Why should I invest in an auto insurance policy in Hershey?

The Hershey, PA area can be a great place to work and live. If you are going to live in this area of the state, you will want to ensure that you are properly insuring all of your assets. One type of asset that will need to be insured is your vehicle. There are several reasons that you should invest in an auto insurance policy.

Insurance Gives Important Coverage

One reason that you are going to need to have auto insurance is that it will give you important insurance coverage. A full auto insurance policy is going to give you liability protection as well as collision and comprehensive coverage. This will ensure that you are protected if you are at fault in an accident or your vehicle is damaged.

Insurance is Required

Beyond providing you with important coverage, auto insurance is also required for vehicle owners to carry. If you have a car loan, you will likely be required to carry a full policy with collision and comprehensive coverage. Further, anyone that intends to drive their car on a public road will be required to carry liability insurance. 

There are many advantages that come when you get an auto insurance policy. Since this is such an important form of insurance to get, those that are in the Hershey, PA area should make sure that they get the right form of insurance in place. The team at the Options Insurance Agency can provide you with all of the guidance and support that you need to pick a new policy. If you do call Options Insurance Agency, the team will be able to answer all of your questions to make sure you are properly protected and get into a great policy. 

Important things to know when shopping for auto insurance

Before you hit the road in a new car, you need to make sure that your precious possession is protected. Therefore, one of the first things you need to do is to get auto insurance. However, there are certain things you should ponder before you start paying annual premiums to your insurance company.

Know Exactly What Your Policy Will Cover

While a standard policy covers accidental damage and theft, there are other things that your policy will not cover. Make sure that you know everything about your coverage before signing an agreement with an insurance company. 

Lying is Too Risky

Many car owners decide to provide an insurance company with made-up and false information about themselves, the vehicle, and driving history to save some money. However, it is too risky. If you get caught, you can face severe punishment. You can either face higher rates or be plunged out from the insurance plan at all. 

Certain Factors Have An Impact On Your Insurance Costs

Among those factors are your age, gender, and location. Suppose you are a young driver (25 years and younger), than you will pay more for your insurance than an older person. That is because younger drivers are more likely to get involved in car accidents and receive citations. The same goes for the gender – male drivers are statistically at a higher risk of getting into a car accident. 

Having proper auto insurance is the easiest and the best way to protect your vehicle. Moreover, it is also a requirement in Pennsylvania. Now, when you know some critical things about auto insurance, it is time to find the perfect coverage. Options Insurance Agency, serving Hershey, PA, is ready to help you to get the policy you need. Do not hesitate to contact our agency in Hershey, PA today to get all your questions answered.

Which lifestyle changes can impact my auto insurance policy?

Some changes in life are inevitable, and they certainly won’t stop once you buy auto insurance. Getting married, moving into a new house, getting divorced, buying your dream car, relocating to Hershey, PA, or even getting involved in an accident, so much can change between the time of your auto insurance policy purchase and the date of renewal.

Why lifestyle changes?

While some of these lifestyle changes are only worth mentioning to your family and friends, it is vital to report significant lifestyle changes to your insurance provider to avoid huge penalties. Most lifestyle changes are likely to change your insurance premiums by either lowering or raising them. Different insurance companies, including Options Insurance Agency, have different ways of determining what a policyholder should pay. 

It is not a one-size-fits-all

Auto insurance is a requirement by law. That means that the government has regulated the rates to fit the budget of any average American. However, that does not mean that the price is the same for all of us. You may not know this, but your insurance premiums are highly affected by very many factors. Some of these factors are direct, while others are not. Some can also be controlled while others cannot. 

So, which of these lifestyle factors should you report to your auto insurance provider immediately after they happen? 

  • When you move out of your primary home and change your address
  • When you change how you use the vehicle, like turning it from a personal car to a commercial vehicle for a business like Uber
  • When multiple people have to drive the vehicle
  • When you hire or change the driver of the insured vehicle
  • When you need to remove or add vehicles in your policy
  • When transferring your title or selling the car
  • When your driver gets a license suspension

While there are no set regulations on what you should notify your insurer, knowing what to report and what not to, is a significant step in keeping your policy updated. To learn more about auto insurance, visit us Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA today!

Why carry comprehensive and collision insurance on your car

In the state of Pennsylvania, drivers are required to carry liability insurance, but any insurance beyond that is optional. While it is vital to protect other drivers, who is going to protect you and your vehicle if you are the responsible driver in an accident or if you are the victim of a hit and run? The responsibility falls on you, and our agents at Options Insurance Agency in Hershey, PA are ready to sit down with you to discuss the auto insurance options available.

To protect yourself in the event of an accident where you are at fault, you need to carry collision insurance. Collision insurance has a deductible, but after that is met the insurance company will pay to repair or replace your damaged car up to the blue book value. If your vehicle has little value or you have a lot of money lying around, you may feel that you can pay for the damage yourself, and of course, that is fine, but for the average person, this is essential coverage. 

Comprehensive insurance is also known as non-collision coverage. It covers a lot of other things that can happen to your car that don’t include a collision with another vehicle. It covers some weather events, including floods, which no other type of insurance covers, and wind damage. It also covers your car from theft and vandalism. 

If you are looking for a new auto insurance policy or you are thinking about a change, why not give us a call at Options Insurance Agency. We serve the greater Hershey, PA area, and as an independent agency, we have lots of choices to offer you both in policy options and carriers. We are sure we can find one that is a good fit for you.

3 Risks of Liability Only Auto Insurance

When you are shopping for auto insurance, you are going to hear a lot of terms being thrown around. It is vital that you know what those terms mean so that you can make an educated decision about your insurance purchase. For instance, the term liability only is a relevant term to know, and one that could put you at risk if you do not fully understand it. At Options Insurance Agency serving Hershey, PA, we are concerned with educating our customers so that they can make the best insurance choices. Keep reading to find out three ways liability only insurance can put you at risk. 

Liability Only Puts Your Vehicle At Risk

Liability only insurance is a type of insurance policy that will only cover bodily injury and damage which you cause to another driver and their vehicle. This type of policy does not include any damage which will happen to your vehicle during such an accident. Even if you are a great driver, accidents still occur. If your car is totaled in an accident, which was your fault, you could be out of a vehicle. If your car receives major damage, the expense for that damage will come out of your pocket. This is also true for any other type of damage that occurs to your car, such as hail damage. 

Liability Only Puts Your Health At Risk

If you receive injuries during an accident in which you were at fault, you will be responsible for any medical bills which result. This can put your health at risk, especially if you do not have health coverage. 

Liability Only Puts Your Financial Security At Risk

If you are at fault during a car accident, you will find yourself paying out of pocket for significant car repairs or medical bills. This can put your savings in jeopardy. 

If you would like to learn more about how you can avoid these risks, contact Options Insurance Agency serving Hershey, PA. 

Talking To New Drivers About Auto Insurance

Is there a more exciting time to be a teen than earning your own driver’s license? Options Insurance Agency would like to share the joys of driving with all our Hershey, PA teen drivers this year. While insurance may not be the first thing on your mind when you’re eager to get behind the wheel, it should be! That’s why we’ve assembled this quick and easy guide to first-time driver’s auto insurance.

It’s The Law!

Even teens are required to have an insurance policy on their vehicle once they start driving alone. Every driver is required by PA law to carry a certain minimum coverage for bodily injury and property damage. This type of policy, known as liability insurance, typically only covers cases where you are found at fault for an accident. You may want to consider additional coverage for cases when you aren’t at fault, but the other driver is not insured or does not have adequate coverage. There are other options available too, so make sure you discuss your individual concerns with your insurance agent!

Be Responsible!

Safe driving is smart driving. Not only will you be at less risk for accidents, but you could also be rewarded for your good behavior. Maintaining a clean driving record can open more insurance options for you. Getting good grades, taking safety courses, and being involved with local safe driving teen programs are excellent ways to improve your reputation with your insurance agency. 

Explore Your Options!

The type of vehicle you choose can have a major effect on the kind of insurance policy you’ll need. It can also play a major role in your accident risk factor. The safest vehicle type for a new driver is a mid-size sedan.

Options Insurance Agency encourages new drivers in Hershey, PA to contact us today to learn more about auto insurance!

Auto insurance coverage beyond liability

In Hershey, PA you are required to have basic liability insurance in order to drive your vehicle. The limits of coverage that you must have are determined by the state and can be found on the Pennsylvania DMV website. Basic liability coverage is what you need but it may not be what you want or should have. The friendly staff at Options Insurance Agency have the information that you need to determine what coverage options are right for you. 

Collision coverage 

Collision coverage protects your vehicle in the event that you are in an accident. If you have a collision with another vehicle or with a tree or fence. It can be expensive to pay for repairs or to replace your vehicle. If you have a loan on your car or are leasing your vehicle, having collision coverage will likely be required to protect their investment. If you rely on your vehicle to get to work or just to get around, being able to repair or replace it is very important. If your vehicle is old and has very little cash value then it may not be necessary coverage. 

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage is often called other than collision. If you damaged by something other than another vehicle, fence or tree. If a deer jumps in front of your car, a stone gets thrown up and breaks your windshield or a large branch falls on your car, your comprehensive insurance pays for the repair or replacement.  It also protects your vehicle from vandalism and theft. This can be a very important coverage and may be required by a lender or a lessor. 

If you think some of these other coverages are right for you and you live in the Hershey, PA area, Options Insurance Agency has the information that you need to make an informed decision. Stop by our office, give us a call or visit our website, you will be glad you did. 

Is Hail Damage Covered Under My Auto Insurance Policy?

Hail can damage your car’s exterior in just a few minutes time. There are times, however, when your car insurance will cover both hail and storm damage, but you must have the right type of insurance in place. The Options Insurance Agency offers all types of auto insurance coverage to residents who live in the Hershey, PA area. A simple phone call to one of their reputable agents will ensure that you have the coverage you need to protect your car.

Comprehensive Coverage 

Comprehensive coverage is the only type of insurance that will cover hail and storm damage. Liability only covers damages and injuries sustained by others if you are involved in an accident. Collision insurance covers damages to your vehicle that occur when you are involved in an accident. Comprehensive covers both collision and liability as well as many other types of claims such as theft and vandalism. 

Protect Your Vehicle

There are many ways you can protect your vehicle from hail and storm damage. If it’s at all possible, park your car in a garage or under a cover of some type, like a carport or overhang. If you don’t have anywhere safe to park your car to get it out of the elements, purchase a car cover and put it on whenever a storm approaches.

Hershey, PA residents can call the licensed agents at Options Insurance Agency to get a quote for a new auto insurance policy or get a review of an existing policy. By scheduling an appointment with one of the agents, you will be able to get the answers you need to make the right choice in terms of what type of policy is best for your individual needs. Call today!

Can You Insure a Vehicle That Isn’t Registered Under Your Name?

There are plenty of reasons why someone might want to insure a vehicle they don’t own in Hershey, PA. It’s common when parents or family members buy a car for their loved ones. Maybe you’re giving a friend a loaner for a few months. Regardless, insurance in these cases can get tricky. That’s especially true if the registration doesn’t match the insurance. Options Insurance Agency is here with a little advice to help you understand if you can insure a vehicle that isn’t registered to you.

Mostly No

In general, the insurers want to see the name on the registration match the name on the insurance policy. In fact, some states require this by law. The philosophy behind it is that the owner of a vehicle has a stronger personal interest in caring for the car, and this reduces risk to the insurance provider. If the state allows (laws change over time), and the insurance company is on board, you can potentially overcome this by demonstrating an insurable interest in the car. How you do that will be up to the insurance company.

Do This Instead

There are two easier ways to insure a car that isn’t in your name (or vise versa). You can update the registration to have both names. Once that happens, only one of the two names is required to be on the policy, and everything runs smoothly. It can be a little costly to renew a registration early to do this, but it’s better than being uninsured.

The other option is to pay for insurance in someone else’s name. There are no requirements at all on who pays the bill. You only need to be sure that the person who drives the car is named somewhere in the policy. This usually isn’t a big deal. There is one word of warning. If you think it at all necessary, you can write a legally binding contract to make sure the initial arrangement is honored by both parties.

Options Insurance Agency has experts available to anyone in Hershey, PA. You can ask all of your questions and get reliable answers.

Are Auto Insurance Rates Based on the Value of the Car Only?

Having the right coverage on your car is a necessity that you should take very seriously. Having the right coverage can be difficult, however, if you are not aware of what type of coverage you need or what level of coverage you need. For those in the Hershey, PA area, the agents with Options Insurance Agency can help you find the coverage that works for you. 

There are a few different factors that determine the overall cost of your monthly car insurance premiums. The first is the value of the car. This affects cost based on the fact that a more expensive car is going to cost more to replace and therefore needs more coverage. More expensive cars are also more likely to have loans out on them which means that they need to be covered in full. Another factor that affects cost is the age of the driver. Those that are over the age of 25 are going to get a lower rate while those over the age of 50 are likely to get an even bigger discount. Still, another factor that affects the cost is the amount of coverage. When you have full coverage you can expect to pay more than when you have only liability coverage. 

These are not the only factors that affect the overall cost of the insurance policy you choose. Marital status, college degrees, owning a home, children, and more are all going to affect the overall cost of your policy. On top of all of that, your driving record is also going to affect cost. It is important to talk with an agent to find out how much your premium is going to be and to find the best rate possible. For those in the Hershey, PA area, the agents with Options Insurance Agency can help tailor your perfect policy.