Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Insurance in Sugar Land, Texas
If you're moving to Sugar Land, Texas, you're probably focused on packing your boxes and deciding whether to send your kids to Harmony Science Academy or Dulles High School. As you get ready to move to this former sugarcane giant, which is now known for manufacturing, you also need to get auto insurance in Sugar Land TX. Here are HUB International's answers to your top questions about this kind of insurance.
1. Do You Need Car Insurance?
Like most states in the US, Texas requires the average driver to have car insurance. The law's actual phrasing is that you must be able to prove that you have enough money to cover any accidents on the road. Unless you have millions of dollars in savings, though, having car insurance in Sugar Land TX is the only way to demonstrate that you can pay for accidents you get into on University Boulevard or Sweetwater Boulevard.
2. How Often Do You Pay for Car Insurance?
Most Sugar Land insurance providers require you to pay your premiums every month. That way, if you hit someone as you pull into the parking lot at Another Broken Egg Cafe or if you get hit as you leave Tiff's Treats, you know that your coverage is still active.
3. What if Your Kids Learn To Drive?
If your kids start learning to drive, you need to add them to your auto insurance in Sugar Land TX. Provide your broker with your new drivers' names, driving schools, and permit or license information. Some brokers offer lower premiums if your kids get good grades, so be sure to mention their GPAs. Generally, though, be prepared for your premiums to go up once you add inexperienced drivers to your plan.
4. What Happens if You're Liable for an Accident?
If you're at fault in an accident, you usually have to pay a deductible in addition to your monthly premiums. Your auto insurance in Sugar Land TX provider covers the rest of the bill. If you cause the accident by reckless driving or if you were drunk when it happened, your insurance policy may be canceled. In most cases, though, the worst that happens is your premiums go up.
5. How Can You Lower Your Premiums?
If you want lower insurance premiums, purchasing safer cars is a great way to start. If you have cars with safety features such as backup cameras and auto-braking systems, you pose less of a risk, so your premiums for auto insurance in Sugar Land TX usually decrease.
Removing points from your license also can result in lower premiums. Depending on the reason behind your points, they last for up to 10 years. If they're for minor moving violations, though, they usually expire after one year. To speed up the process, talk to your insurance broker about signing up for a driving improvement course.
6. Does Getting Auto Insurance in Sugar Land TX Affect Your Credit Score?
When you apply for auto insurance in Sugar Land TX, your broker usually looks into your credit history to see how big of a liability you are and to ensure that you can keep up with your premiums. Because you're not receiving credit from your insurer, this process does not affect your credit score. Also, this is a soft check, so unlike a hard check, it does not hurt your history.