Do Auto Insurance Policies Differ If You Own an Electric Vehicle?

Understanding Insurance Policies for Electric Vehicles

In the streets of Greater Chicago, IL, electric vehicles, also called EVs, are gaining popularity rapidly. As a result, many drivers are left wondering how insurance policies for such vehicles differ from those of traditional gasoline-powered cars. Here, we at NCIB Group Inc. aim to dispel any confusion.

Coverage Similarities

Luckily, many aspects of auto insurance for electric vehicles are similar to those for conventional cars. Basic insurance coverage elements like liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance typically apply to both types of vehicles.

Differences in Premiums

However, one significant difference lies in the premium costs. While EVs can be more expensive to insure due to their higher repair costs and specialized parts, some insurance companies offer discounts or incentives to electric vehicle owners. These discounts could be based on the vehicle’s safety features, its environmental friendliness, or a driver’s conscious decision to opt for an EV, reducing the risk of accidents.

Specialized Coverage

Some insurance providers offer specialized coverage options explicitly crafted for electric vehicles. This coverage could include things like charging stations, battery replacements, or damage related to electrical systems.

Maintenance Considerations

An important consideration is maintenance. While electric vehicles generally have fewer moving parts compared to traditional ones, repairs and replacements for components like batteries can be expensive. Therefore, ensuring your insurance policy adequately covers these potential costs is crucial for maintaining peace of mind.

In conclusion, while there are similarities between auto insurance for conventional and electric vehicles, certain notable differences exist. Reviewing your policy carefully and considering specialized coverage options for your electric vehicle is important. If any question arises or assistance is needed with your insurance coverage, don’t hesitate to contact NCIB Group Inc., serving the Greater Chicago, IL area.

Should I invest in more than auto liability coverage if I own my car?

For many, paying off a car loan or lease is a huge relief. The financial sacrifices you make to pay off a car loan or lease can be difficult. As a result, many breathe a massive sigh of relief to be free from this financial obligation. Our team at NCIB Group Inc. is committed to helping Chicago, IL drivers get the coverage they need.

What is Auto Liability Insurance?

Auto liability insurance is the minimum required for all drivers by state law. Liability insurance covers you as a driver if you are found responsible for an accident while driving. Liability auto insurance provides coverage for injuries you may cause to others and property damage coverage. Illinois requires all drivers to carry $25,000 for personal injury coverage per person and $50,000 per accident. Illinois drivers must also carry $20,000 in property damage coverage. 

I own my car. Should I invest in more than auto liability coverage?

If you don’t have a car loan and aren’t leasing your car, you can carry liability insurance and nothing more. However, this may not be a wise choice. Auto insurance has the liability to save drivers a lot of money. Often, the rule of thumb is to drop full coverage auto insurance once your premium is greater or equal to the appraised value of your car. In short, when your vehicle is worth less than the cost of your full coverage auto insurance, it may be a good idea to discontinue. If you have questions about auto insurance, call us. We’d be happy to answer all of your questions and help you explore your options. 

Questions to Ask an Agent About Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is mandatory in the state of Illinois. Therefore, if you are a car owner, you will have to have a proper auto insurance policy to drive your vehicle. However, there are hundreds of insurance options to choose from, and it might be overwhelming to find a policy that would address your individual needs. If you are currently shopping for auto insurance in Chicago, IL or any other town in Illinois, here is a list of questions you should ask an insurance agent. 

Questions to Ask an Insurance Agent

You should always ask the following questions:

  • How much coverage do I actually need? There is a minimum amount of liability coverage you have to carry to comply with state law. However, you may need additional coverage for better protection. You should ask an insurance agent this question to be guided through coverage options and make the right choice. 
  • Are there any discounts available? You might be eligible for specific discounts, including multi-car, homeownership, and good student discounts. Ask an insurance agent about them. 
  • What deductible should I choose? The deductible is the amount an insurance holder must pay out of pocket before their insurance kicks in to cover the rest. If you ask an insurance agent about it, they will explain how the deductible affects your premium. 

Do not hesitate to ask more questions and get as much information as possible. This will help you avoid mistakes when choosing auto insurance. 

NCIB Group Inc. – Insurance Agency in Illinois That You Can Trust

Do you live in Chicago, IL, or any other nearby town and own a car? You should consider carrying proper car insurance. Since choosing the right policy might be more complex than you think, an experienced and reliable insurance agency NCIB Group Inc. is ready to assist you. Feel free to visit our website to get more information, or give us a phone call. 

Questions You Should Ask When Searching For Auto Insurance?

Regarding car insurance, it might be challenging to find a perfect insurance plan, especially if you have never done it before. There are many things to consider, and you should not walk into the process blindly. If you are currently searching for auto insurance in Chicago, IL, or any other nearby town, here is a list of questions you should ask an agent:

What Should You Ask an Insurance Agent?

The list of the most important questions should include the following:

  • What types of coverage do I need? Liability coverage is required by law, but there are other types of coverage to consider, including comprehensive, collision, uninsured and underinsured, personal injury protection, and others. 
  • What is my deductible? There is a certain amount you have to pay before insurance kicks in, It is called a deductible. The higher your deductible is, the lower your premium is. It is crucial to decide on the deductible amount before buying insurance.
  • Is there a 24-hour claims service? Getting into a car accident is very stressful. If that happens, you want to ensure that your insurance has a 24-hour claim reporting service so that you can reach out to them anytime. 

NCIB Group Inc. in Chicago, IL – An Insurance Company You Can Rely On

If you are looking for an insurance company in Chicago, IL, or any other nearby area, NCIB Group Inc. is the one you should contact. We specialize in all types of insurance, including auto insurance, and we will help you find a perfect plan based on your insurance interests and needs. If you have any questions or want to know more, feel free to call us. 

Three Steps to Take after a Car Crash

If you own a vehicle, you may know the financial risk that may exist when you are involved in a road accident. Auto Insurance is a requirement for motorists in almost every state, for instance, in Chicago, IL. At NCIB Group Inc., our mission is to ensure you have auto insurance coverage for your unique car insurance needs.

Automobile accidents occur, even to careful drivers. However, if an accident happens, there are specific steps you can take to protect yourself. The following are three steps you can take after a car accident:

Ensure everyone is safe

The first thing to do after a car accident is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Call 911 to get an ambulance to the scene if anyone is injured. Also, inform the police since it’s a requirement in Chicago, IL.

Moreover, the police will provide you with an accident report for your insurance company. After the accident, ensure everyone is in a safe location to protect them against further injuries. It could involve:

  • Moving everyone to the roadside
  • Putting on your hazard lights
  • Use your phone light or a flashlight if it’s dark
  • Setting up flares around the scene to alert other motorists about the accident

Exchange information and assess the scene

Once the safety of everyone is ensured, assess the accident scene and exchange information with the other motorists involved: exchange auto insurance information and contacts with the other drivers. The information will help if there are any compensation claims related to the accident.

To collect evidence, take pictures of the scene using your phone. Take pictures of:

  • Injuries of passengers and your own
  • Damages to the vehicles
  • The entire accident scene

Decide if you want to file a claim

You are not required to file a claim if the car accident was your fault. If the other driver is responsible, you must file a claim with their insurance company. After the accident, inform your insurer; they will file the claim on your behalf.

However, you still utilize your insurance in some instances, even though the accident was the other motorist’s fault. After an accident, our insurance agents at NCIB Group Inc. in Chicago, IL will guide you through the insurance claim process.

Contact NCIB Group Inc. in Chicago, IL for Auto Insurance

It’s advisable to have good auto insurance coverage for your vehicle to protect yourself after an accident. At NCIB Group Inc. in Chicago, IL, we are ready to offer auto insurance coverage solutions that fit your budget. Contact us today, and our agents will help you choose an auto insurance cover according to your needs.

Does auto insurance cover a rental vehicle

If you are heading off for a much-deserved vacation and flying, you will most likely need a rental vehicle when you arrive at your destination. The questions of what kind of insurance you need to purchase and the amount of insurance is vital for your peace of mind. At NCIB Group Inc. in Chicago, IL, our agents have the answers you need. We put the needs of our customers first, and we go the extra mile to make sure your coverage is customized to your fitting. 

Not every auto policy will cover a rental vehicle. It depends on whether you have full coverage or you have basic coverage. Call your insurance agent and ask if you have any questions about exactly what kind of coverage you have. They will have the answer you need. 

Liability coverage is what you have if you have a basic policy. This means you won’t need to purchase additional liability coverage, but you may not have any coverage to protect the vehicle. One way to make up for that is to talk to your credit card company. You may have rental vehicle coverage as a perk of your card.

If you have any insurance that covers what you own, like home insurance, renters insurance, or condo insurance, you don’t need to purchase insurance to cover the theft of your property because you already have that. 

If you are concerned about the amount of coverage you may have, the CDW that the rental car company offers takes all the responsibility away from you. It does add a lot to the cost of your rental, but it also provides a lot of peace of mind. 

Contact NCIB Group Inc. in Chicago, IL with all your auto insurance needs.

What to do if you are stranded on the roadside

Auto safety is a top priority for the team at NCIB Group Inc. If you are living in the Chicago, IL area, you know just how important road safety can be. Here are a few tips to help keep you safe when you are out on the road!

Roadside safety

The first thing to do if you find yourself stranded on the roadside is to immediately get to safety. Once you are out of harm’s way, you can telephone for medical assistance, towing services, or both. If you or anyone involved in an accident is severely injured, call 911 right away.

Once you are safe and have notified the necessary parties, be sure to double-check that you are in a safe location. It is advisable to always have an emergency kit in your vehicle, especially during the winter months. Make sure that you are warm enough if it is cold outside, or that you have your windows down if it is warm.

Roadside assistance services will come in handy if you ever find yourself stuck on the roadside, whether due to an accident or a breakdown. Fortunately, many comprehensive auto policies available in our area do offer roadside assistance features. Having this service can help turn a fiasco into an annoyance and help to keep you safe!

Let us help you with all of your insurance needs

NCIB Group Inc. is here to serve the insurance needs of the greater Chicago, IL area. If you want to make sure you have the auto coverage you need or have any other insurance questions, call or stop by our office today!

Do people in Chicago need auto insurance?

Those that live in the Chicago, IL area will find that vehicle ownership makes it easier to get around the city. While there is a strong public transportation system, owning your vehicle does come with some convenience. Along with a vehicle, you also need to choose a proper insurance plan. Vehicle owners here need to have an auto insurance plan for a few reasons. 

Coverage is Required by State

A reason you will need to have this coverage is that it could be a requirement by the state. If you are going to buy a vehicle here, you will want to know you are in compliance with all laws when driving it. In Illinois, this means that you will need to carry liability coverage. If you do not have this protection, you could be penalized and will also be responsible for any damages you cause in an accident. 

Coverage Needed for Proper Protection

Even if it was not a legal requirement, you will still want to have this insurance protection. An auto insurance plan is the best way that you can protect your vehicle. If you do not have this coverage, you could incur a serious loss if your vehicle is involved in an accident, or it is stolen. 

In almost any situation, a vehicle owner in the Chicago, IL area will need to have an auto insurance plan. If you are looking for coverage here, it would be a good idea to work with NCIB Group Inc. There are a lot of choices you need to make when looking for coverage and NCIB Group Inc. can make it easier for you. The team here is able to do this by assessing your situation and giving the support you need to choose a new plan. 

When To Shop For New Auto Insurance

Getting the best deal on your auto insurance is critical to your budget. Auto insurance is unique also because it is one of the few expenses you will ever have, which is required by law. This makes it even more important that you are always getting the best deal. At NCIB Group Inc., serving Chicago, IL, we make it a priority to help customers learn as much as they can about insurance products to make great insurance decisions. Let’s talk about when you should shop for new auto insurance.

Purchasing A New Car

When you purchase a new vehicle, it is important to shop around and compare the car’s rates. If you will be financing the car, it is almost always required that the vehicle be fully covered as part of the purchase.

Getting Married

If you are about to get married or have recently gotten married, this is a great time to shop for new auto insurance. Married couples can often get important discounts. You can also simplify your monthly expenses by having one insurance policy instead of two. 

Adding A New Driver

If you have a teenager who is ready to drive, you will need to add them to your auto policy. This can change your rates dramatically. To get the best deal, you will need to compare rates from different companies. Be sure to talk about important discounts for driver’s ed and good grades. 

Annually

If none of these life changes are coming up, it is still good to shop for new auto insurance about once a year to always make sure you are getting the best deal. 

If you would like to learn more about our insurance products, please contact us at NCIB Group Inc., serving Chicago, IL.

Do I need auto insurance in Chicago?

The Chicago, IL area is one of the largest metro areas in the entire country. To ensure that you can get around it efficiently, you should consider purchasing a car. When you are going to purchase a vehicle here, you also need to get the right insurance. There are several reasons why a car owner here will need to get an auto insurance plan here. 

Insurance is Required by the State

Car owners in all areas of Illinois will need to get insurance because it is a requirement set by the state. Like other areas of the country, those in Illinois will need to carry liability insurance at all times. This coverage ensures that you will have the capacity to pay for damages you may cause during an accident. If you do not maintain this coverage, you could face a variety of penalties. 

Insurance is Required by Lender

Many choose to take out auto loans when they buy a car. If this is your situation, you need to comply with your lender’s insurance requirements. Most of the time, this will include having a full collision and comprehensive insurance plan. This coverage ultimately protects the lender as it ensures you could repair or replace your car if it is stolen or damaged. 

As you look for an auto insurance plan in the Chicago, IL area, it would be wise for you to call the NCIB Group Inc. The insurance team with the NCIB Group Inc. understands the value that this insurance creates. They can help you by answering your questions, providing you with insight into your various options, and building you an insurance plan that is right for your situation and keeps you in compliance with all of your requirements.