You might not call it a benefit of having auto insurance in Drexel Heights, AZ, but it will protect you from getting in to trouble with the law. In Arizona, all drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of auto liability insurance. If you get pulled over by the Arizona police and do not have a proof of insurance, you could get cited for the violation and have your driving privileges curtailed until you correct the situation and obtain auto insurance.

While being in compliance with the applicable state insurance laws is a good reason to buy auto insurance in Drexel Heights, there are also a number of benefits of having more than the liability coverage mandated by the state. Having full coverage on your vehicle protects you and your vehicle against all named perils. If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, you can file a claim with your insurance company should you get into an accident and suffer bodily injury, property damage, or both.

Even a small fender-bender can cause thousands of dollars in body damage. If you back into a pole and put a big dent in your car, you will be covered by your collision coverage to the extent that the cost to repair the damage exceeds your deductible. If you park at a shopping mall and come out to find your car missing from the parking lot, there is a distinct possibility that it was stolen. While you might panic when you can’t find your car, if the car was actually stolen and not just towed-away, you can file a claim under your comprehensive coverage to get compensated for your loss.

If you get into an accident and you elected to carry rental reimbursement coverage, you can be compensated for the number of days you have to rent a car while your vehicle is being repaired. Other typical benefits include medical payments and road service in case your car breaks down and you need gas or a tow to a service station.

A lot of factors go into selecting a new (or new-to-you) vehicle. What does it look like? What color is it? What kind of gas mileage does it get? Is it safe? Is it comfortable for long road trips? If you live in Green Valley or elsewhere in AZ, you probably want to know how well the air conditioning works, too.

These are all standard questions to ask when looking at purchasing a vehicle. But many car buyers don’t think about how their new car will affect their insurance rates.

It’s common sense that a high-end luxury car or sports car will increase your insurance premiums. But some older, standard vehicles can cause your out-of-pocket expenses to skyrocket, too.

Things that affect insurance rate

Your driving record, age, and even your marital status can cause your insurance premiums to change dramatically. But the type of car you purchase can, too. Here’s a quick list of considerations that actuaries take into consideration:

• size of motor
• body type
• age of vehicle
• crash-test ratings
• safety features

How to find out for sure which car will be the best deal

You can compare quotes online to find out how expensive (or inexpensive!) your premiums would be for cars you’re considering. Some insurance companies offer special deals for those who purchase new cars; even though new vehicles cost more to repair and replace, they’re often safer and more reliable than older vehicles, and insurance actuaries plug those variables into the formulas they use to calculate rates.

Whether you live in Sahuarita, Tucson, or somewhere in between, talking to a local independent agent is one of the best ways you can make sure you’ve got the information you need to make a smart purchase–of both insurance and a car. By doing your research before you sign on the dotted line, you’ll ensure that you’re not surprised with outrageously high insurance premiums later.

Drivers need to be aware of the large number of discounts available for auto insurance policies. There is no reason for you to pay more than you have to. Check out some of these common ways to reduce your insurance premium.

Good Driver

You should be able to get a reduction in price for maintaining a good driving record. Good driving includes a lack of accidents and moving violations.

Number of Years With a Company

If you have been purchasing your insurance from one company for several years, ask if you can receive a discount. Loyalty is often rewarded.

Multi-policy

If you have more than one policy, for example, a home or rental and an auto insurance plan, you should receive a discount. This also applies to having more than one vehicle.

Automatic Payments or Payment in Full

If you set up automatic payments, or pay your yearly premium in full, you may receive a discount. Just ask us, many companies will reduce your rate to save on billing costs.

Club or Organization Membership

Premium reductions are often available for membership in groups, clubs or organizations. You do need to ask to see what is available. Military members may also get a discounted rate on their insurance.

Defensive Driving Classes

Some companies provide a discount to drivers that have completed defensive driving classes.

Low Mileage and Equipment Discounts

If you only do a limited amount of driving each year, you may qualify for a premium reduction. The exact mileage varies, but it is worth asking about. Having additional safety features, including anti-lock brakes, can also save you money on your insurance rate.

Good Student

While insurers have different guidelines, if you have a student on your auto policy, a good grade average can reduce your costs.

We make it easy to find the best rates for your insurance with online comparison quotes. As your independent insurance agency for the Sahuarita and Tucson area, we are ready to help you get all the auto insurance discounts you deserve.

There are plenty of times when you might need a rental car to get back and forth around the Green Valley, Sahuarita or Tucson area of Arizona. And of course, the rental agency may encourage you to buy collision insurance as you pick up your rental car. But do you really need this coverage when you already have your own auto insurance policy?

Keep in mind that most carriers extend personal auto insurance to include rental cars. Depending on the carrier and the state’s own policies, rental vehicles may be covered under liability or collision coverage. You may want to speak to your independent agent to find out such coverage works.

If you have a policy that covers only the state-mandated minimum liability or if you simply feel better about the peace of mind it brings, you may want to purchase additional coverage from the rental company. Otherwise, you’ll likely save money by using your own auto insurance to protect against the unexpected. If you’re using a credit card to rent a vehicle, your company may offer its own collision insurance coverage as a built-in perk.

Don’t forget that rental reimbursement coverage only applies when you rent a car due to your personal vehicle being unavailable as a result of an accident or other type of loss. This coverage may not provide protection against damage caused to a rental car.

If you’re still not sure whether you need collision insurance for your rental car, don’t hesitate to contact your Insurance Center of Green Valley agent for more information. As your independent agent, we can help you get on the right track when it comes to your auto insurance needs.

Whether you are visiting the Green Valley, Arizona for school, work, or vacation, you will need car insurance in order to legally operate a vehicle on the road. If you are from another country, you will need to take a few more steps to get coverage. However, with some planning, you can enjoy the same driving privileges as a citizens while you are visiting Arizona.

How to Get Insurance in the United States

In order to qualify for insurance, you first have to show proof that you are an authorized driver. Before your trip to the United States, you will need to obtain an international driver’s license from your home country. After your international license is issued, you can operate a vehicle in the United States. Next, you will need to decide whether you wish to purchase a vehicle or rent a car. Depending on the length of your stay, it is usually a better option to choose a rental that is easier to insure. Once you choose your vehicle, the next step is to get it insured and comply with any registration requirements.

How an Independent Agent Can Help

An insurance agent at Insurance Center of Green Valley is authorized to carry insurance policies from multiple insurance companies. The advantage of shopping for insurance with an independent agent is that you can choose a policy that is tailored to your individual needs as a driver. If you are an international driver, it is important to compare quotes so that you can receive an affordable rate on auto insurance. An independent agent can also help you determine whether you have the correct license and documentation to qualify for coverage in the United States.

You can browse our online quotes to find a policy that fits your budget or contact us today to speak with an independent agent.

When you are visiting Green Valley, Arizona as a tourist or seeing a family member, it may be necessary to rent a vehicle for the duration of your stay. Even if you are a non-resident foreigner who is visiting as a tourist to the area, it is possible to obtain auto insurance for the rental cars that are available.

Coverage From the Rental Company

Companies that offer rental cars may have insurance available for customers who are willing to pay the daily rates. The cost to cover the vehicle through the rental company may be high because it is usually based on a per-day basis rather than a per-month basis. Depending on the length of time that you plan to stay, it may or may not be an appropriate solution for your needs.

Specialized Insurance

Some insurance policies for cars can be specialized based on the situation and the type of vehicle that you rent. An auto policy for a rental car is not the same as a policy for a personal vehicle because you are not required to show proof of ownership. The insurer understands that you are renting the car and will provide basic coverage based on the state laws.

You may be required to send a copy of your driver’s license from your home country to qualify for coverage. The pricing and method of providing coverage may vary based on the length of time that you plan to rent the vehicle.

Even as a foreigner who is visiting the state as a tourist, it is possible to rent a vehicle as long as you have an appropriate license. Contact the Insurance Center of Green Valley to talk to an independent agent to learn more about your options.

When you are looking for insurance in Green Valley, Arizona, you may wonder about the differences between scoring measurements. Although a credit score may seem straightforward and simple, in many cases it is confused with other numbers. An insurance score is not the same because it considers more than just the risk of late payments.

Credit Rating

A credit rating and score is developed by your history of making payments, the debts that you owe and similar financial data. Although the credit score is part of determining your how you score when looking for insurance, it is only one factor. The credit rating is based solely on your financial history, which is not enough to determine the full extent of the potential risks you pose to the insurer.

Insurance Scores

An insurance score is not the same as your credit rating. Although your credit rating is part of the score, it is a small part. The insurance score will also factor in your driving record, any claims you have made on your insurance in the past and the potential risks you may face based on statistical data and any further records that you may have.

Factors like a DUI charge, filing a claim or facing a lawsuit that is paid by your insurer due to liability protection are all part of your score. The credit rating and your financial history is a small part of the scoring process because it helps determine the risk that you may pay your premium late.

Ultimately, insurance scores are more comprehensive than a credit rating because it factors in more data about your potential risks. If you want to learn more about the scoring process, then contact us today to talk to an independent agent.

If you’re visiting the Green Valley, Arizona area as a tourist from another state, it’s simply a matter of having the vehicle purchased in your name and insured under your current auto insurance policy. Some states may require you to purchase a transit permit that’s valid for a short period of time. You typically have 30 days from the time of purchase to transfer the vehicle’s title in your name and register the vehicle with your home state.

If you are a tourist from another country, purchasing a car for short term use turns into a much more complicated task. There are several issues at hand that may prevent you from legally using the vehicle during your stay:

• Most states prohibit the use of temporary addresses in place of a permanent address when registering a vehicle. As it is unlikely that a tourist will have a permanent U.S. address, it becomes very difficult to have the vehicle properly registered and plated.
• It’s also illegal to use someone else’s address to register the vehicle. If you’re caught, civil penalties may be involved.
• The previous owner can’t and in most cases won’t allow you to use their plates to drive the car. In ordinary practice, sellers are almost always obligated to remove their license plates from the car when the vehicle is sold.

In addition, very few insurance companies offer short-term auto insurance for tourists in the U.S. for this particular purpose. If you do manage to find a willing insurer, the agency in question may require you to have an international driver’s license on hand in addition to the driver’s license of your home country. In the end, it’s usually a good idea to rent a vehicle during your stay.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any specific questions about your current car insurance policy. As your independent agent, we can help you regardless of your particular circumstance.

Disclaimer: “ The content of these blogs do not represent any type of specific coverage’s offered by the agency.”

Windshield damage can occur at unexpected times. It may occur during an accident, as the result of the weather or even due to a tree branch falling on the windshield. Regardless of the reason that the damage occurs, the impact on your premium can vary.

Repairs by the Company

When a car insurance company pays for the damages to the vehicle, it may result in an increased monthly payment. If you make a claim on your insurance it means that you are explaining the situation to the company. When that happens, you may discover that the accident or the situation will increase your premium in Green Valley, Arizona.

Differences Between Companies

Although auto insurance rates may increase when you make a formal claim, the exact impact and the amount that you pay each month may vary. In some cases, the changes are minor and you will not see a dramatic impact on your premium. In other cases, you will see an obvious difference in the price.

Each company is different, so the exact impact on your auto insurance premium may vary. Some companies may even offer a forgiveness plan that prevents your premium from increasing, even when you are involved in an accident. That means that the exact details of when your premium is impacted by the policy may vary. You may or may not see an increase to your premium.

Car insurance policies are not the same, so each company can offer a variety of options when you are protecting your vehicle. Depending on the situation and your policy, the impact on your premium may vary. While some insurers may increase the premium, others may forgive the first incident without an increased rate. To learn more about the impact of vehicle damage to your policy, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

Auto Insurance companies in Sahuarita, Arizona do take into consideration as who will be driving the car that you are insuring and it can have an effect on the premium you pay. If, for example you have a wife and two children of legal driving age in your household, your premium may be a little higher than if you were the only person who would ever drive the car.

You can not lower your rates on Arizona auto insurance by hiring an experienced chauffeur to drive you around Sahuarita because you are the named insured. In order to register a car in Texas in your name, you need to show that you have the required auto insurance. You can not get cheaper insurance by saying that you have a professional driver who has a spotless driving record.

About the only way that you can get around Arizona insurance rules and regulations is if you were to purchase a car for your chauffeur and then have the car insured in your chauffeur’s name. Of course you would have no ownership rights in the vehicle and the premium of the auto insurance policy would depend on the chauffeur’s personal driving record and other factors that determine the rates for insurance.

When auto insurance companies sell a policy, they base their rates on several different factors. The vehicle itself accounts for a portion of the total premium and the driving record and risk presented by the driver accounts for the remainder of the premium. Full coverage on a brand new $50,000 car will cost you more than a $20,000 vehicle because if it is stolen, or totaled, it will result in a larger claim against the insurer.

As your independent agent, we understand that it is tough out there and everyone wants to pay lower premiums. Give us a call and let us review your current policy. Many times, we can find a way to reduce your overall auto insurance costs.