Call us anytime, even outside of our regular business hours:

727 462.2431

Discover the advantages of insuring with Carlson Brokerage Services LLC. Learn more.

We also consult on the following auto insurance coverages/matters:

• Motorcycles, RVs, trailers, etc.
• Vehicle theft
• Collision insurance coverage
• Towing and repairs

An auto insurance policy is required to operate a motor vehicle throughout the United States. A comprehensive auto insurance plan can protect you by assessing your liability in an accident and fending off illegitimate claims.

Two types of auto insurance are mandated in the US: The no-fault system and the tort system. Used by most states, the no-fault system stipulates that your insurance company will pay your injury claims in the event of an accident (up to a predetermined limit), no matter who caused it.

 If you would like to have some auto quotes run you can give our office a call or simply print, fill out completely and return via fax or email the form on the bottom of this page.  

 The tort system, by contrast, stipulates that those who are injured in auto accidents must seek out-of-pocket medical care, and then hold the insurance company of the driver responsible for reimbursement. Such individuals must be able to prove that the medical care was reasonable and necessary. Under this law, the party at fault cannot sue for reimbursement of medical expenses.

The next time you're on the freeway, think about this: Approximately one of every seven U.S. drivers on the road has no automobile insurance. That's the most recent estimate from the Insurance Research Council, which noted that the five states with the highest percentage of uninsured drivers were Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Tennessee. With that many people driving without coverage, it's more important than ever for you to be insured. But how much car insurance do you need to have?

If you're like many people, you might be in an economic pinch these days. Your inclination might be to get the minimum insurance coverage required by law in your state. The trouble with minimum coverage is that it might not fully protect you — or your assets — if you're at fault in an accident. It's a better idea to carry more than the minimum coverage unless you are driving an older car with little value and have no assets to protect.

Every state in the nation except for New Hampshire requires you to have liability insurance. That mandatory coverage varies according to state.

In Alabama, for example, the minimum requirements are $25,000 of bodily injury liability for one person, $50,000 bodily injury liability for all people in an accident and $25,000 property damage liability. Another type of coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), or a system called medical payments (MedPay) in some states, pays for your own medical expenses, any lost wages and whatever other costs may arise when you're injured in an accident. It usually pays about 80 percent of your losses, and it also pays a death benefit. PIP is required in Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Utah. In Arkansas and Maryland, the coverage is not required, but drivers must reject it in writing if they choose not to purchase it.

Some states also require you to purchase car insurance that will cover your medical expenses, pain and suffering losses and, in some states, car damage, in the event that the other motorist is at fault and is either uninsured or underinsured.

Four Questions To Get The Right Auto Insurance

Using the right tool for a job is key to success in any
profession. Experts say the same principle applies when selecting an auto
insurance policy. Having the right type of policy can help ensure that you, your
employees and your business are all protected in the unfortunate event that one
of your vehicles is involved in an accident.

If you’re a business owner and you or your employees use a
vehicle for business-related deliveries or to carry certain materials to and
from a job site, you may need a commercial auto insurance policy that’s
tailored to more closely suit the needs—and risks—of a business vehicle
operator.

Here are some questions that can help you determine if you
might need a commercial auto policy instead of a personal auto policy, courtesy
of Carlson Brokerage Services. 

• Do you need more liability coverage than your personal
auto policy provides? Generally, a commercial auto policy provides higher
limits of liability, but less or no coverage in areas that are typically not
associated with commercial auto risks.

• Do you need special coverage for situations associated
with con-ducting business? Commercial auto policies also usually offer certain
coverages—such as hired and non-owned auto coverage and coverage for towing a
trailer for business use—that are not available with personal auto policies.

• Do you need to list any employees as drivers? You can do
this with a commercial auto insurance policy.

• Do you use your vehicle for business purposes? If you use
your vehicle for things like pizza or newspaper delivery, catering,
door-to-door consulting service, landscaping or snowplowing service, logging
business, day care/church retreat van service and/or farm-to-market delivery,
you might need a commercial auto policy.

Carlson Brokerage Services  is an independent insurance agency – trained,

licensed insurance professionals who offer personal service and advice. We can

help match you with the type ofpolicy that best suits your needs and those of your company.

To learn more about all an independent agency offers, give us a call.