Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Liability Insurance’

Understanding The Features Of Your Car Insurance

March 15th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

It is a common notion amongst people to believe that choosing a car insurance is as straightforward as choosing the right car, when buying a car. The fact is that car insurance can actually be pretty complicated. Many people simply nod their head and make their monthly insurance payments but they don’t really understand what their coverage offers them.

Car Insurance Basics

Liability coverage is likely to be offered when you buy your car insurance. This is the basic coverage that you will find with any insurance policy and basically what this coverage does is pay for the bodily injury and property damage that is caused to others involved in the accident that you are at fault for.

Medical bills and lost wages are taken care of by the bodily injury coverage while property damage will cover up for the repair or replacement of the property that you damaged. This coverage does not pay for the damage that happens to you or your vehicle.

Liability insurance is often broken down into numbers such as 20/40/10, which means that your coverage includes %20,000 in bodily injury, %40,000 in bodily injury per accident, and %10,000 in property damage coverage.

The difference between collision (or comprehensive) coverage and liability coverage is that the former will repair your vehicles as well as the vehicles and people that you hurt in the accident caused by you. With this type of coverage you won’t be able to receive more than the value of your car, but you will get something to put toward repairs or replacement of the vehicle.

The most expensive type of coverage is this one. But if you select to have a high deductible you will be able to keep your payments down and still have this coverage that you need if you are involved in an accident. Comprehensive coverage is considered as the ideal type as it also covers the damages caused to your car such as fire, theft, natural disasters, and/or hitting animals in the road.

You have a lot of choices in coverage options to choose from , for your car insurance policy. One such option is medical payment coverage. This coverage will pay for your as well as your passengers medical expenses when you have been involved in an accident.

One of other options also include PIP (personal injury protection) coverage. This coverage can help pay for those medical expenses but will also help you if you are unable to work, unable to take care of your kids, or if you have to pay for a funeral.

Uninsured or under insured motorist’s coverage is yet another type of coverage you may want to consider purchasing. This coverage will help you pay for damages if you are struck by an uninsured or underinsured individual.

Other options that you may want to consider are rental reimbursement if you have to rent a vehicle because yours is in need of repair or stolen, towing and labor coverage, and gap coverage, which is coverage that pays the difference between the cash that you receive for a total car and the amount left on the car loan. When you are in any these situations, the add on features can come in really handy.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Very Cheap Car Insurance In Texas

When done properly, buying a used car is economically responsible. If you are buying a used car in Texas, you undoubtedly want cheap car insurance in Texas. To get affordable car insurance for your ?new? used car, start from the beginning.

Pay for the car upfront. Many people choose not to purchase brand new cars because auto insurance for new cars is notoriously more expensive than auto insurance for pre-owned cars. There are several reasons why car insurance is more expensive for new cars, and one of those reasons is that new cars usually have to be financed. When you finance a car, the finance company or lender most often requires you to purchase full coverage car insurance, which is more expensive than liability car insurance. By saving your money until you can afford to pay for your used car completely upfront, you will not need a financer or lender, and you will be able to purchase whatever amount of car insurance you want, as long as it meets the legal requirements in Texas.

Bring an automotive whiz with you. It is aggravating to search for and finally purchase your dream pre-owned vehicle, only to get home and find out there are many necessary repairs to be made. When you shop for your car, bring along someone knowledgeable about auto mechanics. Let him or her test drive the vehicle with you, take a look under the hood, and do any other inspection of the car. If your car insurance company knows that everything is working properly, you are more likely to get cheap car insurance in Texas.

Look for safety features. Safety features come with used cars just as they do new cars, so you want to look at cars with additional safety features, too. Anti-theft alarms, anti-lock brakes, child proof locks, and air bags are all excellent safety features to have and are impressive to your car insurance company.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

On Vacation – Do You Need Rental Car Insurance

February 22nd, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

If you?re in the planning stages of your next vacation and they include a rental car, you may want to talk with your insurance agent about the rental car insurance options that you may have.

When it comes to traveling and more specifically rental car insurance, the market is extremely competitive for your dollar. This is because not only do the insurance companies compete for your dollar, but so too do the rental car agencies, and your credit card companies as well. And while all this competition may sound as though it works to your advantage as a consumer, all the marketing hype may change if you have an accident.

Start by contacting your insurance agent and see if your policy includes rental car insurance. Most auto insurance policies do including covering you in a rental car as well. Of course, verify this with your agent. Make sure it includes collision and liability insurance (damage to your car and to the other vehicle). Make sure your current coverage doesn?t fall short of the type of car you may be planning on renting. For instance, if you drive an older car with minimal coverage, you may be putting yourself at risk if you?re going to rent a top level newer car. So, check on any limitations that your policy may have. Find out what the conditionals are ahead of time so you don?t get caught short.

If you are considering getting your rental car insurance through one of your credits cards, then you should shop carefully. Call your credit car company and ask them to fax or mail the details to you. Either way get their coverage in writing. Again, ask specifically about collision and liability coverage and if there are any limitations or stipulations or complete exclusions. Don?t assume that just because they offer you ?insurance? that you will have the coverage completely protects you.

Thinking about getting your coverage directly from the rental car company? You?ve got some more investigating to do. Insurance coverages from rental car companies are all over the place and generally can be fraught with all kinds of stipulations and exclusions and certainly not all rental car companies are not on equal ground.

Don?t base parts of your decision to go with insurance from the rental car company thinking that if you are at fault in an accident that you can avoid a potential rate hike from your home insurance company. Your regular insurance company can raise your rates no matter who cuts the check. If you are involved in an accident make sure that you report this to your insurance company back home because if the credit card insurance or the rental car company insurance doesn?t pay? and you haven?t reported it to your insurance company, you could paying out of your own pocket.

Make sure you ask a lot of questions and get them answered well before you go on vacation. And as a side note, you may want ask your agent with whom you have your homeowner?s policy about what is the coverage in the event you have personal belongings stolen from a rental car. It may sound like a bunch to get done before you go on vacation, but getting yourself the proper insurance can literally save you financially.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How To Get The Best Rates On Automobile Insurance In Arkansas

February 17th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Like all but a tiny handful of states, Arkansas requires every person who drives a motorized vehicle on Arkansas roads to purchase automobile insurance. In Arkansas the minimum liability insurance that a driver must carry is %25,000 bodily injury per person with %50,000 per accident plus an additional %25,000 in property insurance.

If you own a newer vehicle, or a very expensive model, and your vehicle is financed, your lender may require that you carry more than the state-required minimum coverage.

Arkansas also has a system in place to keep track of every single registered vehicle in the state of Arkansas ? the moment any vehicle becomes uninsured, the state of Arkansas has the ability to revoke that vehicle’s registration, rendering that vehicle illegal to drive.

In other words, Arkansas is serious about drivers purchasing automobile insurance, and since you have to purchase automobile insurance in order to drive on public roads, it just makes sense to search around in order to get the best rates on automobile insurance here in Arkansas.

But before you jump online and start looking for great automobile insurance rates there are a few simple steps you can take that will insure that you are able to get the great rates you need.

Start by driving safely and legally. In other words, speeding tickets and other moving violations are going to shoot your automobile insurance premiums sky high. And if you are convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) you can forget finding great rates on your automobile insurance for a minimum of three years.

Younger drivers are considered a bad risk and so their insurance premiums are traditionally higher than most other driver’s rates. However, if you are under 25 and still in school, and you can maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average then you can qualify for a Good Student Discount on your insurance and save anywhere from 5%PRCTG% to 15%PRCTG% each and every month.

Older drivers can get a break as well. If you’re 55 or older you may be able to take a special driver’s refresher course and save as much as 10%PRCTG% on your monthly premium. Not all insurance companies offer this discount, so check with your agent.

If you only drive a few miles each week, talk to your agent about a Low Mileage Discount ? there’s no point paying for automobile insurance when your car’s just sitting in the garage.

And speaking of garages, if you have a garage that you can keep your car in at night you may qualify for an additional discount.

Is your car an older model? If your car no longer has any Kelly Blue Book value you may want to discontinue paying for comprehensive and collision insurance since your insurance company won’t pay off on those coverages anyway.

And before you buy that brand new expensive muscle car be sure to check with your agent regarding just how much it’s going to cost you in insurance premiums each month. When it comes to how much your insurance is going to cost, not all cars are created equal ? some cost a lot more to insure than others.

How much of a deductible can you afford? The more you can afford to pay out of your own pocket any time you have a claim ? and so the less your insurance company is going to pay ? the less your insurance company will charge you each month for the coverage.

O.K., now it’s time to get online and check out the prices of automobile insurance policies offered by different insurance companies. Remember, no one website compares all of the different insurance companies, so if you really want the very best rates on automobile insurance that you can possibly find in Arkansas, you are going to have to spend a little extra time and make comparisons on at least 3 different sites.

The extra time you take will be well repaid in savings on your automobile insurance premium that will add up month after month.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What You May Not Know About Automobile Insurance

February 4th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Perhaps the most commonly purchased type of insurance is automobile insurance, also called driver?s insurance or car insurance. Although laws vary somewhat, virtually all states today require drivers to carry some sort of automobile insurance to legally operate a vehicle on public roads. The penalties for driving without insurance can range from fines to a suspended license or, in the case of repeated infractions, possibly even a short jail sentence. Given that driver?s insurance is required in pretty much every state, it?s worth having some basic knowledge about the subject.

Types and levels of Coverage

The type of insurance coverage a person needs, and how much they will pay for that coverage, vary depending on a number of factors, such as the age of the driver, his or her driving record, the age and value of the vehicle, the dollar amount of the coverage, and whether the vehicle is fully paid for. While auto insurance can get pretty complex, there are four types that everyone should be aware of.

Liability coverage is the most basic type of coverage; it protects the driver against any claims that might be brought after an accident or other incident that is the driver?s fault. This is usually the minimum coverage that a driver needs to be considered insured. Liability insurance usually has the lowest premiums, but it doesn?t cover any damage to the driver?s own vehicle; thus a lower monthly premium needs to be balanced against the risk of a potentially large financial burden. Also, most loan lenders require a driver to carry comprehensive coverage until the borrower has paid off the loan in full.

Collision insurance covers part or all of the cost of repairs to the driver?s vehicle in the event of a collision, based on an estimate of the project cost for the repairs. While collision insurance can definitely pay for itself in the even of a car crash, the monthly premiums are higher than simple liability. Most policies are also subject to a deductible, which means that the policy carrier is responsible for paying a set amount before the insurance company pays. Deductibles vary widely; generally speaking, though, the higher the deductible, the lower the monthly payments, and the lower the deductible, the higher the monthly payments will be.
?
Comprehensive coverage is typically required for vehicles that are still in the process of being paid for. Many vehicle owners also carry comprehensive coverage for expensive or otherwise valuable vehicles. Comprehensive coverage covers damage that isn?t the result of a collision ? fire, theft, vandalism, and so on ? although the exact items covered can vary quite a bit from one policy to the next.

Uninsured Coverage protects you if an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you or your vehicle. Although insurance is a legal requirement in most places, that doesn?t mean that everyone on the road is insured. This type of coverage means that you won?t get stuck with the repair bill if someone less responsible than you involves you in an accident.

Each type of insurance is available at several different levels of coverage; the higher the coverage (in dollars), the higher the premium will be. Premiums will also increase if the driver is involved in an accident or receives tickets for traffic infractions. Additionally, premiums are higher for males than for females, for younger drivers, and for drivers in urban or higher-crime areas. Despite this, however, automobile insurance is a necessity for any responsible driver.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Texas Auto Insurance FAQ

February 3rd, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Whether you are new to Texas, or have lived here your entire live, the chances are good you are going to need to ask some questions about auto insurance in Texas. Is it required?and if so, how much is required? When will you need to show proof of insurance? What happens if I get into an accident that is not my fault, but the other driver has no insurance?

Clearly these are all important issues about auto insurance in Texas. Here at Texas Auto & Home Insurance, we are here to help get you the answers to these and other Frequently Asked Questions.

Is Texas Auto Insurance absolutely required by law?

Yes, auto insurance in Texas is most definitely required for all drivers. Texas law requires all drivers to at least carry liability insurance. Often called 20/40/15 coverage, this minimum policy covers up to %20,000 per injured person, %40,000 for everyone hurt in the accident, and %15,000 for property damage. Note that this type of auto insurance in Texas does not cover you, it only covers the victims of the accidents you cause.

If the medical and/or property damage associated with an accident that you caused exceeds these amounts, you will be responsible for the additional costs. If you cannot afford to pay, you may e sued. In most cases, one can avoid this situation by purchasing additional coverage beyond that required by law.

When will I need auto insurance in Texas?

Obviously you will need to show proof of coverage when you are in an accident. The other driver will want to take down your information and may choose to file a claim with your insurance company.

Other scenarios in which you may be required to show proof of auto insurance in Texas include:

1. A law enforcement officer asks you for it.

If you are pulled over by a police officer for any reason, the first question he/she will ask is to show your license and proof of insurance. If you do not have proof of auto insurance in Texas when a police officer asks, you will immediately be issued a ticket.

2. Register your car or renew its registration.

One way in which mandatory auto insurance in Texas is enforced is by requiring drivers to show proof of insurance when registering your car or renewing your registration. If you do not have it, your registration sticker will expire and you may be pulled over and receive two tickets?one for expired registration, and another for not having proof of insurance.

3. Obtain or renew your driver?s license.

Another way auto insurance in Texas is enforced is by requiring drivers to show proof of insurance when you first obtain, or renew your driver?s license. Without having insurance, you literally cannot drive legally.

4. Get your car inspected.

Finally, you cannot get your car inspected without showing proof of auto insurance in Texas. Like your registration sticker, your inspection sticker and date of expiration are clearly visible on your cars windshield. If it expires, you may be pulled over and asked to show proof of auto insurance.

Clearly, there is just no way to get around having auto insurance in Texas, and State Law has built in several different ways that its proof and currency will be constantly checked.

Ultimately, however, this is a good thing. What should happen if you were to get into an accident that was the other drivers fault, and learned that he/she did not have insurance?

The only way you will be able to recover damages, if the person is not willing or able to pay, is through a civil suit. However, by purchasing additional coverage through your insurance agent, you can be sure that you are protected in these situations.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How To Get Affordable Car Insurance In Maryland

January 21st, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

If you drive a car on any public road in Maryland you must have car insurance. That?s the law. If you break this law you are subject to some rather severe penalties which include (but are not limited to) having your registration revoked and having your car?s license plates confiscated. There can be additional penalties as well.

In Maryland you are required to carry liability insurance, uninsured motorist insurance (UM) and you must carry personal injury protection (PIP). If your car is financed then your lender will undoubtedly require that you also carry collision and comprehensive insurance as well.

None of this insurance is free, which has many motorists in Maryland scrambling to get affordable car insurance. Fortunately there are things you can do to help keep the cost of insuring car as low as possible.

The first thing you need to do is to resolve to drive safely and legally. If you receive a speeding ticket not only will you be forced to pay a hefty court fine, your car insurance rates will also skyrocket ? and they will remain high for several years to come.

Likewise, if you are convicted of drunk or impaired driving you can expect to pay two or three times as much for your car insurance for quite some time to come. Speeding and driving under the influence are both things that are totally under your control; if you are convicted of any of these offenses you have no one to blame but yourself for your higher car insurance premiums.

If you are in school and you can maintain a ?B? grade point average then you can probably qualify for what is called a Good Student Discount, which translates into a monthly savings of about 5%PRCTG% on your car insurance premiums.

If you are 55 or older you may experience a rate increase based on age. However, many insurance companies encourage their older drivers to take a refresher driver?s course; for those who successfully pass such a course the savings on their monthly car insurance premium can be as great as 10%PRCTG%.

If you have an older car, especially one that is fully paid for, you may wish to consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage. Dropping those coverages will save you considerably on your insurance premiums.

If you drop collision and comprehensive and you are involved in an accident your insurance will not pay for the repair of your vehicle ? but to be honest, if your car has little or no Kelly Blue Book value then your insurance would not have paid much, if anything, even if you had paid for the coverage.

The final thing you can do is to increase your deductible. The more money you are willing to pay out of your own wallet any time you have a claim, the less your insurance company will charge you in premiums.

Now that you have designed the best possible car insurance policy for your circumstances it is time for you to get online and compare car insurance policies between different insurance companies and their rates. If you truly want to get affordable car insurance in Maryland then you will need to fill out all of the required information on at least 3 different comparison websites. In this way you will be certain to be comparing all of the car insurance companies in Maryland and you can rest easy knowing that you have truly found the most affordable car insurance in Maryland.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,