Most states require all drivers to carry auto liability insurance that meets the state minimum requirements. However, drivers can invest in more than just auto liability coverage. Drivers have many coverage options. Our Sandy, UT team at The Smith Insurance Group Inc. is committed to helping drivers find coverage that meets their needs. 

Auto Insurance Requirements

Most states require all drivers to carry liability insurance that meets the state minimum levels, regardless of whether you have a car loan or not. All drivers must carry liability insurance. However, other circumstances may require you to carry more than liability coverage. Minnesota also requires drivers to carry uninsured motorists’ coverage and personal injury protection coverage. 

I don’t have a Car loan. Do I still need Auto Insurance?

Yes. You still need to carry auto liability insurance. However, if you have a late-model car, investing in more than just liability coverage may be wise. Likely, you won’t be able to pay for damage to your vehicle out of pocket. One rule of thumb is to carry full coverage insurance if your car’s value exceeds your annual insurance premium. Your car’s value may justify paying for full coverage if its value is less than what you’re paying in insurance costs. For example, the odds of your car being totaled is greater if the value of your vehicle is less than the cost of repairing it. If you have more questions about auto insurance, call us. We’d be happy to help you explore your options. 

As the temperatures drop and the snow falls in Sandy, UT, it’s essential to ensure your car, truck, or SUV is prepared for winter weather. Along with providing comprehensive auto coverage from The Smith Insurance Group Inc, a few simple steps can help prevent costly repairs and accidents.

Check Your Tire Tread and Pressure

As the temperatures start to drop, so does the air pressure in your tires. That’s why it’s essential to check your tire pressure regularly during the winter. Low tire pressure can cause your tires to lose traction on icy roads, leading to accidents. It can also cause your tires to wear down more quickly.

Besides checking your tire pressure, it’s also important to check your tire tread. Tire tread helps you grip the road. The deeper the tread, the better grip you’ll have. If your tire tread is shallow, you might replace your tires before winter weather hits.

Clear Off Your Car Before You Drive

Another critical step in preparing your car for winter is clearing the snow and ice before driving. Ice and snow can obstruct your vision and make it difficult to see other vehicles on the road. It can also cause your car to lose traction and slide on icy roads. So before you head out this winter, take a few minutes to clear off your car completely.

Check Your Wiper Blades

Ice and snow can also make it difficult to see the road ahead. To ensure you have clear visibility, check your wiper blades before winter weather. If they’re cracked or worn down, replace them before the snow falls.

Also, ensure your Sandy, UT vehicle coverage is up-to-date with The Smith Insurance Group Inc. We can provide comprehensive coverage to protect your vehicle from damage and theft year-round.

It’s a bright, warm summer morning. The highway is clear, the sky blue. You’re driving north, headed for cooler climes. Somewhere in Montana, a truck clips the back of your car. You slam on your brakes and skid into the guardrail. You’ll be okay, but your car is heavily damaged.

Will your Sandy, UT insurance policy still cover you in Montana? Let The Smith Insurance Group Inc. help you find the answers.

Does car insurance cover out-of-state accidents?

The short answer is yes; car insurance policies generally cover out-of-state accidents. This is true regardless of where the accident occurred. Generally speaking, car insurance policies cover accidents anywhere in the country.

What if my state has different insurance requirements than the state where the accident occurred?

Coverage requirements vary by state, but you’re only required to have the minimum coverage that your state of residence mandates. You can always have more than that voluntarily, of course.

Am I covered if I move to another state?

If you permanently move to another state, you will want to notify your insurance company. You can always carry your old policy over to your new state. However, because minimum liability limits vary between states, you will want to make sure your policy is updated.

Am I covered if I drive out of the country?

This depends on where you’re going. In Canada, your policy from the US will usually cover you to the same limits it does stateside.

Some policies might cover damage to your vehicle in Mexico, but you’ll likely be on the hook for any liability claims. If you plan to go to Mexico, the best practice is to get Mexican auto insurance.

Are you a Sandy, UT resident interested in learning more about car insurance? Reach out to The Smith Insurance Group Inc. today!

Drivers in Sandy, UT looking for a new auto insurance policy should look no further than The Smith Insurance Group Inc. We serve the residents of Utah and would be happy to help you select an auto insurance plan that works for you. 

Liability and no-fault auto insurance are both required by law in the state of Utah. This means if you’re an active driver in Utah, you had better have car insurance. Although obeying the laws is of the utmost importance, we believe that auto insurance is a very important investment you can make to protect yourself as a driver on the road in Utah. 

Liability insurance protects you in the scenario where you are at fault for injuries or damage to another car in an accident. Collision insurance covers you in an accident where you hit another car. Comprehensive insurance covers other variations of damage, like theft or vandalism. 

 While you may be a very safe driver and do everything in your power to be safe on the road, you can’t control what other drivers are doing (or not doing) each day when you’re on the road. Because of this, car insurance is absolutely essential to your own safety, as well as the safety of other people on the road.

Don’t roll the dice and hope you never need insurance — if you’re in an accident, even if you aren’t at fault, you’ll need proof of insurance. If you get pulled over, you’ll need to show proof of insurance. It’s just not worth the risk to not have it, because anything can happen. 

The Smith Insurance Group Inc. is happy to help residents in Sandy, UT select the most suitable auto insurance policy that will help you and your family feel safe on the road. 

When you live in or around Sandy, UT there are plenty of local amenities that you can enjoy. If you would like to enjoy the area as much as possible, you should get a car. Anyone that is going to get a vehicle in this area needs to get proper insurance coverage as it is required for a few different purposes. 

Those that Take Out a Loan

Drivers that take out a car loan need to make sure they know what their obligations are when it comes to insurance. Auto loan providers want their collateral to be covered as well as possible. Usually, the lender will have specific insurance requirements in their agreements. This could require that you get a full insurance plan with a reasonable deductible, which ensures you will have the ability to repair or replace your car. 

Those that Want to Drive on a Road

You will also need to get auto coverage when you want to drive the car on a public road. Anyone that is going to drive in Utah needs to abide by the state’s liability insurance laws. This coverage gives assurances to all other people on the road that you can pay for any damages you may cause in an accident. If you do not carry this coverage, you could face penalization when you are caught. 

People that are going to purchase a car in the Sandy, UT area will need to get a proper insurance plan. As you are looking for your next policy here, you should call The Smith Insurance Group Inc. The team with The Smith Insurance Group Inc. understands the complexities and challenges that come with commercial coverage. This team will work hard to help you pick a plan that is ideal for your situation and mitigates your driving risks. 

When you have a vehicle in Utah, it’s required for you to have auto insurance in place to take care of any liability you may have in an accident as well as other types of coverage. The insurance requirement in the state comes with several different parts, and drivers should have all of them. If you need auto insurance or want to change to a different carrier, call us at The Smith Insurance Group Inc in Sandy, UT for an appointment. 

Required Coverage

To stay legal on Utah roads, there are five main parts that your auto insurance must cover. The coverage must include bodily injury liability with minimums per person as well as per accident. It must also include a mandatory minimum of property damage liability. For your own injuries, you must have a specific minimum amount of personal injury protection. You also must have a required minimum of uninsured motorist insurance with minimums both per person and per accident. There is also underinsured motorist coverage with minimums for each person and the whole accident.

Minimum Coverage

With so many types of coverage having mandatory minimums, many people choose to get just enough coverage to meet the minimum legal requirement. However, this may not be enough if a serious accident were to happen. It also doesn’t cover damage to your own vehicle. To be more fully insured, consider adding to the minimums and adding collision insurance. Without these coverages, you may have to pay a significant amount out of picket once your insurance coverage maxes out. 

Utah Insurance

If you don’t have insurance for your Utah vehicle, call us right away to get coverage. Contact us at The Smith Insurance Group Inc. in Sandy, UT for an appointment with an insurance agent. 

Auto insurance has a tendency to fade into the background for many drivers in Sandy, UT. You might pick a policy when you first get your car, set up automatic payments, and then quickly forget about it from there. But your policy should technically be changing based on what you do and how you live. The Smith Insurance Group Inc. is here to let you know when it’s time to upgrade your coverage. 

When You Want More 

Maybe you opted for the lowest amount of coverage when you first got your car because you didn’t really drive very much at the time. But since then, you obtained a new job that increases the amount of travel. You may be going into higher crime areas or spending more time on busy roads. The more time you’re in your vehicle, the more coverage you’ll need. 

When You’ve Made Changes to the Car 

Maybe you installed a new stereo or you splurged a little more than you thought you would at the after-market store. All of these additions could increase the value of your car, meaning you’ll need to get additional protection for them. If you haven’t called your insurance carrier to update them on the changes, they may not cover the repair or replacement should you file a claim. 

When You Want a New Partner 

If you live in Sandy, UT, and want to learn more about different auto insurance carriers, The Smith Insurance Group Inc. is here to help. The company that covers you will play a major role in how claims are handled, which items are approved, and your overall experience should an adverse event occur to you. Contact us today if you have questions about how you can upgrade your coverage in Sandy. 

Sandy, UT motorists who are looking to remain safe on the roadways will often rely on the assistance of The Smith Insurance Group Inc. for all of their auto insurance needs. There are a few key facts that drivers in the Sandy, UT area need to know before they can make a truly informed decision. 

This guide is here to provide the necessary background when it comes time to make a final decision. Here are three facts about auto insurance that you need to know: 

1. The Factors That Determine Pricing

Every auto insurance provider will rely on a few key factors to determine the pricing. The motorist’s marital status, age and gender are all taken into consideration. Younger drivers and male drivers are both considered more likely to have an accident. There is statistical evidence to back up these claims. Meanwhile, married drivers are considered less likely to file accident claims.

2. Expensive Vehicles Are Not Always More Costly To Insure

This is a common misconception when it comes to auto insurance. Many motorists assume that insurance costs rise with the cost of the vehicle. In reality, an expensive vehicle that has a better track record for offering lower claim rates for accidents may cost much less to insure than a cheaper vehicle. 

3. Personal Insurance Does Not Cover Business Vehicles

There is a wide range of motorists who are unaware of this fact. Those who remain unaware are actually putting their personal policy at risk. Anyone who is found to be driving their personal vehicle for a side gig will have their policy revoked entirely. A motorist who plans on utilizing their personal vehicle for a business venture must be sure to purchase a policy that is completely separate, with no exceptions. 

Would you like to learn more about the ins and outs of an auto insurance policy? If so, please be sure to visit The Smith Insurance Group Inc. website as soon as possible. 

The holidays usually mean more shopping, cooking and traveling, which increases your risk of accidents on the road. Auto insurance from The Smith Insurance Group Inc. in Sandy, UT will protect your interests if you’re involved in an auto accident. The following safety tips can keep accidents from happening, even during the busy holiday season.

Service Your Vehicle

Don’t hit the road without servicing your vehicle to make sure it’s road-ready. Have your mechanic check fluids, belts, brakes, wipers, and tires. Change your oil and get new tires, if needed, before holiday travels.

Plan Ahead

Plan your holiday vacation in advance to avoid stress. Decide where you’re going, pick your dates, map your routes and assemble emergency supplies for your travels. Check weather conditions in advance so you know what to expect along the way.

Leave Early

Leave early enough to avoid rush hours and to give you enough time to stop and rest when you get tired. Resting often can help you stay alert. If you’re traveling with other drivers, share the load to avoid fatigue.     

Don’t Get Distracted

Keep your mind and eyes on the road – don’t get distracted. Put away your cell phone so you’re not tempted to make calls or text friends when driving. Make a playlist for your journey so you’re not fiddling with the radio trying to find tunes to your liking.

Don’t Drink and Drive

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a few drinks during your holiday celebrations. What is wrong is drinking and driving. If you’re going to drink, call Uber or a taxi to take you home or travel with a designated driver.   

As we enter the holiday season, make sure you have the auto insurance protection you need by calling The Smith Insurance Group Inc.in Sandy, UT.

Summer is a great time for a family road trip. Whether you’re staying in Utah or traveling cross country in your vehicle, safety should be your number one priority. The following road trip safety tips from The Smith Insurance Group Inc. in Sandy, UT can help keep you safe during your summer travels.

Check Your Vehicle

Before hitting the open road, take your vehicle in for a checkup. Routine maintenance will ensure your car is ready for long distance travels. Have your mechanic check the tires, belts, battery, fluids, wipers, and AC to make sure everything’s working as it should. Vehicle maintenance can help you avoid breakdowns on the road.

Rest Up

Be sure to get plenty of rest the night before your trip so you’ll be awake and alert for driving. Driving half asleep puts you at greater risk of causing an accident. Take breaks as needed during your travels to avoid getting bored or tired. If possible, switch off on drivers every couple hours to get the rest you need.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Make sure you have an emergency kit with all the essentials needed for long distance travels. Your kit should include drinking water, flashlight, warm blankets, flares, jumper cables, cell phone with charger, first aid supplies and basic tools for minor car repairs. If your auto insurance doesn’t include roadside assistance, consider getting this coverage for summer travels.

Stay off Your Phone

Stay off your phone when driving so you can focus on the road. Texts and phone calls are major distractions that can easily lead to accidents.

Update Your Auto Insurance

Update your auto insurance to ensure you have ample protection for your travels. To learn more about road trip insurance protection options, contact The Smith Insurance Group Inc. in Sandy, UT.