Auto Insurance

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Your Auto Insurance

We all like to drive. Whether it’s for recreation, business, or something in between, having the ability to get in our cars and just go is a thing that many people value. Cars, SUVs, trucks, and even motorcycles serve a number of different purposes for us. Cars are used by families to take kids to school, to run errands, and for recreational activities. Fleets of semi-trucks ship items all across the United States, helping the economic fabric of the United States.

When purchasing any type of vehicle, you need auto insurance. Having car insurance keeps you covered and keeps other people secure in the instance that they’re involved in an accident with you. Though we need car insurance, everyone is not well versed in every aspect of this protection. Below are a few things that you might not have known about auto insurance.

1. Left lane driving infractions can affect insurance rates.

There have been plenty of times when you’re driving on the road and get stuck behind a slow driver. You’ll be driving in the right lane, trying to get to your destination, and an automobile that’s driving at what seems a snail’s pace is right in front of you.

In some circumstances, you can pass slower traffic on the left-hand side. This makes it easier for all parties involved to keep the flow of traffic moving, and everyone gets where they’re going safely. In other circumstances, though, a left lane change is prohibited. In many states, it’s actually not permitted to use the left-hand lane as a passing lane. Sure, you might be stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle in the right-hand lane, but most states don’t care about that.

If you’re caught making such a move, there may be a left lane passing law that you’re breaking. There’s a good chance that you can be ticketed for your goal of trying to get around a slow driver. When you receive such a ticket, your insurance rates can rise. At the end of the day, do your best to find out what the left lane passing laws of your state might be. It’s best to have this information on hand because there are many slow drivers in the right lanes all across the United States.

2. You can bundle your auto and home insurance.

When you bundle your home and auto insurance, it can help on multiple fronts. First, you don’t have to worry about both policies being spread between two different accounts. Having both in the same place allows a one-stop place to access information on coverages, rates, and payment dates for each insurance policy. For instance, let’s say that you need to find information about home repairs that are covered after damage has occurred to your kitchen after a recent remodeling. After such damage, you might find yourself asking why you should do a full kitchen backsplash in the first place.

By going to the bundled policy information, you can easily access information if damages were done to your upper cabinet, the countertop material, the kitchen backsplash, or countertop surfaces are covered. Having to sift through a separate homeowners insurance policy can be a bit time-consuming. You can also save up to 25% on your insurance for bundling.

3. Many personal factors can affect your insurance costs.

When it comes to insurance, there are a variety of things that can affect what you pay. When you apply for car insurance, you’ll often notice that you’ll receive a lot of personal questions. These questions are often used to determine how much your insurance premium will be. These questions can include your gender, age, marital status, and how long you’ve had a license. Other factors, like driving-related tickets, can play a part in your insurance rates being higher.

4. If you modify your car, your rates can increase.

If you add certain “adornments” to your vehicle, this can create a change in what your insurance rate will be. Sure, adding a spoiler or some tricked out rims to your car can be just as fun and fulfilling as making changes to your kitchen’s counter surface during a kitchen remodel. The thing you’ll have to remember, though, is that any modifications made to your vehicle can have an effect on your insurance premium.

5. Your insurance might cover pet injuries.

In the unfortunate circumstance that your pet is harmed in a car accident, your car insurance might cover their treatment. There are car insurance companies that provide coverage for veterinarian expenses if your pet is injured in a car accident. Make sure to confirm how much coverage this will be, in addition to seeing if it’s offered at all with your insurance provider.