Car Safety Features that Qualify for Auto Insurance Discounts

Since the late 1980s, vehicles have been integrated with more advanced safety and security features than ever. These features have significantly decreased accidents and saved lives. Houston Auto insurance providers see the impact of modern safety and security features and offer great discounts for vehicles that are equipped with them. Sometimes, these discounts are automatically quoted, as the insurance provider can tell, using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), how the car is equipped.

Air Bags
Occupant and supplemental restraint systems, or commonly known as air bags, are one of the safety features required by law in most passenger vehicles. This feature works by sensing a vehicle collision of certain angle and speed of impact, and deploying the right air bags to ensure the protection of the passengers. Since most vehicles come with air bags, the discounts are automatically accounted in the insurance policy.

Anti-Lock Brakes
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are almost common in modern vehicles as well, but because they’re not installed in most automobiles, insurance providers may still offer a discount on your insurance policy for them. This type of safety feature helps the driver maintain a steering control of his/her vehicle on ice or snow, or even when he/she suddenly stops on a wet road.

Anti-Theft Systems
Anti-theft systems can be associated with car alarms. Most modern cars have some sort of anti-theft system. These can be a sound produced when someone opens a car door without a key, or if someone breaks the window to get in. Some anti-theft systems disable the engine and don’t allow it to function without the right key. Others come with telemetric systems that inform the police where your car is located if it’s stolen. If you have any of these anti-theft devices, make sure you notify your insurance provider so that you can get discounts on your auto insurance.  

Other Safety and Security Features
Today, there are a lot of modern safety features available and insurance providers may or may not offer discounts, but it’s better to ask. New safety features include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which improves the safety of the vehicle’s stability by sensing and decreasing loss of traction (skidding); lane departure warning system, which warns a driver when the vehicle starts to move out of its lane on arterial roads and freeways; blind spot monitoring system, which detects other vehicles located to the side and rear of the driver; and emergency braking assist (EBA), which increases braking pressure during emergency situation.

If you want to know more information about car safety features that reduce auto insurance rate, call Reliable Insurance Managers today at 713-227-7283. We can help you get the highest possible discount on your auto insurance with the safety features installed in your car.

What is No-Fault Auto Insurance?

Having Houston auto insurance is compulsory nowadays. In some states, the insurance policy may include a no-fault clause, which puts a limitation on your right to sue the other party or driver who is liable in an auto accident. With a no-fault insurance policy, the insurance provider covers the expenses regardless of who is held responsible for the accident. It is very important to read the policy carefully to determine the provision of the carrier. This allows you to know if you may still have obligations for some expenses.

Basic Premise
The amount and type of auto insurance required to drive legally varies between states. No-fault auto insurance, also called Personal Injury Protection (PIP), provides coverage for the damaged vehicle as well as the medical expenses. However, if physical injuries pass either the monetary or verbal threshold, you have the right to sue the person liable for the accident. Monetary thresholds refer to the total amount of medical expenditures verified by your insurance provider. A verbal threshold is intended for severe injuries which resulted in death or permanent damage.

Benefits
No-fault insurance provides coverage for bodily injury regardless of who is at fault. This lowers the cost of lawsuits, settles claims instantly, and decreases the cost of insurance. Typically, an individual is covered for funeral costs, compensation of death benefits, and loss of income. No state totally prohibits you from suing a person who is responsible for damages, if you meet the monetary or verbal requirements. Nevertheless, having PIP coverage prohibits you from prosecuting the other party to prove liability.

Drawbacks
If you suffer from injuries as a result of negligence of the other driver, you can't sue him, even if he/she has a record of accidents. While insurance rates in those no-fault states are typically lower, they may become higher, as the drivers often have to sue their own insurance provider for the settlement of claims. This is due to the fact that insurers may find out that expenditures are excessive. Moreover, if an individual fails to meet monetary and verbal threshold, he/she doesn't have the right to sue to recover damages for emotional distress or for excessive medical expenses that his/her insurance provider will not cover.

If you have any questions about the process of obtaining a no-fault auto insurance, give a Reliable Insurance Managers agent a call at 713-227-7283. We can help you understand how your policy works as well as make it affordable for you.

Are You Paying for More Insurance Than You Really Need?

You’ve probably already discovered that car insurance rates are on the rise. Luckily, cutting these costs can be as easy as shopping around for the best value and asking a Reliable Insurance agent about discounts. After performing due diligence, there may even be hidden insurance costs that could possibly be eliminated and save you even more on a Houston Auto Insurance policy today.

Most hidden car insurance costs aren’t that difficult to discover once you are aware of what you are looking for. To make sure you’re only paying what you need to, read over these tips for some common hidden car insurance costs that you might encounter:

Monthly Installment Fees

Like most consumers, you may choose to pay for car insurance policies in monthly installments. It’s convenient to be able to break up car insurance payments in smaller payments, but there is a cost to the convenience. If you pay for insurance up front you will save much more money in the long run.

Accident Forgiveness Policies

Sometimes accidents are unavoidable. After all, it doesn’t matter how well you drive, accidents can happen. Consequently, companies that offer accident forgiveness can offer you significant insurance savings.

Teen Drivers

Adding teens onto car insurance policies can be costly. However, it’s not necessary to add a teen onto the policy until they get their driver’s license. There is no point in paying higher premiums until it’s absolutely necessary.

Those Little Extras

You should look for any extras on policies that may not be necessary, or may be covered elsewhere. For instance, paying for roadside assistance is not necessary if you already have coverage through an auto club. Additionally, for cars that aren’t worth much, full coverage may not be needed. If the car is totaled, you will only get what the car is currently worth.

Cars Types Factor In

Drivers with similar credit histories and driving records can have massively different rates. Insurance companies rate cars on various factors including safety, theft rates, and replacement costs. Cars with better ratings that are safe, and not frequently stolen, will receive better rates than other cars. If you are car shopping, you should check insurance rates on each type of car before making a commitment to purchase.

These hidden costs can make a difference in the price you pay for insurance. Checking out these factors can lower premiums considerably.

What Can You Expect of Auto Insurance as You Age?

Aging changes more than just your hair color. Your auto insurance policy will be affected by both the changes to your lifestyle and your experience that aging brings on.

Auto Insurance for Young Drivers

As a young driver, you will have little experience behind the wheel. In addition, you are statistically more likely to take risks while driving that could result in a higher frequency of accidents and insurance claims. As a result, according to Insurance and Financial Advisor Web News, your premiums could be as much as 100 percent higher than those offered to older drivers.

Ages 25 to 34

Once a driver reaches age 25 they will likely see their Houston auto insurance rates drop. This is especially true of those who've had few claims in the years before. Between ages of 25 and 34, many drivers become married, start families, and buy homes. This too can lend itself to lowered risk and lowered
insurance premiums.

Ages 35 to 39

Research quoted on IFAWebNews.com found that drivers aged 35 to 39, on average, pay almost half of what drivers aged 16 to 19 pay. Again, this is the result of age and experience reducing a driver’s risk. Of course, drivers who have proven to be high risk through a history of moving violations and accident claims will not find this age-related decrease in premiums to be the case.

Ages 65 and Up

Drivers age 65 and up who have had few, if any, accident claims or moving violations will often be charged the lowest auto insurance rates of all. Part of this reduction premium could be attributed to customer loyalty after spending many decades with the same auto insurance provider. Also helping is the fact that many people in this age group log fewer daily miles than younger drivers who must commute to work each day.
We would love to work with you and help you find an auto insurance company ready to offer you the best rates for your age and driving experience. When you’re ready to get started, give us a call at 713-227-7283.

How High Can Insurance Rates Go?

There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about the increase in insurance rates. The past decade has been difficult for insurers, especially home, auto and flood insurers, as increasingly frequent and violent storms have caused massive damage throughout the country. So the jump in rates is not exactly unexpected. But when homeowners and auto owners open their insurance renewal packets each year and see rates rising, a panicky feeling often ensues that leaves us all wondering just how high these rates can go.
In reality, when you open your bill and see an increase in your insurance premium, if you compare the cost of your insurance against the value of the property you're protecting, in addition to the liability claims the insurance is shielding you from, you will probably calm a little as you realize the intrinsic value of your specific policy. The price of insurance is not likely to increase to the point where it's simply not worth having anymore. But insurers need to price policies appropriately so that they are collecting enough in premiums to actually pay the claims presented by policyholders.
When an insurance company increases your rates, it doesn't generally do so without logical justification. There will be an underlying, important purpose behind the rate hike. For example, it could be due to an increase in the risk that you present to the insurance company, or it could have to do with the impact of inflation on the overall cost of replacing or rebuilding your property. Both of these are completely valid and understandable reasons for increases and they don't generally result in a significant escalation in rates.
Of course, that doesn't mean that you should just roll over and accept change in your premium from year to year. Review your policies to make sure your coverage options are still appropriate for your level of risk and the value of your property. Also, make sure that your deductibles and limits make sense and ensure that you're taking advantage of every discount available to you. Further, if applicable, be sure to resubmit any information to underwriting that could change your premium. To make sure you’re getting the best deal you possibly can, compare rates at least annually—insurance is a competitive industry and if you’re not finding value in the protection offered with your current provider, perhaps it’s time to look elsewhere.
The question of how high insurance rates can go should not be the primary concern of insurance policyholders; instead, policyholders should be more concerned about conducting an annual insurance review and comparing quotes with other policies to make sure that they’re appropriately covered and getting the best deal for the coverage they need. To find out more about how you can schedule your annual policy review and compare Houston auto insurance quotes, give us a call at Reliable Insurance Managers today.

4 Ways to Make Claims Easier

No one wants to be in a position that necessitates an insurance claim. Not only is it frustrating to deal with the loss of your property after an insurable incident, but filing an insurance claim can also be a daunting task if you aren't prepared. By following these four tips you can make your insurance claims process much easier.

1.     Take pictures. By having before pictures of the assets you have covered by insurance you clearly communicate the condition of the items you owned which allows the insurance company an easier time interpreting their value. But it's also important to have pictures taken of the damage as well. By showing the amount of damage done you can help the claims adjuster determine if you suffered a total loss and in some circumstances, such as after an auto accident, your pictures can illustrate fault.

2.     Know what you lost. It's important to have a pre-incident inventory of your home, RV, office and vehicle so that, in the event you suffer an insurable incident and must make a claim, you know exactly what you lost. Without an inventory you may find that you forget to list certain items and your claim is insufficient to replace them.

3.     Call early. In the event that the insurable incident had a widespread effect on homes in your area make sure that you call your Houston home insurance company as soon as possible. Claims processing may be sorted based on severity, but within your level of severity it will likely be first come, first serve. Even after an individual incident such as a house fire, calling early is important to ensure timely payment.

4.     Have your documents together. Keep your insurance policy, property receipts, pictures, inventory, and all other relevant documents together. Make sure that the insurance company’s phone number and your insurance agent’s phone number are with your other documents. 

Having an experienced insurance agency at your service is one of the most useful tools to have both before and after your claim is paid. We can help you design an insurance portfolio that fully protects your assets and your family and we can help you fine-tune your claims process. Give us a call at 713-227-7283 and schedule your appointment today.

New Parents’ Guide to Insurance

As new parents, you’re probably overwhelmed by the amount of planning and the number of decisions you must make in order to ensure the comfort and safety of your newest addition. It's important that you not overlook how insurance fits in to your new role as a mommy or daddy.

Life Insurance
When you become a parent, you may want to consider creating a trust to be the beneficiary of your life insurance policy. By naming a trust, you can ensure that your death benefit proceeds don't get added to your estate or, after your death, your spouse's estate for tax purposes. In addition, you can make sure that a portion of your benefit is allocated toward your minor child at the time he or she reaches the age of majority or whenever you specify within your trust. Additionally, a trust allows you a certain amount of control over the use of your death benefits so that you can direct them to help make financial life easier on your spouse and children immediately after you pass away and later on in life.

Buying life insurance for your child gives them a financial head start when they become adults because by buying a child an insurance policy, you lock in low rates and can start creating cash values that they can take loans against later, such as when they go to college.

Disability Insurance
Your children rely on you to support them. A disability insurance policy ensures that you can continue supporting them even in the face of a disabling injury. Disability insurance gives you much more control over the receipt of benefits than Social Security and can also help you rely less on savings during the waiting period for benefits to begin.

Home or Renters Insurance
Giving children a safe place to live is one of the most basic responsibilities of a parent. With home or renters insurance, you can ensure that your children have a safe place to live even after an insurable incident makes your home unlivable as long as you have loss of use benefits. In addition, both types of insurance will help you replace your family’s lost possessions. Finally, a home insurance policy will help you get necessary repairs to make your home livable once more.

Auto Insurance
Not only is Houston auto insurance required by your state, but it also offers one of the best ways to keep your family safe. Auto insurance can help pay for liabilities you incur, removing the need to access your savings to satisfy injured parties. In addition, the medical payments can help your family afford the best care after they've been injured. It's important to note that state insurance limits may not be representative of the actual protection you need.

If you have questions about the kinds of insurance policies you should have as a new parent or you want to make changes to your insurance portfolio, give us a call at Reliable Insurance Managers.

How to Compare Car Insurance Rates and Policies

If you are searching for a new car insurance policy, your initial impulse is probably to compare insurance premiums in order to make certain that you get the best deal on your policy. But comparing rates alone will not provide you a good indication of which policy is more cost effective, dependable and better suited to your general needs. Use this list to help you narrow down your choices for all the reasons you should consider, not just cost.

1. Compare coverage options.

Check out the coverage options for all the different policies you have gotten quotes for. Make sure they are similar and that they provide you the security that is most vital to you. This may mean they only consist of state-required coverages or that they include additional protections like uninsured motorist coverage.

2. Compare deductibles and limits.

Policy premiums will differ, especially if you set different limits and deductibles on each. It isn’t a fair comparison to put a low-cost policy with high deductibles and low limits up next to one with small deductibles and high limits. So when you do your comparisons, make sure the deductibles and limits on each policy, for each coverage option, are comparable.

3. Compare A.M. Best ratings.

An insurance policy is only as good as the company that issues it. When comparing two different policies from two different carriers, don’t just center on cost, deductibles and coverages; take a look at the A.M. Best rating for every company to make sure they are alike in terms of financial standing.

4. Compare customer service and payment options.

If you like to do business on the internet, make sure that the insurance companies you are looking at have that capability. If you’d rather to converse on the telephone, make sure they can do that. Also, verify their different payment options (online, automatic draft, check, etc.) and pick the policies from those companies that have what you are searching for.

5. Compare rates.

Now that you’ve made sure that you have several comparable policies from different companies, it’s time to actually look at the rates and compare them. Be sure to check out all premium types—the annual, semi-annual, quarterly and monthly so that you get a good idea of the differences.
Once you’ve compared all these items and narrowed down your choices, you should finally come up with the policy that meets most, if not all, of your needs.

Call us at 713-227-7283 to review your current Houston auto insurance policy or customize a new policy today!

The 5 Most Common Distractions of Teen Drivers

The 5 Most Common Distractions of Teen Drivers


AAA recently released the findings of a study they conducted regarding the distractions encountered by teen drivers. The purpose of the study was to discover what preventable environmental events pulled a teen’s attention from the road. Using videos, audio clips and other data, they amassed a list of distractions encountered during real-life driving adventures.

Because this list is based on actual events, it gives us priceless data that can help us determine which topics are most important to discuss with our teens and how to teach them to be better, less distracted, drivers. Here are the five top distractions AAA researches observed.

Electronic devices:

In almost 7% of the clips AAA researchers studied, electronic devices such as cell phones were present and distracting, and female teen drivers seem especially prone to being distracted by them. Not only is it important to talk to your teen about the dangers of using a cell phone or texting while driving, but it is also important to have a system of preventative measures in place that stops them from engaging in this behavior while behind the wheel. This can include downloading apps that auto respond to text messages while your teen is driving so they feel less compelled to answer texts themselves, monitoring cell phone usage so that you can identify periods when calls were made or received while driving, and having consequences for utilizing electronic devices while driving. But it’s not just about having consequences in place—it’s also about enforcing them.

Adjusting controls:

Distraction due to adjusting dashboard controls was present in 6.2% of the data collected by AAA. Changing the radio station, raising the volume of the stereo, changing CDs, skipping tracks, and even operating some of the dashboard utilities such as directionals and windshield wipers can easily pull your teen driver’s eyes away from the road ahead. Make sure your teen understands that they must be comfortable with all dashboard controls before they begin driving and that the only appropriate time to play with the radio and CD player is when they are at a complete stop or when they are able to do so without looking at the controls. It only takes a few seconds to get into a car accident—make sure they understand that changing the radio station provides just enough distraction for that.


Attending to personal hygiene:

3.8% of the data collected by AAA showed teen drivers distracted by personal hygiene behaviors. Make sure your team understands the consequences of removing his or her eyes from the road for the three seconds it takes to put their misplaced hair back in place. Let your teen know that brushing their teeth, shaving, combing their hair and applying makeup are all behaviors that should be done before they get in the car or after they reach their destination.

Eating or drinking:

In 2.8% of the clips analyzed, a teen was distracted by either eating or drinking and sometimes both. It’s hard enough for a teen driver to learn how to interpret and react to all the information presented when they are driving—adding eating and drinking to the menu seems simple, but can result in way too much distraction and should be discouraged while they are behind the wheel.

If they must eat breakfast after leaving for school, give them something easily portable that they can munch on after they've parked the car and are walking to their first class.

Reaching for another object.

In 2.5% of the clips observed, teen drivers were distracted as they reached for another object found inside the vehicle.  Remind your teen that while driving, paying attention to the road is the most important task they have to complete. Should they need to reach for an object that is not right next to them while driving, it's a good idea to pull over and stop the car or to ask a passenger to get it.

By minimizing the distractions your teen faces while driving, you’ll not only keep them safer but also keep their insurance premiums lower. To discuss more safe driving tips for you and your teen, or to talk about Houston auto insurance rates and limits that are perfect for teen drivers, give us a call at 713-227-7283.

Insurance for College Graduates

Whether you're graduating from high school or college, this can be one of the most exciting times in your life. But don't allow your enthusiasm for freedom and the future to interrupt your good sense and the process of purchasing the right insurance policies for all of your risks.

Renters Insurance Whether you are moving into a dorm or an apartment, you need specific protections for property such as your computers, clothes, and furniture as well as protection against potential liabilities. If someone should be injured while visiting your apartment you could be found liable for their injuries and the subsequent medical expenses, damages, and lost wages. A renter’s insurance policy will pay for many of these expenses while also protecting you from the loss of your property after an insurable incident.

Health Insurance You may be permitted to remain on your parent’s group health insurance policy if you are going to school full-time or are under the age of 26. But don't take for granted that your parent’s policy can still cover you or is even the best option. Instead, talk to an insurance agent to ensure that you are properly covered and to find out if there are any less expensive alternatives available.

Auto Insurance If you've been on your parent’s auto insurance policy, graduating from high school or college may mark the time when you should look into your own auto insurance coverage. Auto insurance rates can vary based on many factors including the amount of driving you do and the location where you park your car. Talk to your insurance agent to discover the best options for your auto insurance coverage.

Life Insurance Locking in life insurance rates when you're young and healthy is extremely important. Insurance premiums will only rise as you age, so taking out a first or supplemental policy when you graduate is a good idea. If you take out a whole life policy you may then be able to tap into cash values for tax-free loans in a few years while also guaranteeing your family some benefits for final expenses should you pass away.

We are here to help you get your insurance on track for your new post-graduation life. When you're ready to get started with a Houston Auto Insurance Quote, give us a call at (713) 227-7283.

Long term care insurance - When should I purchase it?

If you are 40 or over, then the time to start shopping for a long-term care (LTC) insurance policy is now. There is no age that marks the starting point for the LTC shopping experience, but the older you get the more expensive your rates will be, which means it's best to shop as early as possible.

Why Age Matters
The younger you are when you buy your LTC policy, the longer the insurance company has to collect premiums from you before you can be expected to start utilizing the benefits. In addition the younger you are the fewer health problems you will have had and since health is a factor in determining your premiums, this could make a substantial difference.

Learn how delaying the purchasing long-term care insurance could increase in cost for you.

If you're 40 or over and you're starting to finalize your retirement planning, you shouldn't hesitate in obtaining long-term care insurance. The only thing you stand to gain by putting the purchasing decision off is a higher premium. Give us a call today at 713-227-7283 for a Houston long term care insurance quote and give you an idea of what your premiums will look like if you delay this important decision.

Updating Your Life Insurance in 2012

The ultimate goal of anyone with a life insurance policy is to ensure that their loved ones are comfortable after they pass away. If you do not update your insurance coverage when changes occur in your life, you could leave your family without the benefits you intended. In order to determine what changes you should make to your life insurance coverage in 2012, consider the following. 

1. Are there any new family additions? If you’ve added people or pets to your family, then your cost of living increased. That means your family will need more in order to continue in the same standard of living after you’re gone. 
2. Did you relocate? If you’ve relocated then you have all new expenses, which may be more than those that you originally had when you took out your insurance policy and chose a death benefit.
3. Have you been promoted? If you earn more money now than you did when taking out the policy, then your family will need a larger death benefit to replace that income after you pass away.
4. How are your savings? If you have had trouble meeting your savings goals for emergencies, college tuition and retirement that may indicate that your heirs need even more financial assistance when they no longer have your income to rely on.
5. Has your debt increased? If you’ve purchased a new home, new car, or even new electronic gadgets, then you may have increased the amount of debt your family needs to pay off after you pass away. Increasing your death benefit will allow them to more easily meet these obligations.
6. What is the new cost of living? Inflation can increase the standard cost of living for your family. Consider how much inflation has affected the effectiveness of your current death benefit and make the appropriate increases.
7. Who’s your beneficiary? Are the primary and contingent beneficiaries on your policy still the individuals who should be on your policy? Or, have you got a trust that should now be named on the policy?
8. Will your heirs pay estate taxes? Estate taxes are back in effect. If your family will be expected to pay them based on the size of your estate, then it’s a good idea to increase your policy death benefit. If you’ve made your spouse the beneficiary, consider the fact that your death benefit, should you pass away prior to him or her, will be added to his or her estate later and may prompt estate taxes.

Your death benefit may face several expansions over the course of your life. These may be handled with the issuance of separate term policies or through increases of your main policy death benefit. If you want to discuss your options for gaining complete coverage for your family, give us a call. 

Have more life insurance questions? Call Reliable Insurance at 713-227-7283 or get a Texas Life Insurance quote today!