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Getting into a car accident is always a stressful situation. You’re worried about injuries, damage to your vehicle, and of course, money. How do you know if paying for repairs out of pocket will help you in the long run or make things more complicated? We’ve got you covered. Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering paying out of pocket after a car accident. Who else was involved in the accident? Single-vehicle accidents Car accidents don’t always involve other motorists; lousy weather conditions, distracted driving, or vehicle malfunction can lead to single-vehicle accidents. If you hit an inanimate object and your car is damaged, the first thing you should do is check your deductible. For example, if you back into your mailbox and dent your fender, it may make more sense to pay for the repairs yourself and not file a claim with your insurance company. This is an easy case where paying out of pocket makes sense. But you may be asking yourself, what harm is there in filing a claim when it was a minor accident that wasn’t necessarily my fault? Well, liability is a tricky thing, and sometimes even when you’re not totally at-fault, an accident can cause your insurance rate to go up. Paying out of pocket vs. filing a claim Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

When it comes to driving, we’ve all heard myths gathered over the years from relatives, friends, and beliefs in the public sphere. Whether it’s myths about car safety, maintenance, or trivial matters, such as whether it’s legal to drive barefoot or keep the light on in your car, you may have some misconceptions about your car and how you drive it. Let’s take a look at some of the most common driving myths and why they aren’t true. General myths Red cars are more likely to be pulled over You’ve no doubt heard this myth before, that the very bold color of a red car means you’re more likely to be pulled over by the police. The reality is that your driving habits get you noticed by law enforcement, not the color of your car. There’s really no evidence to support the claim that red cars are more likely to be stopped by police. You can only be pulled over for speeding if you go over 10 miles an hour The truth of the matter on speeding is that any amount of speed over the posted limit is subject to ticketing. Police officers often operate at their own discretion on this issue, but there’s no acceptable number of miles over a speed limit to which you are immune from receiving a ticket. Common driving myths debunked Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

What to do if your car is totaled Uh-oh…your car is totaled. Or is it? “Totaled” is a word that gets thrown around a lot when it comes to car accidents, but the term actually has a very specific definition. It is only used in insurance when the damage to the car falls under a particular set of circumstances set by your insurance. It’s not the driver’s responsibility to determine if the car is totaled. That falls onto the driver’s insurance adjuster and the car insurance company. Being more informed about total losses and how insurance companies handle them can help drivers feel more prepared if their car ever suffers severe damage. What does “totaled” mean? So what does it actually mean, and when is a car considered “totaled?” Insurance companies typically designate vehicles as a total loss when the cost to fix the damage is more than the car’s value or if the car can’t be repaired at all for some reason or another. Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

10 safe driving scholarship options to apply to Nothing is more important than being a safe driver on the road. Distracted driving and drunk driving have enormous consequences not only for you as a driver, but for your family and other people on the road. Because it impacts thousands of Americans every year, particularly teens who account for almost 10 percent of distracted drivers in fatal car crashes, many organizations offer scholarships to help raise awareness of distracted driving and ways to prevent it. If you are a student preparing for college, already in college, or even a family member with a college student, consider checking out a national safe driving scholarship that aims to reduce or prevent distracted driving. We’ve compiled 10 below. 1. Project Yellow Light2. Look Twice, Save a Life3. The Safe Driving Scholarship4. Create Real Impact Contest5. Getting Real About Distracted Driving6. Digital Responsibility’s Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship7. In the Driver’s Seat8. Safe Driver Scholarship9. Drunk Driving Prevention Scholarship10. Stand Up to Distracted Driving ScholarshipGet a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

How do tickets and violations affect my car insurance? There’s a lot of information out there about car insurance as it pertains to tickets and traffic violations. Some of it’s true; some of it is an exaggeration or pure misinformation. However, whether you get your information from a friend or family member, or an online search engine, it’s best to double-check your sources. At Elephant Insurance, we’ve done the homework for you. To help dispel any misconceptions or myths about tickets and violations, we’ve compiled the truth about common violations—and outlined quick facts about each. We’re also answering several popular questions we hear about driving records and insurance premiums as they relate to said violations. We hope you learn a thing or two and walk away as a confident, safe driver. Types of Tickets and ViolationsWill I see an impact on my insurance premium?How long will a traffic violation stay on my insurance record?How to improve your rate if you received a ticketGet a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

With the continued rise of catalytic converter thefts being reported, you may be wondering what to do should it happen to you. Is catalytic converter theft covered by insurance? Is there a specific type of catalytic converter theft insurance? If you recently had your catalytic converter stolen, check with your carrier before buying a replacement. Comprehensive coverage pays for catalytic converter theft. What is a catalytic converter? First and foremost, a catalytic converter is an integral part of a car’s emissions system. They reduce the amount and severity of the pollution that comes out of your car’s tailpipe whenever you go for a drive. Catalytic converter designs vary slightly among different car manufacturers, but in general, they are oblong or cylindrical in shape and bear a resemblance to mufflers. As for where your catalytic converter is located in your vehicle, it sits between the engine and the muffler, typically a bit closer to the engine. Does car insurance cover catalytic converter theft? Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

The knights in shining armor of fairy tale fame wouldn’t be so brilliant without their noble steeds. The same can be said for today’s road warriors, whether commuting or vacation-bound. Motorists are getting the most out of their car-buying dollar, when you consider that the average age of cars on the road today is 11.4 years, according to IHS Automotive. This means that drivers are waiting more than a decade before turning their vehicles in for a new ride. It’s not just that they’re owning them longer; they’re also accumulating more miles. In fact, according to The New York Times, 200,000 miler vehicles are the new normal, replacing the 100,000 milers that were once considered to be the industry standard for high mileage cars. While today’s lineup of vehicles are built more sturdily, thanks to the advances in manufacturing, cars don’t reach these lofty mileage totals without some elbow grease. How to Keep Your High-Mileage Vehicle Going Strong Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

Do you have a reliable way to get around if your vehicle is in the shop for repairs? If you don’t, you aren’t alone. In fact, in a recent poll conducted at Elephant, we found 27% of participants didn’t have an alternate way to get to work if their car was out of commission. That’s where rental reimbursement can help. Also referred to as “rental car coverage” or “transportation expense coverage,” rental reimbursement helps you pay for transportation expenses while your vehicle is being repaired in a covered insurance claim. It covers the cost of rental cars and/or alternate transportation such as bus fare, cab rides, or ridesharing costs. So, is it worth adding rental reimbursement to your auto policy? To help illustrate the ins and outs of the add-on, we’ll answer some common questions about rental reimbursement coverage. Is Rental Reimbursement Coverage Worth It? Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

On the list of major purchases, it doesn’t get much bigger than buying a new house. While there’s a certain charm to getting a place that’s been lived in, there’s also something special about being a home’s initial tenants. There are a number of differences between an existing home and a new home. Most of them are pretty obvious, like custom features that allow owners to hide unsightly cords for electronic hookups, for instance, or more modern plumbing and heating. It’s these same features that also play a role in how homeowners insurance rates are established for new homeowners. Homeowners insurance for newer homes vs older homes Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

It’s common knowledge, and common sense, that having car insurance is a good idea. It’s less well-known, however, that car insurance isn’t actually legally required in all states or situations. There are legally mandated minimum amounts of different types of car insurance required in almost all fifty states. New Hampshire and Virginia are two notable exceptions. In Virginia, this means that if you choose to pay a yearly Uninsured Motorist Fee of $500, you are legally allowed to operate your vehicle without car insurance. But should you choose to? Just because skipping insurance is legal in this case doesn’t necessarily mean you should. When it comes to car insurance, it’s probably in your best interest to go above and beyond the letter of the law. If you’re on the fence between choosing to pay for car insurance or an Uninsured Motorist Fee, read on! We’ll go through the advantages and disadvantages of each option, as well as explain exactly how the Uninsured Motorist Fee works so you can make an informed decision. Uninsured Motorist Fee: Do you need car insurance in Virginia? Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

Your car insurance coverage shouldn’t be a mystery. Knowing what your car insurance does and doesn’t cover is crucial information, and something you’ll want to know before you have to file a claim. Feeling a little foggy about what your insurance plan covers? No worries. Read on for a fuller understanding of your coverage. What’s covered depends on your coverage The first thing to do when trying to get a clearer picture of what your insurance policy covers is to identify what type of coverage you have. There are six main types of car insurance: LiabilityUninsured/underinsured motorist:While this may seem fairly straightforward, your coverage also depends on which car insurance company you choose. Surprising things your car insurance covers Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

You’ve saved, researched models and brands, and now you’ve finally taken the plunge and bought a car—congratulations! But before you hit the open road, you need to take care of a few things first, and that means it’s time to buy yourself some car insurance. Since you just dropped a big chunk of change on your car, you might think the smart thing to do is save a few bucks a month by picking the minimum required coverage, right? Don’t do it, it’s a trap! Okay, so maybe it’s not that dramatic, but going with a minimum coverage plan could end up costing you a lot more than you’d expect. Here are a few things to consider when you’re tempted to pick the cheapest option. Why minimum coverage is not a good deal Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

Did you know that between 2019 and 2020, the number of US citizens working from home grew from 22 percent to 42 percent? For many, that change is permanent, with offices offering full-time remote opportunities or more flexibility in office work schedules. If you and your partner are both working from home, you may have noticed that having two vehicles is starting to feel unnecessary. That’s why now may be a great time to sell your second car. The current used car market According to Market Watch, the average cost of a used car has increased by 10% over the last 12 months. This rise in price doesn’t look like it will be hitting the brakes anytime soon; demand for used cars has doubled since March 2021. Eric Ibara, director of residual values at Kelley Blue Book, said, “If you have an extra car to sell…there may never be another time greater than this.” Let’s talk about why right now may be the best time to sell your used car. Why is this happening? When the pandemic hit, so many industries were affected, and car manufacturers were no exception. Many manufacturers and dealerships had to shut down for safety reasons. This meant fewer new cars were hitting the market. Just when production got back underway, a recent shortage caused even more disruption. Source Material: should you sell your second car Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

Let’s face it, driving can be stressful. Traffic jams, distracted drivers, car trouble: all these factors can lead to a commute that leaves you wanting to pull your hair out. However, the way you react to these stressors can affect you and your fellow motorists’ safety in a major way. Let’s talk about the ways road rage and driving anxiety can be dangerous, and how you can keep these common emotions under control. Aggressive driving and road rage — what is it? Road rage and aggressive driving is defensive driving’s dangerous little brother. According to Merriam-Webster, it is defined as a motorist’s uncontrolled anger that is usually provoked by another motorist’s irritating act and is expressed in aggressive or violent behavior. It usually manifests in these types of dangerous actions: Screaming Laying on the horn Following too closely to the car in front of you Stalking someone who cut you off Blocking traffic Purposely cutting people off Leaving the car to try to have a physical altercation Bumping another car Speeding Weaving through traffic Driving on the sidewalk or median Road rage and frustration around road rage is increasing, even in the last couple of years when many drivers have been driving less. A 2021 survey by insurance comparison site The Zebra found that 35% of people are driving less today, but 1 in 5 drivers experience more frustration than before the pandemic. Of those surveyed, 95% said they had observed road rage or aggressive driving in the past year, but only 64% of drivers admitted to doing it. Source Material: road rage and driving anxiety Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

It’s an inevitable part of car ownership— the longer you own a car, the more likely you are to need repairs or potentially get in an accident. Even if you safely park your vehicle in a covered garage, perform routine oil changes, and treat your car with maybe a tad too much loving admiration (don’t worry — we won’t judge!), your vehicle will start to show signs of its age. And even when we keep our cars in great shape, there’s always the risk of getting in an accident and incurring damage that way. Fortunately, help is almost always just around the corner. But do you know where to take your car for repairs? Did you know there's a difference between an auto body shop vs. an auto repair shop? Let's break down what each is, when you need them, and how to find ones you can trust. What's the difference between an auto body shop and a garage? Generally speaking, there are four different places you can take your car when it needs repairs — each of which serves a different purpose. Auto repair shop Also commonly referred to as a "garage". This is where you want to take your car for repairs on standard wear-and-tear issues — things like replacing your break pads, engine troubles, and your annual safety inspection (if your state requires one). If you need a "mechanic", this is where you're going. While most towns may have a dealer or two for specific car brands, there are generally dozens, if not hundreds, of independent auto repair shops in any given area. The most reliable independent garages can rival the service and expertise provided by dealerships — and often, at a fraction of the price. However, there are less-than-reliable independent shops as well. That’s why it’s important to do your research. Source Material: how to choose an auto repair shop Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

We all lead busy lives, and sometimes things just slip through the cracks. If that means letting your veggies go bad or forgetting to floss before bed (sorry, dentists), it just means you’re human. However, some slip-ups can have more serious consequences. For example, letting your car insurance lapse can not only lead to higher insurance rates but also fines and lack of protection in the event of an accident. In this post, we’ll explain what constitutes a lapse in your car insurance, what the consequences could be, what to do if your insurance has already lapsed, and how you can avoid a lapse in the first place. What exactly is a lapse in car insurance? A lapse in car insurance coverage refers to any period (even as short as one day!) in which you own a registered car but don’t have car insurance. There is no one universal reason for a lapse in coverage. Maybe your policy simply ran out. Maybe you missed a payment and your policy was canceled as a result. Your coverage could lapse because you were deployed, you no longer drive, or for a myriad of other reasons. Source Material: car insurance lapse Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

When you’re thinking of buying a car, nothing may be more reliable than a compact. They are affordable, great on gas, stylish, and depending on the make and model, could be tried-and-true in performance. Popular models include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra. This class of cars, one step above subcompact vehicles and one step below mid-size cars, seats up to four passengers comfortably, though for car buyers on the market, that may not be enough. In terms of choices, light trucks like sports utility vehicles (SUVs), crossovers, pickups, and minivans now account for over 75 percent of new vehicle sales, a trend that began almost 20 years ago. But on a road with increasing numbers of larger vehicles, is it safe to drive a compact car? Source Material: is it safe to drive a compact car Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

We’ve all been there. It’s the middle of the night and you’ve just managed to drift off to sleep when suddenly your peace is interrupted by the sound of a car alarm. It’s annoying, but it helps keep people’s car’s safe, right? The answer is complicated. Read on to find out just how effective car alarms really are. Car alarms and car theft The first car alarm was developed a century ago, but they didn't become widespread until the 1960s and 1970s. Over time, people grew to ignore them, especially in the 1980s and early 1990s when urban crime rates were high. Nowadays, the streets are still teeming with older cars with loud, obnoxious anti-theft measures. Most of the time, when we hear a car alarm, we just try to ignore it, and most car thieves know this. Source Material: do car alarms really work Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

Facts about heart attacks Here's a surprising number that just might take your breath away this National CPR Awareness Week: 735,000. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that's how many Americans experience a heart attack in the average year. That's 1 in every 43 seconds. Most of these episodes are the sufferers' first, but for more than a quarter, it's their second or more. "A heart attack occurs every 43 seconds in the United States." Heart attacks can occur for a variety of reasons and in a plethora of environments, often brought on by stress when underlying health factors, such as coronary artery disease, are already a problem. The CDC identifies this as the main cause of myocardial infarctions. Of course, there's never a good time to experience a heart attack, but you'd be hard-pressed to find one worse than when it happens behind the wheel. Source Material: what to do when a heart attack occurs while driving Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure

No matter what kind of driver you are — road-tripper, carpooler, or daily commuter — you know that car ownership comes with its fair share of hassles. Even keeping up with routine car maintenance can sometimes feel like a lot to handle — throw even the most minor windshield damage into the mix, and now you’ve got a recipe for urgently-required repairs. Whether you’re driving down the road and a pebble hits your windshield, a random tree branch snaps while you’re parked, or, god forbid, you get in an accident, you need to know what to do in the event of a cracked windshield. As a responsible car owner, you need a clear, unbroken view of the road both to comply with state inspection requirements and to ensure safety for yourself and others. What causes damage to a windshield? Unfortunately, there are plenty of everyday hazards that can crack your windshield. Anything such as flying road debris, sudden temperature changes, car accidents, low-quality glass, or improper installation can cause damage to your windshield. And, as your windshield provides a whopping 34% of your vehicle’s structural integrity, any windshield damage is serious damage. Source Material: https://www.elephant.com/blog/is-windshield-damage-covered Get a Car Insurance QuoteElephant's Multi-Car DiscountAbout Elephant InsuranceElephant ReviewsElephant's Blog - The GloveboxElephant CareersPartner With UsElephant FAQsElephant Terms of UseElephant Insurance Privacy & SecurityElephant's Responsible Disclosure