Three Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

When you own a vehicle, you are required to have an auto insurance policy for it. It’s never a good idea to try to go without this insurance. This will put you in danger of fines and fees and make you vulnerable to the high cost of accidents. Different kinds of coverage can be included in auto insurance policies. Here are three of the types that policies should have to keep you protected. When you need auto insurance, call us at Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI, to get started. 

Liability Coverage 

Every auto policy needs to have two types of liability coverage. Both are required in Michigan. Your auto policy should have both property damage and bodily injury liability coverage. Each of these protects against different costs you may be responsible for. When you have property damage liability, this pays for the cost of repairs to the other vehicle involved in the accident. The bodily injury coverage pays for the other party’s medical bills when they are injured in an accident with your vehicle. 

Collision Coverage

When you have collision coverage, it protects you against damage to your own property. When you’re in an accident, this coverage can pay for the repairs you need for your vehicle when you’re at fault for the accident. This is important to have with the high cost of repairs today. 

Comprehensive Coverage

This protects you against the many dangers of your vehicle when it isn’t being driven. Many things can happen to a car; you can protect against them with this type of coverage. 

Get Auto Insurance in Rochester Hills, MI

If you don’t have the needed coverage, now’s the time to get it. Call us at Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI.

How do auto insurance companies assess my risk?

Auto insurance companies use various information sources to determine the risk they take when insuring an individual or family. Some information is the applicant’s demographic characteristics, previous driving and accident history, vehicles, and other factors. The information is used in formulas to determine the premium required to insure the applicant or others like them profitably. Guy Hurley McNeil, serving the Rochester Hills, MI area, is here to help you understand and acquire the insurance coverage that will best protect you and your family.

Auto Insurance Risk Factors

Auto insurance companies have decades of information on driver profiles, accident histories, claim volumes, and the money paid in claims. That information helps them understand how accidents and claims vary by age, gender, marital status, and similar applicant characteristics. While the insurance company cannot know how safe a specific 16-year-old driver will be, history tells them that new drivers experience more accidents than experienced drivers, so all else equal, younger drivers have higher premiums.

Besides demographic characteristics, previous accidents, traffic tickets, and other driver record elements influence the risk calculation. Likewise, the vehicle’s value, safety equipment, and performance characteristics affect the likelihood of accidents and the cost of repairs if one occurs. Of course, the coverage limits and deductibles an applicant chooses also affect the expected risk.

An emerging trend for assessing and incorporating risk is usage-based insurance (UBI). UBI uses vehicle telematics to track driving habits, such as speeding, hard braking, and miles driven, with premiums adjusted based on the risks posed by such driving.

Working With Guy Hurley McNeil

Our team at Guy Hurley McNeil serves the Rochester Hills, MI area and will happily answer your insurance questions and prepare a policy to meet your needs best. Call or stop in to see us today.

What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

Our agents at the Guy Hurley McNeil Insurance Agency, serving the Rochester Hills, MI area, want you to know that auto insurance is required in Michigan.

Auto Liability Insurance

All drivers in the state of Michigan must have at least an auto liability insurance policy. If you drive a vehicle, you better have auto liability insurance if you are pulled over or involved in an accident. The reason for this is to protect you and the other driver if you cause an accident and the other driver or their passengers suffer injuries or property damage. While auto liability insurance coverage is required, there are several different auto insurance options you can choose from to add to your policy.

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive insurance is a wonderful policy to have in place. This is because it will help you financially if your vehicle is destroyed or damaged by a tornado or some other natural disaster. It will also help you cover expenses if your car catches on fire or someone vandalizes it. If you walk outside to get in your vehicle and it’s gone because somebody stole it, your comprehensive insurance policy will help you replace it.

Collision Insurance Coverage

Collision insurance is also important. This is because at any time, while you’re driving on the road, you could collide with another vehicle or some sort of object, such as a pole or sign. If this happens, this part of your policy will help you repair your vehicle.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage

You never know when you will become involved in an accident, and the other driver may not have enough insurance to cover your injuries or property damage. This is the reason it’s a good idea to have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to make up for the lack of insurance on the other person’s part.

Contact Guy Hurley McNeil Insurance Agency

There are other types of auto insurance coverage that our agents at the Guy Hurley McNeil Insurance Agency, serving the Rochester Hills, MI area, can help you choose from, along with the main ones listed above. Call today for an appointment and get your policy started!

Safe Driving Habits Every Driver Should Cultivate

Defensive driving is one of the best ways to avoid accidents. By cultivating safe driving habits, you protect yourself and other drivers on the road. The following safe driving habits compiled by Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI can make driving a safer, more pleasant experience for everyone.

Focus on Driving

When you’re on the road, focus on driving. Don’t let your mind wander or get distracted by phone calls, music on your stereo, or conversations in the car. Keep your eyes on the road and your mind on getting to your destination safely.

Respect Speed Limits

Respecting speed limits enhances safety for you and those around you. Adjust your speed accordingly during rush hour or adverse weather to avoid accidents. Also, use extreme caution in school zones or residential areas.

Stay Calm

Stay calm when you’re late for work and caught in a traffic jam. When the driver in front of you cuts you off, stay calm. Getting angry only provokes other drivers and increases your risk of accidents.

Check Blind Spots

Before changing lanes or passing other vehicles, check your blind spots. Looking in your rearview mirror isn’t enough – also look over your shoulder to make sure the lane is clear before shifting over.

Maintain Your Vehicle

Have your car maintained regularly to ensure it’s roadworthy. Remember that faulty brakes, worn tires, and defective windshield wipers can cause serious accidents.

Pull Over When You’re Tired  

If you’re feeling drowsy, find a safe place to stop and take a break from driving. Driving when you’re tired is a recipe for disaster.

Keep Your Auto Insurance Current

Ensure your auto coverage is current, relevant, and meets the legal requirements for Michigan drivers. For help obtaining quality auto insurance coverage, contact Guy Hurley McNeil in Rochester Hills, MI.

Brake Maintenance and Car Safety

Staying safe out on the road involves more than having an excellent insurance policy. The insurance professionals with Guy Hurley McNeil want to help you stay safe on the streets in Rochester Hills, MI, and the surrounding areas. Keep reading to learn more about how brake maintenance affects your vehicle safety. 

Is It Time For Brake Maintenance?

Several signs will alert you that your brakes need servicing. One of the most obvious signs is that the brakes will start squeaking and making noise when you try to brake. This is caused by the material on the brake pads breaking down. When this happens, the metal is scraping against the metal. This creates an unsafe braking situation. 

Another sign is that you will have prolonged braking times. If you need to brake further back, it could mean your brakes need repair. 

What Are The Risks?

The most dangerous risk to avoiding brake maintenance is that you will not be able to stop in time when you need to. This can put you in a lot of danger. It would be best to have plenty of reaction time when braking on the roads. If you come upon a person, animal, or object in the roadway, you will need this quick braking. The worse your brakes are, the slower the reaction time will be in this type of situation. 

Who Should Work On Brakes?

Having a professional mechanic work on your brakes is always a good idea. This will ensure the job is done right and safely. 

If you would like to learn about auto insurance, don’t hesitate to contact Guy Hurley McNeil serving Rochester Hills, MI, and the surrounding areas. We will be happy to help you today. 

Safe driving tips for new drivers

As a new driver in the Rochester Hills, MI area, staying safe on the road should be your top priority.

Here are some essential, safe driving tips for new drivers from us at Guy Hurley McNeil to help you stay safe and avoid accidents: 

1. Follow the speed limit – Stick to the posted speed limits, especially in residential and school zones. Speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents, so obeying the law is essential. 

2. Avoid distractions – Put away your cell phone while driving and stay focused on the road. Distractions such as talking or texting on your phone can take your attention away from driving, leading to an accident. 

3. Wear your seatbelt – Always wear your seatbelt when driving, as it will significantly reduce the risk of injury or death in an accident. 

4. Pay attention to other drivers – Be aware of what other drivers are doing and give them plenty of space to maneuver safely. This can help you anticipate their actions and avoid potential accidents. 

5. Drive defensively – Always drive defensively by not assuming other drivers will always follow the rules of the road or drive safely all the time. Being proactive and taking extra precautions when on the roads can help keep you and others safer driving. 

By following these tips, you should be able to stay safer while out on the roads as a new driver! For more tips, give us at Guy Hurley McNeil a call today. We are proud to serve the Rochester Hills, MI area and would be happy to help you find an insurance policy to meet your needs and budget.

What is Auto Insurance Reform?

In the summer of 2020, Michigan lawmakers passed bills aimed at auto insurance reform. This bill was designed to change the way the no-fault laws operated in Michigan regarding auto insurance and help residents of Michigan save on their auto insurance policies. Some of the reform went into place immediately in 2020, while other bits of the reform were slowly rolled out and went into effect a year later in 2021. To this day, many Michigan residents are not fully aware of the auto insurance reform and how it impacts their auto insurance. As we at Guy Hurley McNeil, auto insurance providers in the greater Rochester Hills, MI region, explain more about auto insurance reform in Michigan. 

Why Was There a Push for Auto Insurance Reform? 

The state of Michigan had the highest auto insurance costs in the nation, costing Michigan drivers a lot of money. A lot of the reason for these high costs is that insurance providers were subject to paying out high expenses in catastrophic accidents that resulted in major injuries. The theory was that insurance companies could reduce auto insurance premiums by reforming what insurance companies had to pay for in accidents and placing limits on payouts. 

Did Auto Insurance Reform Work? 

Auto insurance reform has caused the cost of auto insurance policies to drop by about 20 percent in Michigan since the reform happened. However, auto insurance policies are now very complex in the state of Michigan, and there is a lot of complexity about billing and what insurance companies have to cover, and at what expense. As such, insurance rates have not dropped as much as state lawmakers had hoped. 

Auto insurance reform has led to consumers having many questions about their auto insurance policies. If you have questions about your policy or are in the market for a new policy, the team at Guy Hurley McNeil, serving the greater Rochester Hills, MI area, would love to help you. Contact us today to get started. 

How much auto insurance do I need?

It’s no secret that car insurance can be expensive. But how much do you need? How can you get the best rates? In this blog post, we’ll answer all of those questions and more. We’ll help you determine how much car insurance you need, learn about the factors that affect rates and find ways to save money on your premiums. So whether you’re shopping for car insurance for the first time or just looking to save a few bucks, read on for tips and advice that will help you get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Let’s talk about how to determine how much car insurance you need. The first thing to remember is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer here. Every driver has unique needs and circumstances, and the coverage you need will depend on several factors, including where you live, how much you drive, and the type of car you own.

One helpful rule of thumb is considering the combined value of your home, property, and car. If it exceeds a certain amount (for example, $100,000), you’ll likely need more extensive coverage to protect yourself in case of an accident or other loss.

Another critical factor to consider is your record as a driver. If you have a history of accidents or moving violations, insurance companies may consider you a higher risk – and that means you’ll likely have to pay more for coverage. On the other hand, if you have a clean driving record, you may qualify for lower rates.

If you have any questions or want to explore your options, please give us at Guy Hurley McNeil a call today. We proudly serve the Rochester Hills, MI area.

Three things to know about auto insurance

Getting auto insurance coverage is one of the most important things you need to do as a vehicle owner. It’s important to do your research to understand auto insurance and choose the right policy.

At Guy Hurley McNeil, we offer auto insurance coverage to motorists in the Rochester Hills, MI area. The following are three things you should know about auto insurance as a Michigan driver.

Liability coverage on your auto insurance policy is required by law.

The most important reason why you need auto insurance is that it is required by law so that you can drive legally.

You must carry liability coverage to meet the requirements of your state’s DMV requirements. Failing to carry the liability coverage required in your state can lead to severe penalties. 

Your driving record can impact your auto insurance costs.

If you want to save money on your auto insurance, you should focus on avoiding driving infractions. If you have a lot of infractions, such as speeding tickets and moving violations, on your record, you can expect auto insurance to be more expensive. 

A higher deductible can reduce your premium costs.

Motorists need to understand the relationship between deductible amounts and premium costs on auto insurance policies.

If you choose a higher deductible, you’ll have to pay more to get coverage if you need to file a claim. However, you’ll also generally enjoy lower monthly premiums if you choose a higher deductible. A lower deductible amount usually means higher monthly premium costs. 

Contact us at Guy Hurley McNeil to learn more about auto insurance. We can help you meet your auto insurance needs in Rochester Hills, MI.

What are the standard auto insurance liability levels in Rochester Hills, MI?

Auto insurance is a necessary component for driving in Rochester Hills, MI. The lack of insurance is a misdemeanor in the state, which means you could be fined, go to jail, or lose your license. So, you must obtain a policy immediately. Here are the minimum liability levels.

Michigan Injury Liability Coverage

According to the Guy Hurley McNeil Agency, you need bodily liability insurance to cover claims against you for injuries related to an auto accident. Minimal coverage must equal $250,000 or more for each individual. In addition, it has to cover $500,000 per accident. If you don’t make a selection during the initial signup process, the insurance agency defaults to the limits of $250,000/$500,000.

Under Michigan law, you have the choice to select lower bodily liability limits as long as you sign a form understanding the consequences. However, if you injure someone in Rochester Hills, MI, or another area in the state, you could face seizure of assets and the garnishment of your wages. 

Michigan Collision Liability Coverage

Michigan doesn’t require drivers to have collision coverage in their auto insurance policy. Thus, the following could occur if you decline to purchase the liability package:

  1. Repairs are out-of-pocket when you get into a single-person accident (you’re the only party involved).
  2. If another vehicle causes an accident, you only receive $1,100 toward repairs as part of a mini-tort. 

For these reasons, adding collision liability coverage is recommended to keep your car on the road.

Do you have further questions related to Michigan’s auto insurance minimums? If so, reach out to the Guy Hurley McNeil team for more information.