Four Auto Insurance Add-Ons to Make Your Life Easier!

As a leading insurance provider, we understand that life can be unpredictable. We are here to assist you in understanding the complicated aspects of auto insurance and simplifying your life in Houston, TX.

1. Roadside Assistance

Being stranded on the side of the road, particularly in Texas’ erratic weather, is an unpleasant experience. With roadside help as an add-on to your auto insurance policy, you’ll have access to professional help whenever you need it. This service typically includes towing, battery jump-start, flat tire repair, and fuel delivery. It’s a small investment for a big dose of reassurance.

2. Rental Car Reimbursement

Sometimes accidents occur, and in such unfortunate circumstances, your car may need to be repaired for an extended period, leaving you without it. Rental car reimbursement is an auto insurance add-on that covers the cost of a rental vehicle during this time. This coverage lets you maintain your daily routine without worrying about transportation costs. Outdoor Insurance Services can help you find the rental coverage that fits your needs.

3. Accident Forgiveness

Even if you’re a careful driver, accidents can occur and cause a significant increase in insurance premiums. Accident forgiveness is an auto insurance add-on that protects your premium from increasing after your first at-fault accident. This coverage ensures that one mistake won’t result in skyrocketing insurance costs, providing you with peace of mind and financial stability.

4. Custom Equipment Coverage

For many of us, our cars extend our personalities. If you’ve invested in custom parts or equipment for your vehicle, you’ll want to protect these valuable additions. Custom equipment coverage is an auto insurance add-on that protects aftermarket parts and accessories, such as custom wheels, stereo systems, and performance upgrades.

Contact Outdoor Insurance Services today to learn more about our comprehensive auto insurance solutions in Houston, TX, and how we can make your life easier.

What to do After an Accident: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know that it’s a traumatic experience. Not only is there the potential for physical injury, but the emotional aftermath can be just as bad, if not worse. What do you do after an accident? Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

1. Check for Injuries

The first thing you should do after an accident is to check for injuries. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 immediately. If the injuries are not life-threatening, you can still seek medical attention as soon as possible. It’s important to get checked out by a doctor, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. Sometimes, injuries don’t manifest themselves immediately but can show up days or weeks later.

2. Preserve Evidence

Once you’ve ensured that everyone is okay, the next step is to preserve evidence. If you have a camera handy, take photos of the damage to both vehicles. Be sure to get pictures of the license plates as well. It’s also good to exchange insurance information with the other driver. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information as well.

3. Call Your Insurance Company

After you’ve gathered evidence and exchanged information with the other driver, the next step is to call your insurance company. They will likely want to take a statement from you about what happened. Be sure to give them all the relevant information, but don’t speculate about who was at fault. That will be up to them to determine. Remember, they will likely have a claims adjuster who will come out to assess the damage and make a determination.

Get Auto Insurance in Houston, TX

After an accident, it’s important to take some time to process what happened and gather evidence. You should also call your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process. Outdoor Insurance Services in Houston, TX is here to help you through this difficult time. We offer various insurance services to meet your needs, so give us a call today.

4 Risks of Driving Without Auto Insurance

While auto insurance is a vital investment to have, can you imagine there are motorists in The Woodlands, TX, and other parts of America that drive without insurance? You are considered to be at the default of auto insurance if you drive without the state-required coverage or drive with none at all. While it sounds unbelievable that one can go without insurance, it happens, but the consequences are dire. Here is a rundown of the risks you incur by not purchasing auto insurance.

Be prepared to pay heavy fines and penalties 

When you fail to buy auto insurance from Outdoor Insurance Services in Texas, you will pay between $175 and $350 if you are a first offender. If you are caught with the same offense again, fines can be anywhere between $350 and $1,000. Additional penalties include license revocation and vehicle impoundment. Why would you go through this, whereas the average cost of auto insurance is close to the penalties you pay for driving without coverage?

Incur financial losses

Perhaps, this is the most common reason why you should carry auto insurance. Comprehensive and collision coverages pay for damages to your car, deterring you from financing car repairs from your pocket. Additionally, the liability coverage shields you from paying damages caused to other motorists. Without auto insurance, you are expected to cater for your damages and those you cause to other persons from your finances.

Exposure to liability claims

Auto insurance shields you from legal suits for accidents you are deemed liable. When you fail to carry auto insurance, you may have to finance legal costs, settlement claims, and other liability claims from your pocket. 

No peace of mind

While you can’t prevent accidents 100 percent, auto insurance provides you with peace of mind while driving. However, without auto insurance, you keep worrying about the eventualities of an auto accident — your ride is never calm and relaxed.

Buy car insurance today!

Are you looking for auto insurance in Woodlands, TX? Please contact Outdoor Insurance Services for an affordable quote.

Deductibles vs. Premiums: Finding the Right Balance

With just about any insurance policy you could buy in The Woodlands, TX, you’re going to find that the higher you push your deductible, the lower your premium is going to be, and vice versa.

Primarily it comes down to whether you want to pay more month-to-month or if you want to spend more when you have to file a claim. The obvious choice may be to raise your deductibles as you go. After all, the premiums are what you’re going to be paying no matter what. The deductible is what you might pay, someday. But it’s not always so cut and dry.

Generally, the rule of thumb to go by is this: Asking for a higher deductible isn’t a bad idea, but keep it down to a number that you can pay at a moment’s notice should something happen. You don’t want to be left with repairs to be made and no money to pay your deductible, which can mean no way to get to work and make money to pay your deductible.

One option is to put aside some deductible money. If you can guarantee that you always have it on hand, then it doesn’t matter how high your deductible is. But this isn’t ideal. Remember, the idea of lowering your premium is to save money. If you wind up with a deductible that’s twice what you’re saving, then you’re not saving anything. So our advice: Follow the rule of thumb. Keep your premiums low, but keep your deductible low enough to pay it right away should you need to.

If you’re still shopping for insurance, get in touch with Outdoor Insurance Services. Outdoor Insurance Services can help The Woodlands, TX drivers get the coverage they need.

5 Myths about Auto Insurance

Auto insurance myths can cause you to make costly mistakes in purchasing a policy. At Outdoor Insurance Services in The Woodlands, TX, we’ll help you separate auto insurance truth from fiction so you can make wise choices concerning your coverage. Here are five myths to watch out for when buying auto insurance coverage.

Myth: Some vehicle colors are more expensive to insure than others.

Color has no effect on the cost of auto insurance. Other aspects of your vehicle such as make and model, engine type, age, safety features, sticker price and risk of being stolen do affect the cost of your policy.

Myth: Older drivers pay more for auto insurance.

Actually, older drivers often qualify for discounts on their premium due to their driving experience. Seniors who drive less due to retirement and those with good driving records are often eligible for discounts on their policy.

Myth: Credit rating doesn’t affect auto insurance costs.

Actually, many insurers consider your credit rating when quoting you a price for auto insurance. Good credit rating shows you’re responsible in managing your finances. This level of responsibility could extend to your driving, making you less of a risk for accidents.

Myth: If another driver causes an accident while driving your vehicle, his insurance will cover damages.

In most all states, auto insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. If a friend or relative causes an accident while driving your vehicle, your insurance will be responsible for damages.

Myth: Auto insurance is optional.

Most all states require minimum auto liability coverage to cover the cost of injuries or property damage to others if you cause an accident. Collision and comprehensive coverage to protect your vehicle is optional. If you took out a loan for your vehicle, your lender may require this coverage.

For quality auto insurance at affordable costs, contact us at Outdoor Insurance Services in The Woodlands, TX.