Senin, 25 November 2019
Auto Insurance Can Be One of Your Best Investments
It is Monday. You wake up dreading another work week as you get dressed, down a bowl of cereal and head for the door. Outside is parked your pride and joy, a BMW Z4 roadster. You just purchased it over the weekend and you're looking forward to your vehicle being the envy of the entire office. You take one look at that beautiful car and say to yourself, "wow maybe the day won't be so bad after all."
So there you are, the top is down, the wind blowing through your hair everyone on the road seems infatuated with you and that beautiful piece of German engineering. Then you close your eyes just briefly to savor the moment when traffic suddenly stops in front of you and a loud crash breaks your enlightened state. Suddenly your heart starts pounding, you just rear ended an early model Chevy Astro. The van has a minor dent but the front of your new Z4 is completely smashed in and that's when you realize, you didn't call your insurance agent to switch your coverage. The driver of the Astro accepts the 200 dollars cash you offer in exchange for not calling police on the scene but as you watch the tow truck haul away your baby you realize that after the down payment on the new car there won't be enough money to have her fixed for quite a while.
The fact is that auto insurance is one of the most important investments you can make. It only takes a day without coverage to ruin someone financially as illustrated in the story above. Not only could you be liable for the damage to both vehicles but for possible medical bills should someone get injured. There is also the possibility that you could simply be stopped by a law enforcement officer and cited for no insurance. Fines for such a violation can be several hundred dollars to several thousand depending on the state the ticket was given. It is imperative that insurance be started on the day you purchase a vehicle and that there are no lapses until you sell it. It is equally important to make sure that your coverage is adequate provided the given laws in your state. Because the last thing you want to do is trade a monthly insurance premium for thousands of dollars of liability you are responsible for paying yourself.
Driving and Pedestrians
At times when you enter a grocery store parking lot you have to take additional time driving down the lanes because there may be a pedestrian crossing the road the lane or walking in between cars. You do not want to hit them and pedestrians do have the right of way. Of course, it is usually when they have a cross walk at the main entrance of the store. In fact, when you are in front of the store and the pedestrian is starting to cross you have to come to a full stop to let them pass.
The reason places have put in cross walks is so the pedestrians will have a chance to cross the roads to get to their establishment. In order for them to cross the road there may be a traffic light and a signal of a person crossing the street. If it is flashing white then you may see a number counting down in the corner telling you how much longer you have to cross the road. If the sign is flashing red, then it means do not attempt to cross the street.
No one would ever want to hit someone crossing the road. While we are talking about the subject why not find your auto insurance policy to ensure you have medical coverage so if someone is hurt they will be covered for their services and treatments received. If you find this is a benefit you are not carrying then you may want to go online to compare auto insurance quotes to see what company will provide you the best premium rates for your car insurance to give you this benefit along with collision and possibly property damage.
Auto insurance is something that you should not take for granted or make assumptions about so read the policy to know what you have and be aware of any changes when you policy is renewed. When you do find yourself to the grocery store then make sure as a pedestrian you use the cross-walk, for your own safety. Then you will know that cars or other vehicles will have to stop for you.
Washington State Auto Insurance Laws
It is a famous rule. Nearly every state has its own law when talking about the minimum auto insurance requirement, the minimum insurance liability. Washington does not make an exception.
Each driver from Washington State has to respect and follow some rules (laws - if you want) when he is driving. If he does not, he can be fined. Or worse. However, I do not think so that there is any motorist who has not car insurance policy and a minimum car insurance requirement.
A certain driver has to know, for instance, the minimum amounts required, types of proof of insurance allowed, penalties, exceptions and so on.
Auto Insurance Limits
A driver has to get car insurance liability. No other option.
When we are talking about Washington, we feel obligated to mention that a certain driver must have $25,000 of bodily injury or death coverage for one person and $50,000 for two people. When there are 3 people involved, we can talk about $75,000.
There is another kind of liability called "property damage". When talking about property damage, you should know that it values $10,000 and it is required.
A motorist who doesn't purchase liability car insurance may opt to buy a $60,000 liability bond or a certificate of deposit for $60,000 from the state treasurer's office.
Exceptions
Mandatory insurance isn't required and no necessary for a motorcycle or for a moped. Besides these 2, the antique cars or a collector vehicle older than 30 years are, also, excepted.
State vehicles and Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission cars also don't require any kind of insurance.
Proof of Auto Insurance
Each driver has to proof or show the proof of vehicle insurance when, for example, a police officer ask for them. He is required by law to do so when law enforcement requests it.
A liability bond or certificate of deposit, self-insurance certificate, insurance identification card are acceptable forms of proof of insurance.
The Penalties
Every law which is not followed implicate fines or even jail. However, when talking about car insurance liability and so on, we can not make an exception.
So, for somebody who operates a vehicle without proper coverage is $450. This detail has been fixed, last time, in August 2010.
Auto Insurance Terms
These auto insurance terms will help you determine if you have enough car insurance coverage. Be sure to contact your agent to go over your liability and damage limits and verify that you are carrying enough coverage to be both legally and financially protected.
Liability Coverage - If you are at fault for an accident, your insurance company will pay for the other party's injuries and damages, up to the limits of your policy. Arizona law requires that vehicles carry a minimum $15,000/$30,000 policy. This means that for each occurrence, the maximum payment made on an individual claim will be $15,000, but no more than $30,000 will be paid for all claims combined, whether there are two, three or even more claimants.
Uninsured (UM) motorist coverage - If you are injured by a motorist who does not have liability coverage, your insurance company will pay for your injuries and damages.
Underinsured (UIM) motorist coverage - If you are injured by a motorist who has auto insurance but your injury damage exceed the value of his/her policy, you can make a claim against your own auto insurance policy.
Medical payments (Med Pay) coverage - This coverage will pay for medical expenses resulting from an auto accident for you or anyone in your household, and any passengers in your vehicle, no matter who is at fault.
Property Damage - Will pay for damage you cause to another vehicle. In Arizona the minimum amount required is $10,000.
Comprehensive - Will pay for damage to your vehicle for anything other than a collision, or for the theft of your vehicle. If you are still making payments on your vehicle you are required by your lender to carry Collision and Comprehensive coverage.
Collision - Will cover your vehicle if it is damaged in an auto accident.
Towing and Car Rental - Towing will cover the towing of your vehicle if it breaks down or is involved in an auto accident. Car rental will cover a predetermined amount to be paid toward a rental car of a specific number of days if your vehicle is damaged and undriveable after an auto accident. The minimum amount recommended is $25 per day for approximately 30 days.