Important Car Insurance Information You Should Know
Introduction to Car Insurance For a lot of drivers, car insurance is just one of those things they need to have so they go and sign up with the first company that comes along, in order to fulfill their legal obligation. Anyone who has been driving for any length of time or has knowledge of the car insurance industry knows that this approach is far from ideal. There are many factors to consider before you sign up with an insurance provider. In fact, there is a lot you should learn about the industry as a whole before you get your car insurance. The more you know, the more you’ll end up saving and the better coverage you will have.
Your Provider Works for You Although it may seem the other way around sometimes, your car insurance provider does indeed work for you. It is the insurance agent’s job to see that your rights are protected at all times. Some of the rights that should be covered and observed by your provider include: •Your right to be fully informed •Your right to timely complaint resolution •Your right to professional service •Your right to privacy at all times •Your right to an easy-to-understand explanation
Shop Yourself Around One very important piece of information you should know that not a lot of people do is to shop around and get multiple quotes before you settle on just one. Car insurance rates fluctuate and you may be tossing money out the window if you don’t take the time to compare. Visit a few different insurance providers and even look for some quotes online to really mix things up. Decide early on what kind of coverage you need and what you’re willing to pay for it, then shop around until you find the situation that is closest to what you need.
You Are Eligible for Discounts You may think that getting discounts on your car insurance won’t apply to you, but everyone is entitled to some discounts. All providers offer them, but not all offer the exact same ones, so this is another element you may have to shop around for just a little.
You Are Eligible for Discounts Here are some of the common discounts that car insurance providers usually offer: 1.Clean Driving Record – this might apply to you and it might not, but if your record is clean with no accidents, tickets or claims, make sure you ask about it. 2.Multiple Policies – if you purchase more than one insurance policy from a specific company, you may be eligible for a discount. This might include car and home insurance, or more than one car insurance policy. Ask about it if you require more than one. 3.Safe Area – living in a statistically safe neighborhood or town can land you a decent discount. Sometimes, if you move from a larger city to a small town, you’ll notice your car insurance premiums take a dip. 4.Safety Devices – a safer car means fewer accidents and fewer claims and many times your provider will reward you for them. These include alarms, locks, kill switches and other safety features. 5.Age and Gender – you won’t have control over either of these, but make sure you don’t miss out if you’re in range to receive either one.
Honesty Is the Best Policy Whether you are looking for quotes online, over the phone or in person, make sure you are honest when giving information. If you have driving convictions or any accidents, answer truthfully when asked. It isn’t as if they aren’t going to check into your history to make sure what you have said is accurate. Also, be truthful when it comes to how many people will be driving your car. If you don’t include everyone who will be regularly driving, you may have coverage issues down the road.
Confirm the Coverage Before you sign your name on any car insurance contract, confirm that the coverage you feel you have is really true. Car insurance contracts can be quite complex, and you don’t want to go into it thinking you have coverage that you don’t have. Ask questions about wait times, extent of coverage, situations where coverage applies, and more importantly situations where it doesn’t. Keep in mind that they’re the ones who need new business, and quiz all you want before you give them yours.
Driving Without Insurance Is Dumb Wherever or however you end up getting car insurance, just make sure you have it before you get behind the wheel of your car. Driving without insurance is one of the dumbest things you can do for a number of reasons. The consequences may vary depending on where you live, but here’s a sampling from Ontario, Canada: •$5,000 minimum fine for first offense •Double the mandatory minimum fine for a second offense •30-day minimum mandatory license suspension, with a maximum of up to six months •Increased car insurance rates the next time you get insurance •Financially responsible for the other driver’s injuries and medical costs if you cause an accident
Advice We all need car insurance! If you're a new Quebec resident, a new driver, or you just bought a car, you need car insurance that suits your insurance needs. La Compagnie d’assurance Belair inc. is known for having specialized agents ready to help you choose the right car insurance for your needs.