It can be nerve-wracking as your teen gets closer and closer to driving age. Although there can be a lot of anxiety associated with this season, you can take steps to better prepare your teen for this responsibility. The better prepared they are, the more you can relax. Here at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., serving Westerville, OH, and the surrounding areas, we want to help you prepare for this important time in life. Keep reading to learn about ways to prepare your teen for driving. 

Drivers’ Ed 

Putting your child through a thorough driver’s ed program is a great way to prepare them for time on the road. If your child’s school does not provide driver’s ed as a class or if your child cannot take the course, there are other options. You can get private driver’s ed from local driving instructors. There are also online driver’s ed options as well. Students can complete lessons online while doing the required amount of road training in the vehicle with a parent or guardian. 

Honest Conversations 

You need to have honest, hard conversations with your child about the dangers of distracted driving and intoxicated driving. Kids need to hear the harsh realities of what can happen if they engage in unsafe behaviors while behind the wheel. Although you may not want to think about things like that or scare your child, remember, it is better that they be a little scared than that they are injured or injure someone. 

Real Consequences 

It is also essential that your child knows there will be real consequences if they do not abide by the standards you have established for safe driving. 

If you want to learn about auto insurance, contact us at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc., which serves Westerville, OH, and the surrounding areas. 

If you have recently made modifications to your vehicle in Westerville, OH, then it is likely time to update your car insurance policy. Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. can help you explore why you should let your insurance provider know about any modifications you make to your vehicle. 

Reasons to Update Your Policy After Making Vehicle Modifications 

The first reason you want to update your policy after making modifications is that it can change the car’s value. For example, if you add a new sound system, this could increase the value of the vehicle. As a result, the payout could be higher than your policy initially stated if something happens, like an accident or theft.

Another reason why it is important to keep your policy up-to-date after making changes is because certain modifications may require additional coverage. For instance, if you are adding an improved safety feature such as blind spot detection or lane-keeping technology, then this may need additional coverage from your provider.

In addition to increased safety features, other popular modifications can include changing out tires for better performance on different terrains or adding a turbocharger to boost performance and speed. While these modifications may seem like they don’t affect much at first glance, there are many aspects of how they impact what type of coverage you need, how much it will cost, and how much liability protection is required by law.

More Questions? Contact Associated Insurance Agencies Today

In conclusion, it is important to update your Ohio auto insurance policy whenever you modify or update your vehicle. Contact Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. today, and we can answer any questions.

You’re driving along and minding your business when another car rear-ends you. Thankfully, you’re unharmed, but your car is totaled. Now what? Do you have enough car insurance to cover the damage? Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. is here to answer your questions.

Ohio requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of car insurance, but is that enough to protect you financially if you’re in an accident? Unfortunately, the answer is usually no. 

The State Minimum Is Usually Not Enough 

You hit a pedestrian with your car, and they suffer severe injuries. The average hospital stay in Westerville, OH, costs about $10,000, so if your medical coverage only pays $5,000 per person and $10,000 per accident, you could be on the hook for the remaining $5,000. And that’s not even considering any lost wages or pain and suffering damages the pedestrian may be awarded. 

How Much Insurance Should You Have for Your Car? 

So, how much do you need if the state minimum isn’t enough? That depends on a few factors, such as your assets and how much risk you’re willing to take on. However, most financial experts recommend carrying at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage. Additionally, it’s also good to carry $50,000 in property damage liability coverage. 

The state minimum amount of car insurance is usually not enough to protect you financially if you’re involved in an accident. Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. recommends carrying a higher amount in bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage in Westerville, OH. Contact us today, and we’ll find the right amount of coverage for your needs.

Planning a road trip is exciting but requires a lot of planning and prep. You have to figure out where you want to go, what you want to see, and how you want to get there.

This can all be a lot to think about when you’re just getting ready to leave the driveway, so it’s essential to take some time to plan out your trip and make sure you’re prepared for the road. Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. is here to help the people of Westerville, OH plan to get the most out of their trip safely.

Before You Go

• Perform a basic maintenance check of your car. Take a good look at your fluid levels, changing and topping off as necessary. This includes oil, coolant, and brake fluid. Change your engine and cabin filters if needed. Ensure your tires are correctly inflated, have a spare tire, and the equipment you need to change a flat.

Note: If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, take your car to your local mechanic.

• Have your emergency kit ready. This includes a flashlight, a first aid kit, a cell phone, and jumper cables. If you can, have some emergency money set aside for unexpected expenses.
• Plan your route. Make sure you know where you’re going and how to get there. Check the weather forecast, and don’t drive into weather you aren’t comfortable navigating.

On The Road

• Always wear a seatbelt. It’s the law. Not only that, but it can save your life. If you have small children in the car, ensure they’re correctly restrained with a child or booster seat.
• Avoid driving at night. If you must, then avoid stopping in unfamiliar areas at night. This is especially important if you’re alone.
• Do not drive while impaired. This means no drinking and driving and also no texting while driving.

Even if you’re the safest driver you know, you can still get into an accident. Ensure your financial security is not at risk with a comprehensive car insurance policy from Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH!

You may think that you know all there is to know about auto insurance in Westerville, OH. However, there are a few lesser-known facts of which you may not be aware. If you are planning to purchase a new car, change or update your current policy, or just want all the facts, you need to learn as much as you can. The experts at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc are here to answer any questions that you may have.

Your Policy Can Be Canceled at Any Time

Many people are not aware of the fact that their insurance company can cancel their auto insurance policy at any time if you violate their guidelines. The same is true for non-renewals.

If you fail to pay your monthly premium when it is due, have your driver’s license revoked or suspended, submit too many claims where you are at fault, or misrepresent your driving or insurance history. All of these are reasons why the insurance provider may cancel your policy or deny renewal.

Small Billing Fees You May Not Be Noticing Each Month

Take the time to look over your insurance bill. If you are paying installments, you may see an additional charge for administrative fees. The more you divide your payments, the higher this convenience fee may be. In addition, there may also be charges added for the payment methods that you choose when paying your bills, such as credit card fees or pay-by-phone charges.

If you notice any additional fees on your bill, contact your provider to find out what the charges are for and how to avoid paying them. You could end up saving a considerable amount of money over time by eliminating unnecessary fees.

If you are interested in learning more facts about auto insurance in Westerville, OH, contact Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. We are here to address all of your concerns. Call us today.

Auto insurance is what every driver in the state of Ohio needs. This type of insurance protects your car, you as a driver, other passengers, and other parties on the road. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions and myths about auto insurance that you should know about before buying a policy. Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. serving clients in Westerville, OH prepared a list of the most common of them: 

Most Common Myths About Auto Insurance

Here is a list of very common misconceptions about car insurance:

• Getting insurance for a red car costs more money. There is a belief that red cars are more expensive in terms of the insurance. However, the color of a car is not one of those factors that have an impact on the price of auto insurance. 
• Expensive cars cost more to insure. It does not matter what is the purchase price of your car. There are many mid-priced vehicles that cost more to insure.
• Traffic tickets automatically increase the cost of insurance. It depends on the type of violation. If your violation is minor, your car insurance will not be affected.
• To carry a state minimum car insurance is enough. The state of Ohio requires all drivers to carry a certain minimum amount of liability insurance. However, it is important to understand that in most cases this amount will not be enough to cover a car accident. 

If you are a car owner living in Westerville, OH or any other town in Ohio, Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. will be glad to help you find insurance that you need and deserve. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our agency and talk to any of our insurance agents. 

Ohio has a basic amount of auto insurance it requires all drivers to have. While some people may feel that this is an amount of auto insurance that will fully protect them, for others it just won’t be the right amount. Not only do you need to access how much liability coverage you need, but you also need to decide on other auto insurance options available.  At Associated Insurance Agencies Inc.in Westerville, OH, our business is making sure our customers have the insurance they need to be in compliance with the law and to give them the protection they need. 

In Ohio, drivers are required to carry liability insurance on their vehicles. 25/50/25 is the basic amount of required insurance you can legally get away with. That is $25,000 for injuries and medical bills for the first injured person in an accident you caused and a total of $50.000 for the injuries for the total accident. $25,000 is for damages that affected property. Given what a hospital stay can cost and what a vehicle sells for, this is on the lower side. 

If you have a reasonable amount of assets if you own a home, a business, a cabin or just about anything you could be in danger of losing them if a judgment was won against you that is in excess of the basic amount of liability insurance that is required. Talk to your insurance agent about the amount of liability insurance that would give you the level of coverage you need. 

Collision and comprehensive coverage protect your vehicle. If you use your vehicle every day to get to work, to the store, to drop off kids, or other daily activities, it is important you have insurance that would repair or replace that vehicle in the event of an accident. 

Contact Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH, to discuss your insurance needs. 

Driving in Ohio requires a number of different minimum coverages to stay legal. The Ohio Financial Responsibility Law sets the amounts and makes it mandatory to pay for an accident that you cause. When you go to renew your license or your auto registration, you have to sign a paper saying that you won’t drive without insurance. Ohio also has the Random Selection Program for drivers. This allows the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to pick you at random to prove that you have insurance. To make sure you have the coverage you need, call us at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH.

Coverage for Bodily Injury

If you have caused an accident, you will be responsible for the medical bills of the other parties in the accident. This type of coverage is called bodily injury liability, and you must maintain a minimum amount of it that will cover each person who has been injured in the accident. There is another amount that you must carry in order to pay the medical bills of more than one person who were in the accident. It’s often recommended to add to your bodily injury coverage, as medical bills have gotten more expensive in recent years. 

Coverage for Property Damage

Property damage is the other required part of insurance in Ohio. There is a specific minimum amount you must have for any damage you cause to someone’s property during the accident. This may include another vehicle from the accident or even someone’s building if your car did damage to one. 

Call For Your Appointment

If you need auto insurance, don’t let another day go by. Call us at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH to make your appointment with a knowledgeable insurance agent about your coverage. 

Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. serves the Westerville, OH community, as well as the surrounding areas, by offering residents multiple types of insurance policies. We strive to provide dependable service to our clients when they need it most. For over 30 years, we have established great relationships with multiple carriers throughout the Midwest.

Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance helps you stay safe on the road as you travel through Westerville OH and beyond. Auto insurance primarily protects you if you are involved in a collision with another vehicle and damages occur. Liability coverage will cover you if you are believed to be responsible for the damages caused by the accident. Liability coverage also protects you if you are held liable for injuries that your passenger sustained during an accident.

Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle if it is vandalized due to a fire or natural disaster. You will also be protected if you are a victim of car theft. Uninsured motorist coverage will protect you if you are involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have any insurance. Emergency assistance is also an asset, as a disaster can happen at any moment. The policy will cover you if you have engine troubles or a flat tire. In addition to roadside assistance, you’ll also have access to towing services. You can amend your policy to include rental coverage if you need to seek alternative transportation while your vehicle is being repaired.

Your policy may differ based on the amount of driving that you plan to do. If you plan to keep your vehicle in storage when you aren’t using it, you can add coverage to protect your vehicle if an accidental fire starts or another type of disaster happens at the facility.

Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. Will Help You Drive Safely

Visit our website today to learn more information on auto insurance.

In Ohio, you must have at least liability auto insurance to legally drive on the roadways. This type of insurance will cover injuries and property damages sustained by others if you are involved in an auto accident that is deemed to be your fault. In addition to liability insurance, there are several other types of auto insurance coverage options you can choose from to fit your situation. If you obtained a loan from a bank or other financial institution to purchase your vehicle, there are some types of other auto insurance coverage options you may be required to have in place.

Underinsured/Uninsured Motorist Coverage

This type of insurance protects you and your vehicle if you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have any insurance at all or does not have enough insurance to cover injuries or property damage sustained by you or your passengers.

Collision Insurance

A collision insurance policy will pay for repairs or to replace your vehicle if it is damaged or destroyed if you are involved in an accident with another vehicle or with an object. For example, if you hit a pole or building, this type of coverage will help pay for the repairs to your vehicle from any damage that is sustained.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage will help cover the costs to replace your vehicle or repair it if it is damaged or destroyed by a fire, vandalism, or a natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane. It will also help you replace your vehicle if your car, truck, or SUV is stolen.

To figure out which coverage options are best for you and your situation to protect the investment you have made in your vehicle, you should enlist the assistance of an experienced auto insurance agent. The trusted and knowledgeable auto insurance agents at Associated Insurance Agencies Inc. in Westerville, OH are ready to help you with all of your insurance needs. Call for an appointment today!