Auto Insurance Guide Archive for 2011

• Availing cheaper rates on your auto insurance premiums

  by Hayden Krueger

  Auto insurance need not be expensive always. If you know some of the auto insurance basics, then you can easily draw up a policy that will have adequate coverage without actually burning a hole in your pocket. When you approach your auto insurance carrier or even you insurance agent, there are a number of things they will not reveal when you come to them asking for insurance coverage. The first and foremost thing to do would be to know the minimum auto insurance coverage required in your state. After you get to know that, you may apply for the quotes online.

  Once you get multiple quotes, you can compare these quotes and check to see if you have got the right amount of coverage. Just the minimum prescribed by the state will be of no use if you have a car that is brand new. Hence, you must talk to … Click here to read more

• Information women need to know prior to purchasing car insurance

  by Hayden Krueger

  Car insurance is an expensive affair and hence there are some people who tend to avoid purchasing insurance although it is mandatory. Women are far luckier when it comes to car insurance as they generally end up paying lesser premiums when compared to their male counterparts. This is because auto insurance companies see women as safe drivers. Women are known to cause lesser accidents on the roads when compared to men. Hence, most of the auto insurance companies offer lesser premium rates because women make lesser claims.

  However, women must also follow some useful tips in order to ensure that they are able to avail cheaper rates. Some of the useful tips are given below:

  –          While applying for comprehensive auto insurance women must exclude the male drivers in the family if they wish to avail a further reduction in rates.

  –          Since teenagers belong to the high-risk groups, it … Click here to read more

• Auto insurance types customers can choose from

  by Hayden Krueger

  Buying just any auto insurance policy is not the right thing to do, to get maximum protection while driving. Buying the right kind of insurance policy ensures that the driver and the automobile is covered and protected in the event of unforeseen circumstance. There are many different insurance policies that are designed to provide choice to people and to customize the coverage depending upon what every individual drivers needs. Customizing insurance policy gives the driver the freedom to select the policies wanted and cancel the ones that are not needed. Some of the basic insurance policies are listed below to give a better understanding:

  Liability Insurance:

  Liability insurance is most basic auto insurance and it is mandatory to have this to drive in USA. Third party liability insurance protects other drivers on road in case of collision, if the policy holder is at fault. Liability insurance pays for the damages … Click here to read more

• Obtain instant online auto insurance quotes with ease

  by Hayden Krueger

  Shopping for auto insurance is the only way to ensure that you get the best rates. Unless you shop around, you will not know what to expect. Car insurance rates will vary to a large degree from one insurance carrier to another. Even if you obtain quotes for the same model and make with the same driving record, the rates will vary from one state to another and from one insurance provider to another.

  If you wish to get the best rates instantly, you should ideally go to any of the websites where you can get multiple quotes. After you obtain the quotes, you may compare them and then arrive at a decision.

  Shopping online is the simplest and the most convenient way to obtain a policy. Before you can apply for the quotes, you must be aware of the minimum liability coverage that is required as per state laws. … Click here to read more

• Variables that dictate auto insurance premium rates

  by Hayden Krueger

  Have you ever wondered why someone who drives the same car as you and has been insured by the same auto insurance firm pays a lesser premium than you? This is a pretty common situation and there are several factors that come into play here. Calculation of auto insurance premium is based on scientific research, social statistics and a host of other related points. The crux of the issue is that the calculations are based on risk factors. Risk factors are never constant- neither are they very small in number. These issues are related to the vehicle you drive, the place where you live and most importantly to you as a person- what risk you represent to the auto insurance firm. This is a run through of important factors that influence auto insurance rates.

  • Age
    The driver’s age plays an important in determining rate of insurance. The basic premise being

  … Click here to read more

• Car insurance – don’t pay more than you need to

  by Hayden Krueger

  Purchasing a car and buying the corresponding car insurance is an almighty chore. Auto insurance is an absolute must but it’s wise to cut down on the insurance amount as much as possible – in sensible ways of course. The trick is to cut costs without compromising on the quality of your insurance. The one thing that you must never do is to get hold of cheap policies from a bucket shop company: It’ll have more loopholes than bugs in the attic. Result? You’ll end up paying huge out of pocket expenses in the event of an accident. Take these tips as a reference point to put some cost cutting measures in place.

  1. If you drive a very old car, don’t bother with collision coverage. Collision coverage will pay for the cash value of the car-which will not be too much if the car is an old one. So you

  … Click here to read more

• Insurance rates – Not a ‘one size fits all’ concept

  by Hayden Krueger

  I bet you’re thinking about how you and the insufferably smug neighbor own the same kind of car and so both of you probably pay the same auto insurance rates, right? Wrong. Nothing could be further from the truth. Insurance rates are calculated on the basis of complex inter-play between several factors. Understanding how these factors work will help you select wisely. Though the main factors are common to all insurance companies, the rates offered are often different. The following inputs are taken into account before calculating an applicant’s auto insurance rates:

  1. Age: Drivers between the ages of 17 and 25 are considered more risky than older drivers. The tendency to be brash and ‘cool’ to their pals encourages younger drivers to cause more accidents than drivers of other ages. The 26 to 55 years age groups of drivers are considered the safest. Again, very elderly drivers might need

  … Click here to read more

• How not to spend all your time paying for driving offences

  by Hayden Krueger

  There is a bridgeless chasm between knowing how to drive and being a good driver. You must understand that safe and efficient driving depends on two things: How you handle the car and your ability to follow traffic laws. Have a look at this list of familiar driving traps.

  • Adjust your driving seat according to your height. Don’t sit on the steering wheel and don’t sit so far back either that your feet can’t touch the pedals. The rear view mirror should show traffic behind you clearly- it’s not for putting on lipstick. Make sure your seat belt is on. Lock the doors and switch on child lock if there are children with you. Don’t let any kids sit in your lap and drive. If you have a baby, use a bay seat. Keep pets in the backseat- don’t have a big dog poking his body out of the window

  … Click here to read more

• How to maximize auto insurance discounts

  by Hayden Krueger

  Since auto insurance is a compulsory investment for every car owner, why not select an insurance that gives you maximum value for your money? Discounts are not always obvious on the contact. There are several ways of cutting costs on insurance policies once you understand how to go about the process. Taking out the time to examine auto insurance quotes from different auto insurance providers will offer a wide field to choose from. The fine print in these contracts can be intimidating- usually there are reams of small print to wade through. Read through one and jot down the important coverage policies that are relevant to you. Then go about getting insurance quotes for those particular insurance policies. Here’s how you can learn to cut down your premium levels:

  • Car related (age, model, safety and anti-theft features)The older your car the less you will be able to collect in the

  … Click here to read more

• Student drivers – premium rates to suit the budget

  by Hayden Krueger

  Teen and student drivers sure enjoy buying their first cars, but it is harder to shop around for insurance policies that offer enough coverage and still are affordable for students. They have to carefully plan out their expenses to accommodate the premium rates, since teen drivers have to pay higher premium rates than the other drivers. Since teen drivers are statistically shown to be risky drivers on roads, insurance companies usually fix a higher premium rates until they become experienced drivers. Since it takes time to establish a clean driving record and gain experience driving, teen drivers must find out other ways to get discounts on premium rates.

  Teen drivers can choose to drive safer cars instead of choosing fancy models and sports cars. Insurance companies give special discounts to drivers who drive cars that are considered to be safe according to insurance companies.  Safer cars are known to have … Click here to read more

• Traffic offenses and their impact on premium rates

  by Hayden Krueger

  Auto insurance is a mandatory requirement when driving on the roads of USA. Since every driver has to have insurance, it is a big business and there are many companies to choose from. Finding the insurance policy that does not cost a fortune is the challenge that many vehicle owners face. There are many factors that the auto insurance premiums depend on. Some of them are not in the control of the policy holder, like the geographical area of residence, and the statistics that the insurance companies follow in order to decide the premium rates. But there are some factors that the drivers can control, like following the traffic rules.

  Different states have different insurance requirements, and the premium rates are priced differently. But the one thing that is common is the fact that with the increase in traffic offenses, the premium rate of the individual is hiked regardless of … Click here to read more

• Teen drivers – how to reduce sky high premium rates

  by Hayden Krueger

  Buying the first car comes with the responsibility of finding and affordable insurance plan. Since driving requires mandatory auto insurance in USA, finding an affordable way to pay for the insurance is necessary. This is particularly true for student and teen drivers, since they have to pay out higher premium than drivers with experience. Teen and student drivers are considered more risky drivers on road, according to the statistics that the insurance companies refer to. Teen and student drivers may be considered risky for the following reasons:

  Experience:

  Teen and student drivers lack the experience required to drive well on the roads. Experienced drivers have the instincts to avoid mistakes of other drivers on the roads as well, which keep them safe on the roads. Teen and student drivers learn by practice and the initial learning period can make them risky drivers on the roads according to insurance companies. But … Click here to read more

• Discount on insurance premiums for senior drivers

  by Hayden Krueger

  Auto insurance companies have different criteria when they decide upon premium rates for different drivers, and one of them is the age of the driver. Senior drivers and teen drivers need to pay higher premium rates than the rest of the drivers, according to the insurance company rule book. This holds true even if senior driver applying for the insurance policy is an experienced driver and has been driving for many years. There are many reasons for this but there are ways to counteract this clause and reduce the premium rates.

  Senior drivers are considered risky by the insurance companies because they have low reflexes. This may come in the way of reacting faster in avoiding other driver’s mistakes on the roads. When driving, it is not only important to follow the traffic rules, but also important to drive defensively. Taking defensive driving lessons can help effectively in reducing the … Click here to read more

• Student Insurance Policy – Tactics to Lower the Premiums

  by Hayden Krueger

  Auto insurance is one of the biggest industries in USA, since every car that is driven on the road in USA must be insured. Every one shops around to get an insurance policy that does not have sky high premium rates. Insurance companies have very specific rules when they fix insurance premiums. These premium rates are different for every individual driver, and depend upon the requirements of individual drivers. Insurance companies charge higher premium rates for teen and college drivers than other drivers, based on the statistics they follow. According to the insurance companies, teen and student drivers are risky drivers than the others due to many factors.

  Student drivers are drawn towards fancier car models, and high speed cars. This can increase the risk of accidents on the road according to insurance companies. Buying a car that is considered safe on the roads can effectively make up for the … Click here to read more

• Senior auto insurance – how to manage the premiums

  by Hayden Krueger

  Buying the auto insurance is a major expense, particularly for senior drivers since they have to pay higher premium rates than other drivers. The reason behind this is that the insurance companies consider senior drivers and student drivers to be risky on road. The assumptions that the insurance companies make are usually based on the previous statistics on the road accidents and the average age group of the drivers. According to the insurance companies, the senior drivers are risky due to the following reasons:

  • Although they have experience, senior drivers have low reflexes and therefore cannot come to quick decisions on the roads while driving.
  • Senior drivers may not have experience in avoiding the other driver’s mistakes on the road.
  • Senior drivers may have poor eye sight or other limitations which may interfere with their driving skills.

  All these factors are responsible for the higher premium rates charged by the … Click here to read more

• Effects of traffic violations on premium rates

  by Hayden Krueger

  Auto insurance is very necessary to protect the vehicles on road, in the event of any unforeseen circumstances. Since auto insurance pays for the damages resulting from collision or other accidents, the driving record plays an important role in deciding the premium rates for an individual. Insurance premiums differ for every individual and it depends on a lot of factors. Most important factors deciding the premium rates are the model and the year of manufacture of the car, geographical location, and the driving record of the individual.

  Every traffic violation has an impact on the driving record of the individual. Since the driving records are tracked actively by the insurance company, when the policy holder makes a violation it is recorded by the company. Depending upon the kind of violation, the premium rates of the policy holder will be increased until the driving record is cleared again. Every small traffic … Click here to read more

• Useful tips to save money on auto insurance

  by Hayden Krueger

  Auto insurance is a must for all motorists who wish to drive around legally in the US. Driving without valid insurance can get you into serious trouble, where your license may be suspended. So, it is important to obtain auto insurance if you wish to have a clean driving record.

  However, there are a few important things that you need to know when you purchase auto insurance. Auto insurance is something that you should purchase, but not use. The whole aim is to ensure that you keep your claims history as clean as possible in order to keep the rates low. You should ideally file a claim only in case of a major accident where the losses are so huge that you can’t handle it.

  Many people assume that purchasing an auto insurance policy is an expensive affair, but that is not true. If you follow a few simple tips … Click here to read more

• Simple ways to avail auto insurance discounts

  by Hayden Krueger

  Auto insurance is a must in all states in the US and there is nothing you can do to avoid that. The minimum prescribed might vary from one state to another. While it is a known fact that auto insurance is quite expensive in some states and is least expensive in the others, purchasing insurance is in your interest more than anything else. So, there is no point in pondering over whether or not you need insurance. Being uninsured or underinsured could in fact, get you into some serious trouble.

  A better way to go about auto insurance would be to avail the discounts by following a few tips. There are a number of ways in which you can avail discounts in your auto insurance premiums. When you decide to purchase an auto insurance policy, there are a whole lot of factors that are taken into consideration while calculating your … Click here to read more

• Distracted driving laws and use of cell phone while driving

  by Hayden Krueger

  Distracted driving is something that seems to be causing serious problems in the US. Thousands of people become the victims of distracted driving every year. Accidents are caused mainly due to distracted driving. While some people get killed, the others suffer serious injuries as a result of this.

  These accidents are caused mainly due to talking on the cell phones or due to text messages while driving. This has become a huge menace and seems to have reached dangerous levels. States are trying hard to deal with this problem. Statistics show that there is a steady rise in the number of cases of distracted driving and states are embracing laws that regulate cell phone use while driving. Distracted driving is not only causing harm to the person behind the wheel, but is also putting pedestrians and fellow motorists on the road under serious risk. This is something that cannot be … Click here to read more

• Critical factors that affect auto insurance rates

  by Hayden Krueger

  Each state has its own set of rules and regulations pertaining to auto insurance. The Insurance commissioner is the one who decides the minimum required for each state. Since, every state wants its residents and pedestrians to be safe on the roads, the rules have been written specifically for each state in order to protect the motorists on the highways. Hence, purchasing an auto insurance policy is in everybody’s interest and is mandatory.

  Some states decide the mandatory minimum liability rates according to the financial responsibility laws. In these states, the driver has to show proof that he/she has the financial resources to make the payment in case of any damage that is caused by the driver of the vehicle.

  There are a number of factors that affect auto insurance rates such as:

  • Age – According to the available statistics, drivers who are below 25 years of age are considered

  … Click here to read more