Car Insurance in Williston, VT
Experts break down auto insurance costs, coverages, companies, and more for drivers in Williston, 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.
Anyone can be in a collision, especially in the winter when road conditions can be hazardous. That's why car insurance is so important. From fender-benders on Cornerstone Drive to multi-car collisions on I-89, a good auto policy can ensure that an accident doesn't cause you unmanageable financial losses.
Finding the right policy is easy when working with a local independent agent. These agents can provide you with customized car insurance quotes from multiple providers to be sure you are getting your coverage at a reasonable price. Contact an independent insurance agent in Williston to get started.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Williston, VT?
The average cost of car insurance in Vermont is much lower than the national average, and in Williston, the average rate is even lower. This is welcome news for area residents looking for an affordable policy.
- National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
- Vermont's average annual car insurance cost: $957
- Williston's average annual car insurance cost: $922
Your actual costs could be higher or lower than this average rate. Car insurance premiums vary from one driver to the next because insurance companies calculate prices based on several considerations, such as:
- Your vehicle's make, model, year, condition, and value
- Your age, gender, occupation, marital status, and driving history
- Details about any other licensed drivers in your household
- Whether you own or rent your home
- The property crime and collision rates in the vicinity of your home
- Your insurance claims history and credit score
- The amount and types of coverage you want to purchase
- The size of your deductible
When comparing quotes from a few competing insurance providers, you can choose the policy that offers the coverage you want at the lowest price. Doing so has the potential to save you hundreds of dollars a year. Independent agents make comparison shopping easy.
You can save even more money if you bundle your car insurance with another policy like homeowners insurance or renters insurance. Ask about this and other car insurance discount opportunities when you request quotes from insurance companies.
If you are working with an independent agent, you do not need to worry about missing out on available money-saving incentives. Your agent will ensure that you receive any offered discounts for which you qualify.
Is Car Insurance Required in Williston, VT?
Vermont law requires all vehicles to be covered by a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state's minimum coverage requirements. This means that if you own a vehicle in Williston, you must have a policy that includes:
- Auto liability insurance: This covers any injuries or property damage you may cause to other people if you are at fault for a collision. Your auto liability coverage must provide, at a minimum:
- $25,000 worth of bodily injury liability insurance per person
- $50,000 worth of bodily injury liability insurance per accident
- $10,000 worth of property damage liability insurance per accident
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UM/UIM): This covers property damage and injuries sustained by you or your passengers if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver. Your UM/UIM coverage must provide, at a minimum:
- $50,000 worth of UM/UIM bodily injury insurance per person
- $100,000 worth of UM/UIM bodily injury insurance per accident
- $10,000 worth of UM/UIM property damage insurance per accident
If you are a fault for a major collision involving severe injuries, a minimum-coverage policy may not be sufficient to cover your liabilities fully. In that case, you would need to make up the difference out of pocket.
That is why many vehicle owners in Williston opt to purchase car insurance with higher liability coverage than the state requires. You can do so with umbrella insurance if you have a lot to lose and want to boost your liability protection beyond your car insurance policy limits.
Additionally, if you are financing or leasing your vehicle, your lender or dealership will likely require you to include physical damage coverage in your auto insurance policy. Physical damage coverage includes:
- Collision coverage: This 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.
If you own your car outright, physical damage coverage is optional.
What Else Does Car Insurance Cover in Williston, VT?
In addition to the different types of coverage mentioned above, you will be able to choose from a variety of coverage options. They typically include:
- Medical payments insurance: This helps pay for medical treatments for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. It can cover the things your health insurance might not, like copays, deductibles, and ambulance services.
- Gap insurance: This is designed to protect people who owe more for their vehicles than their current depreciated value. It can pay off your car loan or buy out your lease if your vehicle is totaled in a covered event.
- Towing & roadside assistance: This covers the cost of professional service if your car breaks down and you need to call for help.
- Windshield and glass replacement: This covers the cost of replacing the safety glass in your vehicle's windshield, windows, or sunroof if it is cracked or broken.
- Rental car reimbursement: This covers the cost of renting a vehicle while yours is being repaired following a covered event.
Review the coverage details and costs for all of your available options to determine which are a good fit for you and your family.
What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in Williston, VT?
Driving without insurance is illegal in Vermont. If caught, you can face penalties that include:
- Fines ranging from $100 to $600
- The suspension of your driver's license until you can provide proof of insurance
- The requirement to maintain an SR-22 for three years
- Higher car insurance rates
Additionally, if you are at fault for an accident while driving without insurance, you will be liable for paying for any property damage and injuries you may cause other people. This can get very expensive.
The good news is that Vermont has a relatively low rate of uninsured drivers:
- Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 13.0%
- Percentage of Vermont drivers who are uninsured: 6.8%
If you are in a collision caused by a driver who lacks coverage, the uninsured motorist insurance included in your auto policy will compensate you for your property damage and medical bills. Your insurance company will then sue the at-fault driver to try to recoup their losses.
Does Williston, VT Have a High Auto Theft Rate?
The auto theft rate in Vermont, and Williston specifically, is much lower than the national average. This is not to say that the risk does not exist. Residents of this city report an average of 2 vehicle thefts a year.
- National auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 2.29
- Vermont's auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.40
- Williston's auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles: 0.40
Even though you are unlikely to be the victim of auto theft, you should be aware that your car insurance provider can reimburse you for a stolen car if your policy includes comprehensive coverage.
If you are leasing or financing your car, you probably have comprehensive insurance already. If not, you may want to learn more about this versatile "other than collision" insurance.
What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Williston, VT?
Attributes that make some insurance companies stand out above the rest include responsive customer service, reliable coverage, rapid claims processing, and affordable rates.
Independent insurance agents in Williston have working relationships with some of the best car insurance companies in Vermont. When your agent recommends policies for your review, you can be sure that they are offered by insurance providers you can count on if you ever need to file a claim.
How Can an Independent Agent in Williston, VT Help Find the Best Car Insurance Policy?
When you are looking for the right car insurance policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs, look no further than a local independent agent. These experienced agents aren't tied to a particular insurance provider, so they are free to shop around as they search for the best and most affordable policy.
Arrange an obligation-free consultation with an independent insurance agent in Williston when you are ready to get answers to your insurance-related questions and to start comparing customized quotes from some of the area's most highly rated insurance companies.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Williston-Vermont.html
https://dfr.vermont.gov/sites/finreg/files/doc_library/dfr-consumers-guide-to-auto-insurance.pdf
https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/23/011