Category: Auto Insurance

If you anticipate using your vehicle extensively this winter, you may be mindful of your existing insurance coverage adequacy. Get acquainted with a few add-ons that ensure full protection for all your winter travels.

Roadside Assistance

Venturing on ice or snow-laden roads could lead to unexpected incidents, possibly leaving you stranded. Roadside assistance coverage delivers indispensable help when you need it most.

Such coverage covers towing expenses and emergency repairs. Roadside assistance often includes tire repair and replacement, refueling, and other basic services.

Engine Protection

Frequent driving could lead to potential engine malfunctions. Engine coverage safeguards all the components that constitute the engine. This coverage type offsets any out-of-pocket expenses you might incur during the winter months.

Towing Equipment Coverage

If you plan on towing a snowmobile or other recreational equipment, insurance covering towing equipment can be highly beneficial.

This insurance protects your trailer, hitch, and recreational assets from theft and damage, delivering protection while your vehicle is in motion or parked.

Policy Assessment

The current moment is ideal for evaluating your insurance necessities. Consider your intended vehicle use and the environment you’ll be driving in, as these factors could impact the number of insurance add-ons you decide to secure.

Targeted Assistance

Reach out to our representatives at Harris Insurance for more in-depth assistance. An agent servicing the Jasper, AL region will guide you to insurance add-ons that provide optimum protection for the winter season.

At Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, parents ask us when they should add their teenager to their auto insurance policy. Some parents want to avoid adding their teen so their premiums won’t increase, but you need to put your teen on your auto policy during your teen’s learning phase while they work up to getting their learner’s permit and license.

Getting Around a Conundrum

Teens need a driver’s license to buy auto coverage. They should not begin driving lessons until obtaining their learner’s permit, but in some states, a teen can take a high school driver’s education course without having earned a learner’s permit. As soon as your teenager begins to learn to drive, you should put them on your auto policy.

Here’s why you have to put them on your policy. Until they obtain their learner’s permit, they cannot purchase coverage on their own. Some states require a teen with a learner’s permit to obtain coverage, so if you plan to let your teen get in some practice while you drive a long stretch of highway on vacation, add them before you go.

When They Can Obtain Their Own Policy? 

You can add a teen who has yet to obtain their license to your auto policy. Once they earn their regular driver’s license, you can allow them to buy their own insurance policy. However, your policy will temporarily need to cover them.

Contact Us to Amend Your Policy Today

Contact Harris Insurance today to update your auto insurance policy to include your teenage driver-to-be. Before you let them leave the driveway of your Jasper, AL home, make sure your auto policy covers them.

When you take your vehicle onto the road, you face many risks. Weather conditions can make driving a challenge, but even greater than that is other drivers. You have to be prepared to deal with them and the damage they can cause to your vehicle. It is vital that you make sure that all the drivers who regularly use your vehicles are listed on your policy. At Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, we are independent insurance agents who place the financial security of our customers first. 

You may wonder why it is important that all the people who drive your car regularly be listed on your auto insurance policy. You can add anyone to your auto insurance, and some insurance companies may require that you add regular drivers to your vehicle to guarantee that if there is a situation where you need to file a claim, it is covered.

In most cases, ensuring you have the correct insurance is just a good idea. If, for instance, your teen gets their license, and you don’t list them on your policy for fear that it could raise your rate. You are probably correct that having a new teen driver will raise your rate, but if you don’t list them, you run the risk that your insurance company will refuse to pay if they have an accident. 

If you have more than one vehicle and have only one driver listed on your auto policy, you may end up paying more than if you had more than one driver listed. The best way to make sure your vehicle and assets are covered is to list all the drivers of your vehicles. 

Contact our office at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL, when you need new auto insurance or want your auto policy reviewed. 

Harris Insurance is here to serve the auto insurance needs of our friends and neighbors in the greater Jasper, AL area. If you have questions about your current policy or you’re getting ready to purchase a car, you can rely on us for all your insurance needs. Give us a call today to learn more about the auto policy options currently available in our area.

Key Benefits of Comprehensive Auto Policies

The main benefit of a comprehensive auto policy is the additional protection that it provides. There’s typically a wider range of covered events than that provided by basic policies. Your local insurance agent is here to help answer any questions you have and address any concerns that you have about auto insurance.

Upgrading to a comprehensive policy can include benefits like roadside assistance, glass replacement, and coverage for single-vehicle accidents. Every policy is different, and it’s always a good idea to speak with one of our agents when you’re determining which coverage makes the most sense for your situation.

Now’s an ideal time to learn more about the different options that are available and determine if upgrading to a comprehensive policy makes sense for you at this time.

Think of us as your insurance partner!

At Harris Insurance, we’re proud to provide the insurance policies that help our Jasper, AL community protect their vehicles. If you’re ready to upgrade your auto policy or you’re getting ready to purchase your first vehicle, you can count on us. Give us a call or stop by our office to learn more. We look forward to serving you soon!

The insurance professionals at Harris Insurance serving the greater Jasper, AL  community offer this advice about getting the most mileage from your tires which ultimately helps reduce the cost of maintaining your car.

How to Get the Most Mileage From Your Tires?

In addition to inspecting your tires for uneven tread wear, consider these suggestions, which might help maximize your tire’s lifespan:

Maintain Proper Tire Inflation

Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure.

• Under-inflated Tires Wear unusually quickly as well as reduce fuel efficiency.
• Overinflated tires cause uneven wear.

Rotate the Tire Regularly

This too, should be done according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Regular rotation extends the life of tires as it helps them wear evenly.  

Wheel Alignment/Balancing

Appropriately aligned wheels help tires wear evenly, extending the useful life of the tire. Balancing helps ensure proper weight distribution.

Minimize Hard Braking

This type of driving can wear down tire treads quickly.

Drive Safely

Obeying speed limits reduces the heat that can build up on a tire. Avoid potholes, curbs, etc., to avoid damaging the tires.

Load Capacity

Overloading causes tire stress, decreasing the tire’s useful life.

Avoid Harsh Driving Conditions

Where possible, avoid extreme weather conditions – heavy downpours, blizzards, or very excessive heat as this accelerates the wear on the tire.

Store Tire Properly

Seasonal tires should be kept in a dry, cool place – out of the direct sun or high heat.  

High-Quality Tires

Often it pays to buy high-quality tires – with high traction performance and tread life ratings, that match your driving style or type of car.

Schedule A Consultation Today!

Appropriately maintained tires will save money, offer improved fuel efficiency, and enhance road safety. Contact Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL today for more information.

Driving for a ridesharing company is more popular than ever before. Whether you’re driving at the weekends or the evenings to make some extra cash, or it’s your full-time gig, you need to make sure you have auto insurance coverage that protects you and your vehicle.

Here are some things to consider when choosing an auto insurance plan for your ridesharing vehicle:

Specialized Policies for Ridesharing

Many insurance companies offer specialized policies for rideshare insurance. You’ll be on the road far more frequently than most other drivers and driving in areas you don’t know. Specialized policies consider all of these factors, as well as the wear and tear your vehicle will accumulate after being driven so much.

Differences Between Ridesharing Coverage and Regular Coverage

Ridesharing insurance coverage has several different features from standard auto policies. It addresses the needs of ridesharing drivers, ensuring you are covered while actively working. 

Insurance Policies from Ridesharing Companies vs. Finding My Own

While ridesharing companies offer insurance coverage for their drivers, it is often limited. For example, it typically only applies to specific stages of being a ridesharing driver, such as when you physically have a passenger in the car. It doesn’t account for waiting for a ride request or driving to pick up a passenger. Therefore, you may not be protected if you’re rear-ended while waiting for a passenger to enter the vehicle.

Looking for Ridesharing Insurance Services in Jasper, AL?

Ridesharing is a business; like most business decisions, you shouldn’t choose your insurance policy alone. At Harris Insurance, we’ll advise you on the best coverage for your business needs to ensure that you, your vehicle, and your passengers are properly protected.

Learn more about ridesharing insurance options at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL by calling us today.

Why Alabama Drivers Need Auto Insurance

There are many reasons Alabama drivers need auto insurance.

• The most important reason is that it helps protect you when you’re involved in an accident.
• In an accident, you having liability coverage will take care of the other driver’s damages up to your policy limit if you were the one responsible 
• If the other driver sues you, your personal injury protection (PIP) could cover your legal expenses up to your policy limit.
• Auto insurance also covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision or non-collision events (like weather or theft).

In addition, most lenders require borrowers to have comprehensive and collision coverage on financed vehicles before they can drive them off the lot. 

5 Auto Insurance Tips for Alabama Drivers 

Following are five tips that can help Jasper, AL drivers save money on their coverage. 

1. Get quotes from a reputable insurance company.

We are here to help. Talk to our experienced auto insurance professionals at Harris Insurance. 

2. Ask about multiple policies and group insurance.

Many reputable insurers offer discounts for things like safe driving history, good grades, and more. Be sure to ask about any potential discounts you may be eligible

3. Consider raising your deductible.

Your deductible is the amount you would have to pay out of pocket if you had to file a claim, and raising it can significantly lower your premiums.

4. Get insurance to meet state minimums. 

An experienced insurance agent can help you get the coverage required by law that meets your needs – no more, no less.

5. Review your policy regularly and make adjustments as needed.

As life changes, so do our insurance needs, so it’s essential to keep your policy up-to-date.

Reach Out To Us

Contact Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL for a free quote! 

Are you a licensed driver? Do you live in or near Jasper, AL? Harris Insurance can provide the coverage you need for your car.

Why Auto Insurance?

Liability car insurance provides financial protection if you cause a car accident. You can be held responsible for associated costs such as legal fees, the injured party’s medical expenses, or their lost wages if they are unable to work.

If you own an older vehicle, collision, and comprehensive coverage may not be worth it. Decide how much you can afford to spend out of pocket if your car is damaged, then decide whether it is worth buying these coverages to protect your car.

Collision insurance helps pay for any damage done to your vehicle in the event of an accident. This coverage applies regardless of who is at fault. For example, if you are stopped at a light and get rear-ended, collision coverage helps cover the costs of fixing your damaged rear bumper. On the other hand, if you are the one who runs into someone from behind, collision coverage will help pay for the cost of repairing your damaged front end.

Comprehensive coverage will pay for damage done to your car in non-collision scenarios, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. For example, heavy winds are responsible for broken tree branches in your yard, and they come down on your car, parked in the driveway.  You now have a dent in your roof. Comprehensive insurance will help pay for the cost of the repair of your roof.

Give Us A Call

It is against the law to drive without car insurance. You risk losing your license or facing a hefty fine. Contact the specialists at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to provide the coverage you need to protect your finances. Paying for car repairs out of pocket could be a daunting prospect. Don’t risk it.

When you have a vehicle in Alabama, it is required by the state that you have at least the minimum required insurance that is mandated. You also must have proof of your insurance policy in the vehicle and must show it when required. Not having auto insurance in the state can open you up to fines and fees, and you may have your vehicle’s registration suspended. When you need an auto insurance policy, contact us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to get started with a policy of your own. 

Liability Insurance in Alabama

Getting your auto insurance in the state requires that you have two types of liability coverage in the policy and three different minimum amounts of coverage. There is one minimum amount required for bodily injury liability for one person who has injuries after an accident that you caused. There is another amount required for all of those who have injuries after an accident that you are at fault for. There is another amount required for property damage liability to pay for the damage done to another person’s property in an accident that you are liable for. 

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury

This type of insurance is required to be presented as a part of the insurance policy, but it is possible for you to refuse this coverage and still keep legal insurance. However, it’s a good idea to keep this coverage in place so that you are protected in case of a driver who has no insurance or has too little insurance. With this coverage, you will also have better peace of mind in knowing that you are protected in case of accidents with those drivers. 

Get Auto Insurance in Alabama

When you have a vehicle in the state, you have to be covered. For a policy of your own, call us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL.