???Students driving to campus may be paying too much for car insurance. Don't be a victim.
???"Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident," said Patrick Powers, an American Automobile Association (AAA) representative. "It protects the money in your bank account, people you hurt, accident charges and house mortgages."
???Students should be aware of reasonable car insurance prices and make sure protection covers all necessary plans required by New York State.
???Among the options offered by insurance companies are comprehensive insurance and premiums. Choosing to pay a higher premium can be a wise move because it means more protection. It also results in raising the overall cost per month.
???For the typical college student, a premium for six months usually costs $300 to $600.
???AAA just recently started providing car insurance in New York and according to Powers, this is good news for student drivers because companies like AAA, Progressive and USAA supply the best rates for young drivers.
???Students are encouraged to shop around, check out different companies and research what they have to offer. Powers recommends that students try to find a company with agents in the neighborhood that they can talk to directly.
???"When I first started working with car insurance, there were only two or three things determining the prices for auto insurance, " Powers said. "Now there are over a thousand things determining the price."
???From age to number of previous accidents, there are many determining factors on how much a person might have to pay for car insurance, Powers said.
???The formula that determines an individual policy cost is complicated, but some common factors that weigh the decision are driving record, residence, age, type of automobile and the amount of coverage needed.
???Powers also noted that at the ages of 19, 21 and 25 the price of coverage should steadily decline. Insurance costs are also drastically reduced if students are able to stay on their parents' plan.
???The benefit of a real live insurance agent is that they are more knowledgeable about local discounts, laws and regulations and able to deal with concerns more closely. Agents will personally help in trying to make sure an individual is not paying more than he or she has to.
???There are several companies that operate almost exclusively online, such as Geico and Progressive, but while it may be convenient to check coverage and changes in policy on a computer, filing a claim online or over the phone can be frustrating.
???Getting into an accident can be a costly problem if students do not take precautionary measures in choosing proper insurance that will secure personal assets.
???"Auto liability insurance covers bodily injury, personal injury, property damage, and uninsured/underinsured motorists," Powers said.
???"Bodily injury liability covers injuries that the driver or policy holder causes to someone else," Powers said. "In the event that you are involved in a serious accident, it is important to have insurance because you can be sued for a large sum of money. Actions taken against you for any monetary value are open for the victim to make for up to seven years."
???According to Powers, personal injury protection covers the treatment of injuries for the driver and passengers in the car and also the worst-case scenario, funeral costs.
???"Property damage liability coverage pays for damage you or someone driving your car may have caused to someone else's property," Powers said. "While uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage includes providing protection for your injury costs in the event that another person's insurance cannot cover you."
???Powers suggested proper steps to take in the event of an accident.
???"It is important to call the police so they will file a report," Powers said. "Afterwards you should ask where and when you could get a copy of the report."
???A copy of the report is required for insurance agents to make sure expenses for any damage are covered. In the case there is a large amount of damage, Powers advises that it is important to take pictures to better prove the case.
Additional reporting by Renata Teplitskaya
