Drive Knowing You Are Covered

Check that everyone is alright, then move out of traffic if the cars still roll. Snap photos of both vehicles, the plates, and the spot where it happened. Swap names and policy details with the other driver, ask the police for a report, and let me know once you are somewhere safe.

Sometimes, and sometimes not at all. A small claim where you were not at fault often leaves your rate alone. A large at fault claim usually shows up at renewal. Before you file, ask me to run the numbers, because a minor repair paid out of pocket can work out cheaper.

Ask yourself how you would get to work if your car sat at a body shop for two weeks. If a neighbor or a bus route covers it, you can skip this one. If skipping work is not an option, the few dollars a month it costs tend to pay for themselves the first time you need a loaner.

Yes. You are not locked in until renewal. Most carriers refund the unused portion once you cancel. The one rule that matters is timing, so let the new policy start first and cancel the old one after. A gap of even a single day can raise what you pay next time.

That is where uninsured driver cover earns its keep. It handles your repairs and medical bills when the person who caused the crash carries nothing. Without it, you would be chasing them in court for money that may never turn up. It is one of the cheaper pieces on a policy.