Since almost everyone has had to buy car insurance, we all probably have heard and learned a number of myth-conceptions about car insurance. A good auto insurance agent will explain your coverage to you but many people think they can bypass the agent and do it all online or with someone at a 800# in India to save a buck. Remember, you get what you pay for. And, did you know that going through an agent doesn't cost you any more than it would if you went direct! But 15 minutes could cost you a bundle. Don’t wait till after an accident to find out you don’t have the coverage you thought.
Common car insurance myth-conceptions
Myth: Full Coverage
Truth: Full coverage is a myth. If it existed, and covered anything and everything, you likely could not afford it. Full coverage is a term the banks came up with to mean you have the insurance required for financing the car, in other words, the loan is fully covered, not you.
Myth: Red Cars Cost More to Insure
Truth: Color does not affect the rate of your insurance. What is taken into consideration is the make, model, body type, engine size, year and of course the driver’s information. So a red sports car costs the same to insure as a green sports car (even if the latter isn't as pretty). A red station wagon costs the same to insure as green one. But the sports car does cost more to insure than the station wagon, and they usually come in red and most station wagons don’t.
Myth: Expensive Cars Cost More to Insure
Truth: The repair cost of a vehicle and that model’s accident frequency actually are more of a factor than the car’s purchase price. A mid-priced car that more kids can afford to drive or that is difficult to repair will cost more to insure than luxury car that is typically driven by more mature drivers. Check with your insurance agent before buying a car to avoid sticker shock.
Myth: The Driver’s Insurance Covers an Accident
Truth: If someone borrows your car and then gets in a wreck, it is your insurance (or you, if you don’t have insurance) that will be responsible. If you borrow someone’s car and get in an accident, the owner’s insurance picks up the tab. The car owner’s insurance is always primary, the driver’s insurance is secondary (if it is covered at all —be sure to discuss your policy exclusions with your agent).
Myth: Your Loan Will Get Paid Off if Your Car is Totaled
Truth: Car insurance is designed to pay you (or your bank) the fair market value of your car. If you owe more on the car than it is worth, you are responsible for the difference. Even if the loan is paid off, you still have no car and will probably have to find money for a downpayment and get a new loan to buy your replacement car. Be careful when buying a car that you don’t pay more for it than it is worth.
NOTE: If it costs more to fix your car than it is worth, the company will ‘total’ it and usually offer you the chance to buy the ‘totaled’ car back for the same price they can get for it from the scrap yard.
Myth: Credit History Does Not Affect Insurance Rates
Truth: Even though there are many factors that influence credit, insurers have found that overall, a person who has poor credit is more likely to have an accident in the coming year than someone with good credit. In the past the only data the companies had was driving records, now they are finding that poor credit record can tell them more than a few speeding tickets. For the best rates, keep a close watch on your credit score.
Myth: Not-At-Fault Accidents Don’t Count as Claims
Truth: You don’t have to be ‘at fault’ to lose your No Claims discount. Call it the unlucky tax if you want, but it costs the insurance company money to handle your not-at-fault claim and you are more likely to have another one in the next year than the guy who has no claims at all.
Myth: Letting My Coverage Lapse Will Save Me Money
Truth: Going a few months without insurance may keep you from having to pay premiums but when you reinstate your policy, you will probably have to pay a higher rate due to the lapse. This higher rate, over the course of a year, could be more than your savings. Have your agent work up a quote for you as if you were starting over today and had not had insurance for a few months. Then you can make a more informed decision.
Note: If you drop your insurance and are still driving, you could get a ticket which will cost you more than you saved or, even worse, get in an accident with no insurance. Don’t take the risk.
Myth: Stuff in My Car is Covered by My Car Insurance
Truth: If stolen out of your car, your ‘stuff’ is still only covered by your homeowners or renters insurance just as if it was stolen out of your home. If you don’t have homeowners or renters insurance, we can fix that! Contact us for a free renters or home insurance quote.
Myth: Your Car Insurance Covers Business Use of Your Car
Truth: If you use your vehicle for business purposes or as a daily part of your job, your personal auto insurance may not protect you. While business/commercial auto insurance can cost more, you want to make sure there is coverage after an accident.
More food for thought - check out our blog on 8 Criteria That Affects Your Car Insurance Premium, that will help make sense along with the above.
What other car insurance myths have you heard? Share them in the comments!
All of the Insurance companies we represent provide a wide range of auto Insurance products at a fair price. When applying for auto Insurance in League City, Texas, you're usually asked whether you want collision and/or comprehensive coverage, how high you want your deductible to be, what liability limits you want, and whether you want any types of optional coverage. We can help you understand what these terms mean and how much coverage is right for you.
Give us a call at 281-520-4090 or contact us through one of our online quote forms, and we'll be happy to answer any of your insurance questions.
While you are at it, be sure your vehicles (personal and business) have emergency kits for just in case preparedness. Check out our Car Emergency Kit blog to help give you an idea of what to put in them.