What is Gap Auto Insurance from Commerce Insurance Agency

Making Auto Insurance Affordable and High-Quality with Commerce Insurance Agency

We at Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA, appreciate the complexities of sourcing quality and affordable auto insurance. Many of our clients elect to append gap insurance to their policy, reinforcing their vehicle’s protection against unpredicted occurrences. Allow us to help you integrate gap insurance into your next auto policy.

Under the Hood of Gap Auto Insurance

Gap auto insurance covers the discrepancy between your car’s worth and the amount remaining on your loan or lease. Crucial for people who have leased or financed vehicles with high depreciation rates, gap insurance comes into play when your car is stolen or totaled, and the payout from your regular insurance does not cover your remaining balance.

Dissecting Gap Insurance

Notably, gap auto insurance is generally applicable to total loss instances, not extending to scenarios where your car is damaged but not deemed a total loss. While this additional coverage might slightly bump up your regular car insurance premiums, it can reduce the risk of considerable financial liabilities due to unforeseen accidents. Essentially, gap auto insurance functions to protect you from personally covering outstanding costs if your vehicle is incapacitated. Our seasoned insurance agents are always available to outline your options and assess what works best for your situation.

Commerce Insurance Agency has your Auto Insurance Needs Covered.

At Commerce Insurance Agency, our aim is to provide our clients with comprehensive auto insurance. To learn more about auto insurance and how gap coverage works, contact us today. Our friendly agents are ready and waiting to help!

Does auto insurance cover theft from my vehicle?

If you drive in Commerce, GA, you are required to be able to prove financial responsibility by showing insurance if you are in an accident.  With minimum coverage, you only have liability insurance.

Liability insurance is only for the other drivers’ and passengers’ injuries and damages and will not provide any coverage for you. You will need to add additional coverage if you want protection for yourself. Commerce Insurance Agency can help you explore different kinds of coverage, so you can decide what is right for you.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is the only kind of auto insurance that covers theft from your vehicle. This coverage is optional and protects your car parts and your car itself. Personal items like cell phones and laptops are probably covered under your homeowners or renters insurance. 

Comprehensive coverage also protects you from other kinds of non-collision damage, such as vandalism, fire, encounters with animals, and acts of nature. If a tree falls on your car, it’s your comprehensive coverage that will cover the damages.

Collision Insurance

If you are worried about the fact that liability insurance doesn’t protect you, you may want to look into carrying collision insurance. Collision coverage will pay for the damages to your vehicle, no matter who was at fault. 

If you drive an expensive vehicle, you may benefit from collision coverage even if the other driver caused the accident. If the other driver only had the minimum coverage, your collision coverage can help to pay the difference.

Call Today To Discuss Your Coverage

If you still owe money on your vehicle, your lender probably requires full coverage, which will include comprehensive and collision coverage. If you would like to discuss your Commerce, GA auto insurance, feel free to call Commerce Insurance Agency today.

Auto Insurance for Ride-Sharing Drivers: What You Need to Know

As the gig economy grows, ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft have become ubiquitous. While this offers a flexible way to earn, it also introduces complexities in auto insurance coverage. If you’re a ride-sharing driver or considering becoming one, understanding the ins and outs of your insurance is vital. At Commerce Insurance Agency, serving the greater Commerce, GA community, we want to ensure you understand your auto insurance policy and how it pertains to you if you’re a ride-share driver.

The Gap in Personal Auto Policies

Most personal auto insurance policies exclude coverage for "commercial use" of your vehicle. This means that if you’re involved in an accident while on a ride-sharing job, your personal insurance might not cover it.

Ride-Sharing Companies’ Insurance

Major ride-sharing platforms do offer insurance coverage, but it’s layered. When the app is on but no ride is accepted, there’s limited liability coverage. When a ride is accepted, or a passenger is in the vehicle, higher liability coverage kicks in. However, there can be gaps, especially concerning collision coverage.

Consider Ride-Share Specific Coverage

Recognizing the unique needs of ride-sharing drivers, many insurance companies now offer rideshare-specific policies. These plans fill in the gaps left by personal policies and the insurance provided by ride-sharing platforms.

Consult With Us

The world of auto insurance for ride-sharing drivers can be a complex landscape to navigate. By understanding where potential coverage gaps lie and taking steps to bridge them, you can drive with confidence, knowing you’re adequately protected. If you’re looking to find the right auto insurance policy for your needs in Commerce, GA, regardless of whether you’re a ride-share driver or not, reach out to the insurance agents at Commerce Insurance Agency to get started.

Safe driving tips for new drivers

Driving safely is essential for anyone who takes the wheel, but it can be especially important for new drivers to practice safe driving habits here in the Commerce, GA area.

Here are some tips from us at Commerce Insurance Agency to help make sure you’re driving as safely as possible: 

1. Always Wear Your Seatbelt

This is a must for everyone in the car. Wearing a seatbelt doesn’t just keep you safe; it also prevents you from being fined by law enforcement if you’re pulled over or involved in an accident. 

2. Obey Traffic Laws

It can be easy to forget about traffic laws when you’re just starting out, but following them is essential for keeping everyone on the road safe. Make sure to obey speed limits and pay attention to traffic signals and signs. 

3. Avoid Distractions

Take your eyes off your phone while driving and focus on the road ahead. Don’t try multitasking and don’t let passengers distract you either. By avoiding distractions, you reduce your risk of getting into an accident or causing one yourself. 

4. Drive Defensively

Be aware of other drivers around you and anticipate their moves so that if something unexpected happens, you have time to react appropriately and safely. 

5. Check Your Blind Spots

Making sure all lanes are clear when turning or changing lanes is important at any time, but especially when you’re just starting out with less experience behind the wheel than more experienced drivers have had time to develop over years of driving experience.  

Keep Your Auto Insurance Updated

For more tips and for your insurance coverage, give us at Commerce Insurance Agency a call today. We are proud to serve the Commerce, GA area and would be happy to help you find the right policy for you.

What is basic auto insurance and why it may not be the right choice for you

Basic auto insurance is the minimum required by the state to operate your vehicle. If you have an old vehicle with little cash value, that may be fine. At S & S Insurance Services Inc., serving the greater Oklahoma City, OK region, we are independent insurance agents, and we take our responsibility to our customers seriously. We make sure they have as much auto insurance as they need to be protected. 

In the state of Oklahoma, the basic amount of auto insurance you must have is liability coverage in the amount of 25/50/25. That will protect other drivers from you, but it doesn’t do anything to help you protect your vehicle. If you are leasing your vehicle or have a car loan, you will need to have additional insurance to protect the car. 

Beyond The Basics

If you are like most people, you count on your vehicle every day to do your regular activities of daily life. Getting to work, going to the grocery store, running errands, etc. are vital, and being without a vehicle can be a serious problem and cause a lot of stress. Not everyone has the cash necessary to pay for repairs or to replace their vehicle out of pocket. 

Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage provide protection for accidents that happen to your vehicle when no one else is responsible for the damage. It can be weather-related, it can be an accident you caused, or a one-car accident. It also covers theft, vandalism, a cracked or damaged windshield, and a whole lot more. Furthermore, it provides the peace of mind that you need when it comes to your vehicle. 

Contact us today

To discuss your auto insurance needs, give S & S Insurance Services Inc. in Oklahoma City, OK a call or drop by our office. 

Why basic auto insurance may not be the right choice for you

At Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA, we are an independent insurance agency that is customer-centered. Our team is experienced in all facets of auto insurance and the requirements of the state of Georgia. We are here to help our customers to get the right insurance at the right price. 

Basic Auto Insurance & More

Basic auto insurance in Georgia is liability insurance in the amount of 25/50/25. The first person injured in a vehicle accident is covered by $25,000 in injury insurance, and the total for all injuries is $50,000. $25,000 is assigned for injury to property. This is a reasonable amount, but if it is a bad accident, involving hospital stays, this could be very much short of the actual expenses, and you could end up paying out of your pocket. 

When you lease a vehicle or have an auto loan, you are not going to be able to get away with having basic insurance. Your lender or the company leasing your vehicle to you is going to demand that you have insurance to protect the vehicle. This means having collision insurance and comprehensive insurance. 

Collision insurance covers your vehicle in an accident you are responsible for. It can help to pay for repairs or for the replacement of your vehicle if your vehicle is determined to be a total loss. 

Comprehensive insurance covers most other things that can damage your vehicle. Coverage includes theft and vandalism. It also covers a variety of weather events such as hail, ice, and high winds. If a deer runs into your vehicle, you are covered, and it includes glass coverage, which is very handy if a stone comes up and cracks your windshield. 

Give Us A Call

Contact Commerce Insurance Agency in Commerce, GA when you are in need of auto insurance information or coverage. 

What Steps Can You Take in Fall to Prevent Winter Car Accidents?

At Commerce Insurance Agency, serving the greater Commerce, GA region, auto insurance is one of the many insurance products that we offer our customers. However, in addition to selling insurance, we also want to help our customers avoid having to use those insurance products. This includes providing tips that can help you avoid an accident.

Here are a few of the different steps you can take in the fall to help prevent winter car accidents:

Check Your Tires

One of the best ways that you can prevent accidents on wet, slippery, or icy roads is to have tires that are in good condition. If the tread on your tires is wearing thin, your tires may not be able to grip the road. Replacing your tires before winter hits is important. 

Familiarize Yourself With Local Roads

Another tip to help keep you safe on the roads is to familiarize yourself with the local roads that you will frequently be traveling on. It gets dark earlier in the winter, so the roads you will travel on may be dark and can get icy. Being familiar with the roads can help prevent an accident. 

Consider a Defensive Driving Course

Lastly, consider taking a defensive driving course. This can help teach you how to safely drive on icy or wet roads, and what to do if your car starts to slide or fishtail. This can be vital to preventing an accident from happening. 

Get Auto Insurance Today

Unfortunately, you cannot prevent every car accident from happening. You can only minimize the chances of a car accident occurring. Having the right auto insurance coverage helps to cover you if an accident does happen. If you are in the market for a new auto insurance policy, or you are unsure if your existing policy offers you the coverage you need, reach out to Commerce Insurance Agency, serving the greater Commerce, GA area today. Let us help you find the right auto insurance policy. 

How Much Auto Insurance Do I Need?

When you invest in insurance, you always want it to come to your rescue in your hour of need. But how can this happen if you have underpaid? Underinsurance is common in America, and most policyholders learn the hard way when filing for a claim. But should this be the case? Absolutely not. Buy the right amount of insurance, and it will serve you optimally when you need it to.

Are you purchasing car insurance in Commerce, GA? Do you know the amount of insurance sufficient for your needs? If not, please hang on as Commerce Insurance Agency guides the amount of car insurance you need.

Meet the state requirements

Like most states, Georgia requires motorists to purchase car insurance to drive on the road legally. All motorists must invest in bodily injury and property damage liability coverage of a combined total of $100,000. You might think that this amount is huge, but it is likely to fall short when faced with significant liability claims. As such, you need to consider higher limits.

How much liability coverage do I need?

We usually advise motorists to carry liability coverage of 100/300/100. However, if your assets and earnings exceed these amounts, we typically recommend you to invest in umbrella insurance for extra liability coverage.

How much comprehensive or collision coverage do I need?

As a rule of thumb, purchase coverage adequate to replace your vehicle without significant out-of-pocket expenses. Only target to pay deductibles as the only out-of-pocket expense when your vehicle is totaled or stolen. Consider “zero depreciation coverage” if you don’t want to get compensation less the depreciation factor.

The above is just a guide to the amount of car insurance needed. If you need more information in Commerce, GA, be sure to get in touch with Commerce Insurance Agency for tailor-made advice.

Insurance must-haves for GA drivers

Commerce Insurance Agency is proud to be part of the Commerce, GA community and help our friends and neighbors with all of their insurance needs. If you are looking for an auto policy, be sure to check that it includes the coverage and features that you want and need!

Must-have insurance coverage for GA drivers

In addition to liability, collision, and medical coverage. Yes, these three types of coverage provide basic protection, but are they sufficient? There are additional types of coverage that may also be beneficial to have as part of your policy:

  • Protection from uninsured drivers – this type of coverage is very important as it protects you in the event that you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver
  • Personal injury protection – this can help if you are injured or another party is injured
  • Comprehensive coverage – this coverage goes beyond basic policies in order to give you a higher level of insurance protection

In addition to more robust coverage, there are also features available that can help make your life less stressful:

  • Rental car coverage – if your vehicle requires repair due to a covered event, this feature can help to defray the cost of alternative transportation
  • Roadside assistance – helpful if you ever have car issues or need to have your vehicle towed

Be sure to check with your agent to ensure that you have the coverage you need, not just the minimums required by our state!

Ready to find out more? Call us today!

If you are in the greater Commerce, GA area and need a new or upgraded auto policy, Commerce Insurance Agency is here to help! Call or stop by our office to find out more about the auto insurance options that are available to GA drivers.

Georgia Auto Insurance: How to Prevent Car Theft

It is estimated that almost one million vehicles will be stolen in the United States every year. While Georgia residents might not be thinking of their car getting stolen every day, their insurance companies are. When you take the steps to prevent your vehicle from being stolen, you reduce your risk of becoming a victim of car theft.

You also might reduce your premiums with your Georgia auto insurance company. 

At Commerce Insurance Agency, we want Commerce, GA drivers to be protected from car theft, and covered in the event it should happen to them. If your car gets stolen it is not your fault. Take these steps to minimize that possibility.

Lock Your Car

It makes common sense, but not everybody remembers to do this. Locking your car keeps the thieves one step further away from taking it from you. 

Car alarms today are effective deterrents, and these can be triggered when a thief tries to get in your car. Keep your car locked and windows closed to deter theft.

Keep Valuables in the House

One of the first things that thieves look for when they are stealing a car is the valuables inside. Don’t keep expensive things in your car.

It’s tempting to leave a GPS device in the car until you need it again, or forget an iPad overnight. In this day and age, it’s easy to forget anything in the car.

Get into the habit of remembering to clear out the car every time.

Park in Well-Lit Area

Park in a place where someone is more likely to get spotted if they are trying to steal your car. Put your car under a streetlight or motion sensor so that your car is lit should anybody come.

Parking in line with a security camera will also be effective.

Get a Quote

When you are purchasing Georgia auto insurance, Commerce Insurance Agency is there to help Commerce, GA drivers get the most thorough coverage that protects you in the event of a crime.  We can help you get the comprehensive insurance you need to be covered. Call us for a quote today.