Car Insurance in Shelburne, VT
Experts break down car insurance costs, coverage, companies, and more in Shelburne, VT.
Jeff Green has held a variety of sales and management roles at life insurance companies, Wall street firms, and distribution organizations over his 40-year career. He was previously Finra 7,24,66 registered and held life insurance licenses in multiple states. He is a graduate of Stony Brook University.
Shelburne, VT, is a suburb of Burlington, Vermont’s largest city. It is situated on the shores of Lake Champlain and has a population of just over 7,700 residents.
Even the most careful drivers in Shelburne can be involved in traffic accidents. And if you cause an accident, you’re financially responsible for any damage done to other vehicles or any injuries that result. A responsive car insurance policy makes you feel more secure as you live in Shelburne.
An independent insurance agent can help you compare multiple quotes for car insurance in Shelburne, VT.
What Does Car Insurance Cover in Shelburne, VT?
A car insurance policy in Shelburne, VT will have several different types of coverage. First, all car insurance policies in Vermont must have a minimum amount of liability coverage as required by law.
- Bodily injury liability coverage: Protects you if you injure or kill someone else while driving your car. It covers an injured party's claims for damage, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It also covers your legal defense fees if another party involved in the accident sues you.
- Property damage liability coverage: Pays for any damage that you cause to the property of others (e.g., another driver’s car) and for your legal defense if you are sued.
Vermont law also requires all car owners to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage:
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Protects you if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto liability coverage. It takes the place of liability insurance that the other driver should have but does not.
In addition to the coverage required by law, there are several optional types of coverage that you can choose from, depending on your needs and your budget. These include:
- Collision coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
- Medical payments coverage (or personal injury protection): Helps pay for medical, dental, and funeral expenses for you or your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for an accident.
- Roadside assistance coverage (or towing and labor coverage): Pays for help if you are locked out of your vehicle, run out of gas, or face some other type of problem while out on the road. Your insurance company will help you contact tow trucks, locksmiths, or other forms of assistance as needed and will reimburse you for the costs of these services up to certain limits.
- Rental reimbursement coverage: Provides payment for a rental car if your vehicle is damaged and you must rent a vehicle while it is being repaired.
- Loan/lease or gap coverage: This pays the difference between what you owe on a vehicle and its cash value if it is totaled.
An independent insurance agent can help you decide which coverage offers the best protection for your needs.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Shelburne, VT?
Vermont is the 45th most expensive state for car insurance. While car insurance is relatively inexpensive in Vermont compared to many other states, you’ll still want to shop around for the best rate and take advantage of any car insurance discounts that you can qualify for.
- National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
- Vermont annual car insurance cost: $957
Your car insurance costs are based on your unique characteristics, such as where you live, the make and model of your car, and how far you drive to work or school every day.
Insurance companies base your premiums on how big a risk you are to insure. Young drivers, for example, are less experienced behind the wheel and are considered to be riskier than older, more experienced drivers. Teens and young adults should always expect to pay more for car insurance than older drivers.
A local independent insurance agent can help you evaluate multiple policy options to make sure you pick the right coverage mix for your needs.
Is Car Insurance Required in Shelburne, VT?
Vermont law establishes a minimum amount of auto insurance that every vehicle owner in the state must have. The following are the minimum coverage requirements for car owners in Shelburne, VT:
- Bodily injury liability: Required
- Property damage liability: Required
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Not required
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Required
- Underinsured motorist coverage: Required
- Minimum liability limits: 25/50/10; $25,000 for bodily injury or death per injured person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death per accident, and $10,000 coverage for property damage.
Auto liability coverage, which pays for car repairs and medical bills for other drivers if you cause an accident, is required for all drivers in Vermont. But the costs of a serious accident can easily surpass the minimum liability insurance limits required by the state.
If you don’t have enough coverage, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for all expenses that exceed your policy limits. And if you’re sued for additional damages, you may have difficulty covering the costs.
Your independent insurance agent can help you determine which coverage limits are sufficient to protect your family.
What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Shelburne, VT?
Finding the best car insurance companies in Shelburne, VT can be simple. A local independent insurance agent can help you get car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies so that you can select the best policy for your needs and budget.
How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help Me Find the Best Car Insurance in Shelburne, VT?
Instead of getting an online quote, find an independent insurance agent now, and get a one-on-one consultation and affordable options for the best coverage for your unique needs. Your agent will work with you free of charge, offering you a variety of options so you can make the best choice.
What’s more, your agent will be there for you when claim time comes. They know the ins and outs of the process and will make sure your claim is handled appropriately.
Contact an agent today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
https://www.shelburnevt.org/429/Explore-Shelburne
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/shelburnetownchittendencountyvermont,US/PST045221
https://dfr.vermont.gov/sites/finreg/files/doc_library/dfr-consumers-guide-to-auto-insurance.pdf