We all wish to make savings in our life. Cars included. Myriad insurance companies offer varying premium rates depending on their policy coverage. So it is important that you get the best Insurance package for your car.
These tips will help you how to manage your Car Insurance budget within limits.
Making Comparisons: The costs of at least three to six insurance companies will give you a fair idea of the costs involved with different policies. Seek the advise of colleagues, friends, relatives. Besides from costs involved, the track record of the companies matter a lot.
The standing, strength and financial position of the company need to be looked into. Request for higher deductibles - It's the amount one pays prior to making any claim for the accident. The complete coverage and collision is sold along with the deductibles. The more the deductibles the less the premium rate. By increasing the deductible say from $300 to $600 will invariable reduce the cost to 20 to 35 percent.
Old Cars - Drop Collision and Comprehensive Coverage - It is better to drop the collision and comprehensive coverage if the car is worth less than 10 times your premium in the current market. One way to reduce the cost is buying the auto coverage from the existing insurance and insurance coverage from existing carrier.
No to Double Health Coverage - Avoid health coverage with auto policy provided you have enough health insurance. This is one way of reducing costs.
A Good Credit Card Record - This has multiple benefits - helps to file claims if the credit score is less. A good credit score will also help in settling the accident with the help of the company.
Low Profile Car Discount - Fancy and trendy cars with high maintenance costs higher rate and attract thieves as well. A low budget, low profile car will help a lot with insurer discounts to boost.
Mileage Counts - More discounts can be obtained by driving less than the national average mileage recorded per year.
Avoid double health coverage- If you think that you have enough health insurance, and then avoid health coverage with your auto policy. This will help you to reduce the cost.
Maintain a good credit record- Insurers are using the credit history while determining the price of insurance. Statistically, the lower your credit score, the more you are likely to file claims. A person with a good credit score is more likely to settle the accident without the support of the company. Try to maintain a good credit record.
Discounts with low profile car- Cars that are expensive to repair or attractive to thieves will have a higher rate. Consider buying a low profile or average car as it your insurer might come up with discounts for such a car.
Low Mileage Pays - Obtain some discount on premiums by driving less than the national average mileage recorded per year.
All about Group Discount - It's all about a group taking insurance plan collectively. Be it an employer, business group or associations. Check for such plans.
Safety Discount - Discounts are also offered if the car is fitted with safety items like air bag, automatic seat belts, anti lock brakes. So make safety pay for you.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Tips to Save on Car Insurance
Monday, December 10, 2007
Cheap Insurance Van
The word shopping brings a feeling of immediate excitement to most people. But if you combine the word shopping with car insurance, as in "shopping for car insurance", it produces the opposite effect. The thought of shopping for auto insurance makes the eyes glaze over and the heart rate drop to the pace of a slumbering couch potato.
Couch potato? Indeed. Doug Heller, a consumer advocate at the Foundation for Consumer Rights and a recognized insurance issues specialist, told us that too often "people purchase insurance by calling the number on the screen."
But wait, this is important stuff! You want to be adequately covered if you get in an accident. And you certainly don't want to pay more for car insurance than you should. Maybe waiting for a solution to be beamed into your living room is not the best idea.
How can you stay awake while navigating through this murky subject? Just remember: There is money to be saved. How much? Hundreds, even thousands, per year. For example, one of the authors typed all of his insurance information into a comparative insurance service. The quotes (for very basic coverage on two old cars) ranged from $1,006 to $1,807 - a difference of $801 a year. If you're currently dumping thousands into your insurance company's coffers because of a couple of tickets, an accident or a questionable credit rating, shopping your policy against others may be well worth the effort.
Look at it this way - you can convert the money you save into the purchase of something you've lusted after for a long time. Hold that goal in your mind. Now, let's begin.
Before you can shop for something, you have to decide what you need. The first step in finding the right auto insurance for you is to figure out the amount of coverage you need. This varies from country to country. So take a moment to find out what coverage is required where you live. Make a list of the different types of coverage and then return for the next step.
Now that you know what is required, you can decide what - if anything - you need in addition to that. Some people are quite cautious. They base their lives on worst-case scenarios. Insurance companies love these people. That's because insurance companies know what your chances are of being killed or maimed, and how likely it is for your car to be damaged or stolen. The information the insurance company has collected over previous decades is crunched into "actuarial tables" that give insurance adjustors a quick look at the probability of just about any occurrence.
It is important to keep in mind that the basis of insurance is a difference of opinion between you (the insured) and them (the insurance company). You believe you will, at some point, probably get in an auto accident. The car insurance company believes you probably won't. And the insurance company is willing to take your money to prove you wrong.
So how much auto insurance should you buy beyond your state's minimums?
"Look at your personal financial situation," Dennis Howard, director of the Insurance Consumer Advocate Network and former insurance adjuster. "If you have assets to protect - and that is all insurance is doing - get enough liability coverage."
Another issue Howard mentioned is that the limits of any uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage that you purchase cannot exceed the limits of your liability coverage. Such coverage, he said, can be valuable, as it will cover lost income if you're out of work for several months after being injured in a major accident.
Your driving habits may also be a consideration. If your past is filled with crumpled fenders, if you have a lead foot or a long commute on a treacherous winding road, then you should get more comprehensive coverage.
"Consumers should also be aware that they don't have to buy the package [of collision and comprehensive coverage]," Howard said. "If your vehicle is older, if you have a good driving record and if there is a low likelihood that it would be totaled in an accident, but a high likelihood of it being stolen, you could buy comprehensive but not collision." Seems like good advice for all of the 1989 Toyota Camry owners reading this article - this has been the most stolen car in the nation for several years (it's often stolen for parts). But we would expect that most of them on the road have well over 100,000 miles.
At this time, a rather sobering point needs to be interjected. Just having car insurance doesn't protect you from absolutely anything bad that might happen. First, the insurance company needs to back up the claims that they make in the fine details of the contract. TV ads show folksy adjustors at the scenes of natural disasters passing out claims checks like coupons for cocktail wieners at a supermarket. But, in case you haven't noticed, real life is a bit different from TV ads. If you have an accident, your car insurance company will take a close look at your claim before mailing you a check. And the check may be written for an amount much smaller than you had hoped. For this reason, you should be intimately familiar with the terms of your policy and call the company with any questions you might have.
Now that you have made several practical and philosophical decisions, it's time to start shopping. Begin by setting aside about an hour for this task. Bring all your records - your current insurance policy, your driver license number and your vehicle registration. Drink plenty of coffee. Have a phone at your elbow. And, of course, power up your computer.
Begin with the online services. On many sites you can type in your information and get a list of comparative quotes. The form takes about 15 minutes to complete. If this bores you, just remind yourself that you are saving money and you can use that money to buy something nice for yourself. If the entire shopping process takes you two hours to complete, and you save $800, you're effectively earning $400 an hour. While you're researching companies, make notes in a separate computer file or on a piece of paper divided into categories. This will keep you from duplicating your efforts.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Rental Car Insurance - Do You Need It?
First of all, most U.S. drivers already carry auto insurance which will provide full or partial protection while driving a rental car (within certain dollar limits and coverage only for rentals within the United States and, sometimes, Canada). Some insurance policies only cover cars rented while your own car is being repaired, while most do not cover certain types of vehicles, like luxury cars or vans. Check your own personal policy for these limitations and exclusions.
Even with these limitations, your personal auto insurance will be the primary source of coverage if you have an accident or suffer injury while driving a rental car. Other types of coverage, such as credit card policies and the rental company's optional insurance offered at the time of the booking, will be subrogated. This means it will not apply until you have reached the maximum of your own auto insurance coverage. Also, be aware that your personal auto insurance rates may increase if you file a claim for damaging a rental car.
Some states have legislature in place requiring rental companies to inform you that their insurance coverage may duplicate your personal auto policy, though these laws do not specify how you must be notified. The best way for you to do is to talk directly with your auto insurance agent before you rent a car and ask the following questions.
What geographical area does my policy offer rental coverage in? (Generally speaking, auto policies cover the U.S. and Canada only.)
How much liability coverage do I currently have? (If you own an older car, for example, you may carry only the minimum amount of liability coverage that is required by the laws of your state, a level that may be insufficient to protect you against the risk of completely replacing a brand-new rental vehicle or, potentially even worse, paying an excessive personal injury claim.
How much is my deductible? (Are you willing to pay that amount out of pocket if you have to file a claim for damaging a rental car?)
Does my policy cover only the value of the vehicle(s) listed on my policy? (If so, you should compare that value to the replacement cost of the type of car you will be renting.)
Does my policy cover theft and collision damage? (Most U.S. drivers already carry collision coverage that can replace the protection sold by rental car companies.)
In the end, the decision of whether or not to purchase optional extra insurance from a car rental company is yours, of course. Consider well the value of the insurance against the cost and bear in mind the above information and make the decision with all the facts.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Is the Cost of Automobile Insurance Breaking You?
Follow These Tips To Lower Your Rates
When it comes to automobile insurance, many of us get frustrated. In most states, it is required by law to have it and the prices for it can be astronomical. The fact is automobile insurance does not have to be. The following are ways that you may be able to lower your rates.
One of the most important things you can do to lower your rates is to shop around. Make certain you get at least three different price quotes and you'll even be able to access this type of information by using the Internet. Prices of automobile insurance vary from one company to the next, so you'll want to ask others you know where they get their insurance from. It will pay to compare prices on the same coverage.
Another way to lower the cost of your automobile insurance is to ask for a higher deductible. The fact is if you increase your deductible by even $400, you can reduce your coverage by up to 30 percent. However, if you do raise your deductible, you'll want to make sure that you would be able to pay it if there was a claim.
Make sure you check with your insurer to find out if they offer any discounts. Many will offer discounts for having a higher deductible, more than one vehicle on the automobile insurance, having a clean driving record for so many years, taking a defensive driving course, and even having low annual mileage. Many will offer a discount if you work within a certain amount of miles from your home. The fact is there may be many discounts that would apply to you but are not given to you since you didn't ask.
You may also find lower rates by not having multiple drivers on your policy. If you are the only one to drive your car, there is no reason to have all people in the household on it. You may also be able to lower your rates by letting them know the exact value of your vehicle. The fact is many of us think are cars are worth more than they actually are. If you bought your vehicle four years ago, obviously the value of the car has gone down considerable. Don't overpay on your vehicle if you do not have to.
If you have several types of insurance, such as homeowner's insurance and life insurance, you may be entitled to a discount by getting all your insurance needs through one insurance company. Many may offer reduced rates for this, but it is still important to shop around multi-policy rates.
Many of us are paying a lot more than we should have to for automobile insurance. Keeping your driving record clean is, of course, a must to keep your rates lowered. You'll find many of us could have much lower rates if we simply price compared and asked about what discounts may be available to us. Don't pay too much for your automobile insurance. Start your price comparing today!
Copyright 2006 Stacey Zimmerman
Monday, November 5, 2007
Budget Car Insurance Car Insurance Buying Tips
Car insurance is an integral part of the insurance budget. There are a lot of variables that cause the rates to increase or decrease. Some of these variables cannot be controlled by the insured but there are some things the insurance buyer can do to keep their policy reasonable without losing a lot in protection.
What Are Your Assets? - Do you own a home? Do you have several vehicles? Do you own a business? Do you rent an apartment? Your strength in assets is a factor when selecting your liability limits. If you accidentally injure or kill someone in an automobile accident and you carry low liability limits on your car policy then your assets are next in line to be used to pay for the damages.
The Age of the Vehicles - Newer vehicles usually require physical damage coverage by the lender. Older vehicles with a lot of miles sometimes do not warrant physical damage. Physical damage rates can be adjusted up or down based on the deductible you choose.
The Age of The Drivers - Adult rates, senior adult rates, and rates for young drivers make a huge difference in the overall rate. Young drivers on vehicles with physical damage coverage can be very costly.
What are the Discounts? - There are a number of discounts on car policies. The multi-policy discount is given by insurance companies for purchasing both auto and home insurance. Retirement discounts are available to the senior adult. Young drivers receive discounts for drivers training education. Some companies give good student discounts for young student drivers that maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
Full Tort or Limited Tort - Many states have a discount for selecting a limited tort option. Tort is your right to sue for pain and suffering damages over and above the basic liability settlement. This varies from state to state.
This is the overall picture what insurance companies use to determine your individual rate. You have a choice when it comes to liability, physical damage, and tort options. Ask plenty of questions about these three areas when purchasing car insurance.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Comparing Auto Insurance Quotes Online
Auto insurance refers to the insurance which is used for insuring the automobiles against any kind of uncertain accidents that may cause damages to the vehicle. The main purpose that the insurance serves is to give protection against the losses incurred due to accidents. Auto insurance is a type of insurance that consumers must buy to protect the life span of their vehicles and also for any kind of damages that the vehicle may suffer in an accident. Auto insurance is used to insure many automobiles such as cars, trucks and any other kind of vehicles that may need it. Different kinds of coverage are available under these insurance schemes such as Third-Party Foreign Theft and Fully Comprehensive insurance, to suit the interest and the needs of the insured.
Before buying auto insurance, it is very important that the person requiring insurance analyses the companies that provide vehicle insurance quotes. Different companies offer different quotes for the insurance of the vehicle, so the consumer must look out for the best one, which suits his needs and which proves to be highly economical. Many companies also give different discount schemes to attract more and more consumers. The consumer can save a good deal of money while purchasing auto insurance by comparing the quotes of different companies and choosing the cheapest one which satisfies all needs.
Comparing the quotes of different companies on the internet for buying insurance provides a wider platform to the consumer, where they can compare quotes from several companies and choose one among them. The main thing about choosing a quote is that the quote need not necessarily be cheap but the company must be an established one which the customer can rely on should they have an accident.
The consumer should not only compare the quotes of different companies but also the company's reputation and their way of service. While comparing, the consumer is more acquainted with the different kind of coverage that are available and can choose among them according to the needs. Buying insurance online is the most popular way of buying insurance because it is really fast and convenient, which suits to the busy life of people who have little time to phone around the various companies to relay the details of the insurance cover they are after over and over again. And the best part is that it is free of cost, i.e. no cost is involved in gathering the quotes online from different companies.
Auto insurances are needed because of the reckless accidents that happen on our roads day after day. These can only be reduced once the certainty of the accidents is reduced. The companies quote their prices for insuring depending upon various factors like the age of person to whom the vehicle belongs, the location where the car is bought and supposedly to be used and also many other factors like whether the driver already has points on their licence. The details regarding the car, like where it is being parked, whether or not it is kept in a garage (which is supposed to have less risk of being stolen) and also the mileage of the car are also deciding factors. If the car travels less than a specific limit of miles then such cars are likely to receive some kind of mileage discounts.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Affordable Car Insurance What To Do To Keep The Rates Down
Automobile insurance is one of those things in the budget that is always going to be there. There are very few places in America that permit you to drive vehicles without insurance and so it behooves each and every one of us to get a better handle on our own auto insurance coverage. The industry is changing a bit because the competition is strong. There are new and creative auto policies on the market today. The trend that has gained the most momentum is the self-insuring concept. Higher deductibles is the weapon that the customer can use to lower rates significantly. Higher deductibles means that the policyholder has decided to take on more of the risk for the automobiles insured. The day of low collision deductibles is all but gone. Lower deductibles no longer warrant the high premiums. There is too much money to be saved with higher deductibles.
Lowering the Rates for Young Drivers
Young drivers on newer vehicles that have a lien holder's interest will raise the auto rate significantly. The collision and comprehensive rates for drivers under 21 years of age are very high. A young driver on an older vehicle without the collision and comprehensive coverage will lower the rate significantly. There are discounts for young drivers who have completed a qualified drivers training course. Some companies have good student discounts on students with a grade point average of 3.0 or better. When the young driver reaches 21 the rates begin to drop for most companies.
Senior Citizen Discounts - Most companies have discounts for people age 55 and older who are retired or work less than 20 hours a week. There are mature driving courses that can also give the senior citizen a discount.
Multi-Policy Discount - This discount is available when you insure both your auto and home with the same insurance company.
Tort Options - Some companies offer discounts for a limited tort option. Tort is your ability to sue for pain and suffering. Limited tort rates in some states reduce the overall premium of the policy up to 30%. Ask your insurance company about the tort options in your state.