Breaking Down the Rate: What Factors Are Used to Determine Auto Insurance Premiums?

Auto insurance premiums include a lot of risk assessment and analysis as well as cost evaluations. Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD uses all of these cost evaluations, risk assessments, and driver information to get you an insurance policy to fit your specific needs.  If you currently quoting your insurance policy, you may find yourself asking, "exactly what factors go into determining a rate premium?" 

Your Credit Score

Maintaining a good credit score is important in many aspects of your life, and car insurance is no different.  Claims reporting has shown that drivers who maintain a higher credit score file insurance claim less frequently than those who may have fair to bad credit.

Your Past Driving Record

One of the largest factors that help to determine your premium rate is your past driving record.  If you have a past history of speeding tickets or at-fault accidents you will usually be charged a higher rate as you will be considered at higher risk for a claim.  Most insurance companies use three years of driving history when determining rates.  If you have severe risk factors, such as DU’s or reckless driving, you could pay significantly higher rates.

How Much Annual Mileage You Put on Your Car

The more miles you put on your car each year, the more likely you are to end up in a motor vehicle accident.  Less time on the road means you are less likely to file a claim and your insurance company will reflect this risk in your monthly premium.

Your Age

Statistical data has shown that differing age groups are more likely than others to get into car accidents.  More mature and experienced drivers are often more likely to be better defensive drivers and react faster.  Therefore teenagers and young adults will garner the highest premium rates.  

The Kind of Car You Drive

There are three main factors insurance companies look at when it comes to the kind of car you drive.

  • The Cost of Repair and Replacement – Your insurance company will look at what the parts will cost in the event of an accident as well as replacement value if and accident results in a total loss.
  • Safety Features – Your insurance company will look at the features that can protect the driver, the car, and the passengers in the vehicle.
  • The Amount of Damage it Can Cause – Cars that have a higher chance of inflicting significant damage in an accident will typically see higher rates in their liability insurance.

Your Selected Coverage

A significant portion of your premium will be determined by the features and coverages that you choose with your policy.  Lower deductible rates, replacement value, and towing and rental reimbursement are all features that can increase your monthly premium.

If you are looking to find ways to reduce your current insurance premium, or are shopping for a new policy, contact the experienced agents at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial in Laurel, MD today for an estimate.

 

 

Managing life changes: Navigating unexpected events

Life comes with unexpected changes from relocation to job changes to major illnesses, and these changes can impact your life in a wide variety of ways. In order to get through these difficult moments, you have to be prepared and have a plan in place to work through the challenges so they don’t become overwhelming. Managing life changes before they occur can help make them much easier to work through. 

There are many ways a sudden, major life change can impact your life. A job loss, illness, or death can have both an emotional and financial impact. Because of that, it can be hard to get through these life events successfully. You have to deal with the emotional challenges of the life change as well as the financial. The good news is that there are plans you can put in place to protect yourself and your family when major life events occur.

Insurance should be a component in your plan to manage major life changes. Insurance can help protect against financial strain if you or a family member becomes seriously ill or injured or in the event of a death in the family. By helping alleviate some of the financial burden that comes from a major life change, you and your family are free to deal with the emotional challenges. This can help make major life changes easier to manage.

There are many types of insurance that can help you manage major life changes that may arise in your life. For more information about insurance to protect you and your family during major life changes, contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial today.

Do single people need life insurance?

A lot of people make the assumption that if they’re single, they don’t need to be bothered with life insurance. The truth is that anyone who has loved ones who would suffer as a result of their death needs to have a life insurance policy in place to protect them.  If the following situations apply to your life, then you need to have life insurance.

  1. You don’t have enough assets today for your final expenses. If your estate can’t cover your funeral, then it will have to be paid for by someone else. Small policies are often sold to singles specifically for this reason. Fortunately, they are relatively cheap.
  2. You have relatives who depend on you. Kids and/or elderly parents that rely on you for financial support will be effected by your death. Life insurance funds can be used to replace child support payments as well as provide funds to attend college. They can also provide lifelong care and/or someone to take over the tasks you normally do for your parents. 
  3. You own a business. If your death would be the end of your business, then you need to be insured. While many banks will insist on a policy if you have a business loan, it’s also a good idea to keep a policy that will compensate your employees and provide them with some severance as they look for new jobs.

If any of these circumstances apply to you, then call the agents at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial. They have years of experience helping people find the life insurance policy that is right for them at a price that fits into their budget

The Easy Way to Update Your Insurance

For years, insurance companies have been trying to make the entire process of buying and even renewing your insurance policies as easy as possible.  Like with most things though, insurance companies rely on you regardless of whether you live in Laurel, MD or anywhere else.  You are the one who is responsible for providing the insurance company with all of the pertinent and critical information.  For that reason, we have put together a list of some of the information that you will need if you are buying a new insurance policy or just renewing and/or updating an existing policy.

Vehicle Insurance

When it comes to your vehicle, most of the time, people will have a good idea of what type of information they will need.  Such as your license plate number.  However, that isn’t the only sort of information you will need.  Some of the other pieces of information include but are not limited to:

  • If you are renewing or updating your insurance you will need to know your current policy number.
  • The VIN (Vehicle Information Number) of your car.
  • If there is a lien on the vehicle, you will need to know the name and address of whoever holds the lien.   Most of the time this will be a dealership or bank.
  • If you happen to be purchasing a new or used vehicle, you will need the insurance company to show the dealer and local DMV proof of insurance.  You will need the fax numbers or email address of the dealer and DMV.
  • If you are clearing up DMV issues such as a suspension of licenses or even an SR-22, you will need a case number.

If it is time for you to renew, review or update your vehicle insurance, call or visit a Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial agency as soon as possible.  

Your Local Food Bank Could Use Your Time and Talents

The Washington, DC area is full of hustle and bustle, and that can make it easy to forget that there are still people there who need assistance. Giving back to the community can be a great way to be reminded of that, and one of the ways to give back is through volunteering your time and talents to the local food bank. Even in areas of the country where some people have so much, there are definitely people who have very little.

By providing them with some food that they otherwise couldn’t afford, they can get a good meal and have the strength to get through their day. Whether it’s a homeless person who doesn’t have any money for food or a family who’s just a little short on funds and trying to make it through until the next payday, getting help from the food bank can make a big difference. While these organizations often have enough food to give out, they may not have enough people to hand out the food and help all the people who come through the doors.

When you offer your time and talents to your Washington, DC food bank, you give help and hope to many people who need it and who make up a part of your local community. Another way you can help your community is by supporting the local businesses there, like getting your insurance from Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial. When you support local businesses, they are better able to survive and thrive. That can lead to them also helping the local area, which is a winning situation for everyone involved.

3 Reasons to Work with an Independent Insurance Agent

Navigating your maze of insurance options can be an undertaking. With so much at stake, choosing the wrong option can have severe consequences. Fortunately, in your quest to find the best insurance coverage for your family, you have a partner by your side the entire time—independent insurance agents.

At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial our independent insurance agents are proven experts. They help you on your journey in becoming insured by providing you with the following three benefits.

They Explain Difficult Concepts

Insurance jargon can be confusing. From deductibles to indemnities, our independent insurance agents help you understand what each term. They also help you understand how your choices affect your finances. Armed with insider information about insurance, you can choose the best insurance for your family.

They Are Consultants during the Sale

Our insurance agents act as your consultants, providing you with information so that you can make an informed decision about your coverage. We want you to be satisfied with your insurance policy and will equip you with the tools you need to make an educated decision.

They Are Your Partners after the Sale Too

All too often customers are on their own when they purchase insurance from companies, but at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial we are your partners the entire time you are our customers. Whether you are interested in updating your insurance in the future, or you simply want to add more insurance, we are here for you.

Our independent insurance agents are not salespeople, but consultants. They help you understand and choose the best insurance for your family, regardless of your situation. When you are ready to get insurance, call one of our agents or get a free quote online.

3 Insurance Risks Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know

If you own a small business, one of the key components to success is by making sure you are prepared for the unexpected. Here are three insurance risks that every small business owner needs to know.

Risk #1: Liability Claims

Liability claims encompass more than just slip-and-fall cases or instances where a customer is injured while visiting your business location. These types of incidents can include situations where your employees accidentally damage someone else’s property, someone becomes ill from a product you created, or something entirely different. The key to understanding liability risk for your business begins with knowing that anything that injures a person or thing physically, emotionally, or financially could be constituted as a claim. With such a wide variety of different scenarios, it is important to make sure your business has adequate coverage for the industry you are in.

Risk #2: Damage to Property

Another insurance risk to be aware of is damage to property. We all know that storms, fire, theft, and vandalism can happen at any time. But if your small business were to have to replace all the tools and equipment necessary for everyday operations, would it be able to afford to do so? Preparing for the unexpected in this case means making sure your insurance policy covers as many critical items as possible.

Risk #3: Employee Injuries

From the moment you hire your first employee, you encounter the chance of an on-the-job injury. In our state, worker’s compensation insurance is required for all employers. But making sure you have this important coverage is only one small portion of managing this risk. Constantly remind staff about workplace safety procedures and have a strict guidance policy in place.

Find out more information about how a commercial insurance policy can help your business. Please contact our team at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial today for further details.

Laurel, MD: Common Life Insurance Myths

If you’re considering investing in life insurance, it is imperative that you consider your many options. It’s also pertinent to speak with a qualified life insurance agent serving the Laurel, MD area. By speaking with this type of agent, you can rest assured that all of your life insurance needs will be met.

From assessing your individual needs to determining whether or not you actually need life insurance, an agent can explain the ins-and-outs of the various life insurance policies that are best suited for you. In addition to explaining the policies that are available to you, an agent can go over the common life insurance myths that people often fall for. It’s important that you don’t fall for these myths or you could end up losing out on benefits that are available to you and your beneficiaries. 

Life insurance myth #1: If you’re not married, you don’t need life insurance

Just because you aren’t married, this doesn’t mean that you don’t need life insurance. Life insurance funds are meant to be used as a beneficiary benefit to those you help support. For instance, if you have any children and they have yet to go through college, you may want to invest in life insurance to cover the associated expenses in the event that you were to pass away before they have completed their post-secondary education. 

Life insurance myth #2: Life insurance is always expensive

There are many life insurance policies that can be invested in at extremely affordable premiums. Some of the best policies and most inexpensive ones are term life insurance plans; however, depending on your exact needs, a permanent life insurance plan might be better suited. To learn more about your life insurance options, please contact an agent serving your area from Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial.

 

Keep Your Pets Safe During The Summer In Laurel

Living in Laurel, Maryland can be a lot of fun. Regardless of what kind of home you have, you may have pets. During the summer, you want to do all that you can in order to keep your pets as safe and as healthy as can be.

Dehydration can be a dangerous thing. The hottest times of the day are when you need to keep your pet inside. If you enjoy exercising with your pet at your side, do so during the early morning or late evening hours. Whenever you do take your pet outside, especially for long walks, bring a bottle of water for them to drink and remember to relax in the shade from time to time.

Whenever you are outside, you have shoes on as a way of keeping your feet clean and well protected. You need to do the same thing for your pets. The hot concrete can be very hot on the delicate pads of dogs and cats. There are adhesive pads, booties, and other forms of protection that you can purchase for your pet.

Ensure that your pets have access to plenty of clean water during the summer, whether they stay inside or outside. You can also mix in some wet food when you feed them dry food because this has approximately 70% water. It is an extra tip that can help them stay hydrated.

Some of the other things that you can do to keep your pet safe include:

  • Never leave them in a parked car
  • Use life vests on a boat
  • Get them on heartworm medication

At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, we’re here to help you with home insurance and more. Call us today and let one of our agents help find affordable quotes for a policy that you can count on.

 

 

What You Can and Can’t Change About Your Life Insurance Rates

There are some things about Glenn Dale, Maryland we all love and would never change. The Splash Park, the friendly people, the variety of events and annual festivals in the area, and our relatively moderate year-round temperatures are among them. Of course we would change the Washington area traffic if we could, but we’ve learned there are some things you can’t change. The same can be said about your life insurance.

Life insurance premiums are based on a variety of factors. There are some factors you can’t change that affect your life insurance premiums, and there are those you can. Age, for example, is one of the biggest factors that impact premiums, but there is little you can do about that. You can keep in mind though, that the younger you are, the cheaper life insurance will likely be for you.

You can make some changes to your personal habits to positively impact premiums. If you are a smoker, giving up tobacco use will help. Those who are significantly overweight will likely pay more. Have a dangerous job or getting involved in risky recreational activities may also impact your rates negatively. Even a good driving record may help you secure more affordable premiums.

If you are considering life insurance, contact us. As an independent agency we have the ability to work with multiple companies in finding the best rates for you. We may also be able to help you by showing you how small lifestyle changes can save money.

If you are considering auto or homeowners insurance, try our online comparative quotes. You can get started from the convenience of any internet connection. Contact us today and learn more about how we work to save you money!