AUTO INSURANCE FAQs

Why do I need auto insurance?
Your car is likely one of the most expensive things you own. Insurance protects your investment and guarantees you a way of coping with the expense of accidents, vandalism or theft. It also secures your financial responsibility to the institution lending you money to buy your vehicle.

When you drive you are responsible for the safety of your passengers, your fellow drivers, other people's property, pedestrians and yourself. Insurance helps ensure your ability to cover the costs of potential damages or injuries.

You are also required to be financially responsible by state laws, which are best satisfied through your insurance coverage.

What are the different types of policies/coverages and what do they cover?
Auto insurance is divided into several types of coverage:
 liability covers damage you cause to other people's property and injuries to the people themselves. Collision covers damage to your own vehicle in an accident. Comprehensive (i.e., fire, theft and other non-collision damage) covers fire damage to your vehicle, break-ins, vandalism or theft, as well as natural disasters (earthquake, hail, hurricane, flood, etc.--unless the vehicle is overturned, then it is considered a collision).
Medical payments insurance, usually in the range of $5,000 to $10,000, covers medical expenses for injuries. This "good-faith" coverage guarantees immediate medical payments for you, your passengers and other parties, regardless of who is at fault. It also covers you and members of your household in any accident involving an automobile, whether you are on foot, on a bicycle, in a friend's car.
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage protects you if you are injured in an accident with others who themselves carry insufficient or no liability insurance. Extra coverage’s include expenses for towing, labor, temporary replacement vehicles, etc. These are generally defined as add-ons or “endorsements” to your policy.

How does where I live affect my premium?

Where you live (or, more precisely, where you keep your car) has a bearing on your chances of having an accident or becoming a victim of theft or vandalism. That's why a vehicle owner in Brooklyn, New York, pays a higher rate than the owner of an identical vehicle in Casper, Wyoming.

Other factors affecting regional insurance rates include time and efficiency of police response and law enforcement, local road and traffic conditions and the quality of local medical services. Insurers even factor in the litigation rates in a given area, that is, how many lawsuits are filed, go to trial, are settled out of court and for how much.

Why are rates different for different cars, even if the cars cost the same?

Vehicles are also grouped into categories according to their likelihood of being damaged, vandalized or stolen. Insurers generally consider the size and type of vehicle, as well as the value and the cost of repairs (which can vary greatly, even on vehicles that cost roughly the same). Thus, a new station wagon is expected to hold up better in an accident than a sports car or a subcompact.

Putting insurance aside, safety is key when buying an automobile. Your life depends on it! Some cars are considered safer than others because of their performance record in safety tests and real accidents.

That's why you should do research before you buy your car. It helps you to understand the actual cost and indicates those vehicles with good safety records. Your insurer will ultimately reward you for putting safety first.

What happens if I have an accident with an uninsured driver?
First, call the police to the scene to be sure all pertinent information is properly recorded. Your nerves will be shaken right after an accident, and it helps to have a calm and knowledgeable person walking you through the necessary details.

 You should then call the insurance company directly to report your claim. Most companies have direct claim numbers and calling this expedites your claim. Henry O. Baker’s claim department is always available to assist you as well If you followed all the recommended guidelines when you bought your policy, you should be covered within the limitations of that policy. Remember, your insurance policy is designed to protect you.

If the cost of your damages or injuries exceed the amount your policy will pay out, it may be time to take legal action against the other party. Even if you have no-fault insurance, sometimes the only way to be compensated is to place blame and responsibility where it belongs.

Why would my insurer cancel my policy?
Technically, in most states your insurer can cancel your policy only if:

you fail to pay your premium;
you lose your driver's license;
you are guilty of material misrepresentation during the application process (i.e., you fail to notify your insurer of a recorded violation such as a drunk-driving offense); or
you fail to report a substantial change of risk, such as buying a high-powered sports car to replace a family sedan.
However, your insurer can choose not to renew your policy for a variety of reasons.

Do you have a bad driving record? Have you received a lot of speeding tickets? Have you ever been caught driving drunk? Not only are these scenarios considered unsafe and illegal, they are justifiable cause for your insurer to label you a bad risk and refuse to renew your policy. (Some insurers may feel compelled to cancel policies after only one accident.)

Where do you live? Has the neighborhood changed in the last few years? Have the accident or crime rates risen noticeably? As regions are reassessed periodically, their status could change and you could suddenly find yourself living in a high-risk area where your insurer's rates may not be adequate to cover losses.

What do I do if my insurer cancels or refuses to renew my policy?
Even "good" drivers can be dropped by their carrier. Reasons range form a "drinking while driving" violation or other serious violations (that make you a high risk) to situations outside your control, such as when insurers in your state are suffering severe business losses. Overall rises in claims or losses can cause insurers to become highly selective in determining whom they can afford to insure.

If you are licensed to drive, by law, you are eligible for insurance. However, your options for new coverage may be limited. Each state has created and regulates a market of last resort for those who cannot otherwise obtain coverage. These groups have various names, depending on the state you live in, such as “assigned risk” plans or the “residual market.” Your Henry O. Baker agent will know more about the particulars in your state.

Regardless of the reason you were dropped, you need to act immediately to get policy. Under no circumstance should you drive your vehicle without insurance. Call your Henry O. Baker agent to help you find new coverage. If you do find yourself in the residual market, the price may be higher but it may be your only alternative in maintaining your freedom to drive.

How do I keep my insurance company from canceling my policy?
The most obvious way to maintain your low-risk status is to keep a clean driving record. If you've been in an accident, consider taking a defensive driving course. Even those of us who have been driving for years rarely know the simple tricks to preventing accidents through defensive driving.
Also, look into purchasing special safety and security features for your car, such as anti-lock brakes and an alarm system. A Henry O. Baker insurance agent can give you further tips on how to show your insurer you're a safe driver.

How does adding drivers to my policy affect my rates?
The more people you allow to drive your vehicle on a regular basis, the greater the chances of your vehicle being in an accident. Teenagers are especially expensive to insure because they are the least experienced drivers.

A driver's education course can help ease the burden of insurance costs since it teaches your teenager defensive driving techniques. If your child's high school does not offer driver's education, try to find one offered by another school or a private firm in the area. After all, the cost of driver's education could be cheaper than the extra cost of your insurance. (Many insurers offer "good student" discounts as well.)

An adult's driving experience can also affect your rates significantly. Don't assume that every adult you know has been driving since age 16 or is a competent driver with a clean record. Again, taking a defensive driving course is a good way for adults to prove they are responsible drivers, thus lowering their risk and their insurance rates. (This is a great solution for new couples who are jointly insured but unmatched in their driving skills or experience.)

Who's watching the insurance companies?
With few exceptions, your insurance company does not set its own rates (unless you live in Illinois). It requests the right to charge appropriate rates from your state's insurance department, which responds with legal approval and authorization, provided the requested rates are fair.

Every state has some sort of department, administration or agency that regulates and monitors every insurer operating within the state's borders. In addition to approving rates, your state's insurance department is involved in all insurance matters on behalf of private citizens and businesses. It also issues operating licenses to insurance companies and agents, based on their ability to meet the state's requirements for conduct and knowledge about insurance issues.

Your insurance company works closely with your state's insurance department to make sure you are getting the best and fairest possible service within the state's guidelines. Contact your state's insurance department if you wish to know more about how it serves your interests.

Am I covered for natural disasters or "Acts of God?"
Comprehensive insurance, which covers you for fire and theft, generally covers you against damage by flood, earthquake, hail and other natural perils, except when your car is overturned (which is technically considered a collision). If you have special concerns about the safety of your vehicle in the face of Mother Nature's wrath, contact your Henry O. Baker agent for information on catastrophic coverage.

Do I really need to read all the fine print in my automobile policy?


While you don't need a law degree or an agent's license to understand your policy, you should read it thoroughly. After all, it is a binding legal contract. If there is anything you don't understand, ask your Henry O. Baker agent to explain it to you. You have the right to know what's in your policy.

If you wish clarification beyond your agent's explanation, or if you want to be certain that the policy is completely valid, contact your state's insurance department.

What actually happens when I report an accident?
After an accident, you should call the insurance company directly to report your claim. Most companies have direct claim numbers and calling this expedites your claim. Henry O. Baker’s claim department is always available to assist you as well. While compensating you for auto repairs or medical expenses is easy and immediate, determining liability is more complicated. The adjuster will begin the settlement process, the length of which will depend on the cooperation of the other party. The amount of compensation for your loss can vary according to the adjuster's analysis of the damage. You do not have to accept the first amount of money you are offered, if it is lower than the cost of your repair or recovery. While you may have to do some homework to prove your reported loss is valid, it's worth it to be certain your insurer lives up to the provisions of your policy.

Remember, negotiating with an adjuster is just business. Insurers simply want to settle claims fairly in light of possible fraud. While it is your insurer's responsibility to root out false claims, you pay the price in the end. In fact, you spend nearly a dime on every dollar of your premium to cover the false claims of others. So, try to keep an open mind when working with your adjuster to settle on a price that's fair to both you and your insurer.

Do I need special insurance for a classic car?
You should always talk to your Henry O. Baker agent about coverage of rare and valuable property. Since a classic car usually cannot be replaced, you'll probably want ample compensation if it is lost. A classic car, because it is rare or unique, may indeed require a special insurance policy.

Source: TrustedChoice.com