At Long & Company, we know drivers want affordable car insurance that covers a wide range of damages and losses. As an independent agency, we work for you – not the insurer. Our goal is to compare policies and rates from multiple companies to find the auto insurance coverage that works for you. From dings and fender benders to major collisions and injuries, we know what it takes to protect you against unexpected financial loss.
Car Insurance FAQs
How much auto insurance do I need in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin minimum auto insurance requirements are designed to provide a small level of protection in the event you damage someone else’s property, or you cause harm to another person. In Wisconsin, drivers need a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for Bodily Injury Liability Coverage and $10,000 per accident for Property Damage Liability Coverage.
What is the best deductible?
The best deductible is what you can afford to pay out of pocket when you file an auto insurance claim. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium will be, and vice versa. A higher deductible means your accepting a more significant portion of the risk yourself. It is best not to take on more risk than you can afford.
What is “full coverage?”
There is no such thing as “full coverage” insurance. Full coverage auto insurance is a term that is used to suggest you have chosen protection that goes beyond the minimum coverage required by your State. It typically includes collision and comprehensive coverage, medical payment coverage, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
How can I save money on my car insurance?
You can save money on your car insurance by avoiding moving violations, crashes, DUIs, and other incidents. By having a clean driving record, you may also qualify for a safe driver discount. Students may qualify for good student and student-away-at-school discounts. Your vehicle’s anti-theft devices and safety features may also provide more discounts. Paid-in-full, multi-car, and prior carrier discounts are also common.
How long does an auto accident affect my insurance?
A crash won’t impact your car insurance premiums forever. After about three to five years, your rates should recover. Exactly how long this takes will depend on the type of accident as well as the company you are insured with.
Is buying direct cheaper than buying through an agent?
Buying direct is not always cheaper than buying through an agent. You might think that cutting out the middleman would result in cheaper car insurance rates, but when it comes to insurance, this isn’t the case. In fact, an independent agent, one that represents many insurance companies, can often save you money.
What is the best auto insurance company?
The best auto insurance company differs per individual. No insurance company is objectively the best. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best customer service, the broadest coverage, or the lowest rates? Or maybe you have unique coverage or underwriting needs? An agent can help you compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies and find the right policy for your situation.
What is the best or cheapest auto insurance rate?
The best or cheapest auto insurance rate can be found by comparison shopping. Compare premiums as well as differences in coverage. An independent insurance agent can help. They can provide options from multiple carriers, along with the expert guidance you need to make a smart choice.
How do I switch to a new auto insurance company?
You can switch to a new auto insurance company at any time, but to avoid overpaying or violating state law, you do need to watch out for a couple of things. Car insurance policies are often sold for coverage periods of six months or one year. In some cases, you may be charged a fee if you decide to cancel your insurance policy early. You may also be entitled to a refund for the unused portion of the premium. You also want to make sure you have continuous coverage to avoid a coverage gap.
Understanding Your Risks
Whether you are driving the kids to school and back or frequently traveling for work, the more miles you put on your car, the greater your risks. There is the possibility that you could make an unintentional mistake that causes an accident, or that you could be injured in a hit-and-run. Your car could even be damaged when not in use, such as during a fire or hail storm. Damages can easily total thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars or more without the right insurance coverage.
Wisconsin Auto Insurance Coverages
Auto insurance policies typically contain several different types of coverage. At a minimum, Wisconsin drivers must carry enough coverage as required by state law. However, most drivers need much more protection than is mandated. Without adequate coverage, you could leave yourself vulnerable to lawsuits, expensive repair bills, and more. At Long & Company, we help you understand the details of Wisconsin auto insurance coverages and make recommendations based on your risks and preferences. These may include:
Collision and Comprehensive
These two coverages work to protect your vehicle’s value against damages or a total loss due to collision and non-collision events. Although not required by law, collision and comprehensive protection are often required by lenders when financing a vehicle purchase. Even if your vehicle is paid for in full, collision and comprehensive coverages are still recommended to help cover the cost of repairs after an accident or compensate you for the value of your vehicle if it is totaled in an accident or other covered event.
Collision and comprehensive insurance claims are usually subject to a deductible, which represents your financial responsibility toward the cost of your loss claim. We can help you understand your options and show you how the deductible amount you choose could affect your policy premiums.
Auto Liability
One of the biggest risks you take as a driver is a potential of causing property damages or injury to a pedestrian or another driver. If you hurt someone while operating your vehicle, you can be held liable for the financial damages, including medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, property loss, and more. If you are sued, you could also face high legal fees and court costs, which altogether could total hundreds of thousands of dollars. Having the right liability insurance can shield you against the costs associated with litigation defense and other liabilities when you are responsible for causing an accident.
Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers
Even if you are an insured and responsible driver, it does not mean that others abide by the same creed. When another driver injures you and your passengers in an accident, you can pursue him for compensation of damages. If that driver is uninsured, obtaining compensation may be challenging or even impossible. Uninsured motorist coverage helps protect you when a driver injures you without insurance. Similarly, underinsured motorist coverage can help fill in gaps when a driver’s liability insurance is inadequate to cover your loss.
Medical Payments
Medical payments insurance is designed to provide money for necessary medical care when you and your passengers are injured in an accident, regardless of fault. Coverage is usually limited, but it can help cover the cost of a medical insurance deductible or an emergency room visit. Additionally, making a medical payments claim for injuries caused by another driver generally does not prevent you from seeking out additional compensation from the driver for excess medical costs and other losses.
Towing and Roadside Assistance
There’s no good time to find yourself stranded on the side of the road. If you ever find yourself in this type of situation, roadside assistance coverage can help you out. Many insurers offer 24-hour assistance coverage to help pay for lockout services, fuel delivery costs, flat tire assistance, and more. Your policy may also include coverage for towing to the nearest mechanic.
Rental Car Expenses
It can take some time to repair body damages after an accident or to look for a replacement car when yours is totaled. In the meantime, life goes on, and you need a reliable method of transportation in the interim. Rental car compensation coverage can help pay for temporary transportation costs during this time.
Wisconsin Auto Insurance Comparison Shopping
Shopping around for car insurance can be a time-consuming process when you do it alone. By working with Long & Company, you can relax while we do the heavy lifting for you. As a local, independent agency, we know what you are looking for in your coverage – affordability and reliability. We comb through multiple insurance companies and options to find competitive rates on a policy that fits your needs.
Part of that process is looking for valuable discounts that may help reduce the cost of your coverage. Many Wisconsin insurers offer savings for drivers who exhibit responsibility behind the wheel, having had no recent citations and no recent history of accidents or claims. Some also offer savings for student drivers who maintain good grades in school or for drivers with low average annual mileage. If you insure multiple vehicles on the same policy, complete a defensive driving course, or opt-in to automatic policy renewal and payments, even more discounts may be available.
Let us help you save on your Wisconsin auto insurance policy. Contact our office today for more information and to request your free quotes.
