When browsing around for the best deals for your car coverage, would your best bet would be to use the internet? It’s easy to find and buy auto insurance online if you’re looking in the right places. There are various comparison websites that you can use to find and compare auto insurers around the nation. But, before deciding which company to buy an insurance premium from, consider this; who are you going to call if you have a claim? Also, do you know enough about the types of coverage to feel comfortable  that if you have a serious accident that you’ll be covered?

At the Steve Bedgood Agency our clients tell us what they have and how important to them it is and well help educate them on how best to protect it. (and themselves)

Getting the Best Rate

In order for your to get the best rate possible for your vehicle coverage, you will need to learn about the process. There are various ways we can save you money on your premium. For starters, when you are deciding what type of coverage to purchase, you have to select the amount of limits you want to purchase for your bodily injury and property damage protection. It is up to you to decide how much you’re willing to pay out of pocket. ( your deductible) The higher you place the limits, the lower you have to pay monthly for your car insurance policy. If you feel more comfortable paying a little more money, then you can lower your deductible, so that you have less to spend out of your pocket if you’re the cause of an automobile collision.  Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan offers various discounts as well. If you have a student away at college they could get a reduced rate for their auto insurance premium.

Other discounts are available for bundling multiple vehicles on one coverage policy.  That’s why it’s important for you to come in and spend a little time with us.  Never assume that your current insurer has the best deal.

The type of vehicle you buy or own plays a role in your premium. Vehicles that are considered high risk include high performance and sports cars. It costs more to insure these types of automobiles because they are more known for getting broken into and stolen. Then where you live can be a factor.  That’s why we like to step our clients through the process.

Other Factors that Determine Your Coverage Premium

Your age also plays a role in the estimation process. The younger you are, the more you have to pay for coverage. Drivers between 16 and 24 are considered higher risk because they are known to drive more risqué and are involved in more automobile collisions. We have a few steps down in premium for young drivers who obey the law. Once you reach the age 25, your rates  decrease for car insurance coverage. Then later in life, you may become a high risk once again — around the age 75, which is when you begin to lose your mobility, reaction time, eyesight and hearing. Some states require a test to be taken in order to make sure that the elderly are still capable of driving around safely.

Type of Coverage to Choose

The next thing you need to consider is the type of protection you want to purchase for your auto. Do you want the most protection or are you looking for the least, so that you can save money? . Be careful because even if the state says what the least amount of protection you can buy, you could still be underinsured. This means that if you’re involved in a car crash, you might have to pay for the additional costs out of your piggy bank. We’ll help  you buy enough coverage to ensure that you get the enough benefits to cover the expenses associated with vehicle damages and bodily injuries.

Other types of protection available are underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage and comprehensive and collision benefits. Having the underinsured/uninsured protection will ensure that you get money for the damages caused by a driver who doesn’t have sufficient coverage to handle the expenses. Comprehensive offers protection for natural disasters, vandalism and theft. Then for the collision protection, you will receive benefits to cover damages to your vehicle in an accident that was your fault.

Now that you have a better idea of how we may serve you, you can begin the process of finding the Car Insurance. Take your time to meet us in person.  Give us a call at 231-744-9099 or start by visiting us at www.muskegonautoinsurance.net.

1.To an insurer, you’re not a just person;

you’re a set of risks. An insurer bases its homeowners insurance premium (or its decision to insure you at all) on your “risk factors,” including your occupation, who you are, what you own, and how you live.

2. Know your home’s value.

Before you choose a homeowner’s policy, it is essential to establish your home’s replacement cost. A local builder can provide the best estimate. Also, your agent should have a replacement cost calculator.

3. Insurers differ.

As with anything else you buy, what seems to be the same product can be priced differently by different companies. A good local agent can make a world of difference.

4. Don’t just look at price.

A low price is no bargain if a home  insurer takes forever to service your claim or if a 1 800 number is all you have for an agent. Research the insurer’s record for claims service, as well as its financial stability. (The Ward’s Group is a great place to look)

5. Go beyond the basics.

A basic homeowners policy may not promise to entirely replace your home.

6. Ask about discounts.

Insurers provide discounts to reward behavior that reduces risk.

However, Americans waste some $300 million a year because they forget to ask for them!

7. At claims time, your insurer is looking for the facts.

Keep records and receipts. (keep a copy off premesis) Your idea of fair compensation may not match that of your insurer. Your insurer’s job is to restore you financially. Your job is to prove your losses so you get what you need.

8. Prepare before you have to file a claim.

Have an inventory of your personal belongings. (Stored somewhere other than your home)

9. Demand an annual review.

Keep your policy updated, and reread it before you file a claim so there are no surprises. Many people are upset and embarrassed when they try to file a claim and find they have no coverage for a particular loss.

If you are in the Muskegon area and if your agent doesn’t conduct regular reviews or you don’t feel you know where where you stand, just give me a call at (231) 744-9099 or start with a visit to www.muskegonhomeownersinsurance.com

Many people will never think to take another look at their car insurance when they move or change neighborhoods. And yet this is a useful thing to do. It could end up saving you a lot of trouble later.

Most of us are unaware that there are many factors that affect car insurance. Actually the factors are so many that by simply changing your address by crossing the street to the other side could drastically change your car insurance premiums.

Change of premiums means a change in the level of risk for the insurance company that supplied your car insurance. This can either go up or down and the insurance premium will naturally follow in the relevant direction.

This is the reason why it is worth checking with your insurance company about how your car insurance is affected by your change of address.

For example auto theft is a much more serious risk in certain neighborhoods than it is in others. So if your insurance coverage was taken out initially in an area where auto thefts are a very low risk, your coverage may not have addressed this issue adequately for your new area.

An insurance company will tend to have all the latest information and statistics on all these risk factors. So by consulting with your insurer you will also be made aware of the new dangers and higher risks you face in your new neighborhood.

Another factor worth considering is that your new neighborhood may be much closer to your work place meaning that you will probably use your car less. This is a factor that affects your car insurance because it is assumed the more you use your car the more opportunities there will be for accidents or possible accidents.

You should be able to review the change of circumstances in relation to your current car insurance and make a quick decision whether you honestly still have adequate car insurance or not.

There is no harm in negotiating a new car insurance deal even when your old one has not expired, simply based on your change of circumstances.

Please call (231) 744-9099 or visit www.Steve.BedgoodAgency.com

More to the sticker price than meets the eye!
Buying a new car can be a very exciting and overwhelming experience. Sorting through options, makes, models and features is enough to make your head spin. Not to mention the financing and car insurance costs. However, being prepared before you shop can help make the buying process quicker and easier for you!

Identifying the ideal car for you.
Before heading out to the car dealership, make a list of what you are looking for in a new car. As you are writing the list, think about the same concerns a car insurance company would consider when quoting you a rate, such as:

• How do you use your car?
• How many passengers do you typically carry?
• How often do you drive your car?
• Where do you drive?

These factors will help you pinpoint the best car for you, while also helping to potentially keep your car insurance premium down.

Features to consider before you buy.
Make a list of all the features and options that are important to you, such as head and leg room, transmission type, engine, trunk size, airbags, security system, anti-lock brakes and other safety features. Car insurance companies often give discounts for some of these items; saving you significant money on your overall quote.

Also, check out auto manufacture’s websites. Many have special pages that let you “shop” for your dream car – giving you the opportunity to select the features that are important to you, while also providing you with the true cost of these “extra perks.”

The cost.
Before you buy you should always factor in all costs involved with buying a new car, including sticker price, gas, maintenance, financing rates, taxes and car insurance.

How much you pay for your car has a powerful effect on your car insurance premium. A luxury car with all the latest safety features will typically cost more to insure than a no-frill economy car, due in part, because the higher-priced car may be more expensive to repair or is more likely to be stolen.

Yet some cars do consistently get better deals on car insurance rates than others. For example, a $14,000 Dodge Neon costs about the same amount to insure as a $34,000 Volvo XC70.

Why, you may ask?

The Volvo tends to receive a bigger insurance discount because it inflicts less damage to other cars in an accident, suffers less damage, has a lower theft rate and protects its passengers better in an accident.

According to one national insurance provider, the Dodge Neon does worse than the average car in all three categories, equaling the reason why it costs so much to insure.

Do your research!
Not only do you need to look at what your new car has to offer, you also need to do some background research as well.

Car insurance premiums are based partly on the price of the vehicle, which affects the replacement cost if it is stolen or “totaled” in an accident. How expensive the vehicle is to repair – including parts and labor – can also impact your insurance rate. In addition, surcharges may apply to vehicles that are frequently stolen or involved in accidents.

To find out if that next dream car might be more than you bargained for, visit Highway Loss Data Institute’s website. Here you will find industry-wide information on injury claims, collision repair costs and theft rates by vehicle model.

Comparison shop before you buy.
Before you make your final decision, visit www.SteveBedgoodAgency.com we’ll  find you the best car insurance rate we offer. There, you’ll be able to learn more about us before giving us a call at (231) 744-9099.

www.muskegonautoinsurance.net

Parents and teenagers often disagree on a number of issues, but saving money on car insurance is one issue that they should agree on. Many times, it’s the parent that is paying for the insurance premium charges and the teenage driver isn’t too worried about the expense. It’s not until the parent sits down with their child and explains the process of purchasing car insurance for them and the vehicle, how coverage is decided, and what it takes to pay for the insurance policy that the teen starts to understand the importance of this insurance. Teenage drivers who can grasp the value of the coverage may decide to care more about how safely they are driving, especially when they realize how much accidents cost and affect the car insurance premium.

For The Teenage Driver:
Teenagers are placed in a different category of drivers than their parents. When they are ready to be put on a policy, the auto insurer automatically assumes them to be a high risk driver due to their lack of experience. Don’t take personal offense because this is decided based on the statistics showing teenage drivers being involved in a high number of accidents. If anything, take responsibility and keep your driving record clean, which means free from accidents and traffic tickets. If you can manage to do this for three years, you will begin to see a decrease in your premium rates.

Something a teen driver can do is  to help pay for your part of the rates as a secondary driver. It becomes an expensive bill as more drivers are added to a policy and parents might offer more flexibility in their rules if they see you trying to make an adult-like effort and taking financial responsibility for your activities.

Showing them this process might have a lasting effect so when they are old enough to leave home and purchase their own car insurance policy, they will know just what to look for.

Look for a vehicle that is insurance friendly. It may not be the most popular car in the market, but an automobile that helps you get lower rates will be easier on your wallet. Vehicles that are a few years old, have safety features, and aren’t flashy sports cars will be your best bet. If you’re curious about which specific cars will help you save money, contact me and ask what rates Farm Bureau would charge for different cars. A young driver and a car that requires “full coverage insurance is the most expensive combination.

For The Parent:
Parents are always looking for ways to save money with their children’s endeavors, and saving on car insurance is nothing different. One way to help save on future premium hikes is to set an understanding with the teenager of what is expected, or rules that need to be followed and the consequences that will be experienced if they cause an accident or receive a traffic violation. Many of my clients warn that the child will get their own insurance if they get a ticket. It’s a great idea to bring your new potential driver in with you and let me help you educate them. on the rules of the road and the cost of driving poorly in the early years.

Some rules could include the specific hours the teen may drive (sun up to sun down), who is allowed in the vehicle when the teen drives, whether or not the radio or cell phone can be used while driving, or how many miles the teen is permitted to drive per week or month. These rules may only need to be enforced for the first year of driving or they may need to be in effect for longer, depending on the teen. As your child demonstrates an ability to follow your rules and state traffic laws, you can more easily trust their driving skills and lighten up on certain expectations. But, this doing is choice of the parent.

Another idea is to expect the teen to contribute in paying for part or all of the premium charges. Many parents require their teenagers to pay for their portion of the insurance rates before the policy period begins. This is another way to instill responsibility in the teen and help them understand the values of money and good coverage. It is less expensive to keep the teen driver on the parent’s policy and not create a new policy just for the teen, especially when they are listed as a secondary driver because their use of the car is limited by the parent.

For Both:
Working together as a parent and teen team is the best way to save money on car insurance for the teenager. Look us up to find the best premium by seeing what we’ll will offer. Start with calling me at (231) 744-9099. Or check out www.SteveBedgoodAgency.com.

Providing honest, accurate answers will ensure receiving an accurate quote that won’t change at the time of purchase (if you choose to make a purchase). This can even be done for teens who only have their driving permit and have some time before they turn 16 and are eligible for a license. These kids do need insurance and can be added as soon as their permit is qualified.

You’ll see that Farm Bureau Insurance has a strong financial status and great customer service rates. Write a list of the pros and cons of each policy, and then make a decision.

It could also be valuable to go through a couple things before the teen is allowed to drive. For instance, explaining what is and is not covered on your policy will help the teen better understand the estimated costs of repairs when damages occur. Also, go through the process of what should be done if the teen is involved in an accident, such as who should be called and what information will need to be given to the officer and other driver.

Auto insurance for teenagers can be quite expensive, but when there is a mutual understanding of what is expected between the parent and teen, a higher chance of saving money happens.

Check out www.muskegonautoinsurance.net

 When drivers get into an accident, their first thought is often “How much will this cost?” It depends on your insurance company and your state’s laws, but part of that cost will likely be an increase in your auto insurance premium – unless the accident was very minor.

How Likely Is a Rate Increase?

The chance of an increase in premium rises along with several factors:

• Accident severity.
• Your degree of fault, unless you’re in a “no-fault” state.
• The value of the insurance claim you or the other driver files.
• Type of violation, if you get a ticket at all.
• Whether the violation or accident appears on your MVR or CLUE report.

How Much Money?

Like everything else about insurance prices, the amount of an increase, if any, varies by company. However, based on a 2008 Insurance.com study of the effect a violation or insurance claim has on premiums, the price can be high. Drivers who had an additional ticket saw their rates increase from $157 to $248 a year while those who had an additional claim saw increases ranging from $302 to $458 annually.

When Will It Go Up?

These increases are typically seen at renewal time, but if you didn’t notify your insurance company (please do!) and no one made a claim, it could take awhile for the company to find out. Rest assured that they will not be happy to uncover a ticket or accident you failed to report. If you’re switching companies, they may not find out until they order your driving or claims history, at which time they may decide not to issue you a policy.

Accident Forgiveness

Some insurance companies, including us at Farm Bureau,  offer an accident forgiveness feature for our clients. If yours does—and you qualify—your rates may not increase if you’re found to be at fault in a relatively minor accident. However, there could be severe consequences if you’re involved in a major accident and you’re driving under the influence. Remember that there are worse things that can happen than a higher insurance premium, like license suspension and jail time.

MVR = Motor Vehicle Report. Not every traffic ticket actually appears on your MVR. In fact, in some states only 75% of all moving violations are ever recorded on an MVR.

CLUE = Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. C.L.U.E. is a claims history database created by ChoicePoint that allows insurance companies to access your claims information when they underwrite or rate a policy. The report includes claim information such as date of loss, type of loss and amounts paid, and vehicle description.

Car Insurance can vary widely from company to company. Come see me at the Steve Bedgood Agency and we’ll do our best to get you get you the best policy we can based on your situation.

Contact me at www.muskegonautoinsurance.net or call me at (231) 744-9099