My Insurance Agent Saved Me $137,387

Doug Stockman • April 15, 2025

Moral of the Story; Cheap car insurance can be the most expensive mistake you ever make.

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TL;DR:  Article Take Away -  Don't just get the cheapest car insurance! A client who chose higher liability limits paid a little more monthly but avoided a $137,387 bill after causing a big accident. Investing in good coverage protects you financially when things go wrong. Talk to your agent about your options!

Dodging a Huge Bill: How My Client Became a Liability Limit Hero (and You Can Too!)
Hey everyone, sit down, grab your drink, and let me tell you a cool story. It's about how one of my clients made a really smart choice with his car insurance and avoided a huge money problem! It all came down to something called good liability limits compared to state minimum limits.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. "Insurance? Yawn! Just give me the cheapest one so I can watch more funny cat videos." And I get it! We all love a good deal, and saving money feels great. But when it comes to car insurance, skimping on coverage is like playing Russian Roulette with your bank account and other assets. If you don't have a high enough limit, you could end up paying out of pocket for damage you caused to someone else. Just because you have insurance doesn't release you for being responsible for ALL the damages. Investing in the right coverage is one of the smartest things you can do for your peace of mind and your wallet.

Let me tell you about a guy we'll call Marcus. Marcus was looking for car insurance and, like many of us, he was hoping for the lowest price each month. He was looking at a plan that cost less than a cheap hotdog (and wouldn't have offered much protection at all!).

Now, having the right agent can make all the difference in the world.  I knew Marcus could be better protected. So, I didn't just give him the cheapest thing and say "bye-bye." We talked a bit. We had a friendly "let's-think-ahead" chat.

I explained that while a low monthly cost might seem great at first, the amount his insurance would pay if he caused an accident was really low. It might not even cover a small crash. It's all about having enough protection for those unexpected moments. Have you bought a car recently? Have you noticed skyrocketing repairs and medical costs?

"But I'm a good driver!" Marcus said, like a lot of people do. And maybe Marcus is a super good driver – that's fantastic! But you know what they say: stuff happens! Sometimes, even the best drivers can be in a situation where someone else makes a mistake, like texting and driving a large vehicle when you're nearby.

So, I showed Marcus different choices. We talked about how much his insurance would pay if he accidentally hurt someone or damaged their stuff. I really encouraged him to get more coverage. Not because I want to buy a lot of avocado toast (even though I do!), but because it's the smart and safe thing to do with your money. Think of it as investing in your future security. It's like wearing a helmet when you ride a bike on a rope over hungry crocodiles – a little extra protection can make a huge difference!

Marcus was smart and thoughtful. He listened to what I said and realized the value of having better coverage. He decided to pay a little more each month to get much better protection (and it wasn't that much more). This was a really positive step for him!

A few months later, guess what? Something bad happened. Not a monster truck, thankfully, but a pretty big car crash with a lot of cars. Marcus was responsible for paying for some of the damage to other cars and some people getting hurt. This is where Marcus' wise decision really paid off.

Now for the exciting part! The first guesses for how much all the damage and doctor bills would cost were HUGE. Like, "make a lottery winner nervous" huge. It was a really serious situation.

But because Marcus had listened and bought the higher limit insurance, his insurance company paid for almost all of it! What a relief!

How much money did Marcus almost have to pay out of his own pocket if he had bought the cheap state minimum or other low liability insurance? A whopping $137,387. That's a life-changing amount of money!

Think about that! One hundred and thirty-seven thousand, three hundred and eighty-seven dollars! That could be a down payment on a small castle, a lifetime of fancy coffee, or just really cause a lot of financial stress. And the extra insurance only cost less than $30/mo.

Instead, Marcus just had to deal with the insurance claim (which was still a bit annoying, but not a disaster). He didn't have to sell his house, create a GoFundMe account, ask for the church offering plate to be passed, or spend years paying off bills. He was protected!

So, the point of this story is: accidents are no fun, and we all hope they never happen. But being prepared with the right insurance can make a huge difference in how you handle those unexpected moments. The limits on your policy is all it is going to pay. If the damages are more, it has to come from somewhere. Choosing the right coverage isn't about spending more, it's about making a smart investment in your future security.

Car insurance isn't just something you have to get. It's something that really protects your future money and gives you peace of mind. Those limits on how much your insurance will pay? They're like your shield against bad things happening on the road. Having good liability limits is like having a strong safety net.

So, do yourself a favor. Don't just look at the price each month. Talk to your friendly, independent insurance agent at Select Source Insurance. We're here to help you understand your options and make the best choice for you. Understand how much protection you're getting. Think about what could go wrong. And please, make a wise choice now so you don't face a big financial worry later.

You might not end up saving exactly $137,387, but knowing you're covered well? That feeling of security is truly priceless. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm suddenly really hungry for avocado toast. It's just part of the job!
By Doug Stockman October 27, 2025
The TL;DR (No Cap) Car insurance isn't some cheugy boomer paperwork. It’s about protecting your present and future bag. It’s what turns a life-altering financial disaster into a manageable Tuesday. Think of your insurance agent as your hype squad. We're here to explain the tea on deductibles, coverage limits, and make sure you're not paying for a policy that’s mid. The Bottom Line: Don’t simp for a cheaper premium that leaves you exposed. Get the right coverage. Secure your whip. Protect your peace. That's true main character energy. The Tea on Car Insurance: Why Do I Need to Drop Stacks on Something I(hopefully) Won't Even Use? Hey besties. Let's be real. Nobody is stoked about spending their hard-earned cash on car insurance. It feels like one of those things your parents—bless their hearts, they're kind of cheugy—keep telling you is "essential." You’re probably thinking, "Big Yikes, is this even a vibe? Why do I need to drop stacks on something I (hopefully) won't even use?" We get it. You're trying to save your bag, maybe finally afford that drip, or just keep that avocado toast habit alive. But hear us out, because don't simp for cheaper premium, because life without car insurance is seriously not the vibe, and honestly? That’s some major delulu behavior. 🚗 Scenario 1 : You're on Vibe Check Street and Things Go Sideways Picture this: You’re cruising, the playlist is absolutely slapping, and you're feeling like the main character. Then, BAM! A chaotic squirrel runs into the road, you swerve, and now your bumper is looking kinda… mid (or worse, completely busted). Without car insurance, that little "oopsie" instantly becomes a gigantic L. You are now personally funding the body shop, which is an express ticket to Brooksville (population: you). If you have a loan, your lender is going to be shook—and not in a good way. The Insurance Slay: If you have comprehensive and collision coverage, you can low-key just file a claim. You pay your deductible (which is usually much smaller than a whole repair bill), and your insurance company steps in and says, "Bet." Suddenly, that Big Yikes situation is just a minor inconvenience, not a financial dumpster fire. You're winning, which is a big fat W. 💥 Scenario 2 : It Wasn’t You, It Was Karen Okay, so let’s say you are driving perfectly. You have that rizz behind the wheel. But then, some absolute NPC runs a stop sign and totals your whip. What about your car? If the other person has terrible insurance (or, yikes, none), and you only have basic liability, your car is toast, or is it? Would you be getting ghosted by your savings account? The Insurance Slay: If you went for Uninsured(required)/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (which is a total flex), your policy steps up to pay for your stuff (up to the limits) when the other driver is broke or capping about their coverage. You get your ride fixed, you avoid being salty, and you keep the good vibes rolling. What if it is your fault? This is where your Liability Coverage is the real MVP. Legally, you need this at a bare minimum. It means if you are at fault for an accident, your insurance pays for the other person's damages (car repairs, medical bills, etc., up to the policy limits) so that they don't drag you in court and take your house money. Do you have the right limits? Ready to stop being delulu and get a quote that actually slaps? Hit us up. We'll make it quick, easy, and not at all cheugy. Bet! Our clients live in Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, Inman, Duncan, Roebuck, Moore, Lyman and the general upstate.
But it wasnt my fault
By Doug Stockman September 25, 2025
Ugh, My Rate Went Up for a Not-at-Fault Accident? It's the ultimate insurance head-scratcher. You're driving along, minding your own business, and then BAM! Some other driver turns your day into a metal-crumpled mess. But wait, it's not your fault! The police report says so, the other driver's insurance company agrees, and you're feeling pretty good about the whole thing. You and the other driver are not hurt and now your car is fixed. Then you get your renewal notice. Your heart sinks. Your insurance rate has gone up. But…why? Didn't we just establish that you were the innocent bystander in this whole debacle? It's a frustrating, perplexing situation that feels about as fair as getting a parking ticket for a car you don't even own. At Select Source Insurance, we hear this question a lot. We get it, it's maddening. So let's try to demystify this insurance riddle together, one slightly-less-maddening explanation at a time. The Crystal Ball of Risk Insurance companies are essentially professional fortune-tellers. They use all sorts of data to predict who is most likely to file a claim in the future. The "riskier" you appear, the more you're likely to pay for insurance. A not-at-fault accident, while not your fault in the traditional sense, can still be a blip on their risk radar. Here's what they're seeing: You're on the road more. If you're involved in an accident, even if it's not your fault, it indicates you're spending time on the road where these things happen. The more you drive, the higher the chance of being in an accident, even if you are the world's most defensive driver. Driving Habits: Even if you're not at fault, an accident can be a sign of unsafe driving habits. Consider this common scenario: you're following a car too closely, and they suddenly hit their brakes. You manage to stop in time, but the car behind you doesn't, resulting in a rear-end collision. While you may not be considered at fault, your decision to tailgate created a domino effect, leading to the crash. This is just one of many examples of how a lack of attention to safe driving practices can contribute to an accident. Stand Alone: This one incident, in and of by itself, may not impact the rate that much, but if another incident similar or different it will have more impact on the rate. The insurance company starts to see a pattern. The "Luck" Factor. Some insurance companies use a more statistical approach. They see that you've been in an accident, and their data might show that people who have been involved in one accident, even a not-at-fault one, are slightly more likely to be involved in another. It's not a judgment on your driving skills, but a cold, hard, and somewhat comical statistical reality. The Cost of Doing Business. Even in a not-at-fault claim, your insurance company might still have to pay for things. They might cover the rental car while your vehicle is being repaired or towing until they're reimbursed by the other driver's insurance. These costs, however small, are still part of a claim, and claims affect rates. The Solution: We Can Help! So, what's an innocent driver to do? The good news is, you're not stuck. This is precisely where being an independent insurance agency like Select Source Insurance makes all the difference. We aren't tied to a single insurance company. We work with a whole bunch of them! If one company decides to punish you for being a victim of circumstance, we can shop around for you. We can find a different insurance company that has a more favorable view of not-at-fault accidents. Think of us as your personal insurance matchmaker. We know which companies are more forgiving and which ones are more likely to raise rates for even the smallest claim. Our job is to find you a policy that offers great coverage without making you pay for someone else's mistake. The Bottom Line Yes, it's a bit ridiculous that your rates can go up for a not-at-fault accident. It's one of those bizarre insurance quirks that makes you want to shake your fist at the sky. But it's not a dead end. Give us a call. We'll do the shopping and negotiating for you. Let us find you a rate that reflects your driving, not someone else's.
Car Tax Refund
By Doug Stockman August 21, 2025
Getting your Spartanburg vehicle tax refund: A guide from Select Source Insurance. Did you sell, trade, or wreck (as in a total loss) your vehicle? Did your vehicle get repossessed, or have you moved out of state? You may be eligible for a refund! We understand that navigating property taxes can be confusing, especially when life events like selling or wrecking a car come into play. Many Spartanburg residents don't realize they might be eligible for a refund on their vehicle property taxes in such situations. At Select Source Insurance, we're here to help clarify the process and ensure you get the refund you deserve. When are you eligible for a refund? Spartanburg County offers vehicle property tax refunds in several instances: Selling, Trading, Wrecking, or Repossessing a Vehicle Returning a Leased Vehicle Moving Out of State before your vehicle tag decal expires Transferring a tag does to another vehicle does not qualify What documentation do you need? The required documentation varies depending on why you are seeking a refund. The Spartanburg County Auditor's Office may require: a Bill of Sale Trade-in agreement A statement from your insurance or repossession company Documentation from the leasing company Your new out-of-state registration. How to apply for your refund? You can apply: in person by email: countyauditor@spartanburgcounty.org. by mail: to the Spartanburg County Auditor's office at 366 N. Church Street, Suite 200, Spartanburg, SC 29303 We're here to help Understanding vehicle property tax refunds can be complex. As your local independent insurance agency, we are here to assist with your car insurance needs and related questions. Here is a link: Spartanburg County Tax Refunds Also, did you know you can turn a vehicle tag in online? Yes, it is called a virtual tag turn in or decommissioning a tag. Here is the link: Decommission a Tag If you have questions about eligibility or need help with documentation, contact Spartanburg County. Informational purposes only. Check with the appropriate government entity for actual process.