I’m Renting a Moving Truck. Do I Need to Buy Their Insurance?

Something to Consider Before Renting a Moving Truck

Tips Before Renting a Movie Truck in Klamath Falls, ORWe always recommend you purchase the coverage for moving trucks, or other rental vehicles. It is just a safe bet. Every time you rent a moving truck, you are faced with the question, “do you want to buy insurance?” Initially, you may think yes, but depending on the type of vehicle you rent, you may already be covered through your personal auto policy. Of course, this all depends on whether or not you carry the correct insurance coverage in the first place. The answer to needing insurance or not really depends solely on the size of the vehicle (in addition to what coverage you currently carry, of course) as well as whether or not it is even a vehicle.

The coverage that the rental car company is selling you is collision and comprehensive coverage and, since this vehicle is replacing your existing one temporarily your most standard auto policies will cover the usage of a temporary replacement vehicle usually up to 10,000 GVW. If a vehicle is over this GVW, it would be excluded from coverage. Additionally, if the cab is separated from the bed, this will also create an exclusion from coverage for most auto insurance policies.

Truck rental companies typically offer four types of coverage:

  1. Damage Waiver: covers you in case of damage to the truck. If you do not purchase this coverage, you are responsible for any and all damage to the vehicle, no matter what the cause. If you decide to decline this coverage, you may be responsible to pay the damages to the truck even if they are not your fault. Something to keep in mind is depending on the extent of the repairs, you may be held responsible for loss of use on the vehicle.
  2. Liability Coverage:  covers you in case you hit something or someone. Your auto policy may cover this, but please call us in advance before you rent a vehicle to make sure. Each company is different.
  3. Cargo Coverage: Your auto policy will NOT cover any cargo that you are carrying. Period. If you are moving valuables, you may consider this coverage, depending on the values. If you’re moving a mattress or other item that will likely not be damaged, it would probably be wise to save your money, but only you can decide.
  4. Personal Injury Protection: This is a no-fault insurance and can be used anytime you’re involved in a motor vehicle collision, regardless of the motor vehicle you’re traveling in.

 

With anything, please feel free to call us with questions. This article is meant to be informative, but not a means of advice as every insurance company is a bit different and coverage varies greatly between each carrier. If you have questions about a rental vehicle, please contact our office and speak directly to a licensed agent to ensure that your situation is covered.

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at Pacific Ridge Insurance. They write business across the state of Oregon from their home office in Klamath Falls, OR. Policies can easily be written over the phone by calling (888) 337-5882.  With years of insurance experience they can easily help you insure everything from your home to your auto or commercial auto insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.

 

 

 

 

 

Car Insurance Discounts – The Real Savings

How Can I Really Save Money on Car Insurance?

Save Money on Car Insurance in Klamath Falls, ORFor years we have all been flooded with auto insurance commercials talking about various discounts offered in the insurance industry for auto insurance. There are the standard ones: multi-policy, multi-vehicle, etc., but there may be some other discounts that drivers are not aware of. We have compiled some of the additional insurance discounts offered by various insurance companies. Could you be saving money with these discounts? Be sure to ask your local insurance agent about special discounts that may apply to your specific situation.  These discounts vary by state, so it is best left to a local agent to let you know which ones apply.

Possible Auto insurance discounts in Oregon:

  • Multi-policy: Bundling multiple polices like auto, home and boat with the same insurance carrier can save you some money.
  • Good or distant student: If your student keeps their grades above certain level (as designated by the insurer) they may be eligible for a good student discount. The insurance carrier will need proof, typically sending a transcript will suffice. If your student is attending college at a distant (typically more than 500 miles from home, but that varies by carrier) you may be eligible for a discount on the vehicle since it may not be driven as much.
  • Education level: Like an extension of the good student discount, drivers who hold advanced degrees, like a bachelor’s degree, may qualify for a discount.
  • Defensive Driver: Taking a carrier approved defensive driving course could earn you a discount on your auto insurance policy. Check with your insurance agent, as this type of discount may be limited to certain age groups.
  • Multi-vehicle: Like a multi-policy discount, insuring multiple vehicles with the same carrier may earn you a small discount.
  • Green vehicle: If you drive an electric or hybrid vehicle, you may be eligible for a discount. Ask your agent to see if your vehicle qualifies.
  • Anti-theft: Vehicles with anti-theft systems statically tend to be stolen less often, thus a lower risk. You may be entitled to a small discount if your vehicle meets the criteria.
  • Anti-lock brakes: The anti-lock brake feature is standard on almost all new vehicles. Check with your insurance agent to see if your carrier provides a discount for anti-lock brakes.
  • Safe driver (accident free): Many major insurance carriers will award safe driving discounts to drivers who have been accident free for a number of years. The criteria varies between insurance carriers.
  • Military: Active and veteran military members are often eligible for discounted auto insurance. Ask your insurance agent to see if you qualify.
  • Early quote/signing: If you are looking to change insurance carriers or upgrade your auto insurance, getting a quote (and signing up) before your current policy has expired may get you a discount. You may need to get a quote within a certain number of days prior to your policy expiration, so check with your agent.
  • Paid-in-full: You’ll see the discount reflected in the price when you are presented with your options for paying your auto insurance policy. Paying off the policy in full will cost you a little less than paying every month.
  • Paperless: Don’t want to get a paper statement? Great, you get a discount. Most major insurance carriers offer discounts for customers who choose to do automatic billing and receive emails rather than paper statements.
  • Loyalty: Sticking with your insurance carrier for three or more years could earn you a discount for every loyalty milestone you hit. Typically these rewards not only include a discount on the cost of your policy, they can sometimes include accident forgiveness!

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at Pacific Ridge Insurance. They write business across the state of Oregon from their home office in Klamath Falls, OR. Policies can easily be written over the phone by calling (888) 337-5882.  With years of insurance experience they can easily help you insure everything from your home to your auto or commercial auto insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.

 

How to Protect Yourself from Uninsured Motorists

Beware of the Uninsured Motorists!

How to Protect Yourself from Uninsured Motorists in Klamath Falls, ORUninsured drivers are a huge problem across the United States. Each year billions are paid out in uninsured motorists claims. Even though uninsured motorists have steadily declined over the past decade, some states still have one in four drivers driving without insurance. You can protect yourself with an insurance coverage called uninsured motorist coverage.

Uninsured motorist coverage (often times referred to as UM, UMPD or UMBI coverage) is required in some states, so check with your insurance agent it you already have this coverage. In other states, it is purely optional, but certainly a good idea to carry. If you’re injured or are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, this coverage will help protect you, get your vehicle repaired and can even pay your medical bills as well as act as insurance in case of a lawsuit if you’re badly injured.

Uninsured coverage comes in many forms, all meant to protect you in case you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist. When reading these coverages, please keep in mind that the policies and laws vary by state.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury

This coverage may pay for damages when a covered person is injured and the person at fault for the accident does not have liability insurance.

Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury

This coverage may pay for damages when a covered person is injured and the person at fault for the accident does not have enough liability insurance.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage

This coverage may pay for damages when a covered vehicle is damaged and the person at fault for the accident does not have liability insurance or does not have enough liability insurance.

UM coverage varies by state and according to law so if you’d like to learn more about UM coverage, simply contact your insurance agent to inquire.

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at Pacific Ridge Insurance. They write business across the state of Oregon from their home office in Klamath Falls, OR. Policies can easily be written over the phone by calling (888) 337-5882.  With years of insurance experience they can easily help you insure everything from your home to your auto or commercial auto insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.