Reader’s Question:

I’ve been given a hand-me down van and I love it! However, do I need to insurer a van? If so, how do I go about getting van insurance?

Clark

Abilene, TX

Yes. Texas, like most states, requires anyone who owns a vehicle (airplane, trucks, boats, cars, vans, etc.) to carry adequate amounts of liability insurance coverage. The state wants to make sure that you are capable of financially compensating anyone you injure and properties you damage in the even you cause an accident with your vehicle.

So van insurance coverage is definitely something you should have. Listed below are some tips not only to help you get van insurance coverage, but also help you get the best provider and be able to save money at the same time:

1. Keep Your Van Secured – Park it inside a garage at night and install additional safety and security mechanisms. These will minimize your van’s exposure to the risk of car theft and vandalism, helping you to reduce rates in the process.

2. Know Your Discounts – Ask your insurer about this or visit their website for published discount information. Some of these discounts include: low-mileage discounts, good student discounts, multi-policy discounts, and defensive driver discounts.

3. Compare Rate Offers – Use car insurance comparison portals (like this one) to help you locate and buy car insurance for your van at the best prices. You can get a free quote and easily compare different insurers in your area to maximize your chances of getting a good deal.

4. Keep a Good Driving Record – Being a safe and responsible driver will help a lot in keeping your van insurance coverage affordable. The less likely you are to get into accidents, the lower the rates your insurer will give you.

5. Go with the Best Insurer – Know which insurers have the best overall score (customer service, billing, pricing, claims handling etc.) in your area by visiting the website of independent rating agencies like Moodys, J.D. Power and A.M. Best.

Tags: affordable van insurance, buy car insurance