Smash and grabs are a more common occurrence than you may think. They fall under the "crime of convenience" category since they’re rarely planned in advance. Typically, the perpetrator will spontaneously commit a smash and grab if they sense an opportunity. For this reason, smash and grabs are highly preventable. Even though your auto insurance may cover loss and damage from a smash and grab, it’s to your benefit to do your best to prevent it from happening in the first place.

What is a Smash and Grab?

A smash and grab is when a perpetrator smashes a vehicle’s window to steal something from the inside of the vehicle. It may be anything of value or interest, even things that you may not think a thief would dare steal, such as:

• Car stereo
• Purse
• Laptop/laptop bag
• Shopping bags
• Pet
• Expensive looking coat
• Etc.

Protecting Belongings From Smash and Grabs

Your insurance representative at Options Insurance Agency serving Hershey, PA wants you to be able to protect your possessions. Here are eight tips:

1. Whenever possible, bring expensive items with you while you run errands.
2. Hide shopping bags or luxury items in the trunk.
3. Cover anything you can’t bring with you under a dark towel or blanket.
4. Park in well-lit areas or near the front doors of shops.
5. Avoid leaving pets in vehicles for long periods.
6. Don’t leave possessions overnight in unattended vehicles.
7. Avoid parking in neighborhoods where crime is rampant.
8. Don’t leave a pricey cell phone in the holder while you step out of the vehicle.

These tips won’t guarantee that you’ll never be a smash-and-grab victim, but they will reduce your chances. For help with all of your auto insurance needs, contact the Options Insurance Agency serving Hershey, PA.

Drivers in Hershey, PA, are obligated to carry certain auto insurance liability coverages as prescribed by state law. Moreover, when you finance or lease a vehicle, lenders may dictate their own coverage prerequisites. Gap coverage is a common type of insurance required by lenders.

What is Gap Coverage?

"Gap" is an acronym for "guaranteed asset protection," a term that aptly describes the function of this coverage. Gap coverage serves to bridge the financial discrepancy between your comprehensive or collision coverage and the remaining liability on your loan or lease. Essentially, it ensures that the asset used as collateral, your vehicle, is financially protected against damage.

If you have any questions about gap coverage, our agents at Options Insurance Agency would be happy to explain it in more detail.

When Do You Need Gap Coverage?

Gap coverage is typically mandated when a vehicle is financed or leased. The absence of such coverage can result in a financial gap, for which you might be liable if the vehicle is totaled. Comprehensive and collision coverages offer protection against vehicle damage but generally only insure up to your vehicle’s fair market value. This can be less than your loan balance as vehicles typically depreciate significantly faster than auto loans are paid off. A similar scenario may arise if your leased vehicle is totaled; you could be held fully financially responsible for the damaged vehicle.

Without gap coverage, you may find yourself financially underwater on a loan or lease. You could still owe on your loan or lease but no longer possess a functioning vehicle, which poses a problem for both the driver and the lender.

How to Get Gap Coverage

If you’re financing or leasing a vehicle, ensure you have gap coverage in place to protect yourself against potential financial risks. We at Options Insurance Agency are here to help you set up this protection. We’ve assisted many Hershey, PA drivers in finding the right auto insurance, and we’re ready to guide you as well.

As the title says, assess your family’s insurance coverage needs. Then, contact an Options Insurance Agency agent. One of our agents will prepare your new automotive insurance documents. Before you contact us, learn a little about what is being assessed.

Driving Experience

Consider the experience of each driver who needs to be insured. A new driver who has little experience may require more insurance coverage than a seasoned driver. Each driver in your family must be equipped with the amount of coverage they need.

Driving Patterns

Examine each family member’s driving patterns. The areas to which a driver will be traveling could influence the type of automotive insurance you seek. For instance, if a loved one plans to drive in busy areas, acquiring a comprehensive insurance policy for them may be beneficial.

Vehicles

Assess the type of vehicle each family member currently owns or plans to purchase. If a family member owns an older vehicle, it may be more practical for them to seek a basic liability policy. More insurance coverage may be needed if a family member owns a newer vehicle.

Policy Types

Compare insurance policy types. Use an online comparison tool to learn what each type of insurance product covers. This step can be conducted from the comfort of your home. Take time to pick out insurance products that are right for you and your family.

Contact Options Insurance Agency

After reviewing automotive insurance requirements and policy types, schedule an appointment with a qualified agent. One of our agents, who represents Hershey, PA, will prepare all the insurance policies you request.

The agent will explain the coverage types to you and outline what to do if you or a family member is involved in an accident.

When buying auto insurance, you’ll be faced with multiple options, including full coverage insurance. Full coverage auto insurance does cost a little more than liability insurance, but there are many benefits that you may appreciate.

If you have questions about full coverage auto insurance, the team at Options Insurance Agency serving Hershey, PA, can help you decide if this is the correct type of insurance for you. Here’s what you need to know. 

1. Your Vehicle Damage Will Be Covered

Liability insurance only covers damage to the other party’s vehicle if you are at fault for the accident. If you have full coverage auto insurance, damage to your vehicle will be covered.

Your insurance may repair your vehicle for various covered events, including fire, theft, damage from hitting an object, and vandalism. If you are in an accident, full coverage insurance will cover the cost of repairing your vehicle after you’ve paid the deductible. 

2. You’ll Have Roadside Assistance

A typical full coverage policy will offer roadside assistance. If your vehicle breaks down or gets a flat tire, your roadside assistance may pay to tow your vehicle and help you get back to safety. Find out the details of your roadside assistance coverage by talking to your insurance professional. 

3. You May Be Required to Get Full Coverage

If you’re getting a car loan, you may be required to pay for full auto insurance coverage. If this is the case, your insurance agent at Options Insurance Agency, serving Hershey, PA, can help you find the right full-coverage insurance policy for your needs. Call today to learn more. 

Although Hershey, PA, residents know our insurance agency well because we locate our main offices in that metropolitan area, we serve five states, including New Jersey. Like the other 49 states, New Jersey passed auto insurance requirements for its drivers. Unlike other states, New Jersey offers two coverage options: basic and standard.

Basic vs. Standard Coverage

At Options Insurance Agency, we want our New Jersey customers to understand their options when it comes to New Jersey requirements. Let’s consider what you get when you buy a basic auto policy in New Jersey.

Basic Auto Insurance

A basic policy allows you to drive on New Jersey roads legally, but it limits your rights to sue the at-fault party in an accident. Let’s consider the basic coverage minimums first. A basic policy only provides $5,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage of $15,000 per person per accident. If desired, a policyholder can add bodily injury liability coverage of $10,000 per accident.

Standard Auto Insurance

The minimum limits of a standard policy probably remind you of insurance minimums in other states. They include:

• Bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person per accident
• Bodily injury liability coverage of $50,000 for all persons per accident
• Property damage liability coverage of $5,000 per accident
• PIP coverage of $15,000 per person per accident.

Unlike a basic policy, a policyholder can add uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. All insurers let you add collision and comprehensive coverage, too.

Contact Options Insurance Agency Today

Don’t let our Hershey, PA, service area fool you. Options Insurance Agency serves five states, including New Jersey. Let us help you obtain the auto insurance you need to drive on New Jersey roads legally.

Pennsylvania has a unique system for determining fault in case of an accident. Most states have variations on a system that is either "fault" or "no-fault," but Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative fault rule. Hershey, PA drivers can learn about this unique system from the agents at the Options Insurance Agency.

What Is Modified Comparative Fault?

There may be any number of parties who are involved in an accident. Not only may drivers be at fault, but there may be fault attributable to other parties, such as a government agency in charge of maintaining roads and signs. With a modified comparative fault, all those parties may be involved in a single claim.

Within this already complicated claim, individual parties may have more or less responsibility for the accident. There could be an accident where one party is 50% at fault, one party is 30% at fault, and another party is 20% at fault.

How Does This System Affect Drivers?

This kind of system sounds complicated, and it may be challenging to figure out quickly who is the most responsible for an accident. Insurance companies also know that if they can blame someone else, they will have to pay less. 

The most important thing for drivers is to protect themselves with a comprehensive insurance policy. Also, if anyone is involved in an accident, it is important to document the circumstances of the crash and make an official report right away. Call your agent immediately.

Driving in Hershey, PA carries risks, and accidents can happen no matter how careful you are. If you would like to discuss your auto insurance options, or if you have any questions about auto insurance, please call Options Insurance Agency today.

In Hershey, PA, and surrounding areas, determining your auto insurance coverage needs is crucial for financial protection and peace of mind. Assessing your auto insurance needs involves considering factors such as the value of your vehicle, personal circumstances, desired coverage limits, and potential risks. 

Determining the Vehicle’s Value 

Begin by assessing the value of your vehicle. Consider its make, model, age, and condition. Newer or high-value vehicles often require comprehensive coverage to protect against theft, vandalism, or accident damage. Older or lower-value vehicles may need less coverage, but liability insurance remains essential.

Assessing Your Circumstances 

Evaluate your circumstances, such as your driving habits, daily commute, and the number of drivers in your household. A longer commute or frequent highway driving may call for higher liability limits. You may need higher coverage to mitigate potential risks if you have a new or inexperienced driver in your household.

Knowing Your Desired Coverage Limits 

Determine your desired coverage limits based on your risk tolerance and financial situation. Liability coverage is required by law and covers damage to other parties in an accident. Consider higher limits to protect your assets in a severe accident. Comprehensive and collision coverage may be appropriate if you want additional protection for your vehicle or if it is financed. 

Being Aware of the Potential Risks Factors

Assess potential risks specific to your area and driving conditions. High crime rates, severe weather, or heavy traffic can increase the likelihood of accidents or vehicle damage. Understanding these risks allows you to select appropriate coverage options to mitigate potential losses.

How Options Insurance Agency Can Help You

Here at Options Insurance Agency, we can guide you about getting the right amount of auto insurance coverage. We support all areas around the Hershey, PA, region. Contact us today. 

As your parents begin to age, so many different factors need to be considered. One important factor is driving safety. Our staff at Options Insurance Agency, serving Hershey, PA, and the surrounding areas, are here to help you navigate important questions like this. Keep reading to learn more. 

Should I Address My Elderly Parents About Driving?

This can be a very uncomfortable topic for adult children who are concerned about their elderly parents. Not only can this topic be uncomfortable, but it can also be a very sensitive topic. The reason for this is that, in most cases, elderly parents are not aware that there is a problem with their driving. It is often the responsibility of adult children to address this issue. 

There are a few telling signs that will alert you to the fact that your parents may need to stop driving. Let’s look at a few. 

Failing Eye Sight 

If your parent’s eyesight is failing rapidly, and eyeglasses do not correct it enough for safe driving, it might be time that they hand driving responsibilities over to someone else. You will be able to tell if this is a problem by listening to their complaints or even by talking with their eye doctor. 

Confusion or Dementia 

It is pretty common for people to deal with memory or cognition issues as they grow older. If your parent is suffering from severe confusion or dementia, though, you should consider discussing driving safety. Confusion or dementia could put your parents at extreme risk while driving. 

Loss of Hand-Eye Coordination 

The loss of hand-eye coordination is another common ailment for the elderly. Although it is considered normal to deal with this as you age, it is still considered a huge obstacle for safe driving. 

If you want to learn about car insurance, please get in touch with us at Options Insurance Agency, serving Hershey, PA, and the surrounding areas.