Car Insurance For Virginia & North Carolina Drivers

You know that driving is a risky business, and it’s natural to want protection against any hazard that might suddenly arise during any drive. Along with your seat belt, a quality auto insurance policy can safeguard you and your family whenever problems occur. Car insurance can go a long way towards helping you recover from wrecks and other vehicle mishaps without digging deep into your pockets.

Choose Parker, Shelton & Associates For Your Car Insurance Needs

People buy car insurance because it will help them recover from unexpected accidents involving their vehicles. When a qualifying peril causes a wreck or other hazard (both on the road and while parked), then the policy can compensate you for vehicle repairs and other damage costs. It will enable you to financially recover from losses you didn’t plan and don’t want to worry about paying for. You can use it not only to pay for your own damage costs, but also damage you mistakenly cause to others.

For 30 years, Parker, Shelton & Associates, Inc. has provided drivers throughout Virginia and North Carolina with premium car insurance options that are customizable to every driver’s needs. Our goal is to provide every operator with a personalized auto policy that always offers them the coverage features that will maximize their security behind the wheel.

Take some time to learn more about our auto insurance options below, and if you are ready to get covered, then call us at (540) 381-6358 or request your free policy quote now.

Common Auto Insurance Questions

What Are The 3 Primary Types Of Car Insurance?

Car insurance can provide policyholders with significant financial assistance following a hazardous vehicle loss. There are three types of coverage that every driver needs to carry in order to receive optimal security:

• Liability Insurance: When a car accident is your fault, you might have to compensate other involved parties (other drivers, their passengers, pedestrians, property owners) for the losses you caused them. For example, if you hit another vehicle after running a red light, then this coverage can help you pay to repair the other vehicle and cover the other driver's injury costs.
• Comprehensive Insurance: This coverage will pay for your own vehicle repairs if the car sustains damage that was not related to a wreck. So, if your car catches fire, gets stolen or sustains hail damage, then this portion of coverage can pay for your repairs
• Collision Insurance: If you hit another vehicle or object, this portion of your policy will pay for your vehicle repairs. However, animal strikes will not have coverage under collision insurance, instead being covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Each type of coverage will have limits and exclusions on what they will pay for claims. Damage deductibles that the policyholder must pay will also apply.

Are There Other Types Of Coverage I Should Buy?

Besides your liability and physical damage coverage, you can add many perks to your policy to gain further protection:

• Medical Payments Insurance: When you or your passengers get hurt in wrecks, this coverage can help you cover your medical bills.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Another driver might be at-fault for a wreck. However, they might have no liability insurance to pay you. This coverage allows you to pay for your repairs using your own policy.
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage: In some cases, an at-fault driver’s liability policy limits might not be enough to cover 100% of your recovery costs. After their policy pays to its limits, your underinsured motorist coverage can help you pay the difference.
• Roadside Assistance: If you have a breakdown like a flat tire, your insurer can dispatch a roadside assistance provider to help you get back on your way.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: If you have to get a rental vehicle after a wreck, then this portion of your coverage can help you afford the costs.

What Car Insurance Is Required By Law?

By law, both Virginia and North Carolina require drivers to carry minimum amounts of auto insurance. Drivers registered in each state must continually maintain at least the following coverage:

Virginia

• $25,000 Bodily Injury Liability Insurance per person
• $50,000 Bodily Injury Liability Insurance per accident
• $20,000 Property Damage Liability Insurance

Virginia drivers may opt to drive uninsured by paying a $500 uninsured motorist fee. However, they assume all liabilities for accidents they cause.

North Carolina

• $30,000 Bodily Injury Liability Insurance per person
• $60,000 Bodily Injury Liability Insurance per accident
• $25,000 Property Damage Liability Insurance
• $30,000 Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Liability Insurance per person
• $60,000 Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Liability Insurance per accident
• $25,000 Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Liability Insurance

Policies that carry the minimum liability insurance must include uninsured motorist coverage. Policies that include more than the minimum liability coverage must have both uninsured & underinsured coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage will not offer property damage coverage.

If you only buy a basic policy in each state, then your coverage will only include your required limits. However, you should make a concerted effort to carry more than the minimum coverage. Ask your agent to add comprehensive, collision, un/under and other protection to your policy.

How Are Car Insurance Rates Are Calculated?

Insurance companies calculate premiums based on the risk that someone will make a claim on the policy. Those who might cost them more money will usually pay more. Factors that might cause you to pay more include:

• The coverage, deductibles and limits you buy on your policy
• Your driving record and history of accidents, tickets or other infractions
• Your car’s value
• Your address (some places have higher accident risks than others)
• How many miles you drive annually
• The number of vehicles and people insured on the policy

Combined, these risks will help your insurer determine how much they need to charge you to assume the cost of insuring you in the first place.

How Far Do Insurers Look Back When Setting My Rates?

If you worry about your driving record leading to higher rates, don’t give up hope. Most insurers only look at the previous 3 – 5 years of your record to see your risk to them now. If you have a lot of infractions in that time period, particularly more recent ones, then you are more likely to pay more.

However, over time, many infractions will disappear from your record. So, if you try to be a better driver, then your record will often clear up and possibly lead to lower rates.

Who Is The Primary Policyholder?

On your auto policy, the primary policyholder is called the primary insured. This is the person who buys and pays for the policy. They can choose to add other drivers in their household, such as their spouse or children, to the policy, too. These parties will become additional insureds and will have the same benefits as the primary insured.