Auto Insurance
From D.O.K. Insurance Agency
About Auto Insurance
Not an hour goes by where you can watch TV without being bombarded by at least a few insurance commercials. They all promise you to save money, sometimes even showing specific dollar amounts or percentages that they help save. At the D.O.K. Insurance Agency, we understand that price is very important, but we can tell you first-hand that the bottom line isn’t the only thing that matters, especially when a bad accident happens. We can help you shop around to find the best insurance for your needs and budget.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- If I had an accident tomorrow, do I know what would be covered and what would not be covered?
- If I am at fault, total my vehicle and injure myself, my passengers and the vehicle I hit, do I have enough coverage?
Did you get into an accident? Follow these steps to make sure that you keep you and others as safe as possible and ensure that the claim process goes as efficiently as possible.
What Coverage Options Are Available?
- Bodily Injury Liability
- Comprehensive
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Roadside Service
- Personal Injury Protection
- Property Damage Liability
- Collision
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
- Rental Reimbursement
- Medical Payments
We write insurance in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Texas and we represent a number of different insurance companies in each state.
Auto insurance requirements vary by state and all states that we are licensed in require at least a minimum level of liability coverage.
Bodily Injury Liability
This covers injuries that you, the designated driver or policyholder causes to someone else. It also covers you and the family members you list in your policy when driving someone else’s car (with their permission). It is key to carry high liability limits to protect assets such as your home, savings and even your future income.
Real Life Example - 01
Even the safest drivers can find themselves in a litigation nightmare in a freak accident. For example, a client’s $100,000 limits were quickly exhausted after she accidentally drove over a pedestrian’s foot in the parking lot. What happened next? The court ordered a lien to be held against the insured’s home in order to help pay for the settlement.
Real Life Example - 01
A client gave one of his neighbors a quick ride to run an errand. On the way to town, he had to avoid a deer that crossed the street. He lost control over his car and ended up down an embankment rolling over multiple times. The driver walked away from the accident with a broken arm. His neighbor had to be airlifted to Harborview Hospital where he spent weeks recovering from major injuries. The driver was held liable and his $100,000 liability limits were not enough to cover the medical expenses.
Property Damage Liability
This pays for damage you or whoever is driving your car (with your permission) causes to someone’s property, such as their vehicle. But it can also include fences, telephone poles or structures you hit with your car. It will not pay for damages you cause to your own property.
Real Life Example - 01
A driver accidentally steps on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal when parking in front of a restaurant. Within a split second, the car goes through the front window and destroys some furnishing inside. Her policy had to cover the damages to the property as well as the loss of income for having to close down the restaurant for 3 days.Real Life Example - 01
A driver pulls his boat on a freeway and an item comes loose and it damages the vehicle behind him. The property damage liability coverage of the pickup truck hauling the boat paid for all repairs.
Collision Insurance
Collision coverage pays for damage caused to your vehicle in an automobile accident. Standard collision coverage will pay for any repairs up to the fair market value of your car. Collision coverage usually also comes with an insurance deductible. It’s the amount of money you pay toward repairs before your collision insurance kicks in. The higher the deductible you’re willing to pay, the less the collision coverage will cost.
Real Life Example - 01
Even the safest drivers can find themselves in a litigation nightmare in a freak accident. For example, a client’s $100,000 limits were quickly exhausted after she accidentally drove over a pedestrian’s foot in the parking lot. What happened next? The court ordered a lien to be held against the insured’s home in order to help pay for the settlement.Real Life Example - 01
A client gave one of his neighbors a quick ride to run an errand. On the way to town, he had to avoid a deer that crossed the street. He lost control over his car and ended up down an embankment rolling over multiple times. The driver walked away from the accident with a broken arm. His neighbor had to be airlifted to Harborview Hospital where he spent weeks recovering from major injuries. The driver was held liable and his $100,000 liability limits were not enough to cover the medical expenses.
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive insurance covers damage done to your car in some way other than a collision, such as if it were stolen or vandalized. Flood, hurricane, theft, windshield damage and fire are also events usually covered by comprehensive car insurance. Like collision, comprehensive will pay up to the fair market value of your car (less your insurance deductible.) Although it’s not legally required by any state, you will probably need it if your car is financed.
(Other than Collision)
Real Life Example - 01
A driver accidentally steps on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal when parking in front of a restaurant. Within a split second, the car goes through the front window and destroys some furnishing inside. Her policy had to cover the damages to the property as well as the loss of income for having to close down the restaurant for 3 days.Real Life Example - 01
A driver pulls his boat on a freeway and an item comes loose and it damages the vehicle behind him. The property damage liability coverage of the pickup truck hauling the boat paid for all repairs.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UIM)
UIM Bodily Injury coverage protects you if you’re involved in an accident caused by a driver who either has no insurance or not enough insurance. This may also include hit-and-run situation or phantom drivers.
This coverage may include medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Please keep in mind that UIM usually gets paid out towards the end of a claim so any outstanding bills and expenses need to be addressed. Especially in more severe cases, where the claim might go on for a number of years.
Real Life Example - 01
A driver was forced off the road by another vehicle who changed lanes without yielding. The car ends up rolling over causing significant injuries to the driver and his passengers. The total cost of the claim, not including the damages to the car, was $355,000. The at-fault driver only carried $100,000 in bodily injury per person and $300,000 for the whole accident. Since one of the passengers was awarded $200,000 in damages, the at-fault driver was underinsured by $155,000 ($100,000 under the per person limit and $55,000 under the per accident limit).Real Life Example - 01
Even though no contact between the two vehicles was made, the UIM coverage kicked in and paid $155,000 towards their insured. The insurance company then reserved the right to go after the at-fault party to recover some of their expenses.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage
This coverage may pay for damages to your covered vehicle if it is damaged and the at-fault person does not have liability insurance or does not have enough liability insurance. In WA and in many other states, the deductible is $300 if the at-fault driver flees the scene or cannot be verified and $100 if your insurance company can confirm the identity of the at-fault driver.
Real Life Example - 01
A driver was forced off the road by another vehicle who changed lanes without yielding. The car ends up rolling over causing significant injuries to the driver and his passengers. The total cost of the claim, not including the damages to the car, was $355,000. The at-fault driver only carried $100,000 in bodily injury per person and $300,000 for the whole accident. Since one of the passengers was awarded $200,000 in damages, the at-fault driver was underinsured by $155,000 ($100,000 under the per person limit and $55,000 under the per accident limit).Real Life Example - 01
Even though no contact between the two vehicles was made, the UIM coverage kicked in and paid $155,000 towards their insured. The insurance company then reserved the right to go after the at-fault party to recover some of their expenses.
Roadside Service
Roadside Assistance coverage is there for you if your car breaks down due to mechanical or electrical issues like a dead battery, a flat tire, or locking yourself out, or also if you run out of gas. It will not pay for a new tire or other parts. While some policies have a specific mileage or dollar limit, others limit a tow to a nearest facility even if it’s excessively far away.
Real Life Example - 01
Even the safest drivers can find themselves in a litigation nightmare in a freak accident. For example, a client’s $100,000 limits were quickly exhausted after she accidentally drove over a pedestrian’s foot in the parking lot. What happened next? The court ordered a lien to be held against the insured’s home in order to help pay for the settlement.Real Life Example - 01
A client gave one of his neighbors a quick ride to run an errand. On the way to town, he had to avoid a deer that crossed the street. He lost control over his car and ended up down an embankment rolling over multiple times. The driver walked away from the accident with a broken arm. His neighbor had to be airlifted to Harborview Hospital where he spent weeks recovering from major injuries. The driver was held liable and his $100,000 liability limits were not enough to cover the medical expenses.
Rental Reimbursement
This coverage pays for a rental car after you file covered comprehensive or collision claim. There is usually a per day limit and a total limit per claim. This coverage does not pay for a rental car if your car is in the shop for maintenance or other type of repair. It also doesn’t pay for a rental car while on vacation.
If you are planning on renting a car, please keep the following in mind (Expand):
Real Life Example - 01
A driver accidentally steps on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal when parking in front of a restaurant. Within a split second, the car goes through the front window and destroys some furnishing inside. Her policy had to cover the damages to the property as well as the loss of income for having to close down the restaurant for 3 days.Real Life Example - 01
A driver pulls his boat on a freeway and an item comes loose and it damages the vehicle behind him. The property damage liability coverage of the pickup truck hauling the boat paid for all repairs.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
PIP pays for necessary medical expenses (up to a selected limit) due to a car accident, no matter if you were at fault or not.
PIP also pays for loss of wages and loss of service expenses (i.e. house cleaning, yard-work) if your injuries prevent you from performing those tasks. The coverage limits vary based on which PIP option is chosen. Not sure if you should get PIP? Click here to find more information to help you choose.
Real Life Example - 01
Even the safest drivers can find themselves in a litigation nightmare in a freak accident. For example, a client’s $100,000 limits were quickly exhausted after she accidentally drove over a pedestrian’s foot in the parking lot. What happened next? The court ordered a lien to be held against the insured’s home in order to help pay for the settlement.Real Life Example - 01
A client gave one of his neighbors a quick ride to run an errand. On the way to town, he had to avoid a deer that crossed the street. He lost control over his car and ended up down an embankment rolling over multiple times. The driver walked away from the accident with a broken arm. His neighbor had to be airlifted to Harborview Hospital where he spent weeks recovering from major injuries. The driver was held liable and his $100,000 liability limits were not enough to cover the medical expenses.
Medical Expenses
Similar to PIP, medical expenses pay for the same type of expenses without providing loss or wages or services reimbursement. There might also be time-related limitations that make medical expenses coverage less comprehensive. While PIP is required to be included or at least offered in some states, medical expenses is less commonly mandated and available.
Real Life Example - 01
A driver accidentally steps on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal when parking in front of a restaurant. Within a split second, the car goes through the front window and destroys some furnishing inside. Her policy had to cover the damages to the property as well as the loss of income for having to close down the restaurant for 3 days.Real Life Example - 01
A driver pulls his boat on a freeway and an item comes loose and it damages the vehicle behind him. The property damage liability coverage of the pickup truck hauling the boat paid for all repairs.
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Get the best auto insurance coverages for your needs. At DOK Insurance Agency, we have affordable insurance options to protect you against just about anything. Talk to one of our agents now or request a free quote below so we can help you decide how much and what type of coverage is right for you.
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