Car Insurance | Consolidated

REAL ID for Maryland – UPDATE

Yes, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the national deadline for REAL ID compliance to October 1, 2021. That means all Marylanders who are not yet REAL ID compliant should check the REAL ID Lookup Tool for the next steps to take. If you or your family members need to renew a Maryland driver’s license,…

Giving Customers a “Brake”: Auto Insurance Carriers Respond to Coronavirus

It’s safe to say that every single one of us has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Some have merely been inconvenienced, others have lost jobs, and others have had to deal with serious health issues. One thing for sure is most people’s driving habits have changed significantly and insurance carriers are responding. Two important…

Silence Isn’t Golden – Electric Vehicles and Pedestrian Safety

Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity as battery technology improves and charging stations become more widely available. Besides the obvious benefits of reduced fuel consumption and emissions, electric vehicles operate in near silence, which is great if you’re driving. That silence, though, creates a new hazard for pedestrians. Without the usual engine noise as…

Auto Coverage: Why Raise Your Limits?

You already know that automotive insurance is a must-have, required by law, with specific coverage limits that vary from state to state. The problem is that many drivers stop right there at those bare minimums, which can leave them in a bad place in the event of a serious accident. For example, Maryland drivers must…

Commercial Auto Premiums: Factors & Advice

As with any other insurance rates, your commercial auto premiums are based on a number of factors, beginning with a combination of potential risk factors (how much driving occurs, and in which areas) and loss history (actual record of accidents, judgements, etc.). That mix of the past and the future will largely determine your risk…

Be Prepared for Roadside Emergencies

Expect the best and prepare for the worst, the saying goes. While vehicles overall are very reliable these days, breakdowns and accidents do happen, as do sudden changes in weather that could leave you stranded. Some auto insurance policies offer roadside assistance for a minimal annual cost – take advantage of this! In case you…

Commercial Auto Insurance – Keeping Your Business on the Road

If you run a service company with a fleet of dozens of vehicles, you probably have a solid understanding of the importance of commercial auto insurance. But even businesses with only a few company vehicles will benefit from commercial auto coverage. Following is a brief rundown of the benefits you should expect from commercial auto…

Oh, Deer! Avoiding – and Dealing With – Animal Collisions

Of all the hazards we encounter in our daily driving, the behavior of deer and other wildlife might be the most unpredictable. Wild animals can move quickly and in seemingly random directions, and encounters with moving vehicles happen all too often. The good news is that collisions between vehicles and deer were down slightly nationwide…

Understanding PIP (Personal Injury Protection)

Many states require personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for their motorists, and Maryland is among them. Insurers must offer a minimum of $2,500 in PIP coverage to automobile policyholders. Here’s a brief explanation of PIP and why you should consider it as a part of your risk management strategy. PIP insurance is a form of…

Distracted Driving is a problem! We have a solution…

You probably don’t need statistics to tell you that distracted driving is a huge problem. Take a glance at other drivers and you’ll almost always find someone looking down at his or her phone instead of watching the road. For many, “distracted driving” translates to “teens texting.” And while it is a huge problem with…