Get Car Insurance Facts

Get Car Insurance Facts

Purchasing auto insurance can be confusing. Knowing some car insurance facts can help you make the right choice.
Car Insurance Facts

Below are six car insurance facts to help you plan and possibly save you money:

1. Car Rental Insurance

Car Insurance Facts - Car Rental InsuranceWe’ve all experienced the insurance pitch at the rental car counter. The agents encourage you to purchase car rental insurance, referred to as a collision damage waiver (CDW). Rental car agents often receive incentives to sell it. The good news is that you usually don’t need to purchase it, assuming you have full coverage on your own car, which commonly includes comp and collision.

If you are driving a vehicle with liability only, have a “limited” policy or no insurance coverage at all, CDW will be required.  Many credit card companies offer rental car insurance protection as long as the entire rental car transaction is charged to that specific card. So, make sure to check with your credit card company or personal auto insurance company before denying CDW coverage

2. Lending Your Car to A Friend Could be Costly

Consequences of Lending a Car to A FriendIf you lend your car to a friend and they have an accident, it’s your responsibility.  Even if they have their own insurance, it usually only covers damage to the other vehicle, not yours.  So, you will have to file a claim with your insurance company, not your friend’s AND  you’re also responsible for your deductible. This type of  accident could possibly raise your rates, even if you were not in the car. So think twice  before handing over your keys.

3.  Your Credit Score

Credit Scores Affect InsuranceYour credit score is reviewed by your auto insurance company.  Statistically speaking, you’re more likely to file claims based on a shaky credit history.  Ff you are responsible with your credit and make payments on time,  you’re less likely to make regular claims.   So your credit score plays a major role in determining rates.  Usually credit score information may result in higher premiums, even if you have a perfect driving record and no accidents.

4. Will You Get Your Cars True Value?

True Car ValueIf you get into an accident and your car is “totaled,” it’s your insurance company’s responsibility to provide you with enough money to purchase an equivalent car.  Every car is different, with things like mileage, condition, and repairs play a  vital role. You should always keep a documented vehicle history, so you can present repair and maintenance receipts in the event of a dispute. Make sure the amount you and your insurer settle on includes sales tax for the purchase of your replacement automobile. This is sometimes left out by insurers, and replacing your car should not come with additional tax costs. If you have a classic car make sure you have classic car insurance that provides replacement value coverage, otherwise you’re putting your investment at risk.

If you get into an accident and your car is deemed repairable, make sure to ask for diminished value compensation. This will pay you for the loss of market value that your vehicle incurs due to the accident and repairs. Once your car has been in an accident the value goes down, even if completely repaired to like new condition. Most people don’t want to risk purchasing a car that’s been in a major accident, and this substantially hurts your re-sale value. It’s always a good idea to check with the car insurance company to see if they offer diminished value, prior to purchasing a policy.

5. Marital Status

If you are single, divorced, or even widowed, your marital status can affect your auto insurance premium.  Many auto insurance companies give discounts for being married because statistics show that unmarried individuals are more prone to accidents.

6. Where You Live

Your zipcode is one of the major considerations your auto insurer looks at when determining your rates.

Living in urban areas can greatly increase the rates you pay for auto insurance.  The chance of accident or auto theft are significantly lower in rural areas. Whereas, things like limited parking, traffic, and larger numbers of uninsured motorists are factors for individuals living in the inner city. Some areas may result in auto insurance rates that are more than double their rural counterparts.   It’s unfortunate, but expect to pay more if you move to the city.  And if you have a choice, compare insurance rates in different zip codes to see how much of a difference it makes.

Texas Interstate Truck Filings

Texas Interstate Truck Filings

Get Business Insurance Quote with E FilingTexas Interstate Truck Filings E Forms and moreIf your business is required to have a Texas Interstate Truck Filing or State filing form, we can help you.  Here is a list of the Texas Interstate Truck Filings required by the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDot.  Have your state filing number available when you call for a quote. (Apply for TXDMV number here). Local office, Austin Insurance Group, 9705 Burnet Rd #314, Austin, Texas 78758. Call today 512-339-2901.

 

Form E Filing

A Form E filing certifies that your Liability insurance complies with your state’s financial responsibility laws. Form E is submitted to TxDot.

Form F

Form F filing is an endorsement to your policy that conforms it the the Texas financial responsibility laws.

Order E Forms and Insurance Rates Today

texas interstate truck filings form eTexas Business Insurance

Form H Filing

A Form H filing guarantees that you have sufficient Cargo Liability insurance and is submitted to TxDot.

(A Form H filing is not available in all states and situations.)

Form K Filing

A Form K filing is used to cancel a previous state filing and is submitted to the state agency that regulates motor carrier financial responsibility in your business’ home state.

If you need a quote with a state or federal filing, call our office at Austin Insurance Group at 512-339-2901 for a competitive quote and great service.

Effective January 17, 2015, TxPROS will no longer offer Temporary Permits (registration). TxDMV’s new online temporary permit system allows temporary permits to be ordered or visit one of the TxDMV Regional Service Centers. To access the new system or for more information, click on this link or visit our Temporary Permit page.

Get a fast, free business auto insurance quote now!

Progressive Single Deductible

Bundle auto and home and get a single deductible
Progressive Single Deductible:

  • available when you bundle your Progressive auto and home
  • available on your Progressive commercial auto insurance policy as an endorsement.

How does it work?
It can eliminate or reduce the Progressive Home Advantage deductible, up to the amount of the auto deductible, when a covered loss affects both policies.

  • You pay your auto deductible as you normally would on an auto claim
  • Progressive adds the value of your auto deductible to your home insurance estimate and reimburses it as a part of your coverage disbursement.

 

Deductible Amounts and Other Details

A deductible is the amount that you agree to pay out of pocket when you have a claim. If you have a tractor and a trailer on your policy, you must select deductibles for each of them.

The Single Deductible endorsement applies to Physical Damage insurance, which includes Collision insurance, Comprehensive insurance, and Fire and Theft with Combined Additional Coverage insurance.

Please contact our Local Progressive agent in Texas, Austin Insurance Group, for specific insurance coverage or to learn more about them and how deductibles apply to them.

 

Restrictions and Exceptions:

  • The Single Deductible endorsement is a free benefit automatically provided to all Progressive Personal auto insurance policies.
  • Not available in all states

 

Local Texas Progressive Insurance Agent

-Austin Insurance Group

Go Paperless with Progressive

Be progressive. Be paperless.

Manage your policy totally online.
Login and Enroll.

What is Paperless?

Receive an email when documents or bills are ready to view online

If an email is returned to Progressive as undelivered, they will automatically mail you the paper bill or document.

Sign up to go paperless:

  • online at www.progressiveagent.com
  • call customer service at 1-800-876-5581
  • contact your local agent, Austin Insurance Group

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my personal information shared?
No. We don’t share or sell your personal information with other companies for their marketing purposes.

How can I protect myself from e-mail phishing and fraud?
We are committed to earning your trust and protecting your privacy. Do not open unsolicited email attachments or links and never give out your passwords or account numbers to anyone over the phone or by email unless you know who they are.

Here’s how to protect yourself.
  1. Get serious, not scared. Don’t let the horror stories freak you out. …
  2. Place security freezes and fraud alerts. …
  3. Secure your devices. …
  4. Keep an ID-theft file. …
  5. Review all your personal data files. …
  6. Stop unsolicited credit-card offers. …
  7. Monitor accounts often. …
  8. Respond rapidly.

Paperless Discount

When you go paperless with Progressive, you can pay your bills online, renew online, and receive policy updates via email.  And you can even receive a discount, just for signing up.  When you elect the paperless option mid-policy period, the discount will be effective on the day you confirm your paperless preference via the company Web site. If the insured requests that policy documents be sent by conventional mail, the discount will be removed.

“Join 4 million Progressive Customers and go Paperless.”

ACCC

Accc Insurance Company Overview

Accc insuranceAccc Insurance Company filed as a Statement & Designation By Foreign Corporation in the State of California and is no longer active. This corporate entity was filed approximately four years ago on Monday, August 5, 2013 as recorded in documents filed with California Secretary of State. It is important to note that this is a foreign filing. A foreign filing is when an existing corporate entity files in a state other than the one they originally filed in. This does not necessarily mean that they are from outside the United States.

You can pay a bill online. Make a claim and more at Drivewiththeeagle.com

 

 

ACCC Insurance - Drive with the Eagle

Pay Your Bill | View Your Policy

Print ID Cards | Report a Claim

Payment or Claims:
1-888-823-0888 – ACCC Customer Service

If you have no online access, call the above number to make a payment.

For policy changes, contact
Austin Insurance Group 512-339-2901

Get Insurance Quote

 

 

Medigap Plan G vs. Plan F

Medigap Plan G vs. Plan F may be a more affordable option for seniors over the age of 70.  Many seniors ask us about the difference between Medicare Supplement Plans.  Medigap Plan G and Plan F are without a doubt the two most popular Supplement plans available.

Medigap Plan F offers nearly 100 percent coverage and is nick-named the “Medicare excess charge” plan because it covers costs that are in excess of the Medicare-approved amounts. This plan will provide you with as close to zero out-of-pocket costs as possible for doctor’s office visits and hospital care.  Therefore, the plan pays 100% of any excess charges that Medicare doesn’t cover. This plan allows providers to charge only 15% over Medicare limits. There are low premium deductible and high deductible plans available with Plan F and the average deductible is usually around $2,500.

Medigap Plan G offers a very affordable option, especially if you are over the age of 70. It covers everything the Plan F covers but at a lower premium.  The only difference is there is a small deductible in a Plan G which is actually your Medicare Part B deductible. You Medicare Part B deductible in 2013 was $147.00. Once you meet this annual deductible your Plan G acts like a Plan F. Since this is the Medicare Part B deductible you only have to meet it one time every year, so if you move to a Plan G with another company and you have already met your deductible for the current year you do not have to meet it again. It’s a great option if you want a lower monthly premium.  And it’s worth looking into especially if you are over the age of 70 and on the Plan F.  At age 65, there’s not much of a premium difference, but when you are older, the difference can adjust to a savings in premium.

Shop for Medicare and Medigap with Local Texas Agent, Austin Insurance Group.  We shop, you save! (512) 339-1515

Get your Free Medicare or Medigap Quote

Apply for Medicare Here

Strict Deadlines: The Cost of Waiting

Who Reports to TexasSure?

Who Reports to TexasSure?

In Texas, 1 in 5 vehicles are not insured, now we know who they are.  TexasSure is a vehicle verification program that gives law enforcement officers immediate access to see if you are driving without insurance.

TexasSure Vehicle Insurance Verification

What is TexasSure?

  • It’s a Database that connects every registered vehicle in Texas by it’s vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate and liability insurance policy.
  • It was created to reduce the number of uninsured drivers.

Who reports to TexasSure?

  • Your insurance carrier
  • Every time you start a policy, or your policy gets cancelled, it gets reported.
  • When you get insurance, you are good to go.  When you let it cancel, watch out.

In Texas, 20% of the vehicles on our roads have no insurance coverage. Almost 1 in every 5 trucks and car.  Insured Texans are paying an estimated $1 billion annually in uninsured motorist coverage just to protect themselves against uninsured and underinsured motorists.

Are you driving without insurance?

TexasSure

This program will help to put an end to:

  • Uninsured motorists
  • Fraudulent ID cards
  • Drivers dropping coverage after receiving a valid insurance card

 

For a quote:

  • Call local agent Austin Insurance Group
  • 512-339-2901
  • It’s a quick quote
  • Easy to sign up.

For more information visit www.texassure.com

What to do your First year with Medicare

Things to do your first year with Medicare:

  1. During the first 12 months that you have Medicare, Make a “Welcome to Medicare” Preventive Visit appointment. This free, one-time comprehensive preventive visit puts you in control of your Medicare and health from the start.
  2. If you want your friends and family to call Medicare on your behalf Fill out an Authorization Form. Medicare can’t give personal health information about you to anyone without your permission in writing first.
  3. Sign up for MyMedicare.gov, access your personal Medicare information 24 hours a day, every day.  You can:
  4. Learn what Medicare covers. You’ll get a list of items, tests, and services that are covered no matter where you live. If your service isn’t listed, talk to your doctor or other health care provider and ask if Medicare will cover them.
  5. Decide if you want to go paperless, and get your next free copy of “Medicare & You” electronically! Next October, you’ll get an email from Medicare linking you to “Medicare & You” online instead of a paper copy in your mailbox.
  6. If you haven’t already done so, signup for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap policy).

Shop for Medicare and Medigap with Local Texas Agent, Austin Insurance Group.  We shop, you save! (512) 339-1515

Get your Free Medicare or Medigap Quote

Apply for Medicare Here

Ask Austin Insurance Group: About Travelers Insurance

Travelers Insurance Financial Strength Rating!

Travelers Insurance is one of the largest providers of property and casualty insurance products in the U.S.  Traveler’s success is built on their ability to provide innovative insurance, risk protection and services in-synch with our customer’s needs.

About Travelers Insurance

Travelers is an insurance leader, committed to keeping pace with the ever-changing needs of our customers, and anticipating their needs for the future.

Travelers is a company that works hard to analyze information, process perspectives and measure results to create the best combination of service and products. We strive to achieve superior customer service and to earn our customer’s loyalty by continually improving our abilities to respond to their needs.

Today, more than 150 years after our founding, Travelers Insurance is one of the nation’s largest property casualty companies. Travelers has more than 30,000 employees, 13,000 independent agents and multiple market segments across the personal, business, financial and international insurance groups.

Minimizing risk, preventing loss and helping our customers prepare for the unknown, Travelers’ comprehensive products, support and services give  businesses and individuals the confidence they need to feel secure.

Contact Austin Insurance Group, our Local Texas Agent today, to compare your auto and home insurance needs today. (512)339-2901