The world of auto insurance can be confusing, especially when deciding between working directly with an insurance company or a broker. At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, serving the greater Omaha, NE region, we’re here to clarify these options so you can make an informed choice.

Auto Insurance Companies

When you work directly with an auto insurance company, you purchase a policy from a specific provider. This means you’re limited to the company’s products and rates. While this can simplify the process, as you’re dealing with just one entity, it may not provide the flexibility to compare options from different insurers.

Auto Insurance Brokers

On the other hand, an auto insurance broker acts as an intermediary between you and multiple insurance companies. Brokers can access a wide range of policies and offer personalized advice based on your specific needs and budget. Their goal is to find the best coverage for you, often saving you time and money by comparing different plans.

Which Is Right for You?

Choosing between a company and a broker depends on your preferences. Working directly with an insurance company might be best if you value having a straightforward relationship with a single provider. However, if you prefer a tailored approach with more options, a broker could offer the flexibility and expertise you need.

Let Us Help You Decide

At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, serving the larger Omaha, NE area, we’re committed to helping you understand your auto insurance choices. Contact us today if you’re leaning towards a direct company or exploring broker options. Our team is ready to guide you through the process and find the perfect solution for your auto insurance needs.

At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, we want our Omaha, NE, clients to enjoy the auto insurance they need when needed. This blog covers the difference between necessary coverage for a new car and a used vehicle. While you’ll buy the same policy regardless of your vehicle’s age, the coverage types in the policy vary.

What Stays the Same

Every driver in the state of Nebraska must insure their new or used vehicle with liability coverage that meets the minimum coverage requirements. This includes bodily injury and property damage coverages.

What Differs

When you purchase a new car, your lender may require you to carry full coverage, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage. That ensures that if the auto gets totaled or stolen, your insurance policy will fully cover what you owe the bank for the loan. Once you pay off your loan, you may want to keep the full coverage because you would have to pay for a new vehicle out of pocket without it.

When you own a used vehicle, an insurer typically suggests comparing the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage with the used auto’s replacement value. If you could replace the car for the annual premiums and deductible cost, buying full coverage doesn’t make sense. If a vehicle replacement costs more than the premiums and deductible, then accept the coverage and save money if anything happens to the vehicle.

Contact Ed Thompson Insurance Agency Today

Contact Ed Thompson Insurance Agency today to update your auto insurance. Don’t leave your Omaha, NE, driveway without the appropriate auto coverage.

At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, we serve Omaha, NE residents with customizable auto insurance that protects their financial security while they drive on city streets and country roads. Nebraska lets its drivers include options in their auto insurance policies that some states don’t offer, and today’s blog introduces our readers to those options.

Nebraska Auto Insurance Options 

Nebraska ranks among the states that allow policyholders to add coverage beyond liability, comprehensive, and collision. These coverage types can help you build a strong full-coverage auto policy. Still, the government allows three optional insurance coverage types to help policyholders round out their auto coverage in our fine state. Consider these options: 

• Medical Payments/Medical Benefits: This coverage pays for your medical bills regardless of who caused an accident, including single-vehicle accidents.
• Loan/Lease Payoff, or gap coverage: This pays for your loan or leases if you total your vehicle before paying it off.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: This reimburses you when you need to rent a vehicle because yours got damaged in an accident. 

Whether you carry the state minimum or full coverage, you qualify to add these three optional coverage types to your policy.

Contact Our Insurance Agency Today 

Call or email Ed Thompson Insurance Agency to create a custom auto insurance policy that protects your financial security and adds convenience to your policy. Don’t leave your Omaha, NE driveway without proper insurance coverage. Let us help you create an auto insurance policy that provides for all your automotive needs. If you moved here from a state that didn’t offer medical payment coverage, grab your chance to enjoy this helpful backup to health insurance.

At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, we take our responsibilities to our customers very seriously. We are independent insurance agents and work for our customers, not for the insurance carriers. This allows us to provide more choices and more opportunities to get the best possible insurance at a great price. 

A basic auto insurance policy is liability coverage that protects other people from you. Most add-ons are about you and your vehicle. 

Collision

Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle if you are in an accident and are deemed the responsible party. If you lease a vehicle or have a car loan, you will need this coverage. 

Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage covers your vehicle for a wide variety of hazards. One of the main ones is theft. It also covers you for vandalism, collision with a large animal, and other events that are out of your control. It covers glass, but there is a deductible. 

Full glass coverage

Full glass coverage replaces cracked or damaged glass without having to pay a deductible. 

Gap Coverage

Gap coverage is an important add-on if you have a relatively new vehicle and an auto loan. It pays the difference between what you still owe on your vehicle and the amount the insurance company pays you. 

Roadside service

Roadside service provides care if you have mechanical problems with your vehicle. It can provide a jump start, replace a flat tire, or tow you to a service station. 

Rental car

Rental car coverage is not for a car you rent for vacation but rather a rental car that you need when your vehicle has been damaged or totaled. It will allow you to have something to drive for a few days or weeks. 

Give our office a call at Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, to make an appointment to discuss your auto insurance needs. 

One of the types of coverage you can acquire for your automobile is called “comprehensive” insurance. This type of coverage offers reimbursement for damage that results from incidents that don’t involve a collision. At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, we provide auto insurance coverage to protect against expensive losses.

What Is Comprehensive Auto Coverage?

Comprehensive auto coverage involves damage to your vehicle that is not caused by a collision. It covers theft, fire, acts of nature, vandalism, impacts with animals, and falling objects. It is generally required for vehicles that are financed. Older vehicles may not benefit from comprehensive coverage because it only covers up to the cash value of the car minus the deductible amount.

Why Comprehensive Coverage May Be Important For Your Needs

If you live in an area that experiences frequent hailstorms, having comprehensive coverage to help pay for damage can be cost-effective. Similarly, if you live in a rural area where encounters with deer on the road occur on a regular basis, comprehensive insurance can be valuable coverage. You may live in an area where auto theft is a frequent problem, where this coverage can limit your loss. If you live in an area with periodic wildfires, comprehensive coverage can cover losses from fire.

Contact Us Today for Your Auto Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage is a complex subject, and you may have many questions about your coverage. Our agents can answer your questions, so can be assured you have the coverage you need. We offer a broad range of insurance products for individuals and businesses. Contact Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE today for a no-obligation quote on auto insurance coverage that’s right for you.

Your car or truck can be vulnerable to a number of risks. Not only driving accidents but also theft, fire, vandalism, and other events can cause severe damage. Comprehensive coverage is a type of insurance coverage that covers these hazards, so you can quickly repair your vehicle and be back on the road. At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE, we can help you determine the right coverage for your unique needs.

Understanding Comprehensive Auto Coverage

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage that is caused by common non-collision events. Weather events such as hail, flooding, or tornado damage would be covered under this type of insurance. Fire or explosions would also be covered. If you hit a deer on the road or a tree limb falls on your vehicle, the event would be covered. If your vehicle is stolen or vandalized, you will be covered for the incident.

You May Be Required To Have Comprehensive Coverage

If you finance your vehicle, you will probably be required to have comprehensive insurance to protect the interests of the lending institution. Similarly, if you lease your vehicle, the company offering the leasing contract may require comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage Is An Additional Cost on Your Premium

You may not be required to carry comprehensive coverage, but it can still help to defray the costs when unexpected damage happens. In this way, you’re not responsible for the entire amount of repair to your vehicle.

 Make Us Your Agent For Auto Coverage

If you have questions regarding comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, our experienced agents can provide answers to help you make an informed decision. We offer a full range of insurance products for individuals and for businesses. Contact Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE today for a no-obligation quote on comprehensive coverage that can help save you money when an unexpected hazard occurs.

If you want to buy auto insurance, you need to understand the different kinds of coverage available. Different types of auto insurance can protect you and your car. The agents at Ed Thompson Insurance Agency have put together crucial information on the types of coverage available in Omaha, NE.

Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is a legal requirement in most states to drive a car. It can help pay for injuries and property damage that you cause to others in a covered accident.

Collision and Comprehensive Insurance

Collision insurance can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car if it is damaged in an accident with another vehicle. Comprehensive insurance can offer extra protection in case of an accident with another vehicle. It can also help pay for damage to your car from things like vandalism, weather events, or animal collisions.

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Insurance

Uninsured motorist insurance pays for bodily injury and damage to you or your car, respectively. Uninsured motorist coverage kicks in if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or leaves the accident scene (hit and run). This coverage is often combined with underinsured motorist insurance, which kicks in if the at-fault driver’s insurance won’t cover all your expenses.

Medical Payments Coverage

Medical bills after an accident can be very high, so this coverage can help pay for medical expenses related to a covered accident. It covers you in all accidents, no matter who is at fault.

Towing and Rental Reimbursement

If you have comprehensive car insurance, you can add towing and rental reimbursement to your policy. These coverage types will pay for a tow within the limits set in the policy. Getting around after an accident can be costly. Rental reimbursement insurance can help pay for a rental car while your car is being repaired after an accident.

Reach Out To Us

Contact Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE to set up an appointment for a free quote!

At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, we are happy to assist Omaha, NE drivers with all their auto insurance needs and related concerns, such as what to do next if you have been in an accident. 

Check out this step-by-step guide to what to do when you’re dealing with a hit and run:

First: Get Help

If you’ve been involved in a hit and run accident, call 911 (if there are injuries or you’re in an unsafe area, such as on the side of a busy highway). If there are no accidents or immediate danger, call your local police station. 

Second: Gather Evidence

After you’ve received any immediately necessary medical treatment and are in a safe location, it’s time to gather some evidence. Take pictures of any damage to your vehicle. If you remember any details about the person who hit your car (such as the make and model of the car they were driving, a description of the driver, or the state on their license plate) be sure to write it down, so you’re able to convey information to your insurance company. If anyone witnessed the accident, be sure to ask them for anything they noticed. 

Third: Call Your Insurance Company.

You’ll want to let your insurance company know right away that you’ve been involved in a hit and run accident. Be sure to call even if you’re not sure whether you’ll file a claim. 

Searching for the right auto insurance? We’re here to help

At Ed Thompson Insurance Agency, we’re proud to serve our Omaha, NE customers, and we’re excited to get to know you and chat about your auto insurance needs. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help keep you and your family protected.

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t know what to do after getting into a car accident. We’ve put together a simple guide on handling yourself after an accident to help you through the process.

By following these three steps, you can stay calm and handle the situation in the best way possible:

1. Check for Injuries

The first thing you should do after an accident is check for injuries. If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, it’s critical to seek medical attention immediately. If someone is injured, you should call 911. 

2. Exchange Information

Once you’ve made sure that everyone is okay, the next step is to exchange information with the other driver. You’ll need their name, contact information, and insurance information. You will also want to take note of their license plate number. If there are any witnesses to the accident, you should also get their information.

It’s also a good idea to take photos of the damage to both vehicles and report the crash to reduce the risk of disputes. In Omaha, NE, you can call the OPD Traffic Unit at 402-444-5626.

3. Notify Your Insurance Company

After you’ve collected all the necessary information, the next step is to notify your insurance company. You’ll want to give them all of the details of the accident, including any injuries, damage, and witness information. Ed Thompson Insurance Agency serves the Omaha, NE area and can help customers start the claims process.

Contact Us Today

By following these steps, you can ensure you are fully prepared in the event of a car accident. Knowing what to do ahead of time will help you stay calm if an accident occurs. If you have any questions, call Ed Thompson Insurance Agency today. 

Having auto insurance is required for all vehicles in Nebraska. This coverage protects you in a number of ways that are each important. When you get your insurance policy, there are certain types of coverage that are required, and there are other types that are helpful but optional. When you need auto insurance, call us at Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE.

Required Auto Insurance

Liability Auto Coverage

Most of the types of coverage required in Nebraska are for liability. These pay for the damages to someone else rather than to you or your driver. When you have a vehicle in the state, it’s required to have an amount of coverage that is for bodily injury liability for one person who is injured in an accident that is your fault. There is then a larger amount of coverage required for all of the people in the accident who are injured. Then, there is property damage liability with pays for damages done to the property of others. 

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists

Separate coverage amounts are required for both uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage. These types provide coverage when you are hit by a motorist who has no insurance or has too little. This coverage is also important in case you get hit by a hit-and-run driver. 

Other Coverage

While it isn’t required, it’s often recommended for drivers to have collision coverage as well. This type pays for the damage that is done to your own vehicle if you were at fault for an accident. Comprehensive coverage is a type that pays for risks to your vehicle when it isn’t being driven. 

Get Your Auto Coverage

When you need an auto policy in Nebraska, we can help. Give us a call today at Ed Thompson Insurance Agency in Omaha, NE to find out more and to get started.