Message to Illinois Motorists: Don't Hope So, Know So
November 24 2009 - 1:18PM
PR Newswire (US)
Allstate Survey: Many Drivers in Illinois are Unsure about What
Their Auto Insurance Covers BUFFALO GROVE, Ill., Nov. 24
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Does your auto policy cover you if your
laptop is stolen out of your car? How about if you leave your car
running while you run into a store and it gets stolen? Or you hit a
pothole and it causes the frame of your car to bend? Of drivers
surveyed in Illinois, 51 percent believed their auto policy covers
them if personal items are stolen from their car, when in fact that
is covered under a homeowners or renters policy. Only 34 percent of
respondents thought they were covered if they left their car
running and their car was stolen. And, while 62 percent of drivers
knew they would be covered if a pothole causes the frame of their
car to bend, 43 percent thought it would be covered under
comprehensive, when in fact, it would be a collision claim. A new
survey commissioned by Allstate Insurance Company entitled, "Don't
Hope So, Know So," asked drivers a series of questions about which
coverages they currently have, and if those coverages would protect
them in various accident scenarios. The survey found that many
consumers in Illinois were confused about the coverage they had,
the type of insurance they carried, and how high their deductibles
were. In fact, 91% of drivers who initially felt confident in their
auto coverage had their confidence drop by 17 points after taking
the survey. "These survey results underscore the need for Illinois
consumers to be better educated about their policies and what they
mean," said Alice Byrne, Field Vice President for the Midwest
Region of Allstate Insurance. "We hope these results will get
people thinking about just how protected they are if the unforeseen
occurs." Of the drivers polled, 90 percent said they read through
their auto policy, yet only 24 percent were very confident they
know their deductible limits. In the meantime, 69 percent of the
respondents said they had filed a claim in the past. Additional
Illinois Data: -- Most drivers (51 percent) knew they aren't
covered if they are involved in an accident while racing their car.
-- Sixty-four percent of Illinois drivers believe your auto policy
provides coverage for your laptop if it is stolen from your car,
when in fact it doesn't. -- Only 37 percent knew they were covered
if they took their vehicle off-road. -- Sixty-eight percent
understood they were covered if a friend borrows their car and
wrecks it, but 23 percent thought it was a comprehensive claim,
when in fact it would be covered under collision. Confidence drop
by regions in Illinois: -- In Southern Illinois, 94% of drivers who
initially felt confident in their auto coverage had their
confidence drop by 17 points after taking the survey. -- In Chicago
Metro, 94% of drivers who initially felt confident in their auto
coverage had their confidence drop by 18 points after taking the
survey. -- In Northwest Illinois, 93% of drivers who initially felt
confident in their auto coverage had their confidence drop by 13
points after taking the survey. -- In Cook County, 89% of drivers
who initially felt confident in their auto coverage had their
confidence drop by 21 points after taking the survey. -- In Central
Illinois, 88% of drivers who initially felt confident in their auto
coverage had their confidence drop by 8 points after taking the
survey. To help gain a better understanding of what an auto
insurance policy covers, Allstate offers the following tips for
consumers: -- Read through your policy. For starters, read your
policy and highlight what you don't understand. Contact your agent
or insurance company to review those items, ensure your
understanding of your policy coverages, and to help you determine
if you are adequately covered should you have an accident. Visit
http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/bumper-to-bumper.aspx to
review Allstate's Bumper-to-Bumper Basics to learn about various
types of coverages and how they can work to protect you. --
Comprehensive vs. Collision. You may have both coverages on your
policy, but do you know what they mean? Comprehensive helps protect
your car in situations that don't necessarily involve a collision.
Collision helps protect you if you're involved in a collision with
another object, such as another car, tree or building. They also
vary in that each may carry a different deductible. It's important
to understand how each coverage applies in a given situation and
what you may be responsible for deductible-wise if something
happens. -- Determine appropriate deductibles for each coverage.
Your deductible is the amount of money you agree to pay
out-of-pocket when you make a claim covered by your policy. Knowing
what you agreed to in your policy helps eliminate any surprises if
or when you need to file a claim. -- Review your policy every year.
Life changes such as buying a home, moving apartments, getting
married, or having a child can affect your insurance needs.
Reviewing your policy annually ensures you and your family are
properly protected. For more information on an Allstate auto
policy, please visit http://www.allstate.com/. About the Survey The
state survey is comprised of 500 insured drivers. Interviews were
collected between August 20-27, 2009 using internet samples. All
participants were insured drivers who reported to have collision
and/or comprehensive coverage included on their insurance policy.
All surveys were conducted by Squier Knapp Dunn and Beck Research
for Allstate. About Allstate The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) is
the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely
known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan,
Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than
17 million households insure what they have today and better
prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products
and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and
Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and
Canada, as well as via http://www.allstate.com/ and 1-800
Allstate®. DATASOURCE: Allstate Insurance Company CONTACT: Eric
Scott of Allstate Insurance Company, +1-847-667-8242, Web Site:
http://www.allstate.com/
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