Tag: car insurance

Car Theft is on the Rise, Especially on New Year’s Eve

Multiple reasons for increased car theft include strained financial resources, social media pressures, and the rising value of vehicles and vehicle parts. Catalytic converters are particularly popular because of the precious metals they are made of—platinum, palladium, or rhodium.

Preventing car theft involves a combination of awareness, precautionary measures, and security measures. Here are some tips to help you reduce the risk of car theft:

Lock Your Car 
  • Always lock your car doors and close your windows when you leave your vehicle, even if it’s just for a short time. Thieves often look for easy opportunities.
Park in a Well-lit Area
  • Park your car in well-lit areas, especially at night. Thieves are less likely to target vehicles in well-lit locations where their activities are more easily noticed.
Store Valuables Out of Sight
  • Avoid leaving valuable items in plain sight in your car. Thieves are more likely to break in if they see something of value inside.
Keep Spare Keys Secure
  • Don’t leave spare keys inside your car, and be cautious about who has access to your spare keys. Thieves sometimes look for spare keys in common hiding spots.

 

Remember that no method is foolproof, but combining these measures can significantly reduce the risk of car theft. Adapt your strategies based on your specific circumstances and location.

The Most Stolen Cars in the U.S. Is yours on the list?

Does Auto Insurance cover Car Theft?
  • Car theft may be covered under comprehensive coverage, which is sometimes called other-than-collision coverage. If coverage applies, then you would be responsible for paying the deductible. If you need clarification on whether your auto insurance policy covers theft, contact Raymond Nelson Insurance.

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most: the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.

Does a Speeding Ticket Affect Your Car Insurance?

Auto insurance rates are predicated on the fact that someone is going to file a claim because of an accident. Rates are adjusted to your driving record and a speeding ticket can have an impact on your rates since speeding would be more likely to cause an accident.

Insurance agencies will check your motor vehicle record (MVR) which would include any driving infractions including speeding and adjust your rates accordingly.

If you’ve gotten a speeding ticket recently, you’ll likely pay more for car insurance. 
  • How much you’ll pay can vary based on your driving history, location, and other factors.
  • Compared rates across the country for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver ticketed for going 16 mph over the speed limit, your car insurance typically goes up about 25% after the speeding ticket.
  • On average, a driver convicted of speeding will pay $2,043 a year – $413 more than a driver with a clean record.

 

Minimum vs. full coverage after a speeding ticket

If  your insurance goes up after getting a ticket, you might consider going with minimum coverage rather than full coverage.

  • Average rate for full coverage is $2,043
  • Average rate for minimum coverage is $710.

BUT think carefully about this option since minimum coverage won’t have comprehensive and collision coverage.

 

How long does a ticket affect your insurance?
  • Your MVR might keep a permanent record of your ticket.
  • Many insurance companies only look back three to five years for minor violations, including speeding tickets.

 

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best fits our clients. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.

Shopping Cart Damage – Are You Covered?

Holiday shopping means crowded parking lots and runaway carts that can damage your vehicle. Raymond Nelson has some facts for you to know.

Who is at fault?
  • The store where you shop is not liable for damage by errant carts.
  • Stores usually have signs posted in the parking lot just for this reason.
Are you covered?
  • It depends on the coverage you purchased!
  • If you have Full Coverage Insurance, you should be covered.
    • Hitting a shopping cart is considered a collision with an object, whether you hit the cart or the cart hit your vehicle.
    • It would be a good idea to file a report to help when filing a claim.
  • Not all insurance policies cover this damage, so make sure you have the right policy to include physical damage.
  • Cart damage won’t be covered if you only have liability insurance coverage.
What to do if you notice damage to your vehicle.
  • Report it to your insurance company right away.
  • It would help to first take a picture of the damage while the vehicle is still in the parking lot.
    • If possible, include the store in the background of the photo.
  • Insurance companies can tell if the damage was caused by a shopping cart.
  • If your window was broken, or there was extreme damage to the vehicle, then this was probably more than just a shopping cart.
  • When you file a claim, you must go to a repair shop and get an estimate.
Cost of repairs
  • If you get a repair estimate that is more than your insurance deductible, then it might be a good idea to handle the repairs on your own.

 

Check with your insurance agent to determine if you are covered for shopping cart damage. Independent insurance agents will sit down and talk with you about your needs, then will craft an auto insurance plan that meets your needs at the best price and provide local, personalized service.

Speak with your Raymond Nelson Insurance agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most, the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.