The right auto insurance policy can help get you back on the road quickly if your car is damaged or destroyed by accident, fire, theft, or other covered event. Your policy also provides protection against medical and legal expenses resulting from injury, loss of life, or property damage caused by an accident involving your vehicle.
An auto insurance policy is a contract between you and an insurance company. You pay a premium, and in exchange, the insurance company promises to pay for specific car-related financial losses during the term of the policy. Work with one of our experienced agents to determine the best coverages for you.
What kind of insurance do I need?
In Missouri, to drive you must carry:
Liability coverage - to pay for losses you cause others, and:
Uninsured Motorist coverage - to pay you and your passengers for medical and related expenses caused by injuries from an uninsured driver.
Drivers must, by law, be able to pay for losses they cause others. Having insurance is the simplest way for most people to comply. To finance a car, it is usually necessary to also have insurance which covers damage to your vehicle. This includes:
Collision
Collision insurance coverage pays for damage caused to your vehicle in an automobile accident, when you are "at fault". Standard collision coverage will pay for any repairs up to the fair market value of your car. Collision coverage usually also comes with an insurance deductible. It's the amount of money you pay toward repairs before your collision insurance kicks in. The higher the deductible you're willing to pay, the less the collision coverage will cost.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
Comprehensive coverage is very similar to collision coverage - the main difference is that comprehensive covers damage caused to your vehicle caused by any unknown party or "act of God". Vandalism, flood, hurricane, theft, windshield damage and fire are all events usually covered by comprehensive automobile insurance. Like collision, comprehensive will pay up to the fair market value of your car (less your insurance deductible.) And although it's not legally required by any state, you will probably need it if your car is financed.
Home Insurance
Whether you own or rent, insuring the place you call home can help protect you financially if you suffer a loss due to fire, theft, vandalism, or other covered events. Depending on where you live - a house, apartment, or condominium – the right home insurance policy can provide you peace of mind as well as the money you need to repair or replace your home and/or belongings. It will also cover you in the event someone is injured while on your property and wins a legal judgment against you.
Flood Insurance is typically NOT included in a homeowners policy.
The Homeowners Policy
Homeowners policies differ by which losses are covered, which coverages you choose, and what type of residence you own. You choose which policy is best for you, whether it’s a comprehensive policy that cover losses such as fire, hail, smoke, falling objects, vandalism and theft of personal property, or whether it’s a policy that covers only specified losses.
Types of coverages
The four types of homeowners’ coverage are:
Structural — Covers damage to your home or dwelling.
Personal Belongings — Covers damage to items in or on your home or dwelling.
Liability Protection — Covers your legal responsibility for injuries or damage to other people or property.
Additional Living Expenses — Covers costs for temporary housing, meals, etc., while your home is being restored or rebuilt.
Structural and Personal Belongings coverages are available on an actual cash value (ACV) basis or at full replacement cost. ACV coverage considers the current market value of an item based on its age and condition. So, if you purchased a television for $400 four years ago, the value today would be significantly less than it was when you purchased it. ACV coverage would depreciate the item's value to determine the current value. Full replacement cost considers the current cost to replace an item.
Your responsibilities
Make an inventory of your home and personal belongings. If possible, make a list as well as take photos or video - using two inventory methods can help expedite the claim resolution process. Keep this list somewhere other than your home. Keep in mind that your policy doesn't cover damages caused by poor or deferred maintenance on your part.
Renters Insurance
You may not own the place where you live, but you still need insurance protection.
Flood Insurance is typically NOT included in a renters policy.
Renters insurance will protect your personal property, your liability and moving expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable because of an insured loss.
Flood Insurance
Flood Insurance is offered through the National Flood Insurance Program. Although the government actually provides the coverage, Teeple Insurance Agency issues the policy and, in the event of flood damage to your insured property, would also service your claim. Remember, Flood Insurance is typically NOT included in a homeowners policy.
Watercraft Insurance
A Boatowners Policy can insure you against most risks of owning and operating your boat, its motor and its trailer. Just as importantly, it can protect you against liability lawsuits, should you injure someone with your boat or damage their property.
Umbrella Liability
If you accidentally injure someone or damage their property, you could potentially be involved in a costly lawsuit. Verdicts amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars are being awarded by juries across the country in increasing numbers. Even though your underlying policies may provide substantial liability limits, it is not uncommon today for juries to award damages that exceed those limits. Umbrella coverage provides you higher coverage limits and peace of mind.