Navigating Auto Insurance for Young Drivers

Navigating Auto Insurance as a Young Driver

Obtaining auto insurance can be a mix of excitement and confusion for young drivers in the greater Asheville, NC area. At Asheville Insurance Center, we’re dedicated to helping you find the right policies, including those designed specifically for young drivers. Let’s explore some key considerations to make this process more manageable.

Understanding The Risks

Insurance companies often perceive young drivers as higher risk owing to their limited driving experience. This perception can lead to higher insurance premiums compared to more experienced drivers. It’s vital for young drivers, as well as their parents, to understand this risk factor.

Choosing The Right Coverage

When selecting auto insurance coverage, it’s important to strike a balance between sufficient coverage and affordability. While comprehensive coverage offers the most extensive protection, it may not be necessary for every young driver, especially those driving older or less valuable vehicles.

The Role of Parents

Parents can play a significant role in helping young drivers navigate the auto insurance process. They can include their child on their existing policy, potentially leading to lower premiums than obtaining a standalone policy. Furthermore, parents can share their wisdom about responsible driving habits to help their child maintain a clean driving record.

Building A Positive Driving History

Encouraging good driving habits from the start is critical for young drivers. Maintaining a clean driving record can lead to lower insurance premiums over time as insurers factor past accidents and traffic violations into their rate determinations.

Obtaining auto insurance as a young driver in the greater Asheville, NC area requires careful planning and deliberation. If you’re a young driver or a parent looking for insurance coverage for a young driver, reach out to Asheville Insurance Center. We’re here to help you explore your options and secure the coverage you need.

Which optional auto insurance coverages should you buy?

Auto insurance comes with many coverages designed to cover different aspects of your policy.  The minimum liability coverage required by law is not enough to cover theft, collisions, vandalism, and injuries. That’s why Asheville Insurance Center recommends checking optional coverages to help protect yourself and your loved ones. This article will help you understand some of the optional coverages and what they cover.

Roadside assistance

This coverage is designed for emergencies. It helps you find assistance when you run out of gas, need a spare tire, or if you’re locked out of your car. It also covers towing expenses to the nearby garage if your vehicle breaks down. Roadside assistance is essential for drivers who spend long hours on the roads.

Collision and comprehensive coverages

Collision and comprehensive coverages protect your car from theft, fire, vandalism, and other damages. They pay for your injuries and repair your vehicle in case of a collision with another vehicle, tree, rock, wall, or animal.

Towing and labor coverage

Most insurance companies in Asheville, NC offer towing and labor insurance as a separate policy. However, you can still find options that include towing in your road assistance coverage. Towing can be pretty expensive, which explains why most companies include it separately. The cost typically varies based on the towing distance.

Glass coverage

If you have bought a windshield before, you know how expensive it can get. Windshield damage is quite common, which prompted insurance companies to include coverage that pays for a damaged windshield. Most coverages also include the rear windows, side windows, and sunroofs.

Looking to add some optional auto insurance coverages? Feel free to contact Asheville Insurance Center in Asheville, NC to find the right coverages for your auto insurance needs. Call us today!

When Should You Shop For New Auto Insurance?

Auto insurance is probably one of your most important monthly expenses. This is true mainly because you have a legal obligation to your community to carry auto insurance. Because of the high priority status, auto insurance should have in your budget. It is important to make sure you are always getting the best deal.  At Asheville Insurance Center, serving Asheville, NC, we want to help you make the best insurance choices. Keep reading to find out when you should be shopping around for new auto insurance. 

Annually

To make sure you are always getting the best deal, it is a good idea to shop around and compare rates at least once a year. This gives you the chance to see if other companies have started any new promotions or initiated any new discounts. 

Getting Married

If you are getting married, then you will want to discuss with your spouse new auto insurance. Auto insurance companies often offer discounts for married couples. Combining two policies can also make you eligible for special discounts sometimes as well. 

Buying a Home 

Many insurance companies offer discounts for those who also own a home. If you are in the home buying process, you should take the time to compare companies to see who may have the best discounts available for you. 

Adding a Driver

If you have a now driving-age teenager, you will need to add them to your insurance. You want to make sure you can get the best deal possible during this important change. Compare rates and find out if companies offer good student discounts. 

If you would like to learn more about our insurance products, please contact us at Asheville Insurance Center, serving Asheville, NC. We will be happy to answer your questions and try to get you the best possible insurance rates. 

What Is A “No-Fault” Accident?

The agents of Asheville Insurance Center work with residents in and around the Asheville, NC area. We are always available to answer questions about their insurance and the various types of coverage they offer. Many customers have questions about "no-fault" accidents and how they affect a person’s insurance premiums. It’s essential to understand what a "no-fault" accident is and how they sometimes occur.

Circumstances Beyond Your Control

Circumstances that are beyond your control are primarily the cause of most "no-fault" accidents. An excellent example of this type of accident is if an animal runs out in front of you. There is only so much you can do to avoid the accident if an animal jumps into your path. It’s not your fault, but the accident occurred anyway in spite of your best efforts to prevent it. In some cases, one car might hit something that causes a chain reaction of accidents in its wake.

Single Car Accidents

Single car accidents that occur because of weather conditions or merely lousy road conditions may also be declared "no-fault." An unknown defect in your car may also lead to a single-car accident. Sliding on black ice or on surfaces that don’t appear to be slick can also result in "no-fault" accidents

If you live in the Asheville, NC area and have questions about "no-fault" accidents, call the agents at Asheville Insurance Center. They have the experience and knowledge to answer all of your questions. We can go over your existing policy to make sure you have the coverage you need. If you prefer, we can set you up with a new policy that bundles your home and auto into one convenient package. Call today and get the answers you’re looking for.