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Auto

Why do you need auto insurance?

It's really all about protecting yourself financially.

• If you're in an accident or your car is stolen, it costs money, often a lot of money, to fix or replace it.
• If you or any passengers are injured in an accident, medical costs can be extremely expensive.
• If you or your car is responsible for damage or injury to others, you may be sued for much more than you're worth.
• Not only is having insurance a prudent financial decision, many states require you to have at least some coverage.

Questions to ask your agent

Your Independent Agent is an advocate for finding auto insurance that meets your specific needs. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for the discussion:

• How much can you afford to pay if you get in an accident? (To keep premiums low you may want to have a higher deductible and be willing to pay more for repairs.)
• What is the insurance company's level of service and ability to pay claims?
• What discounts are available? (Ask about good driver, multiple policy and student discounts.)
• What's the process for filing and settling a claim? (Ask who to call and what happens after you file a claim.)

Lowering the Cost

How much you pay for car insurance depends on many factors. Following the suggestions listed below may help you lower the cost of your auto insurance and keep your premiums low.

Before you buy a car , check with your agent to see what it will cost to insure it. More expensive cars cost more to repair, maintain and insure. Performance cars cost more to insure than family sedans. The safety equipment you select may also lead to a variety of discounts.

Insure all your cars with one company . The more policies you have with a company, whether it¹s for your cars or home, the more substantial savings you may get. Also consider increasing your deductible. By raising the amount you pay out-of-pocket for losses, you can save more on your auto policy.

Try to weed out overlapping insurance . If you have a medical and disability plan at work, you might wish to reduce medical or personal injury coverage on your auto policy, and save the difference. Ask your agent to explain the trade-offs.

Drive safely . A clean driving record can potentially lower your insurance rates.

How you pay can also influence the price you pay. Safeco's most convenient plan is the Checkless Payment Plan, where your monthly premium is deducted automatically from your checking account. You can also pay your entire premium in full either by check or credit card.

Understanding Insurance Terms

How Collision Is Different Than Comprehensive—and Other Handy Information

The terms and jargon used by the insurance industry can be unfamiliar to many people. That's why it is important that you clearly understand your options and know what you're paying for. Here are some of the terms we use. (Most policies are a combination of several or all of these coverages.)

These protect you and other people:

• Liability Coverage
  This coverage protects you from expenses related to bodily injury or property damage you or your car cause in an accident. When choosing liability coverage, consider things like how much money you make and the property you own. Your liability coverage should be high enough to protect you if you are sued after an accident.
• Medical Coverage
  This covers medical expenses for you and your passengers that result from an accident. If you frequently have a lot of passengers, you should consider carrying a higher amount than people who mostly drive alone.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
  This pays for expenses associated with bodily injury or death from an accident caused by an uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run driver who is at fault. This also covers you if you are hit as a pedestrian.

These protect your car:

Collision Coverage
This pays to repair the damage done to your car due to an accident. Your agent will help you determine the amount of coverage you need based on the value of your car.

Comprehensive Coverage
In most situations, this pays for damage done to your car in some way other than a collision. For example, if your car is stolen or vandalized. This also includes loss from fire, cracked windshields, floods, falling objects and wind.