What is an Auto Insurance Deductible, and How Does it Work?

At Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, we understand that insurance terminology can be a bit tricky at times, so we are here to take the guesswork out of your insurance policy. Many have asked us what an auto insurance deductible is and how it works.

Simply put, your auto insurance deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket for a covered loss before your insurance company pays a claim. Typically, you will see deductibles on comprehensive and collision coverages on your auto policy. Therefore, if you are in a collision with another car and are found liable for damages, you will be responsible for paying a deductible. Then, the insurance agency will pay for the rest of the repairs.

For example, in this scenario, you have $4000 in damages to your car after a covered accident and a $500 deductible on collision coverage. In that case, you would pay $500 to the repair shop, and the insurance company would pay the other $3500.

Anytime you purchase an auto policy with comprehensive and collision coverages on it, you will choose a deductible you are willing to pay if you have either type of claim. Most companies offer deductibles in $250 increments so that you can have deductibles of $250 up to $1000 or more. However, $500 is standard. It is also important to note that if you are financing your vehicle, the finance company may not only require you to carry comprehensive and collision on your auto policies but may limit the amount of your deductible by recommending you not select a deductible over $1000, for instance.

It’s also essential to note that the higher the deductible you have on your policy, the lower your premium payments will be. On the contrary, the lower your auto deductible, the higher your insurance premiums will be. So, choose your deductible carefully.

We are here to help!

At Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, we understand that deciding on the right deductible for your auto insurance can be challenging, especially in this economy. However, we are experts and are more than happy to help you make the best decision to protect you and your family for years to come. Call us at (806) 476-2580.

Van or SUV For Your Next Purchase

Deciding to purchase a new vehicle is a common dilemma many families face: should they buy an SUV or a van? There are certain differences between the two, and depending on your family’s size and requirements, a comparison is crucial before making your final decision.

Lifestyle Needs

Each type of vehicle meets different lifestyle needs and preferences. If you intend to use your vehicle for camping, off-roading, or even hauling heavy weights on occasion, an SUV might be your only option. However, if you regularly need to transport everyone from one point to another safely, a minivan might better match your needs. Both vehicles can carry up to eight passengers. This comparison is especially apt if you’re weighing the merits of an SUV with a third seat against a minivan.

Gas Mileage

Gas mileage is a significant factor for some families. Most minivan options offer competitive low gas mileage as they come with four-cylinder engines. This is one of their main selling points. SUVs, on the other hand, don’t always have such small engines. With larger engines comes increased gas consumption, resulting in higher expenses at the gas pump. If you prioritize cost efficiency and want to maintain a lower monthly gas budget, the minivan might be the right choice for your family.

Safety and Technological Features

Both SUVs and minivans offer an array of safety and technological features. These include similar airbag placements within the vehicles. They also come equipped with the latest technology, such as backup cameras, lane assist, and collision warnings, all designed to ensure your family’s safety during travel.

For auto insurance quotes in the Amarillo, TX area, please get in touch with our Nest Insurance Agency agents today for more information.

Is Raising Your Deductable Always a Good Idea?

We understand that paying more than necessary for auto insurance may not appeal to consumers. At Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, we aim to assist you in achieving savings without putting your coverage or financial future at stake.

Assessing the Impact of Increasing Your Auto Insurance Deductible

When contemplating cost reductions on your car insurance, you might consider boosting your deductible first. A deductible refers to the personal costs you could be liable for during a damage accident. For instance, if your vehicle sustains $3,000 in damages and you have a $500 deductible, you would bear that expense. Although an increased deductible can lower your insurance payments, it also escalates your risks. For the same $3,000 accident, you would incur $1,000 in out-of-pocket expenses with a $1,000 deductible.

This becomes significant when considering that average new vehicle costs exceed $40,000 and repair costs are rising. Do you have the resources to bear $1,000 or more out-of-pocket in case you are at fault in an accident? Boosting deductibles is a common strategy people adopt to cut car insurance costs. However, be wary if a $1,000 or more out-of-pocket could significantly impact you.

Get a Revised Insurance Quote Today

You can comprehend the effect of increasing your deductible on your car insurance premiums by contacting the team at Nest Insurance Agency. Contact our office in Amarillo, TX for a car insurance price quote that matches your budget and your vehicle.

Rent and Relax: How Auto Insurance Simplifies the Rental Car Experience

Before hitting the road in the Amarillo, TX area, renters often face a critical decision: purchasing additional insurance coverage provided by the rental car company. Fortunately, understanding how your existing auto insurance policy applies can simplify the rental car experience.

The Role of Your Auto Insurance

  • Liability Coverage: Most auto insurance policies include liability coverage for rental cars. If you cause an accident while driving a rental car, your auto insurance policy will generally cover the costs associated with injuries to others and property damage.
  • Comprehensive and Collision Coverage: If your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage, these protections typically extend to rental cars. Comprehensive coverage covers non-accident-related damages like theft, vandalism, or weather damage, while collision coverage handles damages incurred in accidents.
  • Personal Injury Protection and Medical Payments: Personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payment coverage applies when renting a car. These coverages can help with medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident.

Considerations for Rental Car Insurance

While your existing auto insurance policy may provide coverage for rental cars, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

  • Deductibles: Check the deductibles on your policy. You’ll be responsible for covering the deductible if you need to claim rental car damages.
  • Coverage Limits: Ensure that your policy limits are adequate to cover potential rental car liabilities. If your auto insurance policy has low liability limits, consider purchasing additional coverage from the rental car company.
  • Rental Car Company Policies: Understand the rental car company’s insurance offerings, including what they cover and the associated costs. Compare these options with your existing coverage.

Nest Insurance Agency Can Help You

At Nest Insurance Agency, we can help answer questions concerning auto insurance. We serve the Amarillo, TX area. Contact us today. 

Safety Tips For Driving in the Rain

When driving in the rain, roads become more treacherous to navigate safely. Roads covered in water will reduce the vehicle’s traction and overall control. The reduced visibility caused by poor weather conditions may further aggravate the driving. 

Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX offers these essential safety tips when driving in the rain to ensure safe travel in inclement conditions. In addition to reviewing the weather report and replacing your windshield wipers regularly, it is wise to:

Slow Down

Reduce your speed for better vehicle control, avoid hydroplaning, and give you more time to react to potential dangers.

Increase Your Following Distance

Wet roads require additional distances to stop before you cause a rear-end collision.

Use Your Headlights

Turn on your headlights, improving visibility for yourself and other drivers. Avoid using high beams, as they can reflect off the rain and reduce visibility further.

Defog Your Windows

Fogged-up windows impair your visibility. The vehicle’s defogger or air conditioning can be used to keep the windshield clear.

Avoid Sudden Maneuvers

Abrupt steering, braking, or accelerating can cause a loss of control on wet surfaces. 

Drive Around Puddles

Avoid driving through puddles, as you do not know the hazards beneath the water. 

Be Mindful Of Others

Wet conditions can impact your visibility and affect the behavior of other drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians.

Remember, safety is a priority when driving in the rain. If the driving conditions make you uncomfortable, find a safe locale to pull off and park to wait for the states to improve. 

Contact a Leading Amarillo, TX Insurance Company Today

For additional information regarding auto insurance options, contact the insurance professionals at Nest Insurance Agency at 806-476-2580 or online.

How much auto insurance do I need?

Auto insurance is one of those things that everyone needs but no one wants to think about. It’s essential to figure out exactly how much insurance you need to protect yourself from accidents and other financial setbacks.

First of all, it’s vital to understand that there is a difference between liability coverage and collision/comprehensive coverage. Liability insurance is the minimum amount of coverage you legally have to have. It will help cover medical bills or any other expenses incurred due to an accident that was your fault. On the other hand, collision/comprehensive insurance covers damages done to your vehicle. It can also protect you in certain situations, like if your car is stolen or damaged in a fire.

Generally, it’s wise to get at least as much collision/comprehensive coverage as you have liability coverage. This will help protect you from any financial setbacks if you’re involved in an accident, another person, or a natural disaster destroy your vehicle. And, of course, you should always be sure to talk to your insurance provider about the specifics of what types and levels of coverage are available so that you can determine exactly how much insurance is right for your particular needs.

So, when deciding how much auto insurance coverage you need, it’s important to remember that it’s a balance between protecting yourself financially and keeping your monthly premiums as low as possible. And remember to always consult with your insurance provider to ensure you’re getting the best coverage for your needs at an affordable rate.

If you have any questions, please call us at our Amarillo, TX area Nest Insurance Agency office today.

When should you insure an older vehicle with full coverage?

Your new vehicle needs full coverage from Nest Insurance Agency since any peril-caused damage or single-vehicle accident would go uncovered otherwise. That would mean purchasing a car out of your pocket.

When your vehicle ages, though, does it stop making sense to cover it fully? It depends on the age of the vehicle and its type.

At ten years old, the average used vehicle costs about $7,990. According to Value Penguin, the cost of full coverage and its deductibles equals about half the vehicle’s value. At 15 years of age, total coverage premiums exceed the value of the typical used car. That means that once your vehicle reaches the age of 15, you’ll pay more than its value yearly in premiums.

That’s in reference to the average vehicle. What about when you own an exotic vehicle or a luxury vehicle? That changes everything!

That Corvette or BMW that you cruise around Lubbock or Amarillo, TX driving may increase in value as it ages. Many luxury vehicles do this. Check the Kelley Blue Book for the value of your vehicle. Full coverage makes sense if it continues to appreciate in value rather than depreciate in value or holds its own in value.

A vehicle that appreciates in value or holds its value would cost the same or more than the price for which you purchased it to replace. That means your 10-year-old Chevy Corvette might cost more for you to replace if you incurred a single-vehicle accident and weren’t carrying full coverage. That would mean replacing it out of pocket.

At Nest Insurance Agency, we serve the Lubbock and Amarillo, TX area with the auto insurance its residents need to protect their automotive investments. Call us today to purchase an auto policy that appropriately protects your investment.

Texas Auto Insurance Requirements and Terms Explained

When you are renewing or updating your Texas auto insurance, you may be confused by all of the terms and words coming your way. It’s easy for Amarillo, TX drivers to be confused no matter how many times you’ve purchased insurance.

At Nest Insurance Agency, we want you to be clear on what you need before you purchase your auto insurance. We can help you to get the best policy for your needs.

Learn what you need and what those terms mean here.

Liability Coverage

The minimum insurance that you need in Texas is liability insurance.  Liability insurance refers to coverage that pays for damages for which you are found to be liable. So it won’t pay for your own medical bills after an accident.

You must have that to drive. You will need to have bodily injury liability per person coverage, and bodily injury liability coverage per accident. You must also have some property damage liability.

Medical Payments and Personal Injury Protection

These coverages will cover your medical expenses when there is an accident. Medical payments will cover the medical costs for yourself and any passengers.

Personal injury protection coverage will go beyond that, and also pay for things such as lost wages or other nonmedical bills. All auto insurance policies in Texas have this unless you let the insurance company know in writing that you do not want it.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is coverage for when you are hit by a driver that doesn’t have car insurance. It could also be a driver who doesn’t have a lot of coverage. If you do not want this coverage, let the insurance company know in writing.

Get a Quote

When you are looking for auto insurance in Amarillo, TX, understanding these terms will help you to get the coverage that you need. At Nest Insurance Agency, we can help you to create the policy that is best for you. Call us for a quote today.

Can I keep my adult children on my auto insurance

In Amarillo, TX the Nest Insurance Agency is locally owned and operated. We are committed to providing customer service that exceeds your expectations and to making sure that you get the right insurance products to meet your needs whatever they may be. Auto insurance is one of our specialties and our team has the experience you expect when you have questions about coverage.  

Auto insurance is often a family policy, Mom, Dad, and kids. Those teens that got their license and sent their insurance rates through the roof do tend to grow up eventually. Once they are adults can they still stay on your policy? As more and more children spend more time in the family home this is a question that comes up more frequently. 

Children are considered adults when they go off to college. When they are living away for the greater part of the year but come home during the summer and don’t change their permanent address, they are still considered a part of your household. Keeping them on your insurance policy makes sense especially if they are still driving one of the family vehicles.   

If they move back home after college, it usually isn’t an issue to have them remain on the family insurance policy. Check with your particular carrier to be sure. When it becomes a little trickier, is when they move out of the family home but still live nearby. Some companies are very family-friendly and won’t object to this, at least for a while. Again, talk to your insurance agent to make sure you have the correct carrier. 

Making sure that you have the right auto insurance for your particular family situation is important. At Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, we are here to provide the advice and support that you expect from an independent agency. 

Do I need auto insurance in Amarillo?

Anyone that is in the Amarillo, TX area should spend time thinking about their insurance needs. As most people in this area of Texas own a vehicle, getting auto insurance is something that most people will need to get. There are several reasons why the typical vehicle owner in this area of Texas will need to get an auto insurance plan.

Insurance is Required in the State

A reason that you will need to get an auto insurance plan when you are in Texas is that it is a state requirement. All people in this state have to get the minimum level of liability insurance. If you do not continue to have this coverage the whole time, you could be in violation of state law. Those caught without it could receive a variety of penalties, which is not limited to fines or loss of license.

Insurance Protects Vehicle

You should also get an auto insurance plan because it can protect your vehicle. If you decide to buy a car or other vehicle, it is something that you will want to be able to enjoy for a long time. When you get an auto insurance plan with collision and comprehensive protection, you can be assured that it will give you the coverage needed to repair or replace it. 

When you are looking for an auto insurance plan and you are in the Amarillo, TX area, it would be wise to call the Nest Insurance Agency. If you do work with the Nest Insurance Agency you can get the support that you need to fully understand your options and choose a policy. This can help to ensure that you will be in compliance with state law and that your valuable vehicle is properly covered at all times.