Auto - DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

Deer Hit

January 6, 2016 By Jon DeKok

I was heading home from my insurance office one evening shortly before the end of the year. We live about 12 miles North of Rochester. It was dark out since evening comes earlier this time of year. I could see a couple vehicles on the opposite side of the road facing me. I was traveling at about 55 miles per hour. Several feet ahead of me there was a large dead deer laying across my entire lane. With no time to avoid hitting it, I went over the top of it.

One of the vehicles on the opposite side of the road had hit the deer before I came along. I was glad to see that the driver was out of her car on her cell phone.

My first thought before I ran over the deer was – shoot! – I have no way to avoid this. My second thought was – I hope there’s no damage on my car, and my third thought was I’m so glad I have good insurance coverage. You see, I had just purchased this low mileage, no rust vehicle only a week earlier from a private party in Arizona on EBAY.

I took the car to my mechanic (Jason at “Bird’s Auto Repair”) to lift up on his hoist to check it out. I am happy to say – other than the terrible mess, there was no damage.

Since then, the car has been through about 10 car washes with underbody included.

Fact – Even though hitting an animal in the road is technically a collision, it is covered under “Comprehensive” (other than collision) coverage on your auto policy.

If you would like a quote, please call 507-226-8121 or email or me at [email protected].

We’re all looking for a good value. You will find it at DeKok Insurance Group.

Jon

DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. Referral Program: When you tell your family and friends about your positive experience with my agency, and they call for a quote, I’ll send YOU a $20 gift card.

Fear of Turning in an Auto Insurance Claim

August 25, 2015 By Jon DeKok

Clients often ask, “How will this auto insurance claim impact my insurance premium?” Your concern is a valid one, and I want you to know that as an independent insurance agent, you have options.

There are many types of auto insurance claims. They range from small ones like “Roadside Assistance” all the way to “Bodily Injury Liability”. Most insurance companies increase your premium if you have a chargeable claim (where you are are considered “at-fault), and the damage goes above their threshold. Some companies will forgive this surcharge if you have been insured with them 3 to 6 years.

One of the popular endorsements that many insurance companies now offer is designed to give you peace of mind concerning turning in an auto insurance claim.

This coverage has different names depending on your company. It is accident forgiveness and minor violation forgiveness coverage. This endorsement protects you from an increase in your auto insurance due to a chargeable accident and/or a minor violation. Typically this is based on a three-year term.

Check your coverage to see if you have this coverage, or feel free to call me at 507-226-8121 or email me at [email protected] for a review.

Sincerely,

Jon DeKok

DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. Referral Program: When you tell your family and friends about your positive experience with my agency, and they call for a quote, I’ll send YOU a $20 gift card.

[tweetthis]Claims & premiums #AccidentForgiveness #AutoInsurance #IndependentAgent[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]What is #AccidentForgiveness? #independentagent #AutoInsurance [/tweetthis]

Spend a Little, Get a Lot

April 24, 2012 By Jon DeKok

Adding these three options to your current auto policy won’t increase your premiums a lot, but will add excellent coverage. Remember that paying a little more right now might save you a lot in the future.

Roadside Assistance
Rental Reimbursement
Full Glass Breakage

Find out how much adding these options to your insurance policy will cost by calling me at 507-226-8121.

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

[tweetthis]Spend a little, get a lot. #Insurance #IndependentAgent #RochesterMN[/tweetthis]

If you have any questions regarding your insurance or insurance in Minnesota, please call me at 507-226-8121.

The Red Car Myth

January 26, 2012 By Jon DeKok

You may have heard that red cars are more expensive to insure and are often “targeted” by law enforcement officials. Let’s take a closer look at the what the statistics show.

More Expensive to Insure:

Insurance companies decide their rates based on statistics – not vehicle
color.

So why does it seem that red cars cost more to insure? To find the answer, we have to look at sales statistics. Sports cars are expensive and because they cost more to buy, they cost more to insure. The colors that outsell the rest are (in this order): red, black, and yellow.

Another factor: drivers of fast cars tend to speed more often than others.

Targeted by Law Enforcement:

Again, when looking at the numbers, this is another myth, we can bust. Law enforcement officers are targeting speeders and a high percentage of people driving expensive sports cars prefer speed. If you put these people in a
car of any color, they will exceed the speed limits and get ticketed more often. Statistics show these drivers usually prefer red and black cars – with red again being the number one choice.

When you combine the sales and driving statistics, it’s easy to see where the myth of red cars comes from, but the numbers bust it.

Jon

[tweetthis]The Red Car Myth. #RedCars #MNInsurance #Statistics[/tweetthis]

Specializing in auto, home, umbrella, business, and life insurance.

Cell Phones & Driving

January 10, 2012 By Jon DeKok

Most of us talk on our cell phones while we drive. This convenient source of communication is great in a roadside emergency, but it has a few dangerous negatives. Here are some facts I learned and want to pass them on to you:

According to the University of Utah, a driver talking on his or her cell phone while driving has the same response time as a driver with a blood-alcohol
level of .08.
People who use cell phones while driving are 4 times as likely to
get into accidents where they are injured.
Carnegie Mellon found that driving while talking on a cell phone
reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%.
Police report that 25% of the reported crashes involve a
“distracted” driver. While not all of these distractions are caused
by cell phones, the majority are.

In a recent survey, 8 in 10 drivers supports some kind of cell phone and driving restrictions. 80% would apply a ban on all texting while driving. 80% would also support a ban on emailing while driving. Most of the respondents wanted varying degrees of other restrictions, and the majority believes such laws should apply to all drivers.

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

[tweetthis]Cell Phones & Driving #DistractedDriving #DeKokInsuranceGroupInc[/tweetthis]