How to Buy Auto Insurance: 10 Quick Tips from Tampa Automobile Accidents Attorney Dale Appell, P.A.

Buying any type of insurance can be a daunting and time-consuming task. With so many companies, policies, and agents to choose from, selecting the right auto insurance policy for your needs is almost like trying to find the proverbial “needle in a haystack.” But once you have good auto insurance, it can be a lifesaver if the time comes that you need to make a claim. To assist you in choosing an auto insurance company and policy, Tampa automobile accidents attorney Dale Appell, P.A. offers the following tips.

(1) Be aware that you can save money by shopping your auto insurance regularly. This is particularly true if you have just paid off your car loan, since a lending bank will typically require you to carry extra coverage that you may not want. If you have been with the same insurance company for several years, it is also a good idea to shop around. You may be able to save hundreds of dollars a year.

(2) Remember that, in Tampa and throughout the state of Florida, you are required by law to carry a minimum of $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability.

(3) Decide how much coverage you need above the Florida minimum. This is a personal choice, but it is highly recommended that you purchase insurance to cover your assets. Otherwise, if you are at fault in an accident causing $100,000 in damages and medical bills but you only have $10,000 in coverage, a Tampa automobile accidents attorney could conceivably go after your personal assets to pay for the injured party's losses. If you have assets, cover them with your auto insurance.

(4) Another consideration in deciding what auto insurance coverage you want is the chance that you could suffer catastrophic injuries or damages in a car accident.  The state minimum of $10,000 personal injury protection won't go very far if you need extensive medical care or have significant loss of income because of your car accident injuries. Likewise, the $10,000 in property damage liability is not a lot, bearing in mind that most vehicles are worth more than $10,000.

(5) Current minimum recommendations are to purchase at least $50,000 in bodily injury for one injured person, up to $100,000 for everyone injured in the accident, and $25,000 property damage. (Insurance companies call this 50/100/25 coverage.) Again, if you have assets in excess of this, cover your assets too.

(6) Always get uninsured motorist protection (UM). A minimum amount of uninsured motorist protection is $50,000, but more would be advisable.

(7) Before you shop around for quotes, get a copy of your current auto insurance policy, your current auto insurance bill, your driver's license number, your car's registration, and your driving record. (Call your local DMV if you are unsure about your record.)

(8) Shop for auto insurance quotes both online and over the phone. This process could take the better part of a day. In addition to visiting popular sites like geico.com, progressive.com, and esurance.com, also try calling a few independent insurance agents in the Tampa Bay area. (An independent agent, or broker, represents multiple insurance companies instead of just one.) Independent insurance agents will be able to get you quotes from several different insurance providers. Independent agents are also there to advise you, in simple terms, about the good and bad points of each policy.

(9) Before you make a final decision about an insurance company, check for complaints with the Florida Department of Financial Services. Also check the company's ratings with A.M Best, Standard & Poor's, and J.D. Power & Associates. Finally, ask your mechanic, local body shops, your car dealership, and friends about the auto insurance companies they recommend.

(10) Before you sign on the dotted line with an auto insurance company, make sure there is nothing in the policy that forces you to give up your right to go to court. No insurance provider should limit your ability to speak to a Tampa automobile accidents attorney, learn your rights, or pursue justice after an accident with injuries.

Auto insurance is much more than a legal obligation. Your auto insurance policy is there to help you recover both financially and physically in the event of an accident—and accidents are far too common to neglect your insurance coverage.

Even when you have sufficient auto insurance coverage, it always helps to consult with an attorney after an accident with injuries. Your attorney will be your advocate when speaking to insurance companies and your attorney will also make sure that your insurance company lives up to its obligations in the policy. Please contact Tampa automobile accidents attorney Dale Appell, P.A. for a free assessment of your case. Whether you are in the city of Tampa or in surrounding areas such as Clearwater, St Petersburg, Brandon, Temple Terrace, Palm Harbor, Largo, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, or Pinellas Park, we will gladly speak to you about your accident injuries.