Most Common Auto Insurance Myths

Buying the right auto insurance is an important step because it helps to protect your vehicle, you as a driver, your passengers, and other drivers on the road. Unfortunately, there is a lot of wrong information about car insurance that does not allow you to make the right decision and pick the policy you really need. Therefore, Heydari Financial Group serving clients from Houston, TX and other surrounding areas has prepared the list of few myths about auto insurance that need to be debunked: 

Color of Your Car Determine the Cost of Insurance

No, the color of your car does not have an impact on your insurance costs. The price of car insurance depends on many other factors, including the model, engine size, the cost to repair the vehicle, the age, and some others. 

Car Insurance is More Expensive for Older People

It is actually the opposite. In most cases, older drivers may be qualified for special discounts. For example, if you are 55 and you have successfully completed an accident prevention course, you can get a reduction in your car insurance premium. 

You Credit Score Does Not Have an Impact on Your Insurance Rate

Unfortunately, your credit may matter. Insurance companies use a credit-based insurance score to understand how likely a driver to file a claim or have an insurance loss. For this reason, a low credit score can raise your auto insurance premiums anywhere from 0% to 200%. 

If you are a car owner Houston, TX and you are looking for a trustworthy insurance agency to purchase a new car insurance policy or update the existing one, Heydari Financial Group will be glad to assist you. All you need to do is to visit our website or give us a call to talk to one of our experienced insurance agents. 

3 Reasons You Should Review Your Auto Insurance Annually

It’s important to be safe when you’re in Houston, TX. Auto insurance is a must if you plan on driving around. Your auto insurance has to be reviewed annually to keep you safe. There are quite a few reasons to do so.

At the Heydari Financial Group, we’re able to help you review your auto insurance policy. We’ll be able to get quotes from multiple insurance companies, allowing you to see what each will charge. It can make it easier for you to confidently choose a policy knowing that you’re getting the best possible deal.

It’s also a good idea to review your policy for coverage levels. For example, if you have had an accident in the past, you might want to add more coverage to avoid an out-of-pocket expense. You may even want to reduce the deductible for the same reason. If you’re not sure about the coverage levels and what kind of coverage you should have, ask an agent. We’re here to answer questions that you might have to ensure that you’re covered against any kind of situation that you might run into.

Finally, you want to make sure to review your auto insurance to find out if you qualify for any new discounts. You may have bought a home, allowing you to get a homeowner discount. You may have taken a safe driving course, qualifying you for money off of your premiums. Various discounts can add up quickly, giving you a more affordable monthly premium.

It doesn’t take long for you to review policy. Plus, it can be the best thing for you.

When it’s coming time for you to review your auto insurance, be sure to contact us at Heydari Financial Group. One of our insurance agents can help you to find the right policy to keep you safe on the roads in Houston, TX.

 

Should I get full coverage even though my car isn’t brand new?

It can be hard to get everywhere you want without driving if you live in Houston, TX. The easiest and most economical way to meet the insurance requirements in Texas is to purchase a liability policy. At Heydari Financial Group, we can help you find a low rate on a standard auto insurance policy.

 You may not realize that full coverage can be surprisingly affordable, and provides many advantages over a policy that only protects you up to the minimum limits.

What your regular policy covers

You need to have at least this much coverage to prove financial responsibility in Texas:

  • $30,000 for each injured person, to cover everything from medical bills to attorney fees, with a $60,000 maximum limit for each accident no matter how many people were involved
  • $25,000 for property damage, no matter how much damage there was.

This is liability only, so it doesn’t protect your vehicle in an accident.

What you can get with full coverage

The maximum amount your insurance company will pay out depends on the limits you agree on ahead of time. The first thing you might want to ask about is how to increase your coverage, in case you are in an accident where the damages exceed those low amounts.

Here are some other options you can get with full coverage:

  • Collision coverage, to help repair or replace your vehicle in case of an auto accident
  • Comprehensive coverage, to protect your vehicle in case of theft or vandalism
  • Rental reimbursement, in case your car is out of commission after an accident
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, in case you are in an accident with someone who doesn’t have the proper insurance

If you are in Houston, TX, we can help you find the protection you’re more comfortable with. Call Heydari Financial Group today for a free quote.

Is your Property Covered with Auto Policies?

When it comes to owning a car, one of the most important things you can have is a good auto policy. Auto policies cover a wide range of things that many drives may not even be aware of, and one of them is contents. For those that live in or around the Houston, TX area, the agents that work with Heydari Financial Group can help you to find the perfect auto policy for your particular needs.

The contents of your car are covered in many cases of theft, damage, and even if the car is wrecked and your items are unsalvageable. This is a great feature of most policies that help to cover the cost of recovering or replacing items if your car is totaled or if it is broken into. You do need to make sure however that you are taking the time to create a policy that covers the contents of your car so that you can be sure your car is fully covered.

The contents of your car are likely only covered up to a certain amount unless they are specifically labeled or covered otherwise. A good example is someone that works out of their car or that carries work supplies and expensive work items in their vehicle. This means things like laptops, other computers, and other expensive supplies. Your employer likely has them covered if you are working for someone, but if you are using your items for your own business, you will want to have a policy that covers them.

If you live in or around the Houston, TX area, Heydari Financial Group’s agents can help you to create a policy that is specific to your lifestyle, your car, and needed coverage.

My Friend Was Driving When The Accident Happened. Will My Auto Insurance Cover the Claim?

Your auto insurance policy protects you from financial losses in case of an accident. An insurance agent, such as Heydari Financial Group in Houston, TX, may help you find the auto insurance policy that best suits your car and its needs. If you do not understand the amount of coverage it offers, they may offer you help.

Who Is Covered When Driving Your Car?

  • Understanding exactly who is covered when driving your car can be difficult because different insurance providers have different policies. However, all members of your household are covered when driving your car. They could either be your friends, roommates, or family that lives with you.
  • If you allow friends or family members that do not live with you to use your car, and they get into an accident, your auto insurance will cover the claim. Your auto insurance policy would not cover you if a friend or a family member were driving your car without your permission. In such situations, they may have to use their own insurance.
  • It is a good idea to include everyone that may use your car in your policy. Your auto insurance policy is for your vehicle and not for you. This means that in most cases, you will receive compensation even if you were not driving the car at the time of the accident. The only time when your auto insurance coverage won’t cover the claim is when you have excluded a friend from your policy, or if the friend that was driving your car did not have permission and is uninsured. If your friend was unlicensed or driving intoxicated, you could be held liable.

Contact Heydari Financial Group in Houston, TX to discuss a new quote for auto insurance. Our agents are ready to help you get started with a policy.

Is Texas a No-Fault State?

It is required by Texas state law that Houston, TX residents purchase auto insurance that will cover a certain amount of their legal fees as well as the medical expenses and property damage costs incurred to the other driver and his or her passengers. The key to knowing what other insurances may be required by law is understanding the no-fault state definition and whether this applies to Texas. 

What is a No-Fault State?

There are two types of states: tort and no-fault. Laws in no-fault states vary, but in general, it means that individuals can have their losses paid for by the other party without going through the court system. It isn’t necessary in no-fault states to determine who is at fault in order for someone to receive payments from an insurance company, and each insurance company typically pays out damages to their own client. 

This system lessens the chances of being sued, though the very real possibility of being sued still exists, especially if a driver has caused an accident with particularly severe consequences. No-fault state residents are required to purchase Personal Injury Protection or PIP insurance that will cover expenses related to property and medical issues, and this is not a requirement in Texas, as Texas is a tort state. This means that PIP is an option but not a necessity and that fault must be determined in an accident, insurance companies must pay for the other drivers’ damages, and parties are more likely to sue one another. 

Heydari Financial Group is Here to Serve You

At Heydari Financial Group, we offer a variety of insurance types, including auto, homeowners, condo, commercial, life, and flood. We take pride in serving the Houston, TX area, and we look forward to answering any questions you may have regarding auto insurance. Contact us by telephone, online, or stop into our office to discuss the insurance products that are right for you. 

The 5 Main Types of Auto Insurance

Are you a Houston, TX resident who is looking for auto insurance? Heydari Financial Group can help!

But first, you may have some questions about what types of auto insurance are out there. Below, we’ll outline the five main types of auto insurance that you may need:

  • Liability Coverage: This coverage takes care of personal property and bodily injury. You’ll find that you must have liability coverage in most states. In other words, it’s required by law unlike other types of coverage.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: This type of coverage covers damage from weather events such as hailstorms or tornados. It also covers you if your car is stolen or broken into.
  • Collision Coverage: This type of coverage — as the name suggests — will cover you in the event that you run into something such as a telephone pole, guard rail, or another vehicle.
  • Personal Injury Protection and Medical Payments: These are two types of auto insurance that take care of medical expenses. For example, if you were in an accident and you or your passengers were seriously injured, medical payments insurance would cover you. On the other hand, personal injury protection or PIP covers more than medical payments coverage. It may end up covering things like rehab as well as lost wages and costs for funerals, etc.
  • Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage: If you end up in an accident with someone who is underinsured or uninsured, you’ll want to have this form of liability coverage.

Contact Us Today for All Your Auto Insurance Needs

If you are a Houston, TX resident, Heydari Financial Group can help you find auto insurance that meets your needs. Give us a call or stop by one of our office locations to sit down with an agent. We hope to hear from you soon!

How Can You Protect a Car From a Break In?

We at Heydari Financial Group, serving Houston, TX, recommend taking certain steps to protect your car from a break in. Here are a few ways that you can do that. 

Close Your Windows

When it is hot outside, you may crack the windows on your car or leave your sunroof open a tiny bit. This may help to keep your car cooler. However, it also allows thieves easier access to your car. Close all of the windows to your car when you exit the vehicle. 

Park in Lit Areas

A thief wants to go undetected and remain under the radar. As such, they are less likely to break into a car that is in a well-lit area than they are into one that is in a darker area. It becomes easier for the thief to work in areas where it is hard to identify them should they be caught in the act.

Don’t Keep Valuables in the Car

The last tip to prevent your car from a break in is to remove all valuables from your car. If you are shopping and have bags, place them in a trunk. If a thief can see items, they are more likely to break into your car. However, if your car looks empty, there may be no incentive to break in and steal. 

If you are in the market for new auto insurance or are looking for quotes, be sure to visit Heydari Financial Group, serving the Woodlands and Houston, TX. Our agents can help answer your questions and guide you through the auto insurance process.

Will Auto Insurance Cover Hit And Runs?

As you shop for auto insurance in the Woodlands, Sugar Land, or even Houston, TX, it’s important to look to see if you are covered against the various scenarios such as hit and runs. With the help of the agents at Heydari Financial Group, we will see to it that you have the coverage you need.

Basic Auto Insurance

Basic auto insurance is what the state requires. When you live in Houston, TX or the surrounding areas, you have to adhere to Texas standards for bodily injury and property damage liability. Once you have met the minimum levels, you can choose to go above and beyond in your auto insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to add comprehensive and collision coverage so that you are protected against other scenarios. Otherwise, you could end up getting into an accident and have to spend money out-of-pocket because you don’t have the necessary coverage on your policy.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Hit and runs occur when a person fails to stop after causing damage. If the person “runs,” you have no way of finding out who they are insured with to file a claim. However, if you have uninsured motorist coverage on your policy, you are automatically covered against hit and run. It makes the assumption that the person had no insurance and therefore it allows you to get the repairs done to your vehicle without having a significant amount of money spent out of pocket.

If you come out of a store and find out your car was hit or if you get rear-ended and the person continues speeding down the road, these all count as hit and runs. You should have the necessary coverage to be financially protected against such things.

Contact us at Heydari Financial Group today to learn more about getting auto insurance that provides you with the sufficient coverage you need on the roads. Also, try our online rating tool for quotes on auto and home insurance.