Basic auto insurance is what is mandated by the state. In Pennsylvania that is liability coverage in the amount of 15/30/5. That means $15,000 for the first person injured in an accident with a total of $30,000 for the entire accident. The $5,000 is property damage. As you can see, that really is basic coverage. At The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA our experienced staff places service first, and we will make sure you have the insurance you need. 

Additional liability

Basic liability coverage may be fine if you are someone who doesn’t have a lot of assets. But if you own a home, a business, or anything else of value, you probably should have more than just basic liability insurance. As a matter of fact, having an umbrella policy is probably warranted. 

Collision

Collision coverage provides coverage for your vehicle in the event you are the driver responsible for an accident. Since most people count on their vehicle in order to get to work and do all the things people do, being able to get it repaired or replaced makes good sense. 

Comprehensive 

Life is filled with hazards many of which are beyond your control. If one of these hazards damages your vehicle or your vehicle is stolen, knowing that it will be repaired or replaced provided peace of mind. 

Rental reimbursement

Rental reimbursement coverage will provide a rental car to you when your vehicle is damaged in an at-fault accident or a beyond your control event. The number of days is not unlimited so get your vehicle repaired as quickly as possible. 

Roadside assistance

You may be paying a yearly fee for AAA when the reality is you can spend a lot less getting it through your auto insurance.

Contact The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA for all your insurance needs. 

What to do when you get into an accident with an uninsured motorist

We buy auto insurance to protect ourselves from the financial losses related to accidents. The sad part? They happen all the time. Despite auto insurance being a legal responsibility in Wilkes-Barre, PA, some drivers still drive without insurance. So how do you get out of such a mess? Here are a few steps experts at the Shay Agency recommend taking if you are hit by an uninsured driver.

Call the police and your insurance company.

Always call the police whenever you are hit by another driver, irrespective of whether they have insurance or not. Calling the police is even more essential if the other party is uninsured, as their report will help in the claim process.

Get information

Most uninsured drivers will try to do something to avoid the law, like running away. Make sure you get the vehicle details as well as their contact in case they make a move. There will always be witnesses and contact information as you will need them when filing a lawsuit.

Gather evidence

Record the time, place, and how the accident occurred while it’s all clear in your head. Take pictures and videos capturing the damage or injuries. You will need this information when getting compensation from your policy if you have uninsured motorist coverage. Get the name and the badge number of the officer attending to your accident, the weather at that time, and any relevant information that can help your insurance company get you fully compensated.

Don’t accept money

Lastly, the uninsured driver might try to bribe you into accepting a certain amount of money to avoid legal repercussions. Remember, you do not know the level of damage on your car and your injury levels. The amount you receive may not be adequate to cover your losses.

Are you looking for an insurance company in Wilkes-Barre, PA? At the Shay Agency, we guide you through your auto insurance policy and ensure that you are adequately covered. Contact us for a deal.

As in other states, Pennsylvania sets its own laws about which types of insurance drivers should have. There are three that are required by the state and several other types that aren’t required but are good to have. If you have questions about your auto insurance or you need a policy, call us at The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA to talk with an agent. 

Bodily Injury Liability

One of the required types of auto insurance is a specific amount of bodily injury liability coverage. This pays the medical bills for other parties who are injured in an accident with you. This coverage does not include your own medical bills. 

Personal Injury Protection

This required coverage covers you in case of injuries from an accident. It doesn’t cover other people’s medical bills- only your own. 

Property Damage Liability 

This is also required under Pennsylvania law. This type of coverage covers the property damage that you cause when you are at fault for an accident. It includes both vehicle damage and damage to other property. 

Suggested Auto Coverage

If you have those three types of coverage, you’re legal to be on the road. However, these insurance policies don’t cover everything. They don’t offer any protection for your vehicle, and they provide little in the way of liability. Many people expand their auto coverage so that they are better protected in case of accidents. 

Collision coverage is a good type of policy to have, though it isn’t required. It pays for damage to your vehicle when there is a collision. This can include both repair and replacement coverage. Comprehensive coverage is another suggested policy. This insurance covers your vehicle when it gets damaged or destroyed by a wide range of incidents and accidents. 

Get Your Auto Policy

If you need coverage for your car, or you want to add more coverage to it, give us a call at The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

The Shay Agency is an independent insurance agency that strives to help people find the insurance that they need. We are located in Wilkes-Barre, PA. We offer multiple insurance policies to our clients so that they are covered regardless of the situation.

Auto Insurance

It’s important that every driver have auto insurance. Auto insurance not only protects your vehicle if you are involved in an accident, but it also covers you in the event that you sustain any injuries in the accident. The Shay Agency will help you analyze different types of coverage so that you can make the best decision for your situation. While you are doing research, here are some unique auto insurance facts that you may not be aware of.

Your Credit Score Is Important

In some cases, your credit score may impact your auto insurance policy. So while it may not be weighted as heavily as your driving record for example, having good credit can make a difference.

Pay Attention To The ISO Ratings

The ISO ratings are determined by looking at a vehicle’s model, make, and safety ratings. Primarily, the ISO ratings determine how risky it is to insure your vehicle.

Accessories May Require Special Coverage

If your vehicle has a number of special accessories, you may have to look into an additional policy to ensure that all of the accessories are covered in the event that they are damaged or stolen.

The Differentiation Between Personal Usage and Business Usage

If you are using your vehicle primarily for business purposes, you may need to look into a separate policy compared to if you were using your vehicle primarily for personal usage. Make sure that you inquire about the differences before choosing a policy.

Consult With The Shay Agency

Providing good customer service is very important to us. To learn more information about different auto insurance policies, stop by our office in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Plenty of people appreciate life in Wilkes-Barre, PA, but it is not immune to the problems that afflict every town and city in the world. Sometimes, bad things happen. Sometimes, that bad thing is car theft. If your car is stolen, it will feel like the world fell out from under your feet, but there is help available. Knowing more about the process can be great for peace of mind, so The Shay Agency wants to walk you through a stolen vehicle claim.

Is It Covered?

The process starts by knowing the answer to this question. If you have liability-only coverage, you aren’t protected from theft. Only policies that specify theft coverage will offer financial assistance in this case. The good news is that most comprehensive plans do cover theft, and your insurance agent took the time to explain this to you. So, assuming you’re covered, you go to the next step.

Making a Claim

The very first thing you should do is contact the police. A police investigation is pivotal to everything else. When the police are on their way, you can go ahead and call the insurance company. They’re going to walk you through important steps to help you with your claim process.

What happens next is different in every scenario, but there are basically two possibilities. Either the vehicle will be recovered, or it won’t. If the vehicle is recovered and undamaged, then you may be eligible for rental reimbursement or another small claim (it all depends on the specific policy), but things are usually pretty simple. 

If the vehicle isn’t recovered, or if it is significantly damaged, you might be looking at a total loss claim. It’s a bit of a process, but the general idea is that the insurance company will write you a check to help you get a replacement vehicle. Every policy has a deductible, so don’t forget that. Also, the size of your payout depends on the value of the vehicle you lost and the details of your policy. It’s best not to have any expectations, good or bad, unless you remember the details of your coverage.

At any point before, during or after the process, you can speak with The Shay Agency. An agent will make sure you understand the important details of your policy so you know what to expect, and you won’t be stuck as a pedestrian in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

In the state of Pennsylvania, if you are a car owner you are required to carry liability insurance. This protects other drivers on the road from you, which is very good for them but does nothing for you. The question of why carry comprehensive and collision insurance on your car deals with you and your property. If you have a loan on your vehicle, the lender will require that you carry collision and comprehensive but once your loan is paid off, you may be tempted to just carry basic liability insurance. At The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA. we are happy to discuss this issue with you. 

Does your car have value

The best way to know how much your car is actually worth is to check the Kelly Blue Book value. In the life of every vehicle, it gets to the point where paying the additional amount for collision and comprehensive is not cost-effective. If the value is so low that it would automatically be totaled in any sort of accident then perhaps you don’t need the coverage. If however, your car is still worth thousands of collars then carrying both collision and comprehensive offers valuable coverage. 

Can you pay to repair or replace

Collision coverage pays to replace or repair your vehicle in the case of an accident where you are at fault. Comprehensive coverage protects you from other damage and from theft and vandalism.  If you can afford to repair or to replace your vehicle with your own money, then you don’t need this coverage. If you are like most people and would find repair or replacement a burden, then this coverage can be a lifesaver and even a job saver.   

If you own a car and live on Wilkes-Barre, PA the team at The Shay Agency would be happy to talk to you about the kind of coverage that is best for you. We invite you to stop by our office or give us a call to get a no-obligation quote and to get any questions you may have answered.  

Bad driving habits can, over time, damage your vehicle. Even new vehicle models can be ruined by poor driving. At the Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA, we encourage our customers to develop good driving habits that will preserve their vehicle and keep them safe on the road. Here are some poor driving habits that will take a toll on your car.

Dragging Brakes

Dragging your brakes will wear out your brake pads and discs before their time, obligating you to replace these parts at your expense. By putting your vehicle in low gear when going down hills, you’ll only need to apply your brakes sparingly to avoid wear and tear.

Overloading Your Vehicle

It’s tempting to overload a vehicle, especially when going on vacation as there’s so much you want to carry. Overloading your vehicle, however, can put a strain on your suspension, drivetrain, and brakes. Review your manual to see how much your vehicle can carry safely. Then try to stay within this limit to protect your car.

Not Slowing Down for Speed Bumps/Hitting Potholes

Hitting an occasional pothole is one thing. If you’re in the habit of going over potholes consistently due to distracted or careless driving, you risk ruining your tires, getting your steering system out of alignment or damaging your suspension. Not slowing down for speed bumps can hurt the front, rear and underside of your car, particularly your exhaust system.

Slamming on Brakes

Sudden braking is sometimes necessary for emergency situations. If you’re consistently slamming on the brakes, however, you’ll wear out the pads and discs much faster than normal. You’ll also consume more fuel.

Good driving habits can protect you and your vehicle as well as save you money on your auto insurance costs. For more information on quality auto insurance coverage at affordable costs, contact The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

A lot of well-meaning people will tell you that, if your car is paid off and not worth very much, you should drop full coverage and only carry the mininum required by law. They will tell you to think about all the money you can save when you have a lower insurance premium.

Those people mean well, but they are basing their advice on the fact that you won’t be able to recover very much of the value of your own vehicle if you are in an accident. That is true, but there are other reasons keeping full coverage through The Shay Agency could save you in the long run.

Minimum Coverage

If you live in Wilkes-Barre, PA, you are mainly required to carry liability coverage. If you are at fault in an accident and only have minimal coverage, the maximum amount your insurance will pay out to cover damages is $5,000 for property damage and $15,000 for bodily injury, with a total of $30,000 for each accident for bodily injuries.

You will also need to carry uninsured and underinsured, in case the other driver isn’t properly insured but causes the accident.

What You Will Be Missing

You probably noticed right away that those policy limits wouldn’t be enough unless the accident was relatively minor. Anything insurance doesn’t pay you would still owe, if the accident was your fault.

If you keep your collision and comprehensive insurance, you are still protected in single car accidents where the damage was to a fence or a pole. You can also get roadside assistance, rental car coverage and other extras.

If you live in Wilkes-Barre, PA and you’re thinking about dropping full coverage, or if you’re thinking about adding it, call The Shay Agency so we can find a policy that fits your individual needs.

You may be tempted to find the cheapest insurance policy on the market to cover your car or truck. Such a strategy may not be the best idea seeing as how not all indemnity policies are created equal. How much insurance do you need in Pennsylvania, though? Read on to find out!

State Minimum Limits

The state of Pennsylvania requires drivers to have at least $15,000 in bodily injury coverage per person. Drivers must also have property damage that pays at least $5,000 per incident. Pennsylvania is a state that requires uninsured motorist protection. Drivers must have at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per incident in coverage.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

Your liability insurance is a very important component of indemnity coverage. Liability assurance can prevent you from being sued if you have an at-fault accident. Imagine having everything that you own being placed on the line because you did not have enough assurance to protect you from such financial turmoil. This scenario could be a reality if you do not properly protect yourself.

The amount of auto insurance that you need depends on the value of your assets. You should not be convinced into thinking that your premium should decrease with the number of assets you own. In actuality, you should seek more coverage when you have a lot to lose. Everything from your home to your hefty bank account is up for grabs in a lawsuit.

Contact The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Shay Agency has experts who know about auto insurance. They can help you find the policy that works best for your situation. Call the Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA to get started with a quote!

Some car owners fail to understand why auto insurance is mandatory yet other sensitive insurance policies such as health insurance are not. Auto insurance is mandatory in nearly all states. In other words, every driver is legally required to carry auto insurance. Your auto insurance from The Shay Agency protects you financially in the event that you cause injuries to others or damage to their properties in a car accident. The insurance policy also provides the protection if you are injured or your car is damaged in an accident. At the bare minimum, you need a car insurance policy that pays for the other party’s injuries or damages.

Why is it mandatory?

In order to understand why auto insurance is considered compulsory in Wilkes-Barre, PA, it is important to understand why health insurance is not mandatory. Health insurance is designed to help you and your loved ones pay for a portion of your medical bills. It doesn’t take care of your neighbors. The early proponents of making auto insurance mandatory reasonably argued that car owners who are determined to be at fault in the event of an accident may cause damage to property and bodily injury to others but fail to compensate them for their losses and medical bills due to their own financial constraints.

If drivers who cause car accidents were to be allowed to walk away without being held responsible for their mistakes, it can eventually hurt the country’s economy or result in violence. Therefore, an auto insurance policy is designed to protect the financial and medical interests of those whom you may hurt while driving your car. In other words, it is not designed to protect your financial interests as is the case with health insurance. You are not mandated to have insurance coverage on your own expenses resulting from a car crash, but it is compulsory to provide proof of financial liability when you own a car.

If you want peace of mind while driving your car or simply want to protect your savings and assets, consider purchasing sufficient auto insurance. For more information about auto insurance and how to get the cheapest auto insurance quotes suitable for your budget, contact us at The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA today.