auto insurance quotes

5 Factors that Affect - Influence Auto Insurance Rates

2007-07-10T04:40:00.001-07:00

The world of auto insurance is complicated and premiums payable for a given policy vary from person to person. Simply put who you are determines how much you will pay as car insurance premium. Automobile insurers use a large number of risk factors to compute how much premium is payable by any individual.

Basic factors that determine how much you need to pay for auto insurance are:

1. The age of the driver. Young and old drivers need to pay more insurance premiums as they are more likely to have accidents than middle aged drivers. In addition premium payable is determined by the car you drive. If you drive a sports car or any mean machine then your premium will hit the sky as compared to a sedan or compact car.

2. The gender of the driver. Insurance companies have determined that women drivers are not affected by hormone surges or machoness and are so better drivers than men. Statistically women are proven to be safer drivers so a woman driver will pay lower auto insurance than a male.

3. Where you live can change your car insurance rate. Auto insurance companies compute risk by where a car owner resides. Those living in rural areas or suburbs pay lower insurance premiums than those who live in a city.

4. Safe Driving is a factor that influences your premiums. Most insurers lower premiums payable for persons who have a safe driving record for three years and more. So speeding tickets, accidents, parking violations, and running red lights are all factors that can save you money.

5. Your credit history. Most insurance companies consider an individual with a good credit history and score as a lower risk and offer lower premiums on auto insurance. The credit report reflects the fact that you are a responsible individual and are dependable.

Other factors that can lower auto insurance premiums are: safety features in a car; anti-theft devices; eco-friendly fuel use; use of car pools and public transport; exclusive use of vehicle only for personal use and so on.

Insurance companies set premium rates based on factors like make of car, cost of parts, and sticker price of car. In case an individual updates his driving skills regularly and follows all safety norms and rules laid by the highway and road patrols then the insurers offer lowered premium rates.

If you have a membership at the AAA or any other professional body then you may be automatically eligible for a discount on auto insurance rates. Lately if auto insurance is bought online the rates are much lower than when bought through an agent or office. And, different insurers base the premiums on auto insurance based on their experience so while one may consider the occupation of the individual a risk another may give more emphasis on whether the vehicle is used for commercial purposes. The module for calculating risk factors varies from company to company as also the premium rates on auto insurance.

So it is best to get at least 3-4 quotes from different auto insurance providers before making a decision.

The Basics of Car Insurance

2007-07-10T04:39:00.000-07:00

The Insurance is taken to defend ourselves against any unforeseen calamities. In law and economics, it is defined as a form of a risk management which is used to hedge against the risk of a contingent loss. Today, you can find insurance policies for almost everything. It can be for your life, health or for any appliance protection.

The insurance policies are offered by the insurance companies to an organisation or to an individual in return of the premiums paid. As far as the car insurance is concerned, the insurance companies can give coverage to your car against any accidents or the breakdowns. The policy which is offered to insure a vehicle depends upon different factors like, make, cost, age, type of vehicle, viable statistics, individual habits and history.

The premiums depend upon the risks factors, e.g. a young driver who drives a sports car will have to pay more premium as compared to a person who is a senior citizen and drives a family sedan.

The different insurance companies in the market offer various coverage and plans. To avail the best car insurance, you should follow these steps:

Do an online survey and then compare the quotes offered by the different car insurance providers. Compile all the relevant information which would help the car insurance provider to give you a competitive quote. They may require your personal details, the number of persons who will drive the vehicle, make and age of the vehicle etc.

Read the policy document carefully and should ask for the clarifications, if you are unable to comprehend any terms or conditions. Use the online insurance computation with quote comparison tools, which will help you to know which insurance coverage would be best for you. Consult an insurance broker who may assist you to get a suitable insurance coverage.

Though, you can buy insurance from an insurance company or a broker but by buying an online insurance can give you many advantages. You are required to fill up an online application form which can help you to get the quotes from different car insurance providers. The quotes are absolutely free and you can take your time for selecting a suitable car insurance provider. If you buy insurance online you may avail discount as the company doesn’t have to spend on the data compilation and meeting you for discussing the possibilities. The Internet has certainly changed the world of insurance industry and now you can purchase an insurance policy online as an informed buyer.

Online Auto Insurance - The Benefits Of Buying Car Insurance Online

2007-07-10T04:38:00.000-07:00

In the late 1990’s, as the internet gained popularity, consumers realized the convenience of shopping online for many different things including car insurance. The internet offers endless information about any subject you need to know more about and it even allows you to complete important purchases such as buying auto insurance online.

Buying auto insurance online not only saves you money, but also carries many benefits which make your life easier. Plenty of auto insurance companies offer discounts for purchasing auto insurance online. The reason companies offer discounts is because when you purchase auto insurance online, the costs associated with issuing the auto insurance policy is significantly less costly for the insurance company compared to issuing an auto policy the traditional way.

When purchasing car insurance online, you are saving the insurance company money, therefore, the savings can be transferred to you. Other reasons for saving money by buying car insurance online is that you do not need to waste time and money, such as gas, driving to the agents office. Also some of the fees that are included in buying car insurance the traditional method are often not charged. Some examples are:

* An agent’s Commission

* Broker’s Fees

* Endorsement Fees

* Renewal Fees

Not only are you saving money by buying auto insurance online, you are also getting the benefit of being able to manage your auto insurance online. If you buy auto insurance online, most companies will offer you the convenience of finding answers to your questions online and making changes to your policy online. That makes life easier for the most of us. Finding important information such as legal information can also be easily researched before buying auto insurance online.

One of the best reasons for purchasing car insurance online is that you can compare insurance rates from many quality companies in order to make sure you are receiving the cheapest car insurance rates. Many websites offer the ability to compare car insurance online from many quality auto insurance companies such as Progressive, AIG, GMAC, Infinity and more. One such website is OnlineAutoInsurance.com which offers you free quotes from many quality auto insurance companies with one single process. You can even buy you car insurance online and make changes, payments and find answers online and even speak to a licensed agent if you wish.

SAVE More of Your Hard-Earned Money By Picking The Right Auto Insurance Companies

2007-07-05T04:42:00.001-07:00

Even tho you do not always have a choice about having auto insurance, you do have a choice about which auto insurance company you pay for your automobile coverage. Is it important to know something about the various companies that will offer you their services? Yes, of course it is.

Here is some information that may help you in deciding which company may be better for you than another and who can reduce your premiums and at the same time provide excellent customer service, excellent auto insurance coverage and be there when you need them. And I don't mean just answering the phone. I mean the financial security in knowing they can pay you when you need them to handle a claim for your vehicle.

Here are a few things to consider:

What is the track record of the insurance company you are considering using? Do they pay you in a timely manner or do they have a track record of denying claims unfairly and not paying at all?

Do they provide a phone number, website and email to provide you with alternative ways to contact them easily and quickly?

How is their customer service?

What discounts do they offer and how many?

Do they specialize in the vehicle your insuring such as a motorcycle or antique car? Many of them do and you should be aware of that because this service can be especially tailored to fit your needs and they will understand your passions and needs in these specialized areas. It makes it a lot more fun to talk with someone who knows what you are talking about when it comes to your motorcycle driving habits and the coverage you will need, if you only ride in the summers.

Do they offer the good driving record discounts?

Does the auto insurance company you are looking into offer special programs and coverage for multiple vehicle households with teen drivers?

Are you 50 years of age or older? Do you know there are auto insurance companies that will provide excellent auto insurance discounts to the baby boomers? Yup, AARP offers many, many discounts above and beyond auto insurance to it's members. Can you afford $12.95/yr? If so, you can be a member and get a discount on your insurance as well as many other offers to save you money.

Spend some time and check out some of the companies listed here to see if they can help you save money and get excellent customer service and be there when you need them most.

Compare Car Insurance Rates the Easy Way

2007-07-05T04:41:00.002-07:00

The best way to get the cheapest car insurance rate is to compare car insurance rates from a number of companies. Here's the quickest and easiest way to do that.

Compare Car Insurance Rates

In the days prior to the Internet, you had to call a number of insurance agents and answer a ton of questions in order to get enough quotes to get a cheap rate. Now, thanks to the Internet, comparing car insurance rates is a piece of cake.

Because rates can vary by $1,000 or more from one company to another, you need to go to an insurance comparison website where you can get quotes from a number of car insurance companies.

Not only can you get multiple rate quotes from these sites, some of these sites offer money-saving tips in their "Articles" section, and provide an online chat feature and toll-free telephone service so you can get answers to your questions from an insurance expert. (See link below.)

Get Car Insurance Discounts

In order to get your car insurance quotes, you'll need to fill out a simple questionnaire where you can list the all discounts and deductibles you want. Here's how to save the most money on your insurance:

Raise your deductible - Depending on how high you raise it this can save you 30% to 50% on your car insurance premium.

Consolidate your insurance - Buying your car and homeowners insurance with the same company will save you up to 15% on your premium.

Install security devices - Outfitting your car with a burglar alarm or other theft-prevention devices can get you a good-sized discount.

Eliminate unneeded coverage - Consider eliminating your comprehensive and collision coverage if your car is more than five years old, or if the cost of your annual premium is the same as the value of your car.

Compare Car Insurance Companies

Once you've chosen the best quote, you'll want to make sure the company is reliable and will pay your claims. Here are three websites that will help you decide:

1. Your state’s department of insurance website will show you how many complaints have been lodged against an insurance company.

2. J.D. Power and Associate's website (jdpower.com) will give you consumer ratings.

3. The A.M. Best (ambest.com) website will give you a company's financial and credit ratings.

By taking these extra steps, you'll know that you're not only getting the best rate, but that you're getting a reliable company.

Auto Insurance - Do This If You Really Want To Make Huge Savings

2007-07-05T04:41:00.001-07:00

There are many things you can do to save much in your auto insurance. Some give wonderful results; others give so so results. However, if you're really serious about making massive savings in auto insurance you can't afford to leave this out...

But first things first. You must understand why you are getting auto insurance coverage. Are you only interested in fulfilling the minimum required by your state law? Do you want something that truly gives you total coverage as far as your use of the road is concerned? These should be first established in your mind before you begin your quest for savings. I say this because some people who really want the most extensive coverage begin to compromise their coverage all in the name of making savings.

Savings must be without losing what you really want. And, you will make savings if you follow my next advice wholeheartedly. This is irrespective of whether you want bare-bones minimum auto insurance or the most extensive insurance. Please, do bear in my, however, that I am not endorsing any position (extensive or minimum coverage) here. That issue is dealt with in other articles. So now to the meat...

You might have heard of auto insurance quotes sites. Yes, you might even have used them. However, you might not have maximized your profits because you left something out. You only visited one car insurance quotes site and felt you had it covered. No, you didn't have it covered.

Make sure you get quotes from at least three auto insurance quotes sites. This guarantees that you nullify the effects of sponsors' interests on some sites and, furthermore, you have a broader basis for your comparison.

Automobile Insurance - Savings Due To Superior Understanding

2007-07-05T04:40:00.000-07:00

That you can save up to and above $2,000 on your automobile insurance is a fact. However, the important thing is whether you too can make even a fraction of such massive savings. You can if you take out time to understand the little things that really help you make massive savings. I'll share two with you here...

There are different levels of insurance coverage in auto insurance. You can take a comprehensive package or even include several special add-ons. At the other end of the spectrum, you can just go for a third party only cover where the law allows that. But you must be very careful. The minimum required by law sometimes is certainly not good enough for you. The key is knowing when the minimum is the best and when you need as much coverage as you can get.

If you have an old car (I'm not talking about classics here -- Those ones really do belong to a special class) then you will really do well to get the very minimum required by law. If the minimum is third party only coverage, fine. Take it. Getting more won't really do you any good on the long run.

Here's why I maintain this position: Let's say you have a collision policy on an old car and then have to make a claim. The insurance company will make pay outs based on the current value of your car. That's not good considering that your old car won't be worth much then. To make a bad thing even worse, you'll be expected to pay your deductible first before getting whatever the insurance company will give. If you add up all this you'll see that you're really better off keeping all the hard-earned money you'd spend on premiums for superior coverage.

If your auto insurance doesn't serve you on the long run, then you really shouldn't get it. Well, that's my position on auto insurance for old cars.

Another thing you have to do to increase your chances of realizing massive savings in your car insurance is to get as many auto insurance quotes as you can. No, getting a set of quotes from one quotes site isn't enough. You could be missing some insurance companies that are not covered by the first quotes site. Get auto insurance quotes from at least three sites and you would be setting yourself up for massive savings.

Bad Credit Can Affect Your Car Insurance Rate

2007-07-05T04:39:00.000-07:00

You consider yourself to be one of the safest drivers on the road. You watch the speed limit, always use your turn signal even when changing lanes, and the only tickets you have ever gotten were from expired parking meters. You have the cleanest of clean driving records, so one would think that you would be a top candidate for lower car insurance rates, especially lower than that jerk who whizzed past you this morning in a school zone, right?

Wrong, or at least not necessarily.

If your credit report has some blemishes on it, chances are good that you might not get the lowest car insurance rates, even despite the fact that your driving record is spotless. And thanks to a recent Supreme Court ruling, your car insurance company does not have to inform you that you are not getting the best rates. As ridiculous as that sounds, the Supreme Court recently overturned a Circuit Court ruling that said the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) requires insurers to notify customer whenever their credit rating prevents them from getting the best available car insurance rate.

Auto insurance companies argue that a customer's credit rating is just one of many criteria they use to establish car insurance rates for the customer. They said that if the ruling had stood, it would have required them to send out millions of notices to customers in order to avoid class-action lawsuits.

For about the last 10 years or so, most car insurance companies have used the customer's credit rating when establishing car insurance rates for the customer. They claim that various studies have indicated that customers with bad credit are much more likely to file claims.

The car insurance companies claim that a credit report "is a solid predictor of risk", and after all, car insurance rates are all about risk. They further claim that a person with bad credit would tend to be more irresponsible, since they have demonstrated irresponsibility with their credit and would likely also be irresponsible with their driving habits.

Obviously, consumer groups disagree whole-heartedly and says that this assumption on the part of the auto insurance companies is a "disturbing moral hypothesis". Many people have bad credit because of divorce, being laid off from a job, serious illness, and is absolutely no reflection on their level of responsibility.

In addition, credit reports are known to be notorious for errors. Studies have shown that an alarmingly high percentage of consumer credit reports contain errors. The credit bureaus claim that they only report the news and take almost no responsibility for the accuracy of the information reported. The sad outcome of that reality is the vast majority of consumers do not regularly check their credit reports, and if they do, they have no idea of how to get inaccurate data corrected. For information about how to get inaccurate data removed from your credit report so that your credit rating is higher, you may wish to visit Raising Your Credit Score for more information.

When you are applying for auto insurance, ask the insurance company what specific factors will be considered when they determine your rates. If they tell you that your credit history is one of the factors and you know that your credit history has blemishes on it, you may want to keep on shopping with another carrier.

Teen Auto Insurance - Here's How You Can Make The Highest Savings

2007-06-22T04:56:00.004-07:00

The cost of teen auto insurance is at least twice that of an adult above 25 years. That's a problem if you have one or two teens. If you're worried about the cost of insuring your teenager, here's good news. The following tips should help you save a lot...

1) This one works before buying a car. Make sure you find out the car's grouping. There are cars that cost a lot more to insure. Generally, sports cars and cars with big engines cost a lot more to insure. If you buy such a car for your teen, you'll be raising what you pay on auto insurance by a great deal.

2) Check the crash and safety rating of the car. Apart from the fact that it will also lower your teen's auto insurance premium, it will also keep your beloved child safer.

3) Encourage your teen to take lessons in defensive driving. This will reduce the risk associated with insuring him/her. Furthermore, they become better drivers too.

4) If your teen has good grades it will do you some good. Some insurance companies will lower their teen auto insurance for kids who have A's and B's.

5) Place your teen as the primary driver on the least expensive and/or the oldest car you have.

6) Get auto insurance quotes from at least three auto insurance quotes sites. I recommend getting your quotes from at least three sites because if you get quotes from only one site, you may miss out on offers they don't present.

Auto Insurance Providers - How to Find the Best

2007-06-22T04:56:00.003-07:00

Looking for an auto insurance provider? Want to find one that's cheap, reliable, and will give you good service. Here's how ...

Check Your State's Department of Insurance Website

Every state in the U.S. maintains an insurance website, and most states publish the consumer complaints that have been filed against insurance companies. This tells you how many complaints an insurance company has received compared to the number of policies they've issued.

If your state's department of insurance doesn't list complaints, you can go to California's insurance website (insurance.ca.gov), or New York's insurance website (ins.state.ny.us) to get this information.

Every insurance company has complaints filed against them, but if a company has a lot of complaints compared to other companies, you should avoid doing business with them.

Visit Epinions Website (epinions.com)

Epinions gives you a behind-the-scenes look at various insurance companies by their customers. Customers rate companies by customer service, website experience, response to claims, and price confidence.

Customers also give their unsolicited reviews. These reviews range from "The best insurance we've ever had!" and "Cheap and they're there when you need them," to "Very disappointed," and "The WORST customer service you could imagine."

Check J.D. Power and Associate's Website (jdpower.com)

J.D. Power and Associates rates insurance companies according to coverage options, price, claims handling, satisfaction with company representatives, and overall experience. This site gives you a general idea of how consumers like or dislike a company's insurance policies, claims handling, and customer service.

Visit A.M. Best's Website (ambest.com)

A.M. Best publishes financial ratings for insurance companies which measures an insurance company's ability to pay claims. Ratings go from A++ (the highest) to D (the lowest). You should choose a company that has a B+ rating or higher.

How to Get Cheap Auto and Renters Insurance Quotes

2007-06-22T04:56:00.001-07:00

If you don’t own a home you may think you don’t need insurance. But you still need to insure your auto and your personal property - auto insurance to protect you in case of an auto accident, and renters insurance to protect your personal property from fire, theft, vandalism, and other losses.

Find Discount Insurance Quotes on the Internet

To help you save money on insurance use the Internet to search for discount auto and renters insurance quotes. You can find discount auto and renters insurance quotes online by visiting an insurance comparison website. At the website you'll complete a form with your personal information, such as your name, address, and age.

For auto insurance, you'll also need to enter information about your:

* Vehicle, such as the year, make, model, VIN number, and safety features.

* Driving habits, such as the number of miles you drive each year and any tickets or accidents you've had.

* Coverage amounts and you want and deductibles you want for comprehensive and collision coverage.

For renters insurance, you'll need to enter information such as:

* Construction type

* Number of connected units

* Whether you have any pets

* Coverage amounts and the deductible you want

The best insurance comparison websites also offer an online chat feature. If you have any questions as you complete your form, you can talk online with insurance professionals and get fast, accurate answers. (See link below.)

Keep in mind that you'll usually receive a multi-policy discount if you purchase your auto and renters insurance with the same company. This can save you up to 15% on your yearly premium.

Choose an Insurance Company

After you enter this information, you'll receive fast, accurate quotes from multiple A-rated insurance companies. Then you can simply compare the quotes and choose the company with the best quote.

Gap Car Insurance Protects Your Auto Financing Investment

2007-06-22T04:55:00.003-07:00

What is Car Gap Insurance For?

If you have purchased a new or used car with a loan, you probably owe more than the book value of the car for the first several months you pay on your loan. If you did not put down a large down payment or if you rolled over a loan from your old car, you may owe quite a bit more than your car's value. You are probably willing to accept this fact because you are really just making car payments, have a car you like, and know that you will get the car paid off in time. But the fact is, most cars lose 20% of their value the minute you drive them off of the car lot.

If you buy a $20,000 car, the actual value of that car may drop to $16,000 very quickly. You have just taken the 20% hit. However, accidents happen. If you have an accident, or your car is stolen, you may be asked to settle for the book value. That means, you still owe $4,000 more on a car you cannot use!

Car Gap Insurance closes the gap between a car's value and your loan. You normal car insurance will still pay off the car's value. The auto gap insurance policy will make up the difference. Now some comprehensive auto policies may pay the financed value, but most do not. Be sure to look at your policy or ask your agent to make sure.

Where do you Buy Car Gap Insurance?

When you buy a car, your dealer will offer you a car gap insurance policy. He or she may even offer to roll the price into your loan. However they will charge you a premium price. Some people choose to purchase auto gap insurance this way because it is simple, or because they don't realize they even have an option!

However, you do have a choice. You do not need to pay $700 or $800 for car gap insurance from a car dealership. You can buy the same policy online, directly from the insurance company. Online car gap insurance policies ill cost less than half as much as car gap insurance from the dealer. You could pay $399 instead of $700 to $800!

Your other choice is to find a comprehensive car insurance policy that will cover your car's financed value. You can call around, but it is easier to use an online quoting system. Look for an insurance quoting system that is BBB approved and has a stated privacy policy.

Car Insurance & Lower Premiums

2007-06-22T04:55:00.001-07:00

Car insurance is like many other things in life. In order to get the lowest prices (lower premiums) – you’ve got to do a little extra work – but it’s worth it. Take a look at the following thoughts – your bank account will thank you later.

1) Car insurance companies are like other businesses – they’re interested in making lots of money. How? In order for car insurance companies to make the most money – they will need to pay you (the customer) the least amount of money. Contrary to what you’ve seen on those commercials – car insurance companies don’t really want to pay you any money. When you begin to understand this – you’re on your way to lower premiums. Try to look at yourself from the car insurance company’s perspective. The only way you will be paying less money (lower premiums) is if the insurance company doesn’t believe it will be paying you money for claims.

2) The key to lowering those car insurance premiums boils down to the way you drive and what you drive. Car accidents, driving tickets, insurance claims all serve to increase your risk profile. A person with a high risk profile will pay higher car insurance premiums than a person with a lower risk profile (all else being equal). Make a plan to lower your risk profile over the next few years - begin practicing defensive driving techniques and keep those driving citations to a minimum – you’ll be taking a huge step toward lowering your premiums.

3) Car insurance premiums can be lowered in the short term by driving automobiles which are more “car insurance friendly”. Some cars have higher premiums for reasons such as theft, etc. Others are higher because they’re worth more money. Another way to lower your premiums is to raise your deductible. A good rule of thumb is to set your deductible as high as you can afford. Often this alone will save you a lot of money.

4) Another good practice is to keep up with the decreasing value of your car. During a conversation with my mother – I learned she was paying semi-annual car insurance premiums in excess of the value of her car. Since the insurance company would only be paying her about $200 if her car was totally destroyed – she decided to reduce her coverage to liability only.

Lastly, remember to do your research and educate yourself. The more you know about the car insurance business - the better you’ll do when shopping for lower premiums.

8 Essentials Of Auto Insurance

2007-06-19T03:30:00.001-07:00

Every year there comes a time when the Auto Insurance comes up for renewal. Or you get a windfall and decide to treat yourself to a new car and need to purchase vehicle insurance. Before you blindly renew your old policy or sign up with the insurance provider the car showroom recommends consider:

1. Doing comparison shopping, visit auto insurance directories like www.1888carinsurance.com and websites of major players in auto insurance policies like Allstate, Progressive, and State Farm. Visit the state insurance department website where insurance rules as well as sample rates are posted. Learn about different policies and options.

2. Finding out how much insurance will be just right. The minimum recommended is normally insufficient to cover any major disasters that may occur. According to insurance advisors the cover should be USD100000 per person, USD 300000 per accident, and USD 50000 for property damage. An absolute essential is uninsured motorist coverage; this will pay bills if there is ever an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

3. Dropping collision and comprehensive coverage as the car ages. Often you will pay as much in premiums as the cost of a new car. Evaluate your car by looking up old car prices at autotrader.com or kbb.com and if you find the car is valued at much less than USD 2000 then cancel the extra coverage you will save at least USD 431 each year.

4. All aspects before signing an agreement or paying premiums. Never choose an insurance provider just based on low costs or the smile the agent or office person has. Many small companies or a newbie in the auto insurance field will take forever to settle claims. Always check carefully the insurer’s record for claims and the company’s financial stability. Surf the internet to check whether there are any complaints or bad reviews about the company and check with the better business bureau whether there are any cases pending against the insurance company you are considering.

5. Taking coverage that is much more than the “minimum auto-insurance liability coverage.” And always ask for a discount. Most car insurance companies give discounts for a variety of reasons: good credit report, clean driving record, having other policies with the same company, being eco-friendly, driving fewer miles; living outside the city; having a membership to the AAA or other bodies.

In auto insurance like other aspects of life you need to be an informed consumer. Always educate yourself on what the policy you are paying for covers. Know your rights and make an effort to read the small print before you take a policy. Make the effort to do a “market survey” ask friends, colleagues, the AAA and consumer organizations about auto insurers and what the essentials of auto insurance are. The World Wide Web is a valuable source of information on car insurance, there are articles and tips written by experts in the field so read and choose a policy and auto insurance company with care.

Alabama Auto Insurance - How To Get The Most For Far Less

2007-06-19T03:29:00.002-07:00

You are not allowed to drive without a certain level of auto insurance in the State of Alabama. So doing without your Alabama auto insurance coverage is certainly out of the question. What we'll be talking about is how you can get the best coverage (or the coverage you prefer) at the best price possible...

First you need to understand the minimum requirements for Alabama auto insurance. Then you also have to know what this minimum covers and whether it's in your best interest to stick with this minimum or go for something a little more extensive albeit more expensive.

Alabama auto insurance minimum requirements are that each driver must carry liability insurance that cover bodily injury and property damage. These liability insurance coverages must cover up to $20,000 total bodily injury coverage per person, $40,000 total for bodily injury coverage per accident and a total of $10,000 total for property damage.

Is this minimum enough? It depends on how exposed you want to be. If, for example, someone is injured in an accident where you're at fault and sues you for an amount several times higher than your liability limit, what would you do? Would you stake your investments or future earnings to take care of that?

Also, do bear in mind that this minimum does not cover the damages to your car or bodily injury if you are hit by an uninsured driver. For me, I think this minimum really does not give you enough coverage. But, you know your needs better. But if it's all about cost, I'll show you how you can get a more extensive Alabama auto insurance coverage for less...

1) Keep a good driving record. Try your utmost too to avoid those tickets. They cost you more than the fines you pay. A clean driving record tells insurers that you're a low risk Alabama auto insurance candidate. And, the lower the risk associated with insuring you, the lower your rates.

2) Taking classes in defensive driving will do your rates a world of good. Defensive drivers are less likely to have accidents.

3) Buy a vehicle that has safety and theft-deterrence features. For anti-theft features, it's better to have those that make the thief know that they are not likely to have an easy time. Thieves generally, prefer easy targets.

4) Buy a car that falls into a less-expensive-to-insure category. Sports cars, expensive cars and such are usually more expensive to insure than smaller cars.

5) Do all within your power to reduce your mileage. If it makes sense, use the public transport more often. Carpooling is another way to lower your mileage. The less the time you spend on the road, the lower the chances of an accident. That translates to lower Alabama auto insurance premiums.

6) Insuring more than one car with the same company gives you discounts in most cases.

7) This is the mother of them all: Visit at least three auto insurance quotes sites that cover Alabama. Obtain and compare quotes from them. It takes only a few minutes. However, it can save you a few hundred dollars and sometimes much more.

Price Comparison - Is It Worth It?

2007-06-19T03:29:00.001-07:00

Many of you will have, at some point or other had difficulty finding an insurance quote. This is something that has gotten easier of late with the advent of the price comparison site. Finding an insurance policy of any shape or form used to be a time consuming and not to mention monotonous task. The usual process involved trawling around companies websites and submitting quote after quote after quote. The other alternative and an equally arduous one; to ring each company individually and carry out a quote over the phone.

As you can imagine most people came to dread this process and all the rigmarole therein involved. Then like a prayer answered, came the comparison site, or so it seemed to many. This could now provide the ability to input your requirements in one place and have the work done for you. Was this product the ideal solution it seemed to be? What were the pitfalls and negative aspects?

In the press and showcased on the media of television of late has been much speculation as to whether these sites really are as good as they claim. It has been said that they are merely a “middleman” and that it makes more sense to go directly to the primary provider. Let’s look at the typical process involved when renewing a policy; let’s presume you need to renew your car insurance. You have 3 general options available to you; number 1, you can ring the insurance companies of your choice. Number 2, you can manually search through insurance internet sites and fill in quote sheets. Lastly we have the option of using a comparison site and providing enough detail to receive a number of quotes from different companies.

From these options a busy or internet savvy person would most probably opt for the latter. Having chosen to use a comparison site by either searching for one or opting to use one you have seen advertised, you visit it and fill in your details. You would then be given a list of quotes and the general idea is to select one with an attractive price and policy options to suit your circumstances. You then click to be sent through to the policy provider’s website and continue your application by giving any further details necessary.

This is the stage at which most have picked fault. The problem being that any further details given could affect the car insurance quote generated. The sites are perhaps more suited to giving quotes to a person with standard circumstances. Having said that, on average the sites do tend to ask for details of previous claims and points on licence, etc. However, the process can become problematic if you have carried out any modifications to your car or need to input any unusual circumstances.

On researching this article I carried out a quote through a direct well known insurer and proceeded to do the same through a well known comparison site. I found that the quote was actually very similar on both sites and when I proceeded to the cheapest quote on the comparison site there was no change after entering all necessary details. In actual fact it worked out a little cheaper than the direct site. This goes to show you that using a comparison site is worthwhile, even if you only use it to find a figure to aim for when receiving quotes from other companies. It also shows that you can still get a good deal by going directly to an insurer. The difference comes when you have circumstances that throw a spanner into the works and result in a wide range of varying quotes. It would appear that on average a comparison site will get you a cheaper quote.

It seems to me the key is how you use these resources. You can get what you want from both methods and it comes down to a matter of personal choice. If you are happy to go with the first quote that sounds reasonable then fair enough. If not you should use a comparison site to give you more choice and save you time and (possibly) money.

UK Vehicle Insurance - Emergency Treatment Fees

2007-06-19T03:28:00.004-07:00

This series of articles considers a selection of the clauses in a typical UK motor insurance policy. We are looking at the "Emergency Treatment" policy clause which sorts out who pays for any medical attention needed following a motoring incident.

Under current UK legislation, you must pay costs to the first medical practitioner to treat you following an accident. This is part of the Road Traffic Act. People have been known to refer to this as a charge for an ambulance. Strictly speaking this is not correct but in real life terms it is normally the ambulance men that provide the medical assistance and the bill comes to you from the N H S region that supplied the ambulance and its crew.

YOU MUST PAY THIS BY LAW no matter who is blamed for the accident. Your insurer will meet the cost under this section. Just send the invoice on to them and they will pay it directly to the hospital. Alternatively you can pay it out of your own pocket and ask your insurer to repay you.

Sometimes in a busy insurance environment, the clerical staff might miss the account if it was sent in amongst other paperwork. It's possible that you could receive a reminder from the hospital that the account remains unpaid. Tell them who your insurance company are and telephone your claims office. Be forceful but please don't be angry.

The insurance company paying this account will not in fact affect your no claims bonus. It is not treated as a claim. So, in the very unlikely event your insurance company were to pay the medical treatment invoice and nothing else your bonus remains unharmed. In reality, in an accident where someone is hurt, it is highly improbable that there will be no other claims to be met.

Technically, if somebody else is at fault for the accident you can send the invoice on to their insurance company but you are just inviting unnecessary hassle. I would advise you not to bother. It doesn't make any difference to you whichever way.

Owing to recent alterations to the law, hospitals now also charge insurers for treatment given to third party victims of accidents, with certain limitations applied. These are claimed by the NHS Trust in cases where they have judged you to have been negligent and someone else has had treatment for an injury you caused. This change in the law has definitely contributed to the increase in motor insurance premiums. Some of those inside the insurance industry consider that this is a further case of increasing taxation by stealth by the Government.

10 Tips That Will Help Save On Car Insurance

2007-06-19T03:28:00.003-07:00

Worries about what will happen in the unforeseen future makes us ensure our home, life, car, and health. Each year most individuals pay hundreds of dollars as insurance premiums and very often there are no claims to be made at all.

Intelligent consumers find ways in which to reduce insurance costs. So before insuring the car you own take cognisance of the following rules and you will be able to lower considerably the premium payable.

Surf the World Wide Web and read the numerous articles and tips on auto insurance posted by experts in the insurance field. Follow as many tips as you can like keeping the car in good condition, and having a blemish free driving record.

1. Never sign up for the first car insurance offer. Prices vary not just from insurance company to company but between online auto insurance directories and insurance offices. Log on to the website consumeraction.gov/insurance.shtml and compare rates charged by leaders in the field of insurance.

2. Never choose a new entrant to the insurance field. Choose a company that has a proven track record in the auto insurance business and is financially stable. The wellbeing of various insurance companies that cover vehicles can be studied at sites hosted by rating companies like A.M. Best and Standard & Poor. Always check with the local better business bureau whether the company you are considering buying car insurance from has any complaints or pending cases.

3. Think insurance costs even before you decide to buy a car. Whether a new or used car is being bought find out how much the insurance will be. Most auto insurance premiums are based on the cost of the vehicle, overall safety record, and theft risk. Check out the tips given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at iihs.org.

4. When you think insurance premiums choose to pay higher deductibles. Paying higher deductibles will reduce the cost of yearly/monthly auto insurance premiums. Increasing the deductible by USD 300 can reduce insurance coverage costs by 15-30 percent.

5. Buy all your insurance from one company. Many companies offer competitive rates for consumers who buy multiple policies from them. Further since the company already knows your credit report and score and how reliable you are they will offer great discounts.

Insurance premiums payable for vehicles depend on several variables like cost of car, where you live, how much you drive, maintenance of car, adoption of safety and anti theft norms and so on. While having a comprehensive policy will give you peace of mind you need to select the extent of coverage intelligently. Agents and companies benefit from selling you comprehensive coverage but often you just may not need everything. Check does your health plan cover accidents, if yes then your car insurance policy need not duplicate this aspect. If in doubt take the help of an insurance advisor to determine how much auto insurance is sufficient.

Auto insurance is a part of existence but it need not set you back by several hundred dollars. Choose a car insurance policy intelligently.

How To Get Really Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes

2007-06-19T03:28:00.001-07:00

Looking for really cheap auto insurance quotes? Here's how to get them ...

Really Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes

Here are seven steps to help you get really cheap auto insurance quotes:

1. Comparison shop - Insurance rates can vary by $1,000 or more from one company to the next, so the first step toward getting cheap rates is to visit an insurance comparison website. Once there you'll fill out a simple questionnaire in order to get rate quotes from different companies. Then all you have to do is pick the best rate.

Some comparison sites have a chat feature so you can talk online with an insurance expert to get answers to any questions you may have. (See link below.)

2. Raise your deductible - The higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Increasing your collision coverage deductible from $250 to $500 can save you as much as 30% on your yearly premium.

3. Drop collision and comprehensive coverage on older cars - If you own a car that's worth less than $2,000, or your premium plus your deductible is more than your car is worth, consider dropping your collision and comprehensive coverage. You can find out how much your car is worth by going to the Kelley Blue Book website (kbb.com).

4. Get low-mileage discounts - Insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who put fewer miles on their cars than the average. And with the skyrocketing price of gas, carpooling or using public transportation can help you save even more.

5. Get safety and security discounts - Most insurance companies will give you discounts for air bags, anti-lock brakes, car alarms, and anti-theft devices.

6. Consolidate your insurance - Insurance companies will give you up to 15% off your yearly premium if you purchase both your auto insurance and your homeowners or renters insurance from them.

7. Ask about discounts - Most insurance companies offer discounts if you've had no accidents in three years, if you're over the age of 50, if you've taken a driver's ed course, and a number of other reasons. Ask for all the discounts you may be eligible for.

Should You Take Rental Car Insurance - Tips and Know How

2007-06-19T03:27:00.002-07:00

When renting a car for business or personal purposes one of the questions that may come up is do you need rental car insurance. Auto insurance protects you from unforeseen circumstances. When renting a car most car rental agencies will try and sell you auto insurance coverage.

Auto insurance sold by car rental firms will include:

• Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver which will protect you against damage or theft of rental car. The coverage is however void if you drive under intoxication, have an accident due to speeding, or drive on unpaved roads.

• Liability Insurance as required by the law of your state. This gives excess liability coverage but will not suffice in case of a serious accident.

• Personal Accident Insurance covering you and the passengers for medical and ambulance bills.

• Personal Effects Coverage that protects personal items from theft.

But before you buy any coverage you must consider:

a. If you rent cars very often then it will be cheaper for you to purchase a non-owner insurance coverage that will protect you and your spouse and will most probably include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection or PIP, and medical coverage. However, you may need to buy a collision damage waiver from the rental company to protect the rental vehicle.

b. You need to check with your own auto insurance policy whether it covers rental cars. More often than not the liability coverage limits that exist on the auto insurance policy owned by you will be effective for rental cars too. Just check with your policy whether it covers rental cars.

c. Many credit cards offer coverage. So check whether your card offers this facility and what the specific terms and conditions are. Find out if you need to be enrolled to get coverage.

d. The latest in car rentals is being responsible for damaged caused by “acts of nature.” Ensure that you understand what each phrase in the car rental contract means and always dig in your heels and demand a clear explanation for any clauses you don’t understand. Check if your personal auto insurance policy covers “acts of nature” for rental cars.

e. Auto insurance coverage for rental vehicles differs from company to company so find out clearly who and what is covered by the auto insurance in case of a rental car. Many policies may cover only you or you and your spouse.

f. If you are renting a car outside the US your auto insurance policy may not cover loss and damage to the rented vehicle or liability injury. When traveling abroad you may need additional coverage.

g. Find out before you rent a vehicle if the auto rental company includes basic automobile liability and standard comprehensive insurance protection as well as theft insurance as part of the service at no additional charge.

Before you decide on rental car insurance surf the World Wide Web and read up on rental car advice as well as auto insurance needs written by experts in the travel and insurance business. This will update you on the latest requirements and introduce you to auto insurance necessities. This knowledge will enable you to take the right decisions.

Car Insurance Reviews - Part One

2007-06-19T03:27:00.001-07:00

Before leaping out of one car insurance policy and into a new one – promising lower premiums, better service and guardian butterflies – it might be worth your time to study some car insurance reviews. Take a look at these 3 tidbits of information we learned while browsing a few car insurance reviews.

1) You need to pay close attention to your car insurance coverage when performing activities that are “out of the norm”. For instance, one customer began work as a courier (requiring the use of her automobile). Due to a miscommunication – she believed her insurance policy covered her courier activities – only to discover later that she was not covered for an entire week. She was fortunate – she didn’t have a car accident during this time period – however, her story shows us the importance of making sure we understand our car insurance coverage.

2) Although it could be a challenge – it would be wise to investigate the customer service department (or car insurance reviews about them) of any car insurance company you might be thinking about switching to. During our research – we discovered a number of incidents where the insurance companies were quite difficult to work with when their clients were trying to process a claim (even when the accident was NOT their fault). Good customer service is definitely worth money and should be taken into consideration when researching a car insurance company.

3) Don’t make the mistake of assuming that an insurance company will be the same in one state as it is in another. Car insurance companies are governed by state laws. These laws vary from state to state. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that a car insurance company (or car insurance policy) will be a certain way in your state simply because your brother-in-law (or some other person) - who lives in another state – describes it that way.

Auto Insurance For Your Teenager

2007-06-19T03:26:00.000-07:00

Statistics for teen drivers is far from impressive. Their crash rate is so high that many parents will prefer they don't drive until they get older. For families who really do have such a hold on their kids, it may work. But you'd have to understand that peer pressure is really a very big issue at this age. So what can you do to both keep your teen safer and lower the usually high auto insurance premium associated with teen drivers? This article will help you...

Teenagers usually get adult privileges but prefer kindergarten responsibilities. If you want to help your teenager really grow up, let them know that with every privilege comes some responsibilities. If it makes sense in your circumstance, let them pay for their auto insurance or at least bear a part of their auto insurance premium. It's my discovery that once young persons pay for something with their hard-earned cash, they end up being more careful with it.

Here are a few rules that will keep your teenager safer...

1) Let them never drive in company of fellow teens or kids unless there is a responsible adult in the car. I used the word "responsible adult" because some adults may not be enough positive influence on these teenagers.

2) Let there be an agreement between you and your teenager that they won't drive in the night. And, where it becomes inevitable, go over things they must bear in mind. Most accidents happen between 9.00pm and 2.00am.

3) They must never touch the steering wheel once they've taken any form of alcoholic beverage. Take note that to be on the safe side they should know that they are not allowed to drive if they take so much as a sip of alcoholic beverage.

4) Let it be ingrained in your teenager that they are not on a race track even when they are on the highway. They should obey speed limits and traffic laws.

5) They must tell you where they intend to drive to with their cars. And, please, be firm if you think they're better off with a cab or even if you think they should not go there.

These all presume that you already have great communication with your teenager. Whether you do or don't, here's something that will surely help you get cheap auto insurance for your teen...

Visit at least three auto insurance quotes sites and obtain quotes from them. Obtaining your auto insurance quotes from this many or more sites ensures you do not miss great offers that aren't available on the other sites.

Automobile Insurance Coverage - How Much Do You Need?

2007-06-19T03:25:00.000-07:00

What Type of Car Do You Have?

One of the main factors that may determine how much auto insurance coverage you really need is the type of car that you have. Almost everyone, by law, is required to have at least liability auto insurance coverage. If you have a car which is financed, however, you are probably required to have collision insurance coverage on your car also. If you are not required for you for some reason, it is definitely something that you will want to get. Do you really need collision auto insurance coverage if your car is not financed though? Well, one of the main things that you should consider is whether or not your car is actually worth spending the amount of money that collision will require. For example, if your car is only valued at $2,000 and it will cost you $3,000 a year to have collision coverage, you will probably not want to waste your money. But if your car is valued at $15,000 and collision will cost you $4,000 a year, you will probably want to think about choosing this type of auto insurance.

Are You A Safe Driver?

Another one of the factors that you will want to think about when deciding how much auto insurance coverage you need is whether or not you are a safe driver. If you are a safe driver, you should probably opt for the minimum amount of coverage. If you are known to be a bad driver and are prone to getting into accidents, chances are that you may want a higher level of coverage.

What Will Help You Save?

Lastly, one of the most important things that you should consider when deciding how much auto insurance coverage you should opt for is what could potentially help you save money. Having good grades, a clean driving record, added safety features, and a safer car will all save you money in the long run. If you can save a lot of money on your auto insurance, maybe opting for the highest amount of coverage that you can afford is a good idea for you.

Overall, it is important for you to consider what you do and do not need when finding the auto insurance which you feel may be the most suitable for you.

Are These Car Insurance Options Worth Taking

2007-04-17T05:33:00.001-07:00

There are certain options that many car insurance policy holders usually agonize over and are never quite sure whether or not to include.

For instance many folks find it unnecessary to take out comprehensive cover where the car is not brand new or so valuable that should anything happen replacement could prove to be extremely difficult and expensive. Comprehensive insurance usually covers damage to the car that does not involve a collision. This could be caused by vandalism or break ins into the car. Comprehensive car insurance also compensates the car owner should his car be stolen.

In other instances many may feel that collision cover is not of absolute necessity. Collision car insurance pays out for damages to the car as a result of colliding with another car or even object. It also covers somebody in the event of a hit and run accident.

Then there is uninsured motorist coverage, which pays for injuries sustained by a driver who does not have insurance. There are those who may find this strange and unnecessary, but the reality is that although auto insurance is mandatory, there are still those drivers on the road who do not have insurance.

So how does one make a decision on what insurance options to take and which ones to leave out? A useful thing to remember is that insurance is for your protection and therefore issues of budget and trying to cut down on your costs in a very big way should not come in. If they are allowed to dictate your decision over these matters then chances are that you could end up paying a very high price for this mistake one day. A useful rule of thumb is to ensure that you are adequately covered and protected against any eventuality no matter how slim the chances of it ever occurring are.

Car Insurance Rates Expected To Drop - Is Now The Time To Shop

2007-04-17T05:32:00.002-07:00

If the predictions are true, car insurance premiums should be dropping in 2007. How much could you save if you shopped around now? It all depends.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average U.S. driver could be paying less for auto insurance in 2007. Safer cars, a competitive marketplace, new underwriting and aggressive fraud-fighting have all combined to drive down the cost of car insurance. The Insurance Information Institute expects the average premium expenditure to drop 0.5 percent. They also attribute the drop in costs to fewer costly claims.

However, the cost of insurance per individual driver still depends on a lot of factors including:

* Your age
* Your driving record
* The amount of coverage you get
* How long it's been since you have had coverage
* The type and age of vehicle you are insuring
* Your credit score
* Where you live
* How many miles you drive every year

So is it worth it to shop around for a better deal on your car insurance? It could be. Although the average savings due to price drops may not be significant, you still may be able to save by doing some comparison shopping. What's more, you may want to adjust some of your coverages and deductibles since you last shopped. Reducing some coverages on older vehicles and increasing your deductible can help you save more on auto insurance costs. You may also get a better rate if your credit score has improved.

Try to get at least three different quotes when you comparison shop, and make sure you are getting quotes on the same limits, deductibles and coverages from each insurance company.

Who knows? With a downward trend in auto insurance premiums, we U.S. drivers may see some financial relief this year.