Can I add a teen driver to my auto insurance?

It is possible to add your teen to your auto insurance. However, many parents in Rochester, MN are not sure how their auto insurance rates can be affected and the right time to add their teenagers to their policies. Here are some of the commonly asked questions regarding the issue of adding your teen to your auto insurance.

When do I add my teen to my auto insurance?

Most insurance companies in Rochester, MN may want to know the names of all licensed drivers in your home. A teenager who is a licensed driver can either carry his or her own insurance or can be added to your auto insurance policy. When your teen graduates to a full-fledged driver’s license, he or she qualifies to carry a car insurance policy.

Will my insurance rates go up after adding my teenager?

Your insurance rates are likely to go up when you add your teenager to your auto insurance. This is mainly because teens are more likely to cause car accidents than experienced drivers. The type of coverage levels you choose for your teenager and vehicle will also have an impact on your auto insurance premiums. However, your son or daughter may qualify for certain discounts for taking a driver’s education course. Safechoice Insurance Agency considers all these factors in ensuring that you get the best discount in the market.

Is it cheaper to get my teen his auto insurance policy?

It is advisable to look for stand-alone plans just for your teen, apart from the available options of adding your teen to your current auto insurance policy. However, your teen may not qualify for other discounts that you qualify for, such as multi-plan, driving experience, or multi-car insurance coverages.

How can my teen get better rates?

Typically, teenagers have higher rates because of their inexperience and their age. However, your teen can save on insurance by completing an approved driver’s education course or by having a higher grade average. In general, insurance rates will start dropping at the age of 25 until the age of 70 years.

Some types of vehicles such as sports cars, trucks, and SUVs may attract higher insurance rates for teens. If you have been thinking of adding your teen to your auto insurance, contact Safechoice Insurance Agency for the best rates. Our auto insurance agents will help you find the cheapest way to add your teen to your auto insurance policy.

Why You Need More than Just Car Insurance on Your RV in Rochester, Maine

When you own an RV, it’s more than just a vehicle. It’s the culmination of years of planning and saving and probably one of your largest assets. Don’t let that dream be crushed due to lack of insurance when you need it the most. Talk to your Safechoice Insurance Agency representative in Rochester, MN to answer questions on specific coverage. In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about RV insurance.

What’s Included in RV Insurance?

Recreational vehicles, or RVs, are required to have the same types of insurance as cars and trucks. However, the liability and personal injury coverage required by law covers other vehicles, but not your own. With an RV, if you borrowed money, your lender will most likely require full coverage for the replacement cost of the vehicle. You may wish to get additional insurance for your personal property and to cover other events.

Your RV insurance premiums are determined by the class of your vehicle, how often you use it, and whether it’s your full-time residence or vacation home. Your Safechoice Insurance Agency team in Rochester, MN can set up an appointment to determine what coverage you need and to provide a quote.

What Does RV Insurance Cover?

RV insurance covers many of the same events as car insurance. It includes comprehensive and liability coverage, as well as collision. Options you may want to consider include:

  • Total loss replacement (most likely required if you have a loan)
  • Full-time coverage (works like homeowner’s insurance if you live in your RV)
  • Campsite and vacation insurance
  • Coverage for emergency expenses
  • Towing and roadside assistance
  • Uninsured motorists’ coverage

 

How to Extend the Life Of Your Vehicle

The longer your vehicle lasts, the better the initial investment you made with purchasing the vehicle. Most vehicles can last a lifetime with proper care. While you may want to consider looking for something else should the engine or transmission completely fall out on you, there are other ways to extend the life of your vehicle. At Safechoice Insurance Agency, we want to keep your Rochester, MN vehicle driving for as long as possible. 

Follow Recommended Maintenance Schedule

Every vehicle comes with a recommended maintenance schedule. It is important for you to follow this. Usually, the schedule kicks in around the 30,000-mile mark or so. Certain areas of the vehicle will break down sooner than others and need to be replaced. By staying on top of this, you’ll be able to prevent more extensive damage. 

Take Care Of Your Engine

While the engine isn’t the only part of the vehicle, it is the most important. Should you run into engine trouble the vehicle becomes extremely dangerous to drive. So, perform regular oil changes, check the fluids on a regular basis, and take the vehicle in for servicing should the check engine light come on. 

Wash Your Car

This is especially true in Minnesota. Road salt in the winter will cause the undercarriage of the vehicle to rust through. Washing the vehicle and springing for the undercarriage wash option will remove the salt from your vehicle. Once a vehicle starts to rust there isn’t any way to correct the problem. So make sure to wash your vehicle at least every other week during the winter. 

With proper care, your Rochester, MN vehicle can run exceptionally well and last a long time. At Safechoice Insurance Agency, it is all about ensuring you receive quality advice and insurance coverage for your personal vehicle. 

Should You Let Your Auto Insurance Agent Know You Are Recovering From a Serious Physical Injury?

Believe us there is every pun intended in our name, Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN takes your safety seriously. Serving the great residents of Rochester, MN and the surrounding areas we are in business to help out when life’s events may have not had the safest outcomes.

When it comes to serious physical injuries and your driving ability it is best to adhere to your physicians advice in terms of when to return to driving and your other daily activities. In the event of a serious physical injury that results in the loss of your ability to drive it is important to do as the doctor says. If your insurance is impacted, it is certain that your medical history will be called into question in the investigation that follows.

In the event that you break the limb that you drive with, your right or left leg, resuming your driving responsibilities too early may further damage your health and impede your healing.

Should You Let Your Auto Insurance Agent Know You Are Recovering From a Serious Physical Injury?

If you adhere to your physician’s directions and refrain from driving for your healing period it is not necessary to inform your insurance agent. That being said there are some extenuating circumstances that need to be considered. Your agent can help you to navigate the terrain if you will not be driving for an extended period of time that may necessitate pausing your auto insurance payments. Speaking to your agent if you injury will permanently change your ability is imperative.   

Safechoice Insurance Agency will give you options on how to best protect your assets while you recover from your serious physical injury. Contact us today with any insurance concerns you may have. 

 

What Should I Know About State Limits in Minnesota for Auto Insurance

Minnesota is not the least ‘expensive’ state in the nation, nor is it the most expensive when it comes to auto insurance limits. But most people don’t even know what those limits are, unless they are directly impacted them. However, learning more about the limits when it’s not dire can help you should your situation take a turn for the worst. 

What Are Limits?

The United States does not operate as a whole for many situations, but rather gives power to the states to make a variety of decisions. For example, the state of New Hampshire famously doesn’t require you to buy insurance at all (though everyone there still should.) Each state dictates a certain monetary limit for the damages that are caused by driver mistakes, with some states setting their limits fairly low and others going high. The difference can be tens of thousands of dollars, so it’s worth having an idea of how it all works. Safechoice Insurance Agency works with the people of Rochester MN, and wants you to know about your specific state. 

What About Rochester MN?

The limits are $30,000 for injuries a person, up to $60,000 total for injuries for each accident and $10,000 for any property damage. This means that should you cause an accident that extends these limits, you will be required by law to pay the additional expenses out of pocket. Which can be difficult to say the least for many people. Looking into extended coverage if your current limits are set at the bare minimum might be necessary for you. If you have any questions at all, then Safechoice Insurance Agency may be able to help. Our agents are here to get you coverage that will actually work for you, so you can keep your savings right where it is. Give us a call today to see what we can do for you!

Why Auto Insurance is Necessary

Auto insurance is something that is both required by law and a smart move for all drivers. Auto insurance does more than just protect your car in the case of an accident and knowing a little bit about what auto insurance can do will help you decide to get a new policy today. For those in the Rochester MN area, the agents with Safechoice Insurance Agency can help you find your policy today.

Auto insurance helps to protect your car, you, your passengers, and other drivers as well. Instead of just covering the cost of repairing your car, auto insurance can also help cover medical costs, the cost of the deductible for you or the other driver, medical bills for passengers, and so much more. Auto insurance is something that makes it safer for drivers to be on the road.

It is a requirement that all drivers have a minimum amount of insurance coverage to help keep them and other drivers safer when they are on the road. Your state has specific minimum coverage requirements that might differ from state to state. It can be difficult to understand the insurance requirements of your state but with the help of an agent you can find the right coverage for you. Auto insurance takes the burden of paying for medical bills, paying for deductibles, and dealing with the recovery after an accident easier for everyone involved.

No matter what level of coverage you want, having an agent on your side can help you find the policy you want and need far faster and easier than if you are looking on your own. For those in the Rochester MN area, the agents with Safechoice Insurance Agency are ready and willing to help you with all your insurance needs.  

Is Collision Coverage Necessary?

Most every state requires that drivers carry minimum auto insurance coverage to pay for injury or property damage to others in the event of an accident. Minimum coverage, however, won’t help you recuperate your losses if your car is damaged in an accident. By obtaining collision coverage from Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN, you ensure your vehicle is protected in the event of an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Here are just a few ways collision insurance can be of benefit to Minnesota drivers.

Protection from Accidents You Cause 

Even careful drivers can find themselves involved in an accident that causes damage to their vehicle. With collision coverage, your insurer will pay for repairs to your vehicle, even if the accident was your fault. After you pay the deductible, your collision insurance will take care of the rest. If repair costs exceed the market value of your vehicle, your insurer may “total” the car and reimburse you for its market value, making it possible for you to replace your vehicle.  

Protection from Accidents Caused by Others

Collision coverage will protect you from accidents caused by other drivers by covering the cost of auto repairs without raising your premium. This way you don’t have to wait for the other driver’s insurance company to settle the claim. Your insurer will then seek reimbursement from the insurance carrier of the driver at fault of the accident.   

If you own a new or costly vehicle, it only makes sense to obtain collision coverage to protect your investment. Even older, reliable vehicles with high market value can benefit from what collision coverage has to offer. With collision coverage, you can have greater confidence that you are protected from accidents.  

At Safechoice Insurance Agency, Rochester, MN, we can help you make wise decisions concerning the auto insurance coverage you need. 

What You Should Know About Auto Insurance and the Law in Minnesota

Auto insurance does vary from state to state, which can make things a bit confusing if something happens out of town or if you move around a lot. Learn more about what you have to consider if you live in Rochester, MN. Safechoice Insurance Agency wants you to have the facts first. 

State Minimums 

Each state has set out their own minimums when it comes to staying legal. This means that if you want to get the bare minimum, you’re capped off at a certain amount. In New Hampshire, you’re not even required to buy auto insurance, making it unfortunate if you’re hit by someone from that state. In Minnesota, you need to have at least $30,000 worth of coverage for bodily injury, $10,000 for physical property and $60,000 limit for each incident. This is one of the higher minimums, meaning you likely won’t need to pay anything out of pocket. 

Understanding the Law 

Staying legal isn’t just about minimums though, it’s about thinking ahead. What happens if someone hits you and they’re uninsured? Do you have the time or the money to either go through litigation or to fix your car on your own? Most people who sue uninsured motorists are unable to recover anything, so this is a major concern. You may need additional coverage and not even know it. Safechoice Insurance Agency can help you make better choices when it comes to staying safe on the road. It’s tempting to go with the cheapest policy, but that choice can end up costing you more than you ever could have imagined. Call us today if you live in Rochester, MN and want to have your questions answered or if you need a quote. 

 

Why Auto Insurance is Particularly Important in Rochester, MN

If you live in Rochester, MN, and you are the owner of a motor vehicle, you should know that auto insurance is very important. In fact, it is required if you drive a vehicle. In Minnesota, it is particularly important that you have auto insurance coverage, because of the harsh winters that can affect your driving.

During the winter months, it is a very good idea to have roadside assistance in addition to the policy you normally have. Slide offs happen more often when the roads are icy and being stuck in a ditch, it can be great to have roadside assistance available to come and rescue you and your passengers. You can actually end up saving money this way, as you will be paying for the relatively inexpensive roadside assistance instead of having to pay expensive bills to have your car towed. Also, accidents are more likely when the roads are slippery, so it helps to have auto insurance even more than it does during the other times of the year. They are more likely to end up actually getting use out of their auto insurance coverage in the winter when accidents are more likely, as are damage and injuries. Comprehensive coverage will help you a great deal by protecting you against the higher risk of collisions and potential storm damage during the winters in this state. It is always important to have auto insurance coverage, as there is always a risk that an unexpected crisis situation could take place. However, you are more likely to benefit from this protection in the winter, due to all of the added risks that are present at this time of the year.

If you are interested in knowing more about auto insurance in the city of Rochester, MN, you should consider contacting Safechoice Insurance Agency. The agents at Safechoice Insurance Agency can answer any questions you might have and give you any information you need about how important auto insurance is for you as a resident of the state of Minnesota.

Freedom of Choice is Available with Safechoice Insurance Agency

Auto insurance is a fact of life required by law, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that your choices are limited. At Safechoice Insurance Agency, our independent agents can help you. Together we can discuss what levels of auto coverage will serve you, and which insurance providers offer it at a cost efficient rate that will make you smile. If this is your first car, we can help you understand the terms used in insurance coverage, find discounts you might not have known about, and get you the coverage you need to be confident on the road. If you have multiple vehicles, or perhaps if you collect vintage cars, then contact us today. We can help you save money and have peace of mind that your investment is protected. Proudly serving the Rochester, MN area, we provide auto insurance information on coverage and rates that let you make the final decision about where your insurance will come from for your vehicle or vehicles.

Minnesota law requires a certain level of auto insurance coverage. It’s called the No Fault system and means that everyone driving a car must have at least enough insurance to cover their own injuries in case of accident. Not only you, but anyone who drives your car must have the legally required minimum insurance coverage. But that level of insurance provides only minimal coverage. Beyond that, your needs can vary. You might want specialized coverage for an antique car, or perhaps your teen son has just passed his driving test. Here in the Rochester, MN area, the agents at Safechoice Insurance Agency have access to a broad range of coverage choices and rates to meet your needs. Call us today at 507-208-9282.