As your teenager approaches driving age (or is already there), it’s natural to feel both excitement and concern. While getting a driver’s license is a significant milestone, it also introduces new responsibilities—especially when it comes to auto insurance. At the Eric L. Ash Insurance Agency, we understand the challenges families face during this transition. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate teenage driving and manage insurance effectively.

1. Understand the Impact on Insurance

Adding a teenage driver to your insurance policy can significantly increase your premiums due to their inexperience and higher risk factors. It’s important to anticipate this change and plan accordingly. On average, parents can expect a noticeable rise in their insurance costs when adding a teen to their policy.

2. Add Your Teen to an Existing Policy

In most cases, it is more cost-effective to add your teenager to your existing auto insurance policy rather than purchasing a separate one. This allows your teen to benefit from your established insurance history and any discounts associated with your policy. Some insurers even allow teens with learner’s permits to be added at no extra cost until they obtain their full license.

3. Encourage Safe Driving Habits

Promoting safe driving not only protects your teen but can also positively impact insurance premiums over time. Consider a Defensive Driving Course.

4. Explore Available Discounts

Take advantage of discounts that can help offset the cost of insuring a teenage driver:

• Good Student Discount: Many insurers offer discounts for students who maintain a “B” average (3.0 GPA) or higher.
• Multi-Policy Discount: Bundling auto insurance with other policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance, can provide additional savings.
• Telematics Programs: Some insurers offer programs that monitor driving behavior through a mobile app or a device installed in the vehicle. Safe driving habits recorded by these devices can lead to premium discounts.

5. Choose the Right Vehicle

The type of car your teenager drives affects insurance costs. Vehicles equipped with advanced safety features and high safety ratings are generally less expensive to insure. Conversely, high-performance cars or vehicles with poor safety records can lead to higher premiums.  Reach out to us ahead of time to find out if the car you’re about to buy your teen is a good fit.

6. Regularly Review and Update Your Policy

As your teen gains experience and maintains a clean driving record, it’s beneficial to review your insurance policy periodically. Over time, you may become eligible for additional discounts or opportunities to adjust coverage levels to better suit your family’s needs.

7. Consult with an Independent Insurance Agent

Navigating the complexities of auto insurance for teenage drivers can be challenging. As an independent insurance agency, the Eric L. Ash Insurance Agency, can provide personalized guidance and help you find the best coverage options at competitive rates. Our expertise ensures that your family is adequately protected without unnecessary expenses.

For more information or to discuss your specific needs, please contact us.  We’re here to assist you every step of the way.

Best,

Eric

Take towing off your auto policy and pay for your own windshield chip repairs.  Why? Think of your auto policy, just like we do for medical insurance to cover catastrophic events whenever possible. With the insurance market a mess and rates skyrocketing, it is more important than ever to keep your auto insurance C.L.U.E. Report (loss report shared by insurance companies) as clean as possible as insurance companies are now looking at all claims (towing, glass, non-fault accidents, etc.) for eligibility when applying to be a new client and in many cases whether or not to renew a client.

Let’s talk about towing coverage.  My recommendation is to get AAA for towing and make sure to get the PLUS level coverage that provides 100 miles of towing, otherwise if you get the Classic level, you only get five miles. Now here is the hidden secret and mistake many folks make if they buy directly from AAA. Had one tonight! If you have Progressive online or through an agent, you can get a 5% discount if you provide Progressive proof of your AAA membership (copy of your card).

Many insurance companies offer more than the standard discounts, so always make sure your insurance agent or companies know your education level, where you bank (credit unions), and any other policies you have with the company you are going with. Many folks will have Progressive with separate policies for auto, toys, trailers… and you would qualify for the multi-policy discount.

Let’s talk about windshield chip repairs and the best practice. My recommendation is no more than three windshield replacements in the household in a 36-month rolling period. Keep the chip repairs off your C.L.U.E. report and pay for them yourself. If you do get a chip repair, call your agent and ask them for a recommendation as they usually work with many companies, and you may get an amazing deal. Be careful if you go to Safelite, always check the price first ,their cash prices are usually higher than independent glass shop operators. A general and important consideration is to save your windshield replacements for your cars that have any type of computers/sensors/cameras integrated on the windshield (lane departure, cruise spacing…) and require calibration as it can be expensive. Best advice I can give is don’t rely on your insurance company or agent to give you all the discounts.

Most companies will put online all the available discounts, or just make sure to discuss them all when buying a policy or doing a review. Make sure to get all the savings you are entitled to ensure you have the best coverage and rates.

Best Wishes this holiday season – Eric L. Ash, your neighborhood insurance broker.

Thirty-some-odd years ago, the excitement couldn’t be contained as I was “graduating” from my learner’s permit to preparing to take my drivers license exam.  Growing up on farmland and a rural setting in Somerset County provided an interesting back drop for driving lessons with my dad.

At the time, the two household vehicles we’re a both manual transmissions, a late 1980s Ford F-150 and a Honda Accord.  We would practice all over the dirt roads of the farmland.  At some point, I graduated to in-town Somerset driving.  This meant dealing with traffic and learning to start (from a stop) with that manual transmission on a hill.  At that time, there were no hill assist features with a manual transmission.

Boy was it ever a memorable time.  My friends and I couldn’t wait to get that taste of independence and freedom.  I was so jealous of older licensed friends that I had to rely on for transportation until my big moment arrived.   When it arrived, I drove everywhere rolling down the windows, music playing on a Pioneer detachable face CD player purchased from Crutchfield Electronics, and the gentle breeze blowing in the middle of nowhere—there was no feeling like it.  Eventually, I was old enough to get a job and save enough money to afford my first car, a 1987 four-door Chevy Spectrum (pictured) in a champagne color.  It wasn’t anything special, but it was mine and that felt pretty darn good!

What was your first car and a favorite driving memory from that time?

Enjoy the ride,

Eric

During 2023, the insurance industry experienced one of the hardest insurance markets ever. As we transition into 2024, there are some silver linings but not without weathering additional underwriting challenges ahead. The best way forward is to treat every home transaction as unique–no two homes are alike.

Each buyer should be prepared for increased insurance premiums as well as more stringent underwriting practices.

As a Real Estate Agent or Mortgage Broker How Can You Best Prepare Your Clients?

Stricter Underwriting

• Roofs
  • Insurance companies are utilizing satellite technology to evaluate roofs.
    • What this means, If a roof is over 15 years old:
      • Other carriers will accept the risk but instead of covering the risk at replacement cost, they will do so as actual cash value.
      • Some insurance carriers are not accepting this risk without full replacement.
• Overhanging trees and vegetation
  • Carriers are scrutinizing vegetation that is overhanging or touching the house roof as well as the sides of the home.
  • Separate structures (detached garage, shed, etc.) should be in as good of a condition as home.
  • Deductible
    • $1000 deductible is minimum and in some instances, you may see a separate deductible for wind/hail claims.
  • Claims
    • Home buyers with previous claims in the last 5 years can be difficult to find affordable coverage.
    • Homes with 2 or more claims will find it challenging to find insurance coverage.
    • Claims from the prior homeowner may affect the rates on a new policy.

How we can help…

• As an insurance broker, our goal is to help you get to closing on time and provide your buyer/seller with the best customer experience when it comes to protecting their largest asset, their home.
• We have more than 115 five-star Google Reviews and pride ourselves in quality and timely service.
• Please call/text us at 412-238-7414 or email us at eric@ericlashagency.com to experience the difference today.