Most Recent Auto Insurance News in Headlines

  • Old Cars Kept in the Belief that it Will Cut back Premium Expenses

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Old Cars Kept in the Belief that it Will Cut back Premium Expenses

    More and more car owners today are saving extra dollars by keeping and maintaining their existing cars instead of purchasing newer models. Now, the current financial condition still has them looking over their old vehicles, but in an attempt to save more, drivers today also tune up their aging vehicle’s insurance. Major insurance providers in US states such as New York say that the changes in consumer attitude are happening extremely well day after day. According to them, New York policyholders look for more ways to save on car insurance, and of them is by maintaining their old cars as … (more) December 5, 2009

  • Motorists Confused: Can existing policies cover for car rentals?

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Motorists Confused: Can existing policies cover for car rentals?

    Reports indicate that the number of car rentals have boomed during the final quarter of 2009, which experts say is a result to the continuous hike in car operating costs and auto insurance premiums.  As the costs of owning a car goes up, people who do not need to own a vehicle now lean on renting a car instead of buying one. Likewise, those who previously own an old vehicle prefer to rent newer models than to purchase them. For those who prefer car rental, the next question is – will your auto insurance cover for your rented vehicle? To … (more) December 4, 2009

  • Local Groups and Private Companies team up to promote Thanksgiving Safety Driving

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Local Groups and Private Companies team up to promote Thanksgiving Safety Driving

    For this year’s Thanksgiving, reports say that an estimated number of more than 33 million motorists are expected to start their engines and hit the road. According to projections made by major insurance providers, the number represents a 2.1% increase compared to last year’s driver statistics. According to the Insurance Information Institute, more motorists driving during thanksgiving can mean more chances for collisions and road accidents to take place. For 2009, Thanksgiving Day still represent one of the busiest day for the year for drivers and insurance providers. To help consumers understand the hazards of Thanksgiving driving, local groups expect … (more) December 3, 2009

  • November and December Dedicated To No-Fault Car Insurance

    by Jeanny Hopper
    November and December Dedicated To No-Fault Car Insurance

    For the last two months of 2009, focus in certain states fall on personal injury protection coverage which, during the course of the year, has become the target of fraud and abuse by deceitful clinics and medical practitioners who bill for very expensive and unnecessary medical and check-up procedures. For those who are not familiar, the words “no-fault car insurance” are used in states to refer to a car insurance program that makes it possible for policyholders to receive reimbursements and to recover monetary losses from their own insurance provider, regardless of which party caused the accident. Today, there are … (more) December 3, 2009

  • Understanding Coverage Levels Reduces Premium Costs

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Understanding Coverage Levels Reduces Premium Costs

    Consumers who are in the market for auto insurance can best cut back on premium costs by understanding the coverage levels. Some policies are critical, others are advantageous, and there are some that are just unnecessary will only make auto insurance more expensive. Based from the records compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 43,000 motorists die from fatal vehicle accidents every year in the US. From these accidents, around 2.9 million citizens end up injured each year. Insurance insiders say that the number of injured motorists means millions of dollars in insurance claim costs and also reflect … (more) December 2, 2009

  • Congress Debating on How to Make Auto Insurance Mandatory

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Congress Debating on How to Make Auto Insurance Mandatory

    According to reports, Congress is currently debating whether they can force people to purchase auto insurance or not. While most industry experts that the thousands of uninsured  American drivers may be difficult to be forced into buying car insurance policies, the White House says that legislation can indeed for motorist into being insured before they drive along the national roads. Right now, Congress is currently debating on how they will penalize individuals who do not comply with the insurance mandate. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said last week that the people who claim that the supposed individual directive in … (more) December 2, 2009

  • Court Rules That a Riding Mower is not a Vehicle

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Court Rules That a Riding Mower is not a Vehicle

    A ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court concludes that a lawn motor is, indeed, not a motor vehicle. A riding lawn mower may cost almost the same as a used car and may have a strong engine and four wheels, but a lawn mower theft is still not the same as a motor vehicle theft. The court decision inverted the conviction of Franklin Lloyd Harris, who was convicted of the criminal act motor vehicle theft back in 2006 when he drove away with a Toro riding mower from an appliance store in Dalton without paying for it. Harris was proven … (more) December 1, 2009

  • Bill to change workers’ compensation car insurance requirements still in the works

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Bill to change workers’ compensation car insurance requirements still in the works

    A special legislative session is on ongoing to see if changes can be made to Tennessee workers’ compensation car insurance requirements and if these changes can be made effective immediately. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro and House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower of Bristol. The change is set to mandate workers’ compensation coverage for self-regulating and private contractors that were formerly exempt. Larger private companies say the bill is essential to create equity and fairness the playing field. On the other hand, smaller firms argue that the cost of workers’ compensation auto insurance requirement would be … (more) December 1, 2009

  • Is Mobile Phone Usage the next threat on road safety?

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Is Mobile Phone Usage the next threat on road safety?

    The Insurance Information Institute has recently conducted a research that the use of mobile phones while driving on the road is starting to be a growing concern in certain states in the US.  According to the results of the study, calling or texting while driving can be one of the greatest problems on US roads. According to industry experts, almost all US drivers own a mobile phone, and all of them are prone to making and answering a call or sending and reading text messages while behind the wheel. Loosing focus because of being caught in an important call or … (more) November 30, 2009

  • Consumers Confused Why Premium Rates Go Up While Consumer Rates Go Down

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Consumers Confused Why Premium Rates Go Up While Consumer Rates Go Down

    According to many insurance consultancy companies, more and more motorists are confused as to why the rates of car insurance premiums continue to go up when the prices of most consumer products have started to decline. Speculations say that reports about the motorists’ confusion came out as an effect of the U.S. Department of Labor’s declaration early this week. The U.S. Department released information revealing that the Consumer Price Index went down by 2% from last year to October of 2009. The Consumer Price Index is a very reliable indicator that measures the cost of majority of the things consumers … (more) November 28, 2009

  • Auto Insurance Company Offers Incentives to Policyholders Who Will Use A Call-Blocking Program

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Auto Insurance Company Offers Incentives to Policyholders Who Will Use A Call-Blocking Program

    Experts frown at the practice of using one’s mobile phone while driving.  There have been a number of studies that point to the danger of one’s attention getting distracted by texting or talking on the phone.  Research revealed that it’s as dangerous if not as dangerous as driving while under the influence of alcohol. When one is talking on the phone while his other hand is on the wheel, he is putting himself at great risk of figuring in a vehicular accident.  Since one’s attention is divided it is harder to focus on one thing, and driving demands the full … (more) November 27, 2009

  • Local Motorist Groups vs. HB 101

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Local Motorist Groups vs. HB 101

    Local motorist groups in Utah are wondering if House Bill 110 is really being used according to its purpose or not. House Bill 110, which was successfully completed last March 6, 2002, aims to allow insurance provides to make use of the credit-based insurance scores for the initial underwriting in car insurance. When it comes to how companies charge premium rates, the bill limits the use of such scores only when it is to provide consumer discounts. According to the National Association of Independent Insurers, the legislative action simply makes the use of credit-based scores useless. In addition, the organization … (more) November 24, 2009

  • Uninsured Drivers Pose Risk

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Uninsured Drivers Pose Risk

    The alarm for uninsured motorist is on as some states remain lenient about letting their motorists drive freely without the need to purchase car insurance policy first. According to a recent study conducted by the Insurance Research Council, one out of every seven US drivers go and ride freely without being insured first. Reports from the Insurance Information Institute show that drivers who do not have car insurance pose a great of threat once they get on the road – when an uninsured motorist causes a road accident and he isn’t capable of paying the damages, the injured party would … (more) November 24, 2009

  • Progressive Hikes Auto Premiums

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Progressive Hikes Auto Premiums

    Auto insurance giant Progressive Corporation has recently increased insurance rates for policies that are sold through agents and consumers.  The hikes were very minimal and for the most part, were up by just 1%. Motorists, who had to make adjustments to their lifestyles due to the recent economic crunch, are still paying less, with many motorists opting for less coverage in their auto insurance and driving older model cars. Progressive Corporation believes that with the country’s current weak economic prospects, some policyholders might take advantage of their auto insurance policies and file false claims for injuries or damages sustained during … (more) November 23, 2009

  • November a High Risk Month for Deer Collisions

    by Jeanny Hopper
    November a High Risk Month for Deer Collisions

    November is marked as a high risk month, and states such as Michigan and Virginia are flagged as high risk states by insurance providers due to the expected number of auto-deer collisions this season. For many insurance companies, deer and cars can be one deadly combination. Especially during the months of October, November, and December where deer mating and migration is at its peak, the chances of having an auto-deer collision are very fatal. Reports from the Insurance Information Institute say that the fourth quarter of every year brings forth a striking increase in the movement of deer population, causing … (more) November 18, 2009

  • Protection Still Possible Even without Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Protection Still Possible Even without Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage

    For certain states in the US, such as New York, getting concerned about uninsured drivers remains to be an option. New York and other states that still rules for uninsured and underinsured driver coverage to be optional, there are still ways to get protected from inadequately protected motorists. According a recent research conducted by the Insurance Information Institute, out of every seven motorists in the United States does not have enough protection from auto insurance; and even though it’s only 1 out of 7, those with inadequately protection can greatly cause repercussions for insured motorists. Reports say that Insurance companies … (more) November 18, 2009

  • Economic Downturn Increases Risk

    by Jeanny Hopper
    Economic Downturn Increases Risk

    More often than not, road accidents lead to serious injury and loss, not only to property, but also life. Surviving family and friends do not only deal with emotional stress, but also financial distress.  Things turn up a notch higher in these difficult business conditions where people forego a lot of conveniences because of tight finances. Just recently a massive traffic accident occurred in Louisiana that resulted in the deaths of five people.  The lone survivor of the accident, an elderly woman broke both her legs.  She lost her son, grandchildren, and daughter who all perished in the mishap.  The … (more) November 16, 2009