Monthly Archives: August 2012

What Factors Can Affect the Cost of Your Car Insurance in Pennsylvania?

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Everyone wants to know how much car insurance will cost. Unfortunately, a specific answer may not be possible until all of the car insurance factors are weighed by the insurance company – and you receive the detailed quote.

As a local insurance agent in Dunmore, Honesdale, and Milford, Pennsylvania, this is an extremely common question that I receive. Based on the most common criteria, here are the most important car insurance factors that affect the cost of your car insurance:

  • You: Your age, gender, and driving profile will have a significant influence on your premiums. From your record to how many miles you drive each year, these factors will affect your rates.
  • Your Car: Expensive, sporty cars are much more expensive to insure. Also, security considerations and other interesting dynamics can affect rates as well.
  • Credit Score: Your credit history will demonstrate responsibility, which is a good thing when shopping for virtually any type of insurance.
  • Coverage: Full coverage with a very low deductible will naturally command a higher premium. Balancing the coverage you want with the cost will keep things comfortable.

Of course, there are items that can positively affect the cost of car insurance – found in the world of discounts. Take a look at some of the most common ones:

  • Safety Devices (daytime running lights, motorized seatbelts, and security systems)
  • Driving Courses
  • Group Affiliations
  • Driving Record (as a bonus to its natural effect)
  • Loyalty
  • Bundling (multiple cars or multiple insurance types – or both)

Take advantage of these common factors that affect car insurance rates. If you can, clean up your credit, choose a car with a lower cost of ownership, and pay attention to car insurance discounts. As things change, perhaps talking with your local insurance agent can improve your rates.

With knowledge of these key areas, you can make a more informed decision with your car insurance policy in Pennsylvania.

What Insurance Discounts are Available and How do you Qualify for them in Pennsylvania?

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One of the best ways to lower your insurance premiums in Pennsylvania is to qualify for insurance discounts. These don’t change the coverage you’re getting at all, but instead, they reduce the amount you’re paying. It never hurts to get discounts, and often a few minutes talking with your local insurance agent in Dunmore, Milford, or Honesdale can save you hundreds of dollars.

Most Common Insurance Discounts Available in Pennsylvania

  • Defensive driver discount for people who have taken a qualified driving course
  • Alternative fuel discount for hybrids and other vehicles that use alternative fuels
  • Good student discount for students on the policy who get good grades
  • Safety discounts for vehicles with specific safety features, like an alarm system
  • Good driver discount for individuals who have not been in accidents or received tickets recently
  • Multiple vehicle or multiple policy discount

How Do You Qualify?

The requirements vary, and you’ll need to ask your local insurance agent for specifics. In general, though, you’ll qualify with one of these methods:

  • Submitting proof of completion of a driving course (Residents in Dunmore often attend in person in the Scranton area, whereas Milford and Honesdale residents may find online courses more convenient)
  • Submitting most recent transcript of grades for a good student discount
  • Authorizing the local insurance agent or company to look up your driving record for citations
  • Asking for the discount, in the case of discounts related to your car’s features
  • Automatic qualification for multiple vehicle discount or multiple policy discount when you add a vehicle or policy

Because there are so many insurance discounts available, it helps to review your policy annually with your insurance agent. That way you can make sure you’re getting all the discounts for which you may qualify.

Who is Liable if a Neighbor’s Tree Fell on my Property

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If you live in a beautiful house on a wooded lot in Pennsylvania, you probably have seen more than a few branches fall from your trees. Most of the time, small branches fall harmlessly to the ground. However, every once in a while, a big tree can come crashing down and possibly do a lot of damage to your property or your neighbor’s property.

What should you do if your neighbor’s tree fell on your property? Will your homeowners insurance policy pay to remove the fallen tree and repair any damage it did to your home or other property? Maybe your neighbor or your neighbor’s insurance company should be forced to foot the bill to make you whole again. The question of who is liable is not always easy to determine. From a moral point of view, your neighbor should assume the liability and take care of the cost for tree removal and repairs. From a legal point of view, liability depends on negligence.

If a tree on your property falls on your neighbor’s property, you cannot be held liable for any damages if you were not negligent. When it comes to a fallen tree, negligence can be defined as knowing that your tree presents a potential hazard and not taking any action to remove that hazard. In essence you are liable if you know or should know that your tree is weak or diseased but you are not negligent if your tree falls because natural disaster from a lightning strike.

Whether you live in Dunmore, Honesdale or Milford, you can be susceptible to a neighbor’s tree falling on your property and causing damage. Before any such calamity occurs, it is smart to talk to your local insurance agent. What would you do if one of your trees fell on your neighbor’s property?

What Type of Home Insurance Policy Covers Natural Disaster Damage in Pennsylvania?

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Natural disaster damage can be a significant threat to your home’s safety, as well as your financial security. However, this is a common area where misconceptions lie with respect to natural disasters and insurance coverage on a homeowners policy.

As a local insurance agent serving Dunmore, Milford, and Honesdale, Pennsylvania, this unfortunate misconception is found in the assumption of such coverage. In Pennsylvania and across the country, homeowners assume that they are covered – even when they aren’t – while living in flood, hurricane, and other natural disaster-prone areas.

However, this doesn’t necessarily require that you purchase a separate “type” of home insurance. While it is true that you can obtain separate insurance for a specific disaster (somewhat common for hurricanes), in most cases you can simply add on additional protection through your home insurance company. Consider the following steps:

  • Talk to your local insurance agent about your coverage. Are you protected against natural disasters that may hit Pennsylvania?
  • Strongly consider full replacement coverage. This means that you’ll receive the cost of replacing your home, if a major event should cause a great deal of damage.
  • Stay up-to-date with your coverage. Renovations and additions can change the value of your home. Regardless of any work, have your home reassessed every few years – and follow up accordingly with your local insurance agent.

The additional cost for natural disaster damage can be well worth it. According to Houselogic, you can expect to pay between $1.50 and $3 per $1,000 of coverage each year. Thus, for example, $300,000 of coverage could warrant an additional $450 to $900 – with a deductible of five to 15 percent.

Take a look at your home insurance policy, with the help of your local insurance agent. Consider obtaining natural disaster damage protection, if you are not currently protected against such dangers.