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Lititz, Pennsylvania, is touted as one of the “coolest small towns in America.” From the boutique shops, proximity to Lancaster tourist attractions, and the small-town charm Lititz has a lot going for it.
When it comes to auto insurance in Lititz, many different factors make up the rate that you pay for your car insurance. One of the biggest factors is where you live. I did a video last year on the top five cheapest towns in Lancaster for car insurance, and Lititz was in the top three. While Lititz auto insurance is on the cheaper side, there are a few things you will want to be aware of.
Lititz Has Very Few Accidents.
Lititz has very few accidents compared to the rest of the county and state. Even better, the accidents that do occur in Lititz are generally very low in severity. Most accidents in Lititz are at slow speeds, brushes with parked cars, and light poles. The low number of accidents and the limited severity are major factors in Lititz’s lower auto rates.
We were curious about where most accidents occurred in Lancaster, so we tapped into the PENNDOT data. Route 501 which splits Lititz is a very busy road, but it does not appear on the county’s most accident-prone road list. Route 222 sees the most accidents in a year, with Route 30 coming in second. The borough in Lancaster with the most accidents (2019 data) is Manheim Township, with 777 accidents. In second place was Lancaster City, with 612 accidents.
Parked Cars and Hit & Runs
Lititz was founded in 1756, and its founders were most likely not thinking about the size of our vehicles today or traffic congestion. When driving downtown, you will notice how narrow the streets are, and it can get congested quickly on a busy Saturday afternoon. Tourists jockey for street parking all while admiring the buildings and trying to get a taste of the coolest small town in America. With street parking being the primary option for most people, it is going to result in some scratched bumpers. Per the above fact, most of the accidents in Lititz are minor, but minor can still get expensive.
If your vehicle was to be hit by someone trying to park, hopefully, they are a good citizen and leave their contact info under your windshield wiper. You will contact them and their insurance company to have the damage fixed at no cost to you.
Unfortunately, sometimes people do not leave notes, and they flee the scene. You are left with your coffee from Dosie Dough and a dented bumper. Bummer.. This is considered a hit & run and you will be responsible for fixing the damage, which means paying your collision deductible. If you do not have collision coverage on your vehicle, you will need to pay to fix the damage entirely out of pocket.
One of the Insurance companies we work with, Erie Insurance, recently implemented a policy condition that will provide relief if your car is hit while it’s parked. Instead of making you pay your full collision deductible, they only will ask for a $100 deductible, and they will cover the rest.
If you live in Lititz, you may want to consider this. Reevaluate your collision coverage and deductibles. You will also want to find out if your insurance company will lower your deductible if your car is hit while parked.
Squirrels!
Third, one of the more interesting things that we see here in Lancaster in terms of claims in Lititz, PA for car insurance is squirrel damage. We have a lot of trees in Lititz, there are a lot of squirrels running around that live in those trees. Sometimes, trees just aren’t enough for squirrels, and they want someplace warm, someplace safe from storms. Parked cars turn into great squirrel hotels. We’ve had quite a few customers call in and say, “I went out to start my car, and it wouldn’t start. I opened up my hood, and a massive squirrel’s nest was in my vehicle. What do I do?”
Under comprehensive coverage, the damage that squirrels cause to your engine is generally covered under your insurance. If you live in Lititz and don’t drive your car, you might want to go out and check it just to ensure that there aren’t squirrels making a home in your vehicle. If you drive your car every day, the risk of squirrel damage is low, we generally see it happen to cars that tend to sit parked for days or weeks on end. This has become more common with the work-from-home culture we are now in.
If you live in an area of Lititz with many trees and squirrels, you will want to ensure that you have comprehensive vehicle coverage. The damage that the squirrels cause is surprisingly impressive, and they can really damage an engine and some key components of your car.
We love Lititz. Lititz is a great small town, and those are the three things you want to just think about when driving in Lititz. Contact us if you have questions or want us to review your insurance policy! Our experienced insurance professionals at Susquehanna Insurance can help you customize an auto insurance package that fits your needs and budget. If you live in Lancaster County, give us a call, and we would be happy to have a conversation and provide a free, no-obligation quote!