When it comes to car insurance renewal, there are some necessary steps to follow and sometimes, this isn’t always straightforward. Working with a broker who is familiar with the ins and outs of business coverage and vehicle insurance is quite favourable.

Let’s get into some specifics!

When it comes to renewing your insurance, working directly with your agent enables you to get some additional support. With direct advice from your broker, you will get a more detailed explanation of all of your insurance options.  This means you are not missing out on or overlooking any insurance coverage areas that can greatly benefit you and your business.

It’s one thing to have some vehicle insurance, and it’s another thing to have the most suitable insurance for your business. As a small business owner, you may rely on your vehicle to play a key role in your daily business operations, and that makes it even more important for you to have the best insurance for your business.

You don’t need insurance for someone else’s business – you need it for your business and your broker can help you optimize the coverage you need.

What’s more, it’s not just the initial process that your agent can help with. They are able to monitor the BC market for any changes that occur to the insurance renewal process.

In BC, car insurance has changed a lot in recent years, and having a relationship with your agent means you have someone keeping a watchful eye on these updates and informing you when it becomes necessary.

By opting to have your car insurance renewed through your agent, and someone who is already familiar with your insurance needs, this adds a personalized experience that enhances the level of service you will receive.

Leaders Insurance recognizes that startups and small businesses are continuing to grow across BC. For this reason, we know that as a business owner, you must be able to rely on your insurance agent to provide you with the best vehicle and commercial insurance.

With an individualized and straightforward insurance process, you will be able to continue to focus your energy on growing your business.

Whether venturing into another province, or crossing into the U.S., your current vehicle policy is likely to cover you for a wide range of areas. That being said, it is still highly important that you review all of the specific of your current insurance coverage, in order to determine if you are well protected.

One key area to identify is whether your car insurance has certain restrictions, such as only covering you for a certain period of time. If, for example you will be driving in the U.S. for an extended period of time, check your policy for these specific timeframes for travel.

Additionally, there may be some other limitations that could impact your coverage, depending on where you will be driving. It is always best to inquire about this with your trusted insurance agent to make sure you are fully covered for the exact trip itinerary you have planned for.

Perhaps the biggest factor to keep in mind here is that when travelling south of the border, you may want to heavily consider extending your coverage. The reason for this is that while your current coverage may be sufficient when it comes to driving in Canada, it may not be enough to offset the higher insurance payouts that are typically seen in the U.S.

For example, if you are driving in the states and are involved in an accident, you may be found liable for injury or damage to another driver and their vehicle. In this instance, you will definitely benefit from increasing the limit of your Third Party Liability insurance.

Another circumstance to consider is if you or a family member are the ones injured in a collision stateside. As a result, you may want to add on more coverage such as, Family Protection coverage and even additional Collision insurance to your policy to make sure you have enough insurance in place to meet any potential medical costs and repairs that may be required.

Should you find yourself in either of these situations, you will ultimately want to ensure you won’t have to pay these potentially steep costs straight out of your own pocket. To help alleviate this added worry, it is well worth discussing your options with your insurance agent so that you can review your current vehicle insurance policy as well as any additional areas of coverage that might apply to your specific cross-border travel needs.

Ultimately, when driving outside of BC, it can’t be stressed enough that you will want to revisit your current car insurance policy. While it is true that your Canadian policy does typically travel with you, the reality is it may not be enough to cover you to the same extend by the time you make your way onto U.S. roadways.

To help provide some extra peace of mind, it is best to take the time to reach out to your insurance agent. That way you will be able to enjoy your upcoming driving adventures to the fullest.

At Leaders Insurance, we look forward to connecting with you to go over the finer details of your current vehicle policy, as well as to ensure you are properly covered for all of your out-of- province road trip needs.

For starters, with the warmer weather fast approaching, hopefully the vehicle you will be driving has air conditioning. That said, it is a good idea to get a head start on checking that the a/c is in fact working prior to any road trips, as well as during your daily commute. If you find it isn’t, it is advisable to have it fixed as soon as possible to ensure you are staying comfortable while on the go this summer.

In addition to the air conditioning working, you’ll also need to have the car’s cooling systems inspected. When exposed to hot summer weather, vehicles are more at risk of overheating. For this step, you’ll want to be sure to have the existing coolant flushed out and refilled.  While this can be done on your own, it is also advised to check with a mechanic to ensure that this element of your car is completely up-to snuff so you can head out on the road with out this added worry.

Next on the list is to examine all four of your vehicle’s tires. It is best to inspect the tire pressure as well as to have them rotated, with proper alignment on a regular basis. It is especially important to do this once more before you head out for a longer road trip this summer.

This also serves as a good reminder to have your snow tires removed, if you haven’t already done so. Since the hot weather can damage and wear down the rubber more quickly than cooler temperatures do, having all seasonal or season appropriate tires is recommended to help meet the demands of the hot pavement and warmer temperatures.

Summer weather across BC and most of Canada is also known for rain  – and plenty of it at times. Heavy thunderstorms, as well as precipitation pf saying degrees can appear suddenly, so having your windshield wipers working properly is also critical to summer driving.

If while inspecting the wipers, you notice any wear and tear, it is a good idea to have them replaced to ensure that your visibility is not hindered when behind the wheel.

At the same time, you can check that the wiper fluid is topped up with the correct fluid for the season (not winter fluid) and that way, you won’t run the risk of running low on washer fluid midway through your outgoing.

One final method of taking proper care of your vehicle during the hottest time of the year is to keep it safe from harmful sun rays. With the sun being at its most damaging during the summer months, your car can also be impacted if left unprotected.

To help prevent damage to the interior elements, such as the seats and dashboard, you can apply wax to act as a barrier or sunscreen. Another way to safeguard the interior from heat damage is to use a windshield cover to keep your car more shaded and cooler while parked directly or partially in the sun.

Summer can be an exciting time to explore the open roads, whether you are heading out on vacation or a daily jaunt here or there. To help beat the heat and protect your vehicle from the extreme summer temperatures, it is important to prepare for this ahead of time.

Making sure that you have the best insurance policy for summer driving should be a top priority. By continuing to have a strong relationship with your insurance team, you can make the most of your car insurance as well as other insurance requirements.

At Leaders Insurance, we can’t wait to assist you with your vehicle insurance needs and to help prepare you for all of the adventures that await you this summer.

Depending on the nature of the accident and the damage to your vehicle, there are specific claims that can be filed.

In the event your car breaks down, you can file an Emergency Roadside Claim. If, for example you have expenses related to the costs of replacing a flat tire, then there are existing claims to that can help.

While some claims relate to the type of collision or damage done to your vehicle, there are others as well that pertain to what occurs during the aftermath of the accident.

Hit and Run Claims, for example can be filed whether you are the victim of the hit and run, and even in circumstances when you are the one who has witnessed the incident.

Types of claims that fall under this category include, vehicle theft as well as vehicle equipment theft. Whether it is your entire car that has been stolen or individual pieces of equipment that thieves have made away with, you can choose to file an applicable claim.

Specific to situations of vehicle vandalism, and ranging from serious scratches to unwanted graffiti art, insurance claims exist as well to help offset these kinds of repairs.

Other types of damage claims to be aware of are of the weather variety. Should your vehicle incur damages as a result of a weather event or even a fire, you can file a claim to assist with repairs or replacement

Speaking directly with your insurance agent will mean you have all the right information upfront. In addition to knowing what will be covered in each type of claim, your agent will also see to it that your claim is filed properly and as soon as possible.  Thankfully, this will also result in your car being repaired a lot faster.

While the information here represents an overview of some of the main areas of concern you may have about making vehicle claims in BC, it is also important that you connect with your insurance agent directly. That way, you can go through this process together, and they can answer any specific questions you may have about your insurance claims.

In certain events, your insurance premiums may increase, and having a direct line to your trusted agent can mean you will be kept apprised of this, as well as of any other relevant information. As a result, you can avoid being caught off guard by any major changes to your policy.

First off, a luxury vehicle has its own unique classification in the eye of BC insurers. This includes passenger vehicles with proper registration, however does not pertain to motorcycles,  recreation vehicles and trailers, as well as commercial vehicles.

Overall, a vehicle that costs greater than $150,000 will very likely be designated a luxury vehicle and likewise, will require unique insurance coverage.

From collector cars to high-value vehicles, the insurance process and nature of the insurance coverage will vary.

Vintage vehicles, for example will have their own classification as well, which is based on a set criteria. Since drivers may use these classic cars only as a method of weekend travel, or from time to time, this will play a role in the insurance policies that are designed to preserve and protect them, as well as their drivers.

The type of luxury car you will be driving will require specialized insurance to ensure you have the most appropriate coverage to meet your needs.

Depending of the exact luxury car model you are operating, the insurance coverage is also likely to differ.

Additionally, this uniquely-tailored coverage will likely require that you complete the application process, in order to secure specific coverage for your vehicle type.

On top of the basic auto insurance policies available, you will want to definitely consider adding special plans that include: damages, collision, comprehensive, well as Special Risk and Perils coverage.

Given that these higher-valued vehicles require specialized parts and in overall loftier repair costs, factoring in Special Risk insurance into your insurance is highly encouraged.

Replacement Cost Coverage, for example is one that should be at the top of the list when identifying which supplemental coverage to add to your luxury car insurance plan.

With this coverage in place, and in the event repairs are needed, this affords you the necessary funds required for the higher costs associated with using brand new parts to replace the damaged ones. Otherwise known as Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) coverage, this can also give you more peace of mind that your luxury vehicle has been restored to its previous condition.

As you look further into insurance coverage for your luxury car, it is best to seek out the expertise of your insurance company, in order to get the full picture of what to expect.

Not only can a trusted insurance agent provide the necessary information on insuring a car of higher value in BC, they can offer their specific recommendations on what insurance is right for you – and your vehicle.

In the case of a luxury vehicle application, they can walk you through the process and help you file this in a timely fashion. In doing so, you can drive your vehicle without further delay, also knowing that you have the best coverage in place.