Your auto insurance policy can be confusing when you start to read through it. Often terms are used and you may have heard them before, but you are not quite clear on what they mean. You can gain a lot of knowledge by discussing the details of your policy with a qualified insurance agent.

Understanding the key terms in your policy will help you get the most out of your insurance. The agents at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ are experienced professionals that know the key terms to help our clients understand the ins and outs of their auto insurance policies

Key Auto Insurance Terms

There are many auto insurance terms and some are not crucial to understand. Here are some common key terms that are used in policies often.

• Premium – This term is heard a lot and simply means the amount paid to an insurance company so they will pay claims for your specific coverage.
• Collision coverage – If your vehicle is damaged after hitting another car or object, collision is the part of the policy that protects you.
• Bodily injury liability – This is what covers you if you are the cause of an accident where affected parties are killed or injured.
• No-fault insurance – Regardless of if you caused an accident or not, no-fault covers medical expenses.
• Personal injury – Protection in case of injury if you are in an accident.
• Deductible – Out of pocket money spent before your insurance company covers the remainder of a claim.
• Uninsured motorist – If another driver hits you and they don’t have insurance, this type of coverage protects you.

Professional Insurance Agents in Chandler, AZ

Contact us at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ to speak with one of our agents about your auto insurance needs. We are happy to help you understand the terms of your insurance coverage, so you know exactly what is in your policy.

Liability auto insurance is designed to protect other drivers and property owners who may incur damage as the result of a collision or accident that you are held responsible for. Liability insurance provides both financial and medical coverage for bodily injury and property damage to others. The San Marcos Insurance Group of Chandler, AZ takes pride in educating AZ residents when it comes to the benefits of liability insurance. 

Liability Insurance is Required by Law

Arizona residents who wish to legally operate a vehicle within the state of Arizona must meet the state minimum requirements for auto insurance. These requirements include liability insurance that covers bodily injury and property damage insurance as well as uninsured and underinsured insurance. However, each form of coverage has monetary minimums that must be met to legally drive within the state. Arizona drivers must carry a minimum of $25,000 for bodily injury insurance per person. Drivers must also carry $50,000 worth of bodily insurance per accident. Property damage insurance must meet the minimum coverage requirements of $15,000 per accident. Residents must additionally carry uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance in the amounts of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Underinsured minimums include $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. 

The Benefits of Liability Auto Insurance

Liability auto insurance provides coverage for accidents a driver may be found at fault for by covering the financial costs for property damage and injuries.  This coverage takes care of property damage to others as well as provides medical coverage for others who may be injured by an accident where you’re at fault. Our San Marcos Insurance Group team is dedicated to making sure you understand the necessity as well as the benefits of liability insurance. Please give us a call. We’re standing by.

What new drivers need to know about Arizona auto insurance requirements

Whether you just moved to Arizona or looking to buy your first car in Chandler, AZ, you need to seriously think about auto insurance. All drivers are required to show proof of financial responsibility by carrying the minimum amount of liability. When you first visit us at San Marcos Insurance Group, we help you understand how the law works before helping you find a policy that matches your needs. Here is what you need to know before buying insurance in Arizona.

Arizona uses the old “Fault” system

The state follows the old fault system when it comes to accidents on the road. That means the person who caused the accident is held accountable for injuries, vehicle damage, and income lost. If you are the victim, you can sue the driver at fault to receive compensation from their insurance company.

You are required to carry the minimum liability coverage

The Arizona law requires drivers to buy minimum liability coverage for every vehicle in operation, to prove financial responsibility. That means your insurance company can pay for injuries and property damage in case you caused a car accident. The minimum liability coverage is not always adequate and policyholders are advised to buy enough to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

There are penalties if you don’t show proof of insurance

If you are stopped and the traffic officer asks for proof of insurance, you must produce one, or you will be penalized. If the law enforcement officer learns that you don’t have insurance, you could have your license suspended or even face a jail term, especially if you caused an accident.

There is a safety glass non-deductible option for Arizona auto insurance policies

When you buy a Chandler, AZ insurance policy with a comprehensive deductible, you qualify for the safety glass non-deductible benefit. This means you can have your vehicle replaced or repaired without paying.

Looking to buy insurance in Arizona? Contact San Marcos Insurance Group, for all your insurance needs.

If you want to drive around Chandler, AZ with the minimum legally required insurance, you’re free to do so. But there are a lot of good reasons why you might want to pick up the phone, call San Marcos Insurance Group, and extend your coverage.

Here’s one: If your car is stolen and all you have is a liability, you’re not getting your car replaced by your insurer.

Many drivers actually don’t know this. But liability is only there to protect the other party. It saves you from bankruptcy if you are found to be at fault in an accident, but it doesn’t replace or repair your car. It does you no good if your car is stolen, either.

At a certain point, a used car might not be worth protecting with collision & comprehensive. A good rule of thumb is to check the Bluebook value, and weigh that against ten insurance payments. If the insurance payments come out to be more than the car’s total value, then you might want to drop collision & comprehensive, and just cover liability and Personal Injury Protection. But if your car still costs more than you’re willing to part with, that collision & comprehensive insurance will come in very handy.

If you have any questions, get in touch with San Marcos Insurance Group. Whether you’re looking for the basic, minimum legal insurance for an old clunker or you’re ready to buy the full package for a brand new set of wheels, San Marcos Insurance Group can connect you with a provider who will get you a good deal on a great auto insurance policy.

When you are in the Chandler, AZ area, owning a car is a practical necessity. If you want to be able to get around this city and the rest of the surrounding communities, you will need to have your own vehicle. If you are going to buy a car here, you will want to get insurance for it. There are a few reasons why you need to get a full auto insurance plan for your car here.

Insurance is Required in Arizona

A reason that people in the Chandler area need to have coverage is that it is required by the state. If you want to be able to drive anywhere in Arizona, you need to have liability insurance protection in place at all times. Those that do not maintain this coverage could face penalization. This can include being assessed a penalty or even losing your license to drive. 

Insurance Protects Car

You will also want to get auto insurance here to ensure that your vehicle is protected. Your car is a very important asset that you will rely on daily. To ensure that you are able to drive this on a regular basis, you will want to have insurance. With this coverage, you can be protected if your car is stolen or damaged during an accident and needs repair or replacement. 

Those that are in the Chandler, AZ area and want to get an auto insurance plan should call the insurance professionals with the San Marcos Insurance Group. If you do call the San Marcos Insurance Group you can learn a lot about your different insurance options. The team here will also be able to help you assess your needs and build a policy that protects both you and your vehicle.

States set their own requirements for the auto insurance their citizens should have in place. In Arizona, the law is slightly different from most states. If you need auto insurance, or you want to add to your auto insurance, call us now at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ to talk with an agent.

A Fault State

Some states are no-fault states, requiring coverage for themselves for bodily injury no matter who was responsible for the accident. However, Arizona does have fault rules. If someone has been found to be responsible for causing an accident, they are at fault for it. They have to be financially responsible for the accident. 

Financial Responsibility

The main rule for Arizona drivers is that the driver has to take financial responsibility for an accident they cause, and they must be able to prove that they are able to do so. For most people in the state, this is done by getting auto insurance. There are mandatory minimum amounts for the bodily injury liability for each person and another amount per accident. It also requires property damage liability coverage that comes with its own mandatory coverage minimum. 

Another way that drivers can legally prove that they can be responsible for an accident is to have a specific amount in a certificate of deposit. This has to be kept by the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office, and the driver must show proof of this money is available. 

Both of these options may be too small to take care of a serious accident, however. It’s a smart decision to add to them so that you can pay for serious accidents that have a lot of injuries and property damage. 

Get Your Insurance Policy

To get your auto insurance policy, call us at San Marcos Insurance Group in Chandler, AZ to make your appointment with an agent. 

Those that are in the Chandler, AZ area will want to consider getting a car as it will help them to ger all around the Phoenix area. When you are looking for a car around here, you also need to think about your insurance needs. There are many reasons why someone here will need to get this insurance for their car.

Insurance is Required by Law

One of the reasons that you will need to get this insurance is that it can be required by law. Anyone that wants to drive a car on a public road in Arizona should be made aware of the state requirements regarding auto liability insurance coverage. This type of insurance can ensure you are able to pay for damages that you cause in an accident. Having this coverage is required by law as it helps to protect all other drivers on the road.

Auto Lender Will Require Coverage

While state law will require that you have liability insurance, anyone that has a loan that they took out when buying their car will also be required to have insurance. Any auto lender will want to make sure that you have a full collision and comprehensive insurance policy. This type and level of insurance coverage will ensure that you are able to repair or replace your car or pay off your loan if the car is stolen or damaged. 

Choosing an auto insurance policy in the Chandler, AZ area can be a big decision. When you are looking for this type of insurance, you should speak with the team at the San Marcos Insurance Group. When you call the San Marcos Insurance Group you are going to receive the support you need to understand your insurance obligations and pick a policy. 

If you have family or friends visiting your Chandler, AZ home this summer, you may have to deal with guests asking to borrow your vehicle. Loaning out your car is a personal decision. At the same time, it’s good to confirm with your San Marcos Insurance Group agent if guest drivers are covered by your auto insurance. You don’t want to be stuck paying for damages of an unexpected accident. Here’s what you should know about guest drivers and auto insurance.

Friends are Covered with Permission

Your friends in Chandler, AZ are covered by your auto insurance if they have permission to drive your car. Depending on the coverage you have, your policy will cover damages in the event of an accident. When loaning your car to a friend, make sure he or she has a valid driver’s license, and is a safe driver.

Visiting Relatives are Covered with Permission

If you give visiting relatives permission to drive your vehicle, they, too, are covered by your auto insurance as long as they have a valid driver’s license. As relatives may be unfamiliar with the area, use wisdom when loaning out your car. You may prefer to drive them yourself for nighttime events or find them other forms of transport, especially if they’re attending a party where the hosts will be serving alcoholic beverages.   

Guest Drivers May Have Limited Coverage

Although guest drivers are protected by your auto policy in Chandler, AZ, they may not have the same scope of coverage as you or members of your household listed on your policy. Guest drivers also have restrictions on how often they can use the vehicle without being listed on the policy.

To learn more about auto policies, coverage and costs, call or visit your San Marcos Insurance Group agent today.

Before purchasing auto insurance in Chandler, AZ, make sure you know the facts. Auto insurance myths could cause you to make costly mistakes in choosing your coverage. At San Marcos Insurance Group, we’ll help you separate fact from myth to ensure you get the protection you need without wasting money.  

Myth: You Only Need Minimum Liability Coverage

Fact: Arizona requires that you have minimum auto liability coverage to protect others in accidents you cause. Liability insurance, however, won’t protect you against theft or cover repair costs to your vehicle if it’s damaged in a crash. By adding collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist coverage to your policy, you’ll receive greater protection against accidents, which could save you thousands of dollars in repairs out of pocket. 

Myth: Men pay higher auto insurance rates than women.

Fact: This may be true for young men and teens as they’re often viewed as a greater risk for accidents. In general, however, gender has little bearing on auto premium costs. Your driving experience, driving record and credit rating, however, could affect the cost of your auto coverage.  

Myth: If a friend or relative borrows your car and causes an accident, he or she is responsible for damages.

Fact: Car insurance follows the car, not the driver. If you give people permission to drive your car and they cause an accident, your auto insurer is responsible for covering the cost of damages.

Myth: Rental car expenses are automatically covered in auto policies in Chandler, AZ.

Fact: If you want your insurer to pay for a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired after an accident, you have to add it to your coverage. It isn’t automatically included in your policy.   

For quality auto coverage at affordable costs, contact San Marcos Insurance Group today.