As an individual, you face no greater exposure than when you get behind the wheel of your car each day.  Having an insurance policy in place that is properly tailored to your needs can limit the potential of facing a large lawsuit or paying a sizable repair bill after an accident. 

What Miller Phillips Insurance can offer:

• Agents that are willing to take the time with each and every client and make sure each coverage feature and option has been explained and is understood.  We often hear from new clients "Nobody ever took the time to explain that to me".
• Award winning claims service from ERIE and our agency.  This includes follow up phone calls from our agency to make sure the claims process is progressing smoothly.
• In person reviews when a new vehicle is purchased or a young driver is added.  No "1-800" service here!
• An exact coverage comparison with your current carrier to see if an auto policy with ERIE Insurance can save you money.

To ensure that you and your family have the proper protection, there are a number of ways that you can reduce your auto insurance premium while obtaining the coverage that you need including:

Deductibles

Choosing higher deductibles for Collision and Comprehensive coverage is an easy and cost effective way to lower your auto insurance bill.  In many cases, the premium savings realized by switching to a higher deductible may be enough to offset the cost difference of an increased deductible in just a few years.

Discounts & Credits

• Multi-policy - By insuring your auto and home with Erie, you will receive a discount on your auto as well as your homeowners insurance premium.
• Multi-car - If you insure two or more cars with Erie and they are owned and used by the individual and/or relatives living in the same house, you receive a discount.
• Life Multi-Policy - If a covered driver has a qualifying life insurance policy from Erie Family Life, your auto policy is eligible for a discount.
• Vehicle Safety Features - Credits are applied if your car is equipped with airbags (front & or side), anti-lock brakes or alarm.
• Pay Plan A - If you pay your 12 month auto insurance premium in full at renewal, you receive a 7% discount off the annual premium.
• Pay Plan B - If you pay your 12 month auto insurance premium in 3 consecutive months starting at renewal, you receive a 5% discount off the annual premium.

Driver Related Discounts

Good drivers who have no accidents or violations receive the most competitive rates but there are other factors that can reduce your premiums even further including:

• Driver training - If you have a young driver under the age of 21 insured who has completed an accredited driver-training course, you will receive a premium discount.
• College student - Full-time college students who are unmarried and age 24 or younger are eligible for this discount if they spend a majority of the college term away from home without the use of a vehicle.
• Age 55 & over - Cars driven primarily by an insured who is 55 and over receive a discount.
• Accident Prevention Course - If you are 55 or older and you successfully complete an approved Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Course you receive a discount.  Call our office for a schedule of area courses!

Vehicle Related Discounts

You can save even more money on your auto insurance by choosing a vehicle with the following safety features:

• Passive Restraints - automatic seat belts and or air bags.
• Anti-Theft devices - this includes an alarm and active or passive anti-theft devices.
• Anti-Lock brakes - available for both two and four wheel systems.

Understanding Your Automobile Insurance Policy

Bodily Injury Liability

Required by Pennsylvania Law at a minimum limit of $15,000 per person and $30,000 aggregate.  Bodily Injury Liability pays others when you are negligent and responsible for causing injuries. This includes medical and rehabilitation expenses as well as non-economic damages such as “pain and suffering”.

Property Damage Liability

Required by Pennsylvania Law at a minimum limit of $5,000.  Property damage liability pays others when you are responsible for damaging their property.  Most commonly the other vehicle or vehicles damaged in the accident caused by your negligence. 

First Party Benefits

• Medical Benefits - Required by Pennsylvania Law at a minimum of $5000.  Medical benefits are reasonable and necessary medical and rehabilitative services and are paid regardless of fault.  
• Extraordinary Medical Benefits -  Medical and rehabilitation expenses in excess of $100,000.
• Income Loss Benefits - Pays loss of income if injured in auto accident.
• Funeral Benefits - Pays funeral, burial or cremation expenses if fatality occurs as result of auto accident.
• Accidental Death - Pays death benefit if fatality occurs as result of auto accident.

Tort Option

Financial responsibility requirements mandate that each insurer in Pennsylvania notifies its insured’s of the choice of two options that govern your right to sue. 

Limited Tort – This option does restrict an individual’s right to sue for specific out-of-pocket expenses, except in cases involving serious injury.  Serious injury is defined as any injury resulting in death, serious impairment of bodily function or permanent, serious disfigurement.  These conditions must exist to collect for pain and suffering with limited tort.

Full Tort – This option does not restrict an individual’s right to sue.  Collection could be made for both specific damages (medical expenses, loss of income, etc.) plus non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, regardless if the injury was serious or not.

Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage

UM/UIM covers Bodily Injury caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver of another vehicle.  This does not cover damages to your vehicle (this would fall under your collision coverage). 

Stacking of UM/UIM

Stacking means in a UM/UIM type accident, coverage limits would be the sum of the uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage limits for all of the autos covered under the policy.  Stacking may be waived by signing a stacking waiver which results in a premium savings.

Comprehensive Coverage

Sometimes referred to as “other than collision coverage”.  Comprehensive pays for theft or damage to your vehicle resulting from fire, vandalism, glass breakage, or collision with an animal.  This coverage is optional but is typically required by a bank or lender for car loan. 

Collision Coverage

Collision pays for the damage to your vehicle resulting from a crash with another object or vehicle or hit and run.  This coverage is optional but is typically required by a bank or lender for car loan.

Emergency Road Service

Paid on a “reimbursement basis” and typically limited to $50 to $75.

Rental Reimbursement

Transportation expense is an optional coverage that pays for the cost to rent a replacement vehicle in the event of a collision loss.  Coverage does not pay for vehicles that have mechanical difficulties.  We have found a minimum of $30 per day is necessary because of the rising cost to rent a vehicle.  If you have a large family or small children in car seats, we recommend the highest limit available which is $40 per day.

Money Saving Tips

1. Combine policies with one company (auto, homeowners),  and take advantage of a multi-policy discount.
2. Choose higher deductibles.
3. DRIVE DEFENSIVELY – keep your record clean!