Car Insurance: we buy it to help us out with any unexpected repairs, and in case we get in an accident. After all, nobody ever plans to get in a car accident, which is why having insurance is supposed to protect us when and if we do. An insurance company will either be one of your biggest advocates (though only focusing on the $) or your worst nightmare (still solely focused on the $).
Here at Cherry Hill Collision Center, New Jersey drivers are continually asking us different questions regarding their car insurance policy. They don’t know if they’re underpaying, overpaying, or even what they’re entitled to. As a result, they often feel screwed over by the insurance company when the time comes for car repair.
To better help you with all sorts of insurance-related information, we pulled together 10 of the most common car insurance questions all New Jersey drivers have:
What is PIP Insurance, and is it mandatory?
Personal Injury Protection, or PIP for short, is no-fault insurance that assists drivers to recover any lost wages due to an accident. It also covers medical bills and rehabilitative services. Here in New Jersey, we are one of only 12 states that require a minimum level of PIP coverage.
Are newer cars more expensive to insure?
The reason why newer cars are more expensive to insure is that it costs your insurance company more money to repair that vehicle. Car repair is extremely complex nowadays, mostly due to the advancements in car safety technologies you see in modern cars. However, would you rather pay less on your insurance plan but drive a more dangerous vehicle? Paying more is what will protect you the right way and not give you a “band-aid” level of repair.
Can I add anyone to my policy?
As long as you all live at the same address, you can add anyone to your policy. Note: it’s better to keep it in the family instead of your crazy roommate who parties hard on the weekend. You never know what they might do, so best keep your policy for people you know and trust.
Is insuring my car expensive?
Although several factors influence just how much you’ll pay for your premium, car insurance is relatively inexpensive compared to what you would pay for your health insurance. Here in New Jersey, the average annual full coverage rate for 2019 is $3,013 and only $1,182 for minimum coverage. (source: ValuePenguin)
Does my credit score affect what my premium rate will be?
Yes. If you have a high credit score, the amount you pay in premiums will be significantly less than if you had a low credit score.
Is it possible to be denied coverage?
Also, yes. If a person is denied coverage, it’s most likely because that driver has a DUI, low credit score (past a certain number), or previous was the cause of a severe car accident.
Does the specific make and model of my car matter?
Since larger cars can create more damage in an accident, they are more expensive to insure. If your vehicle is a newer model with advanced safety features like ADAS technologies, this can lower your costs. Certain cars are a bit of an open target and are also more susceptible to theft. It’s best to check with your insurance since your vehicle will determine how much you’ll pay on your premium.
What Is Gap Insurance?
According to Nationwide, “Gap Insurance is an optional, add-on car insurance coverage that can help certain drivers cover the ‘gap’ between the amount they owe on their car and the car’s actual cash value (ACV) in the event of an accident.”
Are there any discounts available?
Almost all insurance carriers will offer a variety of discounts available to drivers, even if they don’t regularly advertise it. The best way to find out what discounts are available is to ask. The most common discounts for car insurance are available for military personnel, good students, and those with high credit scores.
What does auto insurance not cover?
No matter what company your car is insured with, chances are they have convinced you in thinking your car is covered for pretty much anything that happens to it, including the worst-case scenario. However, this is not true. Auto insurance will only cover damages caused by theft, accident, or other destruction. It does not cover repairs and replacements that are caused by the usual wear and tear on a car.
Where In New Jersey Can I Get My Car Repaired?
Here at Cherry Hill Collision know you have many choices on where to take your car to be repaired in New Jersey. When you come to our shop, your safety is our number one priority, and we aim to show you why we are the best at what we do.
We feel that we are indeed the best because we are committed to giving you the highest quality of repair out there. All of our technicians are up to date on the latest OEM repair procedures and have received extensive training. You will never be left in the dark throughout the repair process. Once you get your car back, it will be looking, running, and operating as if it was brand new!
Let us help you with your auto repair process! We can be reached at (856)-663-0500. If you’d like to schedule an appointment or to get an online quote, click here to get started!
We look forward to hearing from you and helping you with any of your auto repair needs!
