Many of us drive old cars that may no longer have much monetary value. This may lead many of us to question whether or not we need to carry insurance on an old car. Of course, the answer is "yes." However, more importantly, the question is how much and what type. Car insurance is a necessity for most cars regardless of where you live. However, the right conversation with an insurance agent is probably all you need to determine the best type of coverage for your car. 

The Law and Car Insurance

The law requires all car owners to carry liability insurance. This insurance is the minimal insurance required because it takes care of any liability you may have if you cause damage to another person’s car or injury to others as a result of a car accident. This is why most states require liability insurance which covers both bodily injury and property damage insurance. However, you can also invest in comprehensive and collision insurance to protect your car as well. However, there are guidelines to consider before you invest in more insurance.

How Much Insurance is Enough?

Most car owners wonder just how much insurance they truly need to protect themselves, their vehicle, and other people and their vehicles. The answer is fairly simple. If you’re financing a car, most lenders will require that you carry full insurance on your car. This ensures that they will be reimbursed should anything happen to your car while you’re still paying on it. However, even people who aren’t financing their car invest in liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Full comprehensive and collision insurance will pay for any car repairs that result from a collision or an accident. However, collision and comprehensive is only a wise investment if the full value of your car is more than ten percent of your deductible. If it’s not, you are probably paying too much for car insurance primarily because the repairs could exceed the value of the car which means that the insurance company wouldn’t pay for the repairs.

All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School of Palm Coast FL understands that car insurance can be confusing when it comes to deciding how much you need and what type will be best for you. However, these agents are committed to helping you select the best coverage for your car and your unique situation. Give All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School so that we can find the best policy for you. 

 

Long summer road trips are fun for the whole family, but they often can be very tiring. If you’re setting out from Palm Coast, FL this summer, use these tips from All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School to avoid drowsy driving.

Some studies have indicated that 1 of every 25 adult drivers have dozed off while behind the wheel within the last 30 days. This statistic is frightening because even if one doesn’t fall asleep while driving, drowsy driving can make drivers less able to pay attention to road hazards, slow reaction time, and impair one’s ability to make good decisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes that in 2013, over 72,000 accidents and 800 deaths were due to someone driving while sleepy.  

Who Is at Risk for Drowsy Driving?

Certain categories of people are more likely to fall asleep while driving or drive while overly tired. These include people with sleep disorders, those who take medications with drowsiness as a side effect, those who work odd shifts, commercial drivers, and those who regularly do not get adequate sleep. Even if one believes that one can cope on five or six hours of sleep, the monotonous nature of driving can lead to drivers dozing while trying to operate a vehicle.

How to Tell if You’re Getting Too Tired to Drive

If you begin to experience the following, you may be getting too tired to drive:

• Yawning frequently
• Feeling like you can’t keep your eyes open
• Being unable to recall anything that happened in the last few miles driven
• Missing an exit or a turn
• Struggling to stay in your lane

If these things start happening to you, you must take action. You can pull over in a safe area to rest for a few hours or you can take turns with another driver in the car. At the very least, stop for a break, get something to eat and drink, and walk around to awaken yourself. Even if it costs you some time on your trip, you owe it to yourself and other people on the road to stop driving while drowsy.

Preventing Drowsy Driving

To prevent drowsy driving, be sure that you get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. Sleeping in one or two days a week can’t make up for a whole workweek of sleep deprivation.  You also should try to keep to a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up close to the same time every night and day, even if you’re on vacation. If you have medications that make you sleepy, take a bus or train until you and your doctor find a better solution to your medical issues. 

If you have questions about driving safety or car insurance in the Palm Coast, FL area, contact All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School today.

 

 

Every driver is required by law to carry automobile insurance. However, some people get behind the wheel without it, and that may become your problem if you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage. Getting into an accident is traumatic enough without worrying whether anyone who hits you has insurance. The great news is, with the right coverage, this doesn’t have to be a problem for you. All Counties Insurance Agency & Traffic School can help you obtain the coverage you need in West Palm, FL. In the meantime, here’s some important information on uninsured motorist coverage.

Uninsured Motorists

Uninsured motorist coverage protects you against other drivers with no insurance. In the event of an accident, it pays for your property damage and injury caused by an uninsured driver. These drivers lack liability coverage, so you have to pay the costs you incur on your own either out-of-pocket or through your insurance. This type of insurance typically also protects you against underinsured motorists as well.

What’s Covered?

When you purchase uninsured motorist coverage, you receive protection against this risk. The coverage pays for expenses incurred in you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have liability coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage kicks in if the other driver has liability coverage, but has less coverage than you. For insured drivers, when an accident is the other driver’s fault, their insurance covers your damages. Of course, if the other driver has no insurance, then you are left holding the bag.

Talk to your agent at Insurance Agency & Traffic School. Set up an appointment to discuss all your insurance need and to get a quote that includes uninsured motorist coverage in West Palm, FL.