How Long Does An Accident Stay On Your Record?

I hear questions like this a lot.  Tickets and accidents can cause spikes in your car insurance rates and no one wants that.  

The good news is that they eventually drop off and your rate goes back down.  The bad news is that it typically takes 3 years for that to happen.

If you get a ticket, you may be able to avoid having a surcharge on your policy by taking a defensive driving course and getting the ticket removed.  This will depend on your past record and what the court offers, but it is a good option!

If your rates do go up, make sure you are taking advantage of all other discounts to offset the increase.  Bring all of your insurance to one company so you take advantage of multi-policy discounts.  Raise your deductible for a while so you pay more out of pocket in an accident, but a lower monthly rate.  

Have questions?  We're always available to help!  Just give us a call and schedule a free review to see what is available and how we can keep your rates manageable even after an accident.

Car Insurance For Teenagers

Do you have a teenage driver (or one on the way)?  Back to school time is a great opportunity to think about car insurance savings!  

Having a teenage driver can be stressful.  You worry, first and foremost, about their safety and then about the costs.  And there are a lot of costs!  Things like purchasing an additional vehicle, getting licensed, and paying a little more for insurance. 

Fortunately, you still have options.

First you want to think about the vehicle your teen will be driving.  Premiums are higher on vehicles with comprehensive and collision coverage, which pays to fix your vehicle after an accident.  When you have a car that has only liability insurance (which pays only for damage your driver does to someone else’s car), you pay a lot less.

If you are purchasing a car for your teen and need to watch your budget, consider buying an older reliable model for cash that will not require comprehensive and collision coverage.  We can help you weigh the cost and the risk to see if it is a good option for you.  

You also want to take advantage of all available discounts.  These vary by policy but typically include a discount for driver's education and one for having good grades.  With school about to start, it's a great time to setup an incentive plan with your teenager to make sure they keep those grades up and your premiums low!  

Still have questions?  Call us to review your current policy and look for ways to help you manage the cost of having a teenage driver.