Auto Accident Guide: Steps to Take After an Incident

Most drivers may experience a car accident at some point, especially if they have been driving for a long duration. Here’s a guide to help you know what to do if you ever get involved in an accident.

Ensure Safety First

The Initiative after an accident is to confirm the safety of all implicated parties. Check for any injuries on yourself, then verify the well-being of your passengers and the occupants of the other vehicle.

If anyone is injured, summon an ambulance right away because people’s safety supersedes any insurance matters. In many cases, drivers involved in accidents around Oviedo, FL, can also relocate their vehicles to a secure location.

Exchange Critical Information

Switch contact and insurance data with the other driver involved in the accident. This includes names, addresses, phone numbers, insurers, and policy numbers. Acquiring contact information from any witnesses can be advantageous, too.

At Karla Salmon Insurance, we suggest drivers carry a physical copy of their insurance data in their vehicle, although looking it up on your phone is also feasible.

Document the Scene Accurately

Taking photographs of the accident scene can be beneficial when completing your insurance claim, mainly when there’s ambiguity concerning who’s at fault.

Capture images of all involved vehicles from a range of angles, showing the damage and the entire scene. Document any crucial road signs, traffic lights, or stop signs as well.

Call the Police if Required

In case of significant accidents, those that involve injuries or property damage, or any disagreement related to the accident’s occurrence, call the police. A police report delivers a credible and neutral document detailing the officer’s observations and the reported statements.

Reach Out for Auto Insurance Help

For auto insurance assistance, get in touch with Karla Salmon Insurance. Having helped numerous Oviedo, FL drivers, we’re here to assist you, too.

If you live in Oviedo, the last thing on your mind while cruising down Orlando’s suburban roads is getting in an automobile accident. Auto accidents cause thousands of dollars in property damages and personal injuries and even lead to lawsuit filings in legal liability claims. 

Protect yourself and the passengers in your vehicle with the best auto insurance coverages available for your situation. 

Insurance pros at Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL can talk to you about must-have coverages for local area drivers. 

Must-Have Auto Insurance Coverage for Oviedo, FL Drivers 

• Bodily Injury Liability: This mandatory liability insurance coverage helps to cover the costs of medical expenses for injured drivers if you’re at fault for a car accident. 
• Property Damage Liability: Most drivers don’t ever expect to damage someone else’s property while driving on palm tree-lined Florida roads, but it can happen. Adequate liability insurance can help cover the costs. 
• Collision Coverage: Collision coverage isn’t mandatory, but it is highly recommended for Florida drivers who want to have fewer out-of-pocket expenses for the repair or replacement of their vehicle when it’s been in an accident. 
• Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive insurance coverage offers a total insurance solution that includes protections for collisions, weather-related incidents, and non-collision-related incidents like vandalism or theft. 
• Roadside Assistance: Adding roadside assistance to an automobile insurance policy can save policyholders time and money spent waiting for emergency roadside assistance on the side of Florida’s blistering hot roads. 
• Rental Car Reimbursement: Talk to licensed insurance agents to learn about rental car reimbursement if you’re stuck without your car for a while because of accident-related car repairs. 

Please don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your four-wheeled investments. Contact Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL, and get an auto insurance quote today! 

Ridesharing services, like Uber and Lyft, have transformed how we commute. Whether you’re a full-time rideshare driver or occasionally offer rides to supplement your income, understanding the auto insurance implications is crucial. Here at Karla Salmon Insurance, providing auto insurance to customers in the greater Oviedo, FL region, we want to help you learn what rideshare drivers need to know about auto insurance.

Personal Auto Insurance

Most personal auto insurance policies do not cover commercial activities like ridesharing. Your coverage may be denied if you’re involved in an accident while driving for a rideshare company and only have personal insurance.

Rideshare Company Coverage

Rideshare companies typically provide insurance coverage while you’re actively driving for them. However, these policies often have coverage gaps, such as when you’re waiting for a ride request or driving without a passenger. It’s essential to understand when the rideshare company’s insurance applies.

Gap Insurance

Some insurance companies offer rideshare or gap insurance to bridge the coverage gaps. This additional coverage can protect you when using your vehicle for personal use but still has the potential for ride-share-related incidents.

If you’re a rideshare driver, don’t overlook the importance of proper auto insurance coverage. Review your personal policy, understand your rideshare company’s coverage, and consider adding gap insurance if necessary. Being informed and adequately insured will provide peace of mind as you navigate the roads as a rideshare driver, ensuring you’re protected in case of unexpected events. If you’re a rideshare driver and unsure if your auto insurance policy covers you, or you’re looking for a new policy in the greater Oviedo, FL region, reach out to the team at Karla Salmon Insurance to get help finding the perfect policy today. 

Basic auto insurance is the insurance that is required by the state you live in. Florida is a no-fault state requiring Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL). You must have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP and a minimum of $10,000 in PDL. This helps to take care of others who suffer damage to their vehicle due to an accident you are found to be at fault. It also covers your injuries. 

When choosing auto coverage, you can count on Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL to offer the assistance and customer service you require. 

Basic auto coverage may be okay if you have no assets and a vehicle with very little value, but you will need more for everyone else. 

Liability coverage

Liability insurance protects you from legal action that may be taken against you due to an auto accident. It pays not only for the judgment but for legal fees as well. 

Collision

When your vehicle is damaged, in an accident, by a hit and run, or in a one-vehicle accident, this insurance will pay to have your car repaired or replaced after the deductible is paid. 

Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage covers most other types of damage your vehicle can sustain. Things like hail, strong winds, floods, vandalism, and theft. It also includes glass coverage which will replace your windshield if it is damaged. 

Gap coverage

Gap insurance covers the dollar amount between the amount of your car loan and the value the insurance company gives to your vehicle. 

At Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL, we will be here to help when you need us. Give us a call or stop by our office. 

As a car owner, you know that your vehicle is an investment. But it can be challenging to determine which auto insurance policy is right for you. After all, so many different policies with various coverage options are available. To ensure your car is adequately protected, you must understand what coverage you need and how much it will cost. Here are some of the options Karla Salmon Insurance can offer for Oviedo, FL residents.

Liability Coverage 

All states require drivers to have liability coverage, which protects other people if they are responsible for an accident. Liability coverage includes two types of coverage: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Bodily injury covers medical expenses for people injured in an accident that was your fault. Property damage covers any repairs needed for property affected by an accident (e.g., another vehicle or a building). 

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage helps pay for repairs if you are involved in an accident with another driver or object (e.g., a tree or telephone pole). This type of coverage also pays for damages caused by flipping or rolling over your vehicle during an accident—something that’s not covered by liability coverage. 

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by something other than a collision, such as theft, weather-related events (e.g., hail damage), or vandalism (e.g., broken windows). This type of coverage also pays if your car is stolen or damaged while parked on the street or in a parking lot—something else not covered by liability insurance. 

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects if you’re involved in an accident with someone who does not have sufficient insurance to cover all damages incurred during the accident—or no insurance at all! This policy also covers lost wages due to accidental injuries and medical bills resulting from an uninsured driver’s negligence. 

If you’re looking for reliable auto insurance policies in Oviedo, FL, contact Karla Salmon Insurance today!

If you wear your seat belt, you may survive an auto accident without even a scratch. The same might not be said about your car. After insurance is exchanged and the police have taken reports, there’s still the genuine problem of getting a no longer viable vehicle off the street. In Florida, that can cost anywhere from $75 to $125, depending on the distance towed. If it’s only somewhere between five and ten miles, it’s $50 minimum. Who gets the bad news? 

Roadside Assistance

If you add roadside assistance coverage to your auto insurance, this may cover towing expenses. This is if your car breaks down on the road due to mechanical failure, out of gas, a nail in the tire, etc. If you need towing due to another driver’s mistake, they may have to pay for your towing through their liability insurance. Keep in mind that Florida is an At-Fault state. Also, remember to check your policy and hold on to those receipts. 

Making Roadside Assistance Work for You

You could call the tow company, pay upfront, hold onto the receipt and let your insurer reimburse you later. Or you could call your insurer and let them make the towing arrangements for you. Remember, there may be a limit to your insurer’s willingness to pay. If your problem is a dead battery or being out of gas, your insurer may make arrangements for you to get what you need to have your car moving on its own again rather than call the tow truck. If you have an electric vehicle, the roadside assistance coverage may cover a tow to a charging station. Please read the whole thing to find out what you can get before you need it. 

Karla Salmon Insurance Serving Oviedo, FL 

If you feel like you need your insurance policy explained, Karla Salmon Insurance will help you understand everything clearly. 

You have probably invested in car insurance because it’s mandatory. For instance, Florida requires all motorists to invest in property damage liability and personal injury protection. But should you invest in car insurance because your state requires it? Karla Salmon Insurance in Oviedo, FL differs. Car insurance is more than just compliance. Here are the reasons.

State-required car insurance isn’t adequate.

Your mandatory car insurance is just a minimum. For instance, Florida only requires $10,000 each for PIP and property liability insurance. When faced with significant accidents, these amounts can only go far in protecting you.

We often advise our clients to increase the limits of the state minimums. For example, we advise clients to consider combined property damage and bodily injury liability coverage of above $300,000. If you need higher liability coverage, we recommend investing in umbrella insurance.

Similarly, a requirement of $10,000 for PIP is just too low, given the high cost of healthcare in the US. We usually advise you on the appropriate PIP amount after evaluating your health insurance coverage. We can advise you on balancing the two policies for optimal benefits.

Basic insurance doesn’t cover you.

In most cases, mandatory car insurance only protects third parties but not you and your vehicle. Considering that, it’s advisable to opt for optional car insurance policies. If you want to protect your vehicle from risks like fire and collisions, invest in comprehensive and collision policies. These insurance policies repair or replace your car when lost or damaged by a covered peril.

Car insurance in Florida

There are enough reasons to purchase more than the state-required car insurance. All-rounded car insurance gives you optimal protection and peace of mind throughout your car ownership. Want to buy car insurance in Oviedo, FL? Please get in touch with Karla Salmon Insurance for affordable car insurance.

 

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Florida is probably the beaches, the theme parks, and all of the nightlife. However, looking closely, you’ll also find other hidden gems. At Karla Salmon Insurance, we are proud to serve the Oviedo, FL, area, so we’ve put together this list of scenic drives that showcase the best our region has to offer!

The Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway

This 123-mile drive takes you through the heart of Ocala National Forest, where the black bear population is at its most robust. And there is much more to see as you traverse the Big Scrub ecosystem! Stop along the way to explore some of the state’s prettiest lakes, like Lake George or Lake Kerr.

Green Mountain Scenic Byway

A cyclist’s dream, this byway is an exciting route of winding curves and rolling hills along the west side of Lake Apopka. Start at Mount Dora and enjoy the many recreational areas and wildlife watching spots along the way south to Winter Garden. These lovely towns both enjoy putting on shows, festivals, and more, so there’s always a reason to explore.

Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway

This drive takes you along the Indian River Lagoon, one of the state’s most impressive and unique natural refuges. This barrier island system is protected from development and is a beautiful home for dozens of Florida’s endangered species. The closeness to the Kennedy Space Center makes this a perfect educational day trip!

Conclusion

There is no denying that driving around Florida is an incredible experience. There are many more scenic byways than we could hope to fit here. If you’re an Oviedo, FL driver, ensure you have the right car insurance. Reach out to Karla Salmon Insurance today!

Most people know that they need car insurance, but not many people know their options. If you want to learn about the different types of auto coverage, read on.

Types of Car Insurance

There are five types of auto insurance coverage: liability, collision, comprehensive, medical, and uninsured/underinsured protection. Each one is there for a different reason and has a specific function in helping you return to stability after an accident occurs.

1. Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is for damage that occurs to your car, not resulting from an accident. For example, this includes hail damage or theft.

2. Medical Coverage

If you are injured in an accident, medical coverage will help pay for your injuries and get you back on your feet quickly. It can cover doctor and hospital costs, ambulance services, and even rehabilitation.

3. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This coverage takes care of you if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have any insurance or not enough insurance to cover your bills. It can pay for medical costs, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.

4. Liability Coverage

The first type of coverage is liability insurance. This covers you if you are at fault for an accident that causes bodily injury or property damage to another party. This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, or other costs associated with the accident.

5. Collision Coverage

The next type of coverage is accident-related, which is called collision insurance. A collision occurs when your car strikes something, like another vehicle or a tree. While your liability coverage will help you pay for damages that result from an accident that is your fault, collision coverage pays for damages to your car resulting from the accident.

There are many types of auto coverage, and it is vital to understand what each one does. Karla Salmon Insurance can help you find the best insurance for your needs in Oviedo, FL. Call Karla Salmon Insurance today for a free quote.

It happens when we are on the phone trying to get this really boring errand out of the way. We say yes to the insurance agent that is securing our car insurance, and then wind up annoyed for the rest of the year because our premiums feel too high. They might be. 

At Karla Salmon Insurance, we want Oviedo, FL drivers to have what they need on the road.  You don’t have to say yes to everything. We can help you to determine the best policy for your needs, and it doesn’t take long to do that for you at all.

Here are some ways to avoid paying too much for Florida auto insurance.

Increase Your Deductible

It is a given that your rates will go down if you have a high deductible. You are assuming some financial risk in the event of an accident, and this risk brings your premiums down. Pick a realistic amount for you, and this will help you to avoid buying too much auto insurance.

Buy What You Need

Do you need a special rider on your Florida auto insurance for all of those times you rent a car? It can help if you rent a car a lot. Do you?

It can sound like an exciting add-on, and it is if you will use it. Add on to your policy only the things that you know you will need. If you already have AAA for roadside assistance, you don’t need to add it to your car insurance. 

Watch Collision Insurance and Comprehensive Insurance Rates

If your car has a lower value or is very old, you may not need either of these additions to your auto insurance policy. If, for example, the blue book value of your vehicle is less than $2,000, it might not be worth it. The amount you pay for that in insurance could be saved for a better car down the road.

You won’t get a full replacement value in the event of a collision, and insurance companies reach a point where repairs worth more than the car lead to a write-off.

You don’t always need collision and comprehensive insurance unless a lender requires it. They are great to have, but a waste of money if your car is older.

Get a Quote

When you are looking for auto insurance in Florida, it’s easy to overbuy. Avoid that by thinking more about what you need. At Karla Salmon Insurance, we want Oviedo, FL drivers to have what they need to get the premiums that work best for them. Call us for a quote today.