Is Raising Your Deductable Always a Good Idea?

We understand that paying more than necessary for auto insurance may not appeal to consumers. At Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, we aim to assist you in achieving savings without putting your coverage or financial future at stake.

Assessing the Impact of Increasing Your Auto Insurance Deductible

When contemplating cost reductions on your car insurance, you might consider boosting your deductible first. A deductible refers to the personal costs you could be liable for during a damage accident. For instance, if your vehicle sustains $3,000 in damages and you have a $500 deductible, you would bear that expense. Although an increased deductible can lower your insurance payments, it also escalates your risks. For the same $3,000 accident, you would incur $1,000 in out-of-pocket expenses with a $1,000 deductible.

This becomes significant when considering that average new vehicle costs exceed $40,000 and repair costs are rising. Do you have the resources to bear $1,000 or more out-of-pocket in case you are at fault in an accident? Boosting deductibles is a common strategy people adopt to cut car insurance costs. However, be wary if a $1,000 or more out-of-pocket could significantly impact you.

Get a Revised Insurance Quote Today

You can comprehend the effect of increasing your deductible on your car insurance premiums by contacting the team at Nest Insurance Agency. Contact our office in Amarillo, TX for a car insurance price quote that matches your budget and your vehicle.

Rent and Relax: How Auto Insurance Simplifies the Rental Car Experience

Before hitting the road in the Amarillo, TX area, renters often face a critical decision: purchasing additional insurance coverage provided by the rental car company. Fortunately, understanding how your existing auto insurance policy applies can simplify the rental car experience.

The Role of Your Auto Insurance

  • Liability Coverage: Most auto insurance policies include liability coverage for rental cars. If you cause an accident while driving a rental car, your auto insurance policy will generally cover the costs associated with injuries to others and property damage.
  • Comprehensive and Collision Coverage: If your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage, these protections typically extend to rental cars. Comprehensive coverage covers non-accident-related damages like theft, vandalism, or weather damage, while collision coverage handles damages incurred in accidents.
  • Personal Injury Protection and Medical Payments: Personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payment coverage applies when renting a car. These coverages can help with medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident.

Considerations for Rental Car Insurance

While your existing auto insurance policy may provide coverage for rental cars, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

  • Deductibles: Check the deductibles on your policy. You’ll be responsible for covering the deductible if you need to claim rental car damages.
  • Coverage Limits: Ensure that your policy limits are adequate to cover potential rental car liabilities. If your auto insurance policy has low liability limits, consider purchasing additional coverage from the rental car company.
  • Rental Car Company Policies: Understand the rental car company’s insurance offerings, including what they cover and the associated costs. Compare these options with your existing coverage.

Nest Insurance Agency Can Help You

At Nest Insurance Agency, we can help answer questions concerning auto insurance. We serve the Amarillo, TX area. Contact us today. 

Safety Tips For Driving in the Rain

When driving in the rain, roads become more treacherous to navigate safely. Roads covered in water will reduce the vehicle’s traction and overall control. The reduced visibility caused by poor weather conditions may further aggravate the driving. 

Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX offers these essential safety tips when driving in the rain to ensure safe travel in inclement conditions. In addition to reviewing the weather report and replacing your windshield wipers regularly, it is wise to:

Slow Down

Reduce your speed for better vehicle control, avoid hydroplaning, and give you more time to react to potential dangers.

Increase Your Following Distance

Wet roads require additional distances to stop before you cause a rear-end collision.

Use Your Headlights

Turn on your headlights, improving visibility for yourself and other drivers. Avoid using high beams, as they can reflect off the rain and reduce visibility further.

Defog Your Windows

Fogged-up windows impair your visibility. The vehicle’s defogger or air conditioning can be used to keep the windshield clear.

Avoid Sudden Maneuvers

Abrupt steering, braking, or accelerating can cause a loss of control on wet surfaces. 

Drive Around Puddles

Avoid driving through puddles, as you do not know the hazards beneath the water. 

Be Mindful Of Others

Wet conditions can impact your visibility and affect the behavior of other drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians.

Remember, safety is a priority when driving in the rain. If the driving conditions make you uncomfortable, find a safe locale to pull off and park to wait for the states to improve. 

Contact a Leading Amarillo, TX Insurance Company Today

For additional information regarding auto insurance options, contact the insurance professionals at Nest Insurance Agency at 806-476-2580 or online.

How much auto insurance do I need?

Auto insurance is one of those things that everyone needs but no one wants to think about. It’s essential to figure out exactly how much insurance you need to protect yourself from accidents and other financial setbacks.

First of all, it’s vital to understand that there is a difference between liability coverage and collision/comprehensive coverage. Liability insurance is the minimum amount of coverage you legally have to have. It will help cover medical bills or any other expenses incurred due to an accident that was your fault. On the other hand, collision/comprehensive insurance covers damages done to your vehicle. It can also protect you in certain situations, like if your car is stolen or damaged in a fire.

Generally, it’s wise to get at least as much collision/comprehensive coverage as you have liability coverage. This will help protect you from any financial setbacks if you’re involved in an accident, another person, or a natural disaster destroy your vehicle. And, of course, you should always be sure to talk to your insurance provider about the specifics of what types and levels of coverage are available so that you can determine exactly how much insurance is right for your particular needs.

So, when deciding how much auto insurance coverage you need, it’s important to remember that it’s a balance between protecting yourself financially and keeping your monthly premiums as low as possible. And remember to always consult with your insurance provider to ensure you’re getting the best coverage for your needs at an affordable rate.

If you have any questions, please call us at our Amarillo, TX area Nest Insurance Agency office today.

When should you insure an older vehicle with full coverage?

Your new vehicle needs full coverage from Nest Insurance Agency since any peril-caused damage or single-vehicle accident would go uncovered otherwise. That would mean purchasing a car out of your pocket.

When your vehicle ages, though, does it stop making sense to cover it fully? It depends on the age of the vehicle and its type.

At ten years old, the average used vehicle costs about $7,990. According to Value Penguin, the cost of full coverage and its deductibles equals about half the vehicle’s value. At 15 years of age, total coverage premiums exceed the value of the typical used car. That means that once your vehicle reaches the age of 15, you’ll pay more than its value yearly in premiums.

That’s in reference to the average vehicle. What about when you own an exotic vehicle or a luxury vehicle? That changes everything!

That Corvette or BMW that you cruise around Lubbock or Amarillo, TX driving may increase in value as it ages. Many luxury vehicles do this. Check the Kelley Blue Book for the value of your vehicle. Full coverage makes sense if it continues to appreciate in value rather than depreciate in value or holds its own in value.

A vehicle that appreciates in value or holds its value would cost the same or more than the price for which you purchased it to replace. That means your 10-year-old Chevy Corvette might cost more for you to replace if you incurred a single-vehicle accident and weren’t carrying full coverage. That would mean replacing it out of pocket.

At Nest Insurance Agency, we serve the Lubbock and Amarillo, TX area with the auto insurance its residents need to protect their automotive investments. Call us today to purchase an auto policy that appropriately protects your investment.

Texas Auto Insurance Requirements and Terms Explained

When you are renewing or updating your Texas auto insurance, you may be confused by all of the terms and words coming your way. It’s easy for Amarillo, TX drivers to be confused no matter how many times you’ve purchased insurance.

At Nest Insurance Agency, we want you to be clear on what you need before you purchase your auto insurance. We can help you to get the best policy for your needs.

Learn what you need and what those terms mean here.

Liability Coverage

The minimum insurance that you need in Texas is liability insurance.  Liability insurance refers to coverage that pays for damages for which you are found to be liable. So it won’t pay for your own medical bills after an accident.

You must have that to drive. You will need to have bodily injury liability per person coverage, and bodily injury liability coverage per accident. You must also have some property damage liability.

Medical Payments and Personal Injury Protection

These coverages will cover your medical expenses when there is an accident. Medical payments will cover the medical costs for yourself and any passengers.

Personal injury protection coverage will go beyond that, and also pay for things such as lost wages or other nonmedical bills. All auto insurance policies in Texas have this unless you let the insurance company know in writing that you do not want it.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is coverage for when you are hit by a driver that doesn’t have car insurance. It could also be a driver who doesn’t have a lot of coverage. If you do not want this coverage, let the insurance company know in writing.

Get a Quote

When you are looking for auto insurance in Amarillo, TX, understanding these terms will help you to get the coverage that you need. At Nest Insurance Agency, we can help you to create the policy that is best for you. Call us for a quote today.

Can I keep my adult children on my auto insurance

In Amarillo, TX the Nest Insurance Agency is locally owned and operated. We are committed to providing customer service that exceeds your expectations and to making sure that you get the right insurance products to meet your needs whatever they may be. Auto insurance is one of our specialties and our team has the experience you expect when you have questions about coverage.  

Auto insurance is often a family policy, Mom, Dad, and kids. Those teens that got their license and sent their insurance rates through the roof do tend to grow up eventually. Once they are adults can they still stay on your policy? As more and more children spend more time in the family home this is a question that comes up more frequently. 

Children are considered adults when they go off to college. When they are living away for the greater part of the year but come home during the summer and don’t change their permanent address, they are still considered a part of your household. Keeping them on your insurance policy makes sense especially if they are still driving one of the family vehicles.   

If they move back home after college, it usually isn’t an issue to have them remain on the family insurance policy. Check with your particular carrier to be sure. When it becomes a little trickier, is when they move out of the family home but still live nearby. Some companies are very family-friendly and won’t object to this, at least for a while. Again, talk to your insurance agent to make sure you have the correct carrier. 

Making sure that you have the right auto insurance for your particular family situation is important. At Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX, we are here to provide the advice and support that you expect from an independent agency. 

Do I need auto insurance in Amarillo?

Anyone that is in the Amarillo, TX area should spend time thinking about their insurance needs. As most people in this area of Texas own a vehicle, getting auto insurance is something that most people will need to get. There are several reasons why the typical vehicle owner in this area of Texas will need to get an auto insurance plan.

Insurance is Required in the State

A reason that you will need to get an auto insurance plan when you are in Texas is that it is a state requirement. All people in this state have to get the minimum level of liability insurance. If you do not continue to have this coverage the whole time, you could be in violation of state law. Those caught without it could receive a variety of penalties, which is not limited to fines or loss of license.

Insurance Protects Vehicle

You should also get an auto insurance plan because it can protect your vehicle. If you decide to buy a car or other vehicle, it is something that you will want to be able to enjoy for a long time. When you get an auto insurance plan with collision and comprehensive protection, you can be assured that it will give you the coverage needed to repair or replace it. 

When you are looking for an auto insurance plan and you are in the Amarillo, TX area, it would be wise to call the Nest Insurance Agency. If you do work with the Nest Insurance Agency you can get the support that you need to fully understand your options and choose a policy. This can help to ensure that you will be in compliance with state law and that your valuable vehicle is properly covered at all times. 

What Kind of Auto Insurance Should You Have on a Second Car?

If you have a second car in Amarillo, TX, you already know that you need some kind of insurance coverage on it to remain legal. However, you may have wondered what exactly is the best type of insurance to have, especially if you only use the car once in a while. Nest Insurance Agency is here to give you a few tips on how to get proper coverage to give you the peace of mind you crave. 

Nail Down How You Use the Car 

Some cars are actually never really used. A planned nonoperational vehicle (PNO) is one where you promise not to drive the car or use it for any reason. You also agree not to store or park the car on public roads at any time. But most people will use their second cars, even if it’s just to have them serviced once in a while.

If you truly don’t use the car very often, you can consider limiting the car to liability only protection, meaning you won’t have coverage if either you cause an accident or if you’re involved in a hit-and-run of some kind. This can be a dangerous option, but one that many car owners are willing to take if they just don’t get a lot of use out of their vehicle. 

The Right Auto Insurance for You 

Nest Insurance Agency is here to serve the people of Amarillo, TX and ensure they get the auto insurance they’re looking for. Whether you have a seasonal second vehicle or just one that you loan your college-age student when they’re back in town, we want to help you find a policy that fits. Give us a call today to learn more and get the ball rolling. 

Do I need to carry collision and comprehensive auto insurance

As a vehicle owner in Amarillo, TX you know how important it is to have a vehicle at your disposal. Getting around or just getting to work is very difficult if you aren’t able to drive. In Texas you don’t need to carry collision and comprehensive auto insurance, you only need to carry liability insurance. This protects other people from you in case you are the responsible party in an accident but it doesn’t help you to get your own car fixed. At Nest Insurance Agency we have our roots in the Texas panhandle and we are committed to making sure we meet the needs of our clients. 

While you may not need to carry collision and comprehensive auto insurance if you count on your vehicle it is something that you should carry. Imagine having to use Uber to get to work or a cab and having to get groceries delivered. For most people, having a vehicle is a necessity. What you get with collision and comprehensive auto insurance is the money to replace or repair your vehicle and to have a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. 

Collision insurance is what it sounds like, coverage if you are in a collision with another vehicle. If the other driver is responsible their insurance will pay but if you are at fault it is your insurance that pays. Depending on how new your car is, this can be thousands of dollars. 

Comprehensive coverage protects from damage caused by things other than a collision with another vehicle. It covers weather damage, vandalism and even theft. If your car is caught in a flood, hailstorm or high winds, lots of damage can be caused. 

If your vehicle has almost no value then you don’t need collision and comprehensive insurance but for everyone else, it is a very good idea. Our agents at Nest Insurance Agency in Amarillo, TX would love to talk to you about your auto insurance needs. Stop by or give our office a call for a no-obligation quote.