Author: Richard H. Adler

As a law firm whose practice is devoted exclusively to personal injury cases and insurance issues, clients, friends, community members, and business associates often ask us which insurance company has the "best rates" for automobile insurance.

The answer to this question depends on an individual's specific concerns and insurance needs. When selecting your automobile insurance company, it is generally a good idea to "shop around" because of the wide range of premiums charged by different companies for essentially the same coverage.

A recent survey completed by the Washington Insurance Commissioner's Office provides useful information for comparing automobile insurance rates among different insurance companies. Take a few minutes to read the enclosed survey. It may save you some money. This survey reviews the automobile insurance premiums charged by insurers in six different geographic locations including Everett, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, and Yakima.

How much are you paying now? Simply pull out the cover sheet or declaration page of your insurance policy and compare that premium to what is offered by other insurers.

DID YOU KNOW?

• While liability automobile insurance is mandatory in Washington state, there are many individuals who still remain uninsured. You want to make sure that you have adequate "uninsured motorist" coverage for your car, health care bills, lost income, and other costs if you are injured by an uninsured motorist.


• If you have an accident and are not pleased with the service you receive from your insurance company, you are free to switch your insurance to another company. You do not need to wait until the next renewal date to change insurance companies. The automobile insurance policy in effect on the date of the accident will still be responsible for paying the insurance benefits you purchased.


• It is a good idea to make sure your insurance policy carries Personal Injury Protection (P.I.P.) coverage. This insurance provides front-line protection for you and your passengers. Payment of these benefits does not depend upon which party is at fault. P.I.P. coverage includes protection for reasonable and necessary health care expenses, partial wage loss, and reimbursement for some household help expenses. P.I.P. can be purchased in different increments. For example, it can cover all reasonable, necessary, and accident-related health care bills for one year or up to three years. Also, P.I.P. can be purchased to cover health care bills in the amount of $10,000.00 or up to $35,000.00.


• Insurance companies have different methods of rating each driver and the type of coverage offered. One company may have the lowest price for a married couple, yet be comparatively higher for a single male or female. Many factors, including where you live, your age, sex, marital status, driving record, discounts, surcharges, or make and model of the car can affect how much you pay for automobile insurance.

We hope you find this information helpful.

Very truly yours,
ADLER GIERSCH, P.S.

Richard H. Adler
Attorney at Law