Your driving habits can affect how much you pay for auto insurance. However, while most people know this, they do not know what specific habits can cause the rates to increase or decrease. Here are a few of the habits which affect the price you pay for an auto insurance policy.

How Many Miles Per Year You Drive

The number of miles you drive per year can have a huge effect on the amount you pay for auto insurance. Someone who drives 5000 miles per year will pay less in to insure their automobile than someone who drives 15,000 miles per year. This is because you are more likely to be involved in an accident the more you drive. Therefore, the more you drive, the more your auto insurance bill will be.

If You Obey Traffic Laws

Speeding, running red lights, failing to stop at stop signs and other traffic infractions can cause your auto insurance rates to increase. Those who have good driving habits and have a great driving record will pay far less than those who one or more infraction on their driving record.

Who You Let Use Your Car

The last habit that can increase your auto insurance rates is who you let drive your car. Many auto insurance companies are beginning to exclude or include drivers on your car insurance policy, meaning you must list who uses your car. Allowing someone with a bad driving record access to your car can cause your rates to increase.

Are you looking to purchase a new insurance policy? Then contact Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. serving the greater Little Falls, MN area. We can help you obtain the right auto insurance policy for your needs.

When it comes to adding cars to your insurance policy there are a few different things that you need to do so. For those in the Little Falls, MN area, the agents with Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. can help walk you through the process of adding cars to your policy.

The first thing you will need is the VIN number for the car. This is to help the agency do a quick search to make sure you own the car, that it is not involved in any legal proceedings, that you can insure it and to help identify it in the event of an accident. With the vin number you can start the process of adding the car to your policy.

You will also need to have the make, the model, and the year of the car so that you can determine how much coverage is needed to keep the car fully insured. You will also need the name on the registration and the address of the person that is insuring the car. All these pieces of information will help the agency to get you the policy that is going to fully insure the car so that if there is an accident, the car is going to be insured without a doubt.

In most cases, it is helpful to have all this information prior to starting the process so that you can speed things along and get your car added to the policy faster than if you have to hunt down the info at the time you are adding the car. For those in the Little Falls, MN area, the agents with Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. can help speed up the process and get new cars added to your policy faster than you could on your own.  

Even the most careful driver can be involved in an accident, requiring that he or she file an auto insurance claim. Consumers who are familiar with the claims process will have less trouble filing a claim in their time of need. By working with a Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. agent in Little Falls, MN, consumers can gain a better understanding of how to file a successful auto insurance claim.

Review Coverage

Before filing a claim, consumers should review their policy to make sure they’re fully aware of their coverage. They should know such details as amount of deductible, rental vehicle coverage and insurance limits for property damage. They should also inquire if their insurer has time limits on when to file a claim in order to get it in on time.  

Steps to Placing a Claim

Consumers are responsible to inform their insurance company when they have been involved in an accident. Their insurer will assign an adjuster to investigate the details of their accident, determine who was at fault and recommend a course of action for vehicle repairs and/or payment of medical treatment, if needed.

Some insurance companies require that car repair estimates be made at designated sites chosen by the insurer. Others allow consumers to receive repair estimates at their own vehicle repair shop.

Once a repair estimate has been done, a report is sent to the insurance adjuster for approval. If both the insured and insurer agree to the estimate for repair costs, work can begin to repair the damaged car.  

By choosing their own repair shop, consumers can have greater confidence that the work will be done right. They should request their body shop use only EOM parts for repairs to receive optimum performance from their vehicle once repairs are done. Upon completion of repairs, the insurance company will pay the bill (minus the insured’s deductible).

Even if the insured was not at fault for the accident, he can request that his insurance company cover repair costs to speed up his claim and get repair work done. The insurer can recuperate the funds later on from the insurance company of the driver at fault.  

Working with a qualified agent from Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. in Little Falls, MN facilitates the claims process so consumers can get back on the road without delay. To learn more about auto insurance coverage and claims, contact a Hanneken Insurance Agency agent today. 

Who doesn’t want to trim down an auto insurance bill without slashing away policies or boosting the deductible? If you are like most people with a vehicle, saving money without compromising the quality of your policy is important. At Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. we understand the importance of doing exactly this. Which is why we have a few suggestions on how you can save money on your Little Falls, MN insurance policy. 

Equipment Upgrade

Yes, it is possible to cut down on your insurance costs with some equipment upgrades. A GPS tracking system installed on the vehicle makes it easier for police to track before it is scrapped or sold off. A new vehicle alarm and wheel locks also can go a long way in reducing your costs. Just make sure to let your insurance provider know about these upgrades. 

Cutting Your Mileage

Your auto insurance policy is often based on how much you typically drive annually. The more you drive, the more likely you will be involved in an accident. It’s simple odds. If you find you are not driving as much annually as your policy states, you can cut down the mileage amount. This can have a direct impact on the overall cost of your insurance. 

Driving Discounts

Ask your insurance provider about discounts. From good driver discounts to good student discounts, there are many options for saving money. 

At Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. we want to make sure you have the right policy for your particular needs while saving you money at the same time. If you are considering a new insurance provider or are just curious as to how we may be able to save you money without cutting down the quality of your policy, give us a call at your convenience. We’re here to help you save money in Little Falls, MN

Winter is here and with the cold temperatures comes blizzards, icy roads and hazardous conditions. Now is the time to make sure you are ready to handle the wintry roads around Little Falls, MN by checking up on your emergency auto kit and making sure it is completely stocked. The folks at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. have created this handy checklist to make sure you have it all.

1. Shovel: The chance to slide into a snowbank, or simply struggle to pull out of a parking lot can be a reality. The handy collapsible shovel won’t take up much space and will send you on your way without calling for a tow truck.
2. Jug of Kitty Litter or Sand: To help you gain a little extra traction in an icy spot, toss some of the sand in front of the slipping wheel, wait a minute for the ice to soften and drive on.
3. Battery Charger and/or Cables: Winter is when your battery will give up the ghost as it struggles to maintain a charge through sub-zero temperatures. Your roadside assistance company might not be able to come to your rescue for hours. A portable battery charger can get you home to safety without delay.
4. Flares and Flashlight: When stranded on the side of the road in a storm, you need to help others see you. Make sure those flares haven’t fallen apart after years of rolling around the trunk and replace them if needed.
5. Blanket and Snacks: Being stranded during a blizzard is a reality around here. If conditions are too dangerous, you might be forced to wait for help to arrive. Even that scratchy old blanket you dumped in the garage will provide welcome warmth at such a time. Store some protein bars in the glove box as well.

For more safety tips and information on auto insurance in the Little Falls, MN area, give the Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. a call to talk to one of our friendly agents.