Archive for the ‘Car Insurance’ Category

Newer Entries »

Car Insurance For Teenagers

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Buying car insurance for teenagers is a task most parents dread. Because teens are statistically more accident prone than the rest of the driving population, their premiums are proportionately higher. Finding cheap car insurance for teenagers is not impossible, though. Let’s take a look at the challenges teen drivers face, review some money saving tips on their car insurance, and find the best place to buy their policy.

Challenges

Teens face many challenges when it comes to driving. The following factors contribute to higher crash rates and more expensive insurance premium for teens:
  • Inexperience behind the wheel
  • Distractions caused by fellow teen passengers
  • Texting while driving
  • Drinking and driving
  • Feeling invincible

Tips For Saving Money

Despite greater challenges faced by teenage drivers, there are still some things teens and their parents can do to lower the cost of their car insurance. Taking advantage of driver discounts and using some common sense can go a long way in reducing insurance premium. Here’s some good tips for teen drivers:
  • Take a formal driver safety course.
  • Maintain a B average in school to get as much as 25% off.
  • Stay away from newer, more expensive, high performance vehicles.
  • Drive a used car with good safety features.
  • Add your teen to your policy.
  • Have your teen contribute some of the premium. They’ll have a healthier respect for what it costs and will be more likely to drive responsibly.

Where To Buy

First, check with your current insurance carrier to find out how much it will cost to add your teenage driver to your policy. This will give you a starting point to compare when you shop around for more competitive quotes. Next, find a local independent insurance agent who can provide quotes from multiple insurance carriers. You’ll be able to give them all of your information just one time. They’ll then shop your coverages with all of the insurance companies they represent to get a good price comparison.

Conclusion

Purchasing car insurance for teenagers doesn’t have to be as scary as riding in the car with them. Knowing the challenges they face as new drivers can help you and them develop rules that will keep your teen safer behind the wheel. Taking advantage of driver discount opportunities and using common sense risk reduction methods can take some of the sting out of your increased insurance premium. And using an independent insurance agent to shop for the best pricing on your car insurance will mean less work for you and more savings for everyone in your family.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

Average Car Insurance Cost

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

The average car insurance cost you can expect to pay depends on a variety of factors. Some things are in your control while others are not. The easiest way to find out what the average cost for you will be is to ask an independent insurance agent to give you several car insurance quotes to compare. This can be done in a matter of minutes over the phone. What you’ll quickly find is that your garaging location, age and driving record will have a big impact on your average car insurance cost.

Garaging Location

You might be wondering why it matters where you garage your car when it comes to your insurance premium. The fact is, insurance companies spend a lot of time and money researching where accidents occur the most frequently. If you live in a high traffic area, there is greater risk that you will be involved in an accident. If you live in a more rural area, the chances are less likely. We’ve all heard it said that there is a high percentage of people who get into accidents within a few miles of their home. That is why your garaging location matters when it comes to your insurance premium.

Age

Most people are not surprised to find that age is a factor in determining your average car insurance cost. We’ve all heard that teenagers pose the greatest risk on the road due to their inexperience behind the wheel. But older people are also more likely to become involved in auto accidents as their reaction time decreases.

Driving Record

Finally, your driving record certainly plays a part in your car insurance premium. If you have anything from minor traffic tickets to speeding violations to DUI charges, your insurance cost will most certainly be negatively affected. If you have a clean or mostly clean driving record, consider taking a driver safety course. Completion of such a course may give you a credit on your insurance cost. Check with your current insurance carrier to find out what credits are available for drivers, and take advantage of them.

Conclusion

The average car insurance premium you’ll pay annually will be determined by many factors. Three of the most common include where your car is principally garaged, your age, and your driving record. To get a better idea of how much you can anticipate paying, call us at 888-800-4824.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

Short Term Car Insurance

Friday, June 10th, 2011

Short term car insurance is necessary for those using a vehicle on a temporary basis. Also called temporary car insurance, this type of policy differs from a normal long term insurance policy, which car owners are required to have. Since insurance policies follow the vehicle, you’ll need to obtain short term car insurance coverage on any car you do not own but for which you have temporary use. Let’s take a look at what it is, when you would need it, and where you can buy it.

What It Is

Short term car insurance is used to insure you while you have temporary access to a vehicle. All the normal car insurance coverages are usually available for purchase including liability, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, uninsured motorist coverage and medical payments. Like a normal long term car insurance policy, you’ll be able to choose your deductibles, too. You will usually be charged a flat rate by your insurance carrier on a monthly basis or in advance.

When You Would Need It

The most common reason people buy short term car insurance is because they are renting a car. Of course, many people rent cars for short periods of time, while on business trips or on vacation. But some drivers need a car for a couple of weeks or even a few months for things like long road trips or renting a car in another city where they will be transferred for their job but have not yet permanently moved. It is also common for foreign travelers to rent or borrow a car for an extended period of time while traveling in the US.

Where To Buy It

Some people like to buy short term car insurance over the Internet. That’s a good place to begin your research, but it can take a long time to find the best deal if you have to enter your information into several different websites just to get some comparative quotes. Another option is to contact a local independent insurance agent who has access to dozens of the top car insurance companies. That way, they can take your information just one time and get car insurance quotes from all of their carriers at once. This will save you a lot of time, and you’ll be able to quickly compare pricing and coverage to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Conclusion

The next time you rent a car, whether for a short vacation or an extended period of time, you’ll need to purchase short term car insurance to make sure you are covered in the event of an accident. Give us a call today at 888-800-4824 to learn more about short term car insurance.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

The Best Car Insurance Companies

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

The best car insurance companies are determine by a multitude of factors. But, as a consumer, what are the most important things to consider when choosing the right car insurance company? Most people boil it down to price, claims handling and customer service.

Price

By far, one of the biggest factors consumers use when choosing a car insurance company is how much their premium will cost. Of course, for each person, this will be calculated differently due to individual underwriting factors. Price is greatly influenced by things like your driving record, age and gender. So it’s a good idea to shop your car insurance policy with a variety of insurance companies to get an idea of what range of premium you can expect. The best way to get multiple quotes from one place is to use an independent insurance agent who has access to a large number of car insurance companies.

Claims Handling

When it comes down to it, a car insurance policy isn’t worth anything until you have to use it. Having an accident or suffering some other sort of car related loss will trigger a claim. The way that claim is handled will make a huge impact on the perception you have of your insurance company. What you’re looking for during the sales phase is a car insurance company who is known for being quick to pay claims. When reading customer reviews, it’s a good idea to look for stories of responsive claims adjusters. That’s one of the biggest factors that give people a good feeling about their insurance company. One other big deal to consumers is having plenty of repair shop choices. Nothing is more frustrating that feeling like you are obligated to use a car repair shop with a bad reputation.

Customer Service

Not to be outdone as a deciding factor among car insurance consumers is good customer service. This begins with the sales process and continues throughout the year until your policy renewal. You’ll want to choose a company that listens to your needs, has few billing errors among their clients, has a quick response time when calling their customer support line, and has a user friendly website.

Conclusion

When searching for the best car insurance companies to cover you, make sure you keep these points in mind. The three biggest factors you should pay attention to are price, claims handling and customer service. If you can find a company that fits the mold, you’ll be a happy customer.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

SR22 Insurance

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

If you’ve been told you need SR22 insurance, you may be wondering what it is and where you can get it. Here, we’ll answer some of the common questions surrounding sr22 car insurance like what SR22 insurance is, how long you’ll be required to maintain it, and where you can purchase it.

What Is SR22 Insurance?

How Long Is It Required?

Where Can I Get SR22 Insurance Quotes?

Is it cheap?

State Specific Requirements

What Is SR22 Insurance?

SR22 insurance (or Financial Responsibility Insurance) is not an actual type of insurance policy, but rather a form or an electronic certificate required by the state in which you live. If you’ve been caught for any of the following, you’ll need to obtain an SR22 form through a qualified insurance carrier:
  • Driving without insurance
  • DUI or DWI
  • Suspended or revoked license
  • Getting too many traffic tickets in too short a period of time
  • Any other serious moving violation
Courts mandate that you obtain an SR22 form through an insurance carrier. If you were caught driving without insurance, you’ll need to purchase your state’s minimum auto liability insurance requirements and let your insurance carrier know you need them to file an SR22 form for you. They’ll file this form with your state’s DMV, letting them know you have the appropriate insurance in place, at which time your suspended or revoked drivers license can be reinstated. Forms are usually filed for car owners, but non owner sr22 insurance is also available.

How Long Is An SR22 Form Required?

You may as well get used to having your SR22 form for a while, because most states mandate that it stay on file for three years. State requirements vary, so check with your Department of Motor Vehicles to verify time limits. If your auto insurance cancels for any reason during the period of time you are required to maintain an SR22 form, your insurance carrier is required to notify your state’s DMV immediately, upon which time your license will be suspended or revoked until you can provide proof of insurance again and file another SR22 form.

Where Can I Get SR22 Insurance Quotes?

Most independent insurance agents have access to a variety of insurance carriers who can give you an sr22 insurance quote with state minimum liability requirements and file an SR22 form with your state’s DMV. Just be prepared for your car insurance rates to increase significantly if you need an SR22 form. Plus, there will likely be a fee just to file the SR22.

How Much Will SR22 Insurance Cost?

Cheap sr22 insurance is hard to come by. Because each state government puts a high value on safe driving, they've got to make it painful for you when you exhibit dangerous driving behavior. Plus, insurance companies naturally reward good driving behavior with credits and punish poor drivers by raising their insurance rates. If you're required to purchase sr22 auto insurance, the insurance carrier you choose knows that you have blemishes on your record, and they will price your policy accordingly. So, in short, no, sr22 insurance cost will always be higher than if you didn't have to file an sr22 form.

State Specific Requirements

Below are links to select state DMV websites that offer information about their requirements for sr22 insurance and the sr22 insurance form:

SR22 Insurance California
http://www.dmv.ca.gov

SR22 Insurance Colorado
http://www.colorado.gov

SR22 Insurance Georgia
http://www.dds.ga.gov

SR22 Insurance Illinois
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com

SR22 Insurance Washington State
http://www.dol.wa.gov

SR22 Insurance Wisconsin
http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov

Conclusion

If you’ve been caught driving without car insurance or been stopped for a serious moving violation, you’ll probably need to buy SR22 insurance. This can be a very stressful situation. But now you know what SR22 insurance is, how long you’ll need it, and where to buy it. Give us a call at 888-800-4824 to get an SR22 insurance quote today.

Get a FREE SR22 Insurance Quote Below

 

Share This:

Tags: , ,
Posted in Car Insurance | 1 Comment »

Top 5 Most And Least Expensive Cities For Auto Insurance 2010

Thursday, April 7th, 2011
April 6, 2011 | by Jim ++

Thinking about moving cities? You might want to check out which one's will cost you more or less in auto insurance first. Of course you could always find a foot-friendly city and ditch the car!


Source: iii.org

Share This:

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

Rental Car Insurance: To Buy Or Not To Buy?

Friday, August 13th, 2010

 

Whether you buy coverage from a rental  agency or use your own car insurance, it's wise to make certain you have enough coverage to pay for costly repairs if you should happen to suffer an accident in a rental car.

Before renting, familiarize yourself with your insurance options. If you already have car insurance, call your insurance agent and find out if you will have enough coverage under your existing policy. You can also call your credit card company: Many offer coverage when you charge the rental. Either way, these two options may be cheaper than purchasing insurance at the rental counter.

To buy or not to buy

Making sense (and cents) out of all the coverages you already have on your car insurance and the ones that are offered by the rental companies is not easy. Buying all of the insurance offered from a rental car company can double your rental costs. Buying none of it might put you in a bad financial spot if you have an accident. Here are some factors to keep in mind.

 

"If you don't have your own collision coverage, buying the LDW is a good idea."

If you don't have collision and comprehensive insurance and you're renting a car, it's a good idea to purchase the Loss Damage Waivers (LDW) or Collision Damage Waivers (CDW), whichever your rental company offers. You might want to buy the waiver that offers you the broadest protection in this situation. Rental companies have several levels of damage waivers.

You might decline the LDW altogether if you have collision and comprehensive coverage because you'd be paying for "double coverage." But remember that you still have to pay your deductible if the car is stolen or vandalized, or if you crash it.

If you don't have personal auto insurance, you should compare products offered by your credit card company, rental car company and a nonowners auto insurance offered by regular auto insurers. Also, remember that most states require the rental companies to automatically provide at least the minimum required liability coverage at no charge to you. If you feel that you can get by with just the bare-bones policy, you won't spend a dime on liability insurance.

If you have your own liability insurance, it will generally kick in first in the event of an accident. There's no deductible for liability insurance.

When purchasing coverage at the rental counter, keep in mind that their offerings of accidental death and personal property insurance give you needless "double coverage" — if you already have health, homeowners or renters and life insurance. Typically, your health insurance (or auto insurance if you have MedPay) will kick in for your medical costs, regardless of what car you're driving. Your homeowners or renters policy normally covers personal property if it's stolen or damaged while in your car. And your life insurance will pay out, regardless of how you meet your end.

To sum up

Before you rent a vehicle, check your auto and homeowners or renters policy to get an idea of what coverage you have while in the rented vehicle. And while at the rental car company, take some time to find out exactly what they offer. Compare those coverages to the ones you already have. That way, you can avoid buying coverage you don't need.

Share This:

Source:  Insure.com - http://www.insure.com/car-insurance/rental-car-basics.html

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Car Insurance | Comments Off

Newer Entries »