Five Auto Insurance Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs

Come armed with knowledge, and you will get the best auto insurance deal for you and your vehicle. However, go into it with only the slightest grasp of what you should be looking for, and it could cost you. Therefore, you need to know what to look out for.

Avoid Making These Five Common Auto Insurance Mistakes

Some of the most common mistakes that people make when it comes to auto insurance include:

• Not understanding the coverage you need or have already purchased.

As a vehicle owner, you should know what coverage you need and what you already have. You should feel free to shop around for auto insurance. Just be cautious. Insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. Remember, these companies are first and foremost concerned with making money.

• Mistakenly believing that you are covered for everything.

Not all auto insurance policies are the same. Despite what you might be paying in deductibles and premiums, different policies will cover different things. Make sure you know what is in your policy. For instance, do you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP)? Although it is required in Texas, you can be tricked into signing out of this common protection policy. The same is true of coverage for underinsured or uninsured motorists (UM/UIM coverage).

• You take the minimum coverage required by your state.

The minimum coverage will not cover all potential hazards on roadways. A decent policy can help cover medical bills, funeral costs, and other expenses associated with a motor vehicle accident. For this reason, you must avoid taking a policy with minimum coverage.

• You choose Med Pay instead of PIP.

You should ensure your policy includes PIP coverage. PIP coverage can help pay for many expenses that occur after a motor vehicle accident involving injuries. On the other hand, Med Pay covers hospital bills, but not lost income. Med Pay is also subject to subrogation. This means you will have to repay Med Pay benefits if you obtain a settlement. PIP coverage is not subject to subrogation in Texas.

• You focus only on price.

Do not just go for the lowest deductible. Find the policy that best suits you, even if you have to pay a little more. It will be worth it in the end if something happens. The Texas auto accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC are dedicated to the community. If you have questions about your insurance policy, we may be able to help you find answers. You may also contact us for a free consultation if you or a loved one was harmed in a car accident.

Do Texas Drivers Rank Among the Worst Aggressive Drivers?

A new study claims that Texas drivers are among the angriest in the country. According to GasBuddy, which conducted a national survey on aggressive driving, Texas motorists are the 4th most aggressive in the country.GasBuddy, a company that operates apps for finding fuel prices, conducted its research by compiling data from its Trips feature. The feature provides motorists with assessments of their driving habits. Trips allows users to assess their aggressive driving habits, such as hard braking, speeding, and rapid acceleration. Hard braking was the most common aggressive driving habit reported by Trips users. The survey’s findings indicate that aggressive driving occurs most often in densely populated cities with lots of congestion. While this means you are more likely to encounter aggressive drivers in nearby Houston, it does not mean Angelina County is immune to road rage. There are steps that you can take to reduce your chances of being in an accident or other confrontation with an aggressive driver.

Warning Signs You Are Dealing with an Angry Driver

Angry drivers can put you and others at greater risk of harm in a car accident. You should never escalate the situation if an angry driver confronts you. In some cases, it may be necessary to drive to a safe (populated) area to contact the police. Some road rage incidents involve violence or firearms. Be aware of the warning signs of aggressive driving that include, but are not limited to:

• Speeding. Angry drivers are more likely to speed. Unfortunately, speeding is a significant cause of car accidents in the US each year.

• Tailgating. If another driver is upset with you, then they may drive very close to the rear of your vehicle. Tailgating could lead to a rear-end accident.

• Unsafe lane changes. Angry drivers may make quick, aggressive lane changes. Some drivers may shift to the shoulder lane to pass other motorists.

• Failing to follow traffic signals or signs. Aggressive drivers who are short on patience may run red lights or stop signs.

Of course, there are other warning signs of angry driving that most of you are familiar with. Angry drivers may use honking or hand gestures. The Texas car accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC, encourage safe driving. For future updates on our blog, continue to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have questions about your rights after a car accident, call us at (936) 632-2000 or use our online contact form.