Frequently Asked Questions

A deductible is an amount that you're responsible for in the event of a loss. This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket, and insurance covers the remainder.

When speaking with your agent to set up your policy, any valuables you are concerned about and our agent can review your policy and recommend changes to ensure your valuables have proper coverage.

No. You do not need a new home appraisal during the renewal or coverage change process.

Yes, if you have a vehicle actively registered in your name in TN, you are required to keep liability on that vehicle. The state may suspend your driver's license if they do an audit and can not find active insurance coverage. Your auto loan company or lienholder may require comp and collision as a conditional part of your contract. Lienholders can take actions that may include a repo, additional fees, and forced insurance placement which is typically much more expensive. Your lienholder has to protect your car as an asset against the loan amount, so they require this additional coverage, many refer to this as "full coverage," however the term "full coverage," has a different meaning to everyone. The term "full coverage," technically doesn't exist or you would have no limits and everything would be covered 100% or to the max, all insurance coverages have limits. I will add to this in saying even if you don't own a car, it's still a good idea to get a non-owner policy so that when you do eventually buy a car your rates will be lower for having prior coverage, many insurance carriers want to see at least a minimum of 6-12 months of coverage before they will give you this discount, other insurance companies will not even write you a policy until you have had coverage for that length of time.

No, by law an insurance carrier has to give you a minimum of 10 calendar days before they cancel your policy for a late payment. You will most likely receive late charges and other fees, but your coverage will stay enforce until that 10 day time frame is up at a minimum. Many carriers do give more days than the 10 day minimum.

Yes, and no. If they are going to be driving your cars and live at the same address they need to be on your coverage listed as a driver. In some cases adding another driver can actually lower rates, especially if they are a mature driver or a spouse with a clean driving history. Many insurance carriers even give additional discounts if you are married and your spouse is listed on your policy! However. any driver that has their own coverage can be excluded. You may also exclude any driver over the age of 18 yrs old, you will have to sign and exclusion form. If the excluded driver operates your automobile you will be taking a risks that any and or all damages will not be covered. Please note that minors under the age of 18 yrs of age that you have guardianship of are required to be listed on your policy. The insurance carriers get notices from the state licensing department when they become of legal driving status and many will automatically add them to your policy. The reasoning is because you are their legal guardian and responsible for their actions, including driving any automobile. A driver with a  learner's permit will not need to be listed as a driver, however they do need to be listed as a non operator until licensed, typically a non operator will not affect your rates in most cases.

This depends on your coverage. If you have broadened coverage it does, however you must have permissible use of that automobile from the registered owner(s). Many insurance companies only offer broadened coverage, for this reason. Some insurance companies do exists that offer both options, talk to your agent or insurance company to find out if you are covered. This also will apply to anyone who you allow to borrow your automobiles as well. Anyone living outside of your residence will be covered to borrow your automobile providing you have broadened coverage. Some insurance companies do require the borrower to have their own insurance coverage as well, as it would become a secondary coverage in the event your policies coverages are exhausted due to a potential loss. If this borrower lives at your resident they must either be on your policy listed as a driver or have their own coverage to operate your automobile, otherwise your coverages will be null and void in the event of a loss. Rule of thumb, make sure you are lending your car to only licensed and insured drivers!

Simply put, the liability you purchase pays for damages to the other parties or person(s) and their bodily injuries and or their personal property(automobiles, belongings...etc). 

Uninsured motorists is buying liability for yourself in the event the other party does not have liability, or are underinsured, not a legal operator, or you are involved in a hit and run and the other party or parties can not be tracked down. A few years ago I seen an interesting statistic stating that approximately 25-30% of drivers on the TN public roadways were either not insured at all or underinsured, for this reason I always recommend everyone to add those uninsured motorists coverages to their policies! The current state minimums in the state of TN for liability are set way below what I would recommend, as the damages are $25,000 per  bodily injury/$50,000 for all bodily injuries as a total/$25,ooo for personal property or their automobiles and belongings (25/50/25). Keep in mind that medical expenses are always rising and most newer vehicles will be valued more than these minimums, the remaining amounts put you at risks for lawsuits when they exceed your limits.

We hope you’re never involved in a crash. If you are, you can rest easily knowing that reporting claims with Progressive is simple—and we begin working on them immediately. We recommend printing a copy of these instructions and keeping them in your glove compartment so you’re prepared—just in case. Make sure no one is seriously injured Make sure that you, your passengers and others involved are OK. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance or get help. If no one is seriously hurt, it’s time to assess the situation. Make sure you’re safe Wherever you are, be sure other vehicles on the roadway can see you. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers on the road. If your car is drivable, move it out of the way of traffic. Then turn off your car and turn on your hazard lights. If you have safety triangles or cones, use them. Be sure you are safe. Call the police Even if no one was hurt, you should call the police if other people, cars or property are involved in the accident. An officer may not make a trip to the scene, but the police do want to know about the accident—especially if it could potentially back up traffic. Plus, reporting the accident can help protect you if there are any issues with others involved. Get information from other drivers Now, exchange information with other people involved in the accident. Be sure to write down basic contact information for everyone involved, including: 

• Name

• Address

• Phone number 

• License plate number 

• Driver’s license number 

• Insurance company and policy number If you have a camera with you, take photos of the scene and the damage to the vehicles to help document the crash. 

Remember that everyone is under a lot of stress after an accident, so tempers may flare. Try to stay calm and to stay out of any arguments. Venting your frustration or responding to angry comments may make you feel better now, but it will not help matters in the long run. Call your insurance company As soon as possible. Even if it wasn’t your fault, it’s important to let your insurance company know what happened and have your questions answered. Plus, your insurance company can work with other drivers’ insurance companies to help you get any necessary repairs made as quickly as possible. If the crash happens in a place where you don’t feel secure, it’s okay to wait until you’re somewhere safe to report your claim. But, try to report the claim as soon as possible so we can start helping you as quickly as possible