Car Insurance Agent’s Advice: Look Before you Park
Tuesday’s ice storm weighs heavily on trees and insurance experts have advice: look before you park. That could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Plenty of drivers don’t look for icicles above their cars when they park outside and that keeps insurance offices busy this time of year. State Farm Agent Gwen Brooks says, “People hitting each other and unforeseen events like icicles falling on cars, and limbs falling on top of cars.”
With winter weather comes winter damages and Brooks say insurance claims are on the rise. “We’ve seen claims as little as couple hundred bucks on up to thousands of dollars depending on the type of vehicle you own.”
Of course, your out-of-pocket costs depend on your coverage. “If an icicle or something like that falls on your car and you have liability insurance only, you’re own your own.”
For drivers with full-coverage, insurance may pay for the more expensive damages. But if your claim is almost worth as much as your deductible, it could cost you more in the long run, especially if your company hikes up your premium. “Maybe your deductible is $500 and the claim is only $600 or $800, it’s probably not worth turning it in.”
So if you’re not ready to shell out the money, some sound advice might keep the pennies in your pocket. “Watch where you park. Don’t park underneath a big icicle. Kind of look around you and make sure you’re not anywhere where something can damage your vehicle, or someone.”
And there are things you can do to prevent accidents. Simply fitting your vehicle with weather-appropriate tires and getting a tune up will help.
Most insurance plans can be customized. Brooks says if you go for the higher deductible, you may save money on the premium in the long run. Then again, you’ll have to pay up for the smaller claims.
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