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Archive for August, 2009

How To Find Affordable Car Insurance In Oregon

August 31st, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Nobody like to pay more for car insurance than they have to, and this is especially true in Oregon, which has some of the highest automobile insurance rates in the country.

There?s really no trick to finding affordable car insurance in Oregon. It?s simply a matter of shopping around and comparing as many different companies as possible.

Thanks to the internet and a variety of free quote services, getting comparisons is not as difficult as it used to be ? but it is still tedious and time-consuming.

To save time it is advisable that you have all of the necessary information in front of you before you log onto a car insurance quote site. Having everything at your fingertips will save you a lot of time and headaches.

First, have your driver?s license in front of you. You will need to supply all the ?standard? information: name, address, birth date, gender, and martial status. They will also ask for your driving record for the past 5 years. This will include a list of accidents, claims against your present insurance company, and any tickets you have received. Be truthful ? they will double-check your answers.

They will also ask about your occupation and the number of years you have been employed, as well as ask questions about your credit history; drivers with good credit get a break on their auto insurance rates.

They?ll want to know how many people will be driving the car and their ages and genders, and they will ask if you rent or own your own home (homeowners often get a slightly lower rate).

In addition they will need information about the car you will be insuring. They will need your vehicle?s year, make, and model, as well as any anti theft devices or safety devices the car has. They will also ask if you own your vehicle or if it is being financed. You will also need to have your vehicle?s VIN number. The VIN number can be found on the driver?s side dash board under the windshield or in the glove compartment on the right hand side.

They?ll want to know if your vehicle is used primarily for business or pleasure and approximately how many miles you drive each week.

Finally they?ll ask about your current insurance and then ask what types of coverages you want and what deductibles you?re considering.

Even though it seems like a lot of information, most of it is fairly standard information that you will know off the top of your head. The rest you will need to gather.

The payoff for the effort you?re making will be affordable car insurance month after month, year after year ? and for most people that?s worth an afternoon of online comparison shopping any day!

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Online Car Insurance

August 30th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Car Insurance Quotes

Buying car insurance can be a real hassle, taking up most of a day while you call different companies to get quotes and wait to hear back. Everyone advertises that they are the best and they give the best deals ? but the same can?t be true for all of them. And you know that you want to get the most for your money. If you?re a serious bargain shopper, it might take you a long time before you can narrow the field when it comes to car insurance. However, real bargain shoppers know that the Internet is their best bet for a great deal ? on virtually anything. When you get your quotes online, the whole process is much quicker and easier. And the best part of all is, no automated voices telling you to press 1?or 2?or 3?

Ah, the Ease of Online Buying

Because it?s so much easier, a lot of people feel more comfortable buying car insurance online, in a click-and-point process that doesn?t involve sitting through ten minutes of automated questions and answers. The options and companies are endless even in a strictly online environment. The casual consumer might search through web sites and read quotes for hours, and still be no closer to finding what they really want. Yes, even comparing quotes online can be tedious. It?s possible to compare quotes from many different companies very quickly and with no stress or a lot of web site-hopping.

How to Find Online Car Insurance Quotes

There are many sites dedicated to giving you car insurance quotes online. These sites will help you compare rates and plans side-by-side from many different companies at once. One of the most time-consuming factors of searching for affordable car insurance is the variety of companies offering this service. You could drive yourself crazy accessing each web site and gathering different quotes, one at a time, from each company?s web site. Why not get many quotes all at the same time? The beauty of the Internet is that you can, and this will save you a whole lot of time and aggravation.

Where Do You Find These Sites?

A simple Internet search will lead you in the right direction if you?re looking for companies that will give you online car insurance quotes. These web sites are very easy to use and to navigate, and in most cases you have only to fill out a very simple online form. All the standard questions are part of this form ? what kind of car you drive, your age, etc. You will be under no obligation to purchase any of the plans you take a closer look at, and can compare and bargain shop to your heart?s content.

Online Car Insurance

Some plans can only be purchased through an online means with some companies. More and more in today’s world, everything is going online, so it only makes sense that car insurance move online, too. Online car insurance is becoming more and more popular, and every virtually every company that is in search of new customers has a web site now. Why go through the stress of talking to twenty different people on the telephone if you can avoid it? Online car insurance is definitely your best bet if you’re thinking about changing you car insurance plan…or even if you aren’t. Use this as a resource to be sure your current company is offering the best coverage and price. If you find otherwise, bring your findings to your current insurance agent and see if there is anything better that they can do.

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10 Auto Insurance Myths You Should Know About

August 30th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

The truth about fallacies of many car owners believing that the insurance premium coverage for their new car is covered, and maybe the truth just might make you change course.
(1) “No-fault insurance means, is it not my fault?” That means that your insurance company pays for your damages regardless of who’s at fault. No they don?t!

(2) “Can the color of my car affect my insurance rate?” No!
What do influence your rate are your vehicle’s year, make, model, body type, engine size, credit history and driving record.

(3)”If I lend my car to a friend and that friend is in an accident, his or her insurance company will pay for the damages?right?” Wrong!

Your car is your responsibility! And guess what, even though you weren’t present at the time of the accident, you still will receive a mark on your insurance record and your insurance premium could possibly go up.

(4) “Is my insurance rate is set by the government?” No!
The government has nothing to do with your car insurance rate. Where you live, your credit score, marital status and your driving record is what actually affects your premium.

(5) “I recently paid my insurance premium. Is my new car I just purchased is covered?”

Not necessarily. Most automobile policies require that the policyholder notify the insurance company or agent within a specified number of days, if indeed coverage is desired for the newly purchased vehicle.

(6) “Is it a fact that male driver under the age of 25 pay more for auto insurance?” Yes! Male driver under 25 years old can potentially pay more for car insurance than female drivers. However, across the board, teenagers and mature adults pay more for auto insurance, due in large part because these age groups are typically involved in more automobile accidents.

(7) “Can my credit score have any affect on my insurance rate?” Your credit score really does matter! Many Insurance companies take your credit score into consideration when deciding to increase or renew your auto insurance coverage.

(8) “Even without comprehensive coverage, am I still covered for theft, windstorms, and hail and deer accidents?” Many drivers believe that if they only purchase collision insurance, which covers accidents involving objects, that they will also be covered for incidents that involve vandalism, hail, animal accidents and fires. That simply is not true. You need to purchase both collision and comprehensive coverage in order to fully protect your vehicle from all of these situations.

(9) “Can my personal auto insurance cover both my personal and business use of my car?”

If you occasionally use your personal car for business purposes such as transporting clients, going to and from meetings or hauling business equipment, then you will more than likely need to extend your personal car insurance to cover your business use as well. Plus, if your employees use their car while working for you, you will want to also obtain a separate non-owned car insurance policy.

(10) “I’ve never had nor been involved in a car accident, do I still need automobile insurance?” Yes!

Some drivers are lucky enough never to have been or to be involved in an accident. However, if by chance you do have an accident; your risk of losing everything is great. Car insurance is the best protection you can have in the event an automobile accident occurs. It’s also a legal issue – you are required, by law, to have some basic form of auto insurance, and failing to do so carries some fairly strict punishments.

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Car Insurance Mistakes That You Can Easily Avoid

August 30th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Whether you are looking to buy a new car insurance policy or already have a policy, car insurance is something that most of us would rather avoid. After all, it costs money and is one of those services that you hope you will never need to use. Further, car insurance policies can be complicated as coverage for several things depends on the type of policy you purchased and the decisions you made at that time. Sadly, many people make simple mistakes when buying insurance for their vehicle that can end up costing them in the long-run. Fortunately, if you can identify these mistakes, you can avoid them. This article describes 4 costly car insurance mistakes that you should watch for and avoid.

Only Shooting For the Minimum

Each state mandates the minimum amount of coverage that you need in order to comply with that state’s laws. Many people, in trying to save money on their monthly premiums, make the mistake of buying only enough insurance to meet these minimum requirements. While complying with the law is important, buying only the minimum amount of coverage can expose you to larger expenses if you are involved in an accident that results in a lot of damage. If you do not have the resources to pay for potential out-of-pocket costs in the event of a major accident, consider purchasing coverage beyond the state minimum

Small Deductible

If you purchase a policy with tiny deductibles, you may not need to pay expenses for each minor scratch or door ding your car receives (up to the amount of coverage). However, keep in mind that carrying a very small deductible can be very costly over the long-term because you will pay a higher premium each month. So, while your next scratch may be covered because of your tiny deductible, the higher premiums could erase those savings over time. Secondly, having your insurance company pay for each dent or door ding your car receives could impact their willingness to offer you coverage in the future. Consider carrying a higher deductible on your car insurance policy and save the money through lower premiums.

Not Taking Your Umbrella

Car insurance carriers usually offer umbrella policies that can protect you from a devastating financial loss due to excessive damage as a result of an accident for which you are at fault. For example, assume you buy a policy that covers up to %50,000 of damage sustained in an accident for which you are at fault. Your car goes into a person’s home, causing %200,000 worth of property damage. Without an umbrella policy, you would be liable to pay the %150,000 in excess of the amount covered by your car insurance policy. This can be devastating to most people. Consider buying an umbrella policy to avoid such potential financial impacts.

Not Shopping Around

This is one of the easiest things you can do to save money on your car insurance policy. Believe it or not, people often do not compare the policies and rates of several companies. Some simply buy coverage from the same company their parents have always used. Others buy coverage from the company who had the best television commercial. You need to compare the policies and rates offered by several car insurance carriers to know if you are getting the best deal possible. It only takes a little time and can save you a lot of money long-term.

Buying a car insurance policy does not have to be complicated. Simply follow the tips above to avoid some common costly mistakes. Consider buying more coverage than the state minimum, raising your deductible, buying an umbrella policy and comparing rates from several carriers. If you do those things, you can save yourself hundreds, even thousands of dollars over the years.

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Affordable Car Insurance What To Do To Keep The Rates Down

August 30th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

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%PRCTG%. Ask your insurance company about the tort options in your state.

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An introduction to Auto Insurances

August 30th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Auto insurance is mandatory in most states. The law mandates to have auto insurance on any vehicle you drive. And nowadays getting auto insurance is not a big deal at all. There are numerous insurance companies available today offering auto insurance policy and each insurance provider offers their own custom made schemes with a cover to match today?s industry needs. Hence the real game is to find out the best suitable one which suits you the best.

One of the basic things to take into consideration before getting any auto insurance policy is the type of coverage you need. Which ever policy you choose you have to pay a certain amount of money depending on the type of coverage you choose for your vehicle. Let us look in details what are the main types of auto insurance policies available in the market.

One of the most common types of auto insurance is the liability insurance. Liability insurance is considered as the least coverage an individual can take. Liability insurance is regarded as an important one it will cover up to its stated amount if any accident has occurred causing harm to some other’s body or property, and the person operating the insured vehicle was found to be liable for the accident. The auto insurance company will pay the stated amount to the injured according to your insurance policy. But remember if you are injured or hurt in the accident, you will not get any coverage and will have to spend all the money for medical expenses as well as any damage happened to your vehicle yourself. In most cases after any claim, auto insurance companies usually increase your monthly payments if you are found liable for the accident.

The second popular type of auto insurance is the Full Insurance. If you are selecting the full insurance scheme your monthly payments will be based on your vehicle make and model. If you are using a highly expensive car then you monthly payments will be high for a standard car the premium amount will be less. Full insurance will cover both the parties involved in an accident. Full insurance would covers up to either the actual cost of repairs or the stated amount, less the stated deductible, when the insured vehicle is damaged in any accident.

Before sticking into any auto insurance it is better from you part to talk with various auto insurance providers to know the difference scheme provided by them. Ask them if they are able to send you insurance quotes on the policies and the types of coverage they provide. Study the auto insurance policies and compare their rates and advantages carefully before selecting a particular offer. And try to select an ideal auto insurance policy which suits you the best.

Nowadays there are numerous websites which offer instant auto insurance quote comparison services. This helps the customers to compare the same service provided by different auto insurance providers before selecting any particular insurance provider.

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All about car insurance

August 30th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Many factors influence the premium for your Motor insurance policy. Your insurer will have asked you many questions whilst producing your quote – some of which will affect your premium and some will not. Below we discuss the key variables that are within the policyholder’s control.
Location
A big influence on the cost of your car insurance is where you live. The chance of your car being broken into or stolen is a key concern for the insurer. More urban areas traditionally facing greater risk of theft and therefore tend to be more expensive than countryside locations.
Excess
By agreeing to pay a greater excess on each claim you can reduce your car insurance premiums. This is because you are reducing the liability of the insurer and therefore in return they are able to offer you a lower premium.
Your Vehicle
The cheaper and slower your vehicle the lower your premiums are likely to be. If you are looking to buy a new vehicle make sure you fully consider the cost of insurance ? you may be able to buy the car but can you afford to run it?
Consolidating policies
By insuring a number of vehicles with the same insurer, or by trying to take out home and life insurance through your car insurer, you may be able to secure a ?bulk buy? discount.
Parking
Where you park your vehicle overnight is also very important to the insurers. If it is kept in a locked garage, you should be offered a lower premium than if you leave it unattended in the street.
Mileage
You can control your insurance premiums by restricting your annual mileage. However, be aware that if you exceed the restricted number of miles you’ll then become uninsured!
Security
Security devices that prevent or hinder theft may also reduce your premium. Common examples include alarms and immobilisers, however, be aware that as we improve the quality of our security devices the thieves just become better at bypassing them.
No Claims Discount
Save up your no claims discount by avoiding making small claims upon your policy. After a set number of years, 4 or 5 typically, you’ll often be offered the option to pay an additional small premium to protect your no claims bonus. This can prove very helpful if you subsequently end up having an accident.
Your Sex.
Women are statistically less likely to have an accident and, if they do, it’s less likely to be serious. Because of these statistics women benefit from lower premiums. It is also worth noting that if you represent one half of a couple you should consider having the female as the primary driver with the male as the second driver.
Advanced driving skills
By taking an advanced driving course you may also be able to reduce your premiums. The Institute for Advanced Motorists and the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents each offer membership which provides you with discounts for both the cost of driving courses and your car insurance premiums. Two key variables NOT within the policyholder’s control.
Your Age
The older you are, the less likely you are to make a claim. As a result insurance companies charge lower premiums for more mature drivers.
One final piece of advice.
A large percentage of car insurance is now sold on the Internet. That’s because it’s convenient and cheap. Many insurers now give a further 10%PRCTG%-15%PRCTG% discount if you buy online.

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10 Tips That Can Help You Get The Cheapest Auto Insurance

August 29th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

With everything else on your mind, have you put your auto insurance on auto pilot? It’s not your fault if you have — lots of people do it. In fact, the insurance companies count on it. They make more money that way by raising your rates over time.

But maybe it’s time you review your policy and compare it with what else might be out there that can save you substantial amounts of money this coming year.

Here are 10 tips that can help you make an informed decision as to whether you are paying too much for auto insurance:

Request higher deductibles.

Your auto insurance deductible is the amount you agree to pay upfront before your insurance company pays its share to repair your damages. Inquire about increasing your deductible from, say, %200 to %500 — you might be surprised at how much you can save every year. In some cases, you could save between 15-30%PRCTG% on the cost of your collision and comprehensive coverage. If you increase your deductible to %1,000, you may be able to cut it even further — perhaps by as much as could decrease that cost by at least 40 percent, or more.

Drop coverage you don’t need.

Do you drive an old beater? Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage altogether. Who needs to pay a premium that is higher than the actual value of the car to begin with? So go online and check out how much your car is actually worth. You can do this at Edmunds.com.

Don’t pay for double coverage for medical.

If you’re already covered with a decent health, life and/or disability insurance policy, just buy the the minimum personal injury protection that your state requires.

Don’t buy a car that thieves like to steal.

It?s more expensive to insure a car that is popular with car thieves. You can check out the statistics for that at ConsumerAffairs.com. And while you’re at it, don’t buy a car that is expensive to repair.

Drive less.

Many insurance companies offer a ?low-mileage discount? to drivers who qualify. So if you can carpool to work, you might save on gas AND insurance. And not only that — you’ll sustain less wear and tear on your vehicle too. Lastly, many cities reserve an express lane on the freeway/interstate for carpoolers — so you’ll get to work faster, too. Call your insurer and find out whether you qualify.

Safety features can save you money, too.

Did you know that You can often get a discount if you own a car with automatic seat belts, anti-lock brakes and/or daytime running lights? Also, if you have an approved alarm system or other anti-theft device you can save money, too.

Put your teenager on your policy.

Don’t put teens on their own policy — it costs too much. And another thing about teens: if they keep decent grads and pass an approved drivers? training course, you can get a reduced rate for that as well. Lastly, if your teen goes to college more than 100 miles from home, they can qualify for further discounts — if they leave their car at home.

Put all your family’s vehicles with one insurance carrier.

Many insurance companies will be happy to take your premiums for more than one car at a time. And not only that — if you buy homeowner’s and/or life insurance too, you’ll save even more.

Ask this simple question: “What other discounts should I know about?”

If you?re older than 50 and/or retired, you might qualify for a discount through organizations like AARP; if you have no accidents or points on your record, you could qualify for a safe-driver discount; and/or if you?re a longtime customer with your carrier, you could save some money that way.

Reconsider before paying extra for roadside assistance.

Here’s the thing: getting towed might actually increase your premium and/or affect your eligibility for coverage. And adding insult to injury — you might have had coverage through your credit card. Check it out. Sometimes having roadside assistance through an independent company might be the best deal of all.

Conclusion

So there you have it — lots of ways to save on your auto insurance. Pick up the phone and check it out. After all, who wouldn’t like to have an extra few hundred (or thousand) dollars to save or spend?

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Affordable Car Insurance – It Is Out There

August 29th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Everyone wants affordable car insurance but nobody wants to pay the price. That may not have made much sense to you but the insurance buyer has to be better informed. There has to be some time spent on educating yourself enough to make intelligent decisions about your next insurance purchase. Too many folks avoid all responsibility when it comes to buying car insurance. You do not need an insurance course to understand the fundamentals involved in rating car insurance. Look at the declarations page on you car insurance and you will find all that you need to know.

The Declarations Page

1. Policy Period ? This is the specific time period that the policy is effective. Some car insurance policies have an annual renewal and others have a six month renewal. Do not shop for car insurance with a declarations page that shows that your policy period has expired. That could cause you to be placed into a sub-standard carrier. Shop at least one month before your insurance is ready to expire.

2. Vehicles ? Your vehicles will affect your physical damage rate. When shopping, make sure that you give the quoting company the vehicle identification number of all of your vehicles. This is usually on your declarations page.

3. Drivers in Household ? Every resident relative with a driver?s license should be listed on the policy unless they have other insurance.

4. Liability Limits ? These are the limits for bodily injury and property damage insurance. This is very important coverage and not a good place to cut costs if you are a property owner. This portion of your policy pays benefits to the party that you have may have injured in an auto accident. It also pays for the damage to their vehicle.

5. Physical Damage ? This is your collision and comprehensive benefit that you see on your declarations page. This is coverage for your automobiles. Your deductible selection will raise or lower the rate.

These are some of the many policy benefits that you will find on your declarations page. Ask your insurance company about discounts and tort option. Learn all that you can and you can help make your car insurance more affordable.

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Antique Car Insurance

August 29th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

If you are covering your antique or classic car under a regular insurance policy, you may be paying too much. Most people don?t use their antique cars every day and so there it is better of get a policy that is geared towards an antique car that would take that into consideration. You will probably pay less for it.

For insurance companies there is a difference between old, classic and antique cars. The criterion usually differs depending on the company. In general, the definition of a classic car is that the car must be between fifteen to thirty years old, it must be something of worth to a collector and the car must be in good form.

An antique car is classified as a thirty year old vehicle. It has historic plates and can only be driven as part of a show. If an old car doesn?t fit either of these requirements then, it is simply an old car that can?t be insured under the special policies available. This is classification is necessary because there are some companies that deal exclusively with classic or antique cars and they generally have lower insurance fees attached.

You may get your car appraised if you think that its value is much more than what the book states. The appraisal process includes the car becoming officially recorded with a list other cars that are considered to be under that same value bracket.

To select a proper appraiser you could contact the American Society of Appraisers (or ASA for short). When you are selecting your candidate, look at their resumes. It is best to have an appraiser that has worked with your make of vehicle in the past, and knows a lot about it. Check their references for more information about them.

The appraiser checks the vehicle thoroughly for the final report. If she can, she will run the car and take note to the condition. She will also be taking a lot of pictures, to add to her detailed document. She will include a record of similar vehicles with their prices. The appraiser bases her list on various sources such as car price guides, advertisements, auction and sale results; and other documents related to the car.

In addition to an appraiser, the insurance policy company needs information such as make, color, model, body style, and year. Engine number and Vehicle Identification Number (or VIN) could be asked for. Cars such as a Ferraris or Corvette must have a VIN for verification.

Another good reason for putting your classic or antique car under the proper insurance policy is that they would most likely understand what the car needs and what concerns you have about your vehicle.

There are three types of insurance for an antique or classic car. There is the actual cash value (ACV); agreed value (AV); and stated value (SV). If your insurance policy is under the heading of actual cash value (or ACV), then the value is set for the cost of the car at the time of being insured. This value decreases with time, if the insurance is needed, an insurance claim adjuster will decide how much the ACV is.

With the stated value (or SV), the insurance pays either the fees related to damage of the vehicle or the ACV depending on which costs less. The AV is the better of the three. When you get your AV policy, you are guaranteed a degree of coverage regardless, if anything happens to your vehicle.

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