The Pembroke Pines, FL area is a great place to work and live. If you do live in this area, you will likely need to own a car. Those that do have a car in this area should consider this a big responsibility. One part of caring for this responsibility is making sure that you have adequate insurance in place. This will have to include getting an auto insurance policy. There are several reasons why you will need to get one in Florida.

Required by the State

One reason why you need to get auto insurance in Florida is that it can actually be a requirement of the state. When you drive a car, you are taking on the risk that you could cause damage in an accident. When this happens, you are going to need to pay restitution to cover damages. The state requires drivers to carry auto insurance to ensure they can make this payment.

Lender Requirements

Many people in this area take out a loan to buy a car. If you do take out a loan, you also will need to have an auto insurance policy. Auto lenders actually require that you have a full policy with comprehensive and collision coverage to make sure that their collateral is fully protected. 

All people in the Pembroke Pines, FL area need to have auto insurance. When you are looking to get into a new policy, it is important that you speak with someone that is experienced and can give you great guidance. McCormick Insurance Inc. is a great resource whenever you have questions about your auto insurance needs. McCormick Insurance Inc. will give you insight into what type of coverage is right for you and then help you get into a great policy. 

During hurricane season you have a lot of extra tasks to think about and do. You might need to evacuate your home and purchase extra supplies for weathering the storm. You also need to be prepared for driving conditions that are different from usual. With that in mind, here are some driving safety tips courtesy of McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL.

Fuel Up

Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas well before a storm is expected to arrive. For one thing, this will also you the flexibility of being able to travel out of your area if needed.

Prepare for Traffic

As people run around town doing their hurricane preparation errands and during times that people are evacuating, you can expect heavy traffic and gridlock. Maintain a large enough space between you and the cars around you. Have bottled water, snacks and flashlights in your vehicle at all times.

Stay Off the Road

One of the best safety tips isn’t quite a safety tip, because it involves not driving. Yes, if you can, avoid driving as much as you possibly can. Leave the roads open for people who really have to travel.

Avoid Flooded Areas

With the heavy rains of hurricanes can come floods. Avoid flooded streets at all costs. Turn around, and head for higher land that is dry.

Slow Down

During hurricane season don’t try to be in a hurry while driving. Instead, keep at the speed limit, or even slower if possible.

It doesn’t take much time to learn about and implement these safety tips. And you’ll be glad you did. Remember to use common sense, and be extra cautious and wise during hurricane season.

 

Pembroke Pines, FL, is in the heart of car country. If your garage has a pet project, you might have a few questions about the state requirements for the vehicle you’re restoring. It can get a little complicated, but these three situations can help demystify how insurance works with your work of art.

You Change the Title

When a car is deemed totaled by an insurer, the state actually issues a salvage title. This means the car can be used for parts or potentially rebuilt, but while the vehicle has this title, it cannot legally drive on the roads. When your rebuild is getting close to roadworthy, you’ll have to make sure it has a valid title. The process varies, and you’ll have to go through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department to change it. You’ll also need an insurance plan to get the title changed. Talking to your McCormick Insurance Inc. representative can help you with any hurdles that might appear during the process.

You’re Driving It

Not all rebuilds require a title change. If the car you’re restoring was never declared totaled, there’s a good chance it still has the original title. That’s fine. While you might want to avoid paying insurance for a car on blocks, as soon as the vehicle is roadworthy, it needs an insurance plan. This is extra true if you want to take her for a spin.

You’re Not the Only One Working on It

Sure, driven cars need insurance. That’s easy enough. Even if your project hasn’t reached that point, you may still need some extra liability coverage. As satisfying as it can be to work on the car, you might need help at some point. Since mechanic work is inherently dangerous, it’s important to protect yourself and your help with liability coverage. That may not come in the form of auto insurance, so this is another good time to talk to your McCormick Insurance Inc. agent.

Now that you know the insurance rules, you can focus on finishing the car and enjoying the roads of Pembroke Pines, FL.

 

As explained by McCormick Insurance Inc., whose serving city is Pembroke Pines, FL, excess insurance is the amount the policyholder is expected to pay against a claim before the insurance provider pays the rest. If the excess of your insurance is $800 and you are making a claim of $2,500, you will pay the $800 and your insurance company will pay the remaining $1,700.

Excess insurance benefits both the policyholder and the insurance provider. If not for excess insurance, you and other policyholders will make claim for every little amount of money you spend on your car. 

If you fix a simple scratch, you will file a claim. In fact, you will strive to make the best of your policy at the expense of your insurance company. Here is how the policyholders benefit from it. As a response to policyholders making claims all the time, the cost of auto insurance will be jerked up so high and car owners will struggle to pay for it. 

It is also necessary to add that the amount differs from company to company and it also depends on several factors like the age of drivers. A driver whose age is lower than 25 years will have little driving experience and may likely encounter more damages so the excess amount for such drivers will be high.

Most importantly, you can raise your excess higher or lower to reduce or increase your premium amount since it varies transversely with your premium. If the excess amount is higher, your premium will be lower. 

A lot of car owners focus on policies with lower premiums and higher excesses because they feel premium is certain, excess is a possibility but it is better to strike a good balance between the two of them because the payment of an excess could erode all what you saved from the lower premium.

For more information contact McCormick Insurance Inc. 

When it comes to purchasing auto insurance, you are going to have an agent tell you that there are different levels of coverage to invest in. Ideally, you will assess your needs and then choose a level of coverage that best complements your needs and preferences. As you can imagine, the higher the level of coverage, the more expensive the policy is likely to be. You can, however, shop around for different policies to ensure you get the lowest rate possible. To keep things simple, McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL has put together a helpful go-to guide outlining the three basic forms of auto insurance. 

Liability

In most states, all car owners must buy a liability policy with a coverage minimum that meets state requirements. In the state of FL, this minimum is $10,000 per injury per person and $10,000 property damage liability. If you don’t have a policy that meets this minimum limit, you are not driving in compliance with the law, and if you were to be pulled over, you very well could receive a ticket. Liability coverage simply means any injuries and property damage caused by you will be covered up to a certain limit.

Liability and Comprehensive

With liability and comprehensive coverage, you get peace of mind in knowing you may be compensated for hitting a deer or some type of property damage that was not your fault. 

Liability, Comprehensive, and Collision

With this type of full coverage, not only will property and injury coverage be provided, but you also get to rest easy knowing any damages to your car will likely be covered by your own insurance. 

To learn more about the different types of insurance, contact McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL.

Auto insurance is something every need, but there are a lot of myths surrounding the issues in Pembroke Pines, FL. One of the best ways to get the information you need is by speaking with an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc., but some of the common myths are dispelled below.

Myth 1: Insurance on red cars costs more.

Many insurance companies won’t even consider the color of the car, and instead, your rate is based on a combination of things like make, model, age, body type, driving record and driver age.

Myth 2: If you drive a sports car, you pay more.

Just like with red cars, there are a number of factors that determine rates, and demographics play a role. If the average age of a certain sports car is higher, then insurance rates won’t be as high for that particular model.

Myth 3: Insurance will pay if the car is totaled.

Insurance companies will pay fair market value on the car. This is usually less than the balance of the car and the owner is responsible for the difference. In order to be fully covered, speak with an agent about GAP coverage.

Myth 4: Auto insurance will cover you if the car is stolen or vandalized.

You won’t be covered if your car is stolen or damaged unless your policy includes comprehensive coverage. Bare bones policies don’t require this coverage and it’s something that needs to be added to pay for damages that are not part of an accident.

Myth 5: You will have coverage for a rental car.

Just like comprehensive coverage, rental car reimbursement is not automatically included and should be added if you think this will be necessary. There are limits to the coverage, so know how many days you get the rental car and how much insurance will pay.

Contact McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL to get a quote for auto insurance and get your questions answered.  

Auto insurance is more than just a driving requirement in Florida, it’s also a layer of liability protection and financial support that can help you get past an accident. Coverage features, threshold, and rules vary between policies, making it important to understand what’s available with auto insurance. Knowing your options is key for protecting yourself and for peace-of-mind.  

The state of Florida requires all drivers to carry basic economic loss benefits and automobile liability coverage. This type of policy is known as personal injury protection. Under this basic policy, you and members of your household can receive payments for medical bills, replacement services and lost wages. While these costs are paid no matter who is at fault, the payouts are limited and may not cover the total damage caused by the accident.

Additional policy options increase payout limits for liability coverage, which helps pay for injuries and property damage considered to be your fault. Other options include underinsured coverage, which pays for medical expenses caused by the other driver, and uninsured coverage, which helps pay for medical expenses when the other motorist is at fault and is not insured. Speaking with an insurance specialist at McCormick Insurance Inc. in Pembroke Pines, FL will help you explore additional protection, including collision and comprehensive coverage.

For additional information on auto insurance and coverage options in Pembroke Pines, FL, please contact McCormick Insurance Inc. today. Knowing what your auto policy covers is critical, because you don’t want any surprises right after you’ve been in an accident. The right amount of coverage can mitigate financial risks and make recovering from an auto accident more manageable.

Once your teen reaches driving age, you may be worried about your insurance rates going up. While adding a teen driver to the policy can cause rates to go up a bit, there are things you can do to avoid drastic hikes.

The reason it costs more to insure new drivers is that they are more dangerous on the road, and the riskier people are, the higher insurance rates they have to pay. In order to save some money on auto insurance for your teen in Pembroke Pines, FL, speak with an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc..

You have to insure your teen driver. Let your insurance company know when they receive their learner’s permit, even though they aren’t typically listed on the policy until they receive their license. There are some cars that are cheaper to insure, so if your household has more than one car, have your teen driver assigned to the specific one that is the least expensive to insure. If your child is getting their own car, look at the IIHS website for cars that have lower insurance rates. Four-door sedans and crossovers are usually good options.

There may be discounts with your teen driver, just as there are with adults with good driving records. They may be a good student discount for those that receive at least a B average, and your teen may be able to take a driver’s education course for a cheaper rate. If your teen is at college and not driving the car regularly, speak with an agent about getting a break on insurance. Bundling home and auto insurance can still help you save money with a teen driver.

Contact an agent at McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL to get a quote for adding your teen on your auto insurance.

By itself, a car accident is a traumatic event. But you need to think about the days and weeks after the incident and the harm that can ensue. Protect yourself from any potential medical, legal, or financial problems by following these tips.

Make sure everyone is okay.

After you’ve shaken off the cobwebs, make sure that you and everyone in your car are okay. Make a note of even the slightest pain because that may morph into something else later on. Then check on any other parties involved such as the driver of the other vehicle or pedestrians that may have been hit. It’s important not to engage in any long conversations because anything you say may be used against you. If there are any injuries. call “911” immediately so first-responders can administer treatment.

Make a record.

Using the memo or notepad functions on your smartphone, write down a detailed description of the accident from your point of view. Encourage your passengers to do the same. Note the date, time, weather, speed, surroundings, people involved, and what you believe happened. Then use your camera to take pictures or video of any damage to vehicles and property as well as people involved and injuries. Don’t forget to get shots of the environment, traffic signs, or any potential witnesses.

Exchange contact information.

Exchange contact information with all parties involved including names, addresses, phone numbers, and license plates and the names of any agents and insurance companies, such as McCormick Insurance Inc. serving Pembroke Pines, FL.

Contact your insurance company.

Before other parties have left, contact your agent at McCormick Insurance Inc., serving Pembroke Pines, FL. She will be able to advise you on what additional tasks you need to perform at the scene and how to proceed after the accident is cleared. She may request copies of any records you made to help with the claims investigation.

Many people think that they understand auto insurance but in reality, there are many myths that people believe are the truth. When you are looking at auto insurance in Pembroke Pines, FL, you need to know what is true and what is not. To help you know the differ nice between myth and fact, take a look at these common myths from McCormick Insurance Inc.

• Your credit score is not taken into account. In fact, most areas do look at your credit score to see if you will be able to pay the premiums. Your credit score can directly impact the cost. The lower your score, the higher your premium, and vice versa.
• Older people pay more. Actually, the opposite is true. The younger someone is, the more of a risk they are to insure. Because of this, as people get older, they develop more of a driving maturity and their rates tend to go down. You may even get an added discount when you are over the age of 55.
• Red cars are more expensive to insure. Most companies don’t even look at the color of the car when they are determining rates. Instead, they look at the body style, the make, model, and the age of the vehicle. They also look at the age of the driver as well as driving history. The color of the car has no bearing on the insurability so it is not taken into account for rates.

Auto insurance is a necessity if you have a vehicle and drive it around. If you do not already have one, you can reach out to McCormick Insurance Inc. for a free quote. They serve the Pembroke Pines, FL area and can make sure you get a policy that meets your needs and your budget.