4 Ways to Recover from a Moving Violation

If you are normally a safe driver but unusual circumstances led to a moving traffic violation, there are steps you can take to offset its effect on your car insurance rates. The tips given here assume that you aren't a chronically bad driver, but instead have a good record that is marred by a single incident. If the violation is recent, check with your insurance carrier to find out how your rates will be affected. While the following suggestions can reduce your rates, some will incur a different kind of cost.

Increase Your Deductibles

Increasing your deductible means that more of the expenses associated with an accident will come out of your pocket before your auto insurance policy kicks in. Very substantial rate reductions can be achieved by increasing your deductible. It is a good idea to set aside money that covers these deductibles in a savings account.

Reduce Your Driving Mileage

The fewer miles you drive each year, the lower your insurance premium. One way to dramatically reduce your annual mileage is to use mass transit for your daily commute to work. The longer your commute, the greater the mileage reduction that is possible. A side benefit is that you will also save money on gas and car maintenance.

Install a Telematics Device on Your Car

Some insurers offer "pay as you drive" programs, where your driving is remotely monitored through the use of a sensor installed in your car. Safe driving habits recorded through these devices will be rewarded over time. If your moving violation truly was a fluke, then the telematics device will be your friend. How do these devices sense safe driving habits? This is partly done by sensing how hard you accelerate and brake, and possibly by sensing G forces caused by hard turns.

Install an Anti-Theft Device

Contact your insurance carrier to inquire about whether they lower premiums when an anti-theft device is installed on a car. If they do, ask about which devices result in the greatest premium drop. Make sure that the savings in premium reduction offsets the cost of the device over a reasonable amount of time. If car theft is a real possibility where you live or work, then the device is a good investment in its own right.

Remember that after you have used these tips to offset a moving violation penalty, there's little more that can be done to offset future violations. The only long term strategy to keeping your car insurance rates low is a consistent record of safe driving over your lifetime.

Get a quote today. Call Reliable Insurance Managers at (713) 227-7283 for more information on Katy auto insurance.

Ever heard of Car Flood Insurance?

When most people purchase car insurance, they tend to assume they’re covered for every eventuality. However, the average policy lacks coverage for flood damage, as well as other types of damage. In light of the current hurricane season, here’s a question that should be first and foremost on your mind – “Does my car insurance cover damage from floods?”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this year’s hurricane season is likely to be one of the most active on record. Storm activity resulting from hurricane conditions can easily cause flooding in low-lying areas. Last year, Superstorm Sandy caused millions of dollars in damage due to massive flooding.

Flooding isn’t just a worry on the coasts. Hurricanes can easily move deep inland and cause severe storm activity that washes away bridges, overflows river banks and floods roadways. In any dangerous storm, there's always the potential for flood waters to damage your vehicle.

Although damages caused by floods are not covered by default, they are covered under comprehensive coverage. In addition to covering damage through theft, vandalism and fire, comprehensive coverage also covers damages caused by “acts of nature,” including floods. If you have a car loan or a lease, chances are there is a good chance that you’re required to carry comprehensive coverage.

Upon filing a claim, an adjuster will take a look at your vehicle to assess the damage. Depending on the amount of damage to your vehicle, your insurance company may reimburse you for the cost of repairs. In cases where the cost of repairing the vehicle exceeds its value, the company will declare the car “totaled” and either reimburse you for the full amount your car is worth or pay off the remainder of your lease or loan.
If your coverage features a deductible, you’ll have to pay that cost before reimbursement begins. Also, remember that if the dollar amount of damage falls at or below your deductible limit, you’ll have to pay for the damage out-of-pocket.

If you drive or park your vehicle in areas that are prone to flooding, it’s a good idea to have comprehensive coverage. If you already have comprehensive insurance, don’t hesitate to review your policy or contact your insurance agent to make sure it covers flood damage.

To learn more about your Houston car insurance policy or to add additional coverage to your current plan, contact us at 713-227-7283. We’ll help you choose the right coverage options that offer the best protection from life’s hazards, without putting a dent in your budget.

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.