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Car Insurance Explained

Finding the right policy and the cheapest insurance cover can be a tricky process; drivers use the Internet, by telephone, read magazines, watch TV advertisement to get information on savings and offers on car insurance.

Owning and driving a car means taking on many risks to yourself and others. When a traffic accident happens, damage, injuries, loss or all of these factors may be inflicted upon you and others. Damage and loss of your property may also occur. Fire, theft, vandalism and natural disasters are other possible risks.

Car Insurance protects motorists and drivers against liability in the event of accidents they may cause. It can also provide cover for the motorist’s own vehicle.

Many different types of cover are available, ranging from third party cover which protects individuals against liability should they injure a third party or cause damage to a third party’s property, but does not provide any cover for the individual’s own vehicle or property, through to comprehensive cover, which can offer protection for accidental damage, theft, fire damage as well as liability towards third parties. The minimum legal requirement for car insurance to drive in the UK is Third Party Only.

Here are 5 steps to follow to find the cheapest deal:

STEP ONE: EXCESS
Voluntary excess ? the easiest way to cut your insurance premiums is to accept a higher voluntary excess. An insurer’s standard excess may be ?100; but if you meet the first ?250 of any claim, you’ll see a reduction in your premium. This is simply because you are more of the risk so you get a discount by your insurance company. This however is a gamble, insurer should be aware that they may have to meet the cost of a broken window after an attempted theft, then a bill for repairing bodywork damage after a car park crunch.

STEP TWO: SECURITY
One way to get cheaper insurance premiums is to fit a security device. Many insurers advise insurer?s to use Thatcham rated security equipment, usually minimum of an alarm. If you are living in a high-risk which may be known for car crime it would be useful to fit an extra security such as steering lock. This will save you money when your insurance renewal is due and gives you extra peace of mind.

STEP THREE: NAMED DRIVERS
Adding a named driver to your policy can increase or reduce your premiums depending upon the named drivers age, sex and driving record. When adding a young driver will increase your premiums, particularly with a limited or poor driving record. However, adding a driver over 30 years old with a long and clean driving record can cut premiums, particularly if the named driver is a female.

STEP FOUR: ANNUAL MILEAGE
If your annual mileage is, 5,000 miles or less, ask insurers if they offer discounts for agreed mileage restrictions, as some insurance companies do give discounts for restricted mileage. However many insurers won’t offer this option as standard but will agree a discount if you ask.

STEP 5 – SHOP AROUND FOR GOOD RATES
The biggest potential savings come from shopping around. This has been made much easier with the explosion of the internet. There can be massive differences between the lowest and highest car insurance quotes for exactly the same car and driver(s).

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Auto Insurance 101 Explained

February 9th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Auto insurance can be confusing for most consumers; there are so many different types of insurance and it can be difficult to determine the type of coverage you?re required to carry versus the types of coverage that you really should carry in order to protect yourself but that are not required.

When considering how much car insurance you should have, it is best to do some research and find out what type of insurance is required by the state in which you reside. Not all states require the same levels of insurance. Some states require more types of coverage than others and states also vary in terms of the amount of coverage that is required. So, be sure you know exactly what the minimums are in the state where you live.

You should also understand what is covered by the different types of insurance in order to understand whether you need insurance coverage above and beyond the minimum required by your state of residence.

Bodily injury liability covers injuries that you cause to someone else while driving your vehicle. Generally the rule of thumb for this type of coverage is to purchase more than is required by your state minimums in order to protect your private assets from a law suit in the event that you injure someone.

Medical payments or personal injury protection, commonly known as PIP covers the treatment of injuries for the driver and the passengers of the vehicle. Depending on the level of coverage, this type of policy will compensate lost wages as well as medical payments.

Collision covers any damage that occurs to your vehicle in the event of an accident, even if it is your fault. Of course, a deductible will apply. Your lender will generally require this type of coverage while you still owe on the vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage is for the loss of your vehicle due to damage by something other than a collision such as theft, fire, natural disaster, vandalism, etc. Again, your lender will probably require this coverage for a financed vehicle. Once your loan is paid off, it?s up to you whether you want to continue carrying comprehensive and collision coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can come in handy in the event that you are either involved in a hit and run or if you are hit by someone who does not have insurance or who is underinsured.

When considering how much insurance to take out, start with the amount that is required at a minimum by your state and then consider whether you?re required to take out any additional coverage due to lender requirements. Remember that while we all hope we won?t have a need for insurance, in the event that we do, it can be a financial lifesaver.

Finally, don?t forget to consider your options regarding deductibles. Raising your deductible can help you lower your premiums and that can make taking out additional insurance coverage more affordable. Just be sure you can reasonably afford the deductible in the event you need to use it.

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Secrets To Buying Your Car Insurance Online

February 8th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

When it comes to buying your car insurance without a doubt the cheapest deals can be found online, this is simply due to the fact that companies who sell car insurance online don?t have the overheads that high street companies do or have to have large amounts of staff and so can pass these savings onto you by offering cheaper premiums and incentives.

Not only can you get the cheapest premiums but you can do so all from the comfort of your own home, you are able to shop online at a time that suits you 24/7. Along with this you can also take full advantage of being able to get almost instant quotes and also compare a huge range of premium costs with a lot of companies at the same time. By doing this you ensure that you get the policy that you need while making the most savings. Another added benefit to shopping online for your car insurance is the amount of information you can find when it comes to the many different types of policy available.

The type of policy that you buy for your car insurance covers you for exactly the same as it would had you bought it from the high street, the only difference is that you make savings. When making a comparison check for the cheapest premiums it is essential that you make sure you know what the policy involves.

Some companies throw in incentives to get to sign with them such as offering free breakdown cover for a specified amount of time or similar offers and this is where you are able to make the biggest savings.

Bear in mind that if a policy is exceptionally cheap them it will probably only cover the very bare essentials and somewhere in the small print it could state that you will have to add additional cover. This is when the cheapest isn?t always the best, as having to add on cover can boost up the premium considerably.

Before making comparisons for premiums you will of course have to know what type of car insurance you require and of course what that cover will give you. There are two main types of insurance and these are fully comprehensive which is the most expensive as it generally covers just about everything and third party which covers for incidents such as the theft of your car.

There are many other additional components when it comes to car insurance and you would be wise to check the options that are available. Of course the cover you need will depend on such as your age, type and size of car and how old the car is.

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The Basics Of Auto Insurance

January 19th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Auto insurance is used to protect an individual or entity against financial loss. Financial loss can occur in many different ways in association with vehicles, and most auto insurance policies agree to cover the individual or entity by providing insurance against property damage, medical coverage and liability damages. For instance, many auto insurance policies cover:

Coverage of property damage, sometimes including theft and accidents

Medical coverage in the case you are inured in a vehicle accident. Many policies cover treating immediate injuries, some policies continue coverage for rehabilitation or even lost wages and funeral expenses.

Coverage for liability damages. Liability coverage will pay for legal damages done to other individuals or property.

Auto insurance is essentially a contract between you and your insurance company. You pay a premium at a regular interval and the insurance company is legally responsible to cover damages that your policy covers.

There are many different types of policies and it should be noted that the vast majority of state governments require an individual or entity to purchase at least basic auto insurance coverage in order to operate certain vehicles on public roadways. In many cases, if you operate a vehicle that is not insured, you can have your license revoked and pay large penalties. Some of the more popular coverage options for auto insurance policies available are;

Collision- this type of coverage protects your vehicle from damages that result from a car accident with another vehicle or with other objects on the road. If your vehicle gets into a car accident, the insurance will pay for repairs or if the car is totaled will cover the damages for the car?s worth.

Comprehensive- this type of coverage protects your vehicle from damages that are a result of things other than a collision. For instance, if your radio was stolen and the burglar broke your window and ruined your dashboard, the auto insurance will cover your losses or fix the damage.

Policies are usually for 6 months or a year and the rate that you pay for your premium is dependent on many variables including type of coverage, age, type of vehicle, location of residence and how you use your vehicle. There are many other variables that might be taken into consideration; however each insurance company has their own formula for calculating the cost of a policy.

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Understanding Your Car Insurance Policy

January 14th, 2010 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

When it comes to understanding insurance policies the majority of us are left floundering, car insurance is no exception, yet it is one thing that we absolutely need if we want to drive on the roads. There are many different types of policies available when it comes to insuring your car and this will be the first choice you have to make when it comes to taking out a policy.

All policies can be broken down into six different parts, while some of these you will have no choice over as they are mandatory, some you will have to decide if you want to include in your cover. To give a better insight into what is involved and what your choices are, here is an explanation in simple terms of what these include.

The first choice you will have to make is the collision part of the insurance; the collision part is the part which covers the cost of repairs to you car if you should have an accident, hit another car, a tree or such. If you have this then you will be able to claim for the cost of repairs to your car. However as with all parts of car insurance there are exclusions and you should make sure you understand what these are when you take out the cover.

Your next major decision when it comes to car insurance is the comprehensive cover; this type of cover will cover you for the things which aren?t listed under your collision cover. This is for such as if your car were damaged due to fire, flood, something being dropped onto it or any such similar unforeseen event. If you have a very old car then this part of the cover might not be needed, so the pros and cons have to be weighed up before choosing this.

The medical cover is something which also has to be given consideration; medical coverage is for any injuries which you or any of your passengers might suffer as a result of an accident. If you have this cover then it will also provide cover for those who borrow your car with your permission of course, it will also cover you if you are driving someone else?s car.

Bodily injury liability can also be included in a policy; this means that this part of the policy would pay out if you were to be sued as a result of an accident which injured someone else or if there were a death because of the accident.

Property damage liability is also something which you have to consider, this means that you be covered if you were to damage someone else?s property whilst driving.

Finally thought has to be given to the uninsured motorist cover, this type of cover will give you protection in case you should be involved in an accident which isn?t your fault but the other driver has failed to take out insurance. It is a part of the cover which should be given serious consideration as there are drivers out there who take the risk of driving without insurance.

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Looking At Different Types Of Auto Insurance

November 14th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Auto insurance is at its heart financial protection. You purchase insurance in order to prevent paying thousands of dollars in the event of a collision or other loss. Many different types of insurance are available, covering almost every conceivable means of loss or damage to your vehicle as well as others to which you may cause damage. Very few drivers need to purchase every single type of insurance, so it is helpful to understand each type in order to decide which ones you require.

Property damage insurance is sometimes known as liability insurance. This product is designed to cover damages that you may do to someone else?s vehicle. Your state sets a minimum amount of this insurance that you must carry but the state requirement is often quite low. If the damage you cause exceeds the limits of your insurance you could be sued for the difference. It is therefore wise to purchase as much property damage insurance as you can afford.

Personal injury insurance is usually required by law, though the required amount may vary by state. This insurance pays a portion of your medical bills (generally 80 percent) and a portion of your lost wages (usually 60 percent) if you are injured in an accident. Personal injury protection often includes a small death benefit as well. This insurance may cover your relatives or household members or even everyone in the car, depending on your insurance company?s policies and state mandates.

Bodily injury insurance is extremely important even though it is not required by many jurisdictions. If you are at fault for an accident that injures someone beyond the limits of his personal injury coverage, bodily injury insurance will cover the difference. Otherwise you could be sued for medical expenses.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you are injured beyond the limits of your personal injury protection in an accident caused by someone who does not carry bodily injury insurance, what are your options? You could certainly sue him and likely win your case. However lawsuits are time consuming and expensive, and if he does not have the money to pay you might be stuck with an uncollectible judgment against him. Instead, your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage could cover your injuries. This protection is reasonably priced and will ensure that you are paid in a timely manner. Purchase this coverage if you can.

Collision insurance will reimburse you for damages to your vehicle if you are at fault. Collision coverage will pay up to the actual cash value of the vehicle less your deductible. If your car is financed you may be required to carry collision insurance. However the premiums are high and this product is not recommended for older low value vehicles.

Comprehensive insurance will pay for damage or loss to your vehicle from both theft and acts of God. Comprehensive coverage will pay up to the actual cash value of the vehicle less your deductible. This insurance is usually required if your car is financed but not recommended for older cars with a low cash value.

Many other options are also available, covering everything from medical payments beyond your personal injury coverage to a rental car while yours is being repaired. Most of these options are good to have if you can afford them but not necessary if you can?t. Always speak with your insurance agent if you have any questions or concerns regarding your coverage options.

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