Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Car Insurance Coverage

Know Your Car Insurance Coverage. Car insurance policy coverages differ from company to company and policy to policy. Make sure you know what your coverage is.


(NAPSI)--Last year, Progressive Insurance received 29.6 million phone calls from customers. In this article, it shares three of the most frequently asked questions-and its answers-so that you can be confident when making decisions about your car insurance:

1. How can I make sure I have "full coverage"?

Generally, people ask for "full coverage" when they want more than just what's required by the state. Most states require that all drivers carry liability coverage, which pays for damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people that you cause.

By adding what is commonly referred to as "physical damage" coverages, which include Comprehensive and Collision insurance, damage to your own vehicle is also covered, regardless of who caused the crash.

Once you've chosen these coverages, you might also want to add insurance that will cover your medical payments, protect you if you're hit by an uninsured driver or come to the rescue if you break down on the side of the road. Your insurance company or agent can walk you through all your options and help you choose the policy that's right for you.

2. If I get into a fender bender when driving a rental car, would it be covered under my car insurance?

Generally, if you have liability and physical damage coverages on your car insurance policy, there's a good chance you'll be covered in a rental car. Call your agent or insurance company to get the facts before you turn down that extra coverage.

Another option: Check with your credit card company. Some credit cards provide coverage at no charge if you use their card to pay for the rental. Restrictions may apply, so be sure to ask for an exact description of what's covered.

3. A friend just borrowed my car. Will my car insurance pay for the damages if he causes an accident?

In most states, insurance coverage follows the car, so your car insurance would pay for the damage if your friend causes a wreck. Two things to keep in mind: If the cost to repair that damage exceeds the amount allowed by your policy, your friend may need to make a claim on his insurance policy to pay the difference; and, secondly, your rate may go up as a result of the claim.

Learn More

For more information or to find a nearby agent, visit www.progressiveagent.com.

Commercial Fleet Auto Insurance Tips

Here are some commercial fleet auto insurance tips. Get the
insurance tips for operating a safe fleet you need to ensure your buisness's vehicle fleet is insured properly and you are getting the cheapest insurance rates possible.

(NC)—When small businesses first get underway, it is common to have one or two vehicles as the primary methods of transportation for the company. And while this may work in the short term, transportation requirements can change dramatically as a business grows. Once a business is operating five or more commercial vehicles, that business is also managing a fleet.

“When business owners become fleet managers too, they need to review their commercial auto insurance policies to ensure they are properly covered and getting a good rate,” says Paul Lucarelli, fleet director at RSA Canada. “At the same time, take advantage of the risk management advice an experienced fleet broker and insurer can provide to help prevent accidents and contribute to the overall success of a business.”

According to Transport Canada, approximately 75 per cent of crashes result from driver error. The following tips from RSA Canada will start small business owners on the right path towards operating a safe fleet and ensuring they have right fleet insurance coverage in place:

• Assess Your Needs

How large is your company? How often are your vehicles on the road? Determining these answers will allow you to choose the best coverage for your business.

• Research, Research, Research

There are a number of options and plans available for commercial fleet insurance. Know the playing field before committing on the dotted line.

• What Type Of Vehicles Are You Insuring?

Depending on the values and types of vehicles that require insurance coverage, you may want to consider varied coverages and limits to provide the right coverage for the best price.

• What Are Your Intended Uses For The Vehicles?

Are they all going to be used for the same purposes? If not, you may be able to have a varied plan that allows you to save money.

• Invest In Driver Training

Make sure you're promoting a culture of safety in your organization. Well-trained drivers mean lower insurance rates and fewer accidents - that means fewer claims.

• Manage The Maintenance Of Your Fleet

This will result in a better performing fleet, reduce your potential for down time, and decrease your insurance rates.

• Work With An Experienced Fleet Broker And Insurer

Take advantage of their loss control expertise. Loss control officers can help you identify areas for improvement, save you money and help you prevent accidents.

Managing your fleet properly and ensuring you have the right insurance coverage can help prevent accidents, reduce the potential for down time and contribute to the long term success of your business. Take advantage of the risk management advice an experienced fleet broker and insurer can provide. More information on fleet insurance or on finding an RSA insurance broker near you can be found online at www.rsagroup.ca .