Choose The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA, for your auto insurance needs. Our strong dedication to finding the best individualized insurance coverage lets you hit the road confidently. We value top-notch customer service, with our highly competent team ready to guide you through all possible driving scenarios. Our commitment to expert knowledge and custom-fit solutions means you’re well-protected in your vehicle. Trust The Shay Agency as your reliable insurance partner for a worry-free driving experience.

Understanding the Impact of Accidents on Your Auto Insurance Rates

Several factors must be considered to understand an accident’s impact on your auto insurance rate. At The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA, we include the impact duration and the accident’s severity. For minor fender benders, your premium might increase for three to five years, while more serious accidents can have ongoing implications.

Insurance companies often examine your driving record and details of the incident before determining the rate hike’s duration. The frequency and fault of accidents also play a significant role in how long accident rates will affect your insurance premium. Therefore, timely communication with your insurance provider and seeking solutions to reduce premiums after an accident become vital to minimizing your insurance costs over time. Preserve a clean driving record and handle any issues promptly with your insurer – these actions will gradually lower your auto insurance rates.

Enjoy Top-Tier Auto Coverage with The Shay Agency

Contact us at The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA for personally tailored, high-quality auto coverage. Our expert team can assist you in finding the perfect insurance solutions to ensure you have the protection you deserve. With The Shay Agency’s commitment to excellence, we promise a seamless, stress-free experience in securing the coverage that fits your needs just right. Contact us today and enjoy peace of mind on the road.

Every Wilkes-Barre, PA driver must carry liability insurance. The state requires a minimum amount of coverage you must carry, and failure to do so can result in serious consequences. Even if you are found to be not at fault in an accident, you face serious potential penalties if the officer discovers that you are uninsured, including fines, license suspension, and registration suspension. But even carrying the required insurance does not protect you from everything. The Shay Agency can help you ensure you have the coverage you need.

Liability Insurance Is Limited

If you only carry liability insurance, you only have coverage for the victims if you are found to be at fault in an accident. Liability insurance does not cover your own damages in an accident, and it does not cover other circumstances.

Comprehensive Coverage

You can benefit from comprehensive coverage if you are concerned about theft or vandalism. Comprehensive coverage protects your own vehicle if you are a victim of theft or vandalism. There is also coverage for damages incurred if you hit an animal while driving or if your car is injured during bad weather, such as from a tree limb.

Collision Coverage

Suppose you are also concerned about having protection for your own vehicle. In that case, collision coverage will pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or even a tree.

Contact The Shay Agency for All Your Insurance Questions

The minimum amount of insurance may not be enough to protect your assets if something happens. We can help you find a policy that offers the protection you need. If you would like to compare policies or have any questions about Wilkes-Barre, PA insurance, please call The Shay Agency today.

As your dedicated auto insurance partner in the greater Wilkes-Barre, PA area, The Shay Agency wants you to hit the road confidently and return home with nothing but cherished memories. Here are our top tips to minimize accidents on your holiday road trip. 

1. Vehicle Check-Up: A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

Ensure your vehicle is road-ready by scheduling a pre-trip check-up. This includes inspecting brakes, tires, fluids, and lights. A little maintenance goes a long way in preventing unexpected breakdowns.

2. Plan Your Route: Navigate with Care

Before setting off, plan your route and familiarize yourself with potential traffic and construction areas. Knowing what lies ahead allows for smoother navigation, reducing the likelihood of last-minute lane changes or sudden stops.

3. Rest Well, Drive Well: Combat Driver Fatigue

A well-rested driver is a safer driver. Plan breaks in your journey, especially during long stretches. Fatigue contributes to accidents, and regular breaks help keep you sharp behind the wheel.

4. Weather Wisdom: Adapt to Conditions

Check the weather forecast along your route and be prepared for changes. Rain, snow, or fog can affect driving conditions. Adjust your speed and driving style accordingly, and always remember: it’s better to arrive late than not at all.

5. Defensive Driving: Your Best Insurance

Practice defensive driving techniques. Stay aware of your surroundings, maintain a safe following distance, and anticipate the actions of other drivers. Vigilance on the road is your best defense against accidents.

Remember, your safety is our priority at The Shay Agency, serving the greater Wilkes-Barre, PA region. Drive responsibly, and let’s make this journey memorable for all the right reasons. Contact us today if you’re looking for a new auto insurance policy or quote. 

As your life evolves, so do your auto insurance needs. For residents of Wilkes-Barre, PA, staying on top of these changes is crucial for maintaining adequate protection. The Shay Agency is here to help guide you through the process of evaluating and updating your coverage to suit your current circumstances.

Life Events That May Impact Your Auto Insurance

Many life events can trigger the need to reassess your auto insurance coverage. Some common examples include:

1. Purchasing a New Vehicle: If you’ve recently bought a new car, updating your insurance policy to reflect the change is essential. You may need to adjust your coverage levels or consider adding optional coverages, such as GAP insurance, for better protection.

2. Adding a Driver: Whether you have a new teen driver or another family member joining your household, adding them to your policy is a must. An experienced agent can help you understand the implications of adding a driver and recommend any necessary adjustments to your coverage.

3. Moving to a New Location: Relocating within Wilkes-Barre, PA, or beyond may affect your insurance premiums and coverage needs. Different neighborhoods or states can have varying risk factors, impacting your rates and coverage requirements.

4. Significant Mileage Changes: If you’ve changed jobs, retired, or started working from home, your daily commute may have changed significantly. Updating your policy to reflect these changes can ensure you’re not overpaying for coverage or lacking the necessary protection.

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. We are here to support you through every stage of life, offering guidance and expertise in adjusting your auto insurance coverage to suit your evolving needs.

Are you experiencing life changes that may impact your auto insurance needs? Contact The Shay Agency today to schedule a policy review with our experienced agents. We’ll help you find the right coverage to protect you, no matter what life throws your way.

The auto insurance agents at the Shay Agency serve the Wilkes-Barre, PA area and want drivers to be aware of the minimum amount of auto insurance coverage they need to have in Pennsylvania.

Minimum Amount of Coverage in Pennsylvania

Under Pennsylvania State laws, all vehicles must be registered, and the owner must have a minimum amount of auto insurance. This includes a minimum amount of bodily injury liability coverage and a minimum amount of property damage insurance. Each driver should also have first-party benefits along with uninsured motorist coverage and uninsured motorist coverage. Drivers can request to be able to drive without uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage and may be granted that exemption.

Other Auto Insurance Options

There are many other auto insurance coverage options that drivers can choose from:

Comprehensive Coverage

If you own a vehicle, having comprehensive auto insurance coverage in place is a good idea. This is because you never know what may happen in the future, such as a natural disaster. If your vehicle is destroyed or damaged by a tornado or other natural weather event, you will want to have it replaced or repaired immediately. This type of insurance will help you achieve that. Comprehensive insurance coverage will also assist you in replacing your vehicle, repairing fire damage, vandalism, or if it is stolen.

Collison Insurance

Collision insurance is a great coverage to have because you never know when you are going to collide with another vehicle or a stationary object .Your lender may require both collision and comprehensive coverage if you still owe money for your vehicle.

Contact Us

To ensure that you have the appropriate amount of auto insurance coverage, contact the experienced and knowledgeable auto insurance agencies at the Shay Agency in the Wilkes-Barre, PA area today!

When you think about auto insurance, it is easy to think about the minimum requirements that most states have in place. The type of auto insurance that is required at a minimum is liability insurance. Although liability is a part of auto insurance coverage, other types of auto insurance are also available. So the question is, what types of auto insurance coverage are available?

Liability coverage

This is the type of coverage required to have a licensed driver in most states. Liability insurance covers other people if you are in an accident and are at fault. If you damage other people’s property or someone is injured due to your driving, it can help pay for medical bills, damage replacement costs, and in the event of a lawsuit.

Comprehensive and collision coverage

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle in the case of natural disasters, vandalism, theft, and anything that isn’t a collision with another car.

Collision insurance helps pay for damage to your vehicle related to an accident with another car.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

Sometimes, when you get into an accident, the other driver either doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages or does not have insurance coverage. This is where uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage comes in. If the other driver is at fault but doesn’t have the right amount of liability insurance, then your insurance coverage takes care of the damage done by the driver at fault.

Medical payments coverage

Medical payment coverage helps pay for some of your medical costs if you are injured in a car accident. Unlike liability insurance, this coverage type will help pay for medical expenses for you, whether you are at fault or not.

Contact Us

Contact us at The Shay Agency in Wilkes-Barre, PA for more information about auto insurance policies.

When you visit The Shay Agency serving Wilkes-Barre, PA to buy auto insurance for the first time, you might find it surprising to learn about the many factors that affect your auto insurance cost.

Those ads you see online tell the truth. For most people, even full coverage auto insurance costs little money per month. Your first time might not feel that way.

The first time you buy auto insurance, you present an unknown quantity to the underwriter. Your auto insurance policy varies in cost based on the following important factors.

1. Your credit score

If you just gasped because you didn’t know that your credit score affects the cost of your insurance at all, sit down. It offers one of the most influencing factors. Your credit score tells the underwriter how large a risk you present. Individuals with high credit scores always pay their bills on time and manage their credit well. This indicates a responsible nature to the insurance underwriter and company, meaning you present less risk than someone with no credit score or a low one.

2. Make and model of your vehicle

Insuring a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe costs less than insuring a 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid. Age doesn’t always control the cost, though. For example, you’d spend more to insure a 1970 Plymouth Fury or 1963 Corvette Stingray than you would a 2022 Chevrolet Spark E or Bolt.

3. Your Zip Code

Your location, specifically where you park your vehicle, heavily influences your insurance rate. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, you’ll typically pay more for insurance premiums.

What Doesn’t Affect Your Rates Any Longer.

Some states make it illegal to consider gender or marital status in determining your insurance cost. If you reside in the state of Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, or Pennsylvania, your insurer can’t consider your gender in setting your insurance rates. If you moved to Pennsylvania from the state of Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, or Montana, you might find it surprising that insurers here do set rates based partially on marital status.

Contact Us

Contact The Shay Agency serving Wilkes-Barre, PA for more information on auto insurance. Let us help you obtain your first-time Pennsylvania auto insurance.

Most states require drivers to purchase auto insurance that meets the state minimum insurance requirements. Whether or not the state minimum requirements are enough for all drivers varies from situation to situation. However, there are a few pointers that help to determine the answer to this question. Our team at The Shay Agency can help Wilkes-Barre, PA residents determine how much auto insurance they need.

What are Pennsylvania’s State Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements?
Pennsylvania drivers must carry bodily injury and property damage liability coverage at $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. Drivers must carry personal property damage liability in the amount of $5,000. Conversely, Pennsylvania drivers can reject or opt-out of carrying uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. 

Is Pennsylvania’s State Minimum Auto Insurance Requirement Enough for Your Car?
Our team at The Shay Agency understands that determining the necessary limits on your auto insurance can be tricky, so you should speak with a licensed insurance representative. 

However, there are some situations that would suggest you need more than the state minimum auto insurance to drive your car. If you have a car loan, it’s often mandatory to carry full coverage auto insurance. This is a safety net for the lender. Should you have an accident, or some other unforeseen event, the lender’s investment can be financially recouped. Although it’s not a state requirement, it may be a requirement for the lender.

Also, full coverage auto insurance is required as well when you’re leasing a vehicle.

On the other hand, if your vehicle is paid off, the minimum requirements are all you are required to carry. However, you may choose to carry more depending on your particular situation. Give us a call. We can help you determine how much auto insurance coverage would be beneficial for your unique situation. 

For whatever reason, your car insurance policy lapsed, and you aren’t sure what to do about it. Thankfully, we at The Shay Agency can help you. We understand what happens when your policy lapses and can help Wilkes-Barre, PA residents work through this difficulty. 

What is Considered a Lapse 

An auto insurance lapse can occur for legitimate reasons, such as getting a new policy option, when your registration expires, or if your car is repossessed. However, many more lapses occur because people do not make their payments on time. It may also lapse if you get into too many serious accidents. 

When your car insurance policy lapses, you may end up experiencing things like a suspended license, suspension of your vehicle’s registration, various fines and fees, and much more. As a result, it is crucial to take steps to reinstate your policy or find a new one as soon as possible. 

Reinstating Your Policy 

If your policy lapses for any reason, you need to find a new policy to get protected. However, some companies may refuse to cover you if you’ve lapsed. You may need to go through a high-risk insurance company at this point, which usually requires you to pay more for your policy. 

As time passes, you can typically transition to better policies with lower premiums and better deductibles. However, the amount of time required for this recovery will vary. Some people may get excellent premiums in a few years, while others may need to stay with this policy provider for years. 

Work With Us to Get Help 

If your policy lapsed, and you need help finding a policy, contact us at The Shay Agency right away to learn more. We’ll take a look at the different options available for your Wilkes-Barre, PA vehicle and will strive to cover you as fully as possible.