Tag: auto insurance

Blinded By The Light — The Sunlight!

I’m not one to complain about sunshine — especially since gray, cloudy days are just around the corner (and yes, I’ll complain about those too). But there’s something about fall sunlight that hits different… usually right in your eyes on the drive to work. And no, it’s not in your head — it’s science. 
 
Fall Sunlight = Blinding 
In autumn, the sun sits lower in the sky, which means it’s directly in your line of sight during morning and evening commutes. Add the fall equinox shifting sunrise and sunset times, and you’ve got a recipe for glare — and potentially, disaster. 
 
You Gotta Wear Shades 
According to the National Library of Medicine, bright sunlight raises the risk of life-threatening crashes by about 16%. To protect yourself: 
• Keep your windshield clean. Dust and streaks magnify glare. Top off washer fluid and keep a spare in the car. 
• Wear polarized sunglasses. They cut glare from the sun and reflections off car windshields and pavement. 
• Use your sun visor early. Combine with sunglasses for the best defense. 
• Increase following distance. Glare can mask brake lights and traffic signals. 
• Slow down if visibility is poor. A few extra minutes is worth your safety. 
 
The Good and the Bad 
The good news: when clocks “fall back” in November, many drivers notice less direct glare during their commute. The bad news: more time driving in the dark as winter sets in. So, enjoy the sunlight while it lasts — just don’t let it blind you! 
 
 
Stay safe. Stay protected. Stay informed.  

If you want peace of mind knowing your auto insurance will be there when the unexpected happens, give us a call today. 

Author: Judy Sivy

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Phones Down: Eyes on the Road

I pass drivers all the time who are looking down at their phones. It’s scary — and it makes me wonder why we don’t talk more about how dangerous it really is. If everyone understood the risks, wouldn’t more people put their phones down and focus on the road? 

The statistics are alarming: 

Here in Ohio, lawmakers recognized the danger. In October 2023, the state enacted a “phones down” law prohibiting drivers from holding handheld devices. Since then, distracted driving fatalities in Ohio have declined by 19% (Ohio State Patrol). That’s a real, measurable improvement — and proof that change is possible. 

But statistics and laws only go so far. The reality is, we all want to keep our loved ones — especially our kids — safe behind the wheel. 

Telematics Can Be Used as a Coaching Tool 

At ProtectALL, many of the insurance companies we represent offer telematics programs that track driving habits through a smartphone app or plug-in device. For families with young drivers, these programs are more than just technology — they’re coaching tools. 

Parents can see patterns in their child’s driving, like hard braking, speeding, or phone use. Instead of waiting until there’s a ticket or an accident, you can have constructive conversations in real time to help your teen build safer habits. 

Real Savings Available 

On top of improving safety, telematics can also save families money at a time when premiums keep climbing: 

Nationwide SmartRide®, Progressive Snapshot®, and Cincinnati RideWell℠ are just a few of the programs available. Those savings can add up quickly, especially for households already stretched by the cost of insuring young drivers. 

The Bottom Line 

Distracted driving is preventable — and we all have a role to play in changing the culture around it. By combining strong laws, family coaching, and tools like telematics, we can make the roads safer and ease the financial burden of auto insurance. 

If you’d like to explore whether a telematics program is right for your family, our team at ProtectALL can walk you through your options. Together, we can protect what matters most. 

Author: Judy Sivy

Stay safe and informed. Not distracted.

Why Rental Reimbursement Coverage Matters More Than You Think

In a previous blog, I shared a personal story: my husband was hit by an uninsured driver. Thankfully, he wasn’t injured and our Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage on our auto policy was there to repair the damage to our vehicle. But that experience opened our eyes to another gap many people don’t realize exists until it’s too late: rental car coverage. 
 
UM Coverage Isn’t the Only Coverage You Need 
 
Uninsured Motorist coverage is designed to step in when the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance. It protects you financially for damage to your vehicle and injuries.  
 
But here’s the issue: it doesn’t automatically cover the cost of a rental car while your own vehicle is in the shop. That’s why you need Rental Reimbursement coverage — and if you don’t have it, or don’t have enough of it, you could be paying out-of-pocket. 
 
Is $30/day Enough for a Rental Car? 
 
Many people assume a rental car is $20–$30 a day. That might have been true years ago, but today it’s a very different story: 
• Economy/compact cars: around $50–65 per day in Columbus. 
• SUVs and larger vehicles: often $80–$110+ per day 
 
Now, compare that to what’s in most policies. Many auto policies only cover $30 per day for rental, capped at 30 days. If your repair takes longer, or the daily rate is higher, you’re left paying the difference. 
 
A Real-Life Example: Six Weeks in the Shop 
 
When my husband’s car was hit by the uninsured driver, it wasn’t a quick fix. His car was in the shop for almost six weeks. 
 
If we only had $30 per day that would have left a huge gap for us to pay:  
• Average rental cost in Columbus: $60/day × 42 days = $2,520 
• If the policy only covered $30/day (common in many policies): $30/day × 30 days = $900 
• Out-of-pocket gap: $1,620 
 
After an accident, it’s not unusual for repairs to take several weeks — especially with parts delays and body shop backlogs. 
 
So What Do You Need To Do Right Now? 
 
Review your auto policy to verify the following:  

The Bottom Line 
 
We were fortunate — our Uninsured Motorist coverage protected us from the financial impact of the accident, and we also had rental reimbursement coverage to help offset the cost of being without a vehicle for weeks. But the experience showed us just how quickly rental expenses can add up, and how inadequate coverage could leave many families with a hefty out-of-pocket bill. 
 
Call ProtectALL Insurance today and let us review your auto policy with you. We’ll make sure your coverage matches real-world rental costs, so you’re not left paying thousands out of pocket after an accident. 

Author: Judy Sivy

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We have a new carrier — Hanover!

We are thrilled the announce the appointment of a new carrier for our agency!

Hanover is a highly rated carrier with AM Best.

Hanover may be a great fit to help insure your risks. They specialize in many coverages ranging from individual personal lines like auto, home, renters, umbrella, valuables, cyber, motorcycle, watercraft as well as their own branded “Prestige” line of personal coverages for those higher value homes and auto. Their business lines of coverage are also very impressive ranging from business auto, BOP (business owner’s policy), cyber, management liability, general liability, professional liability, workers’ compensation, property, surety, and umbrella!

More coverage, more options, and more protection!

We look forward to speaking with you and seeing if Hanover is good fit for your insurable risks.

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Why You Should Always Get a Police Report — Even for a “Minor” Accident

Last week, I was sitting at a red light, minding my own business… and bam! — I got rear-ended. Lately, my husband and I seem to be on a streak of bad luck with our cars. Just a week earlier, he was rear-ended in his own vehicle. I even wrote a blog about his accident — check out the post on uninsured drivers within our blog page to read the full story. 

Thankfully, no one was hurt, but as I pulled over and started the usual post-accident routine — checking for damage, exchanging insurance info, taking pictures — I was reminded of something I’ve seen too many times in my career: 

If you skip calling the police, you’re setting yourself up for a he said / she said nightmare later. 

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: 

The police report doesn’t just document what happened — it’s a third-party, unbiased account. When things get messy, it’s the document your insurance company can lean on to settle things faster and more fairly. 

So, my advice from both personal experience and a lot of years in the insurance business: 

Because when it comes to protecting yourself after an accident, a little extra effort in the moment can save you a lot of headaches later. 

Author: Judy Sivy

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The Coverage You’ll Wish You Had: Uninsured Motorist 101

This morning, I got the kind of phone call every spouse dreads: my husband was in a car accident. Thankfully, no one was injured. But the driver who hit him? No license. No insurance. And now, we’re staring at thousands of dollars in damage to our car—damage that someone else caused, but that we’ll be responsible for cleaning up. 
 
Unfortunately, this kind of situation isn’t rare.  Ohio has some alarming stats: 
• Around 13 % of Ohio drivers lack insurance—about one in eight—mirroring the national average.  
• In some parts of Ohio, as many as 15 % of drivers are in violation of financial responsibility laws. 
• Nationally, uninsured rates have climbed from ~11–12 % pre-pandemic to over 15 % by 2023. 
 
So, when one of those drivers crashes into you, you need to ask yourself a hard question: Who’s going to pay for the damage? And that’s when uninsured motorist coverage comes to the rescue.  
 
What Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage? 
 
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is a protection built into your auto policy that steps in when the at-fault driver can’t because they don’t have insurance.  

What does it cover? 
• Medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering if you’re injured. 
• Repairs to your vehicle or property. 
 
Some states require UM coverage; others make it optional—Ohio law makes it an optional but that doesn’t mean unnecessary. If you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver, do you have thousands of dollars to pay for property damage? What if you or your loved one is seriously injured? Who will pay for the medical bills and loss wages?  
 
It Matters More Than You Think 
 
You can drive responsibly. You can carry the right limits. You can even avoid high-risk areas. But you can’t control what someone else does behind the wheel. 
 
And if you’re hit by someone who’s uninsured, you’ll be left holding the financial bag—unless you have proper UM coverage. 
 
In our case, we’re lucky we added robust uninsured motorist protection years ago. Now that it’s real—not just a line item on a policy—we’re grateful we did. It means we won’t be out-of-pocket for someone else’s mistake. 
 
How Much Coverage Do You Need? 
 
If you’ve never reviewed your uninsured motorist coverage, now is the time. A few questions to ask: 
• Do you have enough UM/UIM coverage to match your liability limits? 
• Does your policy include property damage protection as well as bodily injury? 
• Have you reviewed your deductible recently? 
 
In a collision with an uninsured driver, those answers could make the difference between peace of mind and a financial nightmare. 
 
Final Thought 
 
Auto insurance isn’t just about covering the “what ifs” you cause—it’s also about the ones you can’t prevent. Uninsured motorist coverage is the safety net you hope you never need…until you do. 
 
If you’re not sure whether your policy has the right protection, now’s the time to talk to your agent. Waiting until after the accident is too late. 
 
Stay Safe. Stay Informed. Stay Protected.  

Author: Judy Sivy

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