Do people with red cars really get more speeding tickets than those with blue cars? Do auto insurance companies use the color of your car to determine your Auto Insurance rates? Do certain colors increase your chance of an accident?
(more…)
The color of my car determines my auto insurance rate. My credit score has no bearing on my insurance premium. I have auto insurance coverage so my new car is already covered… right?
Maybe not! Below is a list of fallacies many car owners believe and drive by each day. The truth just might make you change course.
Myth #10 “No-fault insurance means it’s not my fault!”
False. No-fault insurance means that your auto insurance company pays for your damages regardless of who’s at fault. (more…)
You probably know that lenders use information in your credit report to determine if they’ll give you credit. But did you know that in some states, insurance companies also consider your credit history? Good or bad, your credit history may affect your ability to purchase homeowners or auto insurance coverage and help determine what premium you’ll pay. (more…)
When it comes to auto insurance rates, who you are determines what you pay.
Automobile insurance premiums are based on a large number of factors, some of which you can control, and some of which, alas, are incontrovertible facts of life. Statistically, a sixteen-year old boy with a 300 horsepower sports car in a big city is far more likely to hit something than a 35 year-old married guy driving a minivan around the suburbs.
While you can’t change your age and some other factors, there are things that you can do to keep insurance premiums as low as possible.
Factors you CAN’T change that impact your auto insurance rates: (more…)
Most people complain about the cost of their auto insurance - hardly surprising, given that a typical policy costs at least several hundred dollars a year. Depending on your age, driving record, and other factors, your annual premium can be significantly more than that. So how can you lower your premium and save yourself money?
If you own a car and drive it, going without insurance is generally not an option. In most states, you are required by law to purchase a minimum amount of liability coverage. And you should probably have more than just the bare minimum if you want to provide yourself with adequate protection. There are steps you can take, however, to reduce your auto insurance costs without having to cancel your policy. Some or all of these steps may be appropriate for you, depending on your circumstances.
Specific ways to save money on auto insurance: (more…)
Laptop, book money, bean bag chair, TV with DVD player, iPod, cell phone, shower tote and debit card—sounds like your college-bound teen is all set to start school! But are they ready to handle the responsibilities of driving on campus? Sure your teen driver knows how to navigate around your home town, but going to college means driving in an unfamiliar territory—one with more pedestrians, new distractions and new destinations. Auto Insurance and Driving Tips for College-Bound Students and young drivers. (more…)
Between gas prices and the economy, American drivers are having trouble deciding what autos to buy. Many people are exploring alternatives, from bikes, to buses, to biofuels. One auto alternative is hybrid cars. What exactly is a hybrid and how could it lower your auto insurance quotes?
Gas Mileage and Auto Insurance Quotes. The reason most people want a hybrid is because of the great gas mileage they can get. How is this possible? Technology for hybrid autos varies, but higher fuel efficiency is usually accomplished with an electric motor. Batteries store energy recovered during braking and supply that energy back to the electric motor, cutting down on the amount of gas used. A 2008 Toyota Prius, for example, gets an EPA estimated 46 MPG for combined use, while a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid gets an EPA combined rating of 42 MPG. (more…)
If you drive, you know how crazy it gets out there. Accidents happen, fenders get bent, people get hurt. Or you’re innocently parked in your driveway and a tree limb crashes through your windshield. When disaster strikes, auto insurance is there to protect you.
Why buy auto insurance?
1.) Auto insurance protects you against the financial risk associated with personal injuries and property damage caused by auto accidents, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
2.) All states require you to purchase at least a minimum amount of liability coverage. Other types of auto insurance coverage may be optional or required, depending on state regulations.
3.) If you have a auto loan outstanding, you’ll generally be required by the lender to purchase at least a minimum amount of auto insurance. (more…)
Dealing with the ins and outs of auto insurance can be as tricky and confusing as trying to untie the Gordian knot. Although we can`t help you with the knotty Gordian problem, the following recommendations could help you figure out some of the more complicated points of auto insurance.
1) Determine appropriate coverage.
Help control the price you pay, just ask American Insurance Association executive Dave Snyder. For example, Snyder notes that half of your auto insurance bill covers liability and “that has to do with how you are going to use the vehicle, such as for commuting to work and your driving record. If you`ve got a clean driving record, you figure to pay less for insurance than you would if you had a speeding ticket on your record. You can control the other half of your premium which covers damage or loss to your vehicle, comprehensive and collision coverage.”
2) Shop around for insurance.
“In most states,” Snyder reports, “there are hundreds of insurers competing for business, so it`s possible to save hundreds of dollars by obtaining quotes from different auto insurance providers.” Picking up on Snyder`s theme is his AIA colleague, Nicole Mahrt. Mahrt urges you to work with your insurance provider to get more than one quote. “It pays you to shop around, especially if you feel you`ve been paying too much.”
3) Look for insurance discounts.
“Many insurers will give you a discount if you buy two or more types of insurance from them, for example auto and home insurance,” confirms John Marchioni, senior vice president of Personal Lines for Selective Insurance, in Branchville, N.J. More cost-saving suggestions from Marchioni: “Ask about discounts for air bags, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights and anti-theft devices.” (more…)
The next big thing in car insurance could be a small device placed in your vehicle that tracks your driving habits and determines just how safe a driver you are. In California, mileage-based insurance savings could be worth an average of $276 per vehicle for the majority of state households (according to a report by the Brookings Institution) but many are concerned about the potential loss of privacy.
How Does it Work?
Proposition 103 requires insurers to set their insurance rates based upon specific factors, including the number of miles driven each year. Assembly Bill 2800, which passed in the California Senate Appropriations Committee, allows insurers to more accurately base premiums using mileage information.
Consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog expressed concerns around the bill, stating that the bill “…would force drivers to choose between fair insurance rates and protecting their privacy.” (more…)