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:

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:

If I have been insured with my insurance company in Columbia Ohio for 10 years, and have had consistent insurance. Does my insurer have to provide an SR22, which is needed to get an restricted driver’s license?

Pam

Columbia, OH

Your insurance company in Columbia OH does not have to provide you with a SR-22 if they do not offer SR22. Not all insurance companies file this certificate of financial responsibility or SR22 with the state which it appears you are required to do in order to get a restricted driver’s license.

If your insurance company in Ohio does not file SR-22, since some standard insurance companies do not and leave this to insurance companies that insurance to those they consider to be high risk motorists, then you will need to obtain insurance from an insurer that does file SR22s. Normally, this would mean that you would need to find insurance from an insurer that does file SR-22s which unfortunately means you then would need to terminate your coverage with your original insurance company since having 2 policies on the same car(s) is not usually allowable by law.

Reader’s Question:

I live in Columbus OH and I am insured in the state of Ohio. I drove my friend’s car and wrecked it. My question is: does my insurance company pay for the damages or his insurance?

Dexter

Columbus, Ohio

The Auto Insurance Buyer’s Guide on the Ohio Department of Insurance website states that, typically covered on an insurance policy is you, family members in your household (that you have listed on your insurance policy) and in general any licensed motorist that you allow to drive your vehicle unless your insurance policy rules out this provision.

Your friend will have to discuss the insurance coverage he has under his car insurance policy but normally it is the car owner’s insurance that would be primary and the motorist’s car insurance would be secondary, thus his car insurance would pay on the damages first. If his car insurance did not cover all of the damages then your auto insurance could be used for excess.