The Importance of Auto Insurance in Columbia, IL

Becoming a car owner in the Columbia, IL area comes with great benefits, such as the convenience of easier mobility. However, owning a car also necessitates having auto insurance. This requirement serves vital purposes.

Meeting State Law Requirements

One primary reason for needing auto insurance is its requirement by state law. Like most states, Illinois mandates that every car owner maintain a specified liability coverage level. This law ensures you can cover damages in case of an accident. Failure to possess this requisite coverage can result in penalties.

Protecting Your Vehicle

Given the considerable financial investment made in purchasing a car, it is vital to protect it with the right insurance. Investing in comprehensive and collision insurance safeguards your vehicle against a wide range of risks, thereby ensuring investment protection.

Working with Taake Insurance Agency

Procuring auto insurance in the Columbia, IL area is a smart move that provides protection and peace of mind. When looking to secure such coverage, Taake Insurance Agency is an ideal partner. Our team of professionals can offer expert guidance and help you tailor insurance coverage that suits your needs, providing optimal protection for you and your vehicle.

Illinois requires every vehicle driver to carry a minimum amount of coverage. That coverage is only for the other drivers and passengers and has limits per person and per accident. If you drive in Columbia, IL, Taake Insurance Agency can help you explore your options if you consider getting additional protection.

You Are Responsible For Any Damage You Cause

If you are found to be at fault in an accident, you are responsible for paying for all the property damage and medical bills. You are responsible if the other driver needs to rent a car. If there is a lawsuit, you are the one responsible.

You carry insurance so you will not have to pay for all that yourself. Your insurance will only pay out to the policy limits you have chosen.

What Happens When You Max Out?

After your insurance maxes out, you are still responsible for all of the damages. If you cannot pay, a judge can compensate the victim in other ways. For instance:

• A judge can order that your wages be garnished until the damages are paid.
• A lien can be put on your house to force you to pay.
• The victim may be able to take your other assets, such as if you have money in a bank account.

Call Today To Discuss Your Options

Once you realize how much an accident could cost, you may feel vulnerable when driving. Most people with minimum coverage cannot pay for a serious accident. If you would like to discuss additional coverage or have any questions about Illinois auto insurance, please call Taake Insurance Agency Columbia, IL today.

As a driver, you’re only required to carry auto liability insurance. However, other situations may require you to carry more than the state-required minimum coverage. At Taake Insurance Agency, our team knows that understanding auto insurance can be confusing. It’s not easy to know what type of coverage you need. We’re here to help our Columbia, IL residents understand and explore their options.

State-Required Auto Insurance Coverage

All states require drivers to carry liability insurance. Liability insurance provides coverage for any accident where you’re deemed at fault. However, it doesn’t cover any personal injuries that you may incur. It also doesn’t cover any damage to your vehicle or personal property. Any insurance agent can help you determine if liability insurance is enough for your personal situation. If you have a car loan, lenders usually require you to carry full coverage auto insurance. 

I just paid off my late-model car. Do I still need full auto insurance coverage?

Most lenders require you to carry full coverage auto insurance if you’re financing your car. Liability coverage isn’t enough. However, many drivers are uncertain about continuing full coverage auto insurance once they’ve paid their car loan in full.

More often than not, if you own a late-model car, you should continue to carry full coverage auto insurance. Especially if you can’t afford to pay for auto accident repairs out of pocket. Generally speaking, many insurance companies recommend continuing to carry full coverage if your car’s value exceeds the cost of your deductible and your full coverage auto insurance policy. Many late-model car owners couldn’t replace their cars without a full coverage auto insurance policy. If you have questions regarding how much auto insurance you need, call us. We can help you explore your options.

Having auto insurance is a requirement in all states. However, there are different types of insurance coverage to select. Getting the right level of coverage for your specific situation is essential to help prevent losses. Anyone interested in securing top quality Auto Insurance can contact Taake Insurance Agency, serving the residents in and around the Columbia, IL area.

Auto Insurance Protection 

State-level required insurance is liability only. However, if you finance or lease your vehicle, you may be required to carry full coverage insurance. Full coverage usually refers to a combination of liability, comprehensive, and collision. However, there are other additions, such as towing, uninsured or underinsured motorists, and hospitalization. Determining the level of coverage necessary to protect yourself is vitally important. 

Our experts are highly trained to help assess your current and future needs. Once an insurance agent gets a clear picture of coverage needs, they can suggest policies that meet them. We take pride in offering exceptional service to help ensure each individual gets the auto insurance protection they need to prevent losses and reduce risks.

It’s important to know what your options are in terms of coverage and which insurance additions adequately provide the best protection. Let our team work with you to help give you peace of mind and security while out on the road or parked at home.

Call Taake Insurance Agency Today

Anyone interested in discovering more about auto insurance coverage in the Columbia, IL area can count on Taake Insurance Agency to provide reliable insurance products. Call or stop by our office today to schedule a consultation with one of our insurance agents. Don’t wait to get the auto insurance coverage you need to feel secure.

Do you have a teen driver in your household and have questions about whether or not they need their insurance policy or if they can be added to yours? The helpful agents at Taake Insurance Agency are ready to answer this and other questions from the residents of Columbia, IL.

Let us guide you through securing top-quality insurance products for your teen driver today.

Auto Insurance Coverage for Teen Drivers 

When it comes to teen driver coverage, it’s essential to know your options and which is the best for your particular situation. While having a teen driver on your insurance policy is possible, it may or may not be wise to provide them with separate coverage. This determination depends on age and various other factors.

Our insurance agents at Taake Insurance Agency are ready to help you decide which options are the best for your particular situation. Everyone is different. We work individually with each customer to assess their current auto insurance and determine if they need to make any changes or additions. 

It’s all a part of our commitment to exceptional service to ensure each individual receives the specialized attention they need to get the best protection for peace of mind. Don’t guess when it comes to teen driver coverage. Get the insight and tools available through our insurance agents to make an intelligent and well-informed decision to protect your teen driver.

Reach Out Today 

Residents in the Columbia, IL area with teen drivers in their household should seek out the services of Taake Insurance Agency to help provide great policies. We encourage you to call or stop by our offices today to schedule a consultation with one of our agents.

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s only human. But when it comes to your auto insurance, making a mistake can be costly – both in terms of money and time. So, read on to find out the five most common mistakes people make with their auto insurance and how you can avoid them. Trust us; you’ll be glad you did.

1. Not Understanding Your Policy

The first and arguably most serious mistake you can make with auto insurance is not understanding your policy. Not knowing what your policy covers – or doesn’t cover – can be a costly mistake, mainly if you’re involved in an accident.

2. Getting the Wrong Coverage

Another mistake people make is getting the wrong coverage. This can be just as costly as not understanding your policy in the first place. Make sure you know what coverage you need and get them – don’t skimp on your coverage to save a few dollars.

3. Buying the Bare Minimum

Another common mistake is buying the bare minimum coverage required by your state. This may save you money in the short term, but you could pay a lot more out of pocket if you’re involved in an accident. So, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and work with your agent to get the right coverage for you.

4. Not Reviewing Your Policy Regularly

Auto insurance policies are not static. They change over time. That’s why it’s essential to review your policy regularly, at least once a year. This way, you can be sure you have the coverage you need and that your rates are still competitive.

5. Not Shopping Around

Just because you’ve been with the same company for years doesn’t mean you’re getting the best possible rate. It’s always a good idea to shop around and compare rates every few years.

Avoid these five common mistakes if you’re looking for the best possible auto insurance coverage. And for all your auto insurance needs, contact Taake Insurance Agency in Columbia, IL, today. We’ll be happy to help you find the perfect policy for your needs.

Adding Your Teen to Your Auto Insurance

Taake Insurance Agency serving Columbia, IL understands that harrowing moment in every parent’s life when your teenager obtains their driver’s license. Your little kid makes their first foray into adulthood, and it is likely that you foot part of the bill.

You might help them buy their first car or help them pay for their auto insurance. You have two options when it comes to their auto insurance:

• add them to your own policy,
• purchase a separate auto insurance policy for them.

Which is better?

It depends on your policy, your driving record, and where you live. You should contact Taake Insurance Agency to discuss which would provide a better premium cost for you. Many factors influence how much your auto insurance costs, including your credit score. Since your child doesn’t yet have a credit score, the insurance company relies on yours.

Your costs to add them or obtain their own policy will differ. Although we are the insurance firm, we’ll counsel you to choose the option of the two that costs you less money since you will obtain the exact same coverage from either.

The vehicle they purchase will also influence the cost. Insuring them to drive the family station wagon or a good used car will cost less than if they purchase a sports car with the money from their part-time job. The vehicle you let them drive plays a large part in the cost of the insurance policy.

Contact Taake Insurance Agency today to explore insuring the new driver in your family today. We can help you find the most cost-conscious solution for your Columbia, IL insurance solution.

If you are about to invest in a car insurance policy from Taake Insurance Agency in Columbia, IL, top in your mind is the safety of you and your car. But have you ever wondered if your auto insurance covers passengers? Because at times we carry people in our cars, it’s important to know what happens in the event they are injured following an accident.

Are passengers covered in an auto accident?

There are two ways we can answer this question. First, if you have invited in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, this insurance plan can cover a certain percentage of injuries sustained by passengers. However, for the passenger to enjoy this benefit, they must show proof of not having PIP coverage on their own. Unfortunately, PIP coverage isn’t mandatory in Illinois, but it is a necessary investment to have.

The second way a passenger in your vehicle can be compensated is by claiming injuries from the other driver responsible for the accident. Since Illinois is an at-fault state, it means the person who caused the accident is responsible for the injuries of you and your passengers.

But what if you both share some fault of the accident? If this happens, you revert to the Illinois “tort” system of comparative fault. To understand this principle, let’s look at the example below.

Suppose you are at fault for 30% of the accident and the other driver the remaining 70%. If the medical bills are $10,000, you will claim 70% ($7,000) of the medical claims from the other driver.

Get more information about car insurance

Sometimes, car insurance isn’t as simple as it looks. You need an experienced insurance agent to teach you the ropes of auto insurance. If you are in Columbia, IL and its environs, please book an appointment with Taake Insurance Agency to learn more about auto insurance.

Comprehensive auto insurance in Illinois is a type of coverage that will pay for almost all things that can happen to your vehicle that aren’t collision related. If you have weather damage, tree damage, theft or fire problems, your comprehensive coverage will protect you financially.

You aren’t required to have comprehensive insurance in Illinois, unless your lender is asking for it. At Taake Insurance Agency, we want Columbia, IL residents to feel secure when they are on the roads.

What is Comprehensive Insurance?

Comprehensive insurance is the kind of insurance that covers things that collision and liability insurance do not cover in auto insurance. If your car is damaged, or you experience damages or losses as a result of something happening to your car, the comprehensive insurance will be the insurance that will cover you. It is always worth it, and the costs to your policy aren’t that severe. 

The most common claims covered by comprehensive insurance are:

• Fire
• Hurricane or tornado damage
• Theft, vandalism, or other crime
• Animal damage
• Civil unrest, such as protests or riots that lead to property damage

What your comprehensive insurance will not cover is property damage caused during a collision, or to another vehicle during a collision. It also will not cover medical costs that result from a collision. This is what your minimum insurance coverages for Illinois will cost.

Get a Quote

When you are looking for auto insurance in Illinois, contact the Taake Insurance Agency. We have been serving Columbia, IL residents for years to ensure they are covered for all of their auto insurance needs. You will never regret getting comprehensive insurance. Call us for a quote today.

Auto Insurance Tips For New Drivers in Columbia, IL

Getting your license and driving your first car can be an exciting adventure as shopping for it. You may already develop a few plans where your new ride is taking you, but have you thought about insurance? With road safety comes traffic rules and mandatory auto insurance. At Taake Insurance Agency, we help all drivers find policies that fit their budget, style, and preference. We also help make things less complicated and help you make an informed decision. With that said, here are a few insurance tips for new drivers in Columbia, IL.

Shop around

With so many insurance companies in Columbia IL, you are likely to get spoiled for choice. However, it is essential to know what you want and find reasonable prices for the same. Insurance companies have different ways of calculating premiums, therefore don’t just settle on the nearest insurance company around you. Don’t forget that cheap can also be expensive. Most inexpensive policies may have limited coverages, which may not be useful during an accident.

Know your insurance needs

If you don’t know what you want, you are likely to buy a policy that may not provide the protection you need.  For instance, if you have young teenagers driving your car, you may need more liability coverage. It is also a good idea to pack your policy with comprehensive and Collison coverages if you will be using the car often.

Look for discounts

You may already have discovered that buying insurance for the first time is not cheap. Insurance companies check factors like your driving experience, where you live, the model and year of the car, how you intend to use the vehicle, and many other things to calculate and come up with your rate.  Find ways to reduce your rates by looking for discounts and increasing your deductibles.

Looking for an auto insurance policy in Columbia, IL? Taake Insurance Agency is here to help you through the complex insurance journey. Contact us today!