Category: Auto Insurance

Rainy conditions can create challenging driving scenarios. Impaired visibility and slippery roads decrease your car’s grip, so it’s vital to be cautious. The insurance experts at Sump Insurance, Clarinda, IA, share crucial tips for safe driving in the rainy spring season.

Take Your Time and Maintain Control

Driving in adverse weather conditions requires some adjustments. One important tip is to reduce your speed. Slowing down improves your control over the vehicle and extends your reaction time. Avoid cruise control as this can cause hydroplaning. When this happens, gently ease off the gas and hold the steering wheel firmly without making drastic braking or acceleration changes.

Create a Safety buffer

Always keep additional space between your vehicle and the one ahead. Wet road conditions require added braking distance and more time to stop.

Improve Visibility

Visibility is especially crucial in rainy conditions, so keep your headlights on to enhance your visibility and that of others. Also, use the vehicle’s defogger or AC settings to prevent fogging of windows and windshield caused by rain and increased humidity levels.

Contact Sump Insurance for More Safety Tips

If you reside in or around Clarinda, IA, and desire additional information regarding ways to stay safe on the road, don’t hesitate to contact the insurance specialists at Sump Insurance at 712-542-5555 or online at www.sumpins.com.

When you purchase auto insurance from Sump Insurance serving Clarinda, IA, you have several options to customize your policy. These are sometimes referred to as riders or add-ons. Some of the most frequently overlooked options are the ones that will prove to be extremely valuable to car owners in the future.

Here are some auto insurance extras to consider:

Car Rental Coverage

If your vehicle is damaged in a collision, you could be without it for several days while it’s in the shop being repaired. In the meantime, you still have transportation needs like getting to work, dropping the kids off at school, picking up groceries, and more. Car rental coverage may cover the use of a rental vehicle so you don’t have to worry about transportation.

Roadside Assistance

No one plans to be stranded on the road, but incidents do happen every day. This insurance add-on provides help when you need it most for vehicle breakdowns, including jump starts, fuel delivery, flat tire change service, towing, getting locked out, and more. With roadside assistance, you can be off the side of the road and back to safety quickly.

Glass Coverage 

Windshields often crack through no fault of the driver when rocks and other road debris fly up and nick the windscreen. These tiny divots can worsen and develop into cracks that hinder the driver’s clear view. Side windows sometimes get broken from smash and grabs and other vandalism. The glass coverage option specifically covers the repair or replacement of the vehicle’s glass, such as windshields and side windows. 

Call Today To Discuss Your Options

It’s well worth considering these auto insurance extras with Sump Insurance serving Clarinda, IA. They can be added when you take out your policy or any time during your coverage period. Contact us to learn more. 

Clarinda, IA drivers need to carry a certain amount of insurance by law. If you only want to meet the minimum requirements, Sume Insurance can help you find a policy where you will only have liability coverage. Liability coverage only kicks in to protect the other drivers and passengers when you are found to be at fault in an accident. 

Minimum Legal Requirements

Under Iowa law, you only need to carry certain amounts of liability insurance. Property damage coverage will help to repair or replace the victim’s vehicle while personal injury coverage will cover everything from emergency room visits to ongoing physical therapy. Any amount not paid out under your policy becomes your responsibility. If you cannot pay, the other insurance company will likely seek a court judgment. 

Other Important Coverages

If you still owe on your vehicle, your lender may require you to carry full coverage. Full coverage will also protect you during an accident, even if you are at fault. Many people become spoiled after carrying full coverage and keep it after the car is paid off. Full coverage gives you peace of mind that liability insurance alone can’t offer.

Here are some of the advantages of full coverage insurance:

• Comprehensive coverage offers protection in case of unexpected events like fire, vandalism, or accidentally hitting an animal with your car.
• Collision coverage provides protection during any kind of collision no matter who caused the accident,
• Rental car reimbursement will help you stay on the road while your vehicle is being repaired.
• Uninsured/underinsured coverage protects you when the other driver doesn’t have adequate coverage.

Sump Insurance Is Here To Help

You may also want to talk to us about how to get gap coverage, roadside assistance, or other benefits in Clarinda, IA. If you have any questions about your coverage, please call Sump Insurance today.

The agents at Sump Insurance serving the Clarinda, IA area want you to know that auto insurance is required in the state of Iowa. All motorists must have at least a minimum amount of auto liability insurance to cover any bodily injuries or destruction of property that may happen during an accident you cause.

In addition to liability insurance, there are several other coverage options you can choose from to add more protection for you and your vehicle.

Auto Insurance Coverage Options

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you happen to have the misfortune of becoming involved in an accident that is the fault of a driver without insurance or an inadequate amount of auto insurance, this type of coverage will assist you in repairing or replacing your vehicle and help with the medical bills you might incur.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance

Comprehensive insurance is a great policy to have since it will help you to repair or replace your vehicle if it catches on fire, is damaged by vandalism, or becomes destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster. This type of insurance will also help to replace or repair your car, SUV, or truck if it is stolen.

Collision Insurance

Collision insurance will assist you in paying for damages from a collision with another vehicle or some sort of object.

If you still owe money to a bank or lender for the purchase of your car, truck, or SUV, you will more than likely have to secure an auto insurance policy that includes both collision and comprehensive insurance.

Contact Us Today

To obtain an auto insurance policy that provides you with the coverage you need, contact the agents at Sump Insurance serving the Clarinda, IA area today!

When you purchase a vehicle, one of the most important things you need to do is make sure to purchase an auto insurance policy. At Sump Insurance, we sell auto insurance policies to motorists in Clarinda, IA. 

The following are three important reasons why you must have auto insurance if you own a vehicle:

Auto insurance is required by law

Auto insurance is basically required by law in every state. If you are pulled over and aren’t insured, you can be cited for driving without insurance. Penalties for driving without insurance coverage are very harsh in many states, so you need to make sure that you’re covered. 

Auto insurance protects you financially

It’s important to carry auto insurance to protect your finances. Auto insurance can protect not only your investment in your vehicle but also your savings. If you are responsible for a costly auto accident, you will have to pay out of pocket. This could lead to a significant or even complete loss of your assets. 

Auto insurance is required by auto loan lenders

Many motorists took out a car loan to purchase their vehicle. If you borrowed money to buy your vehicle, it’s important to know that your auto lender will require you to carry auto insurance.

If you are carrying auto insurance to meet your auto loan lender’s requirements, you’ll need to have both liability and collision coverage. Collision coverage protects the value of your vehicle while you’re paying back your loan. 

We Are Here To Help

Are you interested in exploring your auto insurance options in Clarinda, IA? We can answer your questions about auto insurance and provide you with a quote on a policy at Sump Insurance. Get in touch with us today!

Auto liability insurance policies are legally required in most states, including Iowa. However, collision insurance covers an entirely different aspect of auto insurance that you may never have considered. While it is safe to assume that most people do not want to experience a collision in their lives, imminent danger on the road is always an unfortunate possibility. Particularly when the weather is rainy or snowy, the chances of being involved in a car crash go up exponentially.

Not all auto insurance policies cover multi-vehicle collisions, but there are insurance agents who can help protect you in the event of a life-altering crash.  Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA is here to assist.

Auto Insurance & Multi-Vehicle Collision

Let’s say that you are driving on icy roads and fail to notice that the cars in front of you are coming to a stop, or perhaps you cannot see through the thick sheets of snow. If you rear-end the vehicle in front of you and it continues on like a domino effect, your liability insurance will cover the damage done to the other vehicles.

Alternatively, if you are in one of the vehicles that get hit (or in other words, if you are one of the drivers who is not at fault and got caught in the crossfire), the driver at fault will need their liability insurance to cover your vehicle’s damage. There is also the option of obtaining collision insurance, which may especially be recommended in states with drastically inclement weather. 

Give Us A Call

If you are in the Clarinda, IA area, stop by Sump Insurance to discuss your auto policy with a qualified professional.  Call Sump Insurance today or stop by the office if you are in the area. Allow the experts to give you the information you need to protect yourself and others.

Driving risks vary by location and vehicle use, and Iowa is no different. Understanding the behaviors that put you at risk makes it easier to understand how to keep yourself and your family safe against risks. In addition, this knowledge can also help you plan the best insurance coverage, for which you can contact us at Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA.

Driving Safety Stats Iowa Drivers Need To Know

Iowa Commute Times

Studies followed Iowa workers aged 16 and over for a four-year period. The average commute time to work during this time was listed at just over 19 minutes one-way. For a five-day work week, that means work alone accounts for over 3 hours of weekly drive time. This time in the car obviously increases when you consider driving home as well and increases when adding school pickups and errands like groceries.

Time Spent in Cars

Statistics shared by the US Department of Transportation, 2020, at Driving Statistics show that work commutes account for about 28% of our national driving times. Beyond work, auto travel times include 25% of the time in the car spent on social travel, 17% of time driving for family errands, 15% of the auto time for shopping, and another 15% of time spent in cars for school and church. That easily adds up to 10 hours per week or more simply behind the wheel — and many who live in rural areas drive far, far more. 

Get Auto Insurance Today

More time behind the wheel means more time at risk of an auto accident. Whether a fender bender or an impact from an intoxicated driver, more car time equals more risk. Plan the insurance protection you need to manage this risk. For more information on auto insurance and accident protection, contact Sump Insurance in Clarinda, IA today.

Purchasing a new car near Clarinda, IA is an exciting experience! At Sump Insurance, we want to make sure you’re on the road and fully insured as soon as possible so you can begin enjoying your new ride. 

How To Insure A New Car

The state of Iowa has minimum insurance requirements, including:

• $20,000 of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident
• $40,000 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident
• $15,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident

Your coverage doesn’t need to stop there, however. You will likely want to add additional coverage to your new vehicle. 

When you buy a new car, your previous coverage will immediately take effect. However, you’ll need to contact your agent at Sump Insurance to notify them of your new car. We can work with you to determine what type of coverage is best for your new vehicle. We can walk you through different coverage options and what will work best based on your personal situation and the age of your car. 

How to get car insurance 

If you’re buying your first car and don’t already have insurance, contact us prior to purchasing your vehicle so we can get you set up with a policy. Most car dealers near Clarinda, IA will require you to show proof of insurance before they let you drive off the lot. 

When you’re considering purchasing a car, it’s important to take the cost of insurance into account. By calling us before going through with your purchase, you can get an idea of how much the policy might cost. 

If you just bought a car, congratulations! We’re excited to help you along your journey. 

When you purchase auto insurance from Sump Insurance serving Clarinda, IA, you might be tempted to only buy the state insurance minimums. Although we want you to obtain the exact insurance you want, let us explain why buying the minimum required insurance probably won’t work out well in the end. By shopping with us, you can create a custom policy that covers exactly what you need.

Auto Insurance Add-ons

The state minimum required coverage only protects the other drivers and pedestrians on the road. That leaves you to pay for any damage your vehicle incurs on your own. Yikes. That can cost a lot of money. If you don’t have a standout medical insurance policy and you cause the accident in which you’re harmed, you’ll also need to pay for the medical costs of your treatment out of pocket.

The solution to out-of-pocket expenses for your own costs is a custom insurance policy. By adding comprehensive, collision, and medical coverage to your policy, anything that happens to your vehicle or you, your insurance covers. Collision covers when your vehicle collides with a fence, tree, mailbox, etc. Comprehensive covers named perils, hazards that you could not prevent, such as damage from hurricanes, tornados, fire, hail, etc. If you get injured in an accident you caused, whether it only involves your vehicle or multiple vehicles, adding medical coverage ensures that you can pay for your hospitalization, physical therapy, and other types of medical recovery treatments.

Don’t get caught without proper auto insurance coverage. Let Sump Insurance serving Clarinda, IA help you obtain the policy you need to cover every likely event. Many individuals think, “It can’t happen to me.” When they have an accident but have full coverage auto, they don’t have to worry that it did happen to them. Call us today, so you remain prepared for every eventuality.

Whether buying auto insurance online or through an agent in Clarinda, IA, it’s never easy. With many coverages, insurance jargon, and myths surrounding car insurance, it’s always never straightforward with auto insurance. 

The good thing is that you don’t need to be an insurance expert to understand auto insurance. Being in the know of the following basics of car insurance, as highlighted by Sump Insurance, will help you make an informed decision when shopping for car insurance. 

Reading your policy document

Most people are quick to sign off their auto insurance plan without understanding their policy document in detail. Understanding your policy document in and out is the first place to start if you are to get the most out of your auto insurance policy. 

Your policy document contains what’s covered and what’s not covered by your insurer. This way, you will not encounter surprises when filing a claim.

How insurance rates are determined

Ever heard someone say that red cars attract higher premiums? This is a blatant lie. Your car insurance rate is determined by factors like number of coverages, driving record, claim history, model of your car, your location, and personal details. 

While each insurance company has its way of determining insurance rates, it’s pivotal to have a rough idea of what goes into your insurance premiums. This way, you can deter your rates from increasing for factors within your control.

State-required minimums aren’t enough

Each state has mandatory requirements for auto insurance. In Iowa, for example, drivers are required to purchase bodily liability insurance. Besides, underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage is compulsory but can be rejected through writing.

While observing the state’s requirement is superb, these coverages are never adequate. The limits are inadequate, and the coverages cover other people, but not you and your vehicle. As such, we recommend motorists to consider optional coverages, including:

• Comprehensive coverage
• Collision coverage
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• Roadside assistance

Would you like to learn more about auto insurance? Don’t hesitate to contact Sump Insurance of Clarinda, IA.