Monthly Archives: March 2013

Pennsylvania Drivers: How Car Insurance Claims Affect an Auto Insurance Policy

Posted on by

As a Pennsylvania independent agent, I get a lot of questions from drivers in Milford, Honesdale, Dunmore and around the state about whether or not they should file an auto insurance claim for a particular accident. It seems that the prevailing logic is that claims make car insurance premiums go up every time. Perhaps now would be a good time to explain a little bit about how car insurance claims affect an auto insurance policy.

While it’s true that filing insurance claims can cause your premiums to go up, it does not necessarily have to happen in every case. When you file a claim, an independent agent like me will look at several factors before making any decisions about your policy.

One major factor we look at is the severity of the accident. More damage means more cost to repair, which means we will likely need to charge you higher premiums to get our money back. Fault is another important factor–if the accident is your fault, you are more likely to have premium increase.

Your driving history also affects how we interpret a claim. If you haven’t had an accident in 15 years, we’re more likely to let your premiums stay the same after a small or medium-sized accident. On the other hand, if you’re good for a major accident a week, we might even be forced to drop your policy.

In Pennsylvania, personal injury protection (PIP) insurance is mandatory and you should file a claim use it whenever you have medical bills related to an accident. Using PIP insurance cannot affect your premiums in any way in this state.

So whether you drive in Honesdale, Dunmore or Milford, a claim doesn’t necessarily mean a major change in your insurance premiums, but it can.

Pain and Suffering Coverage: Which Tort Option Should I Choose in Pennsylvania?

Posted on by

If you have an auto insurance policy, you may be a bit confused about all the different options that are available to you. One option you can add to your insurance is tort coverage for pain and suffering; however, but what does pain and suffering exactly mean?

Put simply, any type of tort coverage is when you are paid for something that is not concrete. “Regular” auto insurance will pay you back for the cost of your car if it is damaged in an accident or pay for your medical expenses if you are hurt. Tort coverage, on the other hand, pays for something that cannot have a true value attached—the pain you suffer in the accident.

Those who live in or around the Dunmore, Milford or Honesdale, Pennsylvania area may want to add a pain and suffering rider to their auto insurance policy, but not know the best way to go about doing that. For many people, contacting an independent agent will be the best way to do this.

As an individual, you can often take care of your insurance needs yourself online. However, unless you have a background in insurance, you can often wind up paying more than you need to or not getting the coverage you require.

Going to an independent insurance agent means that you have someone on your side that can find you the right coverage from the right insurer. Many independent agents have access to a large number of different insurers—at times changing the insurance provider can save you an enormous amount of money. Come see us and let us look over your insurance needs to create the perfect insurance package that will protect you and your family from the financial perils of an accident.

Things to Consider when Purchasing Commercial Coverage in Milford, Pennsylvania

Posted on by

When starting up a new business in Milford, Pennsylvania, you need to make sure that you are doing everything possible to safeguard the future of your enterprise. Besides hiring the best employees, offering excellent goods and services and focusing on providing the best possible customer service, purchasing commercial coverage should be one of your highest priorities.

It’s prudent to find out the potential risks your business faces in the course of its daily operations. Accidents and damage can occur at any time, and you need to be prepared.

To begin with, you must consider all your needs. You will want to speak with your independent agent to see how you can protect your company’s property by arranging for building insurance or obtain renter’s insurance. An accident, natural disaster or other calamity could jeopardize your business and financial well being if you don’t have sufficient coverage.

A company that provides vehicles for its employees, such as for making deliveries, picking up raw materials and parts or going out on sales or repair calls will need to obtain comprehensive vehicle coverage. You can get coverage for a single vehicle or for a fleet, but you must protect your business with this insurance.

Your employees also require protection while working at your facility, which is why you need to obtain worker’s compensation insurance for protection in the event of accidents and lawsuits.

Bundling your policies typically will result in additional savings as well as making it faster and more convenient to set up coverage. You will want to ask your agent about any possible discounts that might be available to your business.

When you are preparing to open your business, make it a priority to contact your independent agent to discuss your insurance needs, including whether you are in need of any special coverage. We are standing by to help you!

How to choose the right renter’s insurance policy in Dunsmore, Pennsylvania

Posted on by

You’ve just moved to Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and you’ve found the perfect apartment. Now you need to take the key financial step to protect your valuables: You need to purchase renter’s insurance.

But how do you find the right renter’s insurance policy, whether you’re renting in Dunmore, Honesdale or Milford?

The key? You need to do your research to make sure that you purchase a policy that includes the right amount of coverage for the right price.

Here are the questions to consider before purchasing a policy.

First, make sure you know exactly what a policy covers. You want your renter’s insurance to cover the valuables inside your home, and cover the replacement costs, should they be damaged or destroyed in a fire, flood or some other natural disaster. You also want your insurance to cover the replacement costs should a burglar break into your apartment and steal your most valuable electronics, jewelry and other valuables.

Next, consider the price. You want the right amount of coverage for your valuables. But you don’t want to spend a small fortune on renter’s insurance. The good news is that the Dunmore area offers plenty of options for renters searching for insurance. By calling local insurance agents, and scanning the Internet, you’ll be able to compare real-time quotes from several leading insurance companies. Armed with this information, you can make the right decision about a renter’s insurance policy.

Finally, make sure you understand the limits that come with any insurance policy that you consider. Some policies will only pay out a maximum amount of money each year. If your damaged or stolen valuables exceed that amount, you’ll have to cover the extra dollars on your own. Others come with high deductibles, the amount you’ll have to first pay before your insurance coverage kicks in.

If you are interested in learning more about renter’s insurance in Pennsylvania, schedule an interview with an independent agent today. An independent agent can provide you with the information you need to secure the right amount of coverage.