Showing posts with label auto insurance rate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label auto insurance rate. Show all posts

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance

Thursday, July 30, 2009

auto insurance
With the rising costs of fuel and just about every other good or service we purchase, many of us are looking for cheap car insurance. When it comes to cheap car insurance most of us are clueless as to how to go about getting a low cost car insurance policy. There are many factors that influence your car insurance costs drastically.
For example, did you know that the type of car you drive will influence the cheap car insurance you're looking for? Or did you know that using anti theft devices will help reduce your over all car insurance costs? A good driving record will allow you to get cheap car insurance?
The deductible is the amount you pay first out of any claim for an accident. The car insurance policy's cost is directly related to your deductible. A lot of people, especially those with a good driving record, who have had their insurance policy for a long time, have never considered varying their deductible. If you have a clean driving record and are prepared for the risk of paying a larger amount in the event of a claim you can save money by increasing your deductible.
Many times you can get cheap car insurance by combining policies with you existing insurance company. For example if you have a home owners insurance policy contact them and ask for discounts for switching your car insurance to them. If you don't own a home perhaps you have renters insurance or life insurance, contact these companies about the savings you could get by switching your car insurance over to them. Most insurance companies are very accommodating to these requests.
It also pays to shop online for your cheap car insurance; many of the big companies offer a comparison of their coverage versus other companies. As you are requesting cheap car insurance quote online be sure to be completely truthful in answering the questionnaire. Additionally, you should know when you get your online quote you will need to follow up with actual paper work.
Whatever your motivation, with a little work you too can find the cheap car insurance you're looking for.
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Is A Higher Auto Insurance Rate For Men Twenty Five And Below Discrimination?

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

auto insurance
What makes a man below 25 so attractive? Is it the angst to make it big in life? Is it the youthful charm? Is it the fashion sense? Or… is it that shimmering blue car he got?
To have a car is an advantage. You get to travel with not much hassle compared to having to commute. For young men especially that below 25, owning one is a symbol of masculinity. They often use it as a magnet for the opposite sex.
Beneath these fine points, one disadvantage these young men suffer in having a car is: THEY HAVE TO PAY HIGHER AUTO INSURANCE RATE. As the rationale of this policy tells, younger men are at high risks compared to older ones. That is why they have to pay for higher rates.
Some understand and realize this point but for many, they think it is a form of “discrimination”.
The word discrimination is defined as-treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality or prejudice: racial discrimination; discrimination against foreigners.
Most young men who claim that indeed there is discrimination feels that though they are at high risks, why must charges be different? It is like charging one person according to gender, race or age which is a form of discrimination.
There is a difference between legal discrimination and the one which is defined by the dictionary. Legal discrimination often pertains to justified discrimination. Discriminating auto insurance rates through age is not true to all states. In some places like California, they categorize them through driving experience. Charges are higher to those who have been driving for less than 9-10 years than those who have been driving more than 10 years to fifty years. For those who are 80 years old or more or the senior citizens have to pay more because they are also at high risks.
In the United States of America, principles which are not prohibited by laws are considered to be permitted. This makes charging bigger rates of auto insurance to men below 25 neither legally discriminatory nor illegal.
Complaints like auto insurance must be based in the drivers’ records whether he drives well or not and not by age. Complainants think that it is unjust to charge everybody for the mistake of half. The basis of charging higher to men 25 and below is the psychological aspect, at this age they become playful, very adventurous, risk-takers and they drink a lot!
DISCRIMINATION strikes you when you only let somebody do so.
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Why Should You Shop Around for Auto Insurance?

Saturday, July 25, 2009

auto insurance
Does buying from the most expensive company mean you are buying the best coverage? Generally, a good deal is a state of mind. As long as you are happy, with the amount of coverage, you have and how much you paid for it, you got a good deal. For each person, the amount of coverage they need and what they can afford to spend is usually a different amount.
The main reason drivers overpay on their insurance is they do not shop around. CarInsurance.com offers an easy way to shop around. They do compare the pricing of several auto insurance quotes. Knowing how much coverage you need will help you select an insurance company. This is one of the best ways for consumers to maximize what they get for their insurance premiums.
Insurance is a highly competitive business. There are thousands of insurers offering policies to consumers. Each consumer's goal should be to find a financially solid company that offers a fair price along with superior customer service. How do you know which company can provide such a combination of both good pricing and customer service? One way is to talking to friends, relatives, and business associates. Ask people you know and respect what insurance company they use. Ask if they are pleased with how their company handles claims.
The insurance industry is highly regulated. It is important to do business with a company that is licensed by the state in which you live. Another factor of the strength a company has is its A.M. Best Company rating. You want to be comfortable knowing that in the event of a claim your company will be there for you. A.M. Best Company is the industry leader providing ratings and financial information for insurance companies.
How do you know what to expect from your insurance company? Your insurance company and its representatives should be able to answer your questions. They should be able to help you determine what coverage and limits you should carry based on your needs. They should handle any claims fairly, efficiently and quickly. You should feel comfortable with both the insurance company that you select and the insurance agent or company representative that you will be working with. Your insurance professional should take the time to understand your insurance needs and answer all of your questions to your satisfaction.
Now is the time for your fingers to punch their way to a quick rate analysis and view the ratings at the same time.
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Tips for Getting Cheap Auto Insurance Rates

Saturday, July 18, 2009

auto insurance
Getting a quote for auto insurance online is easy... but finding cheap insurance can be more of a challenge. It takes diligence and knowledge.
Here are a few tips to help you find the cheapest auto insurance available.
Safety FeaturesMake sure your vehicle is well built and "safety" feature rich. You should get cheaper premiums for adding anti-theft devices, car alarms or a good tracking system since these items reduce the risk of your car being stolen.
Defensive DrivingTake a defensive driving class. Certification will help you in your quest to locate cheap auto insurance and can reduce your premium for up to three years.
Comparing RatesThe automobile industry is fiercely competitive. Premiums can vary by as much as 300% for the same coverage. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples on the features you need the most when searching for cheap auto insurance.
Complete ApplicationIf you don't complete the application in full, the insurance companies are not going to give you a quote for their cheapest auto insurance and you won't find out about any of the discounts you may be eligible for. You'll simply get a higher rate quote by default. Be sure to enter your marital status, how many licensed drivers are in your home, your car's safety features, your zip code, the miles you drive, etc.
Increase Your DeductibleYou can also reduce your rates by selecting a higher deductible. Generally the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Your savings can be as much as hundreds of dollars by increasing your deductible from $250 to $500.
Cut Back on Your MilesIf you travel less than an average of 40 miles a day, you'll more than likely qualify for a low mileage discount. If you must travel more, car pool or use the public transportation one or two days a week to reduce the miles you drive.
Color of Your CarStatistics tell us that red cars are involved in more accidents than any other color. If you want to find the cheapest auto insurance, avoid buying a red vehicle.
Who Drives What Car the Most?Compare quotes with the man as the main driver and the woman as the second driver and vice versa on each of your vehicles. Always, place your younger drivers (teenagers) on the safest vehicle you own, such as the family station wagon or the family car. You'll never find cheap auto insurance by putting your teenager on a sporty little two door vehicle.
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How To Change Auto Insurance Companies

Saturday, July 11, 2009

auto insurance
There are many reasons why you may choose to change your auto insurance coverage to another company. Perhaps you’ve found another company that offers you the same amount of coverage for considerably less money. You might have changed jobs and are eligible for a group discount through another insurer, or maybe you’re unhappy with the service that your present company provides. With the growth of the internet and quote comparison sites, investigating your options has never been easier!
Why change to a new Auto insurance carrier?
You need to regularly review your auto insurance coverage to make sure that you are receiving the best insurance value for your money. You will discover that it pays to shop around. In some states, premiums for identical policies vary widely among different auto insurance companies. The reasons for this price variation can be very complicated, but they boil down to a company's claims experience with policyholders in a coverage group (e.g. people of similar age, number of accidents, type of vehicle). For example, if a large number of people in a coverage group files claims during a given year, their rates will likely rise. When this happens, better discounts and lower overall premiums may be available at other insurance companies. When you decide to switch your auto insurance to another company, you’ll find that it's fairly easy to do so.
How to cancel your old Auto Insurance policy
Generally, all you need to do to cancel your auto insurance policy is to inform your insurance company in writing, specifying the date you want the policy canceled. In some states, the new agent must notify the previous agent of the policy change. Some auto insurance companies ask the policyholder send back the actual printed policy. The insurance company will send a cancellation request form that will need to be signed and returned. Examine the form carefully to make sure that all information regarding the policy is correct. If the form is not received within two weeks of sending the letter, call the agent or company immediately to check on the status of the cancellation. Don't just walk away from the old policy without formally canceling it. Each state requires that auto Insurance policies be cancelled with notice, thus the insurance company might assume one wished to continue the coverage, and it might eventually terminate the policy for failure to pay premiums and report the lack of coverage to the state Department of Motor Vehicles. This can hurt your credit rating and ability to get a new policy.
Be sure to get a new Auto Insurance policy first
Always have a new policy in place before canceling the old auto insurance coverage. Otherwise you might have a gap in protection for a day or more! Most states require all drivers to carry a minimum level of auto insurance and most insurance companies require policyholders to present proof of new coverage before they will cancel an active policy. The new company will be able to time the beginning of the new policy to coincide with the cancellation of the prior coverage.
When to Change Auto Insurance policies
At Renewal
Renewal is a convenient time to change auto insurance policies, as you don’t have to wait for a refund from your current carrier. A renewal notice will be sent to you approximately 30 days before a new policy begins, depending on the regulations in your state. Should you decide to switch companies, you’ll need to have a new policy by the time the current policy renews. Though a company might say there is 10-30 days to get your payment in before a policy terminates, you do not have coverage until the carrier receives the payment. If you have an accident during this time period you most likely will have no coverage since the premium wasn’t paid!
Anytime:
All Auto insurance policies contain a provision allowing you to cancel your policy with proper notice at any time. In a few states auto insurance companies “short rate” the policy that means one pays a penalty for canceling before the policy renews. Most insurance companies pro-rate their policies so there is no penalty. The advantage of switching before the renewal date can save you a lot of money. For example if you have a policy that runs from Jan 15th to Aug 15th and you have an accident or ticket that will be over 36 months on March 15th. By switching Auto insurance companies on March 16th, you get a discount for having a clean driving record. Your current carrier won’t apply this discount until the policy renews on August 15th! This can save you Hundreds of dollars immediately!
How long does it take to change Auto insurance?
When you change auto insurance companies, the new agent or insurer can generally change carriers while you wait! Generally they’ll just need a copy of your current declaration page, driver’s license and down payment to get the policy issued.
So why not get started today and Get Free Auto Insurance Quotes from Top Companies?
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Cheap Car Insurance For Teens – How To Keep The Rates Down

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

auto insuranceThe teenager shopping for car insurance is at a decided disadvantage. Car insurance rates are based on age and driving experience as well as driving record. The best way for teenage drivers to work their way into better rates is stay on their parents policy in order to gain driving experience and a driving record. There is a good chance that after three years and a clean driving record that a preferred policy from the parent’s insurance company can then be issued on the teen drivers that want to have their own car and pay for their own insurance. There are numerous discounts for the young driver today. Drivers training education is the most common discount. The drivers training course normally consist of 30 hours of driving with an authorized instructor along with 6 hours of classroom work. Some companies give discounts for good students that carry a 3.0 grade point average in high school or college. There is also a resident student discount available by some insurance companies. The student has to live over 100 miles away from home to receive this discount.
Age Rating Tiers – Most insurance companies have age rating tiers on young drivers. The ages from 16 to 21 is one tier and the rates are the highest in this time period. The next age tier begins at age 21 and ends at age 25. The rates drop significantly at age 21 and again at age 25.
Vehicles Make a Difference – The younger the driver the higher the rate. The rates are very high for young drivers on newer vehicles that require collision and comprehensive coverage. Older vehicles that only require liability coverage as a minimum state requirement is one way to cut costs for the teen driver. Utility vehicles like pick-up trucks receive a small discount and the teen driver can take advantage of that discount also. The teen driver needs to stay away from high performance vehicles and sports cars because the rates will be very high and these cars may not qualify for standard car insurance.
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Car Insurance Rates - Finding Them Cheap

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

auto insuranceProbably the most important thing when you're looking for cheap car insurance is to shop around. You need to look at competing products, and let the companies that you're dealing with know that you are looking around as well. Many companies do have flexibility with the packages they are prepared to offer you, and this goes double if you go to an insurance broker, who makes their livelihood by making deals between private citizens and insurance companies.
There are some factors that can work in your favor when it comes to getting reduced costs for your car insurance. Are you female? Are you over 25? Are you in good health? Do you have a completely clear driving record? All of these things can work in your favor. The less of a risk you can prove yourself to be, then the chances are better that you can get lower premiums.
Other ways that you can get reductions on your car insurance are to package your car insure with house, contents and or life insurance. Having all your insurance together means that you might be able to get one relatively low premium, rather than having to pay separate premiums for each insurance need.
You can also look for reward deals. Some companies will drop their premiums for you if you've been with them for a certain amount of time without having an automobile altercation and needing to draw on your insurance to cover it. These can really work out to be much cheaper over time.
Another thing you can do to save yourself some money is limited insurance, meaning that you insure the car only for yourself, or perhaps for you and your partner. This will get reduced rates versus insurance that covers anyone driving your car, or insurance that covers your wild young teenagers driving your car.
The best way to get cheap car insurance though, is simply to be a safe driver.
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Car Insurance Rates – Can You Lower Them?

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

auto insuranceCar insurance rates are prohibitive nowadays. Many families really struggle to pay the car insurance bill each month. And car insurance rates vary all the time. So if car insurance cost is an issue for you, what can you do about it?
The car insurance industry is a massive industry. It is also a highly competitive one, and car insurance rates vary over time as car insurance companies compete for business. Car insurance rates are often highly fluid.
It is entirely possible to lower the cost of your auto insurance rates by altering your behaviour, and you can do this by having a better understanding of how the rates are assessed.
Car insurance rates are based on an assessment of risk. Whilst insurance companies vary their rates to compete with other insurance companies, they also vary their rates based on their assessment of the risk posed by a particular driver driving a particular car. They do this because there is no point in buying business with low car insurance rates and then insuring high risk drivers at these rates. This is a recipe for losing money.
So, if you lower your risk, you lower your car insurance. How do you lower your risk? Well there’s a number of ways that your own driving and car behaviour can affect your car insurance rates.
Have a look at the car you drive. Is it suitable for your current needs? If not then would it be worthwhile to consider a change?
Different cars attract different auto insurance rates. Sports cars, high powered cars and cars at greater risk of theft attract higher rates. How long have you had your car and would it be wise to think about another one that would be cheaper to insure and more useful to you?
Are you a safe driver? Do you stick to the speed limit? Are you at risk of other driving offences? Many people do not think about some of the consequences of speeding tickets and driving offences until after they have seen their subsequent car insurance bill.
Your risk profile is a direct result of your driving record. A clean driving record and you will be rewarded by cheaper rates. A poor driving record and you will be penalised, usually for quite a while.
Are you willing to attend driver training courses? Many car insurance companies offer specific discounts for drivers who have attended a course. Why? Lower risk.
Are you willing to drive less? Could you car pool or use public transport to get to work? Car insurance companies look at the amount of driving their clients do when assessing their car insurance rates. Why? Lower risk. Less miles driven equals less risk. And you’ll save on other car costs too.
So if auto insurance costs are an issue for you and your family there are things you can do. These are just a few of those things, there are many more. Car insurance rates are not set in stone.
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Car Insurance Rate:best versus the cheapest

Sunday, June 14, 2009

auto insuranceThe more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you'll find that the subject of car insurance rate is certainly no exception.
Looking For the Best Car Insurance Rate?

You don’t need to go places, meet lots of agents or drop by headquarters of different car insurance companies.

Traditionally, you will have to ask your trusted agent/broker about the best rates that can be offered to you. It somehow works, because the agent handles multiple accounts and affiliations with various insurance firms. And past experiences from other clients make him/her more knowledgeable about the car insurance gateway.


For sure, direct contact or transaction to car insurance companies will save you more on premiums. Why? Because middlemen are eliminated and so are the commissions paid to them. But you will surely find the task a very tedious activity.


Online processing of car insurance applications proves to be a wise move if you are after convenience and savings on gasoline and transport expenses. This mode will surely get you the best of the best rates across the Internet within seconds, and at your fingertips.


Online, you will find a lot of Web sites offering services that scout for cheapest car insurance quotes from insurance firms. The services will give you freedom to exercise your freewill and choose the car insurance company that offers the best quotes and rates for your needed coverage.


How to get the best car insurance rate?
Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.
To get a cheap car insurance premium, you will have to invest, first of all, in clean driving records. Speeding tickets or traffic violations you have committed for at least the past five years will directly affect the rates you will automatically get for your car insurance policy. If you already have tickets, adopt a self-policy that ‘it is still never too late.’ Start practicing some disciple when off the road.
Get a higher excess charge or deductible. Deductible is the amount you are willing to personally shoulder in case of accidents, repairs or damages. For example, if you set a $500 deductible, the insurance company will not cover any expense if the cost of repairs from a damage will cost less than $500. Suppose the cost of repair reaches $600, you will pay $500 and the insurance firm will take the $100 bill.
The idea might sometimes be misleading. Some people fall through this trap by setting very low deductibles to make sure the insurer covers most of the expenses for repairs or accidents. The catch? Lower deductibles equate for higher premiums and vice versa. Personal and car information are variables you cannot do something about. But they are the primary factors that get evaluated upon the processing of your car insurance application. Don’t lie and sweeten your facts. Be honest. You may not get the best rates by doing so, but you will surely get the best and real quotes available for drivers of your classification if you will be open and inquisitive.
The best versus the cheapest
Best car insurance rates are not necessarily the cheapest. Best, still is a relative term, even in the car insurance jargon. For most of the industry insiders, best car insurance rates are attained if the coverage and policy purchased are comprehensive, broad and practical, even if the premium that comes with it is not that cheap.
Likewise, the cheapest car insurance rate may not be the best because certain coverage or policy clauses make them less compared to others. The cheapest car insurance rates usually lack certain provisions for various situations and accidents. Sometimes, hitting the bottom is not that ideal, especially if there are other more attractive options out there.
If you've picked some pointers about car insurance rate that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won't really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don't use it.
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Car Insurance : How Did They Calculate That?

Saturday, May 30, 2009

auto insuranceInsurance premiums are calculated according to several risk factors. These are the factors identified by the insurance company as most likely to have an impact on the insured against risk occurring. Insurance is a significant cost associated with the item insured and should not be rushed into. It is always a good idea to shop around for the best price available. Insurance premiums will vary considerably from insurer to insurer so do your homework.
Shop Around
Look up the various insurance companies you are interested in and ask them for a quote. They can usually give you a rough estimate fairly quickly and even more exact quotes should also be possible if you provide more details and wait. You should also look up insurers online and get instant quotes from their website. This is a very fast and effective way of shopping around. You will get a good idea of what prices to expect. You can also experiment with the quotation websites to see what effect it makes to your premium price if you select different options. With all insurance policies you will have a number of options that affect the price of the policy.
Therefore you should think about these options and if there are risks that you do not wish to cover then let the insurer know as your premium should become cheaper.
You should also try to make sure you do not double insure. It is a principle of insurance that you cannot benefit from the insured event’s occurrence. So you cannot get paid twice even if you have two insurance policies. So if a risk is already covered by one policy, again let your insurer know so they can remove it from their calculation.
Factors
Car insurance premiums usually depend on factors such as what kind of car you are driving, how old it is, how big the engine is, what make and model it is? What type of insurance you require also plays a part, do you need only liability, or also comprehensive? What use you will make of the car, for example will you commute to work and how many miles do you plan on driving?
Your driving history will be a strong factor in determining your risk, and linked to this will be the age of the driver, with younger drivers being significantly more at risk of being involved in an accident. If you are young, your sex will also be an important risk factor, however if you are older sex usually becomes less significant.
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Easy Ways To Slash Your Auto Insurance Costs

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

auto insuranceHere's 7 easy ways to get the best possible auto insurance deal.
* Multiple Quotes
Get multiple quotes - use the internet and call a few brokers. It's easy to gather some good comparison quotes.
Remember to get different types of quotes e.g one from a direct-sell insurance company; another from an offline broker who keeps a database of quotes; and a couple from the internet.
Cheapest might not mean best. Will they pay out if you make a claim ? How financially secure ? How reputable ? Check around with family and friends, and look for online reviews.
* Different type of car
Insurance costs vary depending on car type. Obviously, that $100k sports model costs more to insure than your average runabout. If you're planning to buy a new car, check insurance costs before you buy. I once set my heart on a beautiful, high performance, highly tuned Pontiac.
Luckily I checked the auto insurance before I bought it, because I couldn't get insurance. Every broker, every insurance company flat turned me down because I lived in a high car-crime area. So I had to forget the car of my dreams until I moved up-town.
* Age and Value of Car
Maybe you're buying a used car ? Maybe your car saw better days a few years ago, and now values much lower ? So why pay for high-priced auto insurance ? In particular, do you still need fully comprehensive coverage ?
A good rule of thumb multiplies insurance premium by 10, and compares that figure with your car value. So if you're quoted $1000 premium and your car is worth less than $10,000 you may want to think if comprehensive represents good value. If you drop collision and/or comprehensive coverage, you should get big savings.
* Higher deductibles (excess charges)
Most auto insurance companies use deductibles to keep policy cost down. Deductibles, or excess charges, show what you pay before your auto insurance policy kicks in. Try requesting quotes with different levels of deductibles, and see how your quotes vary.
Most internet quote forms contain a box where you can specify preferred level of deductibles. Ask your broker his recommended level. For example, going from $250 to $500 deductible can slash your insurance costs by 20% or more. Go to $1000 and you save a lot of money. But you must pay the deductible if you need to make a claim !
* Multiple Insurances
I guess this might come under the 'Get Multiple Quotes' heading, but it's still worth mentioning separately. You usually get an insurance break if you buy multiple policies with the same insurer.
This might mean multiple vehicles, or homeowner and auto insurance. Either way it's worth asking about multi-policy discounts.
* Low Mileage
More and more people work at home. No more commuting. Fewer business trips. Low mileage on your car. Maybe you do travel to work, but car pool ?
Either way, look for low mileage discounts.
* Good Driving Record
A good driving record always reduces your auto insurance costs. Keep a clean drivers license. Don't speed, don't drive dangerously, and you'll save money (apart from other benefits !)
* Bonus Tip
Okay, I said '7 Ways...', but here's some extra tips. Fit anti-theft devices to your car. Go on an advanced driver training course. Use daytime running lights. If you're a college student away from home, consider adding to parents policy.
This short article covers the things you must consider when shopping for auto insurance. Follow these tips and you'll slash your auto insurance costs.
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