Most drivers know what they originally paid for their vehicle, but may not be fully aware of what it’s worth today. The vehicle value landscape has shifted quite a bit in recent years, so there’s no better time than the present to take a fresh look at the current value of your Washington, PA, vehicle.

This is especially true for vehicles you rely on every day, since changes in value can affect your insurance needs in ways worth being aware of. The experts at The Hansen Agency LLC are here to answer your questions and help make sure your existing auto insurance coverage is still a good fit.

Your Car May Have Changed More Than You Think

A vehicle’s baseline value isn’t the only thing that can change over time. If you’ve recently added custom wheels, new safety features, an upgraded sound system, or other improvements, it’s worth taking a second look at your policy. Even minor upgrades can shift the amount of coverage that’s truly appropriate for your vehicle.

It’s also worth considering whether your driving habits in and around Washington, PA, have changed. Have you started a new job, changed your commute, or added another driver to your household? Any of these is a good reason to review your current policy and make sure it still lines up with what you actually need.

Even a Quick Policy Review Goes a Long Way

Auto insurance isn’t something you set and forget. Giving your policy a thorough review once every year or two helps ensure you’re adequately protected and that your coverage still fits your current budget and needs.

Whether you’re due for a policy review or simply want a professional’s expert opinion, The Hansen Agency LLC has you covered. Contact us today for guidance, answers, or a quote.

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Pennsylvania auto insurance laws allow drivers to choose between full tort and limited tort coverage. Full tort coverage preserves the right to sue for pain and suffering after an accident, while limited tort coverage restricts that right except in specific situations involving serious injury. While this choice may seem straightforward, complications can arise when passengers are involved in an accident. The Hansen Agency LLC wants drivers in Washington, PA, to understand how these coverage options can affect both drivers and passengers.

How Limited Tort Coverage Can Affect Passengers

Drivers in Pennsylvania can often lower their auto insurance premiums by choosing limited tort coverage. This option limits the ability to seek compensation for pain and suffering unless injuries meet certain legal thresholds. Full tort coverage, while more expensive, allows injured parties to pursue pain-and-suffering claims without meeting those thresholds.

Complications can occur when passengers are injured in a vehicle driven by someone who has limited tort coverage. In many situations, passengers may also be barred from suing for pain and suffering under the driver’s coverage choice. However, if a passenger carries their own auto insurance with full tort coverage and personal injury protection, they may retain the right to pursue those claims.

Understanding how tort options apply to both drivers and passengers is important, especially after a serious accident. Reviewing these details ahead of time can help prevent confusion during an already stressful situation. The agents at the Hansen Agency LLC in Washington, PA, can help drivers evaluate their auto insurance choices and understand how those decisions may affect their legal rights.

Auto insurance claims are usually a huge burden for anyone. After you’ve already gone through an accident, it can be difficult to work through the multiple steps that you’ll need to complete to get any kind of reimbursement. Here, The Hansen Agency LLC, serving Washington, PA. gives you some tips about how to get it all done faster than you think. 

Handling an Auto Claim in Washington, PA 

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you file:

• Evidence: From photos to eye witness statements to police reports, you can expedite a claim by gathering as much documentation as possible. Before you send everything in, make sure that it’s both accurate and follows a logical flow. If there’s too much extra information or contradicting statements, this can cause the claim to be pushed to multiple people, all of whom will need to start from the beginning to understand what happened. 
• Follow directions: You might be surprised at just how different policies can be — even when they have the same name. In addition, if you lease the car, you might be subject to their rules as well. Skipping one of them may mean that you’ll pay more in the end, either at the time of the accident or when you turn the car back in as a lease. 

At The Hansen Agency LLC, we help people in and around Washington, PA find answers when they need them most. Sometimes, your claim’s progress has nothing to do with how thorough you were and everything to do with the insurance company’s workarounds to settling a claim. If you’re looking for an agency that will keep you in the loop, contact us today to learn more about how we support our customers after even the most debilitating accidents. 

Standard auto insurance can protect against liability issues, especially when you’re involved in an accident, but up to a specific limit. To maximize your liability protection, consider purchasing an umbrella insurance policy. If you’re located in Washington, PA, The Hansen Agency LLC team can help you find the right umbrella policy for your needs.

How an Umbrella Policy Helps

If you’re involved in a serious car accident, an umbrella insurance policy can come in handy. If you’re sued, you’ll need to mount a legal defense regardless of innocence. Protect your budget from legal fees, defense costs, and settlement amounts that can quickly exceed standard auto insurance.

When You’re in a Serious Auto Accident

Once your auto policy limits are reached, you’ll be held financially liable for paying the remaining costs on your own. But, if you have an umbrella policy, it will step in and pay the costs that exceed the limits of your auto policy, such as:

• Medical expenses for others
• Legal fees
• Court-awarded judgments
• Damage to other people’s property

When You Drive Frequently

Whether you commute on busy highways or drive frequently, there is an increased risk of an accident. 

If You Have High-Risk Drivers on Your Policy

If you have a high-risk driver or a teenage driver in the household, umbrella insurance policies can offer peace of mind

For Extended Liability Protection Across Your Home or Renters Policy

An umbrella policy also extends liability protection across your home or renters insurance policy, in addition to your auto liability. That makes choosing limits easier.

Whether you commute to work or spend a lot of time driving for recreation, an umbrella insurance policy is highly recommended for optimal protection. Anytime you get behind the wheel, knowing you have extended protection can help you rest assured. To learn more about selecting umbrella insurance that complements your auto insurance in Washington, PA, contact The Hansen Agency LLC for a consultation.