Nocita Carter's Blog

Will I Be Able To Rent A Vehicle Using My Insurance Coverage After A Car Accident?

This would depend on if you selected rental coverage for your policy.  Of course, you must purchase this coverage prior to the accident occurring for it to be effective.  Most insurance companies offer this coverage for their Insureds.  In most instances there is a basic rental rate per day for this type of coverage up to a maximum number of days specified by your insurance policy.  For example, you may have rental coverage that pays a rate of twenty five dollars a day with a maximum of thirty days allowed for your rental vehicle coverage. You may want to find out from your insurance carrier if the rental rate is inclusive of the sales tax charged as a component of your rental billing. 

It is noted that if you rent a vehicle that exceeds the rental coverage amount you are allowed per day by your insurance carrier, you will be responsible for the difference.  In addition, keep in mind that most insurance companies will not pay for the CDW(collision deductible waiver) and fuel charge that rental companies may charge as additional items on the rental invoice.

If you are involved in an accident with a rental vehicle, you are responsible for paying your deductible for the repair of this vehicle as though it were your own vehicle if you have collision coverage and meet other conditions specified in your policy with your insurance carrier.  However, there may be some exceptions to this if you have violated the rental agreement by allowing a driver that is not listed on the rental contract to drive the rental vehicle.  This is the same as not having insurance, unless that particular driver has their own  insurance  policy to cover the rental vehicle if it is involved in an accident.  Don’t take that risk! Make sure that when you sign the rental contract that you list all individuals that you plan to drive the rental vehicle.  In addition, make sure that the drivers that use your rental vehicle are licensed so you can avoid any potential problems if the driver of your rental vehicle is involved in an accident. The consequences of not ensuring that the drivers listed on the rental contract can be very costly to you if an accident occurs.

It is also important to understand that if you are renting a large truck for moving purposes it may not be covered via your insurance policy.  In many instances trucks used for moving do not meet the weight specifications indicated in your policy to make your collision coverage applicable to an accident you may become involved in with this vehicle.  Review your policy regarding this information and consider discussing this with your  insurance  agent or carrier prior to renting a large truck for moving to find out whether or not there is coverage under your policy.  If it is determined that the moving truck is not covered, most facilities where you rent moving trucks have a special insurance policy that provides coverage if you were involved in a vehicle accident. You would be required to pay for the cost of this special insurance policy for the time you are renting the moving truck.

Keep yourself informed and apprised of important information concerning your rental vehicle coverage with your  insurance  carrier, you will be glad you did in the long run.

What Happens If I Have an Accident and The Other Person Does Not Have Insurance?

Hopefully when you obtained your vehicle insurance policy, you opted for Collision coverage and Uninsured Motorist Coverage protection.  In most instances when you apply for your vehicle insurance you are given the option to select Uninsured Motorist Coverage protection.  If you elect not to carry this coverage your insurance company may request that you sign a waiver indicating that you are denying this particular coverage as part of your vehicle insurance policy contract.

If your insurance carrier determines that the other driver caused the accident and has no insurance coverage of their own this person would be considered as uninsured. In most instances your collision coverage or Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage may take care of the damages sustained to your vehicle.  In addition, if you or passengers in your vehicle sustained injuries and you opted for Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage, you and your passengers will be able to have your injury claims handled by your insurance  carrier as well. 

 
The Uninsured Motorist protection for your policy, replaces the liability coverage the other party did not carry with a vehicle  insurance  carrier as required by their state’s liability insurance responsibility laws.  After your Uninsured Motorist claim is resolved, your insurance company will usually go after the responsible uninsured party for the damages paid out via your policy for the accident.

Rules To Consider When You Date

You’re probably wondering are there really rules when you date someone? The answer to this question is yes.  There are some things you should do when you’re on a date and some things you should not do when you’re dating someone.  So, are you wondering what the do’s and don’ts are when you go on a date? The following tips may assist you with staying on track with your date to avoid potential mishaps:

Tip One:

On your first date, meet in a public place until you get to know the person you’re dating.  Great places to meet are the following:  museum, coffee house, restaurant, park, etc…  I think you get the picture.

Tip Two:

Be on time for your date.  Remember first impressions make lasting impressions.  If you’re not able to meet your date on time let your date know in advance to avoid potential problems.

Tip Three:

Dress to impress and look your very best.

Tip Four: 

Relax and be yourself.  Be sure to maintain honesty and truthfulness with the person you  date.

Tip Five:

Be sure to put your cell phone away while you’re on your date.  You will also want to avoid answering your cell phone and texting.  Consider putting your cell phone on vibrate to avoid distractions.

Tip Six:

Avoid being rude and getting intoxicated while on your date.  Remember first impressions are lasting impressions.

Tip Seven:

Try to have fun and enjoy yourself with your date.

Tip Eight:

If you determine that you’re not interested in the person you date, just let them know truthfully, respectfully and gently about how you feel.

Tip Nine:

You may want to consider not giving out too much personal information about yourself during your initial date.  Take your time, slow it down and get to know the person you  date.

Tip Ten:

Stay safe while you date.  Remember your safety is very important.  If you’re not comfortable with something while you’re on a date just don’t do it.

Tip Eleven:

If you find out the person you date is married it’s time for you to walk away.  You will probably save yourself unnecessary grief and sorrow in the long run by doing this.

Tip Twelve:

Remember to compliment your date.  That’s right, both women and men love compliments on their appearance from the person they date. 

So, as you can see there are some rules you may want to consider when you date.  You’re now armed with information that can help you along the way in your quest to  date  that special someone.

Looking To Improve Your Family Finances?

Alice was at home reviewing the monthly household bills on her desk.  She and her husband Mark had been living in their home for six years and they were the proud parents of three lovely children.  Alice was worried because for the past few months her family seemed to struggle with keeping their finances on track.  As she reviewed the household bills she wondered to herself how she and her husband could go about improving their family finances.  Well Alice you may want to consider some of these tips to assist your family with improving your finances:

Tip One:

Consider having a meeting with your entire family to discus your family finances.  Discuss your family’s financial goals when you meet.  Try to have each member of your family become an active participant in improving your family’s finances.  Keep in mind each member of your family has an important role in keeping your family on track to improving your family’s finances.  The earlier your children start learning about finances the more educated and knowledgeable they will become about handling their own personal finances for the future.

Tip Two: 

Schedule bi-weekly or monthly meetings with your family to keep everyone abreast of how all of you are doing to improve your family finances.  Be open to new ideas and adjustments that may be needed to improve your family finances along the way.  This will assist your family in accomplishing the financial goals you have established for yourselves.

Tip Three:

Try writing down all of your family expenses and income for a couple of months to see where your money goes.  This may assist you with tracking your expenses to determine if changes are needed to your  family budget.

Tip Four:

Before you buy an item consider your family first.  Make sure the item you are thinking about purchasing is something that your family really needs and you have already budgeted for this particular expenditure.  Remember to also determine whether or not the purchase you are considering is really a need instead of something you want.

Tip Five:

Consider teaching your children the importance of saving their money, planning and budgeting for items they are looking to purchase.

Tip Six:

Make sure that your spouse or significant other is aware of where important documents are kept, location and information on all financial accounts, safety deposit box location, employment information, etc…  You both want to ensure that you are fully prepared to handle personal and family affairs if a traumatic event occurs such as a death or some type of permanent disability.  A traumatic event could be worse without having knowledge of important information you may need to know in case of a traumatic situation.  Just ensure that you both are prepared just in case this happens to you.

So, Alice is ready to get started in discussing the  family finances  with her husband Mark and their children.  She believes that by using these tips her family will be well on their way to improving their family financial goals.