Frequently Asked Questions

Auto insurance is a contract between you and an insurance company that provides financial protection against losses from accidents, theft, and other vehicle-related incidents. Nearly every state requires drivers to carry a minimum level of liability coverage to legally operate a vehicle. This protects other drivers and pedestrians if you cause an accident. Beyond legal requirements, insurance safeguards your personal finances from potentially devastating repair and medical costs.

Each state sets its own minimum liability limits, typically expressed as bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage (for example, 25/50/25). Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), or medical payments coverage. New Hampshire and Virginia have unique rules. Coskun Auto Insurance helps you meet your state's requirements while recommending coverage levels appropriate for your assets and risk profile.

Your driving record is one of the most significant factors insurers use to calculate premiums. Accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and other violations signal higher risk and typically result in higher rates. Clean records often qualify for safe-driver discounts. Most violations affect your premium for three to five years, though serious offenses like DUIs may impact rates longer. Completing defensive driving courses can sometimes offset minor violations.

Yes, in many cases you can insure a vehicle you don't own through a non-owner car insurance policy or by being listed on the owner's policy. Non-owner policies provide liability coverage when you drive borrowed or rented vehicles. If you regularly drive a family member's car, being added as a named driver on their policy is usually the most cost-effective approach. Coskun can help determine the right option for your situation.

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another car or object, regardless of fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for non-collision events such as theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, fire, and animal strikes. Together, comprehensive and collision are often called "full coverage" when combined with liability insurance. Both coverages typically include a deductible you pay before the insurer covers the remaining repair costs.

Liability insurance covers damages you cause to other people and their property when you are at fault in an accident. Bodily injury liability pays for the other party's medical expenses, lost wages, and legal fees. Property damage liability covers repairs to the other person's vehicle or property. Liability does not cover your own vehicle damage or medical bills — you need collision, comprehensive, and medical coverage for your own losses.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage applies when the at-fault driver's policy limits are too low to cover your damages. According to the Insurance Research Council, roughly one in eight U.S. drivers is uninsured. UM/UIM coverage is required in some states and highly recommended everywhere, as it ensures you are not left paying out of pocket for someone else's negligence.

Your personal auto policy may extend liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage to rental vehicles, but this varies by insurer and policy terms. Coverage typically applies in the United States and Canada for personal use rentals, not commercial or international rentals. Before declining the rental company's insurance, review your policy declarations page or contact Coskun to confirm your limits and whether rental reimbursement is included if your own car is in the shop.

Roadside assistance is available as an optional add-on with most Coskun Auto Insurance policies. It typically covers towing, jump-starts, flat tire changes, lockout service, and fuel delivery within specified mileage limits. Some policies include basic roadside assistance at no extra charge. Check your policy documents or ask your agent whether roadside assistance is active on your account and what per-incident limits apply.

While there is no universal federal deadline, most insurance policies require you to report accidents promptly — often within 24 to 72 hours. State statutes of limitations for lawsuits range from one to six years depending on the state and claim type. Filing early preserves evidence, speeds repairs, and prevents complications with the other party's insurer. Contact Coskun as soon as possible after any accident, even if you are unsure about filing a claim.

Gather your policy number, date and time of the incident, location, photos of all vehicle damage, police report number (if applicable), and contact information for all drivers, passengers, and witnesses. Document weather and road conditions, and note any traffic cameras nearby. If injuries occurred, keep records of medical visits and expenses. Having this information ready when you call Coskun's claims team helps expedite the entire process.

At-fault accidents and certain comprehensive claims (such as multiple theft claims) can lead to premium increases at renewal. Not-at-fault accidents may not affect your rate with many insurers. Minor comprehensive claims like windshield repair are sometimes covered without a rate hike. Coskun offers accident forgiveness on qualifying policies, which protects your rate after your first at-fault accident. We recommend discussing the financial impact with your agent before filing small claims.

Simple claims with clear fault and minor damage can be resolved within a few days. More complex claims involving injuries, disputed liability, or total losses may take several weeks. Coskun assigns a dedicated claims adjuster to each case and aims to complete most vehicle damage claims within 48 hours of inspection. You can track your claim status online or by contacting your adjuster directly for updates throughout the process.

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the remaining claim cost. Deductibles apply to collision and comprehensive claims but not to liability claims. For example, with a $500 deductible and $3,000 in repairs, you pay $500 and the insurer pays $2,500. You choose your deductible when purchasing the policy — higher deductibles lower your premium but increase your cost at claim time.

Insurers evaluate dozens of factors including your age, driving history, credit-based insurance score (where permitted), vehicle make and model, annual mileage, garaging location, coverage limits, deductibles, and claims history. Marital status, education, and occupation may also play a role. Each insurer weighs these factors differently, which is why comparing quotes from multiple carriers — or working with Coskun to find competitive rates — can save you hundreds of dollars annually.

Common savings strategies include bundling auto with home or renters insurance, maintaining a clean driving record, raising your deductibles, driving fewer miles, installing anti-theft devices, completing defensive driving courses, and asking about discounts for good students, military service, or automatic payments. Review your coverage annually to ensure you are not over-insuring an older vehicle. Coskun agents proactively identify every discount you qualify for.

An online quote is an estimate based on the information you provide and is not a binding insurance contract. Final premiums may change after underwriting reviews your driving record, claims history, and vehicle details through official databases. A quote is typically valid for 30 days. To bind coverage, you must complete the application, pay your first premium or set up a payment plan, and receive confirmation from Coskun that your policy is active.

In most states, insurers use credit-based insurance scores as a rating factor because statistical data shows a correlation between credit history and claim frequency. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan restrict or prohibit this practice. If your credit has improved recently, request a re-rating — you may qualify for a lower premium. Coskun complies with all state regulations regarding credit-based scoring and can explain how it applies in your state.

Contact Coskun with the new driver's full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and relationship to the policyholder. All household members of driving age should be listed on your policy, even if they drive infrequently. Failure to disclose drivers can result in denied claims. Adding a teen driver will increase your premium, but good student discounts and driver training courses can help offset the cost. Changes typically take effect immediately upon confirmation.

Yes, you can cancel your policy at any time, but you should have new coverage in place before canceling to avoid a coverage gap, which can lead to higher rates and legal penalties. If you prepaid your premium, Coskun will refund any unused portion on a prorated basis minus any applicable fees outlined in your policy. Never drive uninsured — even a single day without coverage violates state law in most jurisdictions.

Most policies include a grace period (typically 7 to 30 days) during which a newly purchased vehicle is automatically covered under your existing policy. Contact Coskun with the vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, model, and lienholder information as soon as possible to formally add the vehicle and remove your old one. Your premium will be adjusted based on the new vehicle's value, safety features, and repair costs.

Proof of insurance is documentation showing you have active auto coverage meeting your state's minimum requirements. Coskun provides digital insurance ID cards accessible through your online account, which are accepted by law enforcement in all 50 states. You can also request paper cards by mail. If your policy lapses or is canceled, your state's DMV may be notified automatically, which can result in registration suspension and fines.

Missing a payment typically triggers a grace period of 10 to 30 days depending on your state and policy terms. During this time, your coverage remains active but a late fee may apply. If payment is not received by the end of the grace period, your policy will be canceled for non-payment. Reinstatement may require paying overdue premiums plus fees, and a lapse in coverage can increase future rates. Set up automatic payments to avoid interruptions.