When your auto insurance is close to renewal, the easier approach is to stay with the same insurer and continue paying the same premiums as before. Nevertheless, this could prove costly later on. There is always a possibility of getting a better deal when you switch your Laurel, MD insurance provider.

At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, we recommend that you shop for a new insurance carrier after every 2 or 3 years. When you shop around, you could end up saving between 5 and 50 percent each year. But when you do find a good rate and make the decision to change your carrier, keep in mind that sloppy transitions often lead to gaps in your auto insurance coverage. Follow these steps to guarantee a successful switch:

Shop Around

Many policies are issued for durations of 6 to 12 months. The best time to start looking for a new carrier will be when:

• You move to a new state
• You’re remaining with a month or two before the policy lapses
• You purchase a new car

When looking to change your insurance provider, make inquiries pertaining to liability protection as well as bodily injury protection.

Establish whether there are Potential Penalties

When you decide that changing your carrier is the ideal move, determine whether you will be penalized for switching before the coverage period comes to an end. Insurers typically allow clients to cancel their policies at any time, but the clients are often required to provide advance notice. If you choose to cancel midterm, inquire from the insurer on the kind of penalties that will be imposed.

Investigate the New Insurer

Thoroughly investigate each insurer before you sign up. Check to confirm if other clients are happy with the way the insurer resolves their claims. Do not just sign up because they are promising lower rates than your current insurer.

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial provides different auto insurance coverage options in Laurel, MD. Feel free to visit, email, or call our offices for all your auto insurance needs. 

Like many small business owners, you may use your personal vehicle for business purposes. You may deliver products to customers throughout the city or transport clients to or from your business on a regular basis. Any vehicle used for business purposes should be covered by commercial insurance.

Commercial auto insurance from Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD will protect your business assets against serious accidents on the job. Here are a few good reasons to acquire a commercial auto insurance policy for your car. 

Comprehensive Coverage

Commercial insurance not only protects you, employee drivers and passengers but covers the cost of property damage to your vehicle, products and equipment due to an accident or natural disaster when on the job. Commercial coverage can also be extended to autos or trucks you rent or borrow for your business to fully protect you against injuries or loss.

Greater Liability Limits

If your vehicle is used extensively for work purposes, you are at greater risk of having an accident on the road. Commercial auto insurance provides you with higher liability limits to protect your assets in the event of a serious accident. Whether you transport goods, equipment or passengers, you can have greater confidence that your insurance is giving you the protection you need.

Claim Rejection

Personal auto insurance protects consumers who use their vehicle for personal use. In contrast, commercial insurance is designed to protect the interests of businesses that use vehicles for work purposes.  

If you only have personal insurance on a vehicle used for work purposes, your insurer could reject an accident claim due to you violating the terms of your personal insurance policy. This could leave you liable for paying for injuries or damages out of pocket.  

For more information on commercial auto coverage and costs, contact us at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, Laurel, MD.

When you’ve decided you’ve had enough of Laurel, MD and want to see a little more of the world, then you probably want to know what you need to do to prepare for your road trip. Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial wants you to know more about how your auto insurance works when you decide to hit the road. 

Driving In State 

If you want to stay in Maryland, then there’s really no change. You’re covered no matter how many trips around the state you take. What you want to consider though is that all those miles typically makes it more likely that you’ll break down on the side of the road. After all, vehicles (especially older ones) can only handle so much pressure. Most of the time, your insurance won’t cover any of the additional wear and tear you’ll put on the car, nor will it cover emergency road side service unless you have a specific provision on your policy. 

Out of State 

Your auto insurance in Laurel, MD will also transfer to any of the other states you may want to visit in the US. You can even go as far north as Canada without having to get any additional insurance for you or your companions. However, you should probably be aware that if you want to go to Mexico, you’ll need additional liability insurance to drive around legally. 

No matter where you’re planning to go, it’s always the right idea to take precautions. There are more chances something will happen when you’re on the road for an extended period of time, so give Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial a call if you want to go over how much coverage you have now or if you’re looking for a better policy. 

If you buy a car in Laurel, MD, the dealer usually handles the title and registration requirements. However, if you buy a car in another state, you may need to submit the application on your own.  Your Maryland dealer gives you the bill of sale and a temporary or permanent license plate so that you will be able to drive the car off the lot. Later, you receive the official Certificate of Title in the mail. Note that, if the car has a title lien pending, the lien holder also receives a Maryland Security Interest Filing.

Documents You Will Need to Register

To title and register your new vehicle in Laurel, MD, gather and submit the required documents. Remember to include the appropriate taxes and fees. Form VR-005, the Application for Certificate of Title, is used to review your application and process your title. In addition, in order to register your vehicle, you must submit proof of insurance. Your policy must meet Maryland’s minimum liability insurance requirements. If you have any concerns regarding your auto insurance coverage, contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, where helpful agents will be glad to answer your questions.

Other documents required are the bill of sale, an odometer disclosure statement and a certificate of origin. The certificate of origin is a proof of ownership document supplied by your vehicle’s manufacturer. For additional liens, the MVA security interest filing is required. If someone is signing for you, a power of attorney form must be completed and signed by you.

Help with Insurance

For questions about title and registration or to receive a quote for auto insurance in Laurel MD, contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial. Visit our website or call 301-604-4444 for a free quote today.

Between your busy work schedule and taking the kids to various after-school activities, you have enough on your plate. With your head already full of everyday worries, adding auto insurance coverage to the list is the last thing you need to do. That is why it is important to do your research when deciding on an auto insurance policy. Choosing the right plan will ensure that you are covered no matter what happens. If you are concerned with specific scenarios within the Laurel, MD area, be sure to ask a representative at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial.

Theft Coverage in Laurel, MD

Under Maryland state law, registered drivers are required to purchase policies that meet a number of specific minimum guidelines. Vehicle theft is not covered under these types of plans. Physical Damage Coverage, also known as comprehensive and collision coverage, will protect against any expense incurred from damage done to your vehicle or loss of the vehicle, itself. This includes damage to your car during an accident that you caused, theft of the vehicle, and vandalism.

Keep in mind that items stolen from your vehicle is a different situation altogether and may not be covered, even with the additional coverage. If someone were to break into your car and steal your personal items, you would not be able to file a claim for the loss. In many cases, only items that are actually affixed to the vehicle may fall under the umbrella of coverage. For example, custom parts that were added to the vehicle will be considered permanently fixed items.

Each state has its own rules and requirements when it comes to auto insurance, so be sure to look over all of your options in order to find the policy that best suits your needs. Contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial for more information on service in Laurel, MD.

Your auto insurance doesn’t necessarily need to be updated constantly, but it’s worth thinking about from time to time. At least once a year, you should make a short list of things to consider about your car and your driving lifestyle in Laurel, MD. Find out more about the more common reasons to do so from Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial. 

 Getting More from Your Policy 

When you buy your policy based on price in Laurel, MD, you may end up paying far more than you ever wanted. The bare minimums can put you on the hook for property or medical charges you could never afford, so it might be time for an update if that’s the policy you’ve chosen. When an accident exceeds your limits, you’ll have to pick up the slack straight from your own bank account. The same is true if you’re in a hit-and-run accident. You’ll be responsible for paying for the damages if police are unable to find the person who hit you. Buying additional coverage to cover events like these when you have the chance may bet the smartest thing you could do. 

Additions and Changes 

People love to make their car more fun to drive in. Whether that’s by adding a better sound system or by purchasing expensive and flashy rims, it means that your car is now worth more than it was before. Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial can give you more tips to consider when you’re thinking about updating your coverage. Our staff is here to give you personalized advice that can make you a more responsible car owner and driver. If you’re thinking about reviewing your policy, give us a call today to find out more about our rates and our services. 

Just as you winterized your vehicle, early spring means another round of special maintenance to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely. So, spring into warmer weather driving with these simple tasks.

* If you put winter tires, also known as snow tires, on your vehicle, take them off now that the weather has changed. You need to switch back to normal tires for warmer weather. They better withstand the road heat of late spring and summer.

* Inspect the tread on your regular tires. Use a penny. Insert it in the center tread. If you see the top of Lincoln’s head, replace your tires. If you see between the beginning of his forehead to his eyebrows, your tires have good tread. Conduct the test on each tread.

* Have an all fluid check conducted. Get an oil change. 

* If you installed winter windshield wipers, now is the time to switch back to regular wipers. The heavier winter wipes make your car work harder to clear the windshield. They are also designed for solid substances like ice and snow. Regular wipers clear rain better.

* Get a tune-up. Have a mechanic check the battery, starter, the engine mechanical, powertrain control, fuel, ignition and emissions.

* Check the hoses and belts. A small tear or worn spot on a belt makes your car work harder. That means it uses more gas and creates more engine wear and tear. Spending a few dollars to replace a hose or belt at the first sign of wear can save you hundreds down the line. 

We at Laurel, MD, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial hope these tips help you spring safely into warmer weather driving.

Your wedding day is one of the biggest days in your life. You are making a pledge to be with someone for the rest of your life. But after getting married, the happy couple may find themselves busy combining their lives together. The bride may change her name with social security and with her local DMV. And the couple may change their life insurance policies and bank account information. If you have recently gotten married, a trip to your auto insurer may also be warranted following the wedding.

After getting married, you and your spouse may want to combine your auto insurance policies, if you have not already done so. Adding two cars to one insurance policies, rather than having separate policies for each car, is often cheaper. In addition to combing your auto insurance policies and starting one together, both you and your spouse may be eligible for a married couple discount. Many people do not realize that married individuals pay a bit less for auto insurance than those with similar cars and driving records who are single. You may find yourself wondering why this is.

Plain and simply, studies have shown that those who are married are less likely to get in an automobile accident than those who are single. As such, your risk factors are lower when you are married. The auto insurance company can then pass along a discount your way thanks to your reduced risk factors.

If you are looking to save some money on your auto insurance policy, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, serving the greater Laurel, MD area, can help. You offer fair and reasonable rates and will let you know what discounts you may qualify for. To get a price quote, give us a call now.

Like many other states, every driver in Maryland is required to purchase auto insurance, or they could face stiff penalties. They’re also required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, which includes both property damage and bodily injury. And these amounts are $15,000 and $30,000 respectively. Maryland drivers are also required to carry a minimum of $60,000 in liability coverage for two or more people.

If you’re planning to move out of the state of Maryland or are planning to cancel your auto insurance policy, you are required to return your license plates to an MVA branch office, and you may have to provide your registration and other information in certain circumstances. This will apply if you are planning to move in or out of the state.

If you’re new to the state of Maryland or are in the market for an auto insurance policy, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD has quality agents who have served the area for many years, and we have a variety of carriers from which to choose. So, you can be sure to find a policy that will meet your needs and fit your budget.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Maryland

Maryland drivers could face certain penalties if they don’t have an active auto insurance policy that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements, which can include fines or a suspension of their auto registration. Their vehicle could also be impounded, and they could receive a citation from a law enforcement officer.

It’s against the law to drive without auto insurance in the state of Maryland, so it’s important to keep an active policy at all times. Otherwise, you could face the following penalties:

•    A $150 fine for the first 30 days, and an additional $7 for each one after that (with a maximum fine of $2,500).
•    A suspension of your vehicle’s registration and it could be impounded if you drive while it’s suspended.

If you don’t respond to any insurance notification from the MVA, your case will be transferred to the Central Collection Unit (CCU), and it will result in a 17% collection fee and an interception of your most recent income tax return.

Be sure to speak to an agent at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD. We can help you get an auto insurance policy that will meet Maryland’s minimum state requirements, and we can get it to you at a price that you can afford.