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Posts Tagged ‘Collision Coverage’

How To Slash Your Car Insurance Costs Up To 54 In 10 Easy Steps – Part 2

February 14th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

In Part 1, we detailed the first five strategies on how to cut your car insurance costs. In Part 2, we show you the second five.

STEP 6 – Review, Change or Cancel No Fault & PIP (Personal Injury Protection)

No-Fault Coverage, and it’s Twin – PIP – started out as great idea’s. Your premiums were actually going to be lowered. Then, your State Politicians got involved (at the urging of Insurance Lobbyists, of course) and mucked it up.

You see, no-fault insurance coverage was originally intended to have each individual’s losses, covered by their own car insurance company – no matter who was at fault.

Today, in many States, car insurance companies are making a ton of money on no-fault because the insurance companies convinced State law-makers to make “modifications.”

Today, because of the these changes, car insurance companies have actually used the no-fault laws to reduce payments on a claim made by a customer, instead of reducing car insurance premiums as it was supposed to do.

So, premiums keep going up-and-up and insurance companies end up paying less for claims – Someone’s getting rich on that deal….and it’s not you.

And to make matters worse, some States (with really, really talented Insurance Lobbyist’s) also require an additional premium be paid on top of the no-fault premium. This beauty is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

PIP is a “wide-blanket” of coverage and can provide Collision Coverage, Hospitalization, Social Security Disability, Workers Comp, Personal Disability Insurance & Life Insurance.

The problem with PIP and what it covers is….

You already gave most, if not all, of these coverage’s anyway, don’t you? So, you’re paying twice!

So, you need to do a couple of things:

Google “minimum levels of required auto insurance” to see if No-Fault Insurance and/or PIP Is required in your State;

Then, check your policy. If it’s not required by your State to have No-Fault/PIP Coverage and it’s on your policy – cancel it. If No-Fault/PIP is required by your State….take the absolute minimum. Here’s how.

If you must have No-Fault/PIP, ask for and get a deductible from your car insurance company.

STEP 7 – Cancel Medical Coverage

Medical Coverage, on most car insurance policies, is a promise to pay “reasonable” medical expenses for anyone who is riding in your car should you have an accident…as well as anyone in your car should it get hit by someone else.

Cancel it. You don’t need it.

Why is that you say? Well, medical coverage as part of your car insurance policy is a duplicate of your own:

- Medical Plan; – Any Life Insurance Coverage you might have, as well as; – The Liability Sections of almost every car insurance policy written in the U.S.

Think of it this way….Do you have a Health/Medical/Hospitalization Plan thru work or an Association you belong to?

Then why are you paying premiums for Medical/Hospitalization Coverage on your Car Insurance Policy?

Here’s what’s going to happen when you tell the car insurance company or Agent that you “Don’t want the Hospitalization/Medical Coverage.” You’re going to hear very slick “scare tactics” to help change your mind.

The insurance company employee will say “Well, if you’re in an accident, and it’s your fault, who’s going to cover the medical bills for any injured passengers in your car?”

Here’s your answer. Your family is already covered by your Health/Hospitalization Plan. If anybody else is in the car and they’re injured – they’re covered by your Bodily Injury Liability coverage that you’re already paying for….and their own Health/Hospitalization Plan.

So go ahead – save some more money and get rid of this coverage.

STEP 8 – Cancel Death, Dismemberment & Loss of Sight

Do you have any of these coverage’s on your existing car insurance policy? If so – cancel them.

And if you’re a first time car insurance buyer or, just looking at getting several car insurance quotes, don’t let anyone talk you into them!

Why?

Because, these coverage’s are an absolute waste of money. Most of these optional coverage’s are simply “glorified” life insurance policies with ridiculous provisions and horribly overpriced premiums. If you need life insurance, make it a separate Insurance Policy.

STEP 9 – Cancel The Extras

Do you have “Roadside Assistance” or “Rental Car Reimbursement” on your policy? If so, cancel them.

And again, if you’re a first time insurance buyer or getting a few car insurance quotes, don’t bother with these coverage’s.

Why? Because they’re severely overpriced, are rarely ever used, and limit what you can and cannot do.

For instance, some rental car reimbursement” coverage is almost %100 a year for each vehicle on your policy. So if you have two cars, you’ll spend almost %2,000 on rental car coverage in the next 10 years – and likely never even use it.

And roadside assistance? The piece-of-mind it offers gets trampled by the premiums the car insurance companies want for this coverage. Roadside assistance is a good idea. But use AAA for a cheaper solution.

STEP 10 – Terminate Comprehensive & Collision Coverage On Older Cars.

If you have an older car – by that I mean one that’s worth less than %2,000 wholesale (the amount a car dealer would give you if you were trading it in) cancel any Comprehensive and Collision Coverage you have or decline that option when getting a car insurance quote.

Here’s why. If an 8 year-old car and a brand new car have identical damage, the cost to repair both will be identical as well, even though the 8 year-old car is worth next-to-nothing.

You see the cost of a bumper and fender are the same – whether it’s for a brand new car, or one that is 8 years-old. That’s why your premiums don’t go down as the value of the car goes down. Your payments remain almost the same, year-after-year-after-year.

But, the bottom drops-out of what you’ll be able to collect on that older car. For instance, if your car is “totaled”, your insurance company will only pay you the wholesale value of your car.

So, let’s say your car is worth %1,000, but the total damage is more than %4,000, the insurance company is only going to give you a check for %1,000….minus your deductible, of course.

So you might end up getting %500 back. Sounds like a lousy deal….but that’s how it works.

So, the rule-of-thumb is this – cancel your comp & collision coverage when your vehicles value is less than %2,000….or you’ll be throwing your money away.

Okay – you’ve jotted down some notes and are ready to make some changes to your car insurance policy. So pick up the phone and start slashing your premiums!

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What To Look For In A Full Coverage Car Insurance Quote In Wisconsin

February 10th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

If you are considering applying for a full coverage car insurance quote in Wisconsin, you want to be informed and know what to look for, right?

First, it?s important to know the difference between liability coverage and full coverage. In Wisconsin, liability insurance is coverage that protects you against property damage, personal injury, and death. Wisconsin has set the lowest amounts of liability protection you?re legally allowed to have. These are called the state?s minimum liability coverage requirements and they are as follows:

? Property damage: You must have at least %10,000.
? Personal injury: You must have at least %25,000.
? Death: You must have at least %50,000.

Of course, you can always purchase more than Wisconsin?s minimum liability coverage requirements. It?s actually best to purchase more in order to make sure you have enough liability insurance protection.

On the other hand, full coverage car insurance in Wisconsin covers more situations than property damage, personal injury, and death. So, when you are looking for full coverage auto insurance in WI, you need to choose the kinds of coverage you feel will off the most benefits for you, your vehicle, and any other drivers in your household.

A couple of examples?

Collision Coverage: Collision coverage provides protection in the event your vehicle collides with another driver?s vehicle. When you have collision coverage, your insurance policy takes care of repair costs or replacement costs if the damages can?t be repaired.

Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage provides protection in the event your vehicle becomes damaged by something other than a collision with another vehicle. Damage caused by theft, vandalism, fire, animals, and weather are normally covered under comprehensive coverage.

Get your free online car insurance quote with http://EZQuoteGuide.com. Then, contact an automobile insurance agent or broker and discuss the different full coverage car insurance options offered by various companies. Choose the company that offers the full coverage options that best suit your needs.

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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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Cheap Car Insurance In New Jersey

January 13th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Thanks to the Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act, New Jersey drivers are able to buy a basic car insurance policy in New Jersey ? and what?s cheaper than purchasing the most basic car insurance policy available?

The Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act makes it possible for drivers to get cheap car insurance in New Jersey by offering them a policy even cheaper than the standard car insurance policy. The basic car insurance policy includes personal injury protection of %15,000 per person, per accident, and %250,000 per significant or permanent injury. However, the latter depends on the policy definitions. It also includes property damage liability of %5,000 per accident.

Bodily injury liability isn?t included in the basic insurance policy, but it?s an option. If a policyholder chooses to add bodily injury liability, the policyholder will have %10,000 for everyone, per accident.

Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage aren?t available with the basic car insurance policy, nor is collision coverage or comprehensive coverage. However, collision coverage and comprehensive coverage can be added on, depending upon how the basic car insurance policy was issued.

As you can see, the basic car insurance policy in New Jersey, although it?s the cheapest car insurance in New Jersey, offers very minimal coverage; however, it does offer important coverage, as well as additional features. Those drivers with the basic car insurance policy in New Jersey have the right to take legal action in the event of a motor vehicle-related accident, whereas those drivers without any insurance don?t have that right.

The basic car insurance policy isn?t for everyone. Those drivers who choose to obtain cheap car insurance in New Jersey by purchasing the basic car insurance policy should do so only if they don?t have much family responsibility, they are just starting out in the work force, it is the first car insurance policy they?ve ever purchase, or they can?t afford any other car insurance for whatever reason.

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How To Save Money And Get Discount Automobile Insurance In Oregon

January 4th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Oregon drivers pay some of the highest automobile insurance rates in the country. This is why it is vital that Oregon drivers shop around and compare prices from several insurance providers, and not just the providers that some online insurance companies choose for you.

Oregon law requires that all drivers carry liability insurance. This insurance pays for injuries you cause to other people in an accident, and also pays for the repair of the other driver?s car or other personal property that was destroyed in the accident. There are several different levels of liability coverage for you to choose from; choosing the lowest level saves you money on monthly premiums but may not pay all costs of a major accident. If your level of coverage doesn?t cover all costs of an accident you may have to come up with additional cash out of your own pocket.

Oregon law also requires all drivers to carry what is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This covers you and any of your passengers for medical treatment, funeral expenses and loss of wages. Drivers can pay a deductible on the PIP coverage, reducing their monthly premium payments; the higher the deductible the lower your payments.

There is a third type of auto insurance coverage that all Oregon drivers are required to carry, and that is Uninsured Motorist coverage. This coverage pays the medical expenses of you and your passengers if you are in an accident with a motorist who does not have the required liability insurance.

Drivers looking for the least expensive automobile insurance in Oregon can purchase the minimums of these three types of insurance and be allowed to legally drive on Oregon roads. However, without additional coverage, such as Collision coverage, your insurance will not repair your vehicle if you are at fault in an accident. Also buying just the minimum insurance legally required in Oregon may leave you open to expenses that will have to be paid out of your own pocket in certain types of accidents.

Even if you are purchasing the minimum insurance required, it is still important for you to shop and compare (online) the rates of a number of different companies, as rates vary greatly from company to company.

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When Car Insurance Is Your Friend

December 30th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Sadly, even today, people tend to be rather callous when the question of car insurance comes up. Many give the excuse that since they are good drivers they will not need insurance at all. However, road traffic is not what it used to be and you can never predict what is going to happen on the road even if you follow all the driving rules.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CAR INSURANCE

Why do you need a car insurance policy? It offers you coverage in the event of losses arising from traffic accidents. As an example, just look at the following. Let us say that your car was hit by a falling tree and got totally smashed. If you had taken out a car insurance policy, the loss would be written off by your insurance company. If this were to happen, you would be better advised to go in for a new car instead of trying to repair the old one.

COVERAGE OFFERED BY CAR INSURANCE

- Property Damage Liability Coverage: This policy type pays for accidental damage to someone else’s property (for example, their home fence,) in a collision. The insurance can help people pay off the legal fees in case they have to deal with a lawsuit for property damage.

- Bodily Injury Liability: If a third person is injured, this coverage takes care of it. It covers lawsuit expenses as well.

- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This policy type covers for medical expenses, lost wages and other similar expenses arising in an accident, wherein there is no serious bodily injury.

- Comprehensive Coverage: This policy type covers for damages caused by theft, flood, and fire and so on. This coverage is very important as it covers non-collision related damages.

- Collision Coverage: This policy type offers coverage for damages happening as result of a collision or in situations where your car strikes another car or is struck by another vehicle.

- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage – This policy type pays for expenses that happen as a result of an accident in which the driver of the other car has insufficient insurance coverage.

- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage: This policy type pays for expenses that happen as a result of an accident in which the driver of the other car has no insurance coverage causes an accident with your car.

- Underinsured Motorist Property Damage Coverage: This policy type is applicable in case of an accident in which the driver of the other car has insufficient insurance coverage. If the other car requires repairs, your policy will help you take care of that as well.

When getting a car insurance policy, check out the different types offered. Look out for car insurance that will cover you for a wide variety of things. You can buy several policies together. Look around for the best rates being offered in car insurance. There is no dearth of great car insurance deals if you look around sincerely enough.

It would be a great idea to check with friends and family to find out which deals are worth looking at and which companies offer the best bargains. After all, you are looking at an option that will work out in the long run. Look at the bigger picture when you choose a car insurance policy.

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Cheaper Car Insurance In Michigan

December 15th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

According to Michigan?s Department of Labor and Economic Growth, there are a plethora of ways to obtain cheap car insurance in Michigan ? most of which apply to any car insurance company in Michigan from which you choose to purchase your cheap car insurance.

The factors to help you get cheap car insurance in Michigan range from past, present, and future actions by you as a driver in Michigan.

Past

You may be eligible for a long-term policyholder discount if you have been with the same cam insurance company for a specific period of time. If you haven?t had any traffic violations or accidents for a specific period of time, you may also get a cheap car insurance rate in Michigan. Also, if you have a degree past high school, or have maintained a certain grade point average for a specific period of time, you may be offered discounts on your Michigan car insurance.

Present

If you belong to an approved organization, currently have a good credit score and credit history, have no youthful drivers on your policy, pay higher deductibles, and have only purchased the minimum collision coverage, you?re likely to get cheap car insurance in Michigan. Other factors include your age and income. Drivers over the age of 65, and drivers of low-income families, are eligible for cheap car insurance in Michigan, too.

Future

If none of the above applies to you, there are changes you can make to get cheap car insurance in Michigan. Consider combining your car insurance policy with an insurance company from which you purchase another insurance policy, such as your homeowner?s insurance policy, or insure more than one vehicle on the same car insurance policy. Practice safer driving, take a driver education course, and work on repairing your credit score. Making sure your car is as safe as possible and always wearing your seatbelt are additional ways to get cheap car insurance in Michigan.

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The Basics Of Car Insurance

December 9th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Car insurance basically covers you, your passengers and your car in case of an accident.

Many states require you to carry liability coverage in your insurance policy. Liability insurance covers the expenses incurred for the damages for another vehicle with your own if you are at fault. So basically if you are in an accident and you caused the damage, then the liability of you car insurance will cover damages according to the terms that are in your policy.

Collision coverage is when your car insurance will pay for the repairs or replace your car in the case of an accident.

Comprehensive coverage helps you pay for damages to your vehicle that occurs with bad weather, theft and vandalism.

As you would will all insurances, your car insurance will also a deductible. The deductible amount of the claim is your responsibility to pay. Car insurance costs go up as you lower your deductible. If you want to have a higher deductible you car insurance will be less expensive.

Also keep in mind that as your car ages your car insurance premium will decrease in price. Of course that is if you have a good driving record and don?t get any tickets or get into any accidents. Also you can consider the amount of coverage you get as your car ages. Some think only having liability coverage on your cat that is old is better. Of course it is up to you whatever you want.

I hope this clears up a few things about car insurance for you. If you would like more information do a little bit of research on your own and see what you come up with. Or ask questions when you are inquiring about a certain insurance policy. It is always better to know every aspect before getting insurance and signing the dotted line. Good Luck!

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7 Auto Insurance Tips

November 21st, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

1> Raising your deductible
Deductible is the amount you pay from your pocket before making an insurance claim. The disadvantage of raising your claim is when you make a claim, you will pay more. However, if you are a safe driver, you will overtime save more money by raising your insurance deductible. Look at your previous insurance claim history and make a discreet decision for yourself.

2> Older Auto – Drop comprehensive / collision coverage.
If your car is not worth much, why pay for comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. You can visit a myriad of online sites to find true worth of your car. Additionally your insurance broker might be able to pull up the true worth of your vehicle.

3> Taking advantage of low mileage
Some auto insurance companies will give discounts if you drive less than a certain number of miles or drive less than a certain distance to work.

4> Moving – Consider insurance costs.
If you are considering moving, it will be a good idea to call your insurance agent and get his opinion on the insurance costs in the new city or state.

5> Low profile vehicle
Your vehicle will also determine your overall insurance costs. Some of the cars are favorite for thieves since they fetch a good price. Some cars are more expensive to repair. It makes a lot of sense to do adequate amount of research before you make your auto purchase.

6> Make sure your vehicle is correctly listed by your insurance agent.
Many manufacturers offer somewhat similar model names for vehicles but insurance costs may vary. Additionally 2 or 4 door or the wrong model can impact your auto insurance quote.

7> Have your insurance broker check other insurance company discounts.
A lot of companies will offer discounts if you and your spouse are insured with the same insurance company. Additionally, if you seek home insurance, life insurance, auto insurance from the same insurance company, you will get some discounts. Check with your insurance agent on saving money.

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What To Look For In A Full Coverage Car Insurance Quote In Iowa

October 16th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Not every driver in Iowa is required to buy car insurance. If you have a perfect driving record and if you have sufficient resources available to pay for any accident you may have, then you are not forced to buy car insurance.

However, most drivers in Iowa don’t qualify to drive without car insurance and so it is important to know what to look for in a full coverage car insurance quote here in Iowa.

Full coverage insurance is actually made up of (basically) four or sometimes five different types of car insurance.

The most basic type of car insurance is liability insurance. This is the insurance that pays for medical treatment (known as bodily injury) to anyone in an accident and liability also pays for the repair or replacement of the other person’s vehicle if you are at fault in an accident.

Here in Iowa the minimum liability insurance you need is what is known as 20/40/15. This insurance pays up to %20,000 in medical payments (bodily injury) for any one person in an accident with a maximum payout of %40,000 in medical coverage for any one accident. In addition this policy will pay %15,000 toward property damage ? which includes repair or replacement of the other party’s vehicle.

It is possible to only buy liability insurance.

However, if you are looking at full coverage car insurance you will also need to purchase comprehensive as well as collision coverage. Additionally you could purchase uninsured motorist (UM) coverage and medical payments coverage.

It is possible to purchase comprehensive coverage and not purchase collision coverage, but you cannot purchase collision coverage unless you also purchase comprehensive coverage.

Collision coverage, as the name implies, covers repairs or replacement of your vehicle in the event of an accident. If your vehicle is being financed then your lender will require that you carry collision coverage on your vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage covers your vehicle for damages sustained by anything which is not a collision. Comprehensive covers such things as theft, damage that occurs as a result of weather such as hail and floods, as well as vandalism. Comprehensive also includes damage caused if you hit an animal, such as a deer.

Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for bodily injury to you or anyone in your vehicle as well as repairs to your vehicle in the event that you are involved in an accident with a motorist who is not insured and the uninsured driver is at fault.

Medical payments coverage pays for your medical bills and for the medical bills of others who are injured in your vehicle at the time of an accident. Medical payments coverage only covers a four wheeled vehicle (not a motorcycle) and there are other limitations as to coverage, so make certain you understand all limitations and how they apply to you before purchasing this insurance.

If your vehicle is being financed your lender may require you to purchase more than the state minimum amounts of insurance and you also may be limited on the amount of your deductible.

If your vehicle is not financed then you may be able to keep your insurance costs down by buying limited amounts of liability insurance, and limiting or even eliminating your comprehensive, collision, and medical payments coverage. You can also lower your cost of coverage by increasing your deductible to the highest amount that makes sense in your financial situation.

Once you have determined what types and amounts of insurance coverage you need, your best bet for finding the lowest price for your insurance coverage is to get online and begin comparing prices between as many different insurance companies in Iowa as possible.

Be sure that you don’t stop after making comparisons on just one website. If you genuinely want to find the best rate possible for the coverage you need, you will have to take the time to make comparisons on at least 3 different comparison website. Once you have done this then you can look at the best price you have been able to find and feel confident that it is the very best price you are going to find for full coverage car insurance in the state of Iowa.

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