. However, it is best to customize the policy to meet the specific needs of your vehicle and your lifestyle. How do you know what is too cheap and what is just right for you then? What Your Policy Needs to Do for You When choosing car insurance, there are a few key things to look for to determine if it is the right one for your needs. Put price aside for a moment. Only after you consider coverage, then you can compare providers to determine which offers the best price for that amount of protection. Here are a few things to consider. Do You Have a Loan or Are You Leasing the Car? Those who have a lease or loan on their vehicle may have a requirement from the title holder to carry full coverage. This generally includes:
Does the Vehicle Have Value? If you do not have a loan or lease, consider the value of the car. If the car was not possible to repair in an accident, could you easily replace it? If it would cause financial hardship for you to lose the car like this, it may be worth considering collision insurance and comprehensive coverage. Collision insurance covers damage to your car if you hit something. Comprehensive covers the vehicle from losses such as fire and theft. How Much Liability Insurance Do You Need? One of the ways some companies offer very low-cost auto insurance is by providing you with just the state minimum requirement. However, this is a big risk. A simple accident can cause significantly more damage than this basic policy can cover. In an accident, the lowest car insurance may not cover all of the losses you need it to. This means you may have to pay out of pocket for it. Is cheap car insurance a good thing? It can be if you do not have a lot of value in the vehicle. However, a customized auto insurance policy is best. Work with one of our agents to obtain one. |
Is the Cheapest Car Insurance Just as Good as the Most Expensive?
Advertisements for cheap car insurance seem to be everywhere. Is this good enough for you? It is a misconception that all auto insurance policies are the same. For some people, the least expensive policy is good enough. However, it is best to customize the policy to meet the specific needs of your vehicle and your lifestyle. How do you know what is too cheap and what is just right for you then? What Your Policy Needs to Do for You When choosing car insurance, there are a few key things to look for to determine if it is the right one for your needs. Put price aside for a moment. Only after you consider coverage, then you can compare providers to determine which offers the best price for that amount of protection. Here are a few things to consider. Do You Have a Loan or Are You Leasing the Car? Those who have a lease or loan on their vehicle may have a requirement from the title holder to carry full coverage. This generally includes:
Does the Vehicle Have Value? If you do not have a loan or lease, consider the value of the car. If the car was not possible to repair in an accident, could you easily replace it? If it would cause financial hardship for you to lose the car like this, it may be worth considering collision insurance and comprehensive coverage. Collision insurance covers damage to your car if you hit something. Comprehensive covers the vehicle from losses such as fire and theft. How Much Liability Insurance Do You Need? One of the ways some companies offer very low-cost auto insurance is by providing you with just the state minimum requirement. However, this is a big risk. A simple accident can cause significantly more damage than this basic policy can cover. In an accident, the lowest car insurance may not cover all of the losses you need it to. This means you may have to pay out of pocket for it. Is cheap car insurance a good thing? It can be if you do not have a lot of value in the vehicle. However, a customized auto insurance policy is best. Work with one of our agents to obtain one. Why You Need Comprehensive Auto Insurance
It is not a hard task to determine whether you require comprehensive coverage for your car. However, before you make the decision to buy comprehensive coverage, you need to have a good understanding of how it works. Comprehensive coverage is intended to cover a variety of physical damage claims, such as windshield and body damage, vandalism, and contact with an animal. Here is some information about why you need comprehensive car insurance. Do You Have a Loan on the Car? Lenders usually require physical damage coverage on the cars they have financed to drivers. Comprehensive is usually a portion of such mandatory coverage. When you sign the contract for a loan, you agree to protect the car against physical damage by buying both collision and comprehensive coverage. You can end up having to deal with expensive penalties if you fail to notify your lender about your insurance coverage. You should ask your auto insurance agent to add your lender as a loss payee for the car. Doing this will ensure your lender is immediately notified of the coverage in case an accident occurs. What Is Your Level of Risk for Having a Comprehensive Claim? If you have a high level of risk for having a comprehensive claim, you should get comprehensive auto insurance. Some factors that will put you at high risk of having a comprehensive claim include living in a tornado alley or packing your car under a half-dead tall tree every night. Indeed, any driver can benefit from this coverage. However, for some people it’s worth more than others. You should take the time to evaluate your risks before deciding whether to get comprehensive car insurance. In general, one would file a comprehensive auto insurance claim for damage to your car caused by the following:
What Is the Value of the Vehicle? If the value of your vehicle is high, this will help you decide whether it is worthwhile to pay for comprehensive auto insurance. If the vehicle isn’t worth much anymore, then coverage might not be worth the investment. How Much Does Comprehensive Coverage Cost? You will be happy to know that comprehensive coverage tends to be reasonably priced. As long as you are not considered a high-risk driver, comprehensive coverage is typically worth the price. Even an older car with minimal value is likely worth the replacement of a windshield from damage. For more information about comprehensive coverage, don't hesitate to contact us. You Fell Asleep Behind the Wheel – Will Auto Insurance Cover Your Losses?
Falling asleep behind the wheel of a car is a very serious risk. In some situations, it can lead to wrecks, significant damage or even the death of another person. Most often, your auto insurance covers the damage you cause to other people. Yet, there are some limits. Why you fell asleep could be a key factor in determining if the policy pays out. Why Did You Fall Asleep? Was it just a long day at work and you dozed off? Were you drinking and driving? Or, perhaps you have a medical condition such as narcolepsy that causes you to fall asleep often. In all situations, your insurer wants to know why you fell asleep at the wheel. In most situations, the policy’s liability insurance covers losses to another person’s belongings. For example, it may cover damage to another driver’s car if you hit that driver after falling asleep. It may also pay for your damage if the incident was accidental, and you could not avoid it. Talk to our Agency About Your Health When you obtain auto insurance, your agent asks you about any reasons that you may be a high-risk driver. If you have a medical condition that may cause you to fall asleep behind the wheel, be sure to tell the agent. In some cases, your car insurance policy is void if you fail to disclose this type of information. Insurance companies need to know if you have any condition that makes you a high-risk driver. This may include narcolepsy but also conditions like sleep apnea. It Was Just an Accident In some situations, an incident like this occurs as a result of an accident. You just did not sleep well. You worked long hours. You just doze off. When this occurs, your policy is still likely to provide coverage to you. However, if you were driving under the influence, your insurance likely won't cover the damage. If you received a ticket for reckless driving, your insurance company may not pay out. In other words, you could have prevented this accident had you acted responsibly. The key is to be sure you have the right amount of auto insurance in place. And, let our agency know about any risk factors that apply to you. This can help ensure your car insurance remains in place even if you do have an incident like this. 
Do You Car Pool?
Liability Insurance Exclusion Drivers involved in car pools and other group arrangements may wonder if the situation is covered under their auto policy. This concern is valid as many auto policies have restrictions. Typically, liability coverage under personal automobile policies does not apply to "…liability arising out of the ownership or operation of a vehicle while it is being used as a public or livery conveyance." (A public conveyance is a vehicle used indiscriminately in transporting the public without being limited to certain persons or occasions. A livery vehicle is one that is offered for rental). There is slight variation in language among policies issued by various insurers, but the intent is the same: to exclude the use of a personal auto for transporting people or property for income. However, this exclusion does not affect coverage for car pool, driver group, and share-the-ride arrangements. Feel free to call our office today. Most transactions such as quotes, binding and payments can be handled from the comfort of your home. 
AUTO INSURANCE MYTH – COLOR DETERMINES THE PRICE OF AUTO INSURANCE
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