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Allsurance Group

110 Garner Road, Suite 3
Spartanburg, SC 29303

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Auto Insurance and How Requirements Vary By State

Auto insurance is a product offered by many insurance providers across the United States. One thing that each insurance provider has to deal with, though, is state requirements. Depending on the state where you reside, insurance requirements will vary. At the Allsurance Group, we work to serve our Spartanburg, SC clients and educate them to ensure each requirement is met.

Standard Insurance Coverage

There are a set of standard auto insurance coverages which need including as part of a policy. States are going to drive the minimum car insurance requirements for each of these types of policies.

  • The first type of coverage is known as bodily injury liability. Bodily injury liability coverage offers protection when you are the at-fault party. In an auto accident, if you are liable for causing some type of bodily injury to another party, coverage kicks in.
  • Property damage liability is another common coverage type for auto insurance. If you damage the property of another party, you are going to be covered up to the limit of this particular protection. The coverage is only if you are found at-fault for causing the property damage.
  • The last common coverage type is personal injury protection (PIP). It is also known as no-fault coverage. When you are not at-fault for an accident and unable to collect from the at-fault party’s insurance company, coverage goes into effect.
  • Finally, the fourth coverage is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Not everyone has adequate auto insurance. An at-fault party may not have coverage to reimburse you for losses. If they have coverage below state minimums, this will protect you from eating the costs.

Shopping for a Policy

At the Allsurance Group, the team works to make sure that all of the state required minimums are satisfied with each auto insurance policy we quote. States dictate the requirements; the goal is to make sure they are in line. Serving Spartanburg, SC, be sure to reach out to our offices to learn more about a policy and how we can get you started.

Why Bigger Cars May Be Cheaper to Insure

One of the biggest myths out there about car insurance is that car insurance prices are based on the cost or value of the car, with some exceptions. As such, in theory, smaller cars should be cheaper to insure compared to larger cars or SUVs, as most are cheaper to buy than bigger cars. Here at Allsurance Group, serving the greater Spartanburg, SC area, we want to dispel the myths surrounding car insurance. Here are two reasons why bigger cars may be cheaper to insure, even though they are more expensive than many smaller cars. 

Larger Cars Are Involved in Fewer Accidents

One of the reasons why it may be cheaper to insure a larger car compared to a smaller one is that bigger cars are involved in fewer accidents than smaller ones. It is unknown exactly why this is, but many people think it is because people can see larger cars easier than smaller cars. It is harder to have a larger car in your blind spot or miss it. 

Larger Cars Sustain Less Damage Than Smaller Ones

The second reason why it may be cheaper to insure bigger cars is that larger cars sustain less damage in an accident compared to a smaller car. The more damage that is sustained, the more costly the repairs are. As such, smaller cars cost more to repair, which drives insurance costs up for smaller cars. 

There are many factors that go into determining how much car insurance will cost. The price or value of a car is not the only factor used. If you are looking to purchase a new auto insurance policy, contact Allsurance Group, serving the greater Spartanburg SC area. We can help to price out different policies and find you the policy that best meets your needs. 

No-Fault vs Fault Insurance in South Carolina

Allsurance Group agents in Spartanburg, SC are specialists in auto insurance policies and can compare and contrast the difference between no-fault and fault policies. The philosophy behind no-fault insurance is to avoid lawsuits by limiting the liability of the parties in a car accident and not requiring the parties to prove who was the cause of the accident or who was at fault. Twelve states and Puerto Rico are no-fault insurance jurisdictions. South Carolina is not a no-fault jurisdiction and permits lawsuits.

Standard No-Fault Policies Have Three Sections:

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

  • If anyone is injured, PIP pays the medical costs up to the state’s limits of the lost earned income for up to a certain number of years. For instance, Michigan’s PIP is 85% of the earned income which is reimbursed but only up to three years with a present maximum of $5,541/month.

Property Protection (PPI)

  • No-fault pays up to a certain limit for damage a car may be responsible for to the property of others, including damage to buildings and parked cars.

Residual Liability Insurance – Bodily Injury

  • Thus, in no-fault jurisdictions, even if there is a bodily injury to the drivers or passengers, no lawsuits are permitted because the liability of those who were operating the car or cars is limited by the limits of the no-fault insurance policy. As a result of no-fault insurance, insurance premiums are reduced as a result of the elimination of significant civil judgments. However, while lawsuits are prohibited there generally is an exception if a person is killed, disfigured, or injured severely.

Allsurance Group in Spartanburg, SC will cover your back and advise you through the car insurance policy process. Please contact us and have your questions answered!

How Are Your Points Held Against You In Auto Insurance?

Every insurance provider in Greenville or Spartanburg, SC will calculate your points differently. Depending on the insurance company, you might get a five percent bump in your rates with one insurer, and you might get a fifteen percent bump with another. The points themselves are added to your license by the South Carolina DMV, but every insurance provider will penalize you according to their own internal rule set. Allsurance Group can connect you to a range of providers so that you can find a forgiving insurer, but your best bet is to keep the points off your record in the first place.

Points will be added to your record based on many factors. Going ten miles over the limit on the highway might net you a single point, for instance, but going just a few miles over the limit in a school zone might net you two or more.

At 12 points, your license will be suspended. This doesn’t mean that you’re safe with your first-time offense if it’s a big one. Major offenses often bypass the points system entirely and go to instant suspension. But, all those little offenses can add up quickly, so you want to keep an eye on your points even if you’re a safe driver.

Some providers forgive your first accident without regard for points, and all insurers are required to honor points removed through defensive driving courses and so on. Even if you have some points on your record in Greenville or Spartanburg, SC, you have a lot of options to manage them and get excellent coverage through Allsurance Group. Reach out to our agents to learn more about a policy or try our online rating tool for quotes on auto insurance.

Do You Have Enough Auto Coverage for Your Teen Driver?

Having teens out on the road is a scary thing, not having enough insurance if they get into an accident is even scarier. There are a few different considerations that you should take when insuring your teen driver and the agents with Allsurance Group in the Spartanburg, SC area can help.

Time on the Road

The first thing to consider of course is how often your teen driver will be on the road and what their current level of experience is. If they have their license and have been driving for a while with no accidents, you may not need as much coverage. Also, if your teen is driving a new car versus an older car you may need more coverage. Not only to keep your teen safe but also to protect your investment in the car.

Another thing to consider is where you live

If you live in an area where there is a great deal of traffic and where your teen is going to come into contact with a large number of other drivers, you may need more coverage. You should also take the time to consider what car your teen will be driving and where they will be driving.

No matter what you answered to the above circumstances, you need at the very least basic liability coverage on your teen and the car they will be driving. If you are allowing them to drive a car that they will not own, you can add them to your policy and list them as a driver on a car that you already have insured. The real issue is to make sure you have enough coverage to be both legal and safe on the road. The agents with Allsurance Group can help those in Spartanburg, SC, and the surrounding areas, get the coverage they need.  

Taking Your Kids on the Road? Make Safety a Priority

Road trips are a great way to spend quality time with your family. By taking necessary precautions, everyone can have a safe and enjoyable time. Here are a few ways to make safety a priority on the road.

Review Car Insurance Policy

Review your auto insurance from Allsurance Group in Spartanburg, SC to make sure you’re up to date on your coverage. Having adequate insurance will give you greater peace of mind as you travel.  

Make Sure Everyone Buckles Up

Using seat belts can cut fatality risks in half in the event of a serious accident. Children, in particular, should be buckled up for safety. Children 5 and younger are required to travel in safety restraint seats in South Carolina. If you plan to travel out of state, you should check their requirements before heading out on the road.

Inspect your Vehicle

Vehicle prep is a must before going on the road. Have your car inspected to make sure it’s road worthy for long distance travels. Make sure your mechanic checks your tires, fluids, brakes, transmission, steering and engine. If you need an oil change, get it done before your trip rather than after.

Pack an emergency travel kit with items you may need in case of trouble, i.e. flashlight, batteries, jumper cables, oil, tire sealant, coolant, basic tools, and extra fuses. A good GPS and road map will help you reach your destination safely.  

Get Sufficient Rest

Get enough rest the night before traveling and take breaks periodically during your trip to stay alert while driving. Share driving responsibilities with your spouse or someone else you trust if you start to get drowsy.  

Safe driving and good auto insurance coverage from Allsurance Group in Spartanburg, SC will keep you well protected on the road. Reach out to us today to find out about our various auto policies.