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Reader’s Question:

A friend of mine got into an accident and told me that his car is not yet totalled by his car insurance company. In case of an accident, what does it mean if my car insurance company here in Fort Wayne, Indiana declared my car as a total loss?

Blaise

Fort Wayne, IN

In case of an accident, the more damage your vehicle has, the more likely it will be acknowledged as total loss. Total loss of a vehicle would be the amount of refurbishing the vehicle, the anticipated add-ons, estimated diminished resale value as well as the rental settlement expenditure that goes the amount of purchasing the damaged automobile at its value prior to the accident, minus the earnings of selling the damaged automobile for salvage. So if paying you for fixing your vehicle, renting a car temporarily and giving you back the amount your vehicle has lost in value would cost more than what your car insurance company in Fort Wayne, Indiana would fork out to just purchase you a replacement and sell your wrecked vehicle to a salvage yard, you will not have your vehicle back, but rather a check.

If you don’t agree with the valuation of your insurance provider, you may go over your policy for an “Appraisal Provision” that will let you get an independent assessment of the damage, which will then be re-evaluated by an “umpire.” If the two parties don’t agree on the cost of your vehicle’s actual cash value and damage, the umpire will mediate and take one side to settle the matter.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance policy

Reader’s Question:

Our Family recently moved here in Elkhart, Indiana and we’ve been used to having efficient public transportation but decided it’s time to buy a car. Will a family type vehicle save us more on car insurance? Thanks!

Shamere F.

Elkhart, IN

Hello Shamere. You’re right, sometimes public transport can be such a drag! And there is absolutely no reason for you and your family not to invest on a car. And it is just as important to know what type of vehicle will save you on gas and other automobile expenses, including car insurance there in Elkhart, Indiana. A family-type vehicle may be a good option for your family, both economically and car insurance wise, but we would like to share a few more information to help you maximize your car insurance savings.

Car insurance companies view bigger cars that are intended for family-use as possessing generally less risk in being involved in car crashes, as compared to flashy, high-powered sports vehicles mostly favored by the young and reckless. These vehicles tend to have better safety and security mechanisms installed, giving these kinds of vehicles higher safety ratings. This means lower risks of you filing claims for injuries caused by car accidents (which car insurance companies just love!) so savings are passed to you as lower car insurance premiums.

If you enroll on defensive driving classes (highly recommend you include teenagers as well, if they will be driving the same vehicle) will qualify you to get more discounts on your car insurance premiums. Putting your other insurance policies under the same insurance company could also lead to additional discounts.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, car insurance company, car insurance discounts

Reader’s Question:

I have always been a safe driver but we’ll never know if I’ll ever meet a mishap. But in case I do, how much will my rates increase for my auto insurance here in Bloomington, Indiana?

Nikolas

Bloomington, IN

As much as possible, we would want to avoid any accident so as not to hurt other people or ourselves. In the same way, we don’t want to encounter any motor crash because it may cost too much to repair our vehicle and the other party’s vehicle if you are the one who caused it. It may also be too expensive to pay for medical expenses if anyone will be hurt or injured. Also, your auto insurance provider in Bloomington, Indiana may be prompted to raise your premiums once you file a claim.

A lot of insurance providers adhere to a standard of the insurance industry of raising your insurance rates by 40% of their base rate following your first accident wherein you were at fault. For instance, if the insurer’s base rate is $500, your premiums would increase by $200. But not all insurance companies follow this kind of method because some of them could raise your personal rate by 40%. No matter what procedure they use, in most instances, your premiums will increase. However, some auto insurance providers have this “forgive the first accident” rule but the criteria are painstaking. When you purchase your policy, you may ask them if they have this rule and how you can be eligible for it.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance rates, car insurance premium

Reader’s Question:

Hi, I recently lost my car insurance here in Anderson, Indiana because of a traffic violation. Now I don’t know how this affects my record when I start looking for a new insurance provider, can anyone help?

Shane

Anderson, IN

Hi Shane, there are a lot of people out there that would understand how it feels to lose your car insurance coverage. Although it may be a bit more difficult to get back on track in the beginning, there is absolutely no reason for you not to be able to get insurance coverage again.

First things first, if your drivers license got revoked or confiscated of course you would want it back as quickly as possible! Get in touch with the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) there in Anderson, Illinois to see if you can get a temporary license until you can find a suitable car insurance provider that can help you file an SR-22. If you don’t know what an SR-22 is, it is proof of financial responsibility or capability in your end in the event you get into another vehicular mishap in th future. This is mandated by the financial responsibility laws of your state and should be acquired as soon as possible.

Insurance wise, do expect your new rates to be higher than what you were paying before. Car insurance companies will definitely factor in how good (or bad) your driving history is to compute your premiums. Take defensive driving lessons to qualify you for discounts and try to drive as safely and as responsible as you can on the road.

Tags: DWI

Reader’s Question:

I gave my wife a new car for our 25th wedding anniversary, my wife has already car insurance before. Is it possible here in Gary, Indiana to use the car insurance policy to cover the new car or should we get a new policy?

Dan

Gary, IN

Since almost all car dealers oblige you to get your Car Insurance before you drive off your newly purchased car, you don’t have anything to worry on having a Car Insurance or look for an Insurance Company. But if you already have car insurance before, you might as well use it for temporary basis.

As like all other states, in Gary, Indiana, you have exactly 30 days to register your new car with the title properly arranged. And if you want to use your old policy, you have to inform the Car Insurance Company. Most insurers give you an allowance of 14 days to inform them that you had purchased a new car. You also have to ensure that the car you just bought is not to be used for business. Or if you are lucky, some insurers allow up to 30 days for you to give the information. If you had failed to inform your insurers with the allotted time, then expect to be driving without any of the protection of a Car Insurance. If you for example had dropped collision and comprehensive coverage and do only carry liability with your old policy, you have to expect that this will also be just the policy you can apply to the new car. But then, you still have the chance to change the policy, all you have to do is ask your insurers.

Tags: auto liability insurance, car insurance, car insurance policy

Reader’s Question:

Why do car insurance companies charge more for insurance on a teenager or a senior citizen? I’ve been shopping around for some deals here in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for both my elderly aunt and my teenage nephew and so far they all come up pretty expensive!

Ron

Fort Wayne, IN

Your right, the cost of having quality automobile insurance for both teenagers and senior citizens are significantly higher as compared to middle aged drivers. There are a number of reasons for this disparity in auto insurance costs between the age group. One of the biggest reasons, as statistics have shown, for teenagers to get charged higher auto insurance would be due to recklessness, less-developed judgment, or inexperience in driving a vehicle or on the road. Teenagers are in a very high risk of getting involved in car accidents. And for the auto insurance provider, the higher the risk of providing coverage the higher they will ask for in terms of monthly premiums to compensate for that risk.

On the other end of the age spectrum are the elderly or senior citizen drivers. The reason why they cost more to insure as well is due to the perceived liability of advancing age and degenerating ability to drive on the road, such as poorer eyesight, slower reflexes and less stamina. This is also seen by car insurance providers as an increased risk hence, the higher car insurance rate.

There are ways on how you can help your teenage nephew and elderly aunt there in Fort Wayne, Indiana to still get quality car insurance without having to pay an arm and a leg. For example, It will be less expensive to put teenagers under the same coverage as their parents as compared to getting them coverage on their own. You can enroll them in safe driving, defensive driving or driver’s education classes. You can then get discounts towards your car insurance bills as well as teaching them the skills necessary to become a safe driver.

Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance quotes, car insurance