5 years ago
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by
Kris Castle ·
Comments Off on Boat Insurance
The Kentucky 2020 Sport Boat and Recreation Show
By Spencer Kilpatrick
Earlier this month, Kris and I got the chance to promote Castle Insurance at the 2020 Sport, Boat and Recreation show at Rupp Arena. The old adage, “Bust Out Another Thousand holds up”!
Many of the boats on display and for sale would be considered a serious investment for most people! While some might say “the best boat is your friend’s boat”, it was clear that many were considering or actually taking home the newest model over the weekend. And let’s be honest, what sounds better than a weekend on the lake with your family and closest friends? Before you hit the open water, you should ensure your asset is properly protected.
Not unlike a sports car or motorcycle, boats can be a source of endless recreation, but are often overlooked as a liability. Before you hit the waves this year in your speedboat, jetski or pontoon, a routine review of your boater’s insurance should be on your checklist. Most boat owner’s policies do not provide the same medical benefits in an accident that you enjoy on your auto policy.
Simply put, if you haven’t selected additional medical benefits, your passengers may be without coverage in an accident. And yes, boat accidents do happen!
Here at Castle Insurance, we always recommend that anyone operating a boat takes a boater safety class to help identify dangerous situations that can arise on the waters. Most insurance carriers will give you a discount on your boat owner’s insurance if you receive training. Plus, it’s always smart to be prepared.
Ensuring that your current policy has a proper amount of liability coverage, medical payments and trailer coverage is one thing that all boat owners must do. Here at Castle Insurance, we can provide a routine inspection of your insurance policy, much like you inspect your boat before your first trip to the lake.
Keep the fun going on the lake by making sure you have proper protection.
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6 years ago
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by
Kris Castle ·
Comments Off on Does My Auto Insurance Cover Rental Cars?
Blog by Erie Insurance
When it comes time to rent a car, here are two common questions that customers often ask us:
- Do I need to buy the insurance offered by rental car companies?
- If I am in a car accident and need to rent a car, am I covered?
Let’s find out the answers.
INSURANCE OFFERED BY RENTAL CAR COMPANIES
You’re standing at the rental car counter and the person helping you asks if you want to buy insurance through them. Do you need it? Ultimately, it’s up to you but in most cases, you probably don’t, as your personal auto insurance should have you covered for liability claims, but your ERIE Agent can tell you for sure. Additionally, If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, you may also be covered for damage to the rental car.
Auto insurance from Erie Insurance is designed to suitably protect you and your family for incidental use of a car that’s not your own, such as a short-term rental of less than 45 days. The coverage extends to cars in the U.S. or Canada. That said, it’s a good idea to check with an insurance adviser like an ERIE agent beforehand since auto policies vary from person to person.
Here are a few questions to ask your agent about insurance and rental car coverage:
Q: When I rent a car for a combined business trip and a personal vacation, am I covered?
A: Your personal auto policy may not cover you, but your employer’s insurance might.
Q: If more than one person is driving the rental car, am I covered?
A: Your auto insurance likely only covers individuals that are on your policy, such as spouse or kids. So, in this scenario, coverage from the rental company could be a good idea.
Q: If my luggage, purse or personal possessions are stolen out of my rental car, am I covered?
A: Maybe. This depends on the details of your individual auto policy. In many cases, personal property may be covered by a homeowners or rental insurance policy, but not by your auto insurance. It may be worth asking an associate from the rental company what their policy is regarding personal property stolen from their vehicles.
Another option to consider: Many credit card companies offer rental car insurance if you pay the rental fee using their card. Just know that this coverage typically only covers physical damage to the rental car, so you’ll still need separate liability coverage. Get in touch with your credit card company to ask for details.
With liability coverage, there are a few things you should consider. Most states have a required minimum amount of liability coverage, which rental car companies are required by law to offer, but that still may not give you enough protection. If you have personal auto insurance and have opted for higher liability limits, you’ll be better protected.
INSURANCE FOR RENTING A CAR AFTER AN ACCIDENT
If your car needs to be in the shop for a while after an accident, you may need to rent a car. Most auto insurance policies offer rental reimbursement coverage for a nominal extra charge, but sometimes auto insurance shoppers skip adding it to their policies.
With ERIE, basic rental car coverage is automatically included in most states if you’ve purchased comprehensive coverage. That means if your car is disabled because of a fire, theft, glass damage or another comprehensive type claim that may be covered under your policy, you’re covered for a compact sedan rental car. If you need a bigger rental vehicle, you could buy additional coverage (details below).
Related: When is a car considered “totaled”… and what happens when it is?
To have rental car coverage while your vehicle is being repaired from collision losses, such as hitting another car or a fence, building or pole, you would need to purchase collision coverage and add the rental car coverage to your policy.
At ERIE, this add-on coverage is called Transportation Expenses. It allows you to select a class of vehicle you want. It’s a nice benefit, because if you are a family of six… a compact sedan is probably not going to work. There are six classes* from which to choose:
- Class 1: Compact sedan
- Class 2: Traditional sedan
- Class 3: Small SUV or pickup truck
- Class 4: Minivan or midsize SUV
- Class 5: Luxury sedan or large SUV
- Class 6: Specially equipped vehicle that can be operated and accessed by an individual with a disability.
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