If you decide to buy a new car in Laurel, Maryland, you will also have to buy auto insurance. If you already have an existing auto insurance policy, you are usually covered under that policy for a short period of time so you can make arrangements to add the new car to your policy.

The grace period can vary from one insurer to the next, but generally, you are covered from 14 days to one month before you must have a new policy for the car you just purchased. It is always a good idea to check with your current provider to find out how such situations are handled so you do not run into any problems after you take possession of the vehicle.

If you decide to go to a dealership in Washington (District of Columbia) and trade in your old car, you will have the same coverage on the new car as you had on the old car. If you had a car that was only worth $1,000 and only had liability on that car, then you will only have liability coverage on the new car you need to insure.

If you finance your new car, the lender will almost certainly require that you carry collision and comprehensive insurance as well as the state-mandated liability coverage. It is therefore very important to contact your insurance company and add the extra coverage as soon as possible.

Although you may not legally be required to contact your auto insurance company for two weeks or 30 days, you should not wait that long. If you inform them that you just purchased a new car, they can make the necessary changes right away and you will avoid any questions about whether or not you are covered.

As your independent agent, it is our job to help you in such situations. If you are buying a new car and are concerned about making sure that there will be no lapse in your coverage, give us a call and an independent agent will take care of the paperwork.

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!