General Auto Insurance
Welcome to General Auto Insurance, the number one choice for consumers. We cover every aspect of car insurance, from general information on each type of coverage to detailed explanations of how auto insurance policies are priced and put together. You can learn everything you need to right here.
We unravel the four major components of auto insurance coverage, from personal liability to optional add-ons, and why it’s important to protect yourself against lawsuits by supplementing your policy with umbrella insurance. We explain how car insurance rates are calculated and the different rating factors used by underwriters, from age band and gender to your driving experience and credit history. We also explain what you need to do before you begin to shop around for quotes, and how you need to think carefully about your individual circumstances and to prioritize the risks you would like to cover. Importantly, we guide you through the claims process, when to claim and when not to claim and how to handle disputes with your insurer.
Single and Split-Limit Coverage
When you buy an auto insurance policy, the coverage you have for personal liability can either have a single limit or have injury and property damage limits split on a per person and a per accident basis. Do you realize how significant this difference can be? Well, it can make the difference between losing your deductible and losing your shirt.
When to Claim and When Not to Claim
You often hear advice that you shouldn't tell your insurer about an accident if the damage isn't worth claiming for. Such advice generally has two characteristics: it's free and it's misguided. Know the difference between notifying and claiming so that you still have coverage if a lawsuit is subsequently filed against you.
Auto Insurance Discounts
Every auto insurance company offers a range of premium discounts, but it is up to you to make sure you get all the discounts you are entitled to. Are you a student, retired, a rancher, a safe driver or simply a loyal customer? Does your car have safety features, an anti-theft device, or even both? Check out all the discounts that you might qualify for.
Total Loss Claims
There are many traps for the unwary in total loss claims. If the claims adjuster from your insurance company has told you that your car is totaled, then get to work straight away. Never accept at face value the ACV of your car as determined by your insurer, and make sure your claim check includes everything it should, including unexpired license plate fees.
Insurance Agents
Exclusive insurance agents are tied to one company, and can only sell policies from that company. Independent insurance agents, on the other hand, are not tied to any particular company and can recommend a policy for you from a range of insurers. It pays to know the benefits offered by each before deciding which type, if either, is best for you.
Umbrella Insurance
Umbrella insurance is one of the most important types of coverage you can buy, if not the most important. And here's the good news – it is one of the best deals in the entire insurance market. Umbrella insurance will not only top up the liability coverage under your car insurance policy, it will cover you for risks which your auto policy doesn't cover at all.
Learn the Basics of Auto Insurance
At General Auto Insurance, we think it’s important for our customers to learn the basics of car insurance so that they can make informed decisions about the coverage they buy. For that reason we have prepared a number of short lessons on auto insurance coverage in such a way that consumers can directly apply what they learn when buying a policy. We even provide short videos like the one below to help you quickly learn about some of the important aspects of coverage:
We also provide other helpful information such as how you can protect yourself against lawsuits by arranging the most appropriate liability insurance, and even cover special circumstances such as how you can protect yourself when renting a car. We also provide practical advice to drivers in the case of an emergency, by spelling out how you should respond at the scene of an accident. And if like many others you run into problems at claim time, we explain how you can cost-effectively resolve a dispute with your insurer to get your payout.
Our job is to help you learn the basics of auto insurance so you can be well-positioned when buying a policy to protect you and your family. The most essential areas to understand are:
- The four main components of auto coverage;
- Deductibles, and how to choose them;
- Discounts, and how to qualify for them;
- Your insurance score, and how to improve it;
- Umbrella coverage, and how to arrange it.
We show you how to deal with insurance adjusters in the event of a claim, how and when to make a complaint if a dispute arises, and what avenues for redress you have to help you reach a satisfactory settlement, in ascending order of formality, complexity and cost. We also have a comprehensive section on the different auto insurance laws which apply in each state.
Auto Insurance Basics
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How to Change Car Insurance Companies
When changing car insurance companies, it is important to plan the switch in advance so that your new policy takes effect the minute your old one expires. You do not want to be left exposed by a gap in coverage between policies.
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A Buyer's Guide to Motorcycle Insurance
Motorcycle insurance is similar to car insurance, however motorcycles have a far greater number of risk variables than cars. Some insurers even exclude coverage for certain models considered to be high risk. Be sure you have appropriate coverage before heading out on your next ride.
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Understanding Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage provides a safeguard to the insured driver in situations where an accident is caused by a driver without any liability insurance or the offending driver or vehicle owner cannot be identified (which is often the case in the event of a hit-and-run accident).
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Collison or Comprehensive? Or Both, or Neither?
Do you really need collison and comprehensive coverage? For most people the decision will be strongly influenced by the value of their vehicle. After all, if your car is not worth much, is it really worth insuring it? But for some, the peace of mind and other benefits may make it worthwhile to keep both.
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Stay Covered in Business and Pleasure
It can be tempting to rely on personal coverage when using a vehicle for business purposes, but you might find you’re in for a tough time from your insurer when you make a claim. Business use is generally excluded from coverage under most personal auto policies, so it is very important to have the right coverage.
