FAQ's

General Insurance Questions

If you need copies of you policy documents, you must contact the Hix office that issued your policy. To get your office visit our Office Locator to get detailed information.

• Online Payments
  

  Depending on your carrier, policy status, and if you are not financed through Budget Premium online payments may be accepted. Contact your office for more details. Budgent Premium customers can make there payment by clicking here.

• Phone Payments
  

  Depending on your carrier, policy status, and if you are not financed through Budget Premium phone payments may be accepted. Contact your office for more details.

• Mailed Payments
  

  Hix Insurance accepts mailed in payments by check or money order. Make your payments payable to your office location. In South Carolina, payments are posted based upon the postal stamp date.

Auto Insurance Questions

Underinsured motorist coverage protects you in case of an accident caused by a motorist who does not have enough liability coverage to pay for injuries or damage. The required minimum state limits for this coverage are generally the same as uninsured motorist coverage.

Medical payment coverage pays for medical expenses that you, your family members, or guests in your vehicle incur as a result of injuries caused by an automobile accident. Medical payment coverage pays for a doctor's care, hospitalization, pharmacy bills, ambulance service and funeral expenses, no matter who is legally responsible for the accident. In addition, medical payment coverage will generally pay your deductible or co-payments due under your health insurance.

Liability coverage protects you against claims that arise out of an accident in which another person was injured or someone else's property was damaged. Liability coverage is required in most states. Liability coverage is available in either Combined Single Limit form or Split Limits form.

Collision coverage pays for the repair or replacement of your car after an accident, minus your deductible. If your car is totaled in an accident, collision pays for the current market value of your car, minus your deductible. If your car is worth less than $3,000, you may want to skip collision coverage if you can afford to replace your car.

If you leased or financed your car, you will have to buy collision coverage, regardless of the car's value. Collision can be purchased on its own, without comprehensive coverage, but most insurance companies will not let you purchase comprehensive coverage without collision.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage done to your vehicle in any situation other than an accident. For example, theft, vandalism, fire and hitting an animal are covered under comprehensive.

If you leased or financed your car, you will have to buy comprehensive coverage. Since the cost of comprehensive coverage accounts for a large portion of your premium, you may want to skip comprehensive coverage if you car is worth less than $3,000 and you can afford to repair or replace the car yourself.

That depends on the car you're renting, the type of policy you have, and on your insurance company. Contact your Hix office for more details.

Generally, your friend's insurance policy would be the primary source for insurance coverage. If your friend did not have enough coverage, then your insurance would cover the excess, both for bodily injury and property damage.

Boat Insurance Questions

All boat insurance policies have a navigational territory. You must stay within the navigational territory to remain covered. You can travel outside the navigation territory if you obtain an endorsement providing permission from the insurance company.

Boating experience is one of the many factors used for rating purposes. The less boating experience you have, the fewer carriers will be able to trust your ability to safely operate and navigate a vessel. If you are a first time boat owner and have little to no boating experience, it is in your best interest to choose a smaller vessel. Your policy will be more affordable and you are more likely to get coverage.

Most navigation guidelines will be stated in your declaration page or in the policy itself. Since every company has different guidelines, it is important to read your policy and understand its limits on coastal and international waters, nautical miles versus regular miles, etc.

Any physical damage to the boat is covered by the boat insurance policy while on the trailer. If the trailer and/or boat causes bodily injury or property damage to a third party, this damage is covered by the liability on the automobile. Boat insurance policies do not provide liability coverage for the trailer and/or boat when connected to a vehicle.

General Liability Insurance Questions

Yes, as soon as the policy is issued.

Commercial Auto Insurance Questions

While the decision to purchase commercial auto insurance for some businesses is obvious, for others it's more complicated. For example, even though an Avon representative may use her car to deliver products once a week, a personal insurance policy would still fit her needs.

Risk

Even a small accident in a company car – or an employee in a personal car on company business – potentially puts your business assets at risk in case of lawsuit. That means you need the appropriate coverage limits to protect your company’s bank account, not just your own.

• Trailers
• Passenger autos
• Pickups
• SUVs
• Vans
• Step Vans
• Flatbed Trucks
• Flatbeds with lifts
• Flatbeds with cranes
• Catering trucks
• Stake body trucks
• Tow trucks
• Car carriers
• Dump trucks
• Boom trucks
• Straight trucks
• Box trucks
• Refrigerated trucks

Don't see your vehicle type listed? Don't fret, contact one of our office locations to find out more information. Office Locator

Non-Owner's Insurance Questions

A non-owner policy helps protect you against major financial burden in the event you are deemed at-fault in an accident operating a vehicle not owned by you.

The liability insurance would cover damages to others as a result of the accident after any primary insurance on the auto has been exhausted. In other words, non-owner is secondary insurance coverage that would pay for damages above and beyond what might be covered through the auto’s primary insurance.

It depends. The car owner’s insurance policy will specify who is covered under certain conditions. If you’re not sure, check before driving the vehicle.

Also, individual state requirements vary so check with your state to see if and how you would be covered in the event of an at-fault accident. If you’re using the borrowed car frequently or for regular periods of time, you should consider if a non-owner policy is right for your situation.

No, non-owner car insurance only covers damages to other vehicles in an accident that you cause. If you opt to, you may purchase a collision damage waiver from the rental agency which protects you from being responsible for damage or theft to the rental car you’re driving.

Yes, an SR-22 form can be attached to a non-owner policy. The good news is this option is usually less expensive than adding an SR-22 onto a standard auto policy.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance Questions

Accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D) is designed to protect you against the financial impact of an accidental death or dismemberment (for example, loss of an arm). This benefit is in addition to other forms of insurance.

AD&D plan pays benefits based on the severity of the accident or injury. The full coverage amount you elect will be paid for accidental loss of life. Partial or full payment results from loss of limb(s), sight or hearing, or a combination of more than one loss.

The plan will also pay additional cash benefits for some expenses you may incur as a result of your injury. If you die, benefits will be paid to your beneficiary. If a covered dependent dies, benefits will be paid to you.

Your beneficiary is the person to whom your AD&D insurance benefits are paid in the event of your death. You can have more than one beneficiary at a time. When you log in to enroll for benefits you are asked to complete the beneficiary designation form.

Motorcycle Insurance Questions

Risk

We all know that riding a motorcycle carries different risks than driving a car. That means special coverage protections that reflect that risk – and rewards, in terms of discounts, for safety features and safe riding.

Type of Vehicle

Riding a Harley isn’t the same as a riding a sport bike or ATV. Your insurance coverages reflect the safety features of your bike, its potential costs of repair in case of accident or covered loss, and of course, the value of your investment – including what may be required by your bank or financing company.

To get the best motorcycle insurance rates, remember:

• Higher deductibles and lower coverage limits mean lower insurance premiums.
• Safer bikes mean lower insurance rates.
• A safe riding history means lower premiums.

Remember – while higher deductibles and lower insurance coverage mean lower motorcycle insurance rates, they also mean more out-of-pocket dollars at risk.

As much as the lowest possible rates are important, be sure to look for value. Don’t skimp on the safety, security and protection provided by services like roadside assistance, replacement part guarantees, and exceptional claims handling.

RV Insurance Questions

Determining the amount of RV insurance coverage you need means considering a number of factors.

State Requirements
The state where your vehicle is registered has a lot to do with the coverage you’ll need. Be sure to find out your state’s RV insurance requirements before choosing your coverage. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or your Hix representative for more details.

Vehicle Type
The type of vehicle you drive influences the type of insurance coverage you need. Larger recreational vehicles mean the possibility of more damage to another vehicle. Highly customized RVs also can be more expense to repair. You’ll need liability coverage that is sufficient for the type of RV you’re insuring, and the way that you use it.

Leased or Financed Vehicles
If you’re looking to insure a leased or financed vehicle, you may be required to carry minimum insurance coverages that protect you from the risk of having to pay the full cost of the vehicle in case of an accident. When you’ve paid off your RV, you may be able to lower your RV insurance premiums.

Deductible
A higher deductible can lower your RV insurance costs in the short-run. But choose your deductible keeping in mind the amount of money you’re comfortable paying out-of-pocket in case of an accident or other loss.

Coverage Limits
Before you choose low RV coverage limits, consider your financial situation. Lower coverage limits may cost you less now, but in the case of an accident, will you have the ability to pay for damages that go over your insurance coverage limits? If not, consider higher liability limits. In the long run, it could be the best choice for you.

Your policy covers all of the drivers you listed when you purchased your insurance policy.