A home inventory is one of those things that you only appreciate if you need to use it or if you don’t have one when you file a claim. Having to try to recreate your possessions when they no longer exist is a nightmare that no one should have to live through. At Arial Insurance Group in Chicago, IL, we are happy to help you understand the value of making and correctly storing a home inventory. 

A home inventory lists all the items you have in every room of your home. If you are like most people, you grossly underestimate the amount of things you own and store all around your home. Get a large pad and a pen, bring your phone or camera, and pick a room to start in. 

Write down all the things you see in as much detail as possible. If it is electronics or appliances, include the manufacturer, model, and serial number if possible. Attach any invoices or receipts that you have and take pictures. Take several pictures in every room from a variety of angles. Now open the drawers, closets, and cabinets and write down anything not in plain sight. 

Go through every room in your home doing the same thing. Don’t forget to go to the attic, basement, and any closets you have. When you have written down everything, it is time to think about a safe place to store the inventory. You need it to be available if you want it, and your home is not the best option. A safe deposit box is a good option, and make sure you have a copy in the cloud. 

Contact our team at Arial Insurance Group in Chicago, IL, if you have home insurance needs. 

In the best of all possible worlds, you would be able to take care of everything involving an auto accident, including filing a claim right after it happens. Life isn’t always so easy, and there may be reasons you find yourself waiting. However, it is important to remember that there are multiple reasons that Chicago, IL drivers should file a claim with your agent at Arial Insurance Group as soon as possible after your accident.

It Can Take Months Or Years To Know the True Extent Of Damages

Some damages are easier to assess, such as the cost of a damaged vehicle. Other damages take longer to assess, especially if there are serious injuries. You may need therapy for years, including ongoing medications and time off from work.

When it comes to deciding the full cost of a claim, you will need to add in everything you have lost, from car damages to rental car fees to doctor visits to time off from work. That doesn’t include pain and suffering or possible loss of consortium claims.

Let Your Agent Know Right Away

You will only have 2 years to file a legal claim, possibly less time in certain circumstances. Your agent can help make sure you are getting the care you need while making sure you meet your deadlines. 

If a driver waits too long to make a claim, the court will automatically dismiss it, and you will have no recourse. Don’t forget that your insurance company has those important legal resources. If you have any other questions about what to do after an accident in Chicago, IL, or if you would like to discuss your auto insurance coverage, please feel free to call Arial Insurance Group today.

There is a lot of misinformation out there about auto insurance that motorists really should be aware of. At Arial Insurance Group, we can provide you with the important information you need about auto insurance in Chicago, IL.

Here are three things you might not realize about auto insurance that you should be aware of:

You can choose from different deductible amount options

You don’t have to purchase a policy with a specific deductible amount. You should be able to choose from a few different deductible options. 

Choosing a higher deductible may help you to enjoy lower premiums. 

Auto insurance is not optional

Carrying auto insurance is important because it helps you out financially if you get into an accident. However, you shouldn’t assume that you can choose whether you want to buy auto insurance or not.

Every state requires that motorists carry auto insurance or insure themselves in some way to drive legally. Motorists can be penalized if they are caught driving without adequate insurance coverage. 

Every state sets its own auto insurance requirements

Auto insurance requirements are regulated at the state level. Different states may have different liability coverage requirements. 

In the state of Illinois, motorists need to cover at least $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident and at least $20,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident. 

While liability coverage is required by law, motorists are not typically required to carry collision or comprehensive coverage. 

Contact Our Team Today

Call us at Arial Insurance Group to learn more about auto insurance in Chicago, IL. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and give you a quote on an auto insurance policy. 

Auto insurance provides coverage for a variety of different situations. However, what’s covered will vary depending on the type of insurance that you have. Our team at Arial Insurance Group is committed to helping our Chicago, IL customers understand what their auto insurance covers. 

Illinois Auto Liability Coverage Requirements

Drivers must carry liability insurance to legally drive within the state of Illinois. Liability insurance provides personal injury and property damage coverage if you’re at fault for someone else’s injuries or property in an accident.

According to Illinois state law, all drivers must carry liability insurance that meets the state minimum coverage requirements. All drivers must purchase auto insurance that provides $25,000 per person and per accident for injury or death. Also, drivers are legally required to carry $50,000 for injury to more than one person per accident. Drivers must also carry $20,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

Auto liability insurance will cover any injuries or property damage if you’re at fault. This includes damage to your neighbor’s mailbox. In fact, liability insurance would cover damage to any property you damage as well as any injuries if you’re deemed responsible. Liability insurance is designed to pay for property damage and injuries to others when you are at fault.

However, the required minimum coverage amounts have limits. This means that you’re personally responsible for any damage or injuries that exceed the minimum coverage amounts. However, you can always purchase more than the state minimum auto insurance, if you think you need it. However, it’s best to discuss how much coverage you need, as well as the type of coverage that would best meet your needs.

Give Us A Call

Our team at Arial Insurance Group can help Chicago, IL customers determine how much insurance they need to purchase as well as what’s covered by their auto insurance policy.

At Arial Insurance Group in Chicago, IL, we offer outstanding customer service provided by our team of professionals. We work with multiple insurance carriers, which allows us to offer you choices and the ability to find exactly the coverage you need. Auto insurance is something that needs to be reviewed from time to time to make sure that the coverage you have is the coverage you need. 

When your auto policy comes up for renewal, your insurance carrier will send you a copy of the policy. The front page is the declaration page and gives you all the particulars of your policy. If you have never looked at your declaration page, you have missed an opportunity to review your policy, and you may end up not having the coverage you require or want. Check what coverage each vehicle has. That is important. When your vehicle gets to a certain age or value, it is worth thinking about whether it makes sense to have collision and comprehensive coverage. 

If your premium has increased significantly, it is a good time to review your policy and make sure all the information on it is correct. If you haven’t had an accident or added another vehicle or driver, you need an explanation about the increased premium. Are you getting all the savings you are entitled to?  Give your agent a call and ask for an explanation. You may need to look for a new carrier. 

What is your deductible? You can save money by having a higher deductible. Do you have any additional coverage such as roadside assistance? If you have AAA you don’t need to have this type of coverage. 

Contact Arial Insurance Group in Chicago, IL if you are ready to review your auto insurance coverage. You can visit the office or give us a call. 

Your auto insurance policy should do everything within its power to cover your needs as a car owner. However, we at Arial Insurance Group know that many Chicago, IL drivers may be uncertain of whether their policy is right for them. So here are a few questions you need to ask to know for sure.

Does It Cover Your Needs?

Auto insurance should provide you with a myriad of protection types, each of which is specifically suited for your needs. However, many people end up frustrated with their policy if it does not cover everything that they want. So pay attention to things like:

• Liability
• Collision coverage
• Protection from mechanical failure
• The dangers of low-insurance drivers

These problems are particularly potent in Chicago, which has an extensive range of drivers that may cause many issues. As a result, you may want to talk to your provider to learn more about whether it’s time to upgrade.

When Is It Time to Upgrade?

It’s likely time to change your insurance policy if you don’t believe its coverage meets your needs. For example, you may have a policy that handles basic collision but does not cover liability concerns. On the other hand, in a big city like Chicago, you need the policy to pay for accident coverage.

Just as importantly, you may want to upgrade your policy if you have anyone else on it, such as your children, and you find that their needs are not being met. For example, young teens often need specialized policy coverage.

Who Can Help?

If you think it’s time to change your auto insurance policy in Chicago, IL, please contact us at Arial Insurance Group to learn more. We will do what we can to help insure your vehicle with a policy that works for you.

When it comes to obtaining auto insurance, you must have, at least, liability insurance to legally drive your vehicle. However, this auto insurance typically does not cover your vehicle and bodily injury if you get in an auto accident. It only covers the other party’s auto repair, medical costs, and more if you are at-fault in the accident. Having said that, there are more types of auto insurance coverage you can have, and the following includes the six common types of auto insurance protection: 

1. Bodily Injury Liability

This insurance coverage is for the policyholder and family members’ injuries. 

2. Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

This insurance coverage is for the driver and passengers’ injuries of the policyholder’s vehicle. It typically covers lost wages, medical payments, and even funeral costs.

3. Property Damage Liability

This insurance coverage is for damage to another party’s property caused by policyholders or someone permitted to drive the policyholders’ vehicle. 

4. Collision

This insurance coverage is for damage to the policyholder’s vehicle due to a collision from another vehicle, vehicle flipping over, or an object. It does not matter who was at-fault with this coverage.  

5. Comprehensive

This insurance coverage is for damage not caused by a collision, such as riots, vandalism, windstorms, earthquakes, floods, and animal contact. 

6. Underinsured and Uninsured Motorist Coverage

This covers auto damage and bodily harm due to an underinsured or uninsured motorist. 

As previously mentioned, these are common types of auto insurance. Other types of coverage include rental car reimbursement, gap insurance, accident forgiveness insurance, and more.

For more information about auto insurance, contact Arial Insurance Group today. Located in Lincolnshire, a northern suburb of Chicago, IL, the agents at Arial Insurance Group have over 30 years of auto insurance experience in Chicago, IL, and surrounding areas. Thus, you will be in good hands with this agency. Contact them today.

One thing motorists should know about their auto insurance needs is that every state has different auto insurance requirements in place. At Arial Insurance Group, we offer motorists in Chicago, IL auto insurance policies that allow them to meet the requirements set forth by the state of Illinois.

The following are three auto insurance requirements in Illinois.

At least $25,000 of coverage for the injury or death of one person in an accident.

Motorists in Illinois may be held liable for medical expenses for any individual hurt in an accident for which they are deemed responsible.

The liability insurance of an Illinois driver needs to offer a minimum of $25,000 of coverage, but it’s wise for motorists to invest in additional coverage. Medical expenses for a vehicle accident injury could easily total more than $25,000. 

At least $50,000 of coverage for the injury or death of multiple individuals in an accident.

The state of Illinois requires further minimum coverage when it comes to an accident in which more than one individual is injured. For this scenario, at least $50,000 in injury coverage is required. 

At least $20,000 of coverage for property damage. 

Illinois law also stipulates that motorists must carry liability coverage for property damage. A motorist needs to have at least $20,000 in insurance coverage for damages caused to the physical property of another individual in an accident.

The police can cite motorists in Illinois who do not carry at least the coverage mentioned above. If this happens, their vehicle is likely to be impounded, and they may face a driver’s license suspension. 

You can learn about the features our auto insurance policies offer at Arial Insurance Group by contacting us online or over the phone. We’re here to help motorists in Chicago, IL to meet their insurance needs. If you’re in Arkansas, we also provide services in the Little Rock area.