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Car Insurance Buying Tips

admin — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 13:44:16 +0000

Automobile insurance is an increasing expense for almost all Americans. We can’t afford to have it, and we certainly can’t afford to NOT have it. When researching car insurance companies and comparing policies, it is a good idea to follow these easy guidelines to get the most coverage for your insurance dollars.

Get discount car insurance quotes from as many carriers as you can. Automobile insurance rates may vary drastically depending on the model of your car and the type of coverage you need. Consider as high a deductible as you can reasonably afford, since higher deductibles translate into lower insurance premiums. Review quotes and policies carefully to make sure you are only paying for coverage you really need. If you have homeowner insurance, ask your agent if you are covered already for certain items you might be charged again for on your auto policy.

After you have gotten quotes from different car insurance carriers, it is usually a good idea to create a spreadsheet to help you avoid comparing apples to oranges. Set up a scenario with car repairs and medical expense to best compare the coverage differences under real-life situations.

Once you have chosen the two least expensive automobile insurance policies for the coverage you need, contact a reputable body shop in your area for a referral. Automobile body shops deal with insurance companies every day, and you want to make sure the company you send your premiums to each month will be responsive and fair if you have to make an insurance claim. The body shop probably has a good insider opinion on how the insurance company operates, how long it takes to get an adjuster to view the damaged vehicle, how long it takes to get paid on a claim, how fair the estimate was, were used parts requested versus brand new parts and so on.

Trust me, a ten minute talk with a reputable body shop manager can reveal a lot of great information about an insurance company and how they tend to handle their claims. A few dollars difference in premium dollars to get coverage from a company that handles their claims properly may save you a world of hassle in the event of an automobile accident.

Austin Davis is a consumer advocate committed to helping you with car insurance Houston and car insurance NJ needs.
Article Source: Autos, Trucks and More
[tag] Auto Insurance, Insurance Rates, Insurance Quotes[/tag]

Auto insurance explained

admin — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 13:22:42 +0000

Automobiles particularly cars are quite expensive nowadays. For many people it takes several years of hard work and lot of savings to purchase a car. So it becomes essential to secure a vehicle by the means of insurance. Automobile insurance is the best way to protect you the automobile and the huge amount invested in it.
Auto insurance is basically an agreement between an insurance company and a vehicle owner. The latter is required to pay premium at a certain fixed tenure while the former agrees to pay for any damage or loss of the vehicle. In many countries it is mandatory to have an auto insurance policy. For this policy does not just provide monetary assistance to a vehicle owner, it is also of great help while tracing a vehicle in case of theft and the like.
Once you make up your mind regarding which car (any other vehicle) to purchase, the foremost thing you ought to do is to decide the amount of liability coverage that you require. For help and further information in this area you can consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles. After you make up your mind about the liability sum, think about the type of insurance you want. There are different types of auto insurances policies available that vary according to their coverage. For instance the comprehensive auto insurance covers all cases of accident and theft of your vehicle. Whereas the Third Party, Fire and Theft insurance covers only those situations of accident when the policyholder collides his vehicle with someone elses one. The company will not reimburse in case any other automobile hits the insured one. It is at your discretion as to which policy to adopt. The expense of the policy most often varies with its coverage. So the more a policy covers, the higher is its cost.
Thirdly look for the insurance company from where you desire to purchase your desired policy. For this purpose you can check out the sites of various insurance agencies, can acquire online quotes that are totally free of cost, make a survey in your social circle and so forth. However you should know that in order to determine the contemporary rates, companies take the help of statistical history. These rates depend on the money the required to pay on all claims and company business expenses. The rates of auto insurance policy are also related to the insurance company you choose. This is because each company offers different claim experiences with the number of people they insure. Moreover the cost of doing business i.e. the amount of money to be paid to sell and service their policies and the financial targets to achieve are different for different companies. The companies thus charge accordingly.
Along with these there are several other factors that directly affect your auto insurance rates. These are age, make and model of your vehicle, purpose served by the it, driving record, the manner in which you maintain your car and your credit ratings.
Mansi gupta writes about best auto insurance quote .

[tag]Auto Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Insurance Rates[/tag]

The differences between regular auto insurance and insurance bought online

admin — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:35:33 +0000

The unlimited advantages that the Internet has brought to our lives have even transformed the way we go about availing something as routine as auto insurance. With the option of applying for auto insurance online, car owners are spared a tremendous amount of time, effort and trouble that is involved in applying for regular auto insurance through an agent.
It isnt merely the convenience of being able to compare quotes but also to be assured of comparing the best rates available for auto insurance. The option of applying for auto insurance online offers the additional benefits of learning about new discounts and doing away with the need for locking in on a long term relationship with a particular insurance company.
The old days of going through the tedious process of getting quotes from auto insurance companies are behind us as you can get all the insurance quotes you desire and the type of coverage you want. The online option of comparing quotes also means that you will be able to go through each plan in detail on the insurance sites in order to assess both the quality of the coverage as well as the rates.
Discounts are a major advantage of online auto insurance as they enable you to save in hundreds in premiums. A variety of discounts can be found and qualified for online from opting from an alarm system in your vehicle to enrolling for certified defensive driving courses that reduce premiums for some of the companies. The more you explore auto insurance sites online, the more discounts you will find.
The Internet is of course, synonymous with the amount of time you can save, not to mention of convenience of being able to do things at your own pace. This means not just doing away with having to schedule appointments with agents but also filling forms in the middle of the night and completing them the next day. Online insurance companies arrange to have the completed paperwork sent to you for your signature and presto, the process is over without having to miss out on a single day at work.
Switching insurance companies is also made extremely easy with online auto insurance. Prior to the advent of the Internet, it was the norm to stick to the same insurance company irrespective of their rates. Online, however, it is up to you to check as often as you like on the availability of low rates. Every time you come across better rates, you can make the switch to another company in no time at all.
The essential secret to online auto insurance is research, as rates can be widely varied between the make of vehicles and models. Discounts can also be found on accessories and features to ensure that eventually you are paying the lowest insurance rates possible.
Marcus Dubois is a veteran in the insurance industry, and recommends InstaQuoter to get a free auto insurance quote.

[tag]Auto Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Insurance Rates[/tag]

Cost-Saving Tips for Insuring Teen Drivers

admin — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 13:24:00 +0000

Saving money on auto insurance helps everyones pocketbook. But once your teenager gets behind the wheel, all hope of cheap car insurance rates is lost.

Or is it?
The Low-Down

Heres the bad news: adding a teen driver to your policy can increase your auto insurance rates by as much as 50 to 100 percent. This is simply because young people often take risks while driving, and dont have the experience needed to make wise decisions behind the wheel.

Distraction also causes many accidents and deaths on the road where young people are concerned.

But there is good news. You can impact those auto insurance increases–and keep them to a minimum–just by planning ahead and taking decisive action.

If you and your child are willing to work together to help keep costs low, you might be surprised the difference youll see in your auto insurance rates.
What You Can Do

So what can you do to help keep car insurance rates low? Follow these cost-saving tips recommended by insurance experts:
Insure your son or daughter on your auto insurance policy. It is generally cheaper to add your teenager to your insurance policy than to purchase a separate one just for the child. If your child will be driving his or her own car, adding that vehicle to your own policy also qualifies you for a multi-policy discount.
Encourage your teen to get good grades and take a drivers training course. Most auto insurance companies offer student discounts for maintaining at least a “B” average in school and taking drivers training courses.
Shop around for the best rates and coverage before you settle on a new policy. Insurance companies vary dramatically in their pricing strategies concerning young drivers, so make sure to compare offerings side-by-side.
Pick a safe car for your teenager to drive. The type of car a young person drives can dramatically affect the price you pay for car insurance. A safe, easy-to-drive car poses less risk to both your auto insurance company and your teenager–and helps keep insurance rates down.
Inform your insurer if your child is going away to school. When your young person attends school at least 100 miles away and leaves the car at home, you qualify for an auto insurance discount during that time, since the risk of accident is reduced while theyre away.

Be a good role model for your teen. Always wear your seatbelt; follow traffic laws, and remember that children often mimic what their parents do. The better example you set while driving, the better driver your teen will most likely be–resulting in lower car insurance rates.
Encourage safe driving habits. Initiate conversations about the risks of distractions, drinking and driving, and lack of sufficient sleep before driving. Discuss with your teen how using a cell phone, talking to friends or listening to music can distract the attention and cause an accident, further escalating auto insurance costs.
Limit the amount of time your teenager may drive without your supervision. Many states have already reduced their rate of teen accident by restricting the amount of time new drivers may be on the road without adult supervision. So take responsibility for your teens driving time; youll help keep your child safe–and keep auto insurance rates low.
The Results

By planning ahead and taking decisive action, you and your child can safely navigate the teenage years and keep auto insurance increases to a minimum.

All it takes is a little time, effort and–most importantly–communication!

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About InsureMe

InsureMe, an Englewood, Colorado-based company, links agents nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance. Specializing in home, life, long-term care, health and car insurance quotes, the InsureMe network provides thousands of agents with insurance leads every year. For more information, visit InsureMe.com.

Penny Hagerman is a copywriter and insurance information expert based in Denver, Colorado. She holds a BA in Communications/Journalism, and contributes years of writing and editing experience in print media and Internet communications through her informative articles.

[tag] Auto Insurance, Insurance Rates, Insurance Quotes[/tag]

Why Should I Purchase My Auto Insurance Online?

admin — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 22:27:05 +0000

If youre interested in slashing your auto insurance bill in half then theres no reason why you shouldnt consider purchasing auto insurance online. Buying your auto insurance online is extremely easy and very convenient. The process is fast and only requires filling out a simple form. The best part is you can receive multiple quotes from several different auto insurance providers from the privacy of your own home. You can even search for a new money saving car insurance policy in your pajamas if desire to do so.

Many experts agree that most consumers overpay on their insurance policies due to a lack of shopping around. This includes vehicular insurance. Additionally they overwhelmingly endorse purchasing auto insurance online due to the ability to start your insurance application, save it, and finish later if you get pressed for time. If youre concerned about the cost associated with receiving multiple insurance quotes dont be. By applying online you can get multiple free car insurance quotes from one application. Youre also never under any obligation to accept any insurance quote provided – even if it saves you money.

As far as the drawbacks to purchasing auto insurance online there arent many. Obviously youll have to have access to a computer with an Internet connection and around 30 minutes of free time depending on the number of free insurance quotes you wish to receive. Keep in mind before accepting any quote that you could qualify for a bigger discount from your current auto insurance provider if you carry multiple insurance policies with them. For instance a combination of car, home and life insurance may cost less as a group when compared to purchasing individually.

Its only natural to have concerns with the privacy of the information the insurance company requires you to fill out on their quick quote provider form. However rest assured that any information you provide is kept secure with encryption technology and will not be released to anyone else to include other insurance providers unless you agree to allow it. You can also feel comfortable in knowing that your credit score wont be affected by applying for free auto insurance quotes online.

After youve found a quote that you like purchasing auto insurance online allows you to either accept the quote right then and there or you can opt to receive the rate provided in the mail. Either way youre guaranteed to save money. A word of caution, make sure the information you provide on the insurance application is correct. Even the smallest errors can adversely affect the money saving rate that is provided.

Probably the most difficult choice will be which online auto insurance provider to choose from in order to receive your free quotes. Look for a company that has excellent customer service reviews and offers a simple application process that provides multiple money saving quotes. Finally dont forget to check and make sure that they can actually provide an insurance quote for the state you currently reside in.
Timothy Gorman is a successful webmaster and publisher of Best-Free-Insurance-Quotes.com. He provides free insurance information and offers discount auto, life and home insurance that you can research in your pajamas on his website

[tag]Auto Insurance, Insurance Rates, Insurance Quotes [/tag]

Pay as You Drive Car Insurance- a Win-Win Proposition

admin — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 13:20:11 +0000

You can pay as you talk with a cell phone plan, so why not pay as you drive auto insurance? It sounds like a good idea; but would pay as you drive auto insurance work for you? The idea behind pay as you drive auto insurance is simple. Basically its this- if you do not drive very much, you will not pay high insurance premiums. Advocates for this type of insurance policy think that there are many merits to this type of program. What if you car pool to work, or take public transit? You are not using your car very much so why are you paying high premiums. With a pay as you drive auto insurance premiums you would be able to quite literally pay as you go. Another situation where this plan would be of benefit is that of many retirees who have winter homes in temperate climates, the snowbirds living in Florida or Arizona six months of the year and six months in New York or Toronto for example. Essentially the insurance companies would set an average driving amount for each car type. It could then be broken down into a cents per mile basis. If you wanted to us the pay as you drive auto insurance system you could purchase a set number of miles and you would be covered for insurance during this period. Pay as you drive auto insurance is an excellent idea for those individuals who do not use their car very much or try to find cost saving methods or environment saving alternatives. Currently this type of program is not yet available, but there are supporters in many states who are hoping to change that soon. Groups including Environmental Defense, the Conservation Law Foundation and even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are working to organize a national cooperative that would work with insurance companies to offer deep discounts for low-mileage drivers; halfway a step toward PAYD (Pay As You Drive) insurance. General Motors and On-Star Offers PAYD Rates. In mid-2004 General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) Insurance began offering mileage-based discounts to OnStar subscribers located in some states. The OnStar system reports a vehicles odometer readings at the beginning and end of the policy term to verify mileage. Motorist who drive less than specified annual mileage can receive insurance premium discounts of up to 40%. PAYD programs are also currently available in Israel, South Africa and Holland. PAYD is gaining momentum, and will be coming to your area soon.
D.Demetre is a contributing author at Online-Car-Insurance.us, where you can get free cheap auto insurance quotes

[tag] Auto Insurance, Insurance Rates, Insurance Quotes [/tag]

How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance via Internet?

admin — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 17:16:14 +0000

Most states make it mandatory for you to have car insurance. The minimum the authorities accept is liability coverage on your car. A liability cover will protect the other person if ever you are involved in an accident. Nowadays Internet is becoming a major information center for those looking for auto cheap insurance.
Now car owners have lot of reasons to hunt online for their car insurance. This is because most of the major insurance companies now provide online car insurance quotes. Most of them also allow you to buy insurance online. This makes obtaining cheap online car insurance quote for your motor vehicle easier than ever before. Another important factor is that there are numerous insurers who provide a discount for buying online.
Saving money is one of the main reasons why people tend to find online car insurance quotes. There are several websites, which offer instant car insurance quote comparison services. This helps the drivers to compare the same service provided by different auto insurance companies before sticking into any insurer. This assures that the drivers can easily find out the low cost quotes. By choosing for online car insurance you can save time spent to see an insurance agent or being hassled over the phone.
The number of people looking for cheap online car insurance quote is growing by day. The number of financial companies who claim they are the cheapest car insurance company are many. With unparalleled growth in auto cheap insurance arena both companies and brokers are on the look out for business and this gives the customer in search of auto cheap insurance scores of options. Before deciding on the on the cheapest online car insurance quote you should do a thorough homework, as the prize range varies considerably. Try to get as many quotes as possible before coming to a decision.
But you should never be carried away by the thought of getting the cheapest car insurance company. By doing so most of the important aspects are ignored and in process you also stand to lose better deals, which you could have enjoyed if you had opted for an insurance for a slightly more pay. Drivers with a clean slate are given better deals and families with teen drivers are offered competitive quotes by certain insurance companies. Cheap online car insurance quote makes this an easy task.
It is good to opt for cheap online car insurance quote. But you must give utmost importance to the diverse aspects of each policy. With a little search and thought you might come up with a decision that benefits your valet and policy.
Ms.Grace Navas is an insurance agent and regular contributor to Super-Value-Insurance.com. A source for online insurance quotes and reviews of insurance companies.

[tag]Auto Insurance, Cheap Auto Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Online Insurance, Insurance Rates[/tag]

How To Shop For Cheap Car Insurance Rates

admin — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 13:13:38 +0000

Car insurance is one of those purchases whose price can vary radically depending on which company you contact. Because of the wide disparity in rates when you make an auto insurance comparison, you need to know how to get the cheapest car insurance rates that you can. After all, if all other considerations are equal, the auto insurer with the best car insurance quote is often your best bet.
The first thing to do is make sure that you shop around thoroughly to get enough rate quotes that you can make a good educated decision. Just dont get a car insurance quote and buy the policy right there. As with so many other consumer decisions, car insurance is something that must be shopped and compared to get the best deal.
Its often suggested to get at least three car insurance quotes before making a decision, but that is more like the minimum actually. You can get insurance quotes both online and offline as car insurance companies vary as to how they sell insurance. There are still many who sell through a network of their own agents exclusively. Other insurance companies will also sell through independent agents who may represent several companies at a time and can offer to make an auto insurance comparison among all the companies that they represent to give you the best deal.
But one of the fastest growing trends in selling car insurance is the online, direct to consumer companies. The internet has changed the face of many industries and auto insurance is certainly one of those that have been permanently altered. Today, you can simply find one of the major insurance quote providers on the web, enter your information and get a quote from several sources in very little time at all. And because many of these companies have much less overhead than other more traditional insurers, they are able to sell direct to the consumer and save them money as they do.
However, there are some things that you should consider before making any car insurance purchase. Be sure that the company you buy from is financially stable. As more and more newer companies get into the car insurance field, this becomes critical, so check their financial stability on sites such as ambest.com and standardandpoors.com before you buy, and see how the company is rated. Its also a good idea to call your state insurance commissioners office and see how many customer complaints have been received by a particular company that you are considering too. This can help you find out if they not only sell insurance, but also provide good customer service after the sale.
Finally, ask around among your family and friends about their experiences with car insurance companies and see what information you can get. This is often one of the best, most unbiased ways of learning about almost any kind of product that you want to buy, so factor what they have to say in making your final decision as well.
If you take the steps mentioned above as you make an auto insurance comparison, you should be able to get a good picture of what will be the best choice for you and how you can get cheap car insurance rates too.
Find out more about how to get cheap car insurance rates and the best car insurance quote by visiting our Auto Review website.

[tag]Auto Insurance, Insurance Quotes, Insurance Rates[/tag]

Eleven Money-Saving Auto Insurance Tips for Senior Drivers

admin — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 17:12:17 +0000

Like all drivers, senior citizens (or as I like to call them “seasoned citizens”) want to get the best rates on their auto insurance policies. What they may not be aware of is that older drivers may present a higher risk than other drivers, usually leading to higher auto insurance rates.

Following a few simple tips and taking these measures will ensure that you are getting the lowest rates possible on your auto insurance policy.

1. Avoid more Accidents, Pay Close Attention at Intersections. Auto accidents involving seniors often occur at intersections. Make sure to look ahead if you plan to quickly change lanes after an intersection. Pay attention to protected left turn lanes with their own arrows, and always keep your tires pointed straight ahead when stopped, so that a rear-end accident doesnt push you into oncoming traffic.

2. Follow the flow of traffic, Drive at the at or near the speed limit. Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as speeding, especially when entering or exiting interstates or freeways. It can also trigger dangerous “road rage” in less patient drivers. You dont have to be Mario Andretti, but keeping to the right and following the flow of traffic is the safest bet.

3. Many violations include failure to yield right-of-way, improper turning or incorrect lane changes, so keep current on the traffic laws relating to new traffic designs.

4. Sit high enough in your seat so that you can see at least 10 feet in front of your car, advises the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your car seat does not adjust to allow this, add a cushion. This will make it easier to see pedestrians and bike riders, and reduce problems from oncoming headlight glare at night.

5. Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses when driving at night. For many older drivers, night vision is reduced, so safety dictates not driving at twilight or after dark.

6. Make sure you learn how to operate a New Car. Things like Anti-lock brakes, for example operate differently in slippery situations. If you have never driven a car with anti-lock brakes, sure to get training on proper use.

7. Senior drivers can refresh their skills and knowledge — and get a discount on auto insurance in many states — by taking a refresher driving course, such as the eight-hour “55 Alive” course offered by AARP. More than two-thirds of states mandate auto insurance policy discounts for such courses, and many insurance companies offer the discounts voluntarily.

8. Look for cars with rear-view mirrors that automatically dim and filter out headlight glare.

9. Air bag technology has become more advanced, with sensors that deploy air bags based on the weight of the occupant, reducing air-bag-related injuries. Some new cars also have side air bags in the seats or door frame that offer better protection.

10. Consider fit and comfort in your new car. Seat belts that comfortably fit over your shoulder and low on your lap will keep you safer. Automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes require less physical effort.

11. Last but definitely not least, Check to see which companies offer specific Senior Discounts While shopping around for the best auto insurance rates is important, which insurance company you choose might depend on how they treat senior drivers. Youll get their best rates if youre healthy and drive a safe, modern vehicle.

Reprints of this article are allowed (and encouraged) for your site or newsletter with proper credit to the author and a simple link to http://www.hometownquotes.com.
Matt McWilliams is one of the co-founders of HometownQuotes.Com, an online insurance quotes web site. He is originally from Pinebluff, NC and attended Middle Tennessee State University in 2002. He is considered an expert in the field of online insurance shopping and finding new ways to help consumers save money on their insurance. For more information visit http://www.hometownquotes.com.

[tag]Insurance Quotes, Auto Insurance, Insurance Rates[/tag]

Auto Insurance 101

admin — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 13:09:50 +0000

Auto insurance, as the term suggests, is insurance that you can purchase for your vehicle (cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, etc.). It provides protection against losses incurred as a result of vehicle accidents. While the product seems simple, there are many different types of auto insurance policies available for purchase. Depending on the policy that you choose, your coverage levels and types will vary. Broadly speaking, these are the types of auto insurance programs on the market today:
Coverage:
* Comprehensive coverage (Comp) – This kind of insurance insures your vehicle against the cost of purchasing a new vehicle if it is stolen or destroyed in a fire.
* Collision coverage (Coll) – This kind of insurance insures your vehicle against the cost of repairing the vehicle following an accident or the cost of purchasing a new vehicle if it is damaged in an accident beyond economic repair.
Protection:
* Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – This insures against the cost of medical expenses and lost wages related to the use, ownership or maintenance of a motor vehicle. This insurance is mandatory in some U.S. states.
* Medical Payments (MP) – insures against the cost of medical expenses for bodily injury sustained in an accident beyond any expenses that may be covered by PIP.
* Legal liability claims against the driver or owner of the vehicle following the vehicle causing damage or injury to a third party.
While Liability insurance covers only legal liability, comprehensive insurance covers PIP, MP, as well as legal liability. In the United States, liability insurance covers claims against the policyholder and any other operator of the insureds vehicle. If, however, any other operators live at the same address, they must specifically be covered on the policy. For rented vehicles, most rental car companies offer insurance to cover damage to the rental vehicle.
While comprehensive insurance covers most aspects of damage which can affect the car itself or the driver, there is one risk associated with buying a new car is not covered even by comprehensive insurance – once the car is bought, there is a sharp decline in its value. During this period (immediately after a car is bought), in which the remaining car payments exceed the value of the vehicle and thus the compensation the insurer will pay for a totaled (destroyed, or written-off) vehicle, customers may consider purchasing GAP insurance. GAP insurance was established in the early 1980s to provide protection to consumers based on buying and market trends.
Chris Tolamalu is interested in auto insurance.

[tag]Auto Insurance, Insurance Rates, Insurance Quotes[/tag]