Auto Insurance: Unseen Benefits

Auto insurance is indispensable for vehicle protection. While you’re aware it comes to the rescue in the event of an accident, your policy may cover a multitude of other unforeseen issues. Keep in mind that policies may differ; hence, it is recommended that you consult with your insurance representative at Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL, for further clarification.

Animal Damage

The state of Florida is populated with a variety of animals, both wild and domestic ones. Potential vehicle damage may arise from rodents nibbling on the wires and upholstery, raccoons or even naughty pranks done by your household pets. Consult with your representative to ensure your auto insurance policy covers animal-inflicted vehicle damage.

Lost Wages

A bare minimum of $10,000 in Florida is mandated for PIP coverage. But are you aware that this can also cover up to 60% of lost wages due to an injury resulting from a vehicular accident? Remember that this benefit may have an upper limit, so make sure to refer to your policy terms.

Weather Damage

Considering Florida’s constant weather changes, it’s crucial to ensure your policy covers possible damages caused by storms, falling trees or branches, hail storms, and even tornadoes.

Pothole and Sinkhole Damage

Given Florida’s predominantly limestone bedrock, occurrences of potholes and sinkholes are relatively common. These encounters may cause significant damage, ranging from suspension, bent tire rims, and alignment issues. In the extreme case of a sinkhole, it may even swallow your car! By having collision coverage in place, the repair costs due to pothole damage and sinkhole losses might be covered, depending on the terms of your specific policy.

For a thorough understanding of your specific auto insurance policy, feel free to consult with your insurance company representative at Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL, who will gladly answer all your inquiries!

An auto insurance policyholder is always seeking protection from any threat of financial losses stemming from involvement in a road accident. Sometimes, the coverage provided does not exceed your expectations. Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL, can assist with creating an auto insurance policy that includes all the basic components.  

Select Bodily Injury Liability Coverage

All drivers want auto insurance that protects them financially, especially if they cause a vehicle accident that injures others. Bodily injury liability coverage pays for all expenses (medical bills, rehabilitation visits, and lost wages) of the injured party following the mishap.

The coverage is available to all drivers on the auto insurance policy. Some policyholders will opt to have more than the state minimum to protect their personal assets. The bodily injury liability coverage transfers over when permission is granted to drive another person’s automobile. 

Add Property Damage Coverage

Another basic component to add to your auto insurance policy is property damage coverage. The purpose of the coverage is to pay for all damage done to another person’s property following a street accident. Insurance providers define property as fences, building walls, and mailboxes.

Sometimes, a vehicle could end up inside the home. The property damage coverage will pay for all interior and exterior repairs. In extreme cases of this nature, the homeowner’s insurance policy will cover all the remaining amount after your coverage has exceeded its limit.

Not every auto insurance policy is the same. But every driver needs the basic components to be fully protected when traveling. If you have questions about auto insurance, speak with a representative from Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL. They have the experience to answer your questions and create a policy that protects your financial interests. Call and schedule an in-office meeting today. 

The experienced auto insurance agents at Runnels Insurance serving the Brandon, FL area can explain what auto insurance covers.

In Florida, driving without at least an auto liability insurance policy is illegal. A liability policy will provide coverage if you cause an accident and someone is injured or damaged property.

What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

In addition to auto liability insurance, there is an array of other types of auto insurance you can choose from.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance

Comprehensive auto insurance will come in handy if your vehicle is damaged by a fire, vandalism, or even a natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane. Your comprehensive auto insurance policy can help you replace or repair your vehicle, depending on the situation. Comprehensive auto insurance can also help if someone steals your car, SUV, or truck by replacing it.

Collision Insurance

Collision insurance is designed to help you cover the cost of damage if you collide with an object or another vehicle.

Remember that you owe a lender for the purchase price of your vehicle; you will more than likely be required to have both comprehensive and collision insurance.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Insurance

This type of insurance is designed to help you if another driver causes an accident, you are injured, or your vehicle is damaged. They have no insurance, or they do not have enough insurance to cover everything it needs to.

Contact Runnels Insurance

To create the best auto insurance policy for you, contact the agents at Runnels Insurance serving the Brandon, FL area today!

To drive in Florida, you must have a driver’s license, drive a registered motor vehicle, and have auto insurance on that vehicle. If you don’t comply with any of these, you are violating the law and could be subject to fines. At Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL, we know the laws in Florida, and we are here to help our customers comply with all of the requirements. 

Insurance card

Your insurance card is proof that you have insurance coverage. When you renew or take out a new policy, the insurance company will send you a copy of your insurance card. If you lose it, you should be able to print a new one out online or call the insurance company, and they can send you a new one. It must be carried in your vehicle’s glove box at all times. Placing it in a clear plastic sleeve will protect it from damage. It should be placed with your vehicle registration. 

Vehicle registration

Cars in Florida must be registered. You can choose to register the vehicle for one year or two years. Vehicles can be registered online at the MyDMV Portal, and your registration will be mailed to you. If you can’t do it online, you can go to a local service center. Place your registration in your glove box with your insurance card. 

Drivers license 

Everyone needs a driver’s license to drive in Florida. Driver’s licenses in Florida are good for eight years. Since a license is also a picture ID used for identification, most people carry it on their person at all times. Therefore, it should be in the vehicle when you are there. 

Contact Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL to discuss any questions about auto insurance and get a no-obligation quote.

In the Brandon, FL area, it will be very important to own a vehicle as it makes it much easier to get around town and to and from work. As you are going to look for a vehicle in this area, picking an insurance plan is also important. There are a lot of reasons why you will always need to have a full auto insurance plan when you are in this part of Florida. 

Insurance is Mandatory by Law to Drive

A reason that you will need to have an auto insurance plan when you are in Florida is so you can drive legally. Drivers that are in this state need to carry liability insurance if they want to drive on a public road. This law ultimately protects all other motorists on the road as it offers assurances that someone who causes an accident can cover damages. If you don’t have coverage, you may be penalized. 

Insurance Protects Car

You also should get an auto insurance policy to ensure your car is protected. Having a full policy that has collision and comprehensive protection is helpful as it ensures you can repair or replace your vehicle if you incur a loss. Without this protection, you would need to pay for all repairs or even a full vehicle replacement with personal savings. 

People that would like to purchase a car in the Brandon, FL area should always have auto insurance. When you are in the process of picking a new insurance plan, calling  Runnels Insurance can be quite helpful. As you are looking for an insurance plan here, Runnels Insurance can help by explaining all of your options and giving the support you need to choose a plan that will give the right coverage for you and your vehicle. 

Your driving habits are unique to you. So too is the kind of vehicle you drive, how you use it, and even who uses the vehicle. You need to do what you can to protect it, as damage to your vehicle can result in expensive repairs and out of pocket expenses. At Runnels Insurance we’re here to help assist in finding the right kind of auto insurance and auto insurance add ons when you live in greater Brandon, FL. So, here are some of the basics regarding auto insurance add ons. 

Roadside Assistance

This helps provide assistance if your vehicle runs into trouble, which can range from changing a battery to replacing a tire to more serious issues. Whatever the problem might be, if you’re on the side of the road and need help, roadside assistance insurance can help. 

Uninsured Motorist Insurance

Nobody likes being involved in an accident, but what makes matters worse is if the other driver doesn’t have auto insurance. You could push a lawsuit on the driver for not having insurance, but chances are if they don’t have insurance they probably don’t have much money, and a lawsuit will only drag out. With uninsured motorists insurance, you will protect your vehicle and ensure you receive the necessary coverage you need for your vehicle. 

Finding Auto Insurance Add Ons

There is almost no limit to the kind of add ons for your vehicle. But what is the right kind of insurance add on for you to go for? That is ultimately up to you. Our staff here at Runnels Insurance can help address all of the questions or concerns you might have, so, if you live around Brandon, FL, you’ll want to give our staff a call at your earliest convenience. 

When teens reach driving age, they get excited about everything that entails their new journey as a driver. Everything except for car insurance, that is. Between learning how to drive, choosing a cool car, planning where to drive with friends once they get their permit or driver’s license, to finding a job that will cover their gas costs, teens may even forget to think about auto insurance in the first place.

However, the opposite should be the case: Runnels Insurance agents believe that auto insurance should be at the forefront of the minds of teens and their parents. Finding the right policy is not just up to the teen; a parent’s help and input are priceless in this case. Auto insurance for teens in Brandon, FL can be a tricky purchase. Here are some tips for teens and their parents to consider while shopping for that coveted first auto insurance policy.

1. Add The Teen To An Existing Family Auto Insurance Policy

While a straightforward approach to car insurance for teens may be to buy a brand new policy, parents should consider adding their kids to an existing family policy. Not only can this save money, but it can also offer the brand-new driver with a better start to their driving track record.

To accommodate this addition, parents can choose to raise their overall deductible. This allows for adequate coverage for the new driver, since teenagers are typically considered a risky demographic for insurance companies.

In addition to increasing their deductible, parents can purchase a personal liability umbrella policy. This type of addition cushions an existing policy from its own limits. This way, if the teen gets involved in an accident where the cost of damages exceeds the existing policy, the umbrella policy can kick in.

2. The Teen Should Attend Driving School

As a parent, are you planning to teach your own child how to drive?

Of course, this is certainly an option, and it may seem like you would save money by taking this route. Driving school can be costly, after all.

However, consider letting your child attend driving school anyway. The cost of driving school may lower your insurance policy payment and increase your child’s coverage. When a teen enrolls in driving school, there is a clear record of driving performance which can be shown to your insurance provider. This typically makes the teen less of a liability for the purposes of insurance.

3. Purchase A Safe Vehicle

Did you know that the type of vehicle tied to an insurance policy can affect its cost and coverage parameters?

Teens often hope to score a flashy, sporty car that looks cool and drives fast. Sports cars and small cars in general can be interpreted as a liability by an insurance provider. In fact, most brand-new cars can cause an increased insurance rate.

If you hope to keep your insurance rate reasonable, go with a safe, used car. Any car that has a good track record in the industry, has four doors, and average mileage should work well as a starter vehicle.

Are You Ready To Purchase Your Teen’s Auto Insurance?

Before the teen goes out into the world with his or her fancy new license to freedom, it’s time to invest in some protection. Runnels Insurance can help you purchase a policy that works for the entire family. Contact us today for a quote that works with your budget and provides you with the best in terms of coverage.

If you have been driving a motorcycle for any amount of time, you know that driving a motorcycle is vastly different from driving a car. For this reason, insurance coverage of a motorcycle is also vastly different. In order to be safe and insured properly, it is important to understand these differences. 

Two Wheels Just Isn’t The Same

Driving on two wheels just is not the same as driving on four. The risk factors are increased drastically. For this reason, insurance must be different. If you have never insured a motorcycle before, be prepared to have a different rate and possibly a different policy for your motorcycle. 

Passengers

There are also significant distinctions when it comes to passengers. In an automobile, it is assumed that there will be more than one passenger since the vehicle is built for multiple passengers. This is not the case with a motorcycle. With a motorcycle, it is assumed there will only be one passenger. Therefore, if you plan to have passengers ride with you, you will need to add this to your insurance policy. If you overlook this step and allow passengers to ride with you without adding passengers to your policy you could get into a lot of trouble. 

Time of Use

Motorcycle insurance also gives you the option of only paying for coverage when you will be using the bike. This is very handy for people who only use their bike during certain seasons of the year. If you do not ride all year long, then you can save money by only getting part-time coverage. 

If you would like to learn more about motorcycle coverage, please contact our friendly staff today at Runnels Insurance in Brandon, FL. We would be delighted to answer your questions. 

Driving and navigating the roadways in Brandon, FL can be a stressful and complicated process. Even traveling the same streets on a daily basis can suddenly have surprises and obstructions, such as stopped traffic or road work, making navigation even more difficult. Because of the risks that come with driving, it is essential that you take the appropriate measures to remain focused while driving. Everyday activities that many drivers engage in while behind the wheel constitute distracted driving, which can lead to serious, even fatal accidents. Here are 3 tips to help you avoid being a distracted driver.

Do Not Drive Fatigued

Staying focused on the roadway is critical for your safety and the safety of the other drivers around you. One of the most common causes of fatal accidents is driving while fatigued. Driving while you are tired produces the same effects as driving while under the influence; you may fall asleep at the wheel, you can easily lose focus on what is around you and you will not have the alertness that is necessary when driving.

Do Not Groom While Driving

The rearview mirror in your vehicle is designed to help you see what is behind you it is not designed to be used as a bathroom mirror. You should either complete your grooming before leaving home or wait until you reach your destination-this includes shaving your face, fixing your hair and/or putting on makeup. It only takes one second of not focusing on the road to cause serious injuries to yourself and/or others on the roadway.

Silence Cell Phone While Driving

Keep your cell phone put away while you are driving. You shouldn’t ever, under any circumstances text, dial a number or video record while you are driving. If you must make a call, either pull over to a safe place or use a hands-free set to make the process safer for everyone. It is best to turn your phone off or to vibrate to avoid the distraction of answering calls while driving.

It is also important that you always keep your hands on the wheel, so do not eat or drink while driving and if you are listening to the radio, be sure to keep the sound low enough so you can hear other drivers on the roadway.

Residents of Brandon, FL who are interested in reviewing their current auto insurance policy or purchasing a new policy should contact Runnels Insurance.

Most lenders require you to carry full coverage on your vehicle while you owe on your loan. Once you own your car outright though, you have the option of dropping full coverage. Should you though? Although you may save a little on premiums if your vehicle becomes damaged the repair or replacement cost without full coverage may exceed costs you can bear.

When It Becomes an Option
There comes a time in the life of every car when it makes more sense for its owner to drop down from full coverage to liability. 

• You’ve paid it off in full.
• The annual cost of full coverage becomes greater than 10 percent of the car’s current Blue Book value.
• The vehicle is eight years old or older.

But Is It a Good Option?
Consider what you lose if you drop coverage down to liability only. Liability covers damage and injury to the other person’s vehicle. That’s it. You’ll lose: 

• collision insurance that covers damage to your own vehicle due to any type of collision accident (i.e. another car or a tree).
• comprehensive insurance that covers damage to your own vehicle from weather, fire, fallen tree limbs, etc. It also covers vehicle theft.
• rental car in case of an accident that renders your vehicle undrivable.

If your regular driving requirements mean you are regularly subjected to dangerous driving conditions, it may serve you better to keep full coverage. Also, if you don’t have the funds on hand to replace your car or pay for expensive repairs, keeping full coverage makes sense.

Visit Runnels Insurance serving Brandon, FL to discuss your car insurance options. We’ll help you make an informed insurance decision.