Does my marital status play any role in deciding my home insurance policy in Washington D.C?

Your Washington D.C. home insurance policy provides coverage for your dwelling, the physical contents within your house, and for any liability you may incur for injuries or damage to other people or their property while on your property. It is not like life insurance that protects your spouse and your loved ones. It is not like auto insurance that protects you, your car and other people who may be involved in an accident. When your insurance company writes a policy, they do not care if you are married, single or divorced.

It is a bit of a stretch to say that your marital status will play any significant role in deciding what type of home insurance you might want to buy for your Washington D.C. home. You may need to buy more insurance if you get married and your spouse brings in a case full of diamond rings and other valuable jewelry.

Normally, the content coverage of your standard home insurance policy is equal to one half of the value of the dwelling, but if you have unusually high-valued items, you can buy additional coverage to protect those items if damaged, lost or stolen.

If you decide to get married and move out of your home into another, you will have to get a new home policy, but that is not really based on the fact that you have a spouse, but rather, on the value of the new home and the risk of loss that it presents to your insurer.

Your marital status can play a personal role in deciding what insurance policy you ultimately choose to buy. As your independent agent, we are here to make sure you get the right home insurance coverage you need no matter what your marital status or personal living situation is in your home. Give us a call and we will help make sure that your policy meets your needs.

Should I be listed on my dad’s auto insurance policy in Washington D.C to be covered if an accident occurs?

An auto insurance policy in Washington D.C. will automatically cover the primary policy holder as well as any other drivers specifically listed on the policy. If you just got your driver’s license and are still living at home with your parents, you probably should make sure that your dad has you listed as a possible driver on his auto policy. That way you will be covered if you borrow the car and happen to get into an accident.

Most auto policies automatically cover other family members living in the same household as the driver and owner of the vehicle being insured. Automobile insurance actually covers the vehicle and as long as you are either listed on the policy or have been given permission to drive the car, you are covered.

So as long as your mother, sister and brother are licensed drivers, they are covered when driving the family car. You are covered on your dad’s policy if you go away to college and then come back to stay with your family during the summer break. If you get into an accident on your way back from a Washington D.C. nightclub, you are covered, but you will probably have to hear a lecture from your dad. You are not covered if your permanent residence is in another state and you only come home for Thanksgiving dinner.

Your father may decide not to list you as a driver because your age or driving record will make his premium double. However, if you get into an accident, depending on the circumstances, you may still be covered. For more information on whether or not you are covered on your dad’s auto policy, please give us a call. An independent agent will be happy to review the policy and make sure you are covered and it is safe to drive your dad’s car.

Do claims play a vital role in deciding ones auto insurance premium in Laurel, Maryland?

Suppose you are stopped at a traffic signal waiting for it to turn green and someone behind you is not paying attention and plows into the back of your car. If the damage is more than just a tiny scratch to your bumper, like most people, you will call your independent agent who will then report the accident to your insurance company.

Assuming you have an auto policy that provides collision coverage, you can file a claim with your car insurance company so you can get your car repaired as quickly as possible. Your insurance premium will not go up for a single accident that is not your fault. Your insurers in Laurel, Maryland can then turn around and seek reimbursement from the other driver’s auto insurance company. In addition, if you had a deductible and had to pay the first $500 of repair costs out of your pocket, your insurance company will probably get your money back and send you a check for those out-of-pocket expenses.

Now if you file one or two claims over a five year period, your premium will probably not go up. It is not so much the size of the claim that can cause your premium to go up, but rather the frequency of claims filed over a given period of time. The number of claims you file plays a much bigger role in the rate you will pay on your auto policy.

Deciding to file a claim for a little ding to your paint when you already filed two similar types of claims in the past year is probably not a good idea if you don’t want to risk an increase in your premium. While your coverage is there to be used, insurance companies take note of "accident prone" drivers, even if they are not at fault.

We get many questions about the effect of filing a claim will affect your auto insurance premium. As your independent agent, we have some knowledge of how filing claims with the insurance companies we represent can impact your rates. Give us a call and an independent agent will be happy to share his or her thoughts on when you should or should not file a claim.

Where can I get the best Tag and Title service in Maryland for renewing my car registration?

If you’re looking to renew your car registration in the Laurel, Maryland area, you have some good options. One of the best choices is to get it done quickly and efficiently through Mid Atlantic. You won’t have to wait in long lines, and you’ll get great service that’s fast. It’s possible to do almost anything here that you’d do at the state MVA, so unless you have a complex title issue there shouldn’t be any problem. It’s very satisfying to be able to get your car tag and title quickly and get on with your day.

When you visit us, you can get your registration, a duplicate title, or agricultural plates, among other things. Most issues can be handled right there. If you’re new to the state and need to transfer your car, we can do that, too. We’ll be happy to welcome you to Maryland and make sure you get your vehicle transfer taken care of. With a friendly yet professional feel, we can provide you with help and information about the area. Our hours cater to you and your busy schedule, as well, so you won’t have to worry about how you’re going to get there before we close.

We want to help you save time, because we know time is money. Why would you want to stand in those long lines at the MVA when you can come see us, and get in and out a lot faster? We’re also affiliated with an insurance company, so you can take care of everything right in one place. Come get your title and tags, get a great insurance policy at a low price and you’ll be ready to hit the road and go on your next adventure.