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Automobile (Personal)

Crash Statistics 2023

Annual Global Road Crash Statistics for 2023:

  • Almost 1.3 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,287 deaths a day.
  • An additional 20-50 million are injured or disabled.
  • More than half of all road traffic deaths happen to young adults between the ages of 15-29, and is the second leading cause of death in children in addition to teens from the ages 5-14 besides drowning.
  • There are still over 400,000 people that are under the age of 25 that die on the roads. Also, on average this means just around 1,000 people a day die from road traffic crashes.
  • Just about 50% of drivers and passengers were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of a fatal collision. If an accident occurs the likelihood of survival increases tremendously when wearing a seatbelt.
  • Many accidents occur on the weekends, they also happen the most just after sunset to midnight.
  • There are also over 20-50 million people that suffer non-deadly injuries also resulting in disability.

Annual Road Crash Statistics for the United States:

  • Over 42,915 people have died from collisions in 2021, which is a jump of about 10% from 2020.
  • 2020 marked over 6,000 pedestrians that were killed with approximately 50,000 suffered non-life threatening injuries.
  • Also in 2020, there were over 11,000 deaths related to alcohol impaired driving.
  • In January 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation has created a method of preventing deaths and injuries in crashes by releasing the National Roadway Safety Strategy.

”Our blogs are for general education and information only and may not represent your unique needs. Coverage will vary. Please contact your agent to verify your specific policy terms and conditions.”

Statistics Referenced from ASIRT

Keeping Your Cool While On The Road

With so many people on the road during peak vacation months, it may be a good time to brush up on what you should do in the event you’re involved in a crash. Here are some tips that may save you some time and aggravation.

Preparedness starts before you leave the driveway:

Put a cheap digital camera and pen and paper in your glove box. Car insurance claims can be settled faster if there’s a good record of what happened, and pictures always help. If you can take photographs or collect license plate numbers, or even names and phone numbers of witnesses, these can all help your claims personnel establish facts faster.

If you’re involved in a crash:

  • Move your vehicle out of the roadway, if you can. If your car is able to be driven, move it off of the road a safe distance. Most states require that you do this, so it is ok. By getting off the road, you can help to avoid a second collision.
  • Turn on your flashers or your lights if there is no hazard of fire. You want to be certain your vehicle is visible to other drivers.
  • Check yourself and your passengers for injuries first, and then those of the other vehicle. If someone is injured, call 911 immediately.
  • Call local police to report the crash.
  • Call your insurance agent or company as soon as possible to report the crash. The earlier your insurance company knows about the crash, the faster it can get to work to resolve your claim.
  • Start documenting what happened, if you can. If you’re able to do so safely, take photographs, make notes, ask witnesses for names and phone numbers. If you’re not able to do so safely, stand as far from the roadway— and the crashed cars—as you possibly can.
  • Exchange only your insurance company name. Don’t discuss the details of your coverage with anyone at the accident scene, and don’t accept responsibility for anything.
  • Exchange vital information with the other driver(s) such as names, addresses, and phone numbers. These are all useful to your insurance company in settling the claim.

“Our blogs are for general education and information only and may not represent your unique needs. Coverages will vary. Please contact your insurance agent to verify your specific policy terms and conditions.”

Auto Insurance Myths and Realities

There are some things that you may have heard about Auto Insurance, continue reading and you may find something new out about your Auto Insurance!

Myths

Red cars cost more to insure.

Color is not a factor used to calculate car insurance rates — we don’t even ask you what color your car is when you get a quote from us. Factors that do matter are the year, make, model, body type, engine size and age of your car, as well as drivers on your policy.

One speeding ticket will make my car insurance rates go up.

Sometimes this is true, but in many cases, you have to get two tickets before your rate goes up. Your driving history, the length of time you’ve been insured with a company and how fast you were going when you were cited can affect whether your rate increases or not. Keep in mind that a speeding ticket may not be the sole reason your rate increases, as several factors are considered when reviewing them.

Auto insurance rates aren’t regulated, so auto insurance companies can charge what they want.

Each state requires auto insurance companies to file how they calculate customer rates, and insurers cannot deviate from these filed rates. Each state also has regulators who review that information and the rates companies charge.

I only need the bare minimum amount of car insurance.

Many states have minimum car insurance requirements, but the minimum amount of required insurance may not cover all of your costs. If you cause an accident that results in a lawsuit and your insurance limits don’t cover all of the damages, your assets could be pursued.

Cheaper cars cost less to insure.

If your cheaper car has a large engine, weighs a lot or is an unusual model, it might cost more to insure than a more expensive small car. However, if you have a cheaper car, you will pay less for Comprehensive coverage, which covers damage caused by vandalism, hail, fire or animal accidents.

If someone driving my car causes an accident, I won’t be held responsible.

It’s possible you’ll be financially responsible for an accident — even if someone else is driving your car. In most states, the car insurance policy covering the vehicle is considered the primary insurance, which means that the insurance company for the vehicle must pay for damages caused by an accident. Even so, it’s still possible that the driver’s insurance company could be responsible for some of the damages. Why? If the vehicle’s insurance limits are too low and don’t cover all the damages, the driver’s insurance may be next in line to pay for the remainder of the damages.

Since policies and laws differ by state, knowing how your state’s insurance system works could influence who drives your car.

Older cars are cheaper to insure.

Car insurance rates for all vehicles vary depending on several factors, such as who drives a vehicle and its annual mileage. For older vehicles, many drivers choose to carry only Liability (BI/PD) coverage, which covers injury or damage to other people or property, not damage to the insured person or vehicle. Liability only coverage may be cheaper than insuring a vehicle with Liability, Comprehensive and Collision coverage.

My car insurance rates will be higher if I’m a smoker.

Your car insurance rates will not be higher if you smoke — we don’t even ask you if you’re a smoker when you get a quote from us.

My car insurance rates will be similar to my neighbor’s rates.

Car insurance rates are individually determined, so factors such as age, driving record, type of vehicle and marital status are considered. Each person’s situation is unique, and car insurance rates will vary because of this.

Car insurance rates go down dramatically when drivers turn 25.

Younger and older drivers typically have the most car crashes, and customers of different car insurance companies have different claims experiences. When determining auto insurance rates, insurers generally consider a variety of information about you, including age, vehicle information, claims history and the claims experience of other customers like you.

While it’s generally true that rates will go down when you turn 25 if all information about you and your vehicle remains the same, changes in one or more of the other pieces of information used to calculate a rate could lead to you getting a higher, lower or the same rate when you turn 25.

Comprehensive coverage protects drivers in all situations.

Comprehensive coverage is one type of protection available on an auto insurance policy (others being Collision, Uninsured Motorist, etc.). Comprehensive coverage pays only for damage caused by an event other than a collision, including:

  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Weather (hail, floods, etc.)
  • Vehicle collisions with animals

I can use Rental Reimbursement coverage to rent a car for my vacation.

Unless your insured car is in the shop as the result of an accident, you won’t be able to use Rental Reimbursement to rent a car for vacation. Depending on the limits you selected when you bought your policy, Rental Reimbursement coverage pays for some or all of the cost of a rental car — but only when your insured car is in the repair shop because of a car accident.

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Realities

People who live in the city pay more to insure their cars than people outside the city.

Within a state, city dwellers usually pay more for car insurance than rural residents. Cities have a higher risk for claims due to more traffic, more people and more theft, which generally means higher car insurance rates.

An accident can make my rates go up, even if it’s not my fault.

Accidents that are your fault have a direct effect on your car insurance rate. Depending on the circumstances, you also may be placed in a group of customers who receive higher rates, even if an accident isn’t your fault.

Anyone who drives my car with my permission is covered if I have insurance.

If you allow someone to drive your car, that person is covered by your insurance policy. Keep in mind that if the person who drives your car doesn’t have insurance and causes an accident, you could be held responsible for the damage, which could make your car insurance rate go up.

Information from my credit report is used when determining my car insurance rate.

Most auto Insurance companies in Florida use what is called an insurance score — this score is used when determining your car insurance rate. We use credit because numerous studies have shown that credit is a very powerful and independent predictor of the likelihood of future accidents or insurance claims. In fact, one company’s data shows that consumers with the worst insurance scores are twice as likely to have an accident or insurance claim as those with the best scores.

“Our blogs are for general education and information only and may not represent your unique needs. Coverages will vary. Please contact your insurance agent to verify your specific policy terms and conditions.”

Some information courtesy of Progressive.

Is a GPS Covered by an Auto Policy

Some may view them as science fiction gone wild. Others see them as indispensable, possibly life-saving tools. Regardless of your feelings about Global Positioning Systems (GPS), they continue to occupy the dashboards of millions of U.S. vehicles each year. The pervasiveness and expense of the technology has drivers asking if their GPS systems are covered by auto insurance.

Personal Auto Insurance
Whether its finding alternative routes to beat traffic or an Italian restaurant for the family, drivers rely on their GPS to get them places without the stress of winding up who knows where with an empty tank, no cellular service and shrieking children.

If you depend on your GPS to maintain safety and sanity in your personal vehicle, you should call your Trusted Choice® independent insurance agent and request that your auto insurance policy be endorsed to cover the system; failure to make this request will likely result in no coverage for the system after a loss. This is because most personal auto policies strictly limit or totally exclude coverage for GPS and other electronic devices in your car that are not used to operate the vehicle. Some policies will offer limited coverage for GPS devices that are built into the vehicle by the manufacturer or even some portable systems; however this is not the case for all policies and those that do include coverage are limited.

Business Auto Insurance
Any business person who has ever gotten lost finding a jobsite or received lousy directions to a meeting can attest to the value of a GPS system. Many businesses invest thousands into such systems for the mobile among their ranks—an investment that could be lost if the system is damaged in a crash or stolen.

Similar to personal auto insurance policies, covering a GPS device under a business auto insurance policy likely requires a call to your insurance agent. Your Trusted Choice® agent should be able to endorse your policy to include coverage for the GPS system. This endorsement is necessary for most business auto policies—those that do extend coverage to the GPS system will do so only in a limited capacity; still leaving you with a bill for the damage.

Moral of the Story: Call Your Trusted Choice® Agent
Regardless of the level of dependence you invest, losing the ability to use your vehicle’s GPS system because it is damaged in an accident or stolen is frustrating and expensive. Calling your Trusted Choice® agent will help you discover how much coverage your current auto policy will offer towards replacing the damaged system. If your current auto policy does not offer any coverage, your Trusted Choice® independent insurance agent can discuss with you how to close this gap.

We are your local Trusted Choice® agency and represent multiple insurance companies, so we offer you a variety of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan to meet your specialized needs.

Driving Factors Influence Auto Insurance Rates

Rates for auto insurance coverage for individuals is determined by the number of risks associated with covering a driver. An individual that appears to be more of a risk to insure is more likely to pay a higher premium than the person with a clean driving record and a stable lifestyle.

How can I lower my auto insurance coverage rate?

An individual can lower their auto insurance premiums by altering their driving habits. A driver can work on improving or maintaining a better driving record. One can also reduce his or her driving routine by joining a carpool or taking public transportation.

Do I actually need auto insurance coverage?

Yes. Most car dealers require that a person provide proof of coverage at the time of a car purchase. Most states have regulations in place that require a certain amount of insurance coverage. In some states, a person can avoid having auto insurance coverage if they can prove that they have substantial resources to cover the costs of an accident.

Am I eligible for auto insurance coverage discounts?

A person that takes a defensive driver course may be able to secure a discount from their auto insurance coverage provider. A person in school may also be eligible for a good student discount if their GPA remains at a certain level. Some individuals can also receive partial refunds for going a specified amount of time without an incident. Others may belong to a professional organization with a relationship with a certain provider that offers discounts to members.

Does age play a role in how much I pay for auto insurance coverage?

Yes. Males under the age of 25 pay a larger amount in insurance because they are viewed as risky. Men in their late twenties are more likely to be married and have a more stable life. For this reason, their insurance premiums can be reduced. Individuals in their fifties are also able to receive lower premiums. This category of individuals is more likely to drive less and have better driving records. Teen drivers are typically inexperienced, so there are more risks associated with insuring younger drivers.

“Our blogs are for general education and information only and may not represent your unique needs. Coverages will vary. Please contact your insurance agent to verify your specific policy terms and conditions.”

The 5 Biggest Lies Told to Car Insurance Companies

Fudging on your car insurance application to save on the premium may seem like a harmless white lie, but it can spell trouble for you down the road.

A new report by Quality Planning Corp. in San Francisco says car insurance companies lost $15.9 billion in 2008 from what it calls “premium leakage” — meaning loss of revenue due to the inability of insurers to keep track of changes in customers’ situations that affect prices. The number represents almost 10 percent of the total $167 billion in personal auto premium written.

“It’s a major problem, and some companies are taking it very seriously,” says Quality Planning senior vice president Bob U’Ren. His company designs solutions for insurers to validate policyholder information and cut premium losses. In other words, they’re in the business of making sure you’re telling the truth.

Here are the most common misrepresentations customers make to their car insurance companies.

1. Under-estimating the number of miles driven

Whether out of ignorance or as a strategy to cut their premiums, many people lowball the number of miles they drive. Some simply forget to call their car insurance agents when they get new jobs that lengthen their commutes. This lie was the most misrepresented rating factor in 2008 and accounted for an industry loss of more than $3 billion

2. “Forgetting” to report all the drivers in the household

Up to 2 percent of policies written are for households with a driver who’s not listed on the policy — and that “missing” driver is usually a high-premium teenage driver or an adult driver with a lot of premium-boosting baggage. In conducting premium audits, Quality Planning asked one mom why her 17-year-old daughter, a licensed driver, wasn’t listed on the policy. Her reply: “I totally forgot she was in the household.” Unrated drivers accounted for $2.6 billion in lost premium in 2008.

3. Fudging the garage location

Quality Planning noted a slight upward trend in the number of people misreporting where they park their cars, particularly in big cities, where garage locations can affect premiums dramatically. Location discrepancies led to $1.3 billion in lost premium in 2008.

4. Claiming discounts that no longer apply

In some cases, drivers conveniently forget to tell their car insurance agents that the conditions that gave them a discount have changed. For example, perhaps they ended membership in an organization that made them eligible for a special premium rate. These wrongly applied discounts, based on misinformation about the driver or the car, added up to $2.9 billion in 2008.

5. Misstating how the car is used

Some customers fail to tell their car insurance companies that they’re using the car for business. An at-home daycare provider, for instance, may neglect to mention that the household van is used to transport the kids to the park every day. Insurers lost $1.5 billion in premium as a result of this type of misrepresentation.

How car insurance companies find out

There are a variety of ways car insurance companies can find out that you lied. If the teenage son you fail to list on your policy gets in a car accident, it’ll be pretty obvious.

Insurance companies also turn to outfits like Quality Planning, which use sophisticated analytical testing to uncover rating errors. The company puts an insurer’s policies through a battery of more than 150 tests, cross-referencing data and employing pattern-matching algorithms to identify errors and discrepancies that suggest fraud or misrepresentation.

If you think the insurance company can’t find out how far you drive every year, think again. Odometer readings taken at smog testing stations, for instance, can be compared to what you report to your insurance agent, U’Ren says. It’s just one example of how your information can be checked.

Given the turbulent economy, insurers have good reason to pay attention. According to Quality Planning, every 1 percent reduction in rating error can result in a 20 percent profit gain. So don’t be surprised if the information you report to your car insurance company comes under increasing scrutiny.

Why should you care about lies?

For one thing, truthful customers end up paying higher premiums to make up for those who lie.

In addition, if a car insurance company catches you in a lie, it can cancel your policy and refuse to pay your claim — assuming you provided inaccurate information intentionally.

Some of the misinformation reported to insurers stems from outright consumer fraud — people deliberately lying to their car insurance companies in order to score lower premiums.

“People know how insurance works and how the game is played,” U’Ren says.

But most misinformation is the result of unreported lifestyle changes. For example, in 52 percent of household auto insurance policies, there’s a change in the vehicle or drivers each year. And more than 25 percent of workers change jobs every year, which affects the number of miles driven, according to Quality Planning.

“Oftentimes, the insurance agent is the last person you think to contact,” U’Ren says.

“Our blogs are for general education and information only and may not represent your unique needs. Coverages will vary. Please contact your insurance agent to verify your specific policy terms and conditions.”

You’re moving out of state — do you need new car insurance?

You’re moving out of state; it’s time to pack your bags, get your affairs in order and head off for new horizons. An additional consideration, one that sometimes isn’t top-of-mind, is car insurance. Specifically: do you need to get new car insurance when moving to a new state?

The answer is almost always “yes,” but with a major caveat.

When you move to a new state you usually have between 30-90 days to register your vehicle. Use those months to get your car insurance situation straightened out; do not do it before you move.

That is the major caveat: do not cancel your old car insurance policy before setting up your new one. Do not cancel your policy in one state and then move to another state before getting a new one. You should never drive — especially across state lines — without a car insurance policy. It is illegal, and potentially very costly if you get into an accident.

Indeed, your policy may change after you relocate even if you stay with the same provider. Your new state may have different laws and policies than your old one does, thereby adding or subtracting a few dollars from your monthly bill. You might also be commuting more (or less), which would also affect your premium. In your move you may have also acquired some new assets, including a new vehicle. Additionally, your car insurance provider might not be able to sell insurance in your new state — so it’s definitely best to check in.

When you register your vehicle in the new state must show proof of insurance. And the states must match; if you’ve moved to Florida, when you register your vehicle there you must have valid car insurance in Florida as well. Do not go to register your car without first getting your car insurance set after the move.

“Our blogs are for general education and information only and may not represent your unique needs. Coverages will vary. Please contact your insurance agent to verify your specific policy terms and conditions.”

Insurance Does Not Cover Maintenance Issues

The insurance you carry on your vehicle does not cover vehicle breakdown due to  equipment failure, and even your warrantee may have exclusions if you do not maintain your vehicle correctly,  so it is important that you take care of your vehicle…especially if you don’t want to be stranded somewhere. Below are the main things you should pay attention to, and you can look in your owner’s manual for other maintenance items and timelines, and some you could do yourself. Other things you may need to have a qualified mechanic with the expertise and equipment to do the job correctly for you.

Change the oil and oil filter regularly.
The owner’s manual for your car will specify exactly how often you should do this, but a good rule of thumb is to change them every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. If you change the oil and filter yourself, be sure to dispose of the used oil properly.

Check all the fluids.
This includes brake, power steering, transmission, transaxle, windshield washer and antifreeze fluids. Your owner’s manual will tell you how to check these. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, have a mechanic do it.

Check the air pressure level in your tires at least once a month.
Your owner’s manual should specify the ideal air pressure for your particular tire. If not, check on the outside of the tire. It is always listed on the sidewall.

Make sure all your lights work.
Check you headlights, turn signals, brake lights and taillights.

Replace the windshield wiper blades periodically.
If your wiper blades are cracked or torn, or if they begin to streak, it’s time to replace them.

Inspect the engine belts.
They should not look dry or frayed. Some belts are easy to change, but some you may need a mechanic.

Check the air filter.
The filter should be clean, not clogged or damaged. This will also help with fuel economy.

“Our blogs are for general education and information only and may not represent your unique needs. Coverages will vary. Please contact your insurance agent to verify your specific policy terms and conditions.”

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