Four Reasons to Have Continuous Coverage

You've probably heard it's a good idea to avoid a lapse in car insurance coverage, but what if you're leaving the country for a few months, your car is in storage or you only drive a friend's car occasionally? There may be situations where it seems appropriate to cancel your car insurance, but the truth is, doing so can have expensive and lasting consequences.  Here are four reasons to avoid a lapse in insurance coverage.

1. It's the law – Most states require that you have at least minimum auto insurance coverage, even if you don't drive often. Keeping continuous coverage can help you avoid costly fines and even license suspension if you're caught driving without insurance.
2. Potential damage to a car in storage – If your only mode of transportation is in storage or not being driven for a long period of time, you should still keep continuous coverage. Comprehensive coverage is for damage to a car that isn't caused by a collision, which may include vandalism or a falling tree branch.
3. Avoid higher insurance rates – When writing insurance policies, insurers look at a lapse in car insurance coverage as a potential risk factor. If you've had a gap in coverage or a less-than-perfect driving past, there are ways to find affordable car insurance for high risk drivers, but the premiums  could still be higher than average.
4. Stay covered while driving a friend's car – You should always be covered by auto insurance before getting behind the wheel, even if you're in someone else's vehicle. If you're driving a friend or relative's car and cause an accident, you could be held legally and financially responsible.

So what's the best way to avoid a lapse in insurance coverage? Stick to a monthly budget to ensure you don't miss a payment. Keep your car insurance policy up-to-date, even if you don't plan on driving for a few months, and consider setting up automatic payments or paying upfront for your insurance policy to guarantee continuous coverage.

The provided information and safety suggestions were obtained from sources believed to be reliable and is intended for informational purposes only. Senate Select Insurance and its affiliates assume no liability in connection with providing it or your use of it. Your circumstances may not warrant or require some or all of the safety suggestions, and there may be additional available safety procedures that are not referenced on this webpage.

Auto Insurance Renewal

Like other legal contracts, a auto insurance policy is an agreement between you and your insurance carrier that's valid only for a specified period of time. Usually 6 or 12 months. When your coverage is set to expire, make sure you know how to renew it, so you can stay legal on the road.

Why renew my insurance policy?

Since all 50 states require auto insurance, insurance policy renewals are important to keep you "legal" and financially protected in case of an accident. If you're in an accident and don’t have adequate coverage, the cost of repairing your vehicle will likely be more than what you would have paid to renew your insurance policy.

How to renew auto insurance

The insurance policy renewal process can be easy. Most policies can be renewed over the phone. At Senate Select Insurance it's smart to call your insurance agent at least a month before your policy expires to avoid a gap in coverage.

What to consider before your auto insurance renewal is due

Whether you have a less than perfect driving history, or you have recently experienced a major life event like getting married or adding a teenage driver, consider reviewing your current policy and assess your insurance needs before renewing. And if you are not already a Senate Select Insurance customer, consider a dependable, affordable insurance provider like Senate Select Insurance to see if you can save money.

The provided information were obtained from sources believed to be reliable and is intended for informational purposes only. Senate Select Insurance and its affiliates assume no liability in connection with providing it or your use of it. Your circumstances may not warrant or require some or all of the safety suggestions, and there may be additional available safety procedures that are not referenced on this webpage.

Car Insurance Terms: How to Choose Car Insurance Coverage from Senate Select

Let Senate Select Insurance help you determine which type of auto insurance policy is right for you. We can help you understand how to choose the best car insurance coverage for your needs at a price you can afford.  Here are some common car insurance coverage options. To discuss your car insurance options, call a Senate Select Insurance Agent at 1-800-622-9333.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) (No-fault)

This coverage pays for the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder's car. At its broadest, PIP can cover medical payments, lost wages and the cost of replacing services normally performed by someone injured in an auto accident. It may also cover funeral costs.

Bodily Injury Liability

This coverage applies to injuries that you cause to someone else.  It's very important to have enough liability insurance because if you're involved in a serious accident, you may be sued for a large sum of money. Definitely consider buying more than the state auto insurance coverage requirement minimum to protect your assets, such as your home and savings.

Property Damage Liability

This auto insurance coverage pays for damage you may cause to someone else's property. Usually, this means damage to someone else's car, but it also includes damage to lamp posts, telephone poles, fences, buildings or other structures your car hits.

Comprehensive

This coverage reimburses you for loss due to theft or damage caused by something other than a collision with another car or object. Damage might be caused by fire, falling objects, earthquakes, windstorms, hail, floods, vandalism, or contact with animals such as birds or deer.
States do not require that you purchase collision or comprehensive coverage. But, if you have a car loan, your lender may insist you carry it until you repay your loan.

Collision

Helps pay for damage to your vehicle if you hit another vehicle, another vehicle hits you, or your vehicle rolls over. Collision coverage can be a required part of your car insurance coverage if your vehicle is financed or leased.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Helps pay for damages to your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident by an underinsured, uninsured or unidentified driver. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage also helps pay your medical costs and your passengers’ medical costs if an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver results in injury. This car insurance coverage may also pay for lost wages and other damages. Auto coverage varies from state to state and is required in some states.

Additional Equipment

Another type of auto insurance that helps cover direct and accidental loss to custom equipment or features not installed by the manufacturer. Coverage is available only with comprehensive and collision coverage.

Towing and Labor Coverage

If your vehicle cannot be driven from the accident scene, this coverage will help pay for transporting it.

Rental Reimbursement or Loss of Use Coverage

This option helps pay for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired due to a covered loss.

The provided information and safety suggestions were obtained from sources believed to be reliable and is intended for informational purposes only. Senate Select Insurance and its affiliates assume no liability in connection with providing it or your use of it. Your circumstances may not warrant or require some or all of the safety suggestions, and there may be additional available safety procedures that are not referenced on this webpage.