Why basic auto insurance isn’t always the right choice

Ohio has a basic amount of auto insurance it requires all drivers to have. While some people may feel that this is an amount of auto insurance that will fully protect them, for others it just won’t be the right amount. Not only do you need to access how much liability coverage you need, but you also need to decide on other auto insurance options available.  At Associated Insurance Agencies Inc.in Westerville, OH, our business is making sure our customers have the insurance they need to be in compliance with the law and to give them the protection they need. 

In Ohio, drivers are required to carry liability insurance on their vehicles. 25/50/25 is the basic amount of required insurance you can legally get away with. That is $25,000 for injuries and medical bills for the first injured person in an accident you caused and a total of $50.000 for the injuries for the total accident. $25,000 is for damages that affected property. Given what a hospital stay can cost and what a vehicle sells for, this is on the lower side. 

If you have a reasonable amount of assets if you own a home, a business, a cabin or just about anything you could be in danger of losing them if a judgment was won against you that is in excess of the basic amount of liability insurance that is required. Talk to your insurance agent about the amount of liability insurance that would give you the level of coverage you need. 

Collision and comprehensive coverage protect your vehicle. If you use your vehicle every day to get to work, to the store, to drop off kids, or other daily activities, it is important you have insurance that would repair or replace that vehicle in the event of an accident. 

Contact Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH, to discuss your insurance needs. 

Required Auto Insurance in Ohio

Driving in Ohio requires a number of different minimum coverages to stay legal. The Ohio Financial Responsibility Law sets the amounts and makes it mandatory to pay for an accident that you cause. When you go to renew your license or your auto registration, you have to sign a paper saying that you won’t drive without insurance. Ohio also has the Random Selection Program for drivers. This allows the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to pick you at random to prove that you have insurance. To make sure you have the coverage you need, call us at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH.

Coverage for Bodily Injury

If you have caused an accident, you will be responsible for the medical bills of the other parties in the accident. This type of coverage is called bodily injury liability, and you must maintain a minimum amount of it that will cover each person who has been injured in the accident. There is another amount that you must carry in order to pay the medical bills of more than one person who were in the accident. It’s often recommended to add to your bodily injury coverage, as medical bills have gotten more expensive in recent years. 

Coverage for Property Damage

Property damage is the other required part of insurance in Ohio. There is a specific minimum amount you must have for any damage you cause to someone’s property during the accident. This may include another vehicle from the accident or even someone’s building if your car did damage to one. 

Call For Your Appointment

If you need auto insurance, don’t let another day go by. Call us at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH to make your appointment with a knowledgeable insurance agent about your coverage. 

A Guide To Help Ohio Residents Find The Right Auto Insurance Policy

Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. serves the Westerville, OH community, as well as the surrounding areas, by offering residents multiple types of insurance policies. We strive to provide dependable service to our clients when they need it most. For over 30 years, we have established great relationships with multiple carriers throughout the Midwest.

Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance helps you stay safe on the road as you travel through Westerville OH and beyond. Auto insurance primarily protects you if you are involved in a collision with another vehicle and damages occur. Liability coverage will cover you if you are believed to be responsible for the damages caused by the accident. Liability coverage also protects you if you are held liable for injuries that your passenger sustained during an accident.

Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle if it is vandalized due to a fire or natural disaster. You will also be protected if you are a victim of car theft. Uninsured motorist coverage will protect you if you are involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have any insurance. Emergency assistance is also an asset, as a disaster can happen at any moment. The policy will cover you if you have engine troubles or a flat tire. In addition to roadside assistance, you’ll also have access to towing services. You can amend your policy to include rental coverage if you need to seek alternative transportation while your vehicle is being repaired.

Your policy may differ based on the amount of driving that you plan to do. If you plan to keep your vehicle in storage when you aren’t using it, you can add coverage to protect your vehicle if an accidental fire starts or another type of disaster happens at the facility.

Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. Will Help You Drive Safely

Visit our website today to learn more information on auto insurance.

Auto Insurance Coverage Options

In Ohio, you must have at least liability auto insurance to legally drive on the roadways. This type of insurance will cover injuries and property damages sustained by others if you are involved in an auto accident that is deemed to be your fault. In addition to liability insurance, there are several other types of auto insurance coverage options you can choose from to fit your situation. If you obtained a loan from a bank or other financial institution to purchase your vehicle, there are some types of other auto insurance coverage options you may be required to have in place.

Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

This type of insurance protects you and your vehicle if you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have any insurance at all or does not have enough insurance to cover injuries or property damage sustained by you or your passengers.

Collision Insurance

A collision insurance policy will pay for repairs or to replace your vehicle if it is damaged or destroyed if you are involved in an accident with another vehicle or with an object. For example, if you hit a pole or building, this type of coverage will help pay for the repairs to your vehicle from any damage that is sustained.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage will help cover the costs to replace your vehicle or repair it if it is damaged or destroyed by a fire, vandalism, or a natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane. It will also help you replace your vehicle if your car, truck, or SUV is stolen.

To figure out which coverage options are best for you and your situation to protect the investment you have made in your vehicle, you should enlist the assistance of an experienced auto insurance agent. The trusted and knowledgeable auto insurance agents at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH are ready to help you with all of your insurance needs. Call for an appointment today!

Getting Insurance After your Car is Paid Off

Having auto insurance is a legal requirement for drivers in this country, but once your vehicle is paid off,  you may wonder if you should maintain your full coverage auto insurance. While it is important to note that in most cases, drivers should have full coverage to minimize out of pocket impacts, should there be an accident or other type of damage, but it isn’t a legal requirement. 

Should You Have Full Coverage After Paying Off Your Vehicle?

Ultimately, the decision to purchase full coverage is up to the owner of the vehicle once it is paid for, and the financing agreement is completed. However, if the vehicle is still worth a substantial amount and is under ten years old, it is a good idea. Anything can happen to a vehicle at any time, which is why it is wise to be prepared with a quality policy in place to help avoid losses. The best course of action is to consult with an experienced insurance agent to get common-sense recommendations for each individual situation.

Working With an Agent

Protecting your vehicles is much easier when you work with an established insurance agency of knowledgeable agents who can work one on one with each client. If you live in or near the Westerville, OH area, you can count on Associated Insurance Agencies, Inc. to help you get the coverage you need, whether you are currently financing, or have already paid off your auto loan.

Don’t guess when it comes to your auto coverage. Get the guidance and support you need to be protected around the clock by calling or stopping by Assoicated Insurance Agencies, Inc., serving Westerville, OH. 

3 Ways to Prepare Your Car For an Ohio WInter

As the winter temperatures start to creep into Westerville, OH with the holidays, it is time to have your car prepared for an Ohio winter. Below are some tips we offer our clients at Associated Insurance Agencies, Inc. to get them prepared and keep them safe through the frigid temperatures. 

How are your windshield wipers?

Designed to keep your windshield clear of weather and debris, windshield wipers are essential for clearing ice, snow, and sleet out of the way. Give them a test and determine if they have enough padding on the wiper blade. If it is below half or scraping your windshield, visit your local service center to have a new set installed. For vehicles with rear wipers, check them, as well. 

How is your battery? 

While you are at the service center, have them inspect your battery life and determine if it is operating at full power. If it is operating less than 75 percent of its potential, go ahead and have it replaced. The cold weather in Ohio has the ability to weaken batteries substantially that is already gradually on the decline. 

Have your oil changed soon

Unless you had your oil changed in the last three months, it is a good preventative practice to go ahead and have the oil changed in your car. Having strong and fresh oil going into the winter will give your engine maximum performance and the ability to stand up to cold temperatures and a winter environment.

Have the auto insurance you need

At Associated Insurance Agencies, Inc., we offer our clients in the Westerville, OH area auto insurance that will meet all of their insurance needs. Feel free to use our online rating tool for your personal quote or give us a call today.

Roadside Auto Coverage with My Auto Insurance Policy in Westerville, OH

Associated Inurance Agencies Inc. serves the Westerville, OH area and wants to make sure that all of your options are available to you. When you are purchasing an auto insurance policy, it’s important to know the requirements as well as the add-ons and whether they are worth it or not. The real question for us is, "How much is roadside insurance worth to you?"

Third Parties vs. Your Current Auto Insurance Carrier

It’s important to educate yourself on the differences. One of the main differences with adding on roadside insurance assistance to your current auto policy is that you get what you pay for. Generally, your auto insurance roadside insurance will offer more perks and be less expensive including:

  • Towing
  • Battery charging and services
  • Flat tire assistance
  • Winching
  • Extrication
  • Fuel delivery

The state of Ohio has a very minimum bare bones requirement on automobile policies: Bodily Injury Liability Coverage as well as Property Damage Liability Coverage. Rarely does a car owner just go with this type of insurance. In order to demonstrate financial responsibility, most people up to their bodily injury and property damage from $25,000 to $50,000. If your minimum insurance doesn’t cover all property damage in case of an accident, your assets may be seized. 

What do You Want to Pay for?

Because the minimum amount of insurance is more of a risk, most people choose to protect their assets. In fact, some car loan companies may require you to carry full coverage and coverage on any other drivers if you are getting a car loan. This is one reason that many people also choose to add on roadside assistance. 

Roadside assistance coverage is an option on almost every insurance policy. For most people, using your roadside assistance coverage does not lead to an increase in your rate. 

Please stop by one of our six locations serving the Westerville, OH area. Associated Inurance Agencies Inc. wants to make sure that you have a policy that fits your exact needs. Current customers are also encouraged to stop by on an annual basis to keep their policy updated.