What does auto insurance cover?
Auto insurance is divided into several different types of coverage:

• Liability covers damage to other people's property and injuries you may cause while operating an automobile.
• Collision covers damage to your own vehicle in an accident.
• Other than collision covers fire damage to your vehicle, break-ins, vandalism or theft, as well as natural disasters (earthquake, hail, hurricane, flood, etc.-unless the vehicle is overturned, then it is considered a collision).
• Medical payments insurance guarantees emergency and related medical payments, usually in the range of $1,000 to $10,000, for you, your passengers and other parties, regardless of who is at fault. It also covers you and members of your household in any accident involving an automobile, whether you are on foot, in a friend's car or riding a bicycle, etc.
• Uninsured motorist (UM) and under insured motorist (UIM) coverage protects you and your passengers if injured in an accident with drivers carrying insufficient liability coverage.
• Extra coverages include expenses for towing, labor and temporary replacement vehicles, etc. These are generally defined as add-ons or endorsements to your policy.

What steps can I take to reduce my rates?
Insurers generally offer discounts for good drivers and for:

• Safety Features—Anti–lock brakes, air bags and passive restraint systems (i.e., automatic seat belts).
• Security Systems—Alarms, electronic locks and disabling devices.
• Changing Driving Habits—Commuting by public transit, using a company vehicle for work-related travel and car-pooling.
• Buying Homeowners and Auto Policies from the same company—If you own a home and an automobile and you are insured by two different companies, check into the cost of carrying both policies by one insurer.

You can also lower your insurance rates by requesting higher deductibles (the amount of money you pay before you make a claim). If you increase your deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage from $100 to $250, or even $500, you can bring your rates down. Moreover, you may not need collision and comprehensive coverage if you drive an older car. Ask your Denis, Ricker & Brown agent which discounts are available to you.

If I rent a car on vacation, do I need to select the rental car insurance?
You normally would have the same coverage that you have on your personal auto policy. However, the car rental company's contract states that regardless of fault, you may be responsible for the replacement of that vehicle and it's loss of income. Your auto policy settles a loss on an actual cash value (less depreciation), and the rental car company is looking for the replacement value of the car, and there can be a difference. This difference is not covered by your own auto polcy. Your own auto policy does not pick up the loss of income for that rental car should it be damaged in an accident, and be unable to drive. Rental car coverage under your personal auto policy is only good in the continental US and Canada. No coverage is provided in Mexico and outside the United States.

What do I give up by not using an independent agent to purchase insurance?
The disadvantage of not using an agent (and buying insurance from a "direct writer") to purchase insurance is that the policyholder does not receive as much, or often any, personal service. A licensed agent with whom there is direct contact can be vital when purchasing a product and absolutely necessary when filing a claim. Without an agent to act as your personal advocate during the claims process, you are left to take care of the details on your own... not sure who to contact at the insurance company or who you can really trust to help you during the times in life when you need help the most. Without an agent you are on your own to absorb the frustration and expense of resolving your problems.

Additionally, as an independent agency, Denis, Ricker & Brown works with several insurance companies allowing us to provide you the best value and most comprehensive insurance coverage to best fit your needs. This is in addition to local service!

What is an SR-22 form?
An SR-22 is a form that shows that you have auto insurance. It is required by the state for drivers who are high risk. Here are some of the reasons a state might require you to file an SR-22 form:

• DUI (driving under the influence).
• Serious moving violations such as reckless driving.
• Racking up a lot of highway points in a short period of time.
• Being pegged as a habitual traffic offender.
• Causing an accident while uninsured.

Regulations vary from state to state, but high-risk drivers usually have to maintain SR-22 insurance for three years.

Should I expect my premium to rise if I reported an accident to my insurance company in which I was not found at fault?
It is unlikely you would see a premium increase solely because you were in an accident in which another person was at fault.

However, you may receive a premium increase if that accident was one of several you have had throughout the year or in recent years. Even if you had several accidents and were found not at fault in each of them, the insurance company may assume there is something hazardous about your driving and thus charge you a higher premium.

Do red vehicles cost more to insure than other vehicles?
No. Your insurance company does not consider the color of your vehicle when calculating your insurance premium. Factors that insurers consider include your age, the kind of vehicle you drive, your claims history, in some states your credit history and your driving record.

Suppose I lend my car to a friend; is that covered under my auto insurance policy?
Whenever you knowingly loan your car to a friend or an associate who does not live in your household, he or she will be covered under your policy. In fact, even if you don't give explicit permission each time a person borrows your car, someone is still covered under your policy as long he or she had a reasonable belief that you would have given permission to borrow the car.