Auto Insurance in Ardmore, PA

Getting the Facts on Myths About Car Insurance in Ardmore, PA

If you've just moved to the small community of Ardmore in Pennsylvania's Montgomery and Delaware Counties, educate yourself on the facts and requirements for car insurance in Ardmore before purchasing. Read on to bust some of the most common myths around car insurance.

Myth 1: Your Car's Price Tag Determines Your Insurance Premiums

You've probably heard that the myth that the more expensive your car is, the higher your premiums are. If you have replacement cost insurance, your premiums will probably be lower for a cheaper car because your insurer doesn't have to pay so much if your car gets totaled.

On the other hand, more expensive cars are usually newer and have more safety features:

• Lane-change warnings
• Blind-spot monitoring services
• Improved airbag technology
• Backup cameras
• Autobraking systems

These features reduce your chances of getting severely injured in an accident, so they often result in discounted premiums.

Myth 2: Your Car's Color Is an Important Factor

If you've visited the Piazza Nissan, Chevrolet, INFINITI, or Toyota dealerships in Ardmore, PA, a salesperson has probably warned you that it costs more to insure red cars. The truth is that your car's color does not have a reliable effect on how likely you are to get in an accident, so having a red car does not increase your premiums for car insurance in Ardmore.

What affects your premiums? Your age, driving history, and homeowner's status are all major factors because they're proven to influence your chances of being liable for a wreck. If you're confused about why you're being charged a certain premium, ask your broker to explain each component.

Myth 3: Car Insurance in Ardmore, PA is Optional

Some new drivers think that having car insurance in Ardmore is optional, but it's required in almost every state. Pennsylvania has particularly strict laws, imposing at least $300 fines for drivers who get caught driving without proper insurance. Other possible sanctions include having your license or registration suspended and paying to have this suspension lifted.

To avoid facing these penalties, make sure to maintain an auto insurance policy that provides at least $15,000 of coverage for accidents that affect one person and $30,000 for accidents involving multiple people. You also need at least $5,000 of vehicle liability insurance, which covers damage to other people's houses, cars, and other property. Our Ardmore car insurance brokers can help you pick a plan that has all the coverage you need to drive legally.

Once you take out your policy, make sure to always keep proof of it in your vehicle:

• Insurance plan declaration forms
• Insurance application forms with your broker's signature
• Insurance ID card
• Proof of self-insurance from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Failing to carry one of these documents can result in the same sanctions as driving uninsured.

Every Ticket Affects Your Insurance Premiums

When you apply for car insurance in Ardmore PA, your broker looks at your driving record. If you have a history of DUIs, DWIs, and other serious offenses, you're likely to face steeper premiums. Similarly, if you commit any of these moving violations while you're insured, you risk raising your premiums or even losing your coverage. Getting a single speeding ticket after a history of no moving violations usually doesn't result in higher premiums, though. 

This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.