Why an Independent Insurance Agent

Independent insurance agents give you options.

Independent agents are not captive to a direct insurance company, they have access to multiple carriers. They aren’t working for an insurance company directly so they offer the consumer multiple carriers to choose from. For consumers who like to have choices, an independent agent offers choices.

Independent agents have access to more products, which means they are a one-stop shop for all of your insurance needs. Whether you need auto, home, pet, life or business insurance, an independent agent offers the solutions you need.

Independent agents give you choices between multiple insurance companies, which gives you the power to choose the best deal. Since many factors go into an insurance quote, one carrier will likely have a different quote than another carrier so getting multiple quotes provides the consumer with options.

Independent agents are committed to you rather than a carrier. They are focused on creating a relationship with each client.

Independent agents are a great choice to help you get the best insurance deal while also being your point of contact for any insurance related questions.

Contact Us!

At Jason Wright Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 812-402-9008 or send us a note at jason@jasonwrightinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Our Newest Insurance Partner

At the Jason Wright Insurance Agency, we’ll work with you to understand your unique insurance needs. We’ll follow up with many fine insurance providers to deliver high-quality, affordable insurance options tailored to deliver the value and coverage you’re seeking.

Call us today at 812-402-9008 to get free insurance quotes.

Our newest partner:

Jason Wright Insurance is independently owned and locally operated to handle your insurance needs. We focus on the Evansville, Indiana area and offer affordable and reliable insurance choices all across Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky.

JASON WRIGHT INSURANCE AGENCY: FOR THE RIGHT INSURANCE, CHOOSE JASON WRIGHT INSURANCE. CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY AT 812-402-9008.

10 Car Insurance Questions Parents Should Ask Their Insurance Agent

When your teen is about to get a driver’s license, you need to start thinking about youthful driver insurance. Whether your teen will drive a family car or a car of their own, you still need car insurance. And like most parents, you probably have a lot of questions.

Jason Wright Insurance will try to briefly answer some of the most common questions parents have about car insurance for young or new drivers.

1. Why is car insurance for teens so expensive?

Maybe you actually have asked this question—a lot. But do you know the real answer? Simply put, teen drivers are the riskiest age group to insure.

                                                                                                                                                                   963,000 drivers aged 16 to 19 were involved in police-reported motor vehicle crashes in 2013, resulting in 383,000 injuries and 2,865 deaths (AAA).

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds (National Center for Health Statistics).

Most experts agree that immaturity and lack of driving experience are the two main factors that cause teen drivers to have such a high crash rate. Because they are new drivers, teens often fail to recognize hazardous situations and don’t respond appropriately. In addition, teens are more likely to engage in risky activities such as speeding and tailgating.

2. What Makes Teenagers More Prone to Accidents?

Teens as a group are risky drivers. In addition to immaturity and an inability to appropriately recognize risky situations, they face numerous risk factors that impact their likelihood of getting into accidents.

• Low risk perception: How many times have you said, “My teenager thinks she is invincible”? Unfortunately, this statement is often true, even when teens are behind the wheel of a car. Young drivers underestimate the risks they face and overestimate their ability to respond.

• Risk taking: Invincibility, again. Teen drivers are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors like speeding, tailgating, running red lights, violating traffic rules, making illegal turns, passing dangerously, and failing to yield.

• Skill deficiencies: Young drivers are new drivers. They haven’t yet mastered the skills they need to stay safe.

• Alcohol and drug use: Unfortunately, substance abuse is a leading cause of serious crashes among teen drivers. And teens with alcohol or drugs in their system are even more prone to crashes than older drivers who may have consumed similar substances.

• Distraction: Teens are easily distracted by many things, including having their friends in the car while they drive. In fact, the fatality risk of 16- and 17-year-old drivers is three times higher when they are driving with passengers than when they are driving alone.

• Night Driving: Night driving takes practice, and teen drivers are less experienced night drivers than their adult counterparts. In addition, teens are more likely to be tired and even under the influence of drugs or alcohol at night.

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3. When are teens added to a car insurance policy—when they get a learner’s permit, or when they get a driver’s license?

Requirements for adding teen drivers to your insurance policy vary among states and insurance companies, especially during the time a teen has their learner’s permit. Some insurance companies base their rules strictly on whether or not the teen has a license, while others base their requirements on the age of the teen. Jason Wright Insurance can help you determine when you need to report your teen driver to the insurance company.

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4. If my teen has a driver’s license but does not drive, will my insurance rates still increase?

The short answer is yes. Insurance companies have no way of knowing if your teen is or isn’t actually driving. Also as mentioned before teens are risky and unpredictable. They could jump behind the wheel of a friend’s car without your knowledge and in this case they would still need protection.

If you’re trying to keep premiums down while your teen is licensed and certain they never drive, you could have them surrender their license to the DMV. The DMV will likely provide written documentation of that surrender which can be given to your insurance company as proof. Some companies may lower your rates in this case, but the are not obligated to do so.

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5. Should I put my teen driver on their own car insurance policy to save money?

Adding a teen driver to your car insurance policy can potentially raise your rates significantly (anywhere from 20% to 180% depending on your state), but it is always best to add your teen to your family policy rather than purchase a separate policy. In one example cited by Consumer Reports, adding a 16-year-old driver to a married couple’s family policy resulted in a 250% increase in premiums. If that teen is insured separately, the rates could be even higher.

If you purchase a separate policy for your teen driver, you might be tempted to purchase insufficient coverage limits or exclude them from your other policies. This is never a good idea in a family where any driver could operate any of your vehicles at any time.

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6. Will we have coverage if my teen has an accident but is not on my insurance?

There might be coverage if an uninsured teen driver is involved in an accident, the majority of policies in the U.S. cover all members of the household without you having to report them as drivers. However, some policies may restrict coverage for family members to those that were reported to the company when the policy was put in place. If for some reason your teen was specifically excluded from your auto insurance policy, you will not have coverage for the accident.

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7. When, if ever, do teen auto insurance rates begin to go down?

Typically, teen driver insurance rates tend to drop after the driver experiences three years with a clean driving record. Depending on your state, rates may drop by 50% after three accident- and ticket-free years, with another drop after six years with a clean driving record. After age 25, car insurance rates should go down again (if the driving record remains clean).

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8. How can I save money on my teen driver insurance premiums?

Be sure to shop around for car insurance quotes for your teen, as rates vary among insurance companies. Insurance companies offer a variety of discounts that apply to teen drivers. These include:

• Good student discount
• Defensive driving discount
• Low-mileage discount
• Safety features discount
• Multi-policy discount
• Driver monitoring discount

Jason Wright Insurance can help you find an insurance company that offers a variety of teen driver discounts.

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9. How much will my car insurance premiums go up if my teen has an accident or gets a speeding ticket?

If your teen driver cannot keep a clean driving record and is instead involved in a crash or receives a speeding ticket, expect your rates to increase significantly—perhaps as much a 20% to 40%. And insurance companies are not simply punishing you; teen drivers represent a significant portion of the costs related to motor vehicle injuries in the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young people aged 15 to 24 represent only 14% of the U.S. population, but they account for 30% ($19 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28% ($7 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among females.

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10. Does the type of car that teens drive affect premium costs?

Yes, and while teen rates are always going to be high, the car you choose will help you save some money. Your teen may fantasize about a fast sports car or a powerful SUV, but the best cars for teens are mid-sized sedans. From an insurance perspective, small cars are considered less safe, while sports cars encourage speeding. Large trucks or SUVs are more prone to rollover crashes. The best idea might be to provide your teen with a somewhat older vehicle that will cost less if it is involved in an accident, and that doesn’t come with any of the inherent safety concerns of other types of vehicles.

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How to Find the Right Insurance for New Drivers

Finding good car insurance for teens and keeping rates under control is far from simple. Get your teen started on the right foot by making sure they take a high-quality drivers education course and have plenty of behind-the-wheel experience before you allow them to head out on the road.

In order to find high-quality coverage that addresses your family’s specific needs, you should work closely with a local, independent agent who has experience working with families and teen drivers. At Jason Wright Insurance, we can obtain quotes from multiple, reputable insurance companies so you can find the best combination of cost and coverage for your needs. What’s more, we will help you get all of the auto insurance discounts that your teen is eligible for.

Contact Us!

At Jason Wright Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 812-402-9008 or send us a note at jason@jasonwrightinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Summer Energy Savings

Beat the Heat — and Your Air Conditioning Bill — This Summer

Did you know that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Americans spend about $11 billion each year on air conditioning? That might not be such a surprise if you’re the one who writes the check for your household energy bill every month.

Believe it or not, you can spend less on cooling costs while still keeping cool in Evansville. Here are five things to do before you reach to adjust the thermostat:

1. Make sure your house isn’t part of the problem. If your home isn’t insulated and sealed well, warm air could be leaking in, sabotaging your efforts to cool things down. Make sure all cracks and openings are sealed, along with your ducts. The DOE says air loss through ducts can account for 30 percent of the energy a cooling system uses.

2. Keep that breeze flowing. Natural ventilation is a great way to decrease the temperature in your home without using any energy. Open windows in the mornings or evenings when the air is cool and get a cross-breeze going throughout the house.

3. Check that the heat isn’t on. You might be heating your house in the summer without realizing it. How? By using the oven, stove or other appliances that generate heat. Cook outside whenever you can, and use the dishwasher and clothes dryer at cooler times of the day if possible.

4. Create your own personal cool zone. Cooling the whole house might not be necessary if you’re only using a few rooms. Set up fans (ceiling fans will allow you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher), drink plenty of cool liquids and eat cold foods, which can help lower your body temperature. You might even consider wearing a damp shirt to stay comfortable or putting an ice pack on your forehead, the back of your neck or your wrists.

5. Don’t forget the basics. When it’s sunny outside, keep your curtains closed. Minimize your use of lights, as they generate heat. And, when the outside air is warmer than the air in your house, close the windows to keep the cool air in.

We can’t promise these tips will keep you just as cool as when you kick back and turn on the AC full-blast. But saving money every month? That’s pretty cool, too.

Contact Us!

At Jason Wright Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 812-402-9008 or send us a note at jason@jasonwrightinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Solar Panels

What to Know Before You Go Solar

Solar panels can be economically and environmentally sound, and they’re more accessible than ever. According to one research firm, U.S. homes and businesses installed a new system every four minutes in 2013.

But, is solar power right for you here in Evansville? To help you address the question, here are five things to think about before making the switch:

1. The different options for installing a solar system. Oftentimes you don’t have to foot the full cost of going solar yourself. Instead, you may be able to lease a system from a company that installs and maintains it, or enter into an agreement where a third party actually owns the system and bills you (likely at a reduced rate) for electricity. Just keep in mind that installing and owning your own system may provide the best long-term return, and tax credits or rebates may help to lower upfront costs.
   
2. Your current energy costs — and your future needs. Depending on your situation, you could have relatively low energy bills now and not be as motivated to pursue solar as someone with higher costs. But what does the future look like? If your family is growing, your energy costs are probably about to grow, too, and investing in solar might be worth your while.
   
3. The power a system would generate. Have a reputable solar company measure the amount of sun your home gets, taking into account things such as shade, trees, etc., so you can make an informed decision about expected savings.
   
4. What your homeowners policy says. With any improvement that increases the value of your home, you need to make sure your insurance policy reflects the change. Give us a call to see if your policy already covers solar panels. If it doesn’t, we can help you amend it.
   
5. Your goals. Are you mainly looking to save money? Help the environment? Both? Knowing your goals will help you determine whether solar is the right choice for you, as well as which option makes the most sense. No matter what you choose, even considering solar means you’re thinking about energy a little differently. And that’s a good thing.

Renewable power – it can help protect your from rising energy costs and even power outages, not to mention the good it does for the environment. Just be sure to consider your options and all the costs involved before making the leap.

Contact Us!

At Jason Wright Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 812-402-9008 or send us a note at jason@jasonwrightinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Car Wash-Preserving Your Car’s Value

Clean Your Way to a Longer-Lasting Car

Motor vehicle corrosion is a billion-dollar problem in the United States, according to the Federal Highway Administration. And, no wonder. Road salt, tree sap, mud, pollution and even dead bugs and bird poop all contribute to a year-round assault on your vehicle here in Evansville, potentially leading to serious damage and pre-mature aging.

Safety is also an issue. Grime across your windshield and windows restricts visibility in all directions, and even a light coating of dust or pollen can impair your vision, especially at night or when driving into the sun’s glare.

That’s why we here at Jason Wright Insurance encourage you to visit your local car wash regularly. Washing your car removes dirt, residues and pollutants that degrade your paint finish and corrode the underlying metal. It’s like anti-aging cosmetics for your automobile!

But, is hand washing at home or visiting a commercial car wash your best bet? While both lead to a clean vehicle, you’ll cut your water usage in half by going to a commercial facility and help keep toxins and soap away from street drains, which can lead to local waterways. As a bonus, some commercial facilities recycle their water.

No matter which method you choose, these five tips will help you get the most out of your car-cleaning routine:

1. Wash often. The longer tree sap, dead bugs and other gunk sit atop your paint, the more damage they can cause.
   
2. Avoid abrasive soaps, cloths and sponges that can grind dirt deeper into your paint finish.
   
3. Wash the undercarriage thoroughly to help prevent rust, especially after driving on road salt in the winter.
   
4. Don’t forget the headlights. When you’re driving at night, in the rain or through an unfamiliar neighborhood, you want every lumen of illumination you can muster.
   
5. Consider eco-friendly car soaps, such as biodegradable or waterless products, to help lighten the environmental impact of washing your car more often.

And, when you’re all done? Finish up with a good waxing to give your car extra protection and shine.

Contact Us!

At Jason Wright Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 812-402-9008 or send us a note at jason@jasonwrightinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Lightning Safety

Lightning Facts and Fallacies

The next time you see or hear a thunderstorm, you might want to take a moment to review what you know about lightning safety. Strikes are most common during the summer thunderstorm season, but they can happen at any time of the year. And, a lot of less-than-accurate ideas about lightning have found a place in the popular imagination over the years. Here’s a look at current knowledge.

Indoor Safety

• The safest place to be during a storm is typically indoors, but it is important to avoid anything that conducts electricity – metal, landline phones, appliances, wires, TV cables and plumbing.
  
• Automobiles can be safe havens thanks to the metal frame that diverts the electrical charge. Don’t lean on the doors during a storm, though.

Outdoor Safety

• Don’t look for shelter under a tree. If lightning hits its branches, a “ground charge” could spread out in all directions.
  
• Don’t lie flat on the ground. This makes you even more vulnerable to a ground charge.
  
• Don’t crouch down. Once recommended, the “lightning crouch” has been discredited – it’s not likely any safer than standing if you’re outside during a storm. Instead, get inside or into a car.

Where Strikes Will Happen

• Contrary to folk wisdom, lightning does indeed strike twice in the same place. The best example is New York City’s Empire State Building. It was once a lightning laboratory due to being struck scores of times every year.
  
• Lightning doesn’t only strike the tallest objects. Although tall, pointy, isolated objects are often hit, lightning has been known to hit the ground instead of buildings and parking lots instead of telephone poles.
  
• The presence of metal doesn’t affect where and if lightning will strike. Neither mountains nor trees contain metal, and both get struck. However, metal is a conductor of electricity, so avoid it during any storm.
  
• Strikes don’t just happen in areas where rain is falling. Even if you’re miles away from a thunderstorm, lightning can still occur.

Finally, it’s important to remember that you won’t be electrocuted if you touch someone who has been struck – the human body doesn’t store electricity. So, by all means, give a lightning strike victim first aid. You might just save a life.

Contact Us!

At Jason Wright Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 812-402-9008 or send us a note at jason@jasonwrightinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Driving Tips for Rainy Weather

7 Tips to Help You Handle Rainy Days Behind the Wheel

At some point, every driver in Evansville has to deal with rainy weather. But, many don’t know what to do, so they just drive as they normally would.

However, with slick roads, flooded streets and reduced visibility, that can be a recipe for disaster. So instead, follow these simple tips for safer rainy day travels.

1. Stay visible. Turn on your headlights so you can see — and be seen — more easily.
   
2. Be patient. Give yourself more time to get where you’re going, and give people more room. Increase your following distance two to three times.
   
3. Expect slippery conditions. Rain often combines with oil and grease buildup to create slick roadways. Not to mention you can hydroplane — meaning your tires are riding on water instead of pavement — at speeds of as little as 35 mph. If it happens, slow down, gently apply your brakes and keep steering straight ahead.
   
4. Check your car’s systems. How are your wipers? Do your blades need to be replaced? What about your defroster? Driving in the rain is hard enough; don’t do it with fogged-up windows, too.
   
5. Inspect your tires. Are they inflated properly? Do you have enough tread? Put an upside-down penny into the tread. If you can see Lincoln’s entire head, you probably need new tires.
   
6. Never drive in flooded areas. In a flood, it won’t take much water to sweep you away, believe it or not — just 12 inches for a smaller car or 24 inches for almost any vehicle, according to the National Weather Service, which advises, “turn around, don’t drown.”
   
7. Get – or stay – off the road. When conditions are really bad, pull over and take a break. Or, if you can, just stay home. You’ll probably be happier to stay out of the weather, anyway! And you’re certainly likely to be safer.
   

With a little extra care, you can help keep your car on the road and your rainy day blues to a minimum even while traveling in wet conditions. And, as always, if something does go wrong, we’re here to help guide you through it.

Contact Us!

At Jason Wright Insurance, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 812-402-9008 or send us a note at jason@jasonwrightinsurance.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

Our Newest Insurance Partner

At the Jason Wright Insurance Agency, we’ll work with you to understand your unique insurance needs. We’ll follow up with many fine insurance providers to deliver high-quality, affordable insurance options tailored to deliver the value and coverage you’re seeking.

Call us today at 812-402-9008 to get free insurance quotes.

Our newest partner:

Jason Wright Insurance is independently owned and locally operated to handle your insurance needs. We focus on Evansville, Indiana and offer affordable and reliable insurance choices all across Indiana.

Jason Wright Insurance Agency: For The Right Insurance, Choose Jason Wright Insurance. Call for a quote today at 812-402-9008.

3 Misconceptions That Can Put Your Home at Risk

Cost to Rebuild Coverage

The neighborhood, the amenities, the square footage – you carefully considered everything about your home before purchasing it. So carefully that perhaps your insurance policy was just an afterthought.

However, a home is one of the most valuable purchases you’ll make in life, so it only makes sense to protect it with adequate insurance coverage. But, what exactly is adequate for your home and why? The general rule of thumb is this: You insure your home for what it would cost to rebuild at today’s prices, using today’s building codes and standards.

In the insurance world, we generally refer to this as the “cost to rebuild,” and it’s essential to understand why it’s important. I’ve addressed three insurance misconceptions that should help.

• Misconception 1: You should always insure your home for the market value.
  The cost of labor, materials and other expenses oftentimes make it more expensive to build a house than to buy one that already exists. And, that’s why you typically insure your home for more than what you purchased it. A home you buy for $200,000 may require $500,000 of insurance to completely rebuild it. Then again, if you pay a premium for the location of your home, you may need to insure your home for less than the market value. For example, you may pay $1.5 million for an oceanfront property and be able to rebuild the home for $750,000. Your home insurance policy would reflect only the cost to rebuild, without factoring in the high value of the land.
• Misconception 2: Homeowners coverage should stay the same – or even decrease – over time.
  Your homeowners coverage shouldn’t decrease as your mortgage decreases. Just because you owe less on the home doesn’t mean it would cost less to rebuild. If you think about it, the cost of milk right now is far different than it was 20 years ago. Labor and materials go up in price as well, so your insurance shouldn’t fall behind. As you maintain and update your home, such as remodeling the kitchen or adding a deck, you should reassess your insurance coverage, too.
• Misconception 3: You’re covered if your home needs to be brought up to code during a claim.
  Not necessarily – it depends on your policy. In some instances, you may need to purchase optional coverage to handle the increased cost of bringing your home up to code or complying with local ordinances.

The last thing any property owner wants is for their insurance policy to fall short when they need it. That’s exactly what might happen if you buy into any of these insurance misconceptions.

Instead, work with an independent insurance agent to help ensure you get the home coverage you want – not too little and not too much. An estimate of what it would cost to rebuild your home from a contractor or builder in your area may help, but it’s not necessary. Your agent will talk to you about the square footage, upgrades, special features and other aspects of your home to build the policy you want.

Remember, your insurance doesn’t buy you a house. It repairs or rebuilds the one you’ve got. So, be sure your homeowners coverage reflects the true cost to rebuild.