Auto insurance or car insurance is basically divided into different categories depending on the number of ways in which they provide you protection. This includes:

• Liability coverage: In this case, you get insurance coverage when it is your fault due to which the accident has occurred. The money will be provided to the people whom you have hurt in the accident. However, coverage will not be applicable on the people traveling in your car.
• Bodily Injury Liability (BIL): Here, the medical expenditure of the people hurt in an accident by you is paid for by the insurance company.
• Property Damage Liability: In this instance, the insurance company will pay for the harm done to the other car by you in the accident.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This will provide for the medical expenditure incurred by you and the people traveling in your car when the accident occurred. Some policies also provide for the lost wages if you have to take leave from work due to accidental injuries.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This type of coverage is beneficial to cover costs if someone without an insurance policy hits you in an auto accident.
• Comprehensive: This is a policy wherein you will be given coverage if any damage to your car happens due to reasons other than an accident. This includes insurance cover for theft as well as any other damage.

As far as the Personal Injury Protection policy (PIP) is concerned, you probably should not be shelling out too much of money for that. A health insurance as well as disability insurance from your employer is good enough in this case. However, you must ensure that you have the requisite coverage against uninsured and under-insured drivers. Getting this type of insurance cover will not prove to be a very costly proposition for you.

On the other hand, comprehensive coverage is a must if you want to get your damaged car repaired after the accident. This policy also holds benefit if you want to outright buy a new car after the auto accident. However, there are deductibles and remember that you will be paid the insurance depending on the present value of car. Therefore, it is a wise option to select the highest deductible that is affordable on your pocket. Choosing a higher deductible is beneficial because it will bring down your premium.

In conclusion, it can be said that how much car insurance you require will depend on your finances as well as requirements. Get the best deal that is most beneficial in the longer run and provides satisfactory relief in case of an unfortunate incident of a car crash.

While most people do not mind spending days or even weeks researching on what car to buy, they are much more carefree when it comes to buying auto insurance. However, buying the correct insurance for your car can make a world of a difference, not just in ensuring that you are well-covered in case of an accident, but also in saving substantially over a year’s course. The ideal auto insurance is one that offers all the coverage you need, without burning holes in your pocket. Enlisted below are the basic steps to follow to get one-

1. Decide how much coverage is needed- The first, and most important step when buying car insurance is to decide how much coverage you need. This decision should be made taking into account the requirements of the state you live in, as well as your past driving record and how you intend to use your car.
2. Analyze current insurance policy- Unless you are a first time car buyer, you probably already have an existing policy. Make sure you understand it thoroughly and are well aware of the exact amount you have been paying, both monthly and annually. This will help you to be a well-informed buyer and to have a figure to beat.
3. Know about your driving record- It is a great idea to check your driving record with your state’s motor vehicle department, to know if any tickets or points you earned in the past are likely to disappear soon. If that is the case, it is worth it to wait for that period, as it could significantly lower the cost of your insurance.
4. Begin shopping- With all the groundwork done, you can now actually go out there and start comparing what different insurance companies have to offer. Needless to say, this is the most critical part of the process. You shall need to invest enough time to compare quotes, search for discounts, and make phone calls to companies that sound interesting.
5. Review insurance company- When you have finally singled down one company that meets your requirements, be sure to do some surveying on their track record, and read customer reviews just to verify their reliability.
6. Verify policy before signing- The final step is signing the policy, but before you do that, be sure to carefully review it. You want to make sure that there are no hidden costs, and also confirm important factors such as whether the company shall use original parts in case of any future replacements that might be needed. Finally, be sure to cancel your old policy and carry proof of your current insurance with you at all times.

Auto insurance is required not just because the law enforces it, also for the protection of the driver and passengers travelling in the car. Most states have made it obligatory for car drivers to have at least PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and PDL (Property Damage Liability). Without these, one is not allowed to drive a motor vehicle in the United States. In case of an accident, the insurance company provides coverage for anyone who sustained injuries as well as damage caused to the car or any property.

Since the insurance cover differs depending on the insurance company, type of vehicle, driving experience, past driving record, and other factors, it is a good idea to carefully evaluate your options before choosing an auto insurance plan. While the law requires you to have basic coverage for your car as mentioned above, you can increase the coverage according to your needs. This might include coverage for burglary, fire, etc, which might not be included in the basic plan.

You should also be clear about the terms and conditions of a deductible, right from the word-go. A deductible is the amount you will have to pay in the event of an accident. Even though your insurance company will pay for the repairs, but you will still have to pay a certain sum depending on the extent of damage and your insurance coverage. If the accident was caused due to the mistake of another driver, his insurance company will be liable to pay the deductible on your behalf.

All these factors prove that the decision of choosing the right insurance company is very important. The two major aspects to look for while making this choice are - fair rates and maximum coverage. It is always a good idea to do some research on an insurance company that you are considering. You can do it by reading customer reviews and asking the firm for references. Some insurance companies offer a lot more than just insurance of cars as their policies also cover commercial vehicles, motorcycles, boating and personal watercraft, motor home, travel trailers, etc.

Generally, the wider the scope of an insurance company, the greater is its experience and reliability. For Free Quote and Cheap Insurance in Killeen, Copperas Cove, Gatesville, Austin and Temple TX, call Shawn Camp Insurance at (800) 212-2641. Shawn Camp Insurance specializes in Auto, Progressive, Homeowners, Recreational Vehicle RV, Boat and Motorcycle insurance.

When most people talk of taking insurance policies, they mean insuring their auto-mobiles  liabilities, health, businesses, homes and other normal things. However, these are not the only policies that insurance companies can draft. Some people are known to seek out ridiculous insurance policies, and below are 5 of the craziest of these policies.

Immaculate Conception Insurance

Three Scottish sisters insured their virginity with British Insurance. The sisters believed that if there was ever going to be an immaculate conception, God would choose one of them to be the mother of the child. As a precaution against that risk, the sisters paid premiums of $150 per year to the insurance company, for a potential pay-off of $1.5 million. Unfortunately, there was a public outcry when people realized what was happening and the insurance firm had to cancel the policy. In fact, the company claimed that it had been donating the money to charity all that time.

Chest Hair Insurance

A celebrity was considered as a sex symbol for many years, so he took out an insurance policy from Lloyd's for his chest hair. He did this to protect his sexiness, which he believed stemmed mainly from the mane of hair on his chest. Although he had kept his chest hair for approximately half a century, he believed that something could go wrong any time with his prized possession (say a spontaneous combustion of his shirt) so he insured it.
Alien Insurance

This one was also offered by British Insurance. Their alien abduction insurance was mainly taken up by Californians, and the company managed to rake in nearly $3 million from this policy. The policy was meant for alien abduction victims who were afraid that the aliens would insert medical objects into their anal regions. Is it funny that the managing director of the insurance company deemed the venture a profitable joke?

Ghost Insurance

There are insurance policies against ghosts and other kinds of spirits. A pub owner in England took one of these policies that promise to pay £1,000,000 (approximately $1,300,000) if a customer or an employee is permanently disabled or injured by a ghost within the premises. The owner of the pub became interested in this policy after he allegedly saw ghost shooting glasses though his bar one night. The premiums are reportedly £500 (approximately $660) a year.

Taste Buds Insurance

A British food critic believes he has one of the most exciting jobs in the world, and many people would agree. In case his precious buds are damaged by extra spicy foods, his career would certainly end. Therefore, he is not leaving anything to chance. He has taken out a $400,000 insurance policy against his taste buds.

The insurance industry is surely strange, but it does not have to be so. If you want to know more about different types of useful Killeen Insurance, call a Shawn Camp Insurance agent today at  (800) 212-2641.

There are many ways for older drivers to save significant dollars on their auto insurance. But, if you buy your policy online or over the phone there is a good chance that you won’t be told about them. Buying insurance through an independent insurance agent is no more expensive than buying a policy online or over the phone, but an independent agent will take the time to talk with you and uncover the discounts you qualify for as well as the discounts you can easily obtain. The following are a few tips you should keep in mind when thinking of acquiring a new Killeen Insurance policy.

1. If you are 50 or older check with your agent to see if you qualify for a mature driver’s discount. Most insurance companies give them, but not all do so automatically. In addition, different carriers may have an age other than 50 when the discount kicks in. The average mature driver discount is 5 to 10 percent, so that can be quite helpful.

2. Defensive Driving Course: These courses are given in a classroom setting or online. They are usually eight hours long and successful completion can earn you a discount of up to 10 percent for as long as three years. The cost is generally $10 to $30.

3. Folks who have retired and no longer commute to and from work often are eligible for a discount due to decreased mileage driven. The fewer miles driven, the lower the risk of having to file an insurance claim. The amount of the discount is determined by your state so check with your agent if you have retired.

4.  Multi-policy discount: When you place your homeowners or renters insurance with the same company that provides your automobile insurance you will usually get a discount, known as a multiple policy discount, on both policies. The discounts vary by insurance carrier, but it is certainly worthwhile to discuss with your insurance agent.

5. Military discounts are frequently available to consumers who are on active duty, have retired from the armed forces or are a member of the National Guard or Reserves. If this applies to you, ask your agent if you are entitled to a discount on your automobile policy.

6. Safe drivers who are accident free for a set period of time may qualify for a safe driver discount. Make sure to ask your agent about this potential money-saving discount.

7. PIP Discount: Some insurance companies offer a discount on Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage if a specified amount of miles driven each year is completed by a driver over a certain age.

While you can expect to see your rates fall when you are in your fifties they will start to rise when you hit your sixties. Getting every discount you can as soon as you can will help keep your rates manageable. Contact an agent at Shawn Camp Insurance today for more information.

There is no question that renter’s insurance is a smart investment for anyone who doesn’t own his own place, be it an apartment, townhouse, or single-family home. However, renter’s insurance is geared toward typical household contents, such as clothing, furniture, personal goods, and appliances.

Three categories of property may or may not be covered, depending on the policy: antiques, collectibles, and fine art. After a loss is not the time to find out the scope of your Texas Renters insurance.

Antiques and Vintage Furniture and Decor:

Typically, antiques are furniture or decorative objects over a century old. Vintage is more subjective, but typically includes items between 40 and 100 years old. If you have vintage or antique furniture in your rental, you should look into expanded coverage. Your agent will likely require photos and an appraisal. Again, after a fire or flood is not the time to find out the bedroom set you got from your grandmother’s garage was Depression-era Heywood-Wakefield and worth several thousand dollars.

Collectibles:

Collectibles can range from first-edition books and stamps, to comic books and plastic action figures. Before you talk to your insurance agent, take a thorough inventory, with photos, and have estimated replacement costs. Your vintage red-handled egg beater collection may be priceless to you, but you need to have an idea of fair market value.

Professional grade price guides are a good place to start. Otherwise, the 30-year-old $2.99 price sticker on the package may be the extent of your potential recovery. Depending on the size of the collection and the claimed value, a professional appraisal may be required to ensure full coverage.

Fine Art:

In general, fine art encompasses paintings, prints, sculpture, and other decorative objects that are either one-of-a-kind or produced in limited editions. A thorough inventory accompanied by good photographs is essential. Gallery receipts, appraisal letters, and comparable sales by professionals are some good ways to determine the replacement value of your fine art pieces.

Once you have determined the scope and replacement value of your luxury items, it is time to sit down with your insurance agent and decide what is the best coverage for you. Typically, there are two choices: specialized policies and riders to existing policies.

The Internet is rife with companies claiming they will insure your collection for low rates. Depending on what you collect, a separate specialty policy may be a good choice. However,  luxury items can usually be handled with specialized clauses called riders to regular renter’s policies.  A licensed insurance agent can help you make the best choice. Contact an agent at Shawn Camp Insurance Agency for more information about renter’s insurance and how to protect your antiques and collectibles. 

Close to Cure Bra Fest

This is the 2nd Annual October Event Fundraiser for Dr. Asea.

There will be a motorcycle Ride from S&W Research Center South Parking Lot at 5707 Airport Rd, Temple to Dave's Sports Bar at 831 E. Highway 190, Copperas Cove, TX 76522, Ph - 254-542-3283. Registration is $20, 9.30am. After registering, participants receive a T-shirt and bracelet.

There will also be Zumba, Decorated Bra Auction, Balloon Release, MemoryBoard, Vendors of all kinds, Food and Music.

Comedy Show following as separate event.

Join the Event - Learn More

Halloween in the Park

Presented by Copperas Cove Parks and Leisure Services.

Come to City Park to participate in fun Halloween Activities, including Trick or Treating in the Park which starts at 6pm and a Pumpkin Carving Contest, where you can bring your own completed pumpkin carving. The winner will be announced at 7.30pm.

There will be FREE Refreshments!

We will be handing out candy, and holding a contest for a Flat Screen TV. Just pick up a raffle ticket from our booth, then come back to our Facebook page, like us, and share a comment with your raffle number. You have now been entered to win a Flat Screen TV! The drawing will be held on November 6th.

Join the Event

Halloween Boozar in Gatesville

Shawn Camp Insurance will behanding out candy, and holding a contest for a Flat Screen TV. Just pick up a raffle ticket from our booth, then come back to our Facebook page, like us, and share a comment with your raffle number. You have now been entered to win a Flat Screen TV! The drawing will be held on November 6th.

Join the Event - Learn More

With fuel prices hovering around the $3.50 a gallon mark, getting an extra 3 miles per gallon can really add up. There are plenty of websites that exhibit the fuel-saving  actions of a type of driver called the “hyper-miler.” These drivers have perfected the practice of getting every last mile out of their gas tanks. Unfortunately, some of these practices put the driver, and their car, at much more risk than the reward is worth. While we applaud the hyper-milers for their dedication, we must remind them that they might end up paying the savings that they make at the pump might in their next deductible.

Not all hyper-miling techniques are bad. In fact, there are five of them that make absolute sense. Doing these five things will keep your car in top shape so it delivers peak performance every day and will make you a safer and more fuel efficient driver.

-      Inflate tires properly

-      Get routine maintenance

-      Remove excess weight

-      Anticipate red lights

-      Accelerate slowly and evenly

By having properly inflated tires, you reduce the amount of friction that is generated by the rubber against the asphalt. According to Fueleconomy.gov you can increase your mileage by up to 3.3% simply by inflating your tires to the recommended PSI.

Keeping your car in good shape is the next best  way to save on fuel consumption. If you have a bad oxygen sensor, it could be zapping as much as 40% of your fuel efficiency. Of course, this isn’t the case with most cars, but by doing frequent oil changes and having a yearly tune-up you can save about 4% of your fuel costs over the duration of a year.

Removing the excess weight from your vehicle is also a good way to get better gas mileage. It takes more effort for a car to pull more weight. Reducing your car’s weight by 100 lbs can give you about 2% more fuel economy.

When your car is idling, it is wasting gas. Eliminating idle time at red lights can significantly improve your gas mileage for a couple of reasons. First, by anticipating the changing of the light you can begin to slow down much further away and coast to the light. This will consume less gas. Second, if you time it right, you can avoid making a full stop and conserve the momentum of the car. Accelerating from a dead stop is far less efficient than from a slow roll. 

Lastly, accelerating at a slow and even pace and maintaining a lower average speed can increase fuel efficiency by up to 20%. This eliminates excess fuel from being pumped into the pistons and being wasted.

Using these techniques will make you a more conscious driver. When you are focused on driving more steadily you become more aware of your surroundings and are less apt to end up in an accident that could have been avoided. Safe drivers get the lowest auto insurance rates across the board. So, by becoming more aware of your surroundings and taking better care of your car, you’ll be able to save money, not only at the pump, but on your monthly insurance bills as well! For more information on your Texas Auto Insurance policy, give us a call at Shawn Camp Insurance Agency today.

Not every item damaged during any insurable incident is in pristine condition before the incident occurs. If you have property in your home that was broken before a hurricane, fire or other insurable incident, you may be wondering if you can include that property in the claim that you make for the other damages you've experienced.

There really is no yes or no answer to this question. Property that is broken could still have a value that an insurer may reimburse after a claim is made. For example, if your insurance policy covers the actual value of your property then it already subtracts some of the item’s original value for depreciation, which means a broken but repairable item that was totaled during an insurable incident may be considered to have depreciated more than a functional item its age would have. In order to get the appropriate value for your property, describe the pre-existing condition of all the items that have been damaged. When you explain the extent of the disrepair of an item that was broken before the insurable incident, the insurance company will be better able to determine what its actual value was.

If your Progressive homeowners insurance policy covers replacement value of your assets then you may be out of luck because the broken property needed to be replaced before the insurable incident occurred, therefore the need for replacement is not caused by the insurable incident and may not be reimbursable by your home insurance policy.

Knowingly making a claim against your insurance for an item that was broken before an insurable incident without disclosing its true pre-existing condition could be considered fraud. Rather than risk the renewal of your insurance policy, it's generally best to give too much information rather than too little when you make an insurance claim. If you aren't sure how your insurance policy will cover a certain piece of property you own or how to fill out your claim forms, stop by or give us a call (800) 212-2641.

While insurance is one of the most important protections you can provide your family with, it's not exactly fun to shop for. When shopping for cars, gadgets, clothes, shoes and other retail items, you cast a hopeful eye to the future and look forward to a time when you get to use the item that you're shopping for; but when shopping for insurance you must consider the worst possible events that could occur and purchase protection against the financial damages they will cause, all the while hoping that they never come to pass.

If you want to make the process of shopping for insurance a little easier and faster, here are a few tips:

• Have all your information. Depending on the type of insurance policy you’re shopping for, you may need varying types of information. For example, when shopping for home insurance you'll need to know the value of your contents, the rebuilding costs for your home and what kind of anti-theft and disaster response systems you have in place. When shopping for health insurance, you'll need to know your medications weight height and so on. Call your agent and ask what specific information you should have ready when you met with her. 
• Know what you want to protect. When you apply for insurance the goal is to create financial protection against certain types of losses. If you don't know, however, what you want to protect then it will be difficult to get the appropriate coverage.
• Have a budget. When designing an insurance policy, not only must you consider all the property you want to protect and the events you want to protect the property from, but also what you can afford to pay for the insurance. These two pieces of information go hand in hand.
• Have an agent. Not only is it potentially dangerous to shop for insurance without an agent helping you understand the various coverage options, limits, and exclusions involved but it's also inefficient. Agents can quickly compare costs for equivalent policies and can design insurance coverage with as few gaps as you can afford.

We’re here to help you get the policy design that you and your family need most. When you're ready to start shopping for Killeen home, auto, or business insurance or to conduct a review of your current policies, give us a call at Shawn Camp Insurance today.