If you live in Washington, DC and have to drive around the city every day, you know how crazy traffic can be. Not only is the normal traffic of drivers who live in the area, but there are also a large amount of visitors and tourists driving around and adding to the congestion.

Anytime you have very crowded roads, your chances of getting into an accident increase. Consequently, if you are driving around Washington DC, you should buy a very comprehensive auto insurance policy and also consider including some of the add-on benefits that are available from your insurance provider.

If you are driving a new car and are making payments to the finance company, you may want to consider buying Gap insurance. Gap insurance can help you avoid a big financial loss if your car is totaled or stolen and you owe more on the car than it is currently worth. If, for example you still owe $20,000 on a three year old car that is only valued at $12,000 after three years of depreciation, you could be on the hook for $8,000 if your car is totaled and your auto insurance only pays out the maximum claim amount of $12,000. With Gap insurance, the remaining balance will be paid off by your carrier and you can start with a fresh slate.

Roadside assistance is a valuable add-on because it will cover towing and basic roadside service like changing a flat tire or bringing you gas if your tank is empty. However, if you already are a member of an auto club like AAA, you should not waste any money buying what is essentially the same coverage.

Rental reimbursement can come in handy if you are in an accident and need to rent a car for two weeks while your car is repaired. At an average of $40 per day to rent a car in Washington DC, the $20 or so, is a small price to pay for this valuable coverage.

These are just a few of the many add-ons you can buy. There are others like medical expenses, funeral expenses and work or income loss also available from most auto insurance companies. To find out all of the available add-on benefits that you might want to include in your DC auto policy, give us a call and an independent agent will be ready to explain all of your options.

Disclaimer: “ The content of these blogs do not represent any type of specific coverage’s offered by the agency.”

If you are a disabled veteran in Laurel, Maryland and want to find out about getting a disabled veteran license plate, chances are you’ll be impressed by just how easy it is to secure your specialty plate from the motor vehicle association.

When you go into the MVA office to renew your disabled license plates or to apply for a new kind of specialty plate, you’ll need to bring your tag/title and a letter from the Veteran’s Administration. In order to be eligible for a disabled veteran’s specialty plate, you’ll need a letter stating that you are 100% disabled.

Veterans have the choice of a standard disabled plate with the handicap universal symbol or a disabled veteran’s plate with the universal symbol.

Disability plates can also be combined with other custom license plate features, like the Chesapeake Bay background, but these require a bit of extra processing time, and applicants must still supply a letter indicating their disability status.

The top advantage of a disabled veteran’s plate is more cash in your pocket! Over time, a disabled veterans plate can result in significant savings. As a thank-you for service to your country, disabled veterans license plates are issued free of charge, while most standard plates cost $20 the first time they are issued, followed by a $5 renewal fee.

If you have any issues with your application for a disabled veteran’s license plate, simply contact the Maryland Motor Vehicle Association with questions. They can provide all the information you need on specialty plates and disabled veteran plates, whether you’re doing research for yourself or for a disabled veteran you know. This is a specialty plate that’s worth the time it takes to request!

Adding a nil depreciation cover to a car insurance policy is one way to ensure that you’ll receive the full amount for replacement parts if your car is damaged.

Nil depreciation covers add yet another facet to an already-complicated issue. Purchasing auto insurance has always been something of a pain, but with more and more options, it’s hard to tell what is available or recommended for car owners. Here’s what you need to know about nil depreciation covers if you live in Washington, DC.

The purpose of a nil depreciation cover is to cover the full value of replacement parts, whereas many policies only cover the parts’ depreciated value over time. Because a depreciation amount won’t be deducted from the replacement parts, you’ll get more complete coverage on your vehicle.

Nil depreciation coverage is an add-on to your existing auto insurance policy and is usually only available on new vehicles or vehicles no more than three years old. Policies including nil depreciation will cost a bit more than traditional policies, but they can cut down on your out-of-pocket costs if you’re in an accident.

The best way to check if Nil depreciation cover is available in your city/state is by talking to an independent agent today, Not only we can help you with your questions but also educate you with more options that are available on the policy and can help cut down rates.

Your agent will be able to ask questions about your situation and make a recommendation on a policy that will work best for you. Taking the time to do your research now could save you money and time later! Call Mid Atlantic group & we’ll get you in touch with an agent now!

As a driver in Laurel, Maryland there are times that you will have to renew your license, pull your motor vehicle records, renew registrations and even other minor things. To help with your auto needs Maryland has setup a website to help facilitate your needs. After all no one ever wants to stand in long lines just to prove your car insurance is still valid. Here are some details of this website and how it can help you save time.

The Motor Vehicle Act In Laurel, Maryland

• You can now renew your registration online by following some simple steps. Provide the necessary information, pay all the fees associated with the request and wait for your registration to arrive.
• You can even check your own driving record from this site which can be a huge benefit when you are shopping for car insurance. Once all of your items have fallen off your record you can have your agent look at the reports and start saving money right away.
• Get the information you need about driver education programs offered by the state. Some insurance companies offer a discount for people who have completed a defensive driver course.
• You can even register a change of address and even perform many other minor jobs on the website.

If you live in the Laurel, Maryland area and have any questions regarding your car insurance or what you need to drive legally, then you need to contact your independent agent today. As your agent, we can help give you the information that you need to protect yourself from costly accidents and trouble with the state. It is important that you give us a call so that we can give you specific details for your circumstances so you can drive knowing you are fully compliant.

No one ever wants to be involved in auto accident. Just the thought of having to wade through all the insurance paperwork and dealing with the repair shop can be tiring. To help encourage people to drive safely insurance companies have started provided a No-claim bonus for safe drivers. Here are some things that you need to think about when getting a car insurance no-claim bonus.

Some Thoughts About Your Car Insurance No-Claim Bonus

• Your no-claim bonus is something that is given to you for not filing a claim. The longer you are claim free the more your bonus will be.
• Your bonus is not transferable to another person. It is issued to the person that deserves it. However, you may be able to have it transferred to another car. Just make sure to call your insurance provider before making the change.
• The bonus can have a time frame for up to three years. It really depends on which company is offering the bonus to you. Before you wait too long make sure that you have a clear understanding of when the bonus will expire.
• This type of bonus can save you a lot of money. If you have a record that needs work, try and drive safely so you can earn your no-claim bonus soon and stop mission out on the savings.

If you have questions and live in Laurel, Maryland, then you are encouraged to contact your independent agent today. As your auto insurance agent we can assist you by answering all of your questions. It is important that you give us a call so that we can give you specific details for your circumstances so we can help you maximize your benefits regarding your auto insurance policy.

An auto insurance policy in Washington D.C. will automatically cover the primary policy holder as well as any other drivers specifically listed on the policy. If you just got your driver’s license and are still living at home with your parents, you probably should make sure that your dad has you listed as a possible driver on his auto policy. That way you will be covered if you borrow the car and happen to get into an accident.

Most auto policies automatically cover other family members living in the same household as the driver and owner of the vehicle being insured. Automobile insurance actually covers the vehicle and as long as you are either listed on the policy or have been given permission to drive the car, you are covered.

So as long as your mother, sister and brother are licensed drivers, they are covered when driving the family car. You are covered on your dad’s policy if you go away to college and then come back to stay with your family during the summer break. If you get into an accident on your way back from a Washington D.C. nightclub, you are covered, but you will probably have to hear a lecture from your dad. You are not covered if your permanent residence is in another state and you only come home for Thanksgiving dinner.

Your father may decide not to list you as a driver because your age or driving record will make his premium double. However, if you get into an accident, depending on the circumstances, you may still be covered. For more information on whether or not you are covered on your dad’s auto policy, please give us a call. An independent agent will be happy to review the policy and make sure you are covered and it is safe to drive your dad’s car.

Suppose you are stopped at a traffic signal waiting for it to turn green and someone behind you is not paying attention and plows into the back of your car. If the damage is more than just a tiny scratch to your bumper, like most people, you will call your independent agent who will then report the accident to your insurance company.

Assuming you have an auto policy that provides collision coverage, you can file a claim with your car insurance company so you can get your car repaired as quickly as possible. Your insurance premium will not go up for a single accident that is not your fault. Your insurers in Laurel, Maryland can then turn around and seek reimbursement from the other driver’s auto insurance company. In addition, if you had a deductible and had to pay the first $500 of repair costs out of your pocket, your insurance company will probably get your money back and send you a check for those out-of-pocket expenses.

Now if you file one or two claims over a five year period, your premium will probably not go up. It is not so much the size of the claim that can cause your premium to go up, but rather the frequency of claims filed over a given period of time. The number of claims you file plays a much bigger role in the rate you will pay on your auto policy.

Deciding to file a claim for a little ding to your paint when you already filed two similar types of claims in the past year is probably not a good idea if you don’t want to risk an increase in your premium. While your coverage is there to be used, insurance companies take note of "accident prone" drivers, even if they are not at fault.

We get many questions about the effect of filing a claim will affect your auto insurance premium. As your independent agent, we have some knowledge of how filing claims with the insurance companies we represent can impact your rates. Give us a call and an independent agent will be happy to share his or her thoughts on when you should or should not file a claim.

If you have been insured with an auto insurance policy for any length of time in Laurel, Maryland, then you know that all licensed drivers have to be insured on an auto policy. The other driver will be required to be on your policy unless they have a policy of their own. If you need to add an additional driver to your coverage, then here are some things that you can expect your premium to do.

What Affects Your Premium if You Add a Driver to Your Policy?

· Adding a new driver to your policy will affect your premium. The big factor to consider is what the other driver’s record is like. If they have a lot of claims or moving violations, then your premium will go a lot higher than if their record was clean.

· If the other driver is under the age of 25, then you can expect to see a rise in your premium. After they turn 25 you can expect to see to see your premium decrease.

· Of course if the other person has a car that is has to be added, you may see a multi-car discount added to your policy. If the other person pays their part of the premium, then you may even see yourself paying less because of their car being added.

· Adding a new driver to your policy may mean that your coverage limits will have to increase. If there is an accident, you will want them to be protected from financial loss. Higher limits may mean a higher premium. In some states it means a lower premium for having the higher limits.

If you have questions that you need to have answer about your policy, you then need to contact your independent agent today. As your agent we can help answer all of your questions. It is important that you call us today so we can give you specific details about your policy today.

Many people treat there dogs just like a member of the family and take them everywhere they go. Normally, your dog is well behaved and just likes to look out the window as you are driving around your Washington D.C. neighborhood. But, for some reason, something got into your dog one day and he decided to tear up your expensive leather seats.

If the damage is severe enough and you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, you can file a claim for the money it will cost you to have those leather seats repaired or replaced. As long as the damage was not caused intentionally, you will receive money, once you have paid your deductible, to cover any additional costs to repair or replace your car seats.

Comprehensive insurance coverage is for damage that is caused by anything other than a collision. It covers many different possibilities. For instance, it will cover you if someone keys your car or if you accidentally spill a bucket of paint on your leather seats. It will not cover intentional acts that you commit that damages your car. You can not get paid for four brand new seats if you take a knife and hack them up yourself.

Your dog, no matter how well-trained he or she happens to be, is still an animal. Unless it can specifically be shown that you encouraged and commanded your dog to tear up and make a mess of your car seats, it is assumed to be, to use a technical term, an accidental chewing.

If you would like to find out more about what comprehensive coverage does and does not cover, give us a call. An independent agent will be happy to share some useful information that may come in handy in the future.

Most kids who are in college are on their parents’ insurance policies, because it’s cheaper that way. If you live in the same house, you won’t have a problem staying insured. If you don’t live with your parents, though, you may have more of a struggle staying on their insurance. Of course, that depends on whether the car you’re driving is yours entirely, or whether it’s a car that belongs to your parents. The best way to get information about student coverage is to talk to us.

As an independent agent, we can look at several companies that offer you coverage in the Washington DC area. That way, you can compare one company to another and see which one will provide you with the most benefit and will give you the best option for staying insured. Your age will be a factor, but most college students are still in the age bracket where they can stay on their parents’ insurance policy. Be honest about your needs and goals, and let us find you a policy that will work for everyone involved.

The easiest way to stay insured on your parents’ auto insurance is to drive a car that they own and allow them to insure that car with you as an occasional or part-time driver. If the car isn’t in your parents’ names (whether or not your name is on it), you may find that it’s much harder to insure it on their policy. That will be even more of a consideration if you’re going to school away from home and not living with them, because that means the car will be somewhere else, as well. Most insurance companies don’t care for that arrangement, and that’s something you’ll need to carefully consider.