Agent Blog

Using a driver’s credit history as a factor in determining the price of insurance has been around for quite some time now. Many auto insurance buyers are still surprised that insurance companies can and do use consumer credit report scores to raise or lower the price of insurance.

A client just called me from the road wishing to report a broken windshield caused by a rock kicked up by a vehicle’s tire in front of him. He wanted to know whether he had glass coverage on his policy. After reviewing his coverage, I stated that his policy had a $500 Other Than Collision (Comprehensive) deductible and that he didn’t have the $0 glass deductible that some companies offer for an additional premium. He then asked me if there was anyway to go back to yesterday and change it to a zero deductible and then change it back after the windshield was fixed.

I just received a call from a client who walked into an Oregon DMV branch with a fresh printout of his SR22 certificate from Bristol West Insurance. The attendant stated he wouldn’t accept the certificate because it didn’t include a date beside the company officer’s signature. My client called me and asked what to do. I told him to return to a different window and ask to speak with someone who might appear to be a little more seasoned in the SR22 certificate format.

Your policy does not extend to a car you are test-driving. The owner of that car is responsible for insuring it until they have signed over the title to you. The same applies if you are test-driving a car at the dealership. The dealership policy covers you until you finalize the deal.