Do you ever get tired of trying to understand insurance terms? So many terms so little time !! Some terms are obvious like liability and collision but what exactly is comprehensive. It sounds like it would a total insurance policy that would cover everything. That may be what it sounds like but that definition doesn’t fit at all. The dedicated staff at Benefit Insurance Services in Myrtle Beach, SC does understand all the insurance terms that refer to auto insurance coverage and they will be happy to make sure that you do too. 

Collision 

Collision coverage pays to repair your vehicle in the event of an accident with another vehicle or something like a telephone pole or tree where you are deemed to be at fault or partially at fault. The insurance company determines the value of your vehicle and most policies have a deductible so that amount will be deducted from any amount that is paid to you. This is good coverage to have if your vehicle is relatively new and you would have a hard time paying for a repair or replacement on your own. 

Comprehensive 

Comprehensive coverage is a little more complex. It is often referred to as "non-collision " coverage. It covers things beyond your control. That is a valid description of the coverage except in the event a deer or other large animal decides to either run into your car or cut in front of your car, this is the type of coverage that pays for it. Other scenarios it covers are weather events like high winds or hail, theft or vandalism, and flooding. Glass coverage is also part of comprehensive coverage. 

When you are ready to look for auto insurance or to change carriers at Benefit Insurance Services in Myrtle Beach, SC we are ready to help out. Give our office a call for a no-obligation quote. 

As a driver in the Myrtle Beach, SC area, it is critical to know which auto coverages are required by law in South Carolina. It is also essential to understand that the required coverage may not be enough in case of an accident, and there may be other coverages that will be beneficial to you. The agents at Benefit Insurance Services are available to help you put together a comprehensive auto coverage policy. 

What are the auto insurance requirements in South Carolina? 

In South Carolina, all drivers are required to carry the following types of coverage and limits. 

Auto Liability and Property Damage 

• $25,000 for one person for bodily injury or death as a result of an accident caused by the insured driver.
• $50,000 for the total liability for injury or death from an accident caused by the insured driver. 
• $25,000 per accident for property damage caused by the insured driver.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

In addition to the coverage listed above, you will need to carry identical limits for Uninsured Motorist coverage. Uninsured Motorist coverage will protect you and the passengers of your car, in the event, you are in an accident with a driver who does not carry insurance. 

As you can imagine, if you are in a severe accident, it would be effortless to go through the required insurance limits, and then you would be on the hook financially for the remaining bill. It is crucial to speak with your insurance agent to discuss purchasing a policy over the required state limits. 

Collision Coverage 

None of the coverages required by the state cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car. Collision coverage will cover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident. Collision coverage is critical if you own an expensive luxury vehicle. 

If you would like to learn more about putting together a comprehensive auto policy, reach out to an agent at Benefit Insurance Services today. We proudly serve the Myrtle Beach, SC area. 

The auto insurance policy you choose could significantly impact your finances if you get into an accident. You, therefore, need to put careful research into selecting a policy and ask the right questions to pinpoint the best possible policy for your needs. 

At Benefit Insurance Services, we offer auto insurance to motorists in Myrtle Beach, SC. We recommend that motorists consider the following three questions before they purchase an auto policy:

How much is your vehicle worth?

The value of your vehicle is an important factor when you’re deciding whether you want to purchase collision coverage.

While you’re required by law to purchase liability coverage, you’re not required to purchase collision coverage. However, you have to pay out-of-pocket for damages to your own vehicle if you don’t have collision coverage.

The more your vehicle is worth, the more important it is to purchase collision coverage to protect the investments you’ve made in your vehicle.

Will there be other individuals regularly driving your vehicle?

It’s important to make sure that your insurance will still apply if you allow another individual to drive your vehicle. Your insurance policy will definitely cover accidents and issues when you’re driving, but insurance companies won’t necessarily offer coverage if an accident occurs while you were letting someone else drive your vehicle.

You need to discuss coverage for additional drivers with your insurance policy if there will be other friends or family members regularly driving your vehicle. 

Do you use your vehicle for professional activities?

You may need to purchase a commercial vehicle policy if you use your vehicle for professional activities. Standard auto insurance policies don’t typically cover damages incurred when a vehicle is used for commercial activities. 

If you’d like to learn more about auto insurance policies in Myrtle Beach, SC, contact us at Benefit Insurance Services for assistance.

Parents want to help their children as much as they can. Getting your own auto insurance policy, especially if you are younger can be very expensive.  Keeping your child on your auto insurance policy once they move out makes good financial sense but does it make good legal sense?  This is the sort of question that many parents in Myrtle Beach, SC are facing. The knowledgable staff at Benefit Insurance Services are the people to help you with this thorny issue. 

Moving out

Much can be made of the phrase moving out. If your child moves out to go away to school, this is one issue. If they move out into an apartment on their own or with a group of friends, this is another issue. The answer for the first scenario is quite simply yes, the permanent address is still the same as yours and as long as it is still legitimately their home, they can remain on your policy. If however, they have completely moved out, you get into a much more gray area. If you are still the owner of the vehicle that they are driving, then they are covered as "any driver" of a covered vehicle. But if you conceal the change of address from your insurance company, you can be guilty of fraud and not only can they deny coverage in the event of an accident, they may choose to cancel the entire policy. 

The most direct answer is if the move is not permanent, then yes but it is risky to try to retain the coverage if they have moved away for good. 

Your situation may be different and talking to the helpful staff at Benefit Insurance Services in Myrtle Beach, SC can help you to make the correct decision. Give their office a call or stop to make sure you don’t put yourself or your child at risk. 

 

Are you planning a trip to the Bahamas or the British Virgin Islands from Myrtle Beach, SC? If so, you may wonder if your insurance is going to cover your rental car. This is a good question and something our team at Benefit Insurance Services is here to answer.

Understanding Rental Vehicle Insurance

The answer to this question is pretty simple and straightforward – no, your insurance policy won’t cover your rental vehicle when you are in the Bahamas or the British Virgin Islands. This has confused and concerned some of our clients and customers in the past. However, there is no need to worry. There is a good way to ensure you are fully protected, even when driving a rental vehicle.

Getting Insurance Coverage for Your Rental Vehicle

When you rent a vehicle in another country, the rental company is going to offer you insurance coverage. This is something you should pay for. In most cases, the cost for this additional coverage isn’t going to be much and will provide you with the protection needed while you are using a rental vehicle.

Keep in mind, there are usually going to be different levels of insurance coverage, and the more coverage you choose, the higher the price is going to be. You are going to have to determine the right coverage amount for your rental vehicle.

Contact Us for Help

If you are confused about whether your existing insurance policy covers rental vehicles when you travel from Myrtle Beach, SC to other countries, then call us. Our team at Benefit Insurance Services is ready and able to help and answer any questions you have and ensure you get the coverage needed to protect you and your rental vehicle while on vacation.

 

Nobody likes paying car insurance, and everybody likes saving money. It’s great to find out you can save money doing something you don’t really like. South Carolina only requires minimal amounts of liability coverage:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death overall
• $25,000 for property damage.

You also need corresponding amounts of uninsured motorist coverage, in case you are in an accident with someone who doesn’t carry their own automobile insurance. Everyone driving in Myrtle Beach, SC, even visitors, is required to be insured. So you need the insurance, and Benefit Insurance Services can help you look for discounts that apply to you.

Multi-Car Discount

Insuring all your vehicles through the same company can earn you a discount.

Homeowner or Multi-Policy Discount

Many insurance companies will give you a better deal if they can get all your business. You may be able to combine other policies, like renters insurance, too.

Defensive Driver Discount

There is a special class recognized by the Department of Motor Vehicles which can get you a discount for up to 36 months after you take it.

Antitheft 

You might be able to get a reduction on your premium if you install special equipment which makes it harder to steal your vehicle.

Bill Plan Discount

Some companies offer a discount for paying by the year, or at least 6 months at a time, instead of monthly.

For Young Drivers: Good Grades or Driver Training

You can get rewarded for hard work or for taking a driver training course.

And More

If you drive in Myrtle Beach, SC, you might as well try to save some money. Call Benefit Insurance Services and we can compare rates and help you find discounts for your auto insurance.

It is important to have a system for determining who is at fault after an accident. It makes it possible to decide whose insurance policy will pay for the damages. It is the responsibility of insurance providers to determine fault. If you are in Myrtle Beach SC, a reputable insurance agency such as Benefit Insurance Services may offer you advice on auto insurance issues. They may help you with the process of filing an accident claim.

Determining Fault

Police Officers

The first thing to do in case of a car accident should be to call the police. They come to the scene of the accident when there is evidence of what happened. The cops come in and take their notes. They record personal statements and take the accounts of witnesses. The information they gather may be important when determining who is at fault. Officers receive specialized training that enables them to establish what happened. Even though police reports are important, they are not used as conclusive evidence that someone was at fault. The reports are used only for reference. It is possible or the police to miss certain things or get the wrong deductions.

Insurance Adjusters

Insurance adjusters work for insurance companies. One of their primary responsibilities is to determine fault during an accident. After you file a claim, the insurance company investigates the claim depending on its policies, the nature of the accident, and the amount of damage it caused. Your insurance adjuster determines whether or not you were at fault after an investigation. You do not have to be entirely at fault or entirely not at fault. You may be at fault for a certain percentage. You may help in the investigation by providing evidence including pictures from the scene and statements from witnesses.

Contact Benefit Insurance Services for your auto insurance needs in Myrtle Beach, SC.