My brother is loaning me his car if I insure the car can he be held liable for an accident I get into?

Borrowing a vehicle from a family member can make the insurance for the vehicle seem complicated. Even if you buy car insurance for the vehicle under your name, your brother is still the owner of the car and may need to have his own policy to ensure that it is properly protected. Depending on the situation, your brother may or may not be held responsible for an accident that you cause while you borrow the vehicle.

Your Insurance

In general, your car insurance policy will pay for any damages or injuries if you cause an accident while you are driving. If your brother also has coverage for the vehicle and your plan does not provide enough to pay for all of the liability costs, then the additional expense may become your brother’s responsibility since the vehicle is his property.

Taking Responsibility

Even if you do not own the car, it is your responsibility to pay for any property damage or injuries that you cause to another person. If you cause an accident, then you are liable for the accident as long as you have coverage.

When you do not have coverage for the vehicle under your own name, the liability will fall to your brother’s insurance plan in most situations. The reason is that he is allowing you to drive the car and you are not the property owner. As a result, he can be held responsible if you are not able to take responsibility for any reason.

As long as you have auto insurance under your own name for the vehicle, the responsibility of an accident that you cause will usually be handled by your policy. Contact us to talk to an agent for more information about liability protection.

Does my auto insurance policy help me if I lock my keys in the car Charlotte, North Carolina?

There is nothing more frightening than to be away from and home and not be able to get back into your car. When the worst happens you will need to get help in order to get your car open so you can be on your way. If you are wondering if your auto policy will help cover the cost of locking your keys in your car in Charlotte, North Carolina, then here are some things that you need to know.

How Your Auto Policy Can Help You

  • There are a lot of things that your car insurance can cover. If you lock your keys in your car in Matthews or Concord, North Carolina, then the roadside assistance can help you get back into your car.
  • Roadside assistance will need to be on your policy before the event happens in order for you to have the coverage you need.
  • Simply call your insurance company when you need them and they should help by sending the tow truck to your location.
  • The cost of this coverage is very small. If you want to know for certain that you are covered in case you break down, then you will want to add this to your policy.

Locking yourself out of your car can put your day into a tailspin. If you have any questions about what your auto insurance policy will cover in Charlotte, North Caroling, then you will want to call your independent agent today. We can help you get the answers you need to your insurance questions. Roadside assistance is available to you if you are looking to protect you and your family better.

How does GAP insurance work when a car is totaled in Matthews, North Carolina?

When you first get an auto policy in Matthews, North Carolina there are certain benefits that you will select in order to protect yourself from financial troubles. You may add high liability limits and even physical damage benefits. There is one benefit that you will want to add in order to fully round out your auto protection. Here are some things that you will want to know about GAP insurance.

Facts About GAP Insurance and How it Affects You

  • GAP insurance are your car policy in Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina takes care of the gap between the value of the car and amount that you still own on the loan.
  • Without this benefit you will have to pay the difference between the two amounts out of your own pocket.
  • Once the value of the car has been figured out the insurance company will then send that amount to you as a payment for the car being totaled.
  • Once you get the amount you will have to come up with the difference in order to fully payoff the loan amount if you do not have GAP benefits.

There is a lot that goes into your car insurance. If you are looking for someone to help you understand your auto insurance, then you will want to call your independent agent today. As your agent we can help you understand how each one of the benefits on your auto policy protect you and your family. If you need to add benefits to your policy then we can help you decide which benefits you will want to have.

Can I make a Claim if I Damage my Car by Using a Lighter to Unfreeze the Locks in Charlotte, North Carolina?

During the winter months in Charlotte, North Carolina, it is possible that the locks on a car door will freeze. When that happens, it may be tempting to use a lighter to melt the ice so that it is possible to unlock the doors. Unfortunately, using a lighter on the vehicle may result in damage to the paint or even the metal. Although insurers have different policies regarding damage that they will pay for, auto insurance may not cover the costs of repairs.

Accidents and Accidental Damage

A comprehensive car insurance policy will usually cover the costs of repairing a personal vehicle in certain situations. When the damage results from an accident, such as another car hitting a parked vehicle during icy road conditions or a tree branch falling on the vehicle, then the insurer may cover the costs of repairing or replacing the vehicle.

Purposeful Damage

Although accidents that are beyond personal control may be covered under a policy, it is possible that the plan does not cover personal actions. When the damages are the result of a lighter that you used on your own vehicle, you may find that your insurer will not accept the claim.

Damages that are caused by vandalism, attempted theft or similar situations are usually covered under a basic comprehensive policy. The situation ultimately determines if your current plan will cover the damages to your vehicle.

When you use a lighter to remove ice from the locks on your car, you may not be covered for the damages that occur. The key to determining if you are covered is looking through your policy to clarify the situations that are covered. To learn more about your coverage options, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

Can I Insure my New Car with a Different Insurer Before my Current Policy Ends in Charlotte, North Carolina?

When you are purchasing a new car in Charlotte, North Carolina, you will need to obtain auto insurance before you drive the vehicle home. The concern that may arise is whether you should add it to your current policy and wait until it ends or if you should obtain a new policy as soon as possible. Ultimately, the decision is a personal choice.

Changing the Coverage

Even though you have obtained auto coverage for your current vehicle, it does not necessarily mean that you are required to keep the same plan until the period expires. You can cancel your current policy whenever you feel that your insurer is no longer working for your needs or when you find a company that suits your goals and concerns better.

Finding the Right Plan

If you decide that it is time for a change, then you will need to find an insurer who meets your needs and addresses your current concerns. The best insurers will vary based on the situation, so working with an independent agent can help.

An agent will narrow down the choices by giving you the best results based on the amount of coverage that you request. Since the agent compares the options and generates the best policies for your goals and concerns, you can quickly compare auto insurance quotes online and make a decision before you take your new car home.

The excitement of buying a new car may seem dulled if you assume that you must insure it with your current provider. You can change insurers if you are not satisfied with the coverage on your current plan. To learn more about insurance options that are available, contact us to talk to an independent agent.

Does the Type of Car I Pick Affect my Insurance Rate in Charlotte, NC?

Buying a new car is exciting, but it can come with some unexpected costs that are overlooked. When it comes to auto insurance, the type of car you purchase in Charlotte, North Carolina will impact the amount you pay each month. Although it does impact your rate, the specific policy that you purchase and the situation will determine how your rates are affected.

Basic Liability

If you only purchase the minimum liability policy, then the type of car that you own may not impact your rate dramatically. The reason is simple: the insurer is not paying for damages to your vehicle.

Even if you have the most expensive car on the road, if you do not cover the vehicle for damages, then you may not see dramatic differences in your current coverage price.

Comprehensive Plans

Although a basic liability policy may not dramatically impact your auto coverage rates, it is likely that the vehicle you select may impact your rates dramatically if you purchase a comprehensive policy.

A comprehensive policy protects your vehicle when it is damaged from storms, a tree branch or similar situations, so your insurer may increase the rate if you select a car that has expensive repair parts or that has a high replacement cost. If you pick a vehicle that is not expensive to repair or replace, then your rates may stay the same or even reduce.

The impact of your vehicle on insurance rates will depend on the insurer and the particular plan that you select. In some cases, your rates may stay the same. In other situations, it may increase or decrease after you purchase a new vehicle. If you want to learn more about the impact of your vehicle on your policy rates, contact us to talk to an independent agent.