In 2013, West Hartford received many accolades, including making it on Family Circle’s list of “10 Best Towns for Families.” The city also gets top billing for another statistic: It’s one of the most auto accident-prone cities in the United States. You need to make sure you have enough auto insurance coverage if you drive in the city.

State Minimums

If you cause an accident, your liability insurance coverage pays for the other person’s expenses. In Connecticut, you need at least $20,000 for each person that’s hurt and $40,000 if more than one person is hurt. You need the same for accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists, and at least $10,000 for property damage.

A Word about Minimums

You can avoid fines and other hassles with the department of motor vehicles if you meet the state’s minimum liability coverage requirement. However, the minimum coverage might not be enough protection. The other driver can sue you, and your personal assets might be at risk, if you don’t have enough insurance coverage.

What to Consider

You’ll need to make sure you can shoulder the financial cost if you cause an accident, because you’re responsible for financial losses the other person suffers. For example, if you damage the other person’s car, you’ll need to repair or replace it. If the accident results in injuries, you’re responsible for the medical bills. Also, if the person can’t work, she can sue you for loss wages.

The value of cars in the 21st century is a good bit more than $10,000, and medical care can easily surpass $20,000. If you have personal assets, including a home and savings accounts, you might find additional coverage well worth the higher premium.

Call us today. As your independent agent, we can help you avoid fines and set up an insurance policy that gives you the coverage you need.

No one likes to pay too much for auto insurance. Making that monthly or annual payment can be difficult especially if you have never had a need to use the insurance for accidents or recovery of losses. However, there are too many risks involved in driving for you to simply not carry insurance. The good news is there are ways to get reduced premiums on many policies.

To get cheap auto insurance, it is best to start the search by working with an independent agent. This agent is not working for a specific insurance provider. Rather, he or she is working for you and has the goal of helping you to get the policy you need at the lowest rate. An independent agent can also help you to quickly and easily compare numerous companies to each other until you find the most affordable option.

To further lower your costs, consider discounts available to you in West Hartford, Connecticut. If you have more than one vehicle or policy, a multi-policy discount can often shave a significant amount of money off the costs. You may qualify for discounts if you are a good driver or, if you are a student, if you get good grades. If your vehicle has anti lock brakes and an anti theft system, these can help to reduce your costs.

Also consider the type of insurance you have. If your vehicle is not worth much and is easily replaced, carrying just state required liability coverage may be all the insurance you need. You may not need expensive comprehensive policies. Take the time to discuss all of your options with your auto insurance independent agent. Find out which options are available to reduce your costs to a more affordable level. Be sure to compare numerous companies, policies, and discounts.

The cost of automobile insurance varies for many reasons. It is never a good idea to go without insurance. However, there are times when you may be overpaying. If you believe you are, it may be time to discuss your options with an independent agent in West Hartford, Connecticut. There are often ways to get lower rates while still maintaining quality insurance.

What factors affect your cost? To start with, the vehicle you own plays a role in the cost differences. Vehicles that are worth more or those that are often driven fast, such as sports cars, are a higher risk to insurance companies. As a result, they tend to be more costly to insure.

You, as the driver, are also a factor in the costs you pay. If you have any moving violations on your drivers license, this will increase your costs because you are a higher risk to the insurance company. If you are younger and inexperienced, you will pay more than those with more experience. Younger men tend to pay significantly more than women, too, simply because statistics indicate they are a bigger risk to insurance companies.

Where you live plays a role in the costs you pay as well. If you live in an area that is higher risk, you’ll pay more. The more you drive your vehicle each year, the higher your costs will be. And, the more types of protection you place on your vehicle, the more expensive the policy will be for you as well.

To get the lowest rate on your auto insurance, contact an independent agent in the West Hartford, Connecticut area. You’ll get significant savings with discounts and rewards for having a good driver’s record. You can also qualify for discounts for having more than one policy. It’s always worth discussing your options with your agent.

There are so many variables that insurance companies serving the West Hartford, Connecticut area takes into account when determining auto insurance premiums. This not only includes your own driving record, but also that of family and loved ones covered under your policy. Although this helps insurers consider all of the potential risks of an insured party, it can make buying coverage a somewhat complicated affair in certain cases.

The driving or accident records of your child or spouse has a definite impact on your ability to find affordable auto insurance or buy auto insurance at all, in many cases. A spouse or child of driving age with a driving history marked by accidents, speeding tickets and other infractions can easily cause you to be turned down for insurance coverage. In other cases, you may end up paying high-risk insurance premiums – something that could easily cost you thousands of dollars more per year than if your child or spouse had a spotless driving record.

If you have a child or a spouse with a less-than-stellar driving record, you may want to consider asking your independent agent about a driver exclusion endorsement. This endorsement purposefully excludes a specifically named driver from being covered under your insurance policy. In other words, you won’t be able to benefit from your coverage in accidents involving an excluded driver. However, the owner of the vehicle remains liable for any damages that occur as a result of an accident caused by their vehicle.

Another option you can potentially pursue is to encourage said family member to purchase their own insurance coverage. If they are able to buy their own coverage, they will have all of the protections afforded to insured drivers even if they are driving your vehicle.

As your independent agent, we can help you find the best solution to your auto insurance issues. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions concerning your insurance options.

In recent years, the internet has exploded and nearly every insurance provider allows you to purchase insurance online, so why would you need to use an agent? Actually, an independent agent can be one of the best ways to purchase the insurance you need to protect yourself and your finances. Learn more about services offered by an independent agent and you will quickly see why you should work with an agent instead of going at it alone.

• An agent has all the information on file about you, your family and your home. He or she understands the big picture more than an account representative at an insurance company.

• An independent agent has access to the insurance options from a number of companies so we can help you find the perfect coverage for you–no matter what company sells it.

• An agent stays in the loop as far as what is happening in the world of insurance. This means we know the latest laws and options before the information trickles down to the general population.

• An agent has access to all types of insurance. Whether you need to protect your vehicle with auto insurance, protect your home with homeowners coverage or some other types of coverage–your agent can help.

Now that you understand the benefits of working with an independent agent, you should make an appointment to discuss your concerns. Talking to one of our experts can help you make the best choice in insurance for your family–including car, home and life insurance. If you are located in or around West Hartford, Connecticut, call or contact us and let one of our expert agents help you find the perfect insurance solution for you and your family.

Being involved in a car accident can not only damage your vehicle and limit your transportation, but it may also limit your ability to work. Perhaps the accident left you injured and unable to return to work for a few days. You may have been dealing with a long-term absence, due to a significant injury. In other cases, the auto accident may have left you unable to work for an extended period of time, or perhaps even ever being able to work as you did. When this happens, insurance may be able to help.

Does Your Policy Provide This Coverage?

Not all types of auto insurance provides loss of wages as a type of coverage. The only way to know if the policy will do so is to read through the documentation. In many cases, a covered incident may provide some leverage for loss of wages payouts. However, there are many factors affecting this decision.

In West Hartford, Connecticut and the surrounding area, it is possible an accident (whether caused by you or someone else) may pay for the time you lost at work. If it does, the policy will state how much of your wages are considered covered, what length of time is required, and what limits are in place.

Not Covered?

If you do not have a car policy that provides this type of protection, it may be time to look for a new provider. Work with an independent agent like our team to help you to locate a new policy with the types of coverage you need, including lost wages for a covered vehicle accident. If you are unsure about your current policy, be sure to contact your carrier to find out the details. Then, if you are not covered under it, look for a new provider.