Reader’s Question:

Hello there! It’s my first time to buy car insurance, and I’m really lost. Any tips for a first time driver here in Ohio?

Kate

Columbus, OH

Hi, Kate. Here are some tips to make your first-time auto insurance purchase hassle-free.

First of all, make sure you brush up on your auto insurance lingo to make sure you understand all the terms the agents throw at you. Try to learn about the different types of auto insurance such as liability insurance, collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, etc. You will also want to know the minimum insurance requirements required in Ohio to ensure you get the right amount of coverage.

Next, decide what kind and how much coverage you think you need. This will depend on your lifestyle and your financial standing. When you’re definite about what you need, you will need to look for the auto insurance company that best fits your requirements. You may want to visit websites that offer free auto insurance quotes from different insurers which will allow you to compare their prices. Aside from the price, you may want to do research on each company with regard to their financial standing, their ability to provide great customer service, the discounts they offer and their processes. You will also need to know what your auto insurance company’s process is for filing claims: the paperwork, the time it takes, the people you will need to talk to just in case something happens.

Hope all my tips help you find the right auto insurance – happy hunting!

Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance coverage, First time driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

A car insurance agent here in Ohio is offering me a car insurance policy. What coverages are usually included in a policy?

Heather

Columbus, OH

A car insurance policy basically includes a bodily injury coverage, a property damage liability coverage, a collision coverage and a comprehensive coverage.

These coverages can be very useful should an accident happen to you. If you are the one responsible for the accident that resulted to a person getting injured, the bodily injury coverage will pay for the expenses of the injured person. And if damage to property should also occur, the property damage liability coverage will be the one to shoulder the expenses, usually for the repair of broken fences, or damaged lawns or damage to another car. The bodily injury and property damage liability is also very reliable in the event that the injured person sues you.

Sometimes, accidents can take a tragic turn and become much worse. Should your car collide with another car or other objects, it’s very important that you have collision coverage in your policy. A collision coverage will shoulder the damages and will even replace your car. There are also companies there in Ohio that offers collision coverage that is also applicable to rental vehicles. But be sure to consult first with your insurer to be certain about what is included in your policy.

Meanwhile, the comprehensive coverage of your policy safeguards your car should it becomes damaged by certain phenomena like hail, windstorm, flood or fire. If your car gets stolen, the comprehensive coverage may also pay for the replacement of the car.

These are some of the coverages that are included in a basic car insurance policy. But be sure to look around for more information regarding this matter. Call your local insurer or shop on the internet for reliable car insurance companies.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance online, collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

I’m single parent from Ohio. There are three people who normally drive my car; these are my two kids and my best friend who help me out a lot with errands and stuff. Would they be automatically covered by my auto insurance policy? Or is there such a thing as insurance for non-owners?

Martha

Columbus, OH

Yes, as long as you inform the auto insurance provider that they will be driving your car. Insurers will ask for the list of people living in your home. How old are your children? The bad news is their inexperience in driving will reflect on your premiums. Statistically, younger drivers have shown greater tendency to get into accidents.

If you are worried about the cost, try to compare the rates offered by several car insurance providers there in Ohio to see who gives you the best value for your money. You may also get a higher deductible to lower the cost further. Having a cheaper yet safer car is another way. But please don’t think about keeping any information from your car insurance company. Doing so would mean greater problems for you in the future.

Does your friend live in the same house? If she doesn’t, and you want to make sure that she is covered, you might want to look into these options. First, you may ask her to get a non-owner auto insurance policy although this might be quite costly. So better yet, list her as an occasional driver within your car insurance coverage. An occasional driver is someone whom you allow to use your car often enough. At the end of the day though, this person must return the car to you or park it at your own garage.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, non owners insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. I have been involved in three vehicular accidents this year although none of them was my fault. Will this affect my insurance rates when I renew them?

Maureen

Cleveland, OH

Maureen, nice of you to bring this topic as a lot of people I know are asking this question. Let me just give you a brief interlude about insurance.

As you may know, insurance in general is about sharing risks. If more claims are made by members, it will translate to less profit for the insuring company. The opposite of this also holds true, the less claims members make, the more profit for the insurance company.

With this in mind, insurance companies now, including those in Cleveland, Ohio, are giving benefits to those drivers with good records. What does good record mean in the eye of the insurers? Good records come in the form of minimal to zero accident claims. Traffic tickets also are looked at, so expect higher premiums if you have a lot of tickets. The trend now really is, companies are now giving lower premiums to those members who ideally have zero claims. This pertains particularly to road accidents, and zero traffic tickets.

Maureen, I understand that you may gotten involved in three vehicular accidents but none of them was your fault. Although none of them was your fault, what will matter with your insurer is if you made claims on those accidents. So, if it was not your fault, make sure you make the party at fault make the claim so that your insurance premiums will not be affected, and much more importantly, you can keep your good driving record.

Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

My 16-year-old son lives in Cincinnati Ohio with an Ohio license and insurance. His dad lives in WV. If he wrecks while driving his dads car in WV who pays the bill?Does my son needs WV insurance or is he already covered on our policy?

Jamie,

Cincinnati, OH

You and your husband should discuss this matter to your insurance company. In an accident where the driver is using someone else’s car, the insurance of the owner’s vehicle would be primarily used. Any excess on that policy limits to be paid, the driver’s coverage in the insurance policy is secondary. Insurance companies typically follow vehicle first and driver second.

It seems your son spends a period of time with his father in West Virginia. In this case, his father will have to check with his insurance company if he needs to add his son in the policy as an occasional driver for his visitation period. Otherwise, his son might not be covered, depending on how the policy is stated and any exclusions that may be indicated , if a car accident occurred.

If his father’s insurance company does not require him to add his son on the policy, I still recommend that you check with your insurance company to ensure that your son is covered while driving in WV with his father’s car under your current Ohio policy.

Tags: auto insurance, Student car insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance