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Recreational Vehicles – How To Cover What Matters Most

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Recreational Vehicles – How To Cover What Matters Most

How To Cover What Matters Most

Spring is just around the corner, bringing sunny days and warmer temperatures. Whether you’re trail riding on an ATV or UTV, hugging the curves on a motorcycle, driving an RV or towing a camper, cruising the waterways in your boat, or enjoying your classic car, protection is crucial. Here, you’ll learn about some coverage options that will help you get back to what you really want to do this Spring.

ATV And UTV Insurance

Whether you’re riding for function or for fun, ATV coverage helps you navigate safely and protect yourself from the unexpected. ATV and UTV insurance combines the lifestyle you love and the coverage you really need. No matter if you have a new weekend toy to protect or you’re looking to cover what’s already in your garage, an ATV policy is a great way to do it.

Boat Insurance

Regardless of how you’re riding the waves—on a jet ski, fishing boat, pontoon boat, sailboat, or personal watercraft, boat and PWC coverage helps you enjoy the water with ease. When you want to feel the wind in your sails or hear the waves lap against your pontoon, boat and PWC insurance are there to protect you the entire time.

Classic And Collector Car Coverage

Whether you describe your “baby” as an antique, a collector car, or a classic, there’s an insurance policy for it. When you’ve put hundreds of hours into a concourse restoration or you’ve bought a show car that turns heads everywhere you go, you should ensure that your new vehicle has enough coverage. Whatever the model year, collector and classic car coverage will protect your new acquisition.

Motorcycle Insurance

To a rider, nothing beats the feeling of the open road. With motorcycle insurance, you’ll enjoy the ride that much more, safe in the knowledge that your bike is protected from storms, accidents, and other disasters. A motorcycle policy can be customized to fit your lifestyle and your bike, providing you with the freedom to ride. Whether you have a showroom new bike or you’re riding a classic, consider getting a motorcycle insurance quote.

RV And Camper Insurance

For some people, recreational vehicles and campers are a way to take the comforts of home wherever they go. For others, they offer the chance to enjoy the warmth of spring in the great outdoors. When you’re planning a weekend trip to your favorite campground, or you’re planning a road trip across the country, RV and camper coverage keeps you on the road with increased security.

Call Today To Request A No-Obligation Insurance Quote

RVs, campers, motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and classic cars are some of the most enjoyable recreational vehicles to spend your time and money on, but they’re investments as well. To protect those investments, start on a quote or contact your local agent at Taylor & Associates today. With the right insurance policy, you can enjoy the season—and your new vehicles—with less worry and more protection.

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Finding the Best Auto Insurance

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Finding the Best Auto Insurance

The Classic, Collectible & Antique Vehicles & Motorcycles Edition

Car lovers in Ohio and Indiana frequently invest a great deal of money and time in classic, collectible, and antique cars and motorcycles, but not all companies are able to provide adequate auto insurance to protect those investments.

What is Classic Car Coverage?

Custom vehicles are not normally daily drivers. They are usually driven on special occasions or events like shows or parades. If you’re using a restored vehicle as a daily driver, your agent will generally recommend other types of coverage. Make sure you carefully explain how and when your classic, collector or antique vehicle will be driven when you’re seeking coverage for a classic vehicle.

Restoration Isn’t Always Easy

One of the issues facing such vehicles is maintaining their authenticity. That means using quality replacement parts when any repairs are required. Serious car enthusiasts are not willing to settle for knock-off parts that don’t properly match the originals. In other cases, the cost of restoring damaged classics is exacerbated because quality parts and matching numbers are crucial at car shows. That means it might be necessary to repair an existing component rather than replacing it to retain the highest value.

Repairing a classic car is difficult at best. It may be hard to obtain the necessary parts. Collectors who have spent a great deal of money completing a frame-up restoration are also hesitant to trust their treasures to most repair shops. Specialized skills are needed to properly repair a damaged classic or collector vehicle. In many cases, custom interiors need to be  repaired. In other situations, custom paint colors must be matched exactly to preserve the value of a vehicle.

An insurance company must be willing and able to provide those levels of service, which is why it pays to discuss potential problems and repair issues with an agent that is accustomed to dealing with collectors vehicles Take the time now to verify your current coverage to ensure it will meet your needs should something happen.

What About Motorcycles?

Classic and specialized show motorcycle owners face somewhat unique needs. Many bikes are created to be entirely unique, with few stock features remaining. In the event a custom bike is damaged, the owner may be forced to accept less-than-ideal repairs unless the proper insurance coverage is obtained. That one-of-a-kind paint job, for example, isn’t something an average shop can repair or duplicate. Will your current insurance policy make it possible to properly restore your custom bike?

Unsure of Your Coverage?

Rather than putting your investment at risk, take the time to contact an insurance professional now for advice. The experts at Taylor & Associates Insurance will gladly discuss your insurance needs and explain the various options available. Remember, even the owners of specialized vehicles need liability, medical expense, and underinsured motorist coverages to be properly protected. It also pays to discuss some type of disablement insurance should your collector vehicle need to be transported. Contact a local agent today.

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Do Safe Driving Courses Save Drivers Money on Car Insurance?

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Do Safe Driving Courses Save Drivers Money on Car Insurance?

How Defensive Driving Could Benefit Your Wallet

 

Ohio requires auto insurance companies to offer different coverage options, many companies are beginning to adopt measures to encourage safe driving. The rationale is that drivers who can prove that they are safer than average behind the wheel are less likely to be involved in accidents and should thus be charged less money for insurance. As with differing state regulations, each insurance company goes about offering safe driving savings in slightly different ways. Some companies in Ohio are now offering discounts to policyholders who choose to take defensive driving courses.

What is Considered Driving Defensively?

Many drivers have likely heard the phrase, at least when they first began to get behind the wheel and learn the ropes. Not all of them know exactly what it means to drive defensively, though. Of course, defensive drivers are utilizing common sense and following all rules of the road and all posted signs, but that’s not all they’re doing differently from the average driver.

Defensive drivers are also paying attention to the speed limit without slowing down to dangerous speeds. They’re tailoring their speed, windshield wiper use, and driving style to the road and avoiding distractions while they drive. These factors all add up to safer driving experience and in some cases, lower insurance rates.

Will Taking Courses Get Drivers Discounts on Insurance?

When it comes to the question of insurance and safe driving, it’s clear that all drivers can save from driving more defensively in the long run, since they really will be less likely to get into accidents. Are the direct discounts offered by companies for completing these programs worth it, though? That question is slightly harder to answer.

The money saved by taking these courses rarely covers the actual cost of taking them voluntarily. However, those who have already received traffic tickets may be able to save more substantially. Drivers who want to save money on their traffic tickets should sign up for and complete these voluntary courses prior to their court dates if they don’t want their insurance premiums to go up.

What Are The Other Benefits?

In some cases, there are more substantial benefits than just savings to taking courses in driving defensively. For instance, those who are facing license suspension or revocation due to numerous traffic offenses may be able to avoid losing their licenses or facing tougher penalties by completing these courses.

Even those who have never gotten so much as a speeding ticket may wind up saving money on their car insurance in Ohio. Driving defensively has been proven to be safer and those who practice it are less likely to get into accidents, to begin with. Even if their insurance companies don’t offer substantial savings to those who complete these courses voluntarily, chances are they’ll be saving money in the future without even realizing it by avoiding accidents that might otherwise raise their rates. Contact your local agent at Taylor Insurance & Associates today for more details.

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Get Help Now to Make Sure You’re Protected

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Get Help Now to Make Sure You’re Protected

Most people know that Ohio requires drivers to carry a certain amount of auto insurance. However, the minimums are rarely enough to adequately protect vehicle owners, and insurers typically recommend vehicle owners to review their circumstance with an agent to determine how much insurance protection they really need. If you haven’t discussed the various types of automobile coverage with an agent recently, now may be a good time to evaluate your needs.

What Are The Minimums?

Ohio residents are required to carry bodily injury liability insurance, but the $25,000 per person and $50,000 total per accident limits are simply inadequate today. The minimum coverage for property damage is $25,000. Again, given the costs today, that’s woefully insufficient for most people. Remember that the average cost of a vehicle is over $35,000. That means the minimum coverage amount will be lacking in a large percentage of accident situations. Take the time to review different auto insurance limits with an agent.

Collision And Comprehensive Coverages

If a vehicle is financed, the lender will always require the insured person to carry both collision and comprehensive coverages. Collision coverage takes care of damage that occurs from accidents where the owner is at fault. That’s necessary to protect the lender, but the owner’s equity is also at risk if there is no collision coverage.

Comprehensive coverage is designed to protect vehicle owners in instances where storm damage, vandalism, theft or deer stikes cause a partial or total loss. Again, with modern vehicles being very expensive, it’s important to have sufficient coverage to take care of those types of damage. For a complete explanation of the advantages of comprehensive coverage, contact a local agent.

See Is It Comprehensive Or Is It Collision?

for more info about the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage.

Other Insurance Benefits

Many of today’s insurers offer roadside assistance, rental car coverage while a damaged vehicle is being repaired, and other options. Those benefits can be important for anyone, but especially for people who frequently travel or who often drive at night. Staying safe is always important, so be sure to discuss these and other safety-related aspects of vehicle insurance with an agent.

Select An Affordable Deductible

Insurers expect drivers to accept some of the financial responsibility after an accident or other insured incidents. In other words, the vehicle owner will pay at least a portion of the repair costs out of pocket. Those deductible amounts typically range from $100 to $1,000, but there are often other options available. It’s important that vehicle owners select a deductible amount they can easily afford to cover.

Of course, the cost of coverage is higher when low deductible amounts are selected, so the choice becomes a balancing act. In many cases, it pays to review your financial situation at set intervals to determine if the deductible amount should be changed to meet current financial realities. Don’t fall victim to a diminishing return of a higher deductible. Make sure your choice to take a higher deductible has a large enough reduction in premium. Again, it’s a good idea to sit down with an agent to ensure you’re getting the right auto insurance coverage to meet your needs.

Not Insured? Talk To An Agent Today

Not Insured? Talk to an Agent Today

Because auto insurance in Ohio is mandatory, it’s never a good idea to drive without adequate coverage. Competitors that are direct insurance carriers typically have a lack of coverage that they quote to their customers. The risks are simply too great to go with such insurance carriers, therefore it may be in your best interest to contact a local, independent insurance agency. For more information or to schedule an evaluation of your auto insurance needs, contact an agent at Taylor Insurance & Associates today.

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What Is Gap Coverage And Why Do I Need It

What Is Gap Coverage And Why Do I Need It

With new car season coming up quickly, we thought we would republish this blog on GAP Coverage. Buyer beware at the dealerships!

What is the purpose of GAP coverage?

If you have purchased a brand-new car and that car has a loan or a lease on it, then you should consider GAP coverage. But be careful where you get it as all GAP coverage is NOT priced the same.

Have you ever heard the old saying that your new car just lost $1000-2000 as soon as you drove it off the lot? That saying has more truth than you may realize. Most “New” cars depreciate greatly during the first few months of ownership. This creates a “GAP” between what your car is worth on the used car market and what your loan payoff is. GAP Coverage will help fill the financial difference (GAP)between what your car is valued and what you still owe on your loan in the event a total insurance loss to your vehicle.

What about a used car, should you get GAP coverage if you buy a car that is a couple of years old?  That depends. How long is your loan and how used is your car? At some point the major depreciation on a new car will slow down sharply. This means that the older the car the less you may need GAP Coverage. However, if your car is a later model year and you have a long-term loan, say 4-6 years, then you may also have a need for GAP Coverage. Check with your agent for more info.

In a nutshell you should be honest with yourself. Evaluate the value of the vehicle and research what models like yours have depreciated in the past. I would suggest that you error on the side of caution here and get the GAP Coverage if you think there is a possibility that your vehicle could fit in this category.

How do I buy GAP Insurance?

Your auto insurance policy is not the only place to get GAP Coverage. You could buy coverage from your dealer at the time you purchase your car. In fact, it is almost a guarantee that the dealer will offer it. You may even find a standalone policy that you can buy from an unrelated third party or from your bank or lending institution. But buyer beware! The cost of that coverage may really set you back a pretty penny.

Dealers and third-party sellers of GAP are basically in the same classification. Dealers use third party sellers of GAP and then wrap them into the deal on the car purchase. This can be very expensive. Some of our customers here at Taylor & Associates Insurance Agency have told us that they have been offered GAP coverage from the dealer at amounts as high as $800-900. This amount is then added to the bottom line of the car sale price and straight in to the loan that you will then pay interest on for the next 4-6 years.

How much should I pay of GAP insurance?

Is buying GAP from a dealer or a third party really such a bad deal you ask, surely it could save me much more than $800-900 on my vehicle if I need to make a claim? True, but the typical cost of GAP insurance on your auto insurance policy varies at only around $30-60 per year and you will probably not need to keep the GAP coverage active on your policy for more than 2-3 years depending on your vehicles rate of depreciation. Let’s add this up. You add GAP could to your existing auto insurance at a cost of $60 per year for 3 years for a total of $180. That is much less than the dealer cost of $800-$900 and that is not even counting any interest you will pay due to the dealers GAP coverage being added to your car loan.

OK, GAP Coverage sounds great, right?  It is, but there are a few things you should know. For one thing, GAP coverage may not cover any costs added to your car purchase such as extended warranty, road hazard or wheel and tire specialty coverage offered at some dealers. Also, GAP will usually not cover any amount that you were “upside down” in your trade-in, so if you owed more on your trade-in than the dealer was willing to give you, you could still be upside down in the event of a GAP Coverage claim. 

Talk with your Insurance Agent or contact us to find out if GAP coverage is offered on your policy and to see how much it would cost to add GAP to your current vehicle insurance policy.

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Auto Insurance in Ohio

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Auto Insurance in Ohio

Why You Need It And How To Get It

Ohio auto insurance is designed to help protect you if anything happens to your vehicle or while you’re driving. From car accidents to damaged or stolen vehicles, there are many potential issues that could cost you quite a bit of money to deal with on your own. With help from Taylor & Associates Insurance Agency you can choose the best auto insurance to make sure you’re covered against the unexpected.

Family Policy

If you have multiple drivers in your family, a multi-car auto insurance policy may be the best option for you due to the lower costs of combining rates rather than getting individual policies for each driver.  The savings in money, time, and paperwork may be as high as twenty percent off the total premiums paid for having more than one single car policy. There is only one bill to pay, one form to fill out, and one company to contact in the event of an accident. Therefore, it is a wise choice to compare insurance company deals on family car insurance to get the best pricing, coverage amounts, and discounts.

Adding Teen Drivers

We know how scary it is to have a new, teen driver on the road in your family. Having the right auto insurance coverage won’t take the worry away, but it may ease it a bit. Adding a teen driver to the family policy is a great option for some families. Often, the insurance cost will go up by adding a young driver to their policy, but there are also certain discounts that could help to ease the cost. Such discounts include enrolling in a driver’s education course such as Teen Smart offered by Taylor & Associates and Celina Insurance Company and keeping good grades in high school or college.  

Spin-Off Policies

Are you an individual that is looking to get your own car insurance? If you are at the age that you need to get off of your parents’ insurance, a spin-off policy may be the right choice for you. Often, the price of a new policyholder’s insurance can depend on the history of their parents’ driving policy up until this point. This could mean saving quite a bit of money for a driver that is looking to start paying for their insurance on their own. However, there are some specific situations that qualify for a spin-off insurance policy, so be sure to talk them over with your local auto insurance agency first.

Protection Against Damaged or Stolen Vehicle

Whether you are under a family auto insurance policy or a single driver, your car may be hit while it’s parked in a parking lot. It may be stolen and damaged before it is found. It could be stolen and never recovered. The damages, even if it’s hit while parked, could be incredibly expensive to fix. If the vehicle is stolen and is not recovered, it will need to be replaced. Older vehicles can be costly to fix or replace even though they’re less expensive than a newer car. The right auto insurance policy can cover issues such as these and help you restore your vehicle or purchase a replacement.

Protection for Medical Costs After an Accident

Car accidents can lead to serious injuries. If you or a passenger is severely injured in an accident, you could be facing thousands of dollars in medical bills, if not more. Medical bills can add up quickly and can continue to add up if you or a passenger is permanently injured because of the accident. Auto insurance policies are designed to help cover these medical expenses so you don’t need to pay for them out of pocket.

Protection if You Cause an Accident

If you cause an accident, you can be sued for the other person’s medical bills and car repairs. It’s possible you’ll be sued for more than you’re worth, which can mean you’ll end up paying for a mistake for many years. Depending on the severity of the accident, you could be required to pay tens of thousands of dollars to the victim. An auto insurance policy covers you if you cause an accident, paying for these expenses so you don’t need to pay for them out of pocket.

Legal Requirements for Vehicle Insurance

Minimal auto insurance is required in Ohio. Every driver must have at least $25,000 of bodily injury per person to cover those injured in a car accident as well as $50,000 of coverage for bodily injury per accident. Drivers must also have $25,000 in property damage coverage. It is, however, recommended that drivers purchase more than the minimum amount of insurance to make sure that they are covered adequately if an accident happens. Further, you need auto insurance to ensure you’re protected from damages, theft, accidents, and more.


Before you purchase insurance, make sure you will have the right protection so you’re covered for whatever might happen. Remember that your agent has the ability to discuss additional coverage far beyond the scope of damages, theft, multi- or single car policies, and accident protection with you. Your agent can also help you with gap insurance, driving for hire, motorcycle, and other vehicle insurance, so be sure to take the time to speak with an agent at Taylor & Associates Insurance today!

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Should You Get a “Spin-Off” Car Insurance Policy?

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Should You Get a “Spin-Off” Car Insurance Policy?

Teen drivers can obviously be covered under their parents’ insurance policy. However, at some point, they’re going to need to get their own policy. When they’re ready to start shopping around for car insurance, they’re going to want to consider all options. One they shouldn’t overlook is the chance to obtain a “spin-off policy”. This can help them save a significant amount of money on their own personal auto insurance policy.

What is a Spin-Off Insurance Policy?

The price for auto insurance policies often depends on the driver’s previous insurance history. If they have never had their own insurance policy, their rates are likely higher because they don’t have a history. If they’ve been on their parents’ policy until this point, it could mean they end up spending a lot more money for their own policy. A spin-off policy allows the young driver to use their parents’ insurance policy for their history, which gives them the ability to show they’re a good driver and get coverage with the same company as their parents have. With a spin-off policy, they can then get a substantial break on their insurance rates and potentially save quite a bit of money.

When is a Spin-Off Policy Possible?

Spin-off policies are only available in specific situations. A person who already has a history of having their own insurance policy is not going to need to get a spin-off policy. If someone has not been covered under their parents’ policy in the past, they won’t be able to get a spin-off policy. And, spin-off policies are not offered by every single insurance company. It can only be used if the driver is covered on their parent’s insurance policy but are now looking for their own insurance policy.

Is a Spin-Off Policy the Best Option?

When a driver is looking for car insurance, it’s definitely a good idea for them to look into a spin-off policy for consideration. It’s still a good idea for parents and teens to make sure they check out other options as well just in case the spin-off policy is not the right one for them. This policy may not be the best option for everyone, so looking into all options is going to be the best path for families who have different needs or situations.

Are There Other Ways to Save Money?

Drivers have numerous options to save money with a spin-off policy and when choosing other policy saving options. When a driver is ready to look into getting a new Ohio car insurance policy, they should check for discounts that might be available to them. If they have an older vehicle, if they’ve taken a safe-driving course, or if they are eligible for any other discounts, it could help make the spin-off policy more affordable or help them save money on a different type of policy in the long run.

If you’ve been covering a teenage driver on your insurance policy but you’d like to go forward with helping your teenager get their own personal auto insurance policy, make sure you look into a spin-off policy. When you’re shopping for car insurance in Ohio, you might find that this offers you the chance to save quite a bit of money and still give your young driver their independence. Don’t forget to ask your independent agent about the pros and cons of having your young driver on a separate policy.

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Save Money on Car Insurance with a Family Policy

Side view of a young man driving a car with his girl friend beside him

Save Money on Car Insurance with a Family Policy

The average American home uses at least two vehicles, according to the latest study completed by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The increased cost of maintenance, fuel, and insurance are acceptable trade-offs to conveniently and effectively suit the needs of the family. Maintenance costs can be lowered when a member of the family takes care of the basic maintenance such as oil changes, filters, fluids and the vehicles are washed and vacuumed by hand. Other savings can be gained in fuel costs with trips that are planned efficiently instead of taking separate trips to run to different destinations or running one errand at a time. But how can we save money on our insurance premium?

Insurance Policies

Car insurance costs can be lowered by getting a multi-car insurance policy rather than individual policies for each vehicle. The savings in money, time, and paperwork may be as high as twenty percent off the total premiums paid for having more than one single car policy. There is only one bill to pay, one form to fill out, and one company to contact in the event of an accident. It’s a wise choice to compare insurance company deals on family car insurance to get the best pricing, coverage amounts and discounts.

Minimum Coverage

States pass laws that dictate what the minimum coverage amounts are for both bodily injury and property damage for each accident. Policyholders must meet those requirements in order to legally drive vehicles in the state in which they live. Ohio car insurance, for example, must have a minimum of $25,000 for injury/death of one person, $50,000 if more than one person injured and $25,000 for property damage. The family can select policies with higher coverage and add-on other protection clauses to avoid costly out-of-pocket expenses. Premiums will be higher but it may be worth the cost if the accident you cause has major damage or injury.

Factors in Calculating Premiums

The amount of coverage desired is only one factor considered in determining insurance premiums. Other factors include the make and year of the vehicles, the location of residency, and the average distance driven on a regular basis. Vehicles that are driven only around town may incur lower premiums than those that are driven on highways for an hour round-trip daily for work purposes. Other factors are based on the drivers of the vehicles.

The age, gender, and driving history of every driver that will be placed on the car insurance policy can be considered when premiums are determined. This will likely make a significant difference in the total cost. Teenagers between the ages of sixteen and nineteen, elderly drivers, and drivers with moving violations or accidents against them can spike premiums and cancel out savings even with discounts. Sometimes it may be possible to spin off a family member on to their own policy if they are causing a substantial increase in the family policy by being included.

Determining the Best Course of Action

Have questions? When in doubt, it is recommended to consult your independent insurance agent who will compare a few different companies for you to suggest the best company, costs, and coverage. Families can save time here if they find an independent insurance agent. That agent has the freedom to compare several carriers instead of just one company. Ask who should be listed as possible drivers for each vehicle as well to avoid the denial of a claim because the driver was not identified. This applies to spouses, parents, teens, caregivers, and friends who borrow the car often.

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Adding a Teen Driver to Your Car Insurance Policy

Adding a Teen Driver to Your Car Insurance Policy

Teen drivers are notoriously more expensive to insure than other drivers. If your family has a teenager who is ready to start driving, and the time has come for you to consider adding the teen to your car insurance policy you’re going to want to think about a few different things in order to have affordable and adequate insurance coverage.

Is Adding a Teen to the Policy the Right Choice?

For some families, adding the teen to the same auto insurance policy is a good option. Though this will likely raise the cost of insurance for the entire family, it allows the family to get a discount by having multiple cars insured with one policy. However, there are times when it might make more sense for the teen to purchase their own insurance policy. Every family dynamic is different, family budgets are unique and driver needs can vary from family to family.  Your local independent insurance agent can help you find the best solution if you are confused about all of the options available.

Look for More Than the Price in a Policy

Most people are naturally going to focus on the price when they’re looking for an Ohio car insurance plan. However, this is not all you should be looking into, coverage is an essential consideration with type and limits of insurance coverage you choose. It’s important to remember that there’s a higher chance a teen will be in an accident before they graduate from high school. In fact, around half of all teens will be in a car accident during the earlier portion of their driving history. Since there is such a high percentage chance a teen will have an accident, it may be worthwhile to pay a little more premium for an insurance policy that is going to be a better fit with more peace of mind until your teen is a more experienced driver.

Look Into Discounts that Are Available

Though the better insurance policy might cost a little more, if you are looking into car insurance in Ohio, you can check out discounts that might be available for your specific situation. This enables you to get a better policy but not spend a lot more money to insure your new teenage driver. Some of the discounts to look into include the following:

Safe Driving Discount – This discount may be available for teens who take driver’s education courses or other public safe-driving courses.

Discount for Good Grades – Students who have a B average or higher might be able to get a substantial discount for having good grades. They’ll need to keep their grades above the minimum to continue receiving the discount.

Older Vehicle Discount – Newer vehicles cost more to insure. If the teen is driving an older vehicle, they may not want as much coverage. This can lead to significant savings for the family. Check into going without Comprehensive or Collision coverage.

If you have a teen in your family who will begin driving soon, it’s time to start looking at your insurance policy and how much it might cost to add your teenager to the policy. Use the tips here when you’re shopping for car insurance.

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Buying Gift Cards This Holiday Season? Follow These Tips to Prevent Fraud

Buying Gift Cards This Holiday Season? Follow These Tips to Prevent Fraud

Everyone has received one of those Scam emails that fish for money, passwords, and valuable information. Data breaches are becoming more common as well. In the past, shoppers only had to be concerned about pickpockets; now, they need to watch their Gift Cards just as closely as they do their cash. Follow these tips to prevent gift card fraud this Holiday shopping season.

Make it Personal

Only buy cards that are handed over the counter by a salesperson, not those on store display racks. Ask the cashier to scan the card; this guarantees its validity and reflects its balance at the time of purchase.

Buy Direct From the Vendor

Don’t buy cards being sold on eBay and other auction websites. This is one of the biggest sources of gift card Fraud, and a cheap card may well end up being worthless. There’s always the chance these auctioned cards are used, counterfeit, or stolen.

Take a Trip to the Store

Buy cards directly from the issuing store or from a secured retailer site. If a gift card is bought online, be sure to buy it from the place where it will be used.

Look it Over

When buying a gift card this holiday season, examine the back and front before purchasing it. If the PIN is visible, put it back and get another one. For the best Protection, if the card looks as if it’s been tampered with, don’t buy it.

Retain Proof

A receipt serves as proof of purchase as long as there’s money on the card. Because many retailers are able to track where cards are bought, activated, and used, they may be able to refund the balance if the card is stolen.

Register the Card

If a seller offers online registration of their cards, take advantage of it immediately. Although not every store offers such an option, it allows buyers to uncover gift card misuse and report it faster.

A gift card makes it easy to shop for someone who’s hard to buy for, but there are risks involved. By following these tips, buyers will have a safe and fraud-free Christmas season.