Car insurance can sometimes feel like an unnecessary expense, paying money for something you may never use. But it only takes one accident for it to prove invaluable, not to mention states require it. You don’t have to spend a fortune when you’re shopping for auto insurance, as these car insurance tips will explain you. There are many ways to shop savvy and obtain discounts so that you save money on your car insurance; some discounts you may already qualify for and not even be aware of. When shopping for car insurance, doing a little homework can build you hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year, which is well worth the extra time and effort. So follow these car insurance tips below and save money on your auto insurance today.
Research How Worthy Coverage You Need
Before you even begin getting rate quotes, find out how much minimum coverage your state requires, as this varies from state to state. This number will be your starting point as you shop. Then, evaluate your assets and determine how much extra coverage you should add, if any. If your assets well exceed your bodily injury liability coverage limits, attorneys could go after them in the event of an accident in which you’re at-fault and the other party’s medical bills exceed your coverage limits. Let your personal financial situation guide you, and review this from year to year to make sure your unique coverage reflects your assets.
Compare Rate Quotes
Once you’ve definite how much coverage you need when shopping for car insurance, you can then compare quotes from different companies based on those numbers. This step alone will assist you do money on auto insurance that can be quite substantial, so don’t skip it! While you can go to specific companies’ Websites to get free rate quotes, there are independent sites as well, if you feel more comfortable. As you research your options, withhold these things in mind:
• Make sure you’re comparing all annual or monthly rates so your numbers add up correctly.
• Jot down an 800 number for each site to fetch additional information or questions answered.
• Look at the company’s payment policy, including when payments are due and how late or missed payments are handled.
• Find any and all discounts that pertain to you and compare the discounts that companies offer; this can beget a big difference to your bottom line.
• Look at ratings from accurate consumers as well as from official companies to make sure it’s a reputable company that will take care of you in the event of an accident.
Research All Discounts
Many auto insurance companies offer discounts to consumers for all sorts of reasons; chances are you already qualify for at least a few and don’t even know it. These discounts vary, but it is worth exhausting your options to find the best rates possible. When researching your policy options, find out if these discounts apply to your situation:
• Safe driving record
• Good to excellent credit score
• Safety equipment on your vehicle, such as anti lock brakes, automatic seatbelts, and airbags
• Your occupation (some jobs are considered lower risk to insure)
• Annual mileage (lower yearly mileage can result in a percentage off your policy)
• Affiliations with professional organizations and auto clubs like AAA
• Combining your auto insurance policy with your homeowner’s insurance
• Insuring all household cars with one company
• Choosing a vehicle with a lower rate (check with your insurance company before purchasing a original car)
• Installing or having anti-theft devices in your vehicle
• Taking a driver safety course (this pertains mostly to teens, though some offer a discount for those over 55 who take one as well)
• Getting an “early shopping discount” by shopping around for a new policy well before your current policy expires
Pick and Choose Your Coverage Options
You don’t have to automatically settle a package offered to you by the insurance company. For instance, you may choose to downgrade or eliminate collision coverage if you have a good driving record or an older vehicle, keeping the comprehensive to screen you in the event your car is stolen. Also, many people opt to assume more risk by raising their deductible, thus lowering their monthly premium. If you raise your deductible from $500 to $1,000, you’re paying $500 more in the event of an accident, but you’ll save this money in monthly payments, making it well worth the risk for most people.
Decide if You Want to Use an Agent
Researching your options to save money on car insurance can be a daunting task, especially if it’s a new process for you or you have a lot of exceptions to consider. Using an insurance agent can streamline this process and save you a lot of headaches. There are two types of agents; those who are bound to a specific insurance company and can therefore only narrate you to various policies and discounts within that company, and those who are independent. Independent agents will help you shop around with various insurance companies to find the best deals. My husband and I have used an independent agent for about seven years now and have been very glad with the service and succor we’ve been given. This agent was also able to help us when we bought our first home, switching our company so that we received a more substantial discount when combining our home and auto insurance policies. An agent can also be helpful in the event of an accident; he or she can work with the insurance company to walk you through the process of filing a claim and getting all of the money you’re entitled to in the event of an accident. Of course, if you’re just looking for cheap, easy car insurance that meets your state’s minimums, buying direct from a company without an agent may be the best option for you.
Sources:
Edmunds.com
FiveCentNickel.com
Msn.com
UsaToday.com
Wikihow.com
Filed under Aaa Auto Insurance by on Feb 19th, 2011. Comment. 
Car insurance is a tricky subject. There are so many things to reflect. There are many types of coverage to look at that must be understood before making a policy win. The following will define the different types of auto insurance that are available and what would be the best policy to fit your needs.
Auto insurance is meant to prevent you from financial ruin in the event of an accident. It protects you if you and your property are injured and it will protect you if you hurt someone else and their property. It is not a guarantee against a lawsuit. It is not a green light to drive recklessly.
Price-The designate for your policy is based on a number of factors.
• Age, sex, marital status, location, type of vehicle and age of vehicle and amount of driving time all calculate into the cost of the plan.
• The number of coverage plans selected for the policy.
• The coverage amounts and deductibles chosen.
Bodily injury liability coverage- This coverage pays for injuries or death that result from an accident in which you are at fault.
• Often this coverage will be combined with Property damage liability coverage.
• When purchasing this coverage you will select a dollar amount of coverage. This is the maximum amount that will be paid for injuries.
• Anything that is not paid for by the insurance becomes the at fault party’s responsibility to take care of.
• Many states require this coverage.
• This is the basic minimum requirement. States will mandate the dollar amount of coverage you have to have.
Property damage liability coverage- This coverage pays for damages that result from an accident in which are at fault and have damaged another person’s property.
• Often this coverage will be combined with Bodily injury liability coverage.
• When purchasing this coverage you will select a dollar amount of coverage. This is the maximum amount that will be paid for pain.
• Anything that is not paid for by the insurance becomes the at fault party’s responsibility to take care of.
• Many states require this type of coverage.
• This is the basic minimum requirement. States will mandate the dollar amount of coverage you have to have.
Medical Payments, no-fault or personal injury coverage- This coverage pays for medical expenses of the driver and passengers in your vehicle in the event of an accident regardless of who is at fault.
• When purchasing this coverage you will choose a dollar amount of coverage.
• It is sometimes combined with Uninsured Motorist Coverage.
• This coverage will pay for the injuries of your drivers and yourself.
• Any injury expense that is not covered by this insurance will become the party’s at fault responsibility.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage- This type of coverage pays for your injuries and some property in specific circumstances after being in an accident with an uninsured driver or involved in a hit-and-run driver.
• When purchasing this coverage you will select a dollar amount of coverage.
• It is sometimes combined with Medical Payments, no-fault or personal injury coverage.
• This coverage will pay for the injuries of your drivers and yourself.
• Any injury expense that is not covered by this insurance will become the party’s at fault responsibility.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage- This type of coverage pays for your injuries and some property in specific circumstances after being in an accident in which the driver at fault’s insurance is insufficient to cover the cost of the damages.
Comprehensive coverage- This type of coverage pays for afflict to your car or property in the event of theft, vandalism, flood, fire, hail, and other types of things.
• For this type of coverage you select a deductible. This deductible is the amount that you will pay prior to the insurance paying for damages.
• This coverage is specific for acts of theft, vandalism and naturally caused wound to your car such as caused by wind, water, hail, etc.
• This coverage will add cost to your policy. However if your vehicle is stolen or vandalized or damaged from a weather related event it will really pay for itself.
Collision Coverage- This type of coverage pays for damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident or collision regardless of fault.
• You will choose a deductible. This is the amount of money you will pay prior to the insurance company paying.
• This insurance will pay whether the accident was against a pole or was a five car pileup.
• This insurance plan will add cost to your policy but it will guarantee that your car is repaired regardless of who is at fault.
PIP-Personal Injury Protection-This type of coverage pays for the insured driver’s medical expenses regardless of fault so long as the injuries are related to an auto accident.
• This insurance ensures that the injured party gets the medical attention needed and the bills are paid timely regardless of fault.
Rental Reimbursement- This type of coverage will pay for a rental car in the event that the insured’s car is damaged due to an accident. There is likely a daily allowance for a rental car.
• This is used when your vehicle is in the shop for repairs or if your vehicle is totaled. A rental will be given to you for a certain amount of days or up to a certain dollar amount. This will protect you from being stranded without a vehicle because of a collision.
Resources
http://www.geico.com/information/aboutinsurance/auto/
http://auto.progressive.com/progressive-car-insurance/auto-coverages.aspx
Filed under Aaa Auto Insurance by on Feb 17th, 2011. Comment.
Senior citizens and older drivers, like teenagers, find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to car insurance. A number of factors, such as crashes per miles driven and accident fatalities according to age group, cause insurance rates to begin to rise once a driver reaches the age of 60. Considered only slightly less risky than new drivers there are some things seniors can do to keep the rising costs of auto insurance to a minimum.
Most states now offer mature defensive driving courses designed to keep driving skills sharp. As is the case with Driver’s Ed, about two thirds of all states mandate insurance companies give policy discounts upon completion of these courses. Generally, the cost for these two day courses is less than $30.00 and may well provide a 10% discount on auto insurance for 3 years. Checking with your insurance agent, AAA, or AARP can get you information on where courses are offered in your state along with actual costs.
Seniors should carefully consider the vehicle being driven for a number of reasons. As a rule most insurance companies give discounts across the board for safety and anti-theft features, updating or upgrading could place money over the long haul. Additionally, as we age our reflexes and reaction time slows, so now more than ever it is essential for the car to be properly maintained and easy to operate.
One of the biggest money savers on car insurance is also the most obvious – avoiding accidents. Any driver regardless of age who is uncomfortable during certain conditions such as weather, darkness, or rush hour should simply just not drive.
Joining AAA, or AARP is well worth the yearly fee, not only will it save you money on car insurance in some cases, but it can also save on repairs. Always shop around for the best prices, or at the very least review your policy yearly with an agent to be sure you’re not missing any discounts.
Sources:
http://www.hometownquotes.com/auto-insurance-tips-for-seniors.html
http://www.sbaaa.com/Insurance/Auto/auto_insurance_senior_citizen_drivers.htm
http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Discounts/2007/7-06-28-SenCitCanFind.htm
Filed under Aaa Auto Insurance by on Jan 23rd, 2011. Comment.
