How Much Coverage Does Your Vehicle Need? - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

Greg shares tips on selecting adequate insurance coverage for your vehicle in this episode of Ask The Expert. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.

Here's a full transcript of this episode:

Rob Carnie: Greg Marcyniuk from Heritage Insurance in downtown Moose Jaw, on 800 CHAB's Ask the Expert today, and today we're focused on insurance and vehicle insurance, and the various packages you can get.

I think, Greg, it's safe to say many people, maybe even most people, just get the basic plate coverage on their vehicles. But there are other options and most worthwhile options, sir.

Greg Marcyniuk: Oh, for sure. I think a lot of people feel that once they purchase a plate, they're going to be covered. Well, that's the furthest from the truth that could be. With your plate coverage, first of all, you have a $700 deductible which means if you get in an accident, you're responsible for that first $700. The other things is liability protection, and there's only a basic $200,000. In today's day and age, $200,000 just does not cover you very far.

Now, when you get in an accident, that's when you need it, and if you ask yourself, do you travel outside of Saskatchewan, or even in Saskatchewan, for that matter? If you get in an accident, and if you're at fault, your package policy will cover it, dependent upon the amount that you get. You can get up to $5 million. This will provide coverage for you. The other thing is if you're traveling, and if the other person is uninsured, hasn't renewed their plate, whatever, you do not have — you know, you may not have any coverage that will extend to you, and especially in the event if something happens where you get killed, with the package policy, it will provide for up to $2 million. It will also provide death benefits. It will also provide education for your children. There's a lot there that can provide coverage, and that coverage is as little as $5 per month, just for a basic liability coverage.

The other things that a lot of people don't realize, you buy a new car. As soon as you take that car off the lot, it drops in value 20%. If you get it totally written off, you're out that 20% on that vehicle. You can get full total replacement cost on a newer vehicle, and I'm telling you, I see this time and time again where people have done it, gotten their car written off, and just for the little amount that it costs you to have that in place. As well, does your vehicle spend a lot of time outdoors? As far as with the hailstorm that we had, any vandalism, or if you come out, somebody's rammed the side of it with a shopping cart — which does happen — your $700, you're responsible for that $700. So you can reduce that down to as low as $100, so those type of things are covered.

The other thing is if you're out driving on gravel roads a lot, or even on our highways, how often do you get your windshield chipped, or it gets dinged, where you have to replace it? Again, without a package policy, you're responsible for that first $700, so it's a lot of money that comes out of your pocket. Just makes common sense, and it's very minimal cost.

A lot of people don't realize how little it is until they come and sit down, and they just say, "Oh, I wish I would have had this." And it's typically after they've been in an accident. They come in and say, "I should have bought this." So highly recommend that people do take a look at this.

Rob: And we don't have to wait until our plates are up for renewal. We can add this insurance any time.

Greg: That's correct, you just have to come down here to Heritage Insurance, corner of Fairford and 1st, and we'll take care of that for you.

(Video transcription by Speechpad)

How Much Coverage Does Your Vehicle Need? - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk

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