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(NewsUSA) - Did you ever think that where you drive your car could determine your automobile insurance deductible? It did for Andrew and Celeste Parker of Tulsa, Okla.
The Parkers were headed home from their weekly church service when they hit a pipe in the road that damaged their tire. And while their usual deductible is $1,000, they walked away without paying a dime because they were on their way home from a religious service.
The Parkers' story may seem surprising, but customers nationwide are adopting similar policies through GuideOne Insurance. FaithGuard policies, which offer added protection to drivers headed to and from faith-based events, more than doubled in 2006. The company has offered auto insurance, with special benefits for churchgoers, for two years, and the policies include people of all religions.
With the ever-increasing cost of fuel and other travel expenses, it's no wonder people are looking for new ways to financially protect themselves and save on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's preliminary 2006 results estimated there were approximately 6 million auto accidents last year, which furthers the notion that auto travel can be treacherous and expensive.
Weather woes can add another dimension to travel. Rain, hail, snow and icy conditions not only increase the occurrence of accidents, but can also cause damage to vehicles, as was the case for Lou Bynum. Bynum, of Granite City, Ill., was at church when a tornado struck. His car, which sat vulnerably in the parking lot, sustained extensive damage-damage that was covered by his FaithGuard policy.
For GuideOne Insurance customers who choose FaithGuard, the company also provides increased medical coverage limits, protection for religious tithing and mortgage and auto loan payments for those who become injured and can no longer work due to an accident. Additionally, memorial donations to the insured's religious institution are made should a collision result in death.
So, the next time you get into your car, think about your destination-it just might save you money.
GuideOne Insurance is one of the nation's oldest, largest and most experienced insurers of churches, with more than 43,000 church customers located across the country. For more information on church insurance or special faith-based insurance benefits for churchgoers, visit www.guideone.com or call your local GuideOne agent.