Monday, December 18, 2006

What To Look For In An Auto Insurance Company

Since almost all the states require that you have auto insurance, the question should not be whether you want it, but what you want your policy to cover. Indeed there are many decisions, but they do not have to be difficult ones to make if you know what you are looking for. Once you know what you want, then it will be much easier to find a company that can give you that for the lowest price.

How To Decide What You Want

You must decide what all your personal needs are such as a teenager in the house who also drives, but needs to be covered as well. Then make sure the policy will cover everything on the list.

How Much Liability Coverage Should I Get?

You also must decide how much liability coverage you want (paying for damages that you cause to another person on the road). There are two parts to liability coverage: bodily injury and property damage to the other person. Since liability insurance is the main reason to get insured in the first place, it is strongly recommended that insurers insure themselves well above the minimum requirement of the state. It is a good idea, in this area, to go as high as you feel you can because if you are unable to pay all the damage costs, first your assets will probably go to help pay for it, then you will just be in mounds of debt. You could get lucky and maybe they would have insurance for the underinsured (you) and maybe their attorney wouldn't go after you, but don't count on it.

How Much Collision Coverage, If Any, Should I Get?

One should assess the value of one's car first before deciding on collision insurance. Is your car old anyway and on its last leg, or is it brand new? How much are you willing to pay out of pocket should anything happen? If your car was totaled, would you rather pay out of pocket and/or risk your insurance going up, or would you rather just buy a new car? You should only get collision coverage if you feel a need to keep your car and repairs from such an event would be much more than staying insured, thus requiring the help of your insurance. It is important to note that collision insurance will insure no matter who is at fault, generally.

What Other Types Of Coverage Should I Consider?

Comprehensive auto insurance means exactly that, it is all comprehensive (it includes just about everything else that could go wrong with your car). For example, if your AC broke, it could cover repairs for that, or if your car got stolen it would cover for that as well. It will also (typically) cover for extended medical expenses of anyone injured in the accident, salary lost during that time, and funeral expenses. That is the one thing about life, full of endless possibilities, so if any of these coverages are important to you, then you should get the comprehensive coverage plan.

Now, if you really want to protect yourself well you can also get insurance for the uninsured as well (or underinsurance for those who are underinsured). So, that basically means that your insurance will cover what they were supposed to cover, them being at fault, but because they have no insurance, you will get covered with no hassle. This is important to have if you are worried that someone will hit and run. If they are able to get away without your knowledge of their driver's license or anything, then there won't be much you will be able to do about it.

How High Should My Deductible Be? Your deductible is how much you must pay out of pocket before your insurance will help you. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly payments (your premium). So, if you are not very accident prone, perhaps a high deductible would be good for you, as high as you feel that you could pay yourself. If you are still struggling with what you want your deductible to be, think of this scenario: You get in a fender bender by running into the friendly pole over by your gas station, and it is $500 to fix. Would you rather pay out of pocket? Or go through your insurance risking that your rates will increase. How about if it was $1000 to fix? Now how about $1500 to fix? Now $2000 to fix? The highest number you would want to pay out of pocket for should be your deductible.

How Can I Save Money On My Insurance Plan?

As talked about above, the higher the deductible, the lower your premiums, which can save you a bundle of money. That is a good way to save money and still be able to keep your good coverage. Even if you up your deductible to $500 dollars, your premium will be much less. If you are worried you will not have that extra $500 on hand when you need it, it is probably a good idea to keep it in your emergency savings in a high interest bearing account. In fact, keep your entire deductible in there, and then if you ever need it in a pinch, you will have it. It will save you tons of money in the long run.

Teens If you have teens that you need to cover, cover them with your insurance plan. Do not cover them separately, it will be much more expensive. Same thing with their cars. List their cars alongside yours.

Coverages

Another way to save, or -- not waste your money, is to be sure you are not overcompensating in your coverages. For example, if you already have good coverage in your health insurance to cover for your personal injuries no matter what the cause, then in an auto accident you would have coverage for your injuries already through your health insurance. Therefore, you would probably be ok just having the minimum requirement in your auto insurance for your own personal injuries. You would probably be surprised all that your home insurance would cover too, so be sure to look at the coverages you already have closely before making definite decisions.

Bulk Buy

Now, you may want to consider getting your auto insurance with the same company that you get your homeowners insurance with, or another insurance, because lots of times they will let you get your insurances for less if you purchase more than one through them. Always remember that if a company does not work out to your satisfaction, you can always change your policy or change companies altogether BEFORE it is time to renew your policy. You can change things any time you feel the need, you never need to wait.

How Can I Be More Certain That This Company Is A Good Company?

Customer Service is always an important aspect (of any company for that matter!), and a good one to test out! Think of a crazy or absurd question, then call their customer service and test it out! Or, any question for that matter! If you are on hold for an hour, then they probably do not provide good service.

Body shops are another good place to look. Managers there have to deal with auto insurances all the time. Ask them which are the best to work with! I am sure they would have some recommendations for you to make their lives easier! They would know which insurances try to get away with replacing parts with cheaper parts to save themselves money, and which would have parts replaced back to their original quality.

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Sunday, December 17, 2006

How to Take Photographs for Auto Insurance Claims

Cruising between avenues in New York City, you’re about to make a right on the intersection. Out of nowhere, a black Pontiac Grand Am smacks into the side of your car. What happens now? Of course, you maintain calm and composure as best you can, checking for injuries to yourself and the other driver. Calling the police for documentation taking and pulling out the Accident Scene Information Checklist from your glove compartment should be done as well. However, documentation and police reports for car insurance claims may fail to paint a true picture of the damaged caused. For this reason, it is important to take accident photographs.

With the flood of camera phones and digital cameras in the market, carrying a disposable in your glove compartment shouldn’t be too much trouble. Use the camera to take pictures of the accident scene with special attention to angles and distances. Once you hop out of the damaged car, take pictures from different angles. If sunlight throws a glare atop your car and obstructs the camera, move position and capture the damage from multiple angles. One rule of the trade is to take pictures from three different angles and distances. All close up shots should be taken in the 3 – 5 feet range, with the next distance 10 to 15 feet away. Don’t forget to take a picture from 20-40 feet away to capture the entire accident scene as well. If possible, keep a landmark visible in all of the photos – that is, something in the surrounding area as part of every picture to keep continuity.

If you're using a film camera and its running low on film, be sure to take even better pictures. Each picture should provide a glimpse into what happened and capture the surrounding environment along with the condition of your vehicle. Digital cameras are strategic in that you have the ability to review photographs and delete undesirable ones. If its bad, erase and take a shot from another angle and distance.

Your vehicle is not the star of the show here! It is also a good idea to take pictures of the car that hit you. Take pictures of both cars in their damaged position (with landmark intact) If the accident was your fault, this is critical. Picture proof helps drivers protect themselves in the event the other driver tries to claim more damages were caused.

It is also smart to take a few pictures of the road or intersection where the accident occurred. Besides refreshing your memory, it tells the auto insurance agents how the accident happened. Take pictures of street names, traffic signs, and the cars under these landmarks in case you need evidence in court. Snap pictures of skid marks as well. If your digital camera is not strong enough, blow up the photos later on. If there are no skid marks on the ground, it can prove the other person responsible wasn’t paying enough attention to brake!

Finally, take some snapshots of all bodily injuries, including bruises, cuts, marks to the face, and more. Capture them from the appropriate angle or distance for the full effect. All of the pictures described above will help expedite your auto insurance claim. Insurance companies are so enamored with pictures, many of them send disposable camera free of charge for their policyholders to use.

In a Nutshell:

* →Keep a digital camera in your car. Either that or leave a cheap disposable camera in your glove compartment!

* →Take pictures from three different angles and distances: 3-5 feet, 10-15 feet, and 20-40 feet (accident scene & surrounding area)

* →Snap pictures of all vehicles involved

* →Snap pictures of the road/intersection along with street and traffic signs

* →Pay attention to skid marks! This is valid proof the opposing driver failed to pay enough attention to brake

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Thursday, December 14, 2006

Top 8 Tips to Save on Car Insurance

The costs of car insurance are receiving complaints all across America like clockwork. This is easy to understand, considering the fact a standard policy clocks in at several hundred dollars a year. Based on your age, driving record, and other factors, annual premiums may hit the peak or ride the wave. With that said, how it is possible to keep premiums low and save some money?

For starters, most states require that you purchase a minimum amount of liability coverage if you own a car. Enlisting for more than the bare minimum is a rule of thumb if you want to have enough protection. Lowering your car insurance costs can be done with a few steps without having to cancel your policy. Depending on your background, only a few of these steps may apply to you.

Top 8 Tips for Car Insurance Savings:

1. Look around

Shop around! An excellent time to add alternatives in your crosshairs is when your current policy is about to be renewed with the possibility of your premiums going up. Its interesting to know that car insurance premiums for the exact same type of coverage on the same car model can vary by up to hundreds of dollars according to insurer company, even in states that regulate its car insurance rates.

2. Raise your deductible

The cost of your policy can be greatly reduced by raising the deductible. 10 percent or more can easily be slashed off your annual premium if you raise your Geico insurance deductible, for example, from $300 to $500. Make sure enough financial resources are in reserve before you handle this larger deductible when the moment comes.

3. Polish that Credit Report

Credit histories are the bread and butter of loan and insurance industries. Car insurance companies like Geico and Allstate have eyes of hawks when it comes to these. Your insurance company compares your credit histories and determines how much of a risk you are with them. By making your monthly credit card payments on time and keeping a fresh credit history, Allstate and State Farm will provide you with lower car insurance rates.

4. Keep the Mileage Low

People who drive less than 7,000 miles a year may be eligible for low-mileage discounts. Check with your insurer to take advantage. If your new insurer has it, limit your driver to under the mileage limit as best you can. Public transportation and planes for long distance trips can slash the mileage to safe limits.

5. Maintain a Clean Driving Record

Price breaks are awarded left and right if clean driving records are maintained for a specified period of time (i.e. two years). A polished driving record is free of accidents, moving violations, speeding citations, DUIs, etc. during this time. Turn into a defensive driver and drive carefully always to become eligible for the discounts you deserve.

6. Don’t drive a Flashy Lamborghini on city streets

Car insurance providers like Geico and Progressive rate cars according to a risk scale. Sports cars, luxury cars, and high-octane Lamborghinis and Ferraris (just examples) are higher risks because thieves love to go after them. According to statistics, drivers behind these cars are also more prone to accidents and have reckless driving habits. Expect to pay higher premiums for these cars than if you own a Honda Accord, for example. This is the same for standard sedans, station wagons, and pickup trucks.

7. Use Your Family as Part of a Multifamily/MultiPolicy discount

Insurance companies are ready to award discounts to those who buy more than one kind of insurance through the same company (i.e. car and home.) If you insure more than 1 car under the same policy through the same company, you may be qualified for a discount as well. Couples getting married to take advantage of nifty car insurance discounts happen like clockwork. 8. Load Your Car with Safety Features

Safety and anti-theft devices are your car’s best friend. If automatic seat belts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes are installed into your car, it can lead to discounts since they lessen the chances of your car getting stolen or damaged by vandals.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Car Insurance - Prevention Is To Protect Yourself

One of the first and most important things to do when purchasing a new car is to get a car insurance policy. In most countries, every vehicle needs auto or car insurance and this is required under the law.

It provides protection to the car and compensates the driver and other passengers on any damage or injury sustained or caused to others in an accident as well as other occurrences such as theft, vandalism and other unforeseen circumstances. Without proper auto insurance, the owner has to bear the full cost of these payouts.

Here is some information on the various types of car insurance available. These include personal injury protection, bodily injury and liability, medical coverage, collision, comprehensive, uninsured or underinsured motorist and rental reimbursement insurance policies.

A personal injury protection auto insurance policy is sometimes known as the "no-fault" coverage. It pays the driver and his passengers for medical expenses and treatments as a result of a car crash, regardless of who may have been at fault. Some of such insurance policy also reimburse on the replacement of services, lost earnings and even funeral expenses.

The bodily injury and liability car insurance is imperative to have as a driver. It covers any bodily injuries or property damages to others that may occur during an accident, for which the policy owner is the responsible party. Bodily injury damages include medical treatments or lost of wages whereas property damage includes damaged or loss of use of property.

Medical coverage focuses on the driver and passengers of the car. This type of protection policy will pay for any reasonable or necessary medical treatments and expenses for the driver and passengers. In addition, it may even be extended to include disability or pain and suffering compensation.

A collision car insurance policy pays for the cost of damage caused by a collision to the insured car that may affect its book value. This will include damages caused by another vehicle or any other stationary or movable objects.

A comprehensive auto insurance package pays for damages caused by theft, vandalism, fire and various natural disasters like wind, hail, flood, storm or lighting strikes.

Uninsured or underinsured motorist auto insurance will pay for any cost to an insured person, who is injured in an accident, caused by another person, who is uninsured or does not have enough car insurance to cover the full amount of the damages. This will also include a hit and run accident.

In the event that a car is damaged due to a vehicular accident, a rental reimbursement policy will pay a daily allowance for the fees incurred to rent another vehicle.

The price or premiums of the car insurance may vary widely with different insurance companies. There are several factors that may lower the premiums and these include:
a) clean driving records such as never involved in any accidents or no speeding tickets
b) the price of the car and the cost to repair the car or replace its accessories in the event of damage, theft or destruction
c) the purpose or usage of the vehicle as well as the frequency of using it
d) opt for the least number of installments to pay the premiums such as half yearly or even annually as monthly installments are the most expensive
d) drop the collision coverage as the vehicle gets older or is priced lesser

There are some car insurance companies that give multi-vehicle discounts or lower rates if there are two or more vehicles to be insured. It is also a common practice for these companies to give competitive discounts to drivers over 55 years of age or those who complete the safety driving courses with very good grades. Nevertheless, a responsible driver always puts in an effort to ensure an accident-free life on the road.

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Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Four Simple Tips For Buying A Used Car

When you decide on buying a used car, make sure you do not make mistake of buying a lemon. A simple visual inspection should be enough to help you stay away from bad used cars. Naturally, it cannot replace a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic, but it can help you decide whether to proceed with car checkup or not.

1. Check out the odometer/mileage. See if the numbers there are reasonable. Average mileage for personal cars is around 15,000 miles per year. In case, that mileage ad up, look for the overall car condition.

Until just a few years ago just by looking at the dashboard anyone could have easily seen if the mileage has been tampered with. Today however if professional does it, not even other mechanics will be able to tell the difference. However, there are always a few "smart" DIY mechanics that might try to scam you.

In that case look for any scratching signs around the odometer, see if any of the screws are missing or are mismatched. Look closely at the drivers seat for any wearing signs, also check the floor mat (not very indicative because you can always buy a new one) and the pedals (excellent place to look for, not many scammers will go as far as restoring the new look).

See if the car you plan on buying has an oil change sticker and if it matches the mileage.

2. Check the vehicle VIN (vehicle identification number). Use VIN to get a complete vehicle background report. You can get information such as its repairs, accidents, assembly place, and odometer history.

You can even find out if the car has been used as rental, leased, used as taxi or if a lien is paced against the car in question. However before you decide to cash out and pay for the report check first if you have the right VIN.

You can find the car VIN in one of three places, vehicle registration card, manufacturers label (look at the drivers side door). See if there is a VIN in all those places and compare to see if it is the same. Look also for any signs of VINs being tampered with, changed or missing VIN is a sure sign of a car being stolen.

3. Look for the signs of bodywork. Some of the bodywork signs are parts where there is mismatch in paint, paint feels rough, look if there are ripples or bumps in the paint or if there is paint over spray in the seams.

Next, you should look for signs that the vehicle has had bodywork done. Signs such as these are usually sign of a recent car accident.

4. Check for signs of rust, fluid leaks, tire wear (check if tire wear is equal on both left and right side, also tires can be very expensive to replace just after the car purchase).

Check also condition of the cars interior, check if all the signal lights work and are not burned out, and see if all the switches work as they should. The point behind your car check up is to see if the car has been maintained properly.

If after these checkups, you find the car to be in good shape your next step should be to take it to a mechanic for a thorough inspection.

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Monday, December 11, 2006

Auto Insurance - 4 Effective Methods of Finding a Deal

With insurance rates always rising and insurance companies profiting billions of dollars it can be difficult to get a good deal on car insurance. Luckily, the online car insurance world has been booming over the last so many years. Is it lucky for them or you? More so for them, but also for you.

You can very easily search dealers online and get free quotes which gives you a lot of options. There are thousands of companies on the net just waiting for your business. Most companies offer free quotes. There's also websites dedicated to giving you free quotes from multiple auto insurance dealers. Giving you more choices and a better chance at finding a company that will suit your needs and your budget.

Some Things you can do to get a reduced auto insurance rate are:

Pay a higher deductible - this can save you some money on your payments but if you need to collect the deductible will be more expensive.

Search Online and Offline Brokers - You will have more options and a better idea of what a good rate is.

1. Choose Your Car Wisely

A lot of insurance dealers factor in the type and value of your car. Is it a sports car or a sedan? What's the year, make and model? With some companies even the color of your car can play a factor in their assessment of your policy.

2. Ask About Discounts

Some auto insurance companies will offer discounts that you may have to qualify for. Some things that may help you qualify - Taking A defensive driving course. Agreeing to reduced driving time or restrictions in the distance of your driving.

3. A Strong Credit Score

Most dealers are going to take a look at your credit history since they will be taking a risk on you. Make sure that your credit score is strong.

4. Ask For A Better Rate

Let them know that your interested but not sure that you can afford that rate at this time. Haggling might pay off.

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Sunday, December 10, 2006

Why Do Auto Insurance Rates Change?

Car insurance costs can be very strange things. You are likely to get one quote from an insurance company and an acquaintance may get a completely diverse insurance quote. There can be lots of reasons that would make the policy rate, or cost, of the insurance policy to vary from individual to individual, location to location and even insurance company to insurance company. That is the reason it is highly advisable for anyone needing car insurance, with the expectation of getting the most for their money, to evaluate information from more than a few insurance companies prior to settling on a particular choice. Pointless to say, looking at various companies and comparing insurance policy cost is just sharp shopping.

Although changes in insurance rates might seem whimsical, premiums increase and they decrease for various auto related situations. They can increase every time there is extra danger implicated as reflected in the insurance policy itself. The more hazard you are, the greater the rate the company will want for insuring you.

For example, if a driver has been cited for more than a few traffic violations, their insurance costs will probably escalate. That driver is considered an extra menace now. If the driver is immature and green, their threat to the insurance company has increased; consequently, it will charge them additional rates than it will charge others having additional driving know-how.

Car insurance policies are also fixed by the insurance company. Various insurance companies will allow preferential treatment to individuals who have secured several insurance policies with the insurer. Other companies will allow reduced premiums to folks who have good students. There are outstanding premiums for policy holders who maintain good credit ratings too.

In addition to these considerations, there are still numerous other determiners that influence the premiums that an insurance company will offer you. This can be simply the rates that the insurance company normally charges. It’s a fact - a few offer lesser rates than other companies.

No doubt, you shop around and do comparisons for many things in your life. So, shopping for the best available premiums for your automobile insurance coverage is a wise move. Interestingly enough, you will probably find that some companies will present a considerably lesser rate for the same insurance than others for no truly apparent cause. Just make the time to evaluate and save money on auto insurance.

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Car Insurance For Teenagers – Why Teens Pay A Higher Premium

This article attempts to explain the reasons why teenagers pay a higher premium for their car insurance; it is not a how-to guide on lowering your auto insurance bills if you are a teen or a young male under the age of twenty-five.

It is no secret that young people pay more for their auto insurance which is odd because it is this exact group of people that are the least likely to be able to afford to pay those types of bills. This often translates into anger towards insurance companies for discriminatory practices against young drivers.

Is this discriminatory? Is charging higher insurance rates for young and teenage drivers and categorizing them is a class that should pay higher discrimatory? The short answer is "no."

It would help to explain the reason that this group of drivers pay more. It is important to first explain one of the basic tenets of insurance. Insurance is based on the law of large numbers. What this means for insurance is that premiums are based on the characteristics of certain market segments. For example, based on historical statistical data, insurance companies find that drivers under the age of 25 will get into more accidents and make more claims, on the whole, than drivers over the age of 25. Thus, drivers under 25 pay more.

This group of drivers may have more accidents for any number of reasons such as inexperience or a higher propensity for recklessness. Either way, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that young drivers have more claims. And they do. That’s a fact.

Now, if young drivers have more claims, would you still believe that charging them higher insurance premiums is discriminatory? Maybe, maybe not. If not, then the higher rate of claims would have to be paid some other way. Perhaps, the higher premiums should be shared amongst all drivers? In that case, drivers above the age of 25 would be compensating young drivers for their claims through their own higher premiums. Now, that wouldn’t be fair, would it?

Some teenage drivers may say that they have never had an accident and, for that reason, should not pay as much as other young drivers do. This is faulty reasoning. Most teenage drivers actually haven't had a car accident. It's just that a higher percentage of them have. It is that higher percentage that makes it a higher probability that a young driver will have an accident. Your insurance rates are based on this probability for a future accident.

Teenagers and young drivers do pay a higher premium for insurance because they are a higher risk. No matter how much you think that this is unfair or discriminator it won't change. It won't change as long as other young drivers keep having accidents. So, your anger should be directed at reckless young drivers. Get them to behave while behind the wheel and your own insurance rates will drop as a result.

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Friday, December 8, 2006

How To Save Money On Your Car Insurance

We could all do with a bit more cash in our pockets, making savings on the monthly bills can help with this. Car insurance premiums vary quite widely depending on the insurer and the type of cover so getting the best deal here really can save you money.

Firstly, and I know it sounds obvious, shop around. Try and get insurance quotes from a number of different insurers. Just because your current insurance provider was the cheapest last year does not mean they will be this year. New car insurance companies seem to spring up all the time, it may be worth checking these out as sometimes they offer good deals initially to attract new customers.

The next step is to consider changing your excess level, the amount you have to pay if you make a claim. The higher your excess the lower the monthly premium charged. This is especially effective if you have an old car which you would not repair if it was seriously damaged because the car itself is not worth it. If this is the case you can increase your excess to the maximum amount allowed which can significantly lower your insurance costs.

If your annual mileage is less than the national average be sure to mention it when asking for a quote. This will usually lower the cost.

When you buy a new car or consider adding extras to a standard car bear in mind the insurance implications. A flash or a modified car is more expensive to insure because it is more attractive to thieves and more expensive to replace. You can ask the dealer what insurance class a car falls into before you buy.

Another factor to mention when getting a quote is any extra security equipment that has been fitted. A car with an alarm and engine immobiliser will be cheaper to insure.

Hopefully if you follow these straight forward tips you should be able to make a saving on your car insurance premiums and have a little more money lining your wallet!

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Evil Insurance Industry?

There are lot of sites where you can compare different car insurance company. But insurance companies, individually and together via their political lobbying organizations, cry about how badly off they are, how much money they are losing, and so on…

Most claims of the clients say things like this:

“My driving record was just as spotlessly perfect for the year preceding the most recent renewal as it was for the previous year. Nevertheless, my rates nearly doubled. Same spotless driving record, same vehicle, same usage, same location. The explanation given was that the companies were hiking rates to make up for money loss on bad investments”

Insurance companies has to deal and insure all kind of drivers: *drunk + impaired (drugs) drivers *drivers not paying attention because they are talking on cell phones *speeders who buy radar detectors and speed intentionally!

Of course, that you might think that if your insurance company makes some bad financial decisions. “Why should I pay for their mistakes?”

But is that possible to save on auto insurance? Perhaps shopping around for car insurance is one of the best ways to save on auto insurance. Do not fall into the trap of just going with the same old carrier you have always been with, especially when their premiums jump up.

The major factors that determine your car insurance rate are:
-You. (age, gender, marital status, driving record and record of prior claims)
-Where you live.
-Your vehicle.
-How you use your vehicle.

The major types of insurance coverage you should be familiar with including must be:
-Collision
-Comprehensive
-Medical
-Liability
-Uninsured motorist
-Underinsured motorist
-Umbrella
-Gap insurance
-Other optional coverage

Overall, it's a great primer on shopping for and saving on insurance.

Nowadays you have several ways of comparing insurance companies.

As many people is complaining, others are happy with their decision: “My insurance rates have changed very little in years. A perfect driving record must be helping me out.”

“I've had a perfect driving record for 9years and have been driving the exact same automobile for that length of time. And yet, I'm paying $15 more per month for my liability insurance than I did 3 years ago. I've called them on a couple of occasions asking them what's going on, and my reply each time was "Sir, it is just a general rate increase. Nothing you're responsible for." According to what I've read in the newspapers, the purpose of these "general rate increases "is to compensate for incidents of insurance fraud. Personally, I think it's the insurance companies that are committing the fraud!”

But at the end of this discussion…you are who pay them! So you need to think… What can I do? If you are one of the first group that is not agree with their company, here are some tips to go to the second group and be happy with your insurance company:

1. Get credit for driving less. Find out from your insurer what the low mileage discount is. Generally if you drive less than 7,500 miles a year you'll qualify for a 5 percent discount. Driving less than 5,000 miles a year will give you 10 percent off your insurance.

2. Check your credit report. More than 90 percent of auto insurance companies use your credit information to determine how likely you are to file a claim on an insurance policy. If you don't pay your bills on time, you're going to pay higher premiums.

3. Get a professional discount. In some states large insurers give discounts for people in certain low-risk professions.

4. Join the club. You may get discounts, not only on what you do, but how you spend your time. Some insurance companies offer discounts to young people who volunteer or join civic or community organizations.

5. Drop coverage on your old jalopy. If you have an old car, you may want to consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage. That's because you'll probably pay as much in premiums over a few years as you'd pay to replace or repair the car.

Call a couple of the larger carriers and then check with a couple independent agents and phone-based carriers, just to make sure you've covered your bases.

If you prefer to shop on the Internet, a number of services offer online price quotes. Web sites give you quick access to a number of quotes without ever picking up the phone. However, as convenient as they are, it's still advisable to consult other more traditional sources as well.

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How To Protect Your Car

Most damage to your car is inflicted by thieves or as a result of accidents. Probability of such accident can be reduced but not entirely prevented. Thus, the only way to protect your car is taking out insurance.

It is reasonable to insure your car to the best extent possible.

Car insurance is a type of insurance which is aimed to cover the insured party against losses related with driving or owning of cars.

If you are classified as a high-risk driver, finding car insurance can be quite a hassle. Some insurance companies will deny insurance to high-risk drivers, while others just choose to charge extremely high premiums. No matter which insurance company you choose, you will most likely end up with a high rate.

There are numerous insurance companies offering different car insurance policies and cover schemes. One should be only careful choosing the Car Insurance Company to deal with. The Internet today is best way to get the latest car insurance secrets, tips, or even articles on car insurance online quotes.

In the case of thefts and robberies one should inform the police promptly. Do not touch anything until the police arrive, do not as well clean up the place, do not leave fingerprints, do not walk around the place. As soon as possible inform your car insurance agency. Remember the fact that almost 90 % of stolen cars are stolen from outside garages or guarded parking lots.

In the case of car accidents, call the police and ask for a protocol copy if such is possible.

Record data (names, number of insurance policy, passport number, car licence plate number) of people involved in this accident.

Inform the car insurance agency promptly.

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Thursday, December 7, 2006

Get a Free Instant Auto Insurance Quote For Your Cars Now

The best way to avail an instant car insurance quote is to apply online. You will not have to undergo long and tiring process to get to your car insurance policy with instant insurance quote. You need to answer a few direct questions to the insurance company online and get an instant car insurance quote for free.

Car insurance is legally binding on the person who owns a car. This is to make sure that if anything happens to your car or if any mishaps happen while driving your car like accidents, injury to oneself or another person. An instant car insurance policy will assist you in handling these situations, conveniently. Your ideal way to get car insurance policy is to apply for a quote. All you need to do is to get a quote by going online and apply for a perfect car insurance policy at an instant.

Finding a perfect car insurance policy can be a daunting experience; it can consume lot of your time and even money. You need to roam around from one shop to another in search of the car insurance policy. Internet facilities have come up with easy solution to this headache; you just need to sit in front of your PC and log in to various websites. Websites of various companies will contain almost all the information that you will require from what type of cover you want--- whether it’s comprehensive or Third Party Fire and Theft or Third Party only—to details of any extra coverage like breakdown cover or additional legal protection. You can apply for free and instant quotes for each of these covers of car insurance policies, online. With these free and instant quotes you can see for yourself what these policies will offer you and your cars.

You can even compare various car insurance quotes at the split of a second. Later on when you find out that a particular policy will suit you the best, you can apply at that instant for a car insurance policy. So, now with internet facilities, you can easily get a car insurance quote at an instant. So do not delay and get an instant car insurance quote for free now and then apply for a best car insurance policy for your cars.

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Monday, December 4, 2006

Online Auto Insurance – Try to Save Your Money

One of the best places to look for affordable car insurance is the Internet. There are many places online to get a quote, but it takes quite a bit of time to find the cheapest one. Most of insurance companies claim to provide you with the best insurance plans available. But no one can offer the same rates for all types of cars. That’s why you should make a little research when selecting an auto insurance company.

Many of car owners think they have the most affordable auto insurance plan, however this is not always the case. They pay high insurance premiums, just because insurance market is ever changing and they can’t find competitive quotes. New companies enter the market every year, and there are discounts from time to time. It is a good idea to get multiple quotes from different insurers and compare them. This is a time consuming process, but worthwhile. You’ll be amazed how much you can save on your car insurance.

Most of insurance companies offer special discounts if you buy coverage through their website. You can also crawl several websites that offer insurance quotes and find some decent ones. But keep in mind, a good insurer should guide you thoroughly and help you to get the right type of insurance that will fit your needs at the best possible price. The best thing is to find a good insurance broker. Most of insurance brokers offer their services online. They will search tons of recourses for the best quotes and you won’t have to do it yourself.

However, if you have decided to search for quotes on your own, and found the one you like, you can choose whether to accept the quote right then or to receive it by mail. In both cases you’ll save your money. But make sure you provide correct information on the insurance application form. Even insignificant mistakes can influence on the money saving rate.

When choosing a car insurance provider follow these simple rules:

1. Search for an insurance company that provides excellent customer service and has a simple application procedure that provides different money saving quotes.

2. Make sure their website is secured, unless you want your personal information to become available to a third party (no one does).

3. Gather as much information as possible about the insurance industry before buying insurance. And the Internet will help you greatly in this task.

4. And finally, don’t forget to make sure they provide quotes for the place you reside in.

Finding cheap car insurance online is not an easy task, and you need to spend some time to get the best possible one.

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A Must Buy For the People of UK: Cheap Auto Insurance

Many people in UK find their car insurance bills too high and therefore they are always worried while paying their car insurance premiums. Here, there is the need for a cheap car insurance policy in UK. If searched thoroughly one can easily avail a cheap car insurance policy from the markets of UK.

Some people assume that cheap car insurance means that only the minimum requirements will be fulfilled by the policy or that some coverage options will be excluded. It is important to keep in mind that this is not the case. Cheap auto insurance refers to insurance that is provided at a discount rate. Many insurance companies are expanding their business to a large extent. By giving discounts on car insurances, they hope to increase the sale of other insurances like home, life etc. So, cheap car insurance in UK is not a myth but a reality.

Apart from a thorough search many factors determine the rate of premium of your car insurance policy. Giving importance to all these factors can visibly lower your rate of premium and you can easily get hold of cheap car insurance in UK.

Many insurance companies in UK give discounts to the driver that has a good record in driving. So it is important for you to have a good record. Apart from that if you have taken up driving courses, mention it to the insurance company. Many a times, it is seen that the insurance companies give discounts to the one who had taken up these driving courses. Apart from all these, install some safety features in your car; by doing this you can lower the rate of premium and thus can avail cheap car insurance in UK.

A thorough research is what is needed in availing cheap car insurance in UK. It is one of the simplest things to look around a bit; instead of going to your old insurance company again and again. You should compare the different car insurance policies available in the market of UK. Using the internet as a resource tool you can also save a few bucks. It is easy and a convenient method to shop around for your car insurance policy in UK. By visiting various websites you can easily find out which car insurance policy will suit you the best in a few seconds. Thus buying cheap car insurance will no longer be a daunting experience for anyone.

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Sunday, December 3, 2006

Cheap Auto Insurance for Young Drivers

Young drivers are viewed as being inexperienced drivers by car insurance companies; therefore, car insurance companies peg young drivers as being a high risk for them to insure. This doesn’t mean that car insurance companies won’t insurance young drivers, but it does mean that many car insurance companies will offer young drivers much higher premiums than the premiums often offered to older, more experienced drivers.

While it will probably be several years before young drivers see the lower premiums older drivers see now, there are still a few measures young drivers can take to get cheap car insurance. If you’re a young driver searching for cheap car insurance, take these tips into consideration.

Stay on your parents’ car insurance policy. Being on your parents’ car insurance policy is always cheaper than purchasing your own car insurance policy, even if it does bump their payments up a bit. Plus, if you have your own car, your parents’ will save money by adding the additional vehicle to their existing car insurance policy.

Take a driver education or defensive driving course. Most states require young drivers to take a driver education course in high school. Regardless of whether or not you’re required to take a driver education or defensive driving course as a part of your curriculum, you should take one, or both, of the courses. Many car insurance companies offer discounts to all drivers, including young drivers, for going the extra mile and learning safe and proper driving techniques.

Make sure your car is safe. Whether you have your own car insurance policy, or you’re on your parents’ car insurance policy, most car insurance companies will offer you a discount if you’ve taken the steps to make sure your car is safe. Install a safety alarm system and an anti-theft device on your steering wheel. Always keep your car locked and park it somewhere safe at night or whenever you’re not driving.

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Cheap Auto Insurance for Those on a Budget

Most Americans today are on some kind of budget. Maybe they have families and need to budget money according to food, clothing, education, and entertainment costs. Maybe they are elderly and must budget their money because they are on limited incomes. Or perhaps, they are just former students fresh out of school and still looking for that perfect job. Regardless of the situation – most Americans today are on some kind of budget.

When we sit down to figure out our budgets, the necessities come – or should come – at the top of the list of things for which we must allot money. Food, shelter, medications – those sorts of things. However, there are other things that may not be necessary for keeping alive but are still necessary to purchase in order to be a law-abiding citizen. One of these things is car insurance.

Car insurance or some form of financial responsibility is legally required by all drivers and/or vehicle owners in America. Therefore, car insurance has to be factored into our budgets. Ideally, that car insurance should be cheap, right? There are a few ways for those on a budget to obtain cheap car insurance.

Vehicle owners may consider purchasing only the minimum car insurance requirements for their states. While the minimum car insurance requirements don’t usually offer comprehensive coverage, they are the usually the cheapest car insurance vehicle owners can get. Rates, of course, will depend on the car insurance company from which they choose to purchase the car insurance policies.

Drivers should also ask car insurance companies about any special discounts they offer. Many car insurance companies offer discounts for older drivers, multiple cars on a policy, and for purchasing multiple policies from the same insurance company. Some companies even offer discounts to those drivers who have taken some kind of driver education course, which will only provide more options for those on a budget to obtain cheap car insurance.

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Saturday, December 2, 2006

Cheap Auto Insurance for the Young Female

Car insurance companies are notorious for offering cheap car insurance policies to females. This doesn’t mean the car insurance companies are sexist, but it does mean the car insurance companies take into account the statistics that show that female drivers are usually safer drivers. Female drivers make fewer claims, drive safer vehicles, and get fewer traffic tickets than male drivers – statistically speaking, of course. Therefore, car insurance companies see female drivers as a lesser risk than male drivers.

Yet, despite the gender of the driver, car insurance companies always look at the age of the driver, too. Older drivers are viewed as less of a risk because they are thought to have more driving experience. Younger drivers are viewed as more of a risk because they are thought to have less driving experience.

So, how can you find cheap car insurance for the young females?

Use all resources. This means, your good driving record, any driving classes you’ve successfully completed, your safe car, and your safe neighborhood. Point these facts out to the car insurance agent, and you may get a cheaper car insurance quote. You may even discover discounts you weren’t aware of.

Stay on, or “spin off” of, your parents’ car insurance policy. If you stay on your parents’ insurance policy, they will most likely get a discount for having multiple cars on their policy. You can “spin off” of their car insurance policy if you have already been on their insurance policy, and have now decided to get your own car insurance policy from the same car insurance company. By “spinning off” of their car insurance policy, you will get a cheaper car insurance policy than if you purchased your own from another company, or without ever having been on their policy.

By taking either, or both, of these steps you’ll find cheap car insurance for the young female; at least, until you get a bit older!

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Student Car Insurance: Drive with Minimum Risks

Lots and lots of students are going to the university in their own cars. Life of a student is an age of fun and adventure; the same is the case with student drivers. They are adventurous and risky drivers. Be it racing on the streets, going to unknown places; everything they do involves risks. They may get involved in some sort of legal liability or may get injured while on a drive. All these may involve hundreds and thousands of pounds and even may dampen your joyful spirits. Thus, it is highly advisable for you to buy a Student car insurance policy.

Parents find it hard to believe that their child can get involved in any sort of accidents, or legal hassles; but it is the truth. Statistics have shown that it is the young college going drivers that are involved in accidents and mishaps. So, parents should especially buy a student car insurance policy for their college going students; to ensure that they can overcome any kind of harassments.

There are different kinds of cover that you can choose from: Third party Only, Third Party Fire and Theft and Comprehensive Policy. But a comprehensive policy is highly recommended if you are buying car insurance for a college going student. The intensity of risks involved is higher in the case with students. So a Comprehensive policy can give you a wide range of cover.

Though the cost of student car insurance is much higher, you can minimize the premium by cutting down some risks. First, you can set up specific guidelines for him to follow; like limiting the number of passengers, asking him to always wear safety belts, setting limits on the driving area etc can help you to minimize the rate of premium on student car insurance.

Apart from that, if your child gets good grades, most companies will offer some amount of discounts on student car insurance. The type of car a student drives can also determine the rate of premium of student car insurance policy.

You need to do a thorough study of the companies that offer student car insurance. The pros and cons of all the quotes have to be taken care of. Nowadays online shopping has come up as an easy way of shopping around. Browse through the pages and chose the student car insurance policy that suits you and your child the more.

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Auto Insurance - Cut Costs - Not Cover

Auto insurance is a minimum requirement for a car owner or driver in every US state, Canadian province and pretty much every country in the world. If you have a car, then auto insurance is something that you must have, period.

The downside, however, is that costs are continuing to rise, so it clearly makes sense to look for ways to reduce some of the expense, whilst still seeking the best coverage available for your dollars. So, let’s look at some ways of doing this.

Firstly, use the power of the internet to get multiple auto insurance quotes, as well as utilizing the services of your local neighborhood broker. Try getting different types of quotes from the online direct-sell insurance companies as well as brokers both on the internet and in the “real” world. Bear in mind here that the auto insurance that is cheapest isn’t always going to be the best. For example, is the insurance company known to you? If not, can you be certain that they are financially secure? How confident are you that they will be able to pay out if you have to make an auto insurance claim? Will they still be in business next year or even next week? In other words, if you don’t know the company, check out their credentials before you give them your money. Not all auto insurance companies are created equal!

The first “slice” of the policy is almost always basic liability insurance, covering your liability to others in case of an accident which either injures them or damages their property. Indeed, it is possible to ONLY have this basic cover and still satisfy the legal requirements in many states and countries.

However, if you only have minimum liability coverage and you injure someone, their attorney can go after your personal assets, so, quite correctly, many people (and their insurers) would suggest that minimum liability is a bit of a gamble.

Auto insurance costs will vary dependent on the type of vehicle that you are insuring. Coverage for a flashy sports car or for one in what is considered to be in a high risk group (soft top convertibles, for example) is very different from insuring the family sedan or hatchback. So, when you are thinking of buying a new car, it makes sense to think about the auto insurance costs before you do so, and maybe you might buy a car that "looks good" to insurance companies.

For example, the auto insurance companies are well aware of what type of cars are most often stolen. If you haven't purchased your car yet, find out what cars make this "good list" among auto insurers. Consider how much coverage you really need to buy, and don’t “over-insure”, because the companies will not pay out more than the value of your car no matter how much cover you have been paying for.

For example, consider collision and comprehensive coverage, how much you will be reimbursed for the loss or destruction of your vehicle. Are you carrying $50,000 worth of collision coverage for a $20,000 vehicle?

On the other hand, don’t make false economies. If you don’t want to pay for comprehensive and collision cover, consider whether you be able to afford to replace it if it was written off? If not, then you need the extra cover, although you clearly don’t need the extra cost!

A a general guide, if your car is worth less than $2,000, then it won't be worth it to buy comprehensive and collision. L ikewise, if your car is an ancient relic, say, more than 12 years old, then again, you probably don’t need the most comprehensive cover, which can usually give big savings. Consider bearing the risk of having a higher deductible (or “excess” as it is called in Europe), which is the pat of any claim that you will have to pay before your insurance policy kicks in and pays the rest. The higher the deductible, the higher your potential financial risk, granted, but this will also serve to keep your auto insurance policy costs down.

Buying a low mileage car and keeping your driving licence and record nice and clean will all help keep cots down.

If you’re a single males under the age of 25 then the bad news is that you are NOT the auto insurance companies favorite type of driver, and you will pay for it (statistically, this group are most likely to have accidents). Get yourself a nice sensible car, and leave the Ferrari at the dealership until you get yourself a wife and pass your 26th birthday!

Finally, look a other ways that your insurance company might reward you for taking steps that will reduce the risk of a claim, such as fitting your car with an anti-theft device or attending an advanced driver-training course. These kinds of proactive preventative measures are generally welcomed by the auto insurance companies, and are rewarded with reduced insurance fees.

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Friday, December 1, 2006

Classic Auto Insurance: Buy One for Your Collection!

Classic cars have always been a centre of attraction and are largely demanded by the car collectors. Many people own classic cars as a hobby and they take pleasure in looking after them. These cars include antiques, classics, custom cars, and replicas among other types. But these cars, because of their design attract the eyes of the thieves. Apart from that, classic cars have rare parts that come at a very expensive price. They may even be get damaged while on the streets or even at the garage. The repairing of all these can cause a heavy financial burden on a classic car owner. To avoid all these hassles, you need to buy a special insurance that is present in the insurance market called the classic car insurance.

There are three basic categories to describe these exotic, classy cars. These are:

•Classic cars should be older than 15 years basically any car prior to 1970.

•Vintage cars having a manufacturing date between 1903 and 1933

•Veteran cars having their manufacturing dates prior to 1903.

The coverage for classic car insurance is different for different owners of classic cars. A classic car insurance coverage will depend on the amount of miles that a classic auto is driven. Many insurance providers will allow their customers to drive 5000 miles a year and this enables a classic car collector to drive the car to various car shows. But one thing is to be kept in mind that the insurance providers of classic cars will not allow the car to be used and driven for daily activities like going to office, for the market etc.

Classic car insurance quotes even carry some restrictions on the storage of classic cars. The providers of classic car insurance maintain that the cars of this nature should be stored in proper garages with the right kind of locking system. Again, when your classic car is stored in auto restore shop, your classic car insurance providers will not provide covers for that.

All that is required to obtain the perfect classic car insurance for your classic cars is detailed research and investigation. Since not many insurance providers do provide with classic car insurances, you should go from one shop to another in search of one. Nowadays with the internet facilities this work of searching and locating classic car insurance is made easy and comfortable. So without any more delay purchase a classic car insurance for your priced possession—the classic cars.

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Getting the Right Auto Insurance Can Save You

It is a total nightmare when you are about to file an auto insurance claim only to realize that it is invalid because you are not covered with the right policy. What makes it worst is that fact that you have nothing to pull out from your own asset to pay for any damage you have committed. That is why it is very important right from the beginning that you understand too well the things about auto insurance so that you would get the very coverage you need.

Okay, let us say you haven't been involved in any accident before and you don't think you will in the future. Would it be enough to become confident and buy the lowest possible amount of auto insurance policy? The answer is obvious and you should be logical in thinking that no matter how careful you are as a driver, there is always a possibility that you will get involved in an accident or traffic violation. And sometimes, the minimum coverage is not enough.

But still, many drivers would assume that they will not file any claim for the duration of their auto insurance policy and would settle for the minimum yet incomplete auto insurance coverage available. Yes, it is true that a $500 to $1000 savings by removing other optional but essential auto insurance coverage can get you a long way. But the question of "how sure are you to get away from road accidents" does not have any clear answer at all until you are in the situation wherein your previous policy has expired or you have to file for claim. The fact still remains that no matter how you put it, you cannot predict when disaster would strike.

Yes, you would say that there are state requirements for auto insurance coverage, but again, would that be enough?

If you get involved in an accident and you are at fault and you hurt someone, your auto insurance company would only cover the amount stated on your minimum policy. Beyond that, you don't have a choice but to take it out from your own asset plus the deductible you have to pay before your auto insurance company approves your claim.

Auto insurance companies would suggest that you get the highest coverage you can avail. On your part, you can lower it by getting the highest deductible you can afford. This could be the most advantageous move you can take. If on the other hand, you struggle from paycheck to paycheck or you do not own a home, then it is still wise to get car highest auto insurance you can afford. This would save you from the burden of paying extra on any amount that your auto insurance policy would not cover.

Also, remember that there are other auto insurance policies that you may actually need. Collision, comprehensive, medical, full glass, gap, liability, no-fault, out of the country, and PIP or personal injury protection are some of them. You don’t need have all of them. Purchase the policy or polices that you think you may use. For example, if you often park your car on a high-crime area or public place where there are risks that your windshield may be at risk, then consider full glass policy. This cheap (often free) policy can really save you a lot of money.

The whole point is, evaluate yourself as a driver and the places where your car goes and for sure, you will end up with the right auto insurance that is worth every penny.

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