Can a Learner Driver in Bethlehem, PA be Added to an Existing Auto Insurance Policy?

Teaching a driver with a learner’s permit in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to drive will require insurance for that individual. If you want them to drive your car, then you will also need to add the individual to your policy. Fortunately, it is not hard to add a driver to your auto insurance policy.

Evaluate the Situation

Even though it is possible to add an individual to any auto policy, it may not be necessary if you are only taking the individual out for a one-time excursion. A driver who is not actively operating the car on a regular basis will still be covered under your policy if you take him or her out once.

If you plan to teach the individual to drive from the foundation, then you will want to add him or her to your policy, even if you do not live in the same house. Any individual who drives your car regularly must be added to the existing coverage plan.

Contact the Insurer

The only way to add a learner driver to your current insurance plan is by informing your insurer about the situation. Tell your insurer that you want to add the individual to your plan and then provide any details that are requested. The insurer will need to know the name, age and other details before they can provide coverage.

It is possible to add a new driver to your current policy if you are planning to teach the person how to drive. You should expect your premium to increase, though the exact rate will vary between insurers. When your insurance plan is no longer appropriate or when you cannot add a new driver to the plan, working with an independent agent can help. Contact us to talk to an agent for more details.

Insuring a New or Used Car

You may find differences in auto insurance requirements based on the purchase of a new or old car. The requirements depend more on a vehicle loan and the value over your area of residence. Keep these factors in mind when you are looking at vehicles in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

New Car

Most auto buyers take out some type of loan to buy a new car. The lender will likely require you to insure the vehicle for at least the loan amount. You will need to have theft and collision coverage for the value of the vehicle. If your car is stolen or totaled, the lender is covered. This also protects you from being responsible for a loan on a vehicle you no longer have.

Even if you purchase a new auto without a loan, you should protect your investment. If you do not have insurance, you face a full loss if your car is stolen or destroyed in a collision.

Used Car

You are not required to obtain a different type of insurance if you purchase a used vehicle for cash. If you do obtain a loan, the lender will require the same insurance as a new car. However, even without a loan, some additional insurance may be beneficial to you. Unless you purchase a very old car for a few hundred dollars, you want to protect your investment.

Older vehicles can be insured against total loss, the amount you would receive is based on the value of the vehicle at the time of loss. Do look at the additional cost of this insurance, your deductible and the value of your car. If you car is worth $2000 and you have a $500 deductible, the extra insurance may be worth it to you.

All drivers, including those in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, need to have the state minimum liability coverage. As an independent agent, we can help you determine the right auto insurance coverage for your unique situation. Contact us today for the information you need to make the right insurance decision.

I wasn’t at fault for the accident. How do I get my deductible back in Bethlehem, PA?

The issue of deductibles can be tricky for many drivers in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. While we often think that our expenses will be completely reimbursed if we are not at fault for an accident, this is typically not the case. If you were in an accident, and you had to pay a deductible, here are a few things to tips to keep in mind before you contact your auto insurance company.

How Deductible Works

A deductible on your insurance policy refers to the amount of money that you are expected to chip in after you have been in an accident. Before your auto insurance company will assist you in covering your expenses, you must pay the minimum threshold of the deductible. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and an accident causes $2000 worth of damages, you will be expected to pay the deductible before the insurance company pays the additional $1500 for your damages.

What to Expect After a No-Fault Accident

Even if you do not cause an accident, you will be expected to pay the deductible before your insurance company will chip in and help cover your expenses. While this can be a frustrating policy, insurance companies keep this approach is place to provide an incentive for responsible driving behavior. The common belief is that if the policyholder and the insurance company share mutual responsibility for the expense of an accident, then covered drivers will be more vigilant in doing everything they can to avoid dangerous driving situations.

How An Independent Agent Can Help

Because there is little wiggle room when it comes to paying deductibles, it is important to make sure that you have reasonable deductibles from the start. Even if you are a safe driver, accidents caused by others could cost you. If you contact us today, an independent agent can help you obtain reasonable deductibles and help you keep your costs low in the case of an accident.

I have specifically insured antique items listed on my homeowner’s insurance policy in Bethlehem, PA. If I have a total loss, would the home insurance company pay me their insured value?

There are a lot of different parts to a homeowners insurance policy. There is the dwelling amount, personal items coverage amount, endorsements and even personal item floaters that can be on the policy. To help you know what your policy will pay out for a loss it is important that you know what is covered and what needs to be added. Here are some things that you will need to know about when it comes to your insurance policy in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and objects needing to be insured.

What Your Policy Will Cover When it Comes to a Total Loss Claim

  • If you have antique items in your home, then you may want to have them endorsed to value on your homeowners insurance. High dollar items need to have an appraisal and be endorsed on a rider to be fully covered.
  • If you do not have a a rider on the policy, then any losses will be paid out to a specified limit or just replaced with a newer version of what was lost.
  • The total loss claim has to be from certain perils in order to be covered by the policy. Anything that is not listed as a covered peril will not be paid replaced or fixed.
  • Make sure to have a qualified appraisal from an expert. Without an appraisal there is no way to determine the value of certain items.

Your personal items mean a great deal to you. The older the item is found to be can mean the different between a cheap knock off or high value. If you have questions about how to list your antique items on your policy, Then you will need to contact your independent agent today. As your agent we can help protect your high dollar items with the right kind of home endorsement.