As a vehicle gets older, the needs for auto insurance may change. Some risks may reduce if, for example, a car loan is being paid down and the insurance on the auto required by the lender is only required to be the loan balance. Even in this example, it may not be the best idea to lower vehicle coverage. Instead, at least keep it insured for the actual value if that happens to be higher than the loan balance.

In other circumstances, the risk for an older vehicle may go up due to the chance of having a mechanical failure. In general, the risk of liability to others does not change because they can be injured or killed by an old car just as easily as a newer one.

The best practices are to have an annual auto insurance review so that your agent at The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandpoint, ID and the surrounding area, can give you good advice about what to adjust in terms of your auto insurance needs.

Replacement Insurance

If your vehicle is critically important and you would not be able to live without it, it may be a good idea to have replacement cost coverage so that if it is totaled or stolen without being recovered you can get another vehicle of the same type. One strategy to consider is to get this kind of policy with a larger deductible to keep the premiums under control. You may be out-of-pocket for the deductible if something bad happens but still, get another vehicle. Talk to your agent about this.

Annual Review

When you have an annual review your agent will ask questions about any changes made to the vehicle in terms of who drives it, where it is parked, and how many miles it is driven monthly. 

Each situation is slightly different so discuss the coverage types and levels with your agent to understand all the options. Call to speak with your agent at The Insurance Shop USA in Sandpoint, ID for all of your auto and other insurance needs.

Driving a car is a normal responsibility that many people share. When you have a car in the Sandpoint ID area, you should spend time carefully considering your auto insurance needs. When you have a good policy in place, you can receive a variety of different types of protection from your auto insurance.

Protects for Liability

While many people drive safely on a daily basis, accidents do happen. If you are found to be at fault in an accident, you could be facing some significant personal liability. When you have an auto insurance policy in place, you will receive liability protection up to the level of your policy. This will come in handy if you are found to be at fault in an accident that causes either property damage or bodily injury. Additionally, having this type of coverage is required by law in Idaho.

Covers Your Car

Additionally, your auto policy can give you great coverage for your car. Most people invest a lot of money in their car. To ensure that it is always there for you, it is important that you get a full auto insurance policy. When you get collision and comprehensive coverage, you can receive coverage in the event you suffer a loss as a result of theft, vandalism, auto accidents, and a variety of other issues. 

There are clearly many benefits that come with having a quality auto insurance policy. When you are shopping for your next policy in the Sandpoint, ID area, you should speak with the team at The Insurance Shop USA. The insurance professionals at The Insurance Shop USA can help you get into a policy that properly protects you and your vehicle. This will ensure you are properly covered and have peace of mind. 

If you are new to the state of Idaho, welcome! The Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires registration of a vehicle in the state of Idaho within 90 days of moving to the state. You must be a resident of Idaho and the vehicle must be physically in the state in order to register it with the DMV.

Minimum Auto Insurance Required by Law in Idaho

Idaho also has minimum auto insurance requirements, which are required to operate a vehicle in the state.

These Idaho auto insurance requirements are:

• Liability Coverage for Bodily Injuries: $25,000 for each person and $50,000 for each accident.
• Liability Coverage for Property Damage: $15,000 for each accident.

If you are planning a move Idaho with your vehicle, contact an agent at The Insurance Shop USA, serving Sandpoint ID and the surrounding area, to get auto insurance coverage. Most people need more than the basic legal minimums to have adequate insurance protection. Since the law only requires minimal levels of coverage for injuries and property damage, most people increase these amounts and add comprehensive coverage for more protection for themselves and their vehicle.

Coverage for Uninsured and Under-insured Drivers

Idaho is an “at-fault” state, which means a driver of a vehicle is responsible for any damages, injuries, or deaths caused by an accident that is determined to be their fault. While there is no legal requirement to have uninsured or under-insured motorist coverage in the state of Idaho, it is still a good idea to have it. The reason is that just because someone is at fault, and therefore has the legal liability to pay for damages, this does not guarantee that they have the financial ability to do so. Winning a lawsuit may be possible, however, collecting the judgment for damages may be difficult.

Consult with your agent at The Insurance Shop USA in Sandpoint, ID to discuss these matters and get any questions answered that you may have about auto insurance in Idaho.

The purpose of mandatory car insurance is to provide proof that a driver will be able to pay for liabilities in the event of a car crash in Sandpoint, ID. While there is no federal mandate that requires all drivers across the country to buy auto insurance, every state has different laws regarding the issue of auto insurance policies.

When did auto insurance become mandatory?

The debate on making auto insurance compulsory in the United States goes back several decades. Proponents of making auto insurance compulsory argued very reason that it is possible for a car owner to be unable to pay for damages to other people’s property in the event of an accident. It became apparent that some car owners or drivers with permission from the vehicle owners can cause a car crash, yet be unable to pay for damages and other expenses even when it has been determined that they were at-fault at the time of the crash. Massachusetts and Connecticut were the first states to enact compulsory car insurance laws in the 1920’s. The purpose of creating these laws was to help at-fault drivers resolve claims if they default on their accident payouts. Today, nearly every state has enacted mandatory auto insurance laws.

What is considered mandatory?

It might sound weird why health insurance, which is always attracting heated debate in Washington, is not mandatory yet auto insurance is mandatory. Your health insurance is all about you and your loved ones. Typically, the collision coverage option is not compulsory when the vehicle is paid off because it is protection for you. On the other hand, liability insurance from The Insurance Shop USA is almost always compulsory because it protects other road users or other people’s property. Essentially, if at-fault drivers won’t be held liable or be able to compensate others for the losses they are responsible for, the economy would suffer.

Protect yourself financially by investing in sufficient auto insurance from The Insurance Shop USA and you won’t have to worry about losing your assets or savings in case of a car accident. Our friendly agents will guide in choosing the right auto insurance coverages suitable for your budget and lifestyle.

It seems like the headlines are full of accidents where the driver was busy texting or checking an email on their phone while driving.  While this practice certainly poses a danger to the driver and others on the road, the Insurance Shop USA would like to remind Sandpoint, ID drivers that is not the only way a cell phone can cause a problem on the road.

Pedestrians are Texting Too!

More and more pedestrians across the country are walking down the sidewalk while staring down at their smartphones. They are tripping over garbage cans, falling into fountains and walking right out into traffic without ever looking up. The world is not just full of distracted drivers, it’s full of distracted people. Emergency rooms are treating more sprained ankles, twisted wrists, and even head injuries because nobody is actually looking where they are going.

Heads Up and Hands on the Wheel is Best

This means that in order to avoid an accident involving a pedestrian, it’ more important than ever to remain vigilant and stay focused on the task at hand. You’ll never see somebody cross against the light if you’re checking an email while in motion, or even while stopped waiting for the green light. By keeping your eyes pointed front and both hands on the wheel, you are driving defensive, instead of distracted.

The Insurance Shop USA reminds all the drivers that when riding around Sandpoint, ID, keep your cell phone locked up in the glove box or out of reach. If you need to use the phone while driving, invest in Bluetooth technology that allows you to dial a number with a simple voice command while your phone remains safely tucked out of sight and out of reach and avoid becoming just another statistic.