Frequently Asked Questions

Insurance Binder

A binder is a temporary proof of insurance issued at the beginning of an insurance contract to satisfy a lender’s needs regarding property under a loan agreement. It usually lasts about a month, giving enough time to the insurer to underwrite the risk and issue a policy. The lender then gets a copy of the contract with them listed as the lienholder. The contract’s clauses spell out the protection of the physical damage of the object they own until the loan is satisfied.

Additional Drivers

Adding More Cars Than Drivers to an Auto Policy

Adding an extra automobile to your policy often means that an additional driver lives in your house. We understand that it's not always true that you are hiding an undisclosed driver that should be listed on your policy. Some drivers like to have a backup vehicle in case their primary daily driver fails. Others have a car they drive to work but have a recreational type vehicle to use on days off, like a truck and travel trailer, or a convertible sports car to let the top down on nice days in the summer.

How Moving Affects Your Insurance Rates

Moving Within Oregon

A change of address sometimes surprises policyholders. Auto insurance prices are tied to the zip code where you live. Insurance companies periodically perform a statistical analysis for each area of the State of Oregon, and the data may show that a particular zip code suffered more significant losses than one next door, where claims may have declined. Auto insurance in one zip code will rise in cost while the other drops after the company releases the new rates. No one ever complains if they move to a zip code that is lower in premium.

Warning! Please do not buy a car until you run the vehicle identification number (VIN) with us. The insurance price varies depending on the model and the accident, theft, and maintenance history of the vehicle. You cannot buy cars the way you used to. Please find out what the VIN is before you even test drive a car. We can find out a lot about an automobile before you fall in love with it. We will run as many vehicle identification numbers as necessary until we find a good one.