Reasons Why Your Auto Insurance Provider Might Drop You
You pay your car insurance premiums on time every month. You expect to have coverage whenever you need to file a claim. However, there may be times when your carrier won’t renew your policy or will drop you even before it lapses.
You’re Involved in Multiple Claims
If you’ve been in more than one accident in the past year or two, you might be in danger of getting dropped by your carrier. It doesn’t matter if the accidents weren’t your fault. More than one incident will raise a red flag for the provider.
The carrier carries a lot of risk for each policy. If you have more than one accident, they may determine you are too much risk. It can be someone else’s fault and you were just “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” However, it could be viewed that your behavior leads to accidents even if you didn’t do anything to cause them.
It doesn’t have to be just an accident that leads to cancellation. It could be a weather event or even vandalism. The common factor is you, which puts you in the hot seat. You may want to handle small incidents yourself instead of filing a claim.
Moving
Not all carriers provide coverage in every state. If you move to North Dakota from another state, you may need to get a new insurance provider. This could prove to be a problem if you’ve had an accident recently.
Even with a clean driving record beforehand, a recent accident and claim may make it more difficult to find a car insurance provider. Make sure you know you have coverage before you get settled into your new home.
Substance Abuse
If you’ve charged with substance abuse or other criminal charges related to alcohol or drugs, your insurance provider may drop you. They hesitate to take on drivers who are convicted felons even if they have served their time.
Even if your drug use or alcohol abuse didn’t result in a driving accident, you could be seen as a potential risk for DUI or other issues. It could take some time to find a provider who will take a chance on you, and you’ll probably have to pay more.
The same is true of other criminal charges. Any criminal record can be used in determining whether to extend a policy to a person. It’s an even bigger issue if the crime had to do with driving. For example, a hit and run would be a reason not to provide a policy to someone.
If you get a notice from your car insurance provider that they are dropping you, don’t panic. Talk to another insurance provider and see if you can find a policy which is affordable with a provider who will accept you. Then, work to change whatever issue led to your loss of coverage before the next renewal if possible – or you just may have to wait for time to elapse to get back in the good graces of all insurers.
FM Insurance provides excellent coverage for Fargo auto insurance area. Excellent rates and great customer service for all home, auto and business/commercial insurance needs.
4 Tips to Be a More Efficient and Better Driver
When you develop good driving habits, you are not only a safer driver, you usually drive more efficiently and save on gas. One result is lower car insurance premiums, so you save money in different ways. However, many people don’t know how to be more efficient or the ways they can be better drivers.
Stay Calm
Leave your emotions at home or work when you drive. Don’t take them with you when you get behind the wheel. When you drive with anger or excitement, you go faster and push the accelerator harder. Slow down sooner instead of waiting until the last minute. Don’t hit the accelerator so hard when you start up from a complete stop.
Most aggressive driving happens because someone is angry or emotional. It takes more gas to speed up quickly. You’re also at a higher risk for an accident because you probably aren’t paying close attention to what’s going on around you.
Keep the Cargo Area Empty
The more stuff you haul around in your car, the more gas it takes to carry it. Unload everything you don’t need out of the vehicle to improve fuel economy. Just imagine how it would be for you to carry something around all day. It takes more effort and energy, and you’re tired at the end of the day.
While a vehicle doesn’t get tired, it does use more fuel to have the “energy” to carry all your stuff. Be more selective about what you keep in your car and you’ll save on fuel.
Open Up the Windows
When you’re out driving on the highway, shut off the AC and open up the windows for air. The AC drags down the fuel economy, and it’s hard on the engine.
If you open the windows when you’re driving on the highway, the speed will help increase the wind that whips through the car. You may need to turn it on while driving through town since you won’t stir up as much air. However, even just on the highway will save you a significant amount of fuel usage.
Make Right Turns
Studies have shown that making right-hand turns can cut fuel usage over turning left. Often, you must wait until there’s a break in traffic which means your car is idling for some time. With a right-hand turn, you keep moving and can cut down on your driving time, especially on longer trips.
A second benefit of making right turns is less of a chance of an accident. Studies also show that there are fewer collisions when cars are making right turns. Fewer collisions means fewer claims and lower car insurance premiums.
If you haven’t been practicing these tips to be a better driver, try to make one or more part of your driving style. You just might find you cut down on fuel usage, have fewer accidents and become a safer driver. Save money and time with the right driving habits.
Tips to Keep Your Car Safe from Vandalism and Theft
Depending on where you live, you may be concerned about your car being vandalized or even stolen. It may be the area where you reside or the model of vehicle you own, but you could be a prime candidate to become a victim. However, there are some things you can do to avoid this situation. While your car insurance policy may cover you for this damage, it’s even better to avoid it.
Keep Your Car Locked
Most cars that are stolen or vandalized are those that are kept unlocked. Thieves will look for vehicles that have easy access and skip those which are difficult to get into to. You can avoid becoming a victim just by locking your vehicle anytime you aren’t inside.
You may think this means to lock your vehicle when you’re at the store or getting gas. You should secure it in these situations, but also keep it locked even when you’re at home or visiting friends in a residential neighborhood.
Keep It in a Garage
Drive by a neighborhood and you’ll see numerous homes where the car is kept outside the garage. The doors may not work well or it may be used to store other stuff, but the car is always parked in the driveway. Don’t be one of those people. If you have a garage, keep your vehicle inside.
If you don’t have a garage with your property, you can cover it with a special auto cover. Even a cloth or vinyl cover could help deter thieves who want quick access to a vehicle. While a carport or other covered area may not prevent vandalism, it could reduce the risk for other damage.
Invest in a Security System
You might think that car security systems are only for people with expensive vehicles. However, almost anyone can benefit from some type of alarm system. You don’t need to buy a fancy, expensive alarm, but a simple system can be quite effective.
Not only can an alarm help prevent theft or vandalism, it can lower your Fargo car insurance rates. You can talk to your insurance agent and find out which car alarm systems qualify for a discount on your premiums. You’ll find something in every budget to help you keep your car safe.
Other Tips
When you’re out, park in a well-lit area. Always check your surroundings and make sure it’s a safe location. Don’t leave valuables in your car or at least in plain sight. Roll up your windows and put the top up if you’re driving a convertible or a vehicle with a sunroof.
While these tips won’t guarantee your car will never be vandalized or stolen, it will help reduce the changes of it happening. And if the worst-case scenario occurs, make sure you contact your insurance provider as quickly as possible with as much information as you have. You’ll also want to call the police right away to file a report about your vehicle. Know the best way to prevent this situation from happening and how to deal with it if it does.
FM Insurance provides excellent coverage for car insurance Moorhead area. Excellent rates and great customer service for all home, auto and business/commercial insurance needs.
3 Dramatic Methods to Getting Cheap Car Insurance (and Other Options)
It seems like every time you renew your car insurance, the premiums go up. It’s getting so you can’t afford to pay for coverage, but you can’t afford to be without it. If you’re desperate, you can try one of these options to get cheaper car insurance in Fargo.
Move
One of the factors that impacts how much you’ll pay for auto insurance is where you live. Some areas are prone to thefts and vandalism, while others may have a higher-than-average number of car accidents.
While most people won’t move just to get cheaper car insurance, you do want to recognize the impact it can have on how much you pay. If you move from a busy city neighborhood to a smaller city or rural area, you may notice a reduction in your premiums.
Sell Your Car
Another drastic measure you can take is to sell your vehicle and get one that is cheaper to insure. The kind of car you drive is a major factor on your insurance rates. For example, if you own a sports car, you probably pay more for insurance than if you had an SUV or sedan.
Even though this may seem like a drastic step to take to get less expensive auto insurance, it’s not a bad idea if you were planning to get a different vehicle anyway. You can talk to your agent and find out which models will cost less to insure. You might find that it costs less to pay for a policy on a brand-new car than an older model that you’re driving now.
Hang Up Your Keys
How much you drive is another factor on how much you pay for car insurance in Fargo. Some insurance companies offer discounts for people who drive less than a certain number of miles each year. On the other hand, they may raise your rates if you drive a lot.
One way to combat this problem is by commuting to work. If you ride with someone else or take the subway to work, you could save some miles on your car and reduce your insurance rates.
Other Ideas
If none of these drastic measures sound like anything you want to try, there are other ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance.
Bundle it with your home insurance
Raise your deductible
Improve your credit rating
Take a safe driver course
Look for other discounts that could offset the price of your premiums. For instance, some providers give a discount when you’re a member of a club or group. College alumni may qualify for certain discounts or those with good grades.
Once you know what factors impact your car insurance rates, you can work to improve the cost and save money. It pays to talk to your insurance agent who can offer suggestions on how to cut costs and make insurance affordable. You don’t have to move or sell your car to reduce your monthly premiums.
FM Insurance provides excellent coverage for auto insurance quote Moorhead area. Excellent rates and great customer service for all home, auto and business/commercial insurance needs.
Dispel Top Myths About Car Insurance
You’ve probably heard a lot of popular opinions about auto insurance in Fargo. Your parents may have taught you certain information and social media may contribute to other ideas. Much of the time, this information is inaccurate or completely false. Here are some top myths that need to be gotten rid of to help you get the best car insurance possible.
You Don’t Need to Be Insured If You Don’t Have Your Own Car
As a high school student or college kid, you may have been on your parents’ insurance policy because you drove their car. If you live in a city where you’ll be walking or riding the subway, you may think you don’t need insurance as long as you don’t own a car. This is one myth that could hurt you in a big way.
If you drive someone else’s car, you may need your own insurance unless you’re listed on their policy. A roommate lets you borrow their car which is insured and you get in an accident. The policy may be void if you don’t have your own insurance.
It’s also more expensive to get a policy when you buy a car if you haven’t had a policy before. Make sure you’re covered before you get behind the wheel of any car.
Your Rates Will Go Up If You’re in an Accident
This is another myth that’s not always true. Your rates don’t automatically go up just because you’re involved in an accident. If the incident was someone else’s fault, your insurance provider won’t penalize you for the claim. If you file a claim because of weather damage to your vehicle or an act of nature, it usually won’t go against you either.
Many insurance providers offer accident forgiveness for your first incident even if you are at fault. They also have a threshold where it won’t count against you as long as the expense is below a certain dollar amount.
New Vehicles Cost More to Insure
This myth can prevent people from buying a new vehicle when they need it because they think they can’t afford more car insurance. However, it’s often not true. Sometimes, your premiums will go down when you buy a new vehicle because of the safety features included.
If you switch to a safer vehicle, you’ll probably save money. For instance, an SUV may cost less to insure than a compact car. It depends a lot on the safety test ratings each model receives. If your new car ranks higher than your current model, you’ll probably see your premiums go down even if they vehicle is newer.
Before you fall for any of the information you’ve been told about car insurance and auto premiums, talk to a knowledgeable insurance agent. They can dispel any myths and give you a quote so you know exactly how much your coverage is going to cost you. They will also help you find ways to save money so you can get affordable coverage.
FM Insurance provides excellent coverage for Moorhead auto insurance area. Excellent rates and great customer service for all home, auto and business/commercial insurance needs.
What Makes Your Home Insurance Expensive?
You’ve been getting quotes for home insurance in Fargo for a new house you’re buying. You’re shocked at how much a policy costs no matter where you go. It’s time to find out why you’re paying so much and what you can do about it.
Look at Liability
One of the first places to look is at how much liability you’re carrying and what risks you have. Liability coverage in home insurance protects you if someone gets hurt on your property. It’s a pretty standard component of house insurance unless you have specific items that increase your risk.
Expect to pay more if you have a swimming pool or trampoline. Both of these items can lead to serious accidents and even fatalities. You may also pay more if you own a dog, even one that’s not known to be dangerous. You can ask your agent what causes your risk to be higher, and they can tell you of any other potential concerns.
Consider Your Home
You’ll pay more for replacement value if you have an expensive home. A large home costs more to rebuild than a small house, which is factored into your premiums.
You may also pay more if you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, which increases the risk for fire. On the other hand, you may qualify for a discount if you have smoke detectors in place or an alarm or sprinkler system installed.
Know What Personal Belongings are Covered
The third area where you may pay extra for home insurance in Fargo is coverage for your personal items. If you own expensive jewelry and other special items that are covered separately, you’ll pay more for your policy than if you just have a standard replacement policy.
It also depends on how much you listed for your policy. A young first-time homeowner may not have a lot of expensive furniture to insure. If they live in a two-bedroom starter home, there won’t be as much value in the furnishings as if they had a four-bedroom house that’s fully furnished with high-end furniture.
It’s a good idea to talk to your insurance agent if you think you’re paying too much for home insurance. They can talk to you about the different areas of coverage and look at places where you can reduce your coverage to save money. They may also recommend bundling your car insurance or other insurance products to help you cut costs.
Just make sure you don’t reduce your coverage to below what you need. For example, when it comes to coverage for personal belongings, it’s often a lot more expensive to replace your items than what you might think. And yet, the change in premiums for reducing that coverage is minimal.
Look at your coverage to find out where your premiums are going. This information can guide you on ways you can save money. At the same time, don’t let cost keep you from having the coverage you need to protect your biggest asset.
FM Insurance provides excellent coverage for auto insurance Moorhead area. Excellent rates and great customer service for all home, auto and business/commercial insurance needs.
Buying Your First Home Insurance Policy
If you’ve just become a homeowner or are purchasing your first property, you need to think about home insurance in Fargo. It’s an important part of buying a property, but it’s one many people may not think much about beyond the cost. Here are some tips to help you as you find coverage.
Know the Property
When you fill out a home insurance quote or talk to an agent, you’ll be asked a series of questions. You’ll need to know the age of your home and what it’s made of. Mainly, the agent wants to know if it’s brick, stucco, wood or some other material.
They may ask other questions such as how many rooms, if there’s a fireplace or stove and what is used to heat the place. You’ll also need to know the approximate square footage of the property.
Know of High-risk Items
You’ll probably also be asked about any high-risk items on the property. The fireplace would be one, but you may be asked about a swimming pool and trampoline. These items are considered high-risk because there is more chance for injury to someone.
If you do have a swimming pool, the agent may ask if there’s a fence with a locked gate around it. You may be required to have this setup before they will insure the property. If you have a fireplace that doesn’t work anymore, make sure you list it as a non-working fireplace which could help reduce your premiums.
Know Your Needs
Once you get a quote for your home insurance, you can play around with it by changing the amount of coverage you have or the deductible. Changing those factors can impact what you will pay each month for insurance. However, you also want to think about the coverage in case you must file a claim.
How much of a deductible can you afford? What would happen if someone were injured on your property? Even having a dog can cause your rates to increase because of the risk of a dog bite. You need to think about all these things when shopping for home insurance in Fargo.
Review Your Coverage
Once you find a quote you like, review the coverage limits and exclusions. There are different types of policies. Some include a very limited number of coverages while others include anything not specifically excluded. You don’t want to wait until you file a claim to find out whether the incident is covered.
For instance, most policies cover a home for wind damage but not for flooding. You need to know these details in case you must purchase additional insurance or a rider for your policy. Find out if your policy pays for temporary living expenses if you’re forced to stay away from your home due to fire damage or another scenario.
Talk to an experienced agent if you’re buying your first home insurance policy. You want to make sure you get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
FM Insurance provides excellent coverage for auto insurance Fargo area. Excellent rates and great customer service for all home, auto and business/commercial insurance needs.
Is a Truck Insurance Quote in Fargo Different from a Car Insurance Quote?
You may be planning to buy a truck for hauling, towing or just because you like this kind of vehicle. You’ll want to get a truck insurance quote in Fargo to find out how much your premiums may be. You may think you’ll just put in some basic information and go with the lowest figure. However, you can’t always treat truck insurance the same as car insurance.
What is a Truck?
This may sound like an obvious question, but it’s not quite as simple as you would expect. A truck is a pickup like a Ford F-150 or Ram 1500, but it’s also an SUV. While labeled differently when you’re buying a vehicle, it’s classified the same for insurance and other purposes. However, other trucks which also share that label may be categorized differently for insurance coverage. For instance, a dump truck or tow truck would need more coverage.
Personal or Work?
With a car, you usually have a clear-cut definition for when you’re using it for personal use or for work. A truck may not be so black and white. Since it can be used to tow or haul stuff, you may want to think about how it’s being categorized. For example, you may use your truck to haul cattle to sale. Since you’re claiming your farm as a business, this may be a business expense even though it’s for your own personal property.
Additional Items
You may tow a utility trailer or horse trailer behind your truck, an RV or boat. There’s an increased risk for damage with this extra equipment, not only to other property but to the equipment itself. You may need to purchase more coverage for your truck or even purchase a rider or separate coverage for the other equipment.
Tips on Getting Coverage for Your Truck
Don’t just fill out a form online to get a quote for truck insurance in Fargo. Even though you’ll get a price quote, it may not be what you need. It’s best to contact a truck insurance agency and talk to a person. They will ask about how you plan to use your truck, what equipment will be used with it and other details to determine the right amount of coverage.
A truck can cause a lot of damage and cost a lot to repair. You may need more than the minimum required coverage for North Dakota to protect you and your assets in a claim. This is one reason why a quote may not tell you all you need to know about getting the right amount of coverage for your new truck.
If you’re planning to get a truck in the next few months, start thinking now about how you’ll be using it. Talk to an insurance agent to get an idea of the costs associated with a policy and what you need to know to carry the right amount of coverage for your needs.
FM Insurance provides excellent coverage for auto insurance Fargo area. Excellent rates and great customer service for all home, auto and business/commercial insurance needs.