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Archive for January, 2010

How to Save on Your Auto Insurance like George Bush

January 31st, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Copyright 2006 David Maillie

The price of gas just keeps on going up and has no apparent relief in site (probably due more to George Bush?s close personal ties to big oil and the middle east than anything else). This in turn is driving up inflation and the cost of almost everything we buy or need including auto or car insurance. Here?s how to turn the tables in your favor and save money on your auto insurance like George Bush would if he had to pay for his auto insurance.

We?ve all seen the commercials and mailings for Progressive and Geico telling us to get online and compare auto insurance companies and get competing quotes. There is a good reason for this ? it will save you money. In most cases, shopping for auto insurance quotes online will save you big money (the average online auto insurance shopper pays 38%PRCTG% less in auto insurance premiums). Get online and shop your auto insurance. You will save money.

It also helps to drive defensively and safely. According to the National Foundation for Highway and Traffic Safety, aggressive drivers cause 90%PRCTG% of all accidents and pay 30 ? 70%PRCTG% more in auto insurance premiums. Take a defensive driving course. Many technical and community colleges offer these courses and they may also reduce points on your license and DMV record. That leads to another important way of saving money on your auto insurance – get points removed from your license. You get points for things like speeding, not stopping for a stop sign, running a red light, and not waving to George Bush (Just kidding). These points cause immediate rate increases on your auto insurance. Most states offer free or nearly free courses that will reduce the points on your license for most infractions (except for drunk driving and driving under the influence ? you have to have a powerful name like Kennedy or Bush and then you get driven home).

Another way to save money on your auto insurance is to increase your deductible and assume more risk.. You will save money by, for instance, going from a %250 deductible to a %1000 deductible. One word of caution, do not drop uninsured and under insured motorists coverage. Due to George Bush and his lenient policy in the past with illegal aliens in our country from Mexico we now have over 20 million illegal and uninsured motorists in America.

Another great way to save money on your auto insurance is to drive a vehicle with a low theft rate. It is a proven fact that auto insurance companies charge higher premiums based on car brand and model theft rates. Since George Bush did practically nothing to stop these illegal aliens from Mexico we now have millions of them and they love to steal cars as some have found it easier than purchasing and they love Honda Civics and Accords. We don?t hear of many of them tooling around in a Mazda or a minivan. Maybe if George Bush invoked trade restrictions with Mexico this would change and jobs would come back to America?

Joining professional groups like AAA. AARP, etc? can also save you money on your auto insurance as you may be entitled to group rates. There are many other ways also. Now you know how to save money on your auto insurance and why we are earning less and executives at big oil are earning more and more (George Bush takes care of his friends). Also, I don?t know if it?s a republican thing, but lets think before we put a Bush in a political office in the future. If you haven?t yet had the opportunity, please watch Farenheit 9/11 and learn more about George Bush and his brother in Florida.

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Cheap Female Car Insurance

January 30th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

It?s easier for a female driver to obtain cheap car insurance than it is for a male driver. There are many factors going into a car insurance company?s reasoning for offering cheap car insurance quotes to female drivers; all factors boil down to one major statistic ? female drivers are, statistically, better drivers than male drivers. The key word here is ?statistically.? This doesn?t mean that, by nature, female drivers can drive better, but it does mean the majority of female drivers are practicing certain driving habits that the majority of male drivers aren?t, and those driving habits are putting them at the top of car insurance companies? lists for cheap car insurance quotes.

A major statistic that helps female drivers get cheaper car insurance quotes than male drivers is the number of car accidents in which female drivers are involved compared to the number of car accidents in which male drivers are involved. Statistically, female drivers are involved in fewer car accidents than male drivers. This may be because they?ve been lucky, they?re carting around the cheerleading team, or they just aren?t worrying about showing off to the driver beside them at the red light. Whatever the reason, these fewer accidents are getting female drivers cheap car insurance quotes.

Hope isn?t lost for male drivers. If a male driver has been in no or one car accident, he should work on keeping that number low or at zero. By doing this, he will be offered a cheap car insurance quote. If a male driver has been in several car accidents, thus earning him an expensive car insurance quote, he needs to take a serious look at his driving record. By becoming a more cautious driver, the points on his driving record will eventually disappear, and by taking a defensive driving course his car insurance company may offer him a discount, or at least not jack up his car insurance rates.

To get free quotes and learn more about insurance please visit the following recommended sites.

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Car Insurance Rates – Finding Them Cheap

January 29th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Probably the most important thing when you’re looking for cheap car insurance is to shop around. You need to look at competing products, and let the companies that you’re dealing with know that you are looking around as well. Many companies do have flexibility with the packages they are prepared to offer you, and this goes double if you go to an insurance broker, who makes their livelihood by making deals between private citizens and insurance companies.

There are some factors that can work in your favor when it comes to getting reduced costs for your car insurance. Are you female? Are you over 25? Are you in good health? Do you have a completely clear driving record? All of these things can work in your favor. The less of a risk you can prove yourself to be, then the chances are better that you can get lower premiums.

Other ways that you can get reductions on your car insurance are to package your car insure with house, contents and or life insurance. Having all your insurance together means that you might be able to get one relatively low premium, rather than having to pay separate premiums for each insurance need.

You can also look for reward deals. Some companies will drop their premiums for you if you’ve been with them for a certain amount of time without having an automobile altercation and needing to draw on your insurance to cover it. These can really work out to be much cheaper over time.

Another thing you can do to save yourself some money is limited insurance, meaning that you insure the car only for yourself, or perhaps for you and your partner. This will get reduced rates versus insurance that covers anyone driving your car, or insurance that covers your wild young teenagers driving your car.

The best way to get cheap car insurance though, is simply to be a safe driver.

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Car Insurance Agent Play Special Role In Online Deals

January 29th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Acquiring the right car insurance for your needs can be a complicated business. There are so many online policies available with different premiums, deductibles, coverage, and limits that it is very easy to get confused while trying to absorb all of that information. This is why many people choose to go with a Car Insurance Agent. These agents advise individuals on which type of online car insurance coverage will be right for them and provide a consistent point of contact for the individual with regards to and claims or questions they may have.

Appreciative Particulars of Policy Should be in Agent?s Knowledge:

Choosing a Car Insurance Agent may be the best option for someone that does not have a great deal of time to research insurance policies themselves. Many people choose to obtain the services of a agent because they like having a person designated to handle their questions and their insurance claims. Having a Car Insurance Agent ensures that you will be dealing with the same individual throughout the claim process if you were to ever have an accident, which greatly reduces the possibility of problems arising with the claim that you are unaware of and improves the chances that you will receive the answers you need in a timely manner.

Car Insurance Agent: Qualities

There are a few things to look out for when choosing a Car Insurance Agent. One of the most important things to ask the agent about is the amount of experience that he and his company has in the car insurance business. In recent years, many Car Insurance Agent?s have sprung up all over the country touting their low cost car insurance. Unfortunately for many people who have chosen to do business with these companies, once a claim is filed, it is nearly impossible to get your claim resolved or even talk to anyone that can give you information about your claim. Be sure that the Car Insurance Agent has experience in the industry and the company has been around for longer than several years. For more info see http://www.autocarinsurancehelp.org/Online_Car_Insurance/ on insurance companies.

It is a fine proposal to shop roughly and chat to dissimilar agents, buy only what you need and evaluation your policy before settling for one picky car insurance policy. And, to get the advantage of these policies, the best and experienced individual to get in touch with, would no suspicion is a Car Insurance Agent.

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Understanding Your Auto Insurance Claim

January 28th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

You will most likely need to deal with one or more adjusters who will determine the insurance salvage. Follow these simple tips to make sure you have taken all the necessary steps to collect the correct information and follow the correct procedure.

Do your self a favor and prepare in advance. Know the laws and the reporting requirements of the state you live in and drive in. Always carry an accident package in your car. It should contain paper, pen, and accident reporting form which are available online free from the DMV.

If an accident occurs remain calm and stop your car. If there are injuries do what you can to make the person or persons comfortable. Call the EMT to treat any injured parties and call the police.

If you smell gas or if the car is on fire clear all persons away from the area. Do not move seriously injured people unless it is a threat to their lives to leave them where they are.

If the accident is minor and there is only property damage and no injuries, put your hazard lights on and drive both vehicles to a safe location at the side of the road. Set up flare or reflective triangles in the rear and side of the cars to ensure other motorists are aware of your location.

Both drivers need exchange car insurance information. You also need to exchange the names of the drivers, all passengers in the vehicle, and any witnesses. As well as names you should obtain complete addresses and telephone numbers.

Next you will need to contact your insurance company and if you feel you need to contact a lawyer now is the time to do so.

Your car insurance company will need to collect all pertinent information. They will need the year, make, model, and license plate number of the other car. They will also need the drivers name, address, telephone number, date of birth, and his or her driver?s license number as well as the issuing state.

If the other drive is not insured obtain as much information as you can then notify the police. Both the police and the insurance company will want the full names, addresses, and phone numbers of all witnesses.

If the police attend the accident scene request a business card from the attending officer that gives his full name and how you might reach him.

If you have a digital camera handy take plenty of photos. These days many people have a digital camera built right into their cell phone which is very convenient.

As soon as you are able, write down all details pertaining to the accident. Information such as weather conditions, pavement conditions, visibility and lightening could all become very important in determining who was at fault.

You also need to record the estimated speed of both vehicles. As well do a sketch of the accident scene marking the direction each driver was traveling. Make notes of things such as stop signs, traffic lights, other vehicles on the roadway, and any obstacles.

You should also record all damage to the car and any other property as well as all body injuries no matter how minor they appear.

Whatever you do, do not discuss who is at fault with the other driver. Insurance companies recommend you do not engage in conversation about fault. Give the police officer an account of the accident but in privacy away from the other driver.

Remember no one can force you to give details of the accident or admit blame. You always have the right to consult a lawyer before answering any questions.

Let?s hope you never have to file an insurance claim. But if you are well prepared should an accident occur you will be much more likely to record the necessary information to ensure that your claim proceeds smoothly.

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New Driver Car Insurance – How To Save Money With Your New Driver

January 27th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Car insurance companies view new drivers as inexperienced drivers; therefore, new drivers usually have higher car insurance premiums than older drivers, who are considered more experienced drivers.

Even though new drivers are inexperienced drivers, their car insurance premiums do not have to break the bank. There are ways to save money, especially if the new driver has a family member with an existing car insurance policy.

Take the tips into consideration to save money with your new driver.

? Ask about ?multi? discounts. Some car insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who have multi-car policies, i.e., those that have more than one car on their car insurance policies. At the same time, some insurance companies will offer multi-line discounts, which means if the policyholder has both a car insurance policy and a home owner or life insurance policy with the same insurance company, they have ?multiple lines? of insurance and may qualify for a discount. If the new driver is going to be on your, or another person?s, existing car insurance policy, the policyholder may be eligible for a multi-driver discount.

? Make sure he or she enrolls in a driver education course. Some high schools provide driver education courses. If your teen?s high school does not, enroll him or her in a driver education course offered by a private company. The driver education courses offered by private companies are also available for older drivers; therefore, they could help the new, older driver save money on car insurance.

? If your new driver is a teen, ask the car insurance company about Good Student discounts. Some car insurance companies offer discounts to teens who make good grades in school. It is a win/win situation!

? Military discounts are offered in some parts of America to active and even retired military personnel. If your new driver fits either one of those descriptions, ask the car insurance company about such a discount.

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Car Insurance Basics

January 26th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Car insurance is basically insurance that drivers can purchase for any kind of vehicle in order to protect against losses sustained in traffic accidents. Auto insurance policies are, in reality, a bundle of different coverages. This insurance will usually cover the insured party, the insured motor vehicle, and any third parties involved. Different policies will identify the situations in which each of these entities is covered.

Below are the specific coverages involved when you purchase car insurance.

- Liability Insurance: Liability coverage is the most basic and foundational coverage in car insurance policies and is required in most states. This coverage ensures that if you are the one at fault in an accident, your liability insurance will pay for the physical injury and property damage expenses of any third parties involved. This coverage includes legal bills. Remember that third parties can sue you for ?pain and suffering? damages. Minimum insurance may not sufficiently cover you in more extreme cases, which is why many people recommend that drivers purchase more than the state minimum required. Liability coverage limits are usually conveyed with three numbers. For example, liability limits of 20/50/10 indicate that there is coverage of %20,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, %50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, and %10,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

- Collision Coverage: In the case that you are in an accident, collision insurance will pay for the repairs that your vehicle requires. Collision coverage is usually the most expensive coverage that you will have to pay for. Insurance companies will declare a vehicle ?totaled? or a ?write-off? if the replacement would be cheaper than the repairs needed.

- Comprehensive Coverage: This coverage will pay for any damages to an automobile that were not caused by an accident. Qualifying damages include damages arising from carjackings, vandalism, natural disasters, and hitting an animal.

- MedPay, PIP, and No-Fault Coverages: MedPay will pay for the medical expenses of you and anyone else in your car after an accident, regardless of whose fault the accident was. PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and ?no-fault? coverages are other forms of medical payment protection. They are broader than MedPay and may be required in certain states. These expanded coverages cover child care and lost wages.

- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists Coverages: UM (Uninsured Motorists) coverage will pay for injuries you have sustained if you are involved in a hit-and-run by a driver who does not have auto insurance, and is mandatory in many states. UIM (Underinsured Motorists) coverage will pay for you if the driver who hit you creates more damage than their liability insurance can cover.

- Supplemental Coverages: Rental reimbursement is an add-on that will cover rented vehicles in case of damage or theft. Auto replacement coverage ensures that your automobile will be fully repaired for replaced even if the costs are more than its depreciated value. Coverage for towing and labor covers you in case of an auto failure on the road where towing is necessary. These supplemental coverages are usually offered as separate items or included in larger policies.

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Car Insurance FAQs

January 25th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Can I insure a modified or classic car; who will offer insurance cover?

Yes, you can insure a modified car but because your car is a specialist car, not all auto insurance companies might be willing to provide coverage for it since it requires high price replacement parts and also skilled labor if the car is involved in an accident. Thus, you have to take a special car insurance that is designed especially for modified and classic cars.

How can I cut down my car insurance premium?

If you wish to cut down on your car insurance premium you must take care of a few things. Park your car overnight in the garage rather than leaving it on the drive. Fit insurance approved anti-theft devices; consider Third Party Fire and Theft for older cars. Find out discounts offered by the insurance provider when requesting quotes. Young drivers (under 25), who are often charged extremely high premiums, should have an extra driving course certificate.

What is ‘excess’?

It is the amount you have to pay when you make a claim for the loss or damage to your car. It can be voluntary or compulsory. If someone else causes the accident you may be able to reclaim the excess through the legal cover, which can be taken out with your car insurance policy. Otherwise you lose the excess. Voluntary excess is the amount you agree to pay to the company. It offers premium discounts. Compulsory excess is generally imposed to young drivers. Because their risk factors are high and the companies don?t want to insure them. So, in order to insure, they have to surrender with this payment.

What is legal cover?

It provides expertise and assistance required to recover uninsured losses such as medical costs, loss of earnings and excess payments where the fault was not yours. It is available as an optional with most car insurance policies.

Can an insurance company cancel my auto policy?

Yes, you auto insurance policy may stand canceled if you fail to pay the premium or if your consumer’s license has been suspended or revoked during the term of an auto policy. Also, if there is a fraud or serious misrepresentation when completing the insurance application, if the you are convicted to a crime, or if changes are made to the property that increase the risk of loss then the company may cancel your insurance policy.

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Very Cheap Car Insurance – It Exists But You Have To Know What To Ask For

January 24th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

When someone tells you that they have very cheap car insurance then you need to be cautious. What kind of insurance profile does that individual have that would give them the benefit of very cheap car insurance? People will often complain about their car insurance rates to a friend or neighbor and too often that neighbor or friend will claim that their insurance is much cheaper. That may be true for a number of reasons. We don?t all drive the same cars. We don?t have the same driving records. We have different ages of drivers. There are a whole lot of variables in the criteria that make up the car insurance rate.

Rating Criteria

Credit Reports ? Most of the insurance companies use credit as part of the equation when setting rates. Some people do not understand the relationship. Actuaries have come up with the statistics that prove credit to be a significant rating factor. There is a stability factor and relationship to accident frequency that coincides with the credit history.

Vehicle Types ? This can be kind of tricky. Some newer vehicles actually have better rates than the older vehicles because of all the safety features. Some vehicles have high theft rates. Make sure that you get the vehicle identification number of any new vehicle purchase and give it to your insurance company to obtain your new rate.

Rating Territory ? You are stuck with this one unless you move to another geographical area.

Driver Info ? The driving records and ages of your drivers will play a significant part in your rate.

Discounts ? There are several ways to discount your car insurance. Purchase the home policy with the auto policy to get a multi-policy discount. Good student and drivers training discounts are available to young drivers with some companies. Retirement discounts and discounts for taking a mature driving course are available for senior citizens.

The cheaper rate is really up to you. Do your home work and ask your insurance company a lot of questions.

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Cut Your Car Insurance

January 24th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Nowadays auto insurance is really expensive. A typical insurance policy can cost a few hundreds dollars up to a few thousand dollars a year and this seems to get higher every year!

Auto policy costs and regulation vary significantly from state to state, but there are a number of areas that consumers are able to control and adjust to optimize prices and quality.

First is to check your credit rating. Good credit will be interpreted by insurers as less risky. So to ensure accuracy and to correct any inaccurate derogatory points, it?s important for consumers to order copies of their credit report from all major credit agencies.

You should also check your motor vehicle report. Like credit reports, state driving records may include inaccurate data on personal driving records, which are strongly considered when issuing respective individual and family auto rates. Drivers should report errors to both their state motor vehicle department as well as their insurance carrier.

Accident reports must also be double-checked. Occasionally, local law enforcement and insurance accident reports include mistakes that may result in a higher rate. Accident reports affect insurer?s decisions and rates on a cumulative basis particularly if the driver has tickets or accidents down the road.

Never let your coverage lapse because it makes a significant difference in rates. Separately, while deductible amounts initially save drivers in the event of a quick claim, they lost consumers more in the long run due to higher premiums.

Looking for package rates can also help you to lower your premium. You can save substantially by packaging all your insurance policies including auto, home and personal liability together with one company.

Safe drivers are rewarded by insurers. But then, make sure that your policy gives you a good driver discount. Matured drivers who are 55 years old and above, and students who carry a 3.0 grade point average or better receive lower rates from their insurance company.

Next is to take a safety-driving course. Make sure that you?ve registered for a course recognized by your carrier. It will not only cut your rates, but it will likely save in ticket fines, and reduce your risk of bodily injury on the road.

Don?t forget car pool credit because many insurers drop premiums with this, especially if you drive more than 10 miles roundtrip. In addition, you?ll save considerably on the rising prices at the pump and lend a hand to Mother Nature knowing that you contribute less to the air pollution.

Because insurance rates vary from car to car, you should check rates before buying a new car. The type of vehicle, engine size, parts costs and safety tests are all favored into insurance premium. Buyers often do not realize the big difference on rates until they drive off a lot.

Lastly, as a driver, you should make sure that you are receiving lower rates for safety features such as air bags and anti-lock crakes. Alarm systems or devices that disable or track vehicles may also qualify for discounts.

Though auto insurance is considered as the single largest insurance expense after health insurance, you can still save money by following the said ways.

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