Category: Auto Insurance

Living in the Lafayette, IN region means experiencing all seasons, from thunderstorms and hailstorms to potential tornadoes. Understanding how weather-related claims impact auto insurance premiums and coverage options is vital if you live in the Lafayette, IN, region. At Blevins Insurance Agency, we can help you make informed decisions about any auto insurance policy you need before finalizing your selection.

Frequency of Claims

During a harsh winter in the Lafayette, IN region, weather-related claims are likely to spike. This rise in claims may increase auto rates once renewal times arrive. During periods of reduced claims, drivers in the area may also see reduced or stabilized rates.

Comprehensive vs. Collision Insurance

Weather-related incidents can significantly impact the types of coverage drivers in the Lafayette, IN region choose to keep. Collision coverage is ideal for accidents that result from driver error, while comprehensive coverage is ideal for weather-related damage or related accidents. Comprehensive coverage is ideal for flooding, fallen tree damage, or even damage caused by a hailstorm.

Liability/Uninsured Motorist Claims

Varying weather can also increase the likelihood of collisions and accidents on the road due to low visibility or distractions. This can lead to an increase in liability claims. Premium rates for uninsured motorists and liability insurance may be affected when there is an uptick in claims filed in the region during a particular season or time of year.

Understanding how weather-related claims may impact your auto insurance rates or claim filings is essential as a driver and resident living in the Lafayette, IN region. At Blevins Insurance Agency, we’re here to help you find auto insurance that covers your specific needs. To learn more about your options, contact Blevins Insurance Agency today.

If you are a new driver seeking to learn more about insurance or a seasoned driver needing to update your coverage, this is the guide for you!

Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette highlights essential auto insurance coverages in the guide below.

Essential Auto Insurance Coverages for Lafayette, IN Motorists

Liability Insurance for State Minimums

All drivers on Indiana roads must have liability insurance to meet state minimums in case of an at-fault accident that results in extensive financial damages, medical damages, or personal injuries to other drivers.

Indiana liability insurance includes coverages for bodily injury, which helps reduce medical expenses, lost wages, and legal claims from injured drivers who file suits against at-fault drivers.

Comprehensive and Collision

Local motorists seeking full coverage auto insurance protections that shield them in the event of at-fault accidents and no-fault accidents get total coverage when they opt for a comprehensive and collision benefits policy.

Comprehensive and Collision policies protect policyholders from accidents, auto theft, vandalism, natural disasters, animal collisions, and many non-collision-related auto incidents that would normally cost hundreds or thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage

There’s nothing worse than being a victim of an auto accident and finding out that the driver who is at fault has no insurance or inadequate insurance that doesn’t cover the cost of medical expenses, damages, or legal fees related to an auto accident. Full coverage insurance policies can include uninsured or underinsured coverages that offset these costs.

Get Total Auto Protection from Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN

Contact the trusted local insurance professionals at Blevins Insurance Agency to learn more about how you can get essential auto insurance coverages and total insurance protections for your Indiana ride today!

Mitigating Risks With Auto Insurance: A Closer Look

Car theft might seem like an ill-timed stroke of luck, but it’s an alarming reality today, especially for owners with critical fobs and push-button starts. Leaving your keys in the car upon reaching your destination might be convenient, but it also offers easy access to car thieves. The right auto insurance policy can provide you with peace of mind whether the theft occurs from a public place or straight out of your driveway. At Blevins Insurance Agency, we provide our clients in Lafayette, IN, with personalized assistance and recommendations to protect their vehicles.

How Does Auto Insurance Provide a Safety Net?

In case of car theft, your auto insurance policy could potentially save the day. A comprehensive coverage plan could not only cover a car rental in the interim but also offer compensation for your lost vehicle, depending on the specific terms of your policy. If your car cannot be retrieved, your policy might cover its actual cash value or replacement cost. After your deductible has been paid, your auto insurance policy will cover the remainder. It’s important to stay updated with your policy specifics and understand how well it aligns with your individual risk profile. With the right insurance coverage, you can be safeguarded from the financial implications of car theft.

Let’s Refresh Your Auto Insurance Policy

If your auto insurance hasn’t been revised in a while, now might be a good time for a check-in. Allow our experienced agents at Blevins Insurance Agency to review your current policy and provide insights on the adequacy of cover and possible adjustments. Our clients throughout Lafayette, IN, trust us for comprehensive auto insurance advice and coverage that safeguards their vehicles from unforeseen circumstances.

Our agents at the Blevins Insurance Agency serving the Lafayette, IN area know and understand how important an auto insurance policy is to you and your vehicle.

Types of Auto Insurance Coverage: Liability, Collision, and Comprehensive

Auto Liability Insurance

In the state of Indiana, all drivers must have at least a minimum amount of liability insurance to cover any accidents they may cause while driving on public roads. This type of insurance will help cover any injuries or property damage that occurs from an accident.

Collision Auto Insurance

You can be out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for a leisurely ride in the country when out of nowhere, you collide with another vehicle or even a tree or some other inanimate object. If that or a similar incident happens, auto collision insurance will help repair your vehicle.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance

You may not be worried about a hurricane happening in Indiana and damaging your vehicle, but you never know when a hailstorm, windstorm, or tornado can come along and wreak havoc on your car, truck, or SUV. This is why it is important to have comprehensive insurance in place since it will help you repair or replace your vehicle if a natural disaster occurs or some other incident, such as a fire, vandalism, or your vehicle is stolen.

Contact Us Today!

Don’t be caught driving without auto insurance in Indiana or wait until one of these tragic incidents occurs to realize how much you need to have an adequate auto insurance policy. Contact our agents today at the Blevins Insurance Agency serving the Lafayette, IN area to get your auto insurance policy started!

We all want to save money on gas and improve our gas mileage here in the Lafayette, IN area.

Here are some tips from us at Blevins Insurance Agency for doing just that: 

1. Make sure your car is properly maintained.

This includes changing the oil, checking tire pressure, and making sure your air filter is clean. Taking care of these small maintenance tasks will help to ensure maximum fuel efficiency. 

2. Slow down!

Driving at a slower speed will help you get more miles per gallon, as well as reduce the risk of having an accident. 

3. Use cruise control when possible.

This helps you keep a consistent speed, which in turn helps with fuel efficiency because it means your car doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain that speed level. 

 

4. Limit weight in the car where possible.

The more weight in a vehicle, the harder it has to work and the less efficient it becomes with regard to fuel usage. 

5. Drive during off-peak hours.

When traffic is lighter, and roads are less congested, this can also help with fuel efficiency (as opposed to driving during rush hour when everyone seems to be on the road at once). 

Keep Your Auto Insurance Updated

By following these tips, you should be able to see improvements in your gas mileage and hopefully save yourself some money! For more money-saving tips or to explore an auto policy that meets both your needs and your budget, give us at Blevins Insurance Agency a call today. We are proud to serve the Lafayette, IN area and would be happy to help you find the right policy that gives you the coverage you need at a price you can afford. 

When you are a driver in Indiana, your vehicle must be covered by the right types and amounts of auto insurance that are required by law. There are many different types of coverage that are mandated by state law, and you have to have all of those types of coverage. Your insurance agent from Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN will know all of the amounts you need currently and all of the aspects that must be included in your policy. 

Liability Coverage in Indiana

There are several different amounts of coverage that are required in Indiana as well as different coverage types. These are types of liability coverage that pay for someone else’s damages after there is an accident that you are at fault for. There are two amounts of coverage required for bodily injury liability for auto policies in the state.

One of these amounts is for one person who gets injured in an accident, and the other amount is for everyone who sustains injuries in the accident. There is also a single amount required for property damage liability that pays for the damages to someone else’s property that are caused by the accident. 

Coverage for Underinsured and Uninsured Motorists

The state requires that all of the auto policies written in the state must have coverage for uninsured motorist bodily injury, uninsured motorist property damage, and underinsured motorist bodily injury. However, these types of coverage can be refused by doing so in writing. Talk to your insurance agent about how to reject these coverage types if you don’t want them on your policy. However, it’s a good idea to keep this coverage just in case it is ever needed. 

Get Required Auto Coverage

To make sure that you’re driving legally, you can get auto insurance from Blevins Insurance Agency in Lafayette, IN.

If you’re thinking about becoming a rideshare driver for Uber or Lyft in the greater Lafayette, IN community, you might be wondering if your automobile insurance will cover you. The answer is that personal policies usually won’t. You will need a commercial auto insurance policy.

We at Blevins Insurance Agency can help you explain how to make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase rideshare insurance.

Personal Auto Insurance vs. Rideshare Insurance

Personal automobile insurance typically does not cover commercial activities, like driving for Uber or Lyft. If you get into an accident while driving for a rideshare company and you don’t have rideshare insurance, your personal auto insurer may refuse to pay out any claims. That’s why it’s so important to understand the difference between personal auto insurance and rideshare insurance.

Rideshare insurance is a commercial auto policy that provides coverage when you’re actively logged into the app and available to accept fares. Once you accepted a fare and are en route to pick up your passenger, you’re covered by the rideshare company’s liability policy up until the point that the passenger exits the vehicle.

But there’s no need to worry! Whether you have personal auto insurance or not, there are plenty of options for securing rideshare insurance. In fact, most major auto insurers now offer rideshare-specific coverage options. And because most companies consider rideshare drivers to be high-risk (due to the amount of time they spend on the road), rates are typically very affordable—usually just a few dollars more per month than your regular car insurance premium.

Contact Us Today

So, if you’re thinking about becoming a Lafayette, IN rideshare driver, make sure to do your research. Contact Blevins Insurance Agency so that we can help you get the coverage you need.

In Lafayette, IN you never know when you’ll be faced with an emergency in your car. At Blevins Insurance Agency, we want to make sure you’re safe on the road regardless of what situation you might find yourself in. That’s why we created a list of things to keep in your car in case of an emergency. 

Emergency items include things to sustain you, such as food; things to keep you safe, such as a blanket; things to use in case of a medical emergency, such as bandages; and things to help your car in an emergency, such as jumper cables.

Include the following in your car emergency kit: 

Items for you and your family:

• Nonperishable food
• Water 
• Blankets
• A change of clothes for each member of your family
• Diapers, wipes, formula, and baby food (if you have young children) 
• A pocket knife 
• A car phone charger
• Spare cash
• A map of the area you typically travel 
• A flashlight
• Batteries
• A whistle 
• Garbage bags
• Food for any pets that regularly travel with you 
• A fire extinguisher
• Personal hygiene items, such as toothbrushes and menstrual pads 
• A paper and pencil 
• Toys, books, and other items to keep kids occupied 

Medical items

• Band-aids
• Gauze
• Medical tape
• First aid kit
• Any prescription medications for members of your family 
• Pain relievers

Items for your car 

• Jumper cables
• Flares
• Reflective triangles
• A spare tire
• Your car’s manual 
• Ice scraper 
• Cat litter or sand for traction in slippery conditions 

It might seem like a hassle to prepare an emergency kit for your car, but you’ll be thanking yourself in the event you or your family face an emergency on the road near Lafayette, IN. If you have questions about how to prepare your car for an emergency or how to make sure your auto insurance is up-to-date, contact Blevins Insurance Agency today.

Those that move to the Lafayette, IN area can find that owning a car is a practical necessity. With a reliable car, you will have an easier time getting around and enjoying all that the community has to offer. If you are going to buy a car, you also need to get the right insurance for it. There are various situations in which someone will need to have this insurance support.

When Driving on a Public Road

A situation in which you will want to have an auto insurance plan is when you want to drive on a public road. People that are going to drive a car here need to meet the standards and laws set by the state. This includes a requirement that all drivers carry liability auto insurance when on a public road. If you do not meet the minimum standards, you can face various penalties. 

When Trying to Protect Car

Your vehicle is likely one of the most valuable assets that you will ever own. Due to the importance and value of a car, you should always make sure that you get the proper insurance for it. When you get an auto insurance plan that includes comprehensive coverage, it will protect you against many scenarios that could otherwise result in a loss for you. 

Anyone that is a vehicle owner in the Lafayette, IN area will want to ensure they have the right insurance. As there are a lot of choices to make when you are looking for an auto insurance plan, the Blevins Insurance Agency is always a great company to start with when looking for support. The team with the Blevins Insurance Agency will give you any support that you need to build your next plan and ensure that you remain appropriately covered with insurance. 

So, it’s finally time for your teen to start driving. It is a relief that you won’t have to drive them around everywhere they want to go any longer, but at the same time, it is stressful because you know you have to add them to your auto insurance policy—not to mention the fact that they’ll be out on their own for you to worry about constantly.

While our team at Blevins Insurance Agency can’t help you with the worry, we are dedicated to helping families in Lafayette, IN navigate difficult auto insurance issues like adding a teenager to an existing insurance policy. Here are a few things you should know before your teen gets behind the wheel.

Make Sure to Choose the Right Vehicle

The vehicle that you choose for your teenager will have a significant impact on the premiums that you pay. While your teen may want a sports car, it is going to cost a lot more to insure than a four-door sedan. This is because a sedan is seen as safer in the eyes of the insurance company. Appearance is not everything, despite what your teen may believe.

Get Your Teen Insured ASAP

It is important that you add your teen to your auto insurance policy as soon as possible. Failing to do so could result in even higher premiums, especially if your teen gets into an accident before they’re properly insured. While your teen could get their own policy, it is generally more affordable and easier to simply add your teen to your existing policy.

Look into Discounts

Since insuring a teen driver can be costly at times, you will want to check into any discounts that your insurance company may offer. You may be able to get a discount based on your teenager’s grades. You may be able to get a discount for having your teen sign up and take a defensive driving course. In the end, your teen may start studying more and driving better while also helping you get better rates!

When you need to ensure that you and your teen driver have the proper auto insurance, contact us at Blevins Insurance Agency. We have been keeping Lafayette, IN families properly insured since 1998.