Skip to Content

ACIG Independent Insurance Agents

Whether you buy a vehicle through a car dealer, lease the auto, or purchase privately, car insurance is a requirement by law to satisfy at least the liability factor if there were to be an accident and someone were to be injured with you being the driver at fault.

Many insurance carriers, including Atlantic Charter Insurance, Portsmouth, VA, provide optimum Auto coverage so policyholders can rest easy when something happens to leave you responsible for damages.

The financial institution that handles the purchase or lease of the vehicle will determine which type of auto insurance you’re responsible for with the new auto.

Since you don’t own the car outright, the lessor or lender does; they will likely expect there to be full coverage in case there’s an accident resulting in the total loss or extensive damages. The financial entity needs to rely on you being financially capable of paying off the loan or making the necessary repairs.

When financing, the lender will ask for comprehensive and collision coverage with lessors typically following that same logic with higher liability requirements. Let’s look at the different plans and some of the verbiage when acquiring a new vehicle.

How Does Auto Insurance Work Through Varied Providers

Many people use the options of leasing or using financing to acquire a new vehicle, but for those new to the process, you might not know all the ins and outs. Many wouldn’t consider the acquisition to have any bearing on obtaining car insurance, but it does carry a lot of weight.

How you proceed with the car purchase or lease will determine the sort of coverage you need to carry from a provider like Atlantic Charter Insurance in Portsmouth, VA, one of the leaders in the auto insurance industry.

Each state carries minimum insurance requirements you either meet or exceed in order to drive legally in that state. But aside from state requirements, you need to meet the mandates set aside from the lienholder on the car.

You can also add coverage if you want extra protection like gap coverage to help individuals pay any differences between the actual amount of the loan and the value given to the car if the vehicle is a total loss.

Learn the part insurance plays and how important it is at https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/insurance/the-fole-and-importance-of-insurance-explained/7540/ . The varied types of car insurance policies include:

●     Straight liability

These plans pay for damage and injuries you cause to another individual while driving. The plan pays to the policy’s limits with the coverage split between property damages and bodily injury, each of which has a minimum limit mandated by the state’s law.

●     Collision

A collision plan is responsible for covering any damages that occur from an accident, whether these include a stationary object or another vehicle without the stance of fault.

●     Comprehensive

A comprehensive plan is meant to cover anything unrelated to a collision, also references as “other-than-collision coverage.” The provider will reimburse for damages that occur resultant from theft, animals, vandalism, storm damages, and on.

How Can You Save On Vehicle Coverage For A Financed Or Leased Auto

Car coverage will be more costly when you choose full coverage for a financed or leased vehicle as opposed to a minimum liability plan for a particular state. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to save on insurance, albeit meeting the necessary requirements for the lienholder. Let’s look at a few ways to save some money on plans.

●     Shop your coverage

Often when you compare shops from one provider to another, it can result in you receiving a lesser premium for the year. Car insurance companies are not created equally. All are unique and individual regarding rates and how they set up their policies, even if the coverage is the same across the board.

When you get a few quotes from different companies, it can result in finding the most budget-friendly option for your specific circumstances. You want quality and adequate coverage, so don’t shortchange yourself where it matters, but avoid spending a fortune where it’s unnecessary.

●     Look at how you pay

Typically it makes a difference if you pay the monthly premium in larger amounts with the insurance carrier. They will oftentimes give discounts or offer special pricing in those instances, especially for those who choose to pay the entire year in one single payment in full.

Another method that might put you in consideration for discounts is if you sign on for the monthly installment premiums but elect to use the automatic payment so the provider can pull it without sending a bill or making an inquiry.

●     Driving record

If you have a clean driving record and drive safely, the provider will consider you a low-risk policyholder. That can keep your premiums low and potentially lead to them going down over the life of your plan.

●     Raise the deductible

The deductible is an amount you pay when a claim is filed after an accident. When you have full coverage on your vehicle, you will carry double deductibles since there are separate ones for collision and comprehensive.

The suggestion is if you opt to increase these amounts, your premium costs will decrease because the insurance carrier will have less of the risk when there are damages.

The collision component has a more significant impact on the premium more so than the comprehensive side. But it’s essential to choose amounts you’ll be able to afford if the time comes when you’ll need insurance assistance.

Final Thought

Providers such as Atlantic Charter Insurance in Portsmouth, VA, are there to guide their policyholders when there is any uncertainty about how to proceed with auto insurance. See here for guidance on how much vehicle coverage you might need.

Lienholders can make the process somewhat complex, but the carrier can help to simplify the process to satisfy the loan or lease. Plus, they can ensure that you have adequate coverage in the instance of an unfortunate accident or possible damages through no fault of your own.

Jeff Campbell