More Disco! (…and more discounts with Progressive)
January 25, 2011
Flo and Pickles Ring It Up!
January 19, 2011
How to Stay on The Road
August 1, 2010
One way to avoid sticker shock or buyer’s remorse when purchasing a new car is to consider expenses you may encounter down the road.
For instance, experts say that while most people anticipate the purchase price, taxes and registration fees associated with a vehicle, many forget that the insurance they need to protect their vehicle could come with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, there are ways to keep insurance costs down while maintaining the type and amount of coverage a new car typically requires.
To help consumers control car costs—from sticker price to insurance premiums—The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies offers these tips:
Decide ahead of time how much money you can spend and what type of vehicle best suits your needs.
Research crash test and acci-dent data. You can see crash test video and analysis from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety online at progressive.com.
Check with several dealerships and get firm quotes in writing. Having quotes from several places can help you negotiate your best deal.
Shop around for financing. Rates vary between institutions.
Insurance Costs
Before you buy a car, you should check into how much it would cost to insure. Try talking with an independent insurance agent—it may save you some money. Unlike “captive” agents who represent only one company, independent agents and brokers offer products from many different insurance companies. That means more choice and more opportunities for you to find the best coverage and service at the right price.
Here are a few questions to ask an independent agent or broker.
Can I get any discounts for my car’s safety features? Your auto insurance premium is based in part on the car’s value, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record and the likelihood of theft. Many insurers offer discounts for safety features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft.
How does this insurance company handle claims? Price isn’t the only factor to consider. It’s a good idea to deal with a company that will be there for you when you need it around the clock.
What coverage do I need? Your specific needs may vary by the age of the car, your personal situation and other factors.
Select an agent or broker who takes the time to answer your questions and who can help you find the combination of price, service and coverages that you need.
Did You Know?
Unlike “captive” auto insurance agents who represent only one company, inde-pendent agents and brokers offer products from many different insurance companies. That means more opportunities to find the best coverage and service at the right price.
CALL US for help with Auto Insurance!
Protect Your Business in 3 East Steps
January 24, 2010
A business is only as safe as the tools it uses. One of the best tools a business can use to protect its assets is commercial auto insurance.
Understanding insurance can be tricky. One of the first steps toward making an informed decision is to understand coverage and service options. Here are three easy steps to help figure out your commercial auto insurance needs:
1. Choose an insurer with the right combination of price and service. Insurance isn’t just about price. It’s about service, too. How are claims handled? How long will it take to get your vehicle back on the road? Can you get questions answered outside of business hours or online? Know the answers to these questions. Your time is money.
2. Research your policy options. Having the right coverage is important. A standard commercial auto policy generally includes coverage for:
•injuries or damage that you cause;
•your driver’s injuries;
•injuries and damages caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers; and
•damage to or theft of your vehicle(s).
When it comes to damage that you cause, you may be required to purchase certain limits based on who you work for. For instance, if you work for certain home builders, you may be required to carry $1 million in liability limits. Consider how much you are willing to pay out of pocket if your liability in an accident is more than your policy limits.
3. Know how the policy is priced. You can control your insurance costs. To get the best rates, run motor vehicle reports on potential drivers. If you let your insurance lapse, you’ll probably pay more for your next policy. Ask about discounts, including paid-in-full and renewal discounts.
Just like your customers rely on your professional skills, call a professional independent insurance agent who will be in your corner, researching and recommending the best options.
“Commercial auto insurance is complicated, but it is vital to protecting your livelihood,” says Bill Kampf with The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, one of the largest commercial auto insurers in the country.
CALL US for help!
7 Tips to Finding the Right Commercial Auto Policy
January 24, 2010
Finding a good deal on commercial auto insurance is about more than finding the lowest rate—it’s about finding the best all-around coverage to suit your company’s needs.
Understanding what coverages and service options are available is the first step toward making better, more informed decisions so that you and your business are properly protected. Here are some tips from the experts at Progressive to help you find the right coverage, service and price:
Know the company you’re dealing with—and its reputation for handling claims. Under-stand that you may pay more for “cheaper” coverage in the long run if the company lacks experience handling commercial auto claims. In business, vehicles need to be on the road—or you lose money. Insurance companies that don’t specialize in commercial auto coverage often don’t have their own claims representatives handling the process, so it may take longer to get vehicles back in service.
Look for discounts. Before initiating a quote for a policy, gather your company’s loss and financial records. This information could help you save a lot of money. You may qualify for discounts if you’ve carried increased liability limits in the past, if your employee base consists of experienced drivers or if your company’s credit rating is good.
Don’t let your coverage lapse. Proof of prior insurance is important, so never let your insurance policy lapse. If you do, you will most certainly pay more for your next policy.
Ask for referrals. Find out where colleagues in your business have found the best coverage and the best service. They may be able to refer you to an agent or com-any that really understands your business.
Check driving records before hiring. If they’ll be driving a company vehicle, be sure to screen the Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) for every potential hire.
Update the value of your equipment. If you’ve added, upgraded or phased out equipment, you’ll want your policy to reflect the true value of your fleet. This ensures you have adequate coverage where you need it and that you’re not paying for cover-age you no longer need.
Check the options for managing your policy. See if you can handle routine tasks online and over the phone instead of having to visit an agency or mail in forms. It saves time—and in business, time is money.
Did You Know?
Before initiating a quote for a commercial auto policy, know that you may qualify for discounts if you’ve carried increased liability limits in the past and if your employee base consists of experienced drivers.
CALL US for help!
Personal or Commercial Car Insurance?
January 24, 2010
If, like many Americans, your family car is also used for purposes that could be considered commercial use, you may want to steer yourself into a chair and look over your insurance policy.
You’ll need to consider buying a commercial policy or making sure that your existing personal auto policy covers the vehicle for business use. Whether or not you need a commercial policy depends on how you use your vehicle and what company you have it insured with. Every company has different guidelines and may surcharge for business-use coverage on a personal auto policy.
If you’re not sure whether business use is covered on your personal policy, it’s important to call your insurance company or agent. The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies has put together these four questions you may want to ask:
How do companies determine commercial use? One definition could include “engaging in transporting goods for compensation or a fee,” which includes pizza or newspaper delivery, catering, door-to-door consulting services, landscaping or snowplowing services, logging business, day care/church van services or farm-to-market delivery. People who do these kinds of work should consider purchasing a commercial vehicle policy.
Do you need more liability coverage than a personal auto policy provides? Generally, a commercial auto policy offers higher limits of liability, but less or no coverage in areas that are typically not associated with commercial auto risks.
Do you need special coverage for situations encountered while conducting business? Commercial auto policies usually offer these coverages, and they’re normally not available with personal auto policies. These include hired and nonowned auto coverage and coverage for towing a trailer for business use.
Do you need to list any employees as drivers? Commercial auto policies allow you to list anyone that you employ. You don’t have that option with a personal auto policy. In general, you’ll need commercial auto coverage if the vehicle you use is owned by a corporate partnership or driven by employees, or if it’s used to haul tools or equipment weighing more than 500 pounds, make deliveries or heavy enough to require state or federal filings.
Did You Know?
If, like many Americans, your family car is also used for purposes that could be considered commercial use, you may want to steer yourself into a chair and look over your insurance policy. CALL US for help!