Monday, March 1, 2010

Compare Online Auto Insurance Quotes - Find the Right Policy for You

By Ricardo Liguriano

Are you wondering if you're paying too much for auto insurance? Currently, the market for auto insurance in the US is a buyer's market, with companies competing against each other to provide low prices, discounts, and incentives of various kinds.

With many websites offering online auto insurance quotes, it's easy to compare prices; many companies also have a feature on their website that lets you customize your policy and see how each adjustment will affect your premium.

When it comes to auto insurance, it's important to be an informed consumer. The law requires that a vehicle owner carry insurance, with each state setting legal minimums for coverage. However, most auto insurance shoppers will want to include additional coverage or other types of coverage on their policy, for their own protection. For instance, if you have assets such as a home, business, savings, or investments, you could be sued for the value of those assets if you were considered to be at fault in an accident that caused extensive damages.

Choosing to raise the liability limits on your policy is highly recommended to prevent such a situation. Other factors you will want to consider when seeking online auto insurance quotes include whether you will need collision and comprehensive coverage, and how high to set the deductibles on that coverage.

As you compare online auto insurance quotes, check to see what kind of discounts are being offered by each insurance company -- you may qualify for several! Typical discounts offered by many companies are good driver discount, good student discount, multiple policy discount, and discounts for cars with safety features, such as airbags and anti-lock brakes.

However, this is another area where choosing lower coverage may turn out to be expensive if you are at fault in an accident, so it's important to decide in advance what level of risk you are comfortable with.

Take a few minutes today to compare online auto insurance quotes -- you may be surprised at how easy it is to find a policy that suits your needs and budget.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Car Insurance And Its Many Benefits

By Susan Reynolds

In today?s world, nobody is safe anywhere as we see numerous natural calamities creating unfriendly driving situations. Accidents are common and so are the rates of fatalities. In such circumstances, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of having a car insurance to protect ourselves and the lives of people around us. Besides this, it is important to protect our cars also, as a large part of our income goes towards buying a car we desire.

These days it is very easy to get car insurance as there are so many insurance companies providing different types of covers for the car. The best way to find the right car insurance company for yourself is to first find out about all the vendors in the market, compare their rates and also see the different kind of covers they provide for the car. This way you will be able to find the most competitive rates and the maximum covers of insurance.

It is important to maintain a clean driving record because this greatly affects your insurance. Your insurance covered is reduced if you are charged with reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or driving with out a valid license. All these defaulters are reported to the insurance company immediately and as a result the insurance cover is reduced by a substantial amount. It is important to note that you are responsible not only for your life, but also for the lives of people on the road while you are driving.

Look at how much you can afford for the basic car insurance cover and based upon that make a wise decision regarding the additional covers that you can add on later. Alternatively, it is not mandatory to get additional covers as soon as you purchase the car, you can get them at a later date also. Sometimes, car insurance in different cities in the same county may also be different depending on the number of fatalities that occur in that area.

There are so many companies in the market who provide you with car insurance and sometime it is daunting task to choose any one particular company. One of the easier methods to opt for a company is to take recommendations from previous users or to go with the company authorized by the dealer you purchased the car from.

If you make any false claims or try to obtain money from the car insurance company based on inaccurate information or fraud, they can even cancel your insurance and black list your license so that no other car insurance provides you with an insurance cover. This practice is illegal and you can even face imprisonment for such a deception. Therefore, be a responsible driver and drive safely so that you don?t claim your car insurance and get maximum cover.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Low Cost Car Insurance or Proper Liability Coverage?

By Joseph Welusz

The amount of insurance you will need will always be determined to late, once you have an accident. To try to understand how to protect yourself, you first need to know what your liability insurance will cover. It is always broken up in two parts bodily injury and property damage liability.

Bodily injury liability covers just that, injuries that are caused do to an auto accident:

1. Initial aid

2. Medical bills due to injuries

3. Restitution for lost salary

4. Final expenses

5. Legal counsel costs

Property damage liability makes the damage that is cause due to an automobile accident.

1. Structural damage to homes, storefronts, etc.

2. Repair or replacement costs for other stationary objects

3. Car restoration or replacement expenses

So, you are probably thinking to yourself what coverage limits should I have? Minimum liability guidelines are set by each individual state, they are usually 15,000/30,000/15,000 worth of coverage. The reason there is 3 numbers instead of two is because body injury liability is usually set in split limits but you could request a single limit of coverage.

Split Limit coverage: Limits are split into two for bodily injury coverage and then there is a separate coverage for property damage. If you take the example from above $15,000/$30,000 coverage, the $15,000 represents the total amount of bodily injury coverage that will be paid out to any one person during an accident. The $30,000 represents the total amount of bodily injury coverage that will be paid out for the entire accident. If you had a single limit of coverage it would include a maximum to be paid out but no individual maximum and it could be divided however needed.

The number that always ends your liability coverage is your property damage limit in the above example it is represented by $15,000.

By this point you could probably sue how state limits that are usually 15,000/30,000/15,000 might not be adequate coverage. With medical cost and the price of automobiles and property rising you might want to consider higher limits.

100,000/300,000/50,000 is the most common amount of liability coverage within today. The cost to the consumer to go from state minimums to 100,000/300,000/50,000 of even more coverage isn't that much more expensive. It just makes sense to me to pay a little more now for more coverage. Rather then thousands more later. I was found at fault in an accident and caused, because I didn't have coverage to pay for all the expenses I caused to to the accident.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Driving Lessons Will Get Your Ready For The Road

By Nathan Lewit

When the time comes that your teen aged son or daughter is old enough to drive, you need to make sure that you get them the best lessons possible. Get them aa driving lessons and they'll be ready to take on the road. Typically, teen aged drivers receive a learning permit before getting their permanent drivers license. Driving statistics cite that young drivers, especially boys are 75% more likely to have an automobile accident than an experienced driver.

With statistics like these, it is essential that your children get good instruction before ever getting behind the wheel of a car. Teenage driving should be looked at as a privilege, not a right. Until recent years, public schools offered drivers education courses to all students who were of age. Due to the rise in insurance to cover these young drivers, many school districts have had to cancel these programs. It is now on the parents shoulders to send their children to drivers school.

At the start of the instruction, students are taught the first and most important principals of driving. Learning what bad things can happen if you abuse your privileges is just as important as learning how to drive. A lot of locations in the world make young drivers get a learning permit before they can even begin drivers training. Instructional schools train students in the main focuses of driving so they can obtain the permit. Different areas have different regulations, so find out what your area requires.

Students will learn the fundamental rules of the road. They are instructed how to stop, when to stop and who stops first at traffic signals and signs. Students must learn about how a vehicle operates in order to prepare for operating one. They may have in class vehicle training before getting into a real car, first.

Once you have passed preliminary exams that let your instructor know you are prepared to drive in real time, you will get on the road. You will be driving in a vehicle that has been specially equipped with dual driving controls. This is to provide protection to you, the instructor and the vehicle. In the event something goes wrong or the instructor thinks you need help, he/she will be able to take over immediately.

You will most likely begin driving on a course or in a large, empty lot. This is so you can get used to the way the brakes feel, where the gas pedal is and how to turn the steering wheel just the right amount. Once you feel comfortable, you're ready to get out on the open road.

Usually, you will drive on back roads and in unpopulated areas to get some time on the roads with the least chance of accidents. Your instructor will split time between classroom instruction and behind the wheel training. The further you progress, the more time you will spend behind the wheel. Instruction time is usually about 20 hours of classroom training and 20-30 hours of driving time.

After you have finished these class and on road hours, you will take a preliminary exam. The exam will show your trainer that you are prepared to take the actual exam for your drivers' license. Typically a student can take the exam three times before they are required to go back for further lessons. As long as you pay attention to your instruction, you should pass on the first try.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Finding the Best Rate on 17 Year Old Car Insurance

By John Perkins

When you are buying your 17 year old car insurance there are some things that you need to take into consideration. You need to decide how much coverage your teenager will need. You will also need to decide who will be paying for your teenager's car insurance. Another thing that you should take into consideration is your budget for car insurance.

It is easy to obtain insurance for teenagers now days. Getting quotes from several different insurance companies will be helpful. It is important to find the best rate for the policy that you wish to purchase. You could start out the old fashioned way, by calling several different insurance companies and asking for quotes. When you do this you will need to tell the person you are speaking with that you need 17 year old car insurance.

You can save time by using the internet to obtain insurance quotes. There are several website on the internet that will give you quotes for several different car insurance companies at one time. This is very helpful when shopping for car insurance. Not only does it save time, but it also makes insurance shopping less stressful.

You may also benefit by calling an insurance agent. An insurance agent will try to find you the best rate on 17 year old car insurance. You should find an agent that is well known and respected throughout the community. It is also helpful if they are members of the BBB.

It is important that you buy enough insurance for your 17 year old. The state minimum will cover any damages done to another vehicle should your teenager have an accident. Full Coverage will cover both vehicles and all the people involved in an accident. You would be wise to consult a professional when deciding how much insurance you should purchase for your young driver.

If there is a lien on the vehicle that you will be insuring then you will most likely be required to carry full coverage on the vehicle. Full coverage insurance is much more expensive to carry than the state minimum. Most banks will not let you drop your insurance down to the state minimum until after the vehicle has been paid off.

You and your teenage will need to sit down and discuss who will be responsible for paying for the insurance plan. Many parents will tell you that insurance for 17 year olds is not cheap. If your teenagers is going to be paying for their own car insurance then you will need to set firm consequences for not paying their insurance bill before you add them to your own insurance plan.

Friends and family can be a great resource when purchasing 17 year old car insurance. Many of them will be happy to tell you who their car insurance company is and if they are satisfies with the service that they receive. Word of mouth is a great tool when purchasing insurance.

Remember buying your 17 year old car insurance does not have to be stressful. Take your time and plan to find the best rate before making a purchase. By shopping around first you will be able to find a great rate on car insurance for your 17 year old.

Monday, February 22, 2010

What Cars Have The Best Car Insurance Rates?

By Amy Nutt

When consumers shop for a car, they dont usually consider if the type of car they buy will affect their insurance rates. The type of car you buy actually plays a part in whether you pay a high or low premium. If you are looking to acquire a reasonably priced insurance policy with your new car, it is important to know what cars have the best rates.

The nonprofit public service organization, The Highway Loss Data Institute, (HLDI) is a group that assesses vehicles for the insurance industry to find out which cars are a high risk. By high risk, they mean cars that are most likely to be stolen, involved in an accident as the result of a collision, and have a high number of injury claims filed. When assessing the risk of theft, the organization will look at such as aspects as the number of doors a car has as well as the color of the car.

The HLDI has found that "four door cars have a 93% less chance of having a claim related to theft than 2-door cars of the same make and model." As well, a report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) found that "cars that have the least claims filed for theft include the Buick LeSabre, Volvo V70 Station Wagon, and the Mercury Grand Marquis."

According to HLDI, the lowest injury claims filed are large vehicles such as large cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Many car retailers report that the following cars are the least expensive to insure:

- Chrysler PT Cruiser 4dr Wagon - Jeep Liberty Sport 4WD 4dr SUV - Saturn L300 1 4dr Sedan - Volvo S40 4dr Sedan - Saab 38600 Linear 2.3t 4dr SportWagon - Buick Century Special Edition 4dr Sedan - GMC Safari SLE AWD 3dr Minivan - Dodge Caravan SE 4dr Minivan - Saturn ION 1 4dr Sedan - Pontiac Sunfire 2dr Coupe

Vehicles that are among the least expensive for collision claims include:

- GMC Safari 4-wheel drive - GMC Yukon XL 1500 4-wheel drive - Ford Excursion 2-wheel drive - GMC 2500

Vehicle Models with some of the least expensive injury claims include:

- GMC Sierra 2500 2-wheel and 4 wheel drives - Chevrolet Silverado - GMC Yukon XL 1500 4-wheel - Chevy Tahoe 2-wheel

A few of the Top 2009 Safety Pick Cars as published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety include:

- Large Cars: Acura RL, Audi A6, Cadillac CTS, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis - 4-door models built after 11/08, Lincoln MKS, Mercury Sable, Toyota Avalon, Volvo S80 - Midsize Cars: Acura TL, Acura TSX, Audi A3, Audi A4, BMW 3 series 4-door models, Ford Fusion 2009-10 models with ESC (optional in 2009, standard in 2010) - Honda Accord 4-door models, Lincoln MKZ 2010 models, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen CC - Small Cars: Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional ESC, Mitsubishi Lancer with optional ESC, Scion xB, - Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla with optional ESC, Volkswagen Rabbit 4-door models, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Passat

When determining insurance premiums, car insurance companies will look at a cars make, model, safety record, and rate of theft. Knowing these statistics will help you choose the best car with the best insurance rate.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

No More High Auto Insurance Rates


Risk is the name of the game when it comes to insurance. When you apply for a policy, the insurer, is evaluating whether you are a good or bad risk. The bigger risk there is of having to pay out money on your policy, the more they are going to charge you.

As much as you might dislike paying for auto insurance, you have the ability to pay less by understanding how the process works and how it can be manipulated. There are a few different strategies that can be used to do just this.

When we discuss risk, what are we really talking about? Fear. As in the fear an insurance company has that it will have to pay out on the policy you are buying. Fear is risk. The more risky a bet you are, the more nervous the insurer. This means the key is to lower the risk artificially.

The rule of KISS is a perfect one. KISS stands for Keep It Simple Stupid. This is the aim of our first step. With it, we are going to focus on something known as the deductible for the car insurance policy. Most come with three options - $250, $500 and $1,000.

If you want to cut your insurance premiums, try raising your deductible rate. An increase from $250 to $1,000 will save you a huge amount. Why? This change pretty much eliminates all the small claims you might make. That lowers the payout risk.

Another method for cutting your insurance premiums is to eliminate coverage you dont need. Your car insurance is actually a collection of coverages. Each has a cost so lowering even one can make a world of difference in your premium rates.

If your car needs to be repaired or replaced, you must have comprehensive coverage in your insurance. That being said, you only need as much as your car is worth. If you have a $5,000 car, you should not be paying for $50,000 in comprehensive coverage. Adjust it and your rates will plummet.

Do you have health insurance through your job? If so, why are you paying for medical coverage on your car insurance? Do you enjoy paying twice for the same thing?! You should not. Check to see if your policies overlap. They almost always do. By eliminating your auto insurance version, you can save big bucks.

Most people just pay what they are told to when it comes to their insurance. This is particularly true when it comes to car insurance. This is really a mistake. Know what is in the proposed policy and eliminate what you don't need. Doing so will save you money this year and ever year after that.

You are nobodies fool. The car insurance industry makes money by seeking out the unwary. Do not be one of these peope. There is no plausible reason to throw away money on insurance coverages you do not need, so don't do it.