There are certain things that do affect the overall cost of your auto insurance policy, and one of them is your driving record. For those in the Woodstock, GA area, the agents with Peter Lackzo Insurance Inc. may be able to help explain.

The main concern that most people have in regards to their driving record is how it is going to affect their monthly insurance premiums. In most cases, one accident is not going to drive up the price of your monthly policy to the point that you cannot pay for it. If however, you have a driving record with multiple accidents, some of which are bad accidents, your premiums will be negatively affected. You may get discounts for being a safe driver as well.

Similarly, if you have moving infractions, your policy is also going to cost more than if you have a clean and safe driving record. In most cases, your insurance agent only requires that you report accidents and infractions within a specific period. This means that if you had an accident ten years ago, it is very unlikely to affect the overall cost of your premiums. Likewise, if you have an infraction that caused you to get dropped from another company, your premiums are going to be much higher.

It is important that you be truthful and thorough when reporting any accidents that you may have had as most insurance agencies are going to do a check to see what infractions are on your record when you sign up for a policy. If you live in the Woodstock, GA area, the agents with Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. can help you to find the policy that is going to work for you. They can also help you to find any discounts that might help you to counter your driving record.  

Typically, gap insurance tacks an extra 5 to 6-percent onto your comprehensive/collision premium if you purchase it through your insurance company. You may also be able to purchase gap insurance for a one-time payment due at the signing of your car loan. In this case, the cost is typically rolled into your loan. But do you really need it? Following are four reasons why you need gap insurance in Woodstock, GA. 

Upside Down Loan

Many people owe more than their car is worth. This is especially true if it’s a new car. Once you drive off the lot, the value of your car drops drastically. Gap insurance protects you if you were to total your car before you get it paid down enough so your car is worth more than what you owe. 

Depreciation Protection

All cars depreciate, some faster than others. A gap policy protects you against depreciation by making sure you get more money for your car if you total it. You see, most insurance companies will only pay the book price of a car, which can be substantially less than it’s worth or what you owe. 

Better Coverage

If you own an expensive car, you will get better coverage with gap insurance than you would a standard policy alone. Gap insurance will cover things that your standard policy won’t. With a more expensive car, you have more to lose. 

Lender Requirement

Many lenders require that you purchase gap insurance so you can pay off your loan in entirety if your car gets totaled. If you don’t have gap insurance, you could still owe thousands on your car long after it’s sitting in a salvage yard. 

There are several reasons why gap insurance is a good idea. If you have any questions regarding your coverage, contact Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. today. 

When was the last time you were stranded on a road outside of Woodstock GA? Never? Maybe since you’ve enjoyed such a long string of good luck, you haven’t bothered to keep your car properly supplied with an emergency kit? At Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. we want to help you stay safe with this handy list of items that can help you out of roadside mishaps:

1. All the right contact information in your phone: Make sure that you have added your roadside assistance company, insurance company and multiple close contacts into your stored phone list. It only takes a minute, but can save you hours of frustration when help is really only one button away.
2. Fix-a-Flat or spare tire: If your new lease didn’t come with a spare tire in the trunk, then you need to have the next best thing. A can of fix-a-flat can help you get your car with a simple flat tire to the next populated area without having to abandon your vehicle. If you do have a spare, make sure it is inflated and the wrench and jack are where they belong.
3. Jumper cables: Even in this modern era, your car still has a battery that can fail in the middle of the night in a near empty parking lot. Whether it’s the old pair of cables or a new battery conditioner, you can turn an expensive tow into a fifteen-minute inconvenience with the right tools on board.
4. A Small Shovel: Okay, you are not going to get stuck in a snow bank around here. But what about a muddy embankment? Sudden urban flooding can do unexpected things to the terrain. That collapsible shovel can dig you out of many situations with just a little effort.

For more tips on road safety and auto insurance in the Woodstock GA area, give the folks at Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. a call. They’ll be happy to help.

Imagine this: You are driving out of state and suddenly you find yourself involved in a car accident. Your mind will likely suddenly swirl with questions. Are there different steps you should take when filing a claim out of state? What if the state’s required minimum is more than your state’s? And will your insurance company travel to another state to look at your vehicle? If you are in this situation, getting answers to some of the questions you have may help to ease some of your worry and stress.

Are There Different Steps to Take When Filing a Claim Out of State?

For the most part, no. When possible, you will want to get a report from law enforcement. You will want to exchange insurance information with the other driver. You will want to get contact information from any witnesses. And you will want to take pictures of the accident scene to document everything. From there, you will want to notify your insurance company and if required, the DMV in your state.

What if Your Minimum Auto Insurance is Less Than the State You Are Traveling In?

If you only carry the minimum amount of auto insurance, your auto insurance automatically adjusts to the minimum amount when you travel in another state. As such, if you are required to carry $15,000 in insurance in your state, but travel to a state that requires you to carry $20,000, your auto insurance will automatically increase the amount if you are in an accident in that state.

How Do You Get Your Car Inspected and Repaired?

If you are out of state, your insurance company may handle the inspection process a bit differently. Depending on how close you are to your state, they may have one of their adjusters drive out to the repair shop to inspect your car. If they are a nationwide company, or have offices in the area, they may have a company representative inspect the car. Some will accept pictures or phone snap shots if the damage is minor. And other companies may just ask for pictures along with a write up from the repair company. Ask your insurance company how they handle this situation, as it does vary.

If you have questions about your auto insurance policy and driving out of state, or you plan on driving out of state frequently for work and want a new policy that offers better protection, contact Peter Laczko Insurance Inc. We serve the greater Woodstock, GA are and would love to help you with all of your insurance needs.