Best Local Car Insurance Agencies in Meridian

FAQs

• Introduction

  A way to stay protected while on the road, car insurance offers a financial safety net should accidents occur, regardless of who's at fault. The right car insurance agency can be very valuable, providing a way to purchase an ideal level of auto insurance coverage for personal circumstances. Agencies can help customers select the most beneficial coverage options while saving money on their insurance plan. With help from a qualified agency, it's possible to feel safe and secure behind the wheel.
  

• Shouldn’t your car insurance policy in Meridian be paying for your crashed car’s OEM replacement parts?

  Car insurers have the right to only cover non-OEM or aftermarket parts for repairs/replacements, and this should be stated in writing. You should also be informed in writing if the auto repair shop will install non-OEM parts. It’s important that you countercheck this detail if you are buying a new policy in Meridian. If your existing policy contains this non-OEM clause, and you want to use OEM parts for your car repair, you will have to cover the price difference.

• Will your car insurance policy cover damage if your car gets flooded while inside your home garage in Meridian?

  You need to have comprehensive coverage in your car insurance policy for damage resulting from the flood to be covered. As your Meridian insurance agent if your policy includes this protection. Comprehensive coverage addresses non-collision-related damage, including fire, hail, and theft damage. If any item inside your car got damaged as well, such as your laptop, your homeowners’ insurance may be able to pay for a replacement as this insurance protects personal belongings.

• How much car insurance coverage do you need to maintain to comply with the law in Meridian?

  According to Idaho Statutes Section 49-1229, you must have the following insurance coverage at the minimum:

  Bodily injury liability coverage - $25,000 bodily per individual, and $50,000 per accident Property damage liability coverage - $15,000 per accident

  Car insurance agencies in Meridian are also mandated to include uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in every policy. However, unlike bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, you can waive the inclusion of UM/UIM coverage.

• Do you always need to carry your certificate of liability insurance in Meridian? What if you lost the paper certificate?

  Idaho Statutes Section 49-1232 requires the certificate of liability insurance to always be in the car or with the driver. If you lost the paper certificate, make sure you have an electronic copy with you. An electronic copy of your certificate is accepted as proof of insurance. If the Meridian police cited you for not carrying proof of insurance while driving, you will be given a chance to present the certificate before you get convicted of the violation.

• What does it mean if your car insurance policy in Meridian says it includes an “accident forgiveness” benefit?

  When you get in a car accident in Meridian and are at fault for it, your insurance premium will usually increase. The accident forgiveness benefit prevents this rate hike by “forgiving” your at-fault accident. Most car insurers who offer this benefit would forgive the first at-fault accident on your driving record, or only one accident for every three-year period. Some insurers require you to have a clean driving history for five years on the policy before qualifying for this benefit.

• What is car insurance?

  Car insurance is a form of insurance that can cover damages to cars, drivers, passengers, and other property when an accident occurs. If another car crashes into a driver, or if a driver causes an accident, car insurance will pay most or all of the cost of repairs.

• How does car insurance work?

  Car insurance functions in a way similar to other insurance policies. In exchange for a monthly premium payment, an insurance company assumes liability should an accident occur up to the coverage levels specified in a prearranged policy. This means if an accident occurs, the driver won't have to pay the full cost of repairs out of pocket.
  

• What does car insurance cover?

  Car insurance coverage can vary from one plan to another. It typically includes coverage for damages to a vehicle from accidents, medical expenses for people injured in accidents, and related costs after accidents with uninsured drivers. Some policies may cover additional perks, such as roadside assistance or a rental car during post-accident repairs.
  

• Does car insurance cover theft?

  Comprehensive car insurance generally includes theft protection. This means if a car is stolen and isn't recovered, the insurance agency will pay for the value of the car. However, comprehensive insurance that covers theft is optional coverage.
  

• How does a car insurance deductible work?

  A deductible is an amount that must be paid out of pocket before insurance coverage is applied. If a driver with a $1,000 deductible gets in an accident that causes $10,000 in damage, the driver must pay $1,000 and the insurance company pays the remaining $9,000. Deductibles amounts vary between coverage types.
  

• Do you need insurance to register a car?

  Yes, drivers need a valid car insurance policy to register a vehicle in most U.S. states. Car insurance is a legal obligation, and the DMV may suspend registration if insurance isn't maintained. Some banks and other lenders may also require a certain level of insurance before funding an auto loan.
  

• Can you get car insurance without a license?

  In most states in the United States, a license isn't required to purchase car insurance. This means that an unlicensed driver can purchase a policy for a licensed driver. However, most insurance companies won't allow an unlicensed driver to be listed on a policy, either as a primary or a secondary driver.
  

• Do you need car insurance?

  Yes. Car insurance isn't optional, and neglecting to purchase and maintain a minimum level of coverage can result in penalties, such as the suspension of your vehicle registration or driver's license. In addition, the cost of a car accident can add up to tens of thousands of dollars, which can be an unsustainable burden without insurance.

• How much is car insurance a month?

  Car insurance costs depend on factors such as where a person lives and their driving history. Drivers living in states with high insurance rates who've had accidents will pay more than drivers with clean records living in lower-cost states. In general, monthly car insurance costs can range from $50 to $500 or more.
  

• Why is my car insurance so high?

  Car insurance can be expensive for many reasons. Unsafe or expensive cars, a history of accidents, DUIs, and having multiple cars and drivers on a policy can all lead to higher monthly costs. Driver age may also play a role. For example, teens are more expensive to insure than adults.

• How can I get lower car insurance?

  Getting lower-cost car insurance may be possible depending on your personal circumstances. To find a cheaper policy, drivers are encouraged to get prices from multiple companies, bundle car insurance with home insurance, or use monitoring devices to demonstrate safe driving.
  

• Do you need insurance to rent a car?

  In most areas, car insurance isn't required to rent a car. However, most personal car insurance policies extend to rental vehicles. For those who don't have insurance coverage and want to stay protected, most car rental agencies offer supplemental insurance coverage for an added fee.
  

• Does my car insurance cover rental cars?

  Most car insurance policies do cover rental cars. However, this coverage isn't universal. Before renting a car, it's recommended that you check your policy details or speak to your insurance agent to be sure rental car coverage is included at an appropriate level.
  

• Can I insure a car not in my name?

  In most states, it's possible to insure a car that isn't registered in the name of the policyholder. This commonly occurs when a parent purchases and insures a car for an adult child. However, many states and insurance agencies require the policyholder to have a financial stake in the vehicle they're insuring.

• Can you cancel car insurance at any time?

  In general, it's possible to cancel car insurance at any time, provided proper notice is given. Notice requirements are outlined in policy documents. Unlike health insurance that can require personal circumstance changes or a specialized enrollment period, auto insurance policies can be canceled or adjusted at any time.

• How can I change car insurance?

  Changing car insurance is as easy as notifying your current car insurance company and purchasing a new policy from a different agency. Even policies that have been paid up front can be canceled, and companies will issue a refund for any time remaining on the policy term.
  

• How do you become a car insurance agent?

  In most states, working as a car insurance agent requires having a state license for selling insurance products. Generally, this process involves taking classes and earning a passing score on a licensing exam. Some agencies may allow individuals to shadow or assist current agents while working on their licensing requirements.
  

• How do car insurance agents get paid?

  Most car insurance agents are paid on a commission basis. This means they receive a percentage of the amount their clients pay for their insurance coverage. Some agents may also earn a flat salary. Commissions range from 5% to 20%, on average, but this can vary based on the company or policy type.
  

• How much do car insurance agents make?

  Car insurance agent earnings depend on commission percentages, any base salary in addition to commission, sales proficiency, and sales experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average insurance sales agent makes around $52,000 per year. This may vary from state to state and company to company.