First-time car owners in Rochester Hills, MI need to buy an excellent insurance policy and avoid serious mistakes that can cost them too much money. So if you’re looking for an excellent plan for your vehicle, please contact us at Guy Hurley McNeil to ensure you don’t pay an excessive amount of money.

Buying the First Policy You Find 

Many new car owners buy the first policy that they are offered and don’t try to balance their coverage. This mistake is enormous because you can quickly end up buying one that doesn’t meet your needs. For example, you may purchase a comprehensive policy on a junker car and spend too much cash. Try to balance your needs with the quality of the vehicle to get the best results. 

Investing in Road Service Coverage 

When you’re buying a relatively new car, you may want to get road service coverage for your insurance policy. This problem is a mistake because you may get this type of coverage when you purchase your vehicle and may end up spending too much money. Talk to your dealer about the possible options here to learn more about what to expect and which options are right for you. 

Undervaluing Your Car 

Although your insurance company will value your car for you, you may not want to spend too much and try to go with the lowest possible policy. This option is understandable if your vehicle is quite old – as many first-time cars are for many drivers – but is less defensible if your car is newer. Don’t skimp out here or you might find your policy is less than perfect. 

Finding the Policy That You Need 

If you live in Rochester Hills, MI and you need a high-quality policy, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Guy Hurley McNeil to find significant policies. We can seek through your options and set you up with a first-time plan that meets your needs as much as possible. 

For those that are in the Rochester Hills, MI area, having auto insurance is very important. Not only will it protect your car, but it will also give you liability protection if you are found to be at fault in an accident. Further, it is also required by law that you carry at least the minimum level of liability insurance. If you are caught driving without this type of insurance coverage a number of negative situations could arise. 

Lose Your License and Get Fined

If you are caught driving without auto insurance one penalty that you need to be aware of is the risk of losing your drivers license and being fined. Auto insurance laws are taking very seriously in the state and if you do not have it in place, your punishment could include not being able to drive for months at a time. 

No Coverage

Most importantly, if you don’t have auto insurance, you will still be liable for the damage that you caused. This means that you may need to come out of pocket in order to make restitution. If you are not able to do so immediately, you likely will have to enter into a court-ordered repayment plan until the debt is paid off. 

For those that are in the Rochester Hills, MI area, it is clearly very important that they have auto insurance in place at all times. When you are looking for your next auto insurance policy, you should speak with the team at Guy Hurley McNeil insurance agency. The Guy Hurley McNeil insurance agency can help you to better understand your auto insurance needs. This will help to make sure that you get into a policy that provides you with the right level of coverage. 

Rochester Hills, MI is one of many places where it feels as though it would be difficult to get by without driving. At Guy Hurley McNeil, we work hard to help people find the best auto insurance to fit their circumstances while keeping the premiums as low as possible.

There are ways that drivers can get discounts, and we also work to help find extra discounts. The last thing anyone wants is to pay more than is necessary for a needed policy.

Here are some of the best car insurance discounts:

• Good Driver (or Safe Driver) is a discount you can qualify for if you have not been at fault in an accident in the past 3 to 5 years. A good driver discount will also require you to have a clean driving record, with no moving violations like speeding or running a stop sign.
• Good Student discounts may be awarded to individuals up to the age of 25 who have at least a 3.0-grade point average in high school or college.
• Low-Income Senior discounts will benefit people who have reached a certain age, such as 62, who can prove they don’t have a high income.
• Customer Loyalty discounts are some of the most common. After you find an insurance company you are comfortable with, you can save money by renewing early, using the same company for multiple policies (like home and auto), or paying six months or a year at a time. You may even be able to get a discount for going paperless.

There may be other discounts you qualify for, as a driver in Rochester Hills, MI. If you would like to see if there are discounts you may qualify for, or if you just want to find a better price on your auto insurance, please call Guy Hurley McNeil today.

One of the biggest financial factors in driving is the cost of car insurance, which relies heavily on your age. Generally, younger drivers and seniors pay more for vehicle insurance. Costs typically decrease after your teens and early twenties, until you hit sixty when your rates rise again.  

Car insurance premiums are generally highest among drivers in the 16 to 24-year old range. According to recent research, the average car insurance costs are highest from 16 years of age to 21 years of age. At 25, vehicle insurance costs tend to decrease sharply and continue declining as you get older. After the age of 55, car insurance premiums slowly start creeping back up, especially between the ages of 60 and 65, typically returning to the rates 25-year-old drivers are charged. Guy Hurley McNeil explains why below. 

Why Teens and Seniors Pay More For Car Insurance

Car insurance in Rochester Hills, MI or metro Detroit is more expensive for teenagers and elderly drivers because statistics indicate that those demographics are more likely to get into car accidents than other age groups. In fact, according to the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety, drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 are three times as likely to be involved in a collision than those from 20 to 50, even though they only account for 7 percent of licensed drivers.  

When it comes to older drivers, the fact is that aging is often behind many accidents. Older drivers generally have slower reflexes and poorer eyesight, which can affect their driving ability. Insurers often charge senior drivers age 70 and above as much as they would charge a driver who is 25 as a result. Of course, your driving record and number of accidents you’ve been involved in will also impact your insurance rates. 

To find the best automobile coverage for your age group, contact the Rochester Hills, MI insurance experts at Guy Hurley McNeil today.

Generally, most auto insurers acknowledge that people tow small trailers with their vehicles. For example, one of the images of traditional Americana is the camping trip via the camper trailer or the fishing trip with the boat trailer. And in that respect, especially if the vehicle is the type that can tow, the risk is carried in the general language of the auto policy provided.

There are a couple of requirements that need to be met by a Rochester Hills, MI car owner. First, the trailer used needs to be licensed and valid if used on public roads. This allows the insurer to see reference and see the trailer in the state DMV records to verify it’s load type. Second, the drivers needs to obey traffic laws involved. Traveling with a trailer often involves driving at slower speeds and staying in the right lane on a highway. DMV manuals in every state spell out these rules for drivers. Third, a car’s hitch and equipment need to be used properly. However, not every insurance policy or car is automatically covered. For example, a compact should not be saddled with a hitch and expected to carry & tow a full extra-length boat trailer. It’s simply silly and extremely dangerous. It’s also very likely to cause an accident as well.

If you want to begin using a trailer on a regular basis in Rochester Hills, MI or the surrounding area, do yourself a favor and give Guy Hurley McNeil’s office a call. Not only can the staff there confirm exactly how trailers are covered, but they can also show you policies available that will provide coverage if yours doesn’t or your current insurer doesn’t want to handle trailers at all. But don’t find out the hard way after an accident. Call Guy Hurley McNeil first and drive safe!

There are many variations and add-ons to consider when selecting auto insurance. The right add-ons depend on your driving habits and how much time you spend in the car. At Guy Hurley McNeil, our team is ready to help you and your family find the right auto insurance add-ons while living in and around Rochester Hills, MI.

Roadside Assistance

You never know when you might need help on the side of the road. Roadside assistance provides an assortment of coverage including towing, tire repair, and a new battery. This is a valuable addition to consider. 

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

In the state of Michigan, it is no fault. So regardless of who is at fault, your insurance coverage will provide you with assistance. However, there are times where an uninsured motorist may damage your vehicle when you are not driving. It may also cause added injuries. In these instances, you need to consider uninsured motorist coverage.

Personal Injury Protection

If you are injured in the event of a car accident, medical bills can quickly add up. Your health insurance policy may not cover everything, leaving you to foot the bill. With the help of personal injury protection or PIP, the insurance coverage will go the extra mile to help pay for your medical bills. It can also help with the loss of income and funeral costs as well. So you may want to consider adding personal injury protection add on to your insurance coverage. 

Whether you live in Rochester Hills, MI or in one of the surrounding communities, it is important to find the right auto insurance coverage. From standard insurance to add-ons, our team at Guy Hurley McNeil is here to help you with all of your auto coverage needs. 

Auto accidents typically involve more than just the car you’re driving. Unless you become distracted on your own, most accidents involve a combination of human actions and two more drivers. Now if everyone follows the rules, that means all involved should have auto insurance to cover damages and their responsibilities. However, many folks only have the minimum coverage required by law. That can be a problem when their coverage doesn’t come close to covering all the costs for medical injuries and property damage you might have suffered. A serious hospital bill in Rochester Hills, MI alone can be well over $15,000 by the time all the medical charges are accounted for, and that doesn’t include loss of wages and property repair bills. For example, coverage on a motorcycle might be minimal, but it can trigger big costs if you run off the road to avoid one.

According to the cases that Guy Hurley McNeil have seen, insufficient coverage drivers can be just as much of a problem as those with no insurance whatsoever. However, the way to deal with this problem is to use prevention. Folks in Rochester Hills, MI can access the same comprehensive auto policies as elsewhere which means they retain coverage for the difference in care and repairs that a driver with a limited policy may not be able to address. That means covered drivers can get back to their lives and restore their vehicles without having to settle for less, being stuck with injuries that become permanent due to a lack of sufficient care, and lost wages are no longer lost. To find out more about how you can get an auto insurance policy that takes into account your needs as well as what the other guy didn’t cover for you, give Guy Hurley McNeil a call today. You’ll be glad you did if an accident does happen.

With an increase in road trips and warmer weather, it’s a good time to remember some key auto safety issues. Here they are, courtesy of Guy Hurley McNeil serving Rochester Hills, MI. 

Seatbelts
Seatbelts are not optional. They are there for a reason, so keep them on at all times, and make sure all your passengers also wear them when in your vehicle. Make sure babies and children are in properly installed car seats and boosters.

Lights on Autos
Be sure all headlights and tail lights work properly. Keep up to date on your vehicle inspections that will check for any malfunctioning lights or other vital issues.

Tires and Other Equipment
Check for proper tire inflation, or have your mechanic do so. Ensure that all other equipment is working as it should. Replace your windshield wiper blades as needed, and always have plenty of windshield cleaner fluid. Keep up with routine vehicle maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and tune-ups.

Driving Focus
When you are driving, keep your eyes on the road. Give your complete focus on your driving. Put away cellphones and other devices. Distracted driving is incredibly dangerous, so don’t do it. And never drive when you have been drinking any alcohol. Ask a designated driver to do the driving.

Rest and Relaxation
Make sure you are well rested when driving because driving when drowsy can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Make sure you’re relaxed and not tense while driving. Be proactive and stay safe not only during the spring but also all year long.

With these safety tips in mind, you are bound to have some great adventures this spring while keeping you, your passengers, and other people on the road safe. For information about auto insurance, please contact the agents of Guy Hurley McNeil, serving Rochester Hills, MI, to get a quote and have your questions answered.

Owning a vehicle is something that many people want to do or are already doing. However, when you own a vehicle in Rochester Hills, MI, that is only part of what you need to do to make sure you are compliant with any laws. In Michigan, it is illegal to drive any vehicle without the minimum amount of auto insurance on the vehicle. If you want to stay out of trouble with the law, you need to get an auto insurance policy from Guy Hurley McNeil that meets these requirements. If you do not, you can face some serious penalties. 

What Can Happen if You Do Not Have Auto Insurance?

If you are ever caught driving without auto insurance in Michigan, you can face several different penalties. These include having your license suspended, not being able to renew, replace, or transfer your license plate and registration, a $50 fine or greater, and your license plate could even be canceled. You will also be blacklisted from any preferred insurance carriers for at least six months and can pretty much guarantee a higher insurance rate because you will be listed as a high-risk driver. If you are involved in an accident, you can get even higher penalties and will also be responsible for any repair costs if the accident is your fault. These fees and costs can add up.

You want to have auto insurance if you own and operate a vehicle in Rochester Hills, MI. If you do not have an auto insurance policy or if you would like to make sure that your policy meets the state minimum requirements, be sure to reach out to us today at Guy Hurley McNeil. We can take a look at your current policy, and we can also get a free quote for you so you can make sure you are covered and that you are getting the best price.