Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to save money on your insurance is to take advantage of marketplace competition, i.e. compare your existing plan to a variety of other carriers to find the best value. JMD offers FREE policy reviews to help our customers do just this. Simply bring in your existing policy’s declarations page and we will price check it against 15 different carriers to uncover the most competitive package for you.

If you have points on your drivers license, JMD offers state-certified, 100% online defensive driving courses for New York drivers. Visit our defensive driving page here or call 1-800-800-7121 for more information.

When an insurance carrier wins your business for one thing, lets say your auto policy, you can bet they’d also like to be your provider for any other insurance products you might need. To encourage bundling, most carriers offer substantial multi-policy discounts. For example, bundling your auto and homeowners insurance with the same carrier can save you up to 20%.

JMD agents are up-to-date on all bundling offers and can help you select the most cost effective way to bundle your coverage.

An insurance premium is the amount you pay each month to maintain coverage. A deductible is the amount you are responsible for paying towards the resolution of a claim before your insurance policy kicks in to cover the rest.

For example, if a driver with a with a deductible of $500 gets into a $1,500 accident, the policy owner is responsible for the first $500 (the deductible) and their insurance carrier is responsible for the remaining $1,000.

Generally speaking, higher deducible plans will have lower monthly premiums. This may make higher deductible plans seem quite attractive while you are shopping for coverage but remember, you should never sign up for a plan with a deducible that you cannot pay very comfortably in the event of an accident. JMD agents are skilled at helping clients identify the best plans for their unique budgets and coverage needs.

The first thing you need to do is place insurance on your new vehicle. If you currently have a car on the policy and you plan to replace the existing vehicle, have your agent register the replacement and you will receive an ID Card that states “Replacement.” This way you can use the same plates on the new vehicle and you will save money at the time of registration.

While it may sound counterintuitive, sometimes it makes sense to maintain coverage on a vehicle even if you are not actively driving it. This is because insurance carriers place a high value on continuous coverage. If you cancel the policy and end up going without coverage for more than 30 days you will be considered a “no prior” customer; this puts you in a less desirable category and you will end up paying a higher rate to open a new policy.

That said, you can reduce insurance costs while you wait to get your new car. Since your old car is not in use you can safely remove your comp and collision coverage. Just keep paying the new, reduced monthly premium.

Yes. If your child is newly licensed they should be added to your policy right away. It is never worth it to knowingly conceal a teen driver to save money on insurance. Your JMD agent can talk you through the particulars of your plan and recommend the most cost-effective way to cover your teen.

Even smaller infractions like speeding can effect auto insurance rates and, as anyone who has dealt with one knows, DWIs are considered to be quite serious. How long you’ll be paying increased rates depends on your specific policy and can range from 39 months to ten years.

If you are looking for a new policy and have a DWI on your record, JMD can shop all the major carriers on your behalf to find you the lowest possible rate.

In addition to collecting the other drivers’ name, address, phone number, license plate number, insurance provider, policy number, vehicle identification number and, if possible photos to document damage, be sure to get a police report.

Even if you did not cause the accident getting a police report is very important as you will need it to file a third party claim with the other driver’s carrier. So, while it may be a pain in the moment, take the time to wait for the police.

Since every accident is different, it is important to contact your agent immediately so they can advise you on how best to proceed given the exact details of the event.