Auto Insurance News Archive for 2009

  • Drivers in Washington State Told to Secure Insurance

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Drivers in Washington State Told to Secure Insurance

    State insurance officials and Washington auto insurance industry sources are reminding car owners in the state of Washington to check their policies. Law enforcement agencies are also warning the state’s motorists of the risks that come along with driving uninsured or underinsured. The latest warning came about after the release of a new study conducted by the Insurance Research Council (IRC). The study found out that about 16 percent of all drivers in Washington have no insurance. This places the northwestern state 10th overall among all the states that require auto insurance. Experts liken the prevailing attitude of many car … (more) October 7, 2009

  • Parents Urged to Find Cheaper Teen Auto Insurance

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Parents Urged to Find Cheaper Teen Auto Insurance

    With the school year in full blast, car insurance experts are calling on parents to look for ways to cut down insurance expenses, especially for their teen drivers. They point out that with the increasing cost of education coupled with the poor economy may result in higher premiums for younger drivers. Inexperienced young motorists may also find it harder to convince agents and insurance providers to give them better rates. However, analysts say there are some things that parents can do to reduce the cost of auto insurance. At the top of the list is good parenting advice for first-time … (more) October 7, 2009

  • State-backed Insurance Group to Raise Premiums

    by Jeanny Hopper
    State-backed Insurance Group to Raise Premiums

    A state-sponsored insurance association in Texas auto insurance plans to increase rates by November 1, says its spokesperson. According to Jerry Johns, a representative of Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association, the organization is set to implement an increase in premiums this coming November to pay for the increasing cost of medical and repair expenses. The Texas Automobile Insurance Association or TAIPA for short, is an auto insurer that provides adequate protection and coverage to Texans with poor driving records. Most of the organization’s policyholders are motorists that private insurance providers have turned away because of their driving histories. The state … (more) October 6, 2009

  • Insurance Claims Expected to Rise in October

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Insurance Claims Expected to Rise in October

    Sources from the auto insurance industry say that providers are expecting the number of insurance claims to rise significantly with the onset of fall. According to experts and analysts, statistics indicate that more motorists file for insurance claims during fall and winter, starting in the month of October. This trend has held true for several years now and some experts fear that several factors may affect policyholders in the U.S. this fall season. According to statistics, 10.4 percent of all car insurance claims are filed during the month of October. Analysts point out that increasingly shorter days may result in … (more) October 6, 2009

  • California Insurance Officials under Fire for Weak Rules

    by Jeanny Hopper
    California Insurance Officials under Fire for Weak Rules

    Consumer advocates and environmental groups are criticizing how California Auto Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is handling the implementation of insurance laws in the great state. According to critics, Poizner has failed to fully implement some provisions voted on by car owners more than two decades ago. Despite news that the state would soon adopt a “pay-as-you-drive” policy to give policyholders more chance to save money from their insurance, some analysts say that California is wasting precious time. They contend that while the kinds of vehicles being driven in the state have changed a great deal since the 1960s, how Californians … (more) October 5, 2009

  • New Law Set to Reduce Accidents, Insurance Costs

    by Jeanny Hopper
    New Law Set to Reduce Accidents, Insurance Costs

    Federal insurance regulators and members of the Congress are readying plans to introduce a new legislation that would limit the use of electronic devices such as cell phones while driving. Citing independent studies conducted by private companies, Senator Chuck Schumer introduced the Avoiding Life-Endangering and Reckless Texting by Driver’s (ALERT) Act in order to reduce the cases of accidents caused by driver distraction. The said bill is now undergoing discussion in the Congress and is expected to pass amidst much debate. If passed, the legislation would require state governments to enact provisions that would ban the use of mobile phones … (more) October 5, 2009

  • South Carolina Deals with Auto Insurance Fraud

    by Jeanny Hopper
    South Carolina Deals with Auto Insurance Fraud

    Even with the national insurance premiums average at its lowest level in more than a year, the number of insurance frauds in the state of South Carolina continues to rise. According to officials from the state’s insurance department, there has been a steady increase in the number of suspected fraud cases reported since 1995. The news comes as insurance providers cautioned policyholders against resorting to false claims. Insurance industry experts point out that throughout the U.S., insurance fraud is costing millions of Americans billions of dollars each year. Insurance companies are also taking it particularly hard since frauds contribute to … (more) October 4, 2009

  • High Insurance Rates Linked to Occupation

    by Jeanny Hopper
    High Insurance Rates Linked to Occupation

    A policyholder’s job may have everything to do with how much he or she will pay for car insurance. According to a recent study conducted by researchers, a driver’s educational attainment and current occupation is mostly to blame for high premiums in many states. The study suggests that insurers often depend on their policyholders’ jobs to determine rates. Some providers base premiums on the risks associated with certain occupations, supported by scientific research and statistical data. In recent years however, insurers have shifted to an entirely new basis. While the providers still rely on the motorists’ occupation and education level, … (more) October 4, 2009

  • Federal Government to Act on Distracted Driving

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Federal Government to Act on Distracted Driving

    The Obama administration is poised to take a harder stance against distracted driving, according to Transportation Department officials. According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, distracted driving has resulted in close to 6,000 fatalities last year and at least half a million injuries. A large majority of those incidents were caused by drivers using their cell phones. Officials called on the Congress and the public to find ways to reduce the risk distracted driving has on the nation. Even representatives from the auto insurance industries joined in on the issue, adding that most accidents are caused by drivers losing their concentration … (more) October 3, 2009

  • Policyholders in South Caroline Face Legal Problems

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Policyholders in South Caroline Face Legal Problems

    Car owners and policyholders in the state of South Carolina may run into some problems if they file for insurance claims. According to legal and insurance experts, the state has a long history of civil suits filed by policyholders against insurance providers. Most of these cases have resulted in decisions still used by providers and the courts to come up with appropriate rulings. Many of these cases dwelt on the issue of uninsured and under insured drivers. The state’s insurance laws, analysts say, have caused a great deal of confusion for many residents and car owners. According to experts from … (more) October 3, 2009

  • Texans See Some Rates Drop, Increase

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Texans See Some Rates Drop, Increase

    Some car owners residing in the state of Texas have seen their Texas auto insurance premiums go down in recent years, thanks in part to the use of ZIP codes by many insurance providers. According to the state insurance department, however, average car insurance rates in Texas have actually risen in the past two years. In fact, a recent survey found out that insurance premiums have risen an average of 7.3 percent last year. This year, more providers are expected to post higher rates because of a variety of reasons. Industry experts say that rising medical costs and a host … (more) October 2, 2009

  • Military Servicemen Told to Check Car Insurance

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Military Servicemen Told to Check Car Insurance

    Insurance officials and insurance agents are reminding members of the armed services to review their auto insurance coverage before deploying overseas. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) called on military personnel to evaluate their current insurance coverage to ensure that their families are fully protected even when they are abroad. Commissioners of the different state insurance departments said that members of the armed services must check their current coverage because of their unique situation. Most personnel are deployed overseas for months at a time. Failing to secure proper insurance can lead to gaps in their family’s coverage. Analysts also … (more) October 2, 2009

  • Consumers Unsatisfied with Their Auto Insurance

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Consumers Unsatisfied with Their Auto Insurance

    Many consumers feel that they do not get the best deal when it comes to auto insurance. More consumers express dissatisfaction because of high premium rates and the way insurers compute their auto insurance costs. According to a recently published report by Experian, 79 percent of consumers who participated in the survey said they felt that they were paying too much for their policies. Additionally, cheap auto insurance becomes more significant in tougher economic times. For this reason, respondents say they continually seek better deals which provide the best coverage in relation to cost. Among drivers polled, 54 percent said … (more) October 1, 2009

  • Legislation Out to Protect Domestic Violence Victims when Buying Car Insurance

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Legislation Out to Protect Domestic Violence Victims when Buying Car Insurance

    When buying car insurance, you are mandated by law to give out your exact current address, right? Not necessarily. There are cases when this is not required at all, for the benefit and the protection of the person purchasing the policy. Just like Wanda Roman, one of the many American citizens required to purchase car insurance, she was asked to give out her exact current address. However, Wanda could not afford to do so because this would just allow her ex-boyfriend/stalker to discover where she was presently residing. It is precisely because of this and other related reasons that state … (more) October 1, 2009

  • Tucson to Place Strict Sanctions on Insurance Proofs

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Tucson to Place Strict Sanctions on Insurance Proofs

    Tucson City, Arizona- City court ruled out last Friday in favor of greater sanctions against drivers who cannot show proof of insurance. Higher fines and suspension of license and registration will be imposed on violators. The decision came after Tucson City Court noted that no proof of insurance has become the most common citations they get. The court decision will take into effect starting October 1. Before, a driver who is caught with no proof of insurance will be cited by traffic officers and his case is brought to court. If the driver is able to present the necessary documents, … (more) September 30, 2009

  • New “Deer” Statistics Set to Raise Insurance Rates in Michigan

    by Jeanny Hopper
    New “Deer” Statistics Set to Raise Insurance Rates in Michigan

    A recent study reveals that Michigan is second in the whole United States when it comes to deer collisions. Industry analysts say that the statistics could be used by insurance providers as a basis for another round of price hike in Michigan. A study sponsored by a group of Michigan auto insurance companies show that drivers in Michigan have a one in 78 chance of colliding with a deer. This places Michigan in number two spot for such car crashes, just next West Virginia with a one in 39 chance. Statistics also reveal that most collisions happen around October, November, … (more) September 30, 2009

  • Texas to Raise State Requirements in Two Years, Rates Expected to Rise

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Texas to Raise State Requirements in Two Years, Rates Expected to Rise

    Insurance regulators in Texas announce that the state will increase requirements for Texas auto insurance policies by 2011. Analysts believe that the new mandate could inevitably trigger another round of increase in the premium rates. Texas Department of Insurance plans to revise the current provisions on minimum insurance liability requirements in the state. Industry analysts say that the decision came after TDI perceived that medical and repair costs for automobiles are set to increase significantly in the near future, adding that it is a safeguard to make sure that drivers have enough coverage to protect them when they need it. … (more) September 29, 2009