Auto Insurance and the Secondhand Car

So it’s not exactly a new car, but it is new to you. It’s in reasonably good condition, and you got it at a bargain, either directly from the previous owner or a used car lot. The important thing is it gets you from point A to point B. Like with any car, you will need to obtain auto insurance. 

Some Good News

Insuring a used car isn’t very expensive. In Mississippi, it’s only $122 a month on average. Frankly, your car has significantly depreciated over time, making it less expensive to repair or even replace. On the other hand, this only applies to collisions and comprehension insurance. Liability insurance will cost as much as it would if your car was a newer model. 

How to Get the Best Deal 

Consider what kind of insurance you need. If your car is very old, you may decide that collision or comprehensive insurance isn’t worth the premiums. It must be noted that liability insurance is compulsory in the state of Mississippi. Of course, increasing your collision and comprehensive insurance may result in savings. Do some research to see if your car is old enough to qualify as a classic or antique. You may require special insurance in that case. As with any purchase, comparison shop and look for discounts.

Insurance Protection Specialists Serving Flowood, MS

If you are in the Flowood, MS area and need insurance for your secondhand car, please contact Insurance Protection Specialists. Our friendly and sagacious agents will aid you in getting the best deal you can get to insure your secondhand car.  

Someone You Know Stole Your Car: Is Your Insurance Enough?

At Insurance Protection Specialists, we provide Flowood, MS residents, and those in the surrounding area with access to strong insurance policies. Will you be protected by us if your car gets stolen? That all depends on what kind of policy you purchase for your vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage Can Protect You 

A typical car insurance policy without comprehensive coverage isn’t going to do much if your car gets stolen. Liability only pays for damage to other vehicles you cause in an accident. By contrast, comprehensive policies pay for far more problems, including theft. 

They also help with a myriad of other common problems, including:

  • Weather Damage: If heavy hail, excessive ice, or snow damages our vehicle, a comprehensive policy will provide you with the support that you need to repair your car. 
  • Animal Damage: We’re not talking about problems caused by mice or other animals chewing wires but the damage caused during car accidents when you hit deer, raccoons, or other beasts. 
  • Storm Damage: If a tree falls on your vehicle during a storm (or through age) or fire and floods impact your vehicle, comprehensive policies can keep you protected and safe. 

Note that your policy will pay what your vehicle is worth when it is stolen, not what you paid or owed. That’s important to understand, and some upgrades to your policy can help you get more money if your car is stolen unexpectedly.

We’re Ready to Help You

Call us at Insurance Protection Specialists if you want comprehensive insurance in Flowood, MS, that protects your vehicle from theft. Even though you’re probably pretty safe from this danger in Flowood, getting more protection than you need to stay protected from theft is not a bad idea.

Someone You Know Stole Your Car: Is Your Insurance Enough?

At Insurance Protection Specialists, we provide Flowood, MS residents, and those in the surrounding area with access to strong insurance policies. Will you be protected by us if your car gets stolen? That all depends on what kind of policy you purchase for your vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage Can Protect You 

A typical car insurance policy without comprehensive coverage isn’t going to do much if your car gets stolen. Liability only pays for damage to other vehicles you cause in an accident. By contrast, comprehensive policies pay for far more problems, including theft. 

They also help with a myriad of other common problems, including:

  • Weather Damage: If heavy hail, excessive ice, or snow damages our vehicle, a comprehensive policy will provide you with the support that you need to repair your car. 
  • Animal Damage: We’re not talking about problems caused by mice or other animals chewing wires but the damage caused during car accidents when you hit deer, raccoons, or other beasts. 
  • Storm Damage: If a tree falls on your vehicle during a storm (or through age) or fire and floods impact your vehicle, comprehensive policies can keep you protected and safe. 

Note that your policy will pay what your vehicle is worth when it is stolen, not what you paid or owed. That’s important to understand, and some upgrades to your policy can help you get more money if your car is stolen unexpectedly.

We’re Ready to Help You

Call us at Insurance Protection Specialists if you want comprehensive insurance in Flowood, MS, that protects your vehicle from theft. Even though you’re probably pretty safe from this danger in Flowood, getting more protection than you need to stay protected from theft is not a bad idea.

How to Minimize the Chances of an Accident When Traveling for Spring Break

Winter is coming to an end, and before you know it, spring will be here. Many households are already planning out their spring break trips. If you plan to drive to get to your spring break destination, the team at Insurance Protection Specialists, serving the greater Flowood, MS area, would love to provide you with some tips that can help you avoid an accident when you are traveling for spring break. 

Get Your Car Inspected Before Hitting the Road

One of the best things you can do before heading out for any road trip is to get your car inspected. Ensuring your tires are good and your car is safe can help keep you safe and reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.

Familiarize Yourself With Your Route

Prior to hitting the road, take the time to familiarize yourself with the route you intend on taking to get to your destination. Being familiar with the route can help you avoid last-minute lane changes and helps to create some familiarity with the highways, freeways, or roads you will be traveling on. 

Be Sure to Take Frequent Rest Stops

Lastly, be sure to take frequent rest stops and always pull over and sleep if you are feeling tired. Fatigue and falling asleep at the wheel contribute to accidents, so you want to take action to prevent this from happening to you. 

Reach Out To Us

While the above tips can help minimize your chances of being involved in an automobile accident, there is no way to prevent all accidents from happening. This is why it is so important to have the right level of protection from your auto insurance policy.

If you are looking to obtain a new policy, considering changing to a new insurance company, or simply want to find out if you have enough coverage, the insurance professionals at Insurance Protection Specialists, serving the Flowood, MS region, would love to help you. Call us today to learn more. 

Documents you should always have in your vehicle

Driving is something most people take for granted. In the state of Mississippi, drivers are required to have auto liability insurance. Other insurance coverage is voluntary but often of equal importance. At Insurance Protection Specialists in Flowood, MS, we ensure that our customers are not only in compliance but have the right coverage for their situation. 

Documents you should always have in your vehicle

Vehicle registration

You are required to register your vehicle in the county of residence in the state of Mississippi. You need to pay all the fees and taxes, and then you get a copy of your renewal. The vehicle registration form should be placed in your glove box and carried there at all times. If you are pulled over by the authorities, you may be asked to produce your registration, and you want to be able to do that easily. 

Insurance card

When you get your state-mandated vehicle insurance, your receipt to show that you have coverage is an insurance card that you can print off the website of your insurance carrier. If that is not comfortable for you, you can get them mailed to you, and they are often mailed with your new policy. You can even pick them up at your insurance agent’s office and then place one copy in your glove box and save the other. 

Drivers license

You must have a driver’s license to drive a vehicle on the road in Mississippi. In Mississippi, you can get your learner’s permit at age 14 and your driver’s license at 15. You have to drive under supervision until you are 16, but then the restrictions end. Most people carry their driver’s licenses as a form of identification. You need to have it in your possession when you are driving.  

Get Insurance Coverage For Your Vehicle Today

Contact Insurance Protection Specialists in Flowood, MS for all your auto insurance needs.

Does Auto Insurance Cover Rental Cars?

You find yourself standing at the rental car counter having just secured a great deal on your rental car for the week. You are ready to get your family vacation started and the long line behind you is growing restless. The next thing you know, you are handed paperwork filled with confusing options for insurance. Suddenly, you are left wondering if you should sign on the dotted line.

Rental car insurance is not something that most people think about regularly. Therefore, it is easy to become confused and overwhelmed in the heat of the moment. Take the time before renting your next vehicle to learn if you really need rental car insurance in Flowood, MS or if you are covered under your existing auto insurance policy. If you need answers right away, contact Insurance Protection Specialists.

How To Determine If You Need Rental Car Insurance

A common question that insurance providers are asked in Flowood, MS is whether or not rental insurance is necessary. The first thing that you need to do is to check your current auto insurance policy. You can also call your provider to determine the type of rental car coverage that is included in your policy. If you have liability coverage and comprehensive coverage on your personal car, typically that coverage will extend to provide coverage for a rental car.

If the car that you are renting is similar in value to your everyday car on your auto insurance policy, then it is highly likely that the coverage that you already have is adequate protection for the rental. However, if you are taking the opportunity to rent a car that is usually beyond your means, like an exotic sports car, then you may want to consider investing in additional coverage.

If you are still not sure if your auto insurance policy will cover your rental, contact the experts at Insurance Protection Specialists. Give us a call today.

3 Ways to Stay Safe While Driving on Icy Roads

When the winter months start to approach Flowood, MS and other parts of the state, one of the biggest reasons for auto accidents is icy roads. When you are traveling on the icy roads this winter, make sure to keep these few tips in mind so that you are safe and accident-free. 

1. Give Yourself at Least 10 Seconds To Stop

Even with the best set of tires, trying to stop on a whim with slick roads from the ice is not safe. When you are traveling and the roads are icy. Make sure there is at least 10 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you. Should they have to slam on brakes, you need to have enough time to stop safely. 

2. Drive Slower

Just because the road has a posted speed of 55 does not mean that is ideal for icy conditions. If you are traveling on an icy road, it is a good idea to keep your speed at least 10 miles slower than what is posted. Traveling on roads that are curvy and have black ice around the corner can make a fast traveling vehicle slide much quicker. 

3. Brake Only When You Need To

Ice and brakes do not work well together, and antilock brakes do not work in the ice. If you are traveling at slow speeds and keeping your distance between yourself and others on the highway, you will not need to use your brakes as much. If you need to slow down or find yourself sliding, stay calm and just take your foot off of the gas to avoid overcorrecting. 

Be Careful Traveling This Winter

Make sure to use these three tips when traveling on icy roads and make sure to pack your auto insurance policy from Insurance Protection Specialists today. 

What happens if you get into a car accident with an uninsured driver?

You’ve done your due diligence, making sure you have all your vehicles properly insured, so you have one less thing to worry about if you get in a car accident. It seems like you’ve properly protected yourself… until you get into an accident with an uninsured driver near Flowood, MS. 

The Driver at Fault is Responsible

When you buy car insurance, you know that you’re protecting yourself, and you assume other people have done the same thing. If an accident is your fault, you will file a claim with your insurance to cover the damages and vice versa.

Unfortunately, if you get into an accident with someone who doesn’t have auto insurance and they are at fault, you’ll be hung out to dry unless you purchase additional insurance. 

In some cases, an uninsured driver may try to run or offer cash to avoid being caught driving without insurance. To prevent this from happening, call the police as soon as you can, take pictures of the damage and surrounding area, and not accept cash. It’s also important to get the other driver’s name and contact information. 

How to Protect Yourself from Uninsured Motorists

To thoroughly protect yourself from the possibility of getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist and not getting compensated for damages, you can purchase uninsured motorist protection. This means that even if the accident isn’t your fault, you can submit a claim to your insurance to reimburse you for damages. 

If you’re shopping for auto insurance or you have questions, give Insurance Protection Specialists a call to learn more about options and uninsured motorist coverage. We serve Flowood, MS, and the surrounding areas.

How Can I Make Sure My New Car Is Totally Covered?

When people mention "full coverage," what they usually mean is liability, collision, and comprehensive. That’s a good start, but it’s not precisely total coverage.

Chances are, "full coverage" is going to leave you with a gap in your expenses. Your car begins to depreciate the minute you take it off the lot, and collision and comprehensive probably won’t pay you quite what you need to replace it. And if you’re still paying it off, you have to keep paying it off even if it’s been totaled.

Complete coverage will include liability, collision, and comprehensive, as well as the following:

  • Gap coverage. If you’re still making payments, gap insurance will cover the difference.
  • New car replacement insurance. This will cover the purchase of a new car of the same make and model. But if you want to be covered, you might want to consider…
  • Better car replacement insurance. This will cover you for the purchase of a new car one year newer than the one that was totaled. Even if you plan on buying the same vehicle, this will give you a little breathing room for shopping around various at various dealerships.

If you want to make sure you’re covered in Flowood, MS, give Insurance Protection Specialists a call or contact us online. Total coverage might not be worth the higher premium if you’re driving an old car that you could replace yourself out of pocket. Still, if you’re fresh off the lot, you’ll be glad that you took the time to ask Insurance Protection Specialists in Flowood, MS about gap and replacement coverage, and get fully covered from top to bottom.