| State Farm dropping rates
Not only is the state's largest auto insurance company dropping its rates in Hamilton and surrounding areas, it's passing out free money, too. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company — State Farm's auto division — is decreasing customer rates nationwide as a result of company performance and a drop in the number and severity of claims during the past three years. .
Framestore NY Gets Geico Gecko Geared Up Again
Not so long ago, auto insurance company Geico and ad agency The Martin Agency approached animation and effects company Framestore NY to draw on the 3D talents behind such projects as WALKING WITH DINOSAURS, DINOTOPIA and HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE and "reinterpret" the already-beloved Geico Gecko mascot. The Framestore NY team then transformed the urbane lizard into a more versatile, decidedly cheekier cockney bloke. The risky move paid off, evidenced by the new Gecko's win as "Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Broadcast Program, Commercial or Music Video" at the 5th annual VES (Visual Effects Society) Awards. Never ones to rest on their laurels, the Framestore NY team recently reteamed with The Martin Agency and upped the ante in eight comedy-driven new spots featuring the loveable reptile.
Yearly auto policy tempting
If you like to budget your expense a year at a time, you might want to look for an auto insurance company that offers 12-month policies in addition to the standard six-month agreements. Farmers Insurance Group began offering annual policies in Indiana on Feb. 26. The Los Angeles-based insurance company considers the new option a win for customers who like to budget their money and a win for agents who like to cut down on paperwork. Brian Fitzpatrick, Farmers Insurance Group's executive director in Indiana, allowed that when customers sign policies for twice as long, it's one fewer time each year they might be tempted to shop around for better rates. Farmers insures about 130,000 cars in Indiana. Fitzpatrick said some of those customers requested 12-month policies.
Insurance Law Fuels Confusion
Bill Bartram is one of more than 38,000 residents in Florida who are receiving notices from Nationwide Insurance that their homeowners policies will not be renewed. Like others, Bartram, a retired cop from Washington, D.C., who has lived in his Bradenton home for the past 28 years, thought recently passed legislation protected him from receiving such a notice. He was wrong. Actually, the law states that once insurance companies submit rate-reduction filings with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation - as Nationwide and others have done - then those companies can deliver nonrenewal notices to customers. Still, Bartram thinks someone's not keeping his word. "From what (Gov. Charlie) Crist's office said, if they (companies) sell insurance in Florida, they're going to have to continue to offer coverage," says Bartram, who has been with Nationwide for 25 years and also has automobile and life insurance with the company.
Murrieta State Farm expands hours
Murrieta State Farm Agent Scott Koth announced his office is now able to bind automobile insurance coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Koth said he is responding to the dynamics of the California marketplace and recognizes that most cars are purchased during non-traditional business hours, so it makes sense that the company be available during non-traditional hours.
To learn more call Koth at (951) 461-4979.
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Rental insurance: Better to be safe ...
You walk up to the rental car counter to pick up your car, and the agent asks if you want the optional insurance through the rental company. At $20 per day, the coverage seems a little costly, and you remember hearing that your personal auto insurance provides sufficient coverage. So you pass. Yet, as you drive away from the airport you wonder what the right answer to the question really is. Of course, any good lawyer will tell you It depends. Here are the facts. If you take the rental car companys insurance, chances are you are paying to alleviate any problems should the car be damaged in an accident. The answer is conditional because you must still be operating the vehicle lawfully. Many, if not most, insurance contracts have clauses that provide that the coverage will not protect you if you are driving recklessly, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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