1. Shopping for the Lowest Price Available
You get what you pay for, so compare not only price, but policy features as well. Not all auto insurance companies offer enhanced benefits like superior claims handling, customer service guarantees, and roadside rental car delivery. Assess all of the benefits included to see the true value you receive.
2. Underestimating the Value of OEM Parts
When your car was built, the manufacturer carefully selected each part. If your car has to be repaired, do you want the replacement parts to be less carefully selected? Be sure that your auto insurance company specifies genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts in collision repairs after accidents. Many companies use less expensive aftermarket parts that may decrease the value of your car, affect its appearance and jeopardize the warranty.
3. Choosing Inadequate Liability Coverage
Liability insurance helps protect you and your assets if you cause an injury to others or damage the property of others with your vehicle. If you choose lower liability limits, an accident that causes serious injury can result in medical bills and lost wages that could far exceed your minimum coverage and leave you financially exposed. Make sure you’re fully protected.
4. Missing Out on Potential Discounts
You could get discounts for low-mileage driving, having multiple policies through the same insurance carrier, using anti-theft devices, taking defensive driving courses, and more. Be sure to ask which discounts are available.
5. Neglecting to Consider a Major Life Change
Keep your policy current. For example, forgetting to add a new teen driver to your policy can cost you dearly in the case of an accident. You may need to alter your auto insurance if you purchase a new home, car or other property; change your marital status; start a business; move; or retire.
1. Combine Personal & Commercial auto.
If you own personal use vehicles and business vehicles, a single policy often saves you money and provides higher liability coverage for all autos.
2. Increase your deductible.
You can lower your premium if you agree to pay more out of your own pocket in the event of a loss.
3. Pay your premium in full rather than in installments.
If you pay one lump sum for your premium, you can avoid installment fees and charges that accrue for making payments over time.
4. Use Automatic payment feature.
Most insurance policies offer and EFT, electronic funds transfer payment plan, which saves all or most installment fees plus the convenience of mailing the payment or making the trip to you Hammer office to make the payment.
5. Take a defensive driving, RV safety, or senior operator course.
If you lower your risk of an accident by getting educated, we’ll lower your premium.
6. Quote all your family vehicles and earn multi-vehicle discounts of up to 20%.
If you insure all of your autos, RVs and motorcycles with Hammer Insurance , we’ll thank you for your business by giving you discounted rates.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), reports that the top ten most stolen vehicles in 2009 by make, model, and model year are: