Reader’s Question:

I moved to Ohio for a job. I’m wondering if there would be changes to my auto insurance now that I am here. (I’m from South Carolina). Care to enlighten me?

Godfrey

Akron, OH

Hello there, Godfrey. Of course, there will be differences in how auto insurance is done in South Carolina and Ohio. Let us start with where you hail from to get a better perspective on things.

South Carolina is one of the states where liability auto insurance is not considered as a requirement. As a refresher, liability auto insurance covers damages sustained in a motor vehicle accident caused by the driver of the policy holder. This may include the bystanders, passengers and drivers of other cars involved in the accident. There is also coverage for property damage (usually the other car). Now, if you read up about this liability insurance on the internet, you would usually see numbers like 15/30/10. These just represent the limits that the auto insurance will cover. That set of number is read as $15,000 per head per accident with a limit of $30,000 for injured people involved. The 10 is $10,000 maximum property damage that the auto insurance company will shoulder. In South Carolina, underinsured/ uninsured motorist auto insurance coverage is a requirement. This type of coverage simply protects the policy holder from damage sustained from other motorists who don’t carry auto insurance.

Now, since you moved to Akron, Ohio, auto insurance will definitely change. In Ohio, the state will require you to carry 12.5/25/7.5 liability insurance on you. But the opposite is true for underinsured/ uninsured motorist auto insurance coverage.

Now, depending on how much your paycheck will allow, it is usually recommended that you get higher limits. Better be prepared than to get caught in a tricky situation like sustaining more damage than what your auto insurance company will shoulder.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance policy, liability insurance

Reader’s Question:

I know that I am required to have auto insurance coverage here in Ohio because I now have my own car. But what do I need to know? I don’t know much about this.

Nina

Cleveland, OH

Nina, the scope of your question is just too wide. I won’t be able to answer that properly. What I’ll tell you is the auto insurance coverage that I have. To really know more about auto insurance coverage, I suggest you do online research or contact an insurance agent there in Ohio.

I have liability insurance. This also required by all states, so you will definitely need this. This coverage takes care of things when you get in an accident and you hurt other people or damage other properties. For example, if you hit a car and you’re the one at fault, liability insurance will pay for the repair of the other driver’s car. Now, if the accident was the other guy’s fault, his liability insurance will cover the damages on your car. If you get sued because of this, liability insurance will also cover the expenses.

Now, what about the damage to your own car, you ask. That will be taken care of the collision coverage part of you auto insurance policy. This is the one that will pay for the repair of your car.

And if something happens to your car while it is parked, somebody defaces it, it gets stolen, etc, you will need comprehensive coverage to take care of that. Comprehensive coverage takes care of damages to your car not caused by collision accidents.

Tags: auto insurance policy, collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage, liability insurance

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

Reader’s Question:

I have an SR22 insurance in Hamilton, Ohio. I am planning to buy a car loan for a used car and I would like to know if this SR22 insurance is enough? Can I also have physical damage liability along with my SR22 insurance if I am going to buy a new car?

John

Hamilton, OH

The SR22 insurance certificate that you have in Hamilton, Ohio is a state liability and most lien holders would require that you have physical damage liability of collision and comprehensive coverage if you have a loan or lease on the vehicle, regardless if the vehicle that you are trying to purchase is new or used.

I suggest that you speak with your car insurance company in Hamilton, Ohio if you could carry physical damage liability of collision and comprehensive that is being required by the lien holder along with your SR22 insurance that you currently have. I believe that you would be able to acquire the physical damage liability and SR22 insurance to satisfy what the lien holder and the state requires you to have.

You can always shop around for car insurance company if your current insurance carrier will not allow you to have both.

Tags: auto insurance, collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage, sr22 insurance

Reader’s Question:

What is the difference between liability coverage and collision coverage? I called an insurance office in Akron Ohio OH but the agent’s explanation didn’t make sense to me. Please explain it clearly.

June

Akron OH

How unfortunate, June! Rest assured that most insurance companies in Akron Ohio OH are reliable and professional, and would be happy to assist you when you make queries such as this one. Having said this, let me thank you for trusting me to answer your questions.

Yes, sometimes liability and collision coverage may seem similar but they are not. Liability coverage pays for the damages resulting to a collision where you are liable. It will pay for the damages to the car you have hit and for the medical expenses of the passengers of the damaged car. Collision coverage, on the other hand, protects your car from possible damages brought about by collision. Liability coverage has three limits – bodily injury per person, bodily injury total, and property damages. It can happen that sometimes, your car was hit by a reckless driver whose liability coverage limits can not fully pay for the damages made to your car. This is the time when you will make use of your collision coverage.

Liability coverage is the minimum required when you register your car. It will always be the cheapest available auto insurance around Akron Ohio OH. To compare prices, simply get online quotes by entering your zip code on this page. What is critical is for you to evaluate if you will be comfortable with just the minimum auto insurance.

I hope that I have explained it well enough, June; please feel free to contact me again if you have any other questions.

Tags: auto insurance, collision insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

We promised our teen daughter that she can borrow our car every now and then if she’ll get an average of B or higher. She got an A which pleases us immensely. But now am starting to get worried. I’m not sure I’m ready to let her be out on the wild road, and also, our insurance premiums will surely be higher once we add her to our auto insurance in Canton Ohio OH. How do I get out of this?

Emma

Canton OH

Emma, surely you can’t keep your darling daughter inside your house forever. There will really come a time when you have to let her take the world on her own. The best thing you can do is provide all the protection and coverage you can for her, and that includes auto insurance. Yes, it is definitely true that your auto insurance premiums will increase once you add her to your list of authorized drivers. But surely you’d rather pay this than risk having to pay a much larger sum in the eventuality that something happens to her while driving the car? Depending on what kind of insurance you have in Canton Ohio OH, you can also compensate this with a health insurance.

Also, please take note that your daughter already made things easier for you. Many insurers in Canton Ohio OH will give discounts for teens who maintain an average of B or better. Being an A student definitely helps! She just has to maintain this good set of grades and you will have auto insurance discounts.

You can also surf the net for online quotes so you can compare how much the increase will be in your existing auto insurance. Just enter your zip code and answer a few questions to get free quotes in minutes. From one mother to another, i’m telling you - this is just the beginning, Emma. There will be many other things that your daughter will explore and again, your job is to take a back seat and let her learn!

Tags: Car insurance discounts, car insurance quotes, Student car insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance