Driving your vehicle for the first time comes with mixed emotions. You are full of worry about what could possibly go wrong but excited at the thought of driving yourself around. However, you don’t need to worry if you have taken driving classes and practiced a couple of times, but there is one thing you need to seriously put into consideration–safety. With that said, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when driving on Fort Lauderdale, FL roads.

Fasten your seatbelt

Safety begins with simple practices which you must learn to adapt to every time you’re driving. Every time you enter your vehicle, be sure to fasten your seatbelt and adjust the seat to fit your driving comfort. You don’t have to do it every day if you are the only person driving the car.

Familiarize yourself with your car

By now, you should know that cars don’t operate the same.  The location of some controls may also be different in different vehicles. Therefore, never assume that everything will be the same in all vehicles. If you are buying a new car in Fort Lauderdale, FL, be sure to know where all the controls are and practice safe driving before heading out on a busy road.

Avoid distractions

It’s easier to get distracted when you are a new driver, especially with the excitement of being on the road. To avoid losing control and potentially causing a collision, avoid using your cellphone or multitasking when driving. If you have to do something else other than drive when in your car, Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC recommends slowing down and finding a spot to park.  Similarly, avoid driving under influence, while sick, when stressed or when tired.

Assess your visibility

Before heading out, especially on a long trip in a different car, take your time to check and adjust mirrors to improve visibility. Also, make sure they are clean and all lights are working correctly in case you will be driving at night. 

Don’t forget to get proper auto insurance. If you need help acquiring one, don’t hesitate to contact Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC to help you through the process.

Your car is one of the most valuable assets you will ever own. As such, you must try everything to safeguard this treasurable investment. While car maintenance is pivotal, car insurance is equally important. 

That said, finding the right auto insurance means that you are not only in compliance with Florida laws, but it also gives you peace of mind when driving. Fortunately, Fort Lauderdale, FL drivers can be at ease knowing that they can purchase affordable insurance from Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC.

Florida car insurance requirements

The law requires you to have the below minimum auto insurance coverage:

• Property damage liability with a $10,000 limit
• Personal injury protection (PIP) with a $10,000 limit per person

Whereas the law requires you to have the above minimum coverage, you can purchase the below additional coverages for maximum protection of your car.

• Collision insurance: To protect your car in case of damage from another vehicle or stationary object.
• Medical payments: Covers for treatment and rehabilitation costs.
• Bodily injury protection (no-fault insurance): Regardless of who is at fault, this insurance covers lost wages or medical expenses after a vehicular accident. 
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury: Protects you if you are involved in an accident with a person without insurance or with inadequate coverage.
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers your car against additional risks like theft, vandalism, and damage from natural disasters. 

How much does car insurance cost?

Every car insurance has its own formula for computing car insurance premiums. However, the below factors have a say in how much auto insurance will cost you:

• Your credit rating
• Make and model of your car
• Your claim and insurance history
• Age, gender, and marital status

Are you in Fort Lauderdale, FL and its environs looking for auto insurance? Please visit us at Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC, and our specialists will help you get the appropriate auto insurance. While there is no one-size-fits-all car insurance policy, we shall help you get one that is unique for you. 

While it may seem tempting to obtain just the state minimum auto insurance, this blog explains why you need comprehensive and collision, too. We know. It seems that auto insurance costs quite a bit sometimes but here at Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC, we want you to understand why you should include comprehensive and collision insurance coverages on your auto policy.

Collision Coverage Protections

The state minimum insurance requirements only protect the other drivers and pedestrians. You need collision and comprehensive to protect your vehicle from damage from accidents you cause that damage your vehicle and storm or fire damage to your vehicle.

For example, a deer runs out in front of your car while you drive the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale, FL. You slam on the brakes, but the deer does serious damage. Collision coverage pays for the car repairs. Handy since deer carry no insurance.

Your collision coverage also covers damage from hitting a mailbox, fence, driving into the garage door, hitting a parked car, etc.

Comprehensive Coverage Protections

A hail storm hits while you have to park outside. Dents cover your vehicle. Your comprehensive coverage pays for the repairs.

Your comprehensive coverage also covers damage from other common named perils, including thunderstorms, lightning, hurricane, fire, tornado, etc. It also covers the loss of your vehicle if it gets stolen.

Contact Fort Lauderdale, FL’s Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC to learn more about the many coverages of auto insurance. Roadside assistance and personal injury protection (PIP) offer important coverage options, too. Let us help you determine which coverage types you most need and help you locate affordable options. Call us today!

Shopping for your kid’s first car insurance can be nerve-wracking, as is their transition into the freedom that comes with driving. When you choose your teen’s auto insurance from Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC, here are a few tips to consider before signing on the dotted line.

1. Add Them To Your Car Insurance

If you choose a separate auto insurance policy for your teen in Fort Lauderdale, FL, it’s guaranteed that the coverage will cost you an arm and a leg.

A teenage driver is considered a major risk for car insurance providers everywhere, and they have to instate their own form of insurance to counteract that risk. this comes in the form of high premiums and limited coverage.

A sound option is to add your teen driver to your own auto coverage. Your solid reputation as a driver coupled with your willingness to assume responsibility for your child’s driving is insurance enough to lower the rates a bit.

2. Get Your Teen A Used Car

Of course, every teen driver wants to drive a flashy, brand-new car. However, make the wise choice to hand them down a spare car from within the family, or buy them a safe, reliable used vehicle.

Brand new cars depreciate quickly. In fact, they depreciate to half of their retail worth as soon as they are driven off of the dealership lot. this is common knowledge that auto insurers are well aware of, and they rate new cars accordingly.

Purchasing a used car means that it won’t depreciate as quickly. also, if your child does have an accident, the car insurance provider has less to reimburse than if the accident happened in a brand new car. This causes the rates to be lower all around.

3. Send Your Teen To Driving School

It’s great when you bond with your child over a family driving lesson. You can still keep teaching your child how to drive. However, for better auto insurance coverage at a more reasonable rate, consider enrolling him or her in an accredited driving school.

This is more of a formality than anything else; if your child completes driving school, he or she will have the paperwork to prove their competency. Your insurance provider will consider this proof of competent driving as a decreased risk. Therefore, even if it’s a teen driver who is to be covered, he or she is knowledgeable about driving responsibilities on paper. This allows the provider to lower your overall premium rate.

Are You Ready To Buy Coverage For Your New Teen Driver?

It’s hard to let your teen go out on the road alone. However, if your teen has adequate insurance coverage, he or she will be taken care of as a driver no matter the circumstances. Contact one of our understanding agents at Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC today to discuss coverage for your teen. Visit us in our Fort Lauderdale, FL to get a quote and find the policy that works for your family.

If the rising cost of auto insurance is troubling you, take heart. There are ways to avoid overpaying for your coverage. The following tips can help you get quality auto insurance coverage at a cost you can afford.

Shop Around

Insurance is a competitive business which gives consumers an advantage in finding affordable prices. By shopping around, you can get a good idea of what auto insurance companies in the Ft. Lauderdale area has to offer. Compare services, coverage, and prices to see what deals you can come up with. Your goal should be to get quality coverage a good price.

Customize Policy

Customizing your auto insurance policy lets you choose the essential coverage you need without paying for fluff. This helps reduce insurance costs. When customizing a policy, make sure you have adequate coverage to protect you and your vehicle.  Compromising coverage for price defeats the purpose of getting insurance at all.  

Look for Discounts

See if you qualify for a discount on your policy. If you’re a senior, student, active military or safe driver, you may qualify for reduced rates on your insurance coverage. You may also be eligible for reduced insurance rates if you’re retired, have passed a driver’s ed course, have a good credit rating or drive a vehicle with multiple safety features. At Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC, we can help you determine what discounts you’re eligible for so you can take advantage of these offers. 

Bundle Policies

Bundling two auto insurance policies together can help save you money on your insurance. If you own a home in Fort Lauderdale, FL, you can bundle your home and auto to get reduced insurance prices.

To learn more about auto insurance options at affordable prices, contact Coastal Wealth Insurance LLC in Fort Lauderdale, FL.   

Florida’s roads are filled with various types of drivers. In fact, the state trails behind only California and Texas (as of a 2016 report) when it comes to total number of licensed drivers, and this isn’t even considering the fact that Florida also happens to host large quantities of driving tourists from other states every year. It is, therefore, highly important for every Florida driver to have proper auto insurance, but what exactly does the law say? If you live in the Tampa, FL area, the experts at Coastal Wealth Insurance, LLC are here to help. Here’s what you need to know about state insurance laws:

State Requirements

All drivers must display proof of auto insurance (in the state of Florida) when registering their vehicle at the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. The minimum requirements are $10,000 in coverage for Property Damage Liability (also known as PDL coverage) and $10,000 in coverage for Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Now, it is also important to realize the Florida DMV may also ask you to show proof of additional auto insurance coverage, such as that for Body Injury Liability (BIL) if your driving record shows you have already committed certain offenses. 

Getting Protected

Making sure you have the right auto insurance coverage can certainly seem like an intimidating process, but the experienced staff at Coastal Wealth Insurance, LLC are here to make everything go smoothly. Serving the Tampa, FL area and beyond, our experts will make sure your policy meets all state requirements and fits your specific needs. In addition to the required coverages mentioned above, we can also help you get further protection with collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage add-ons (for those who are interested). After all, nobody can predict exactly what will happen with so many drivers on the road. But if you have a good insurance policy, there’s no need to worry. 

If you’re at fault in an auto accident and you have the right coverage options in place, your insurance can provide a wide spectrum of protection. However, basic coverage may not be enough to pay for all the property damage and medical expenses. To understand what auto insurance will cover, it’s critical to know the features of your policy.  

The basic coverage required in Florida includes personal injury protection and property damage liability. Regardless if you’re at fault in an accident, personal injury protection will help you pay your medical expenses. Property damage coverage will pay for repairs, or replacement costs, to someone else’s property. However, the required basic coverage payouts are minimal. Working with an insurance specialist at Coastal Wealth Insurance, LLC in Fort Lauderdale, FL is key for discerning the right coverage limits for you.

In addition to basic insurance, bodily injury coverage will help pay for someone else’s medical expenses, if you’re at fault in an accident. This is a popular coverage option that can have immense benefits for you, your family, and for those hurt in an accident. The risk of financial hardship and ruin is mitigated when the appropriate coverage is in place. Additional insurance coverage, such as general liability and collision, are important to have because they can increase your protection, even if you’re at fault.

To learn more about auto insurance and how to protect yourself if you’re at fault in an accident, please contact Coastal Wealth Insurance, LLC in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Having the right auto insurance policy can protect you and your families assets while assisting you and others in recovering from an accident. Being underinsured is a risk that can be mitigated with the help of an insurance specialist.