Is Your Auto Insurance Enough?

Mother Nature can really create a wreck from a really powerful looking vehicle. And according to statistics, the vehicle losses have gone straight up. These vehicle losses include those that became the target of hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, firestorms, floods, and other forms of Mother Nature’s wrath. This date is according to the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) Property Claim Services (PCS) department. This department is the official authority on insured property losses from catastrophes in the areas of the North Americas including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
According to Ron Berry, who is the senior vice president at the Council of Better Business Bureaus, “Drivers spend a lot of money on auto insurance and it is important for them to be as familiar as possible with what their coverage includes when they’re making their purchase decision. But too often, people shopping only for the lowest rates do not notice their lack of certain types of coverage until they try to make a claim.” With this, it is indeed important that you do ask for information about auto insurance from experts before you do go ahead and make that purchase.
Now, according to experts, you should also be able to know what you purchased if you already have auto insurance for your car. That way, if your car gets damaged, you would be able to know if you would be able to get some claims. You should be informed about the details of your insurance. Also, if your car gets damaged, report it as soon as possible. If your insurance policy entitles you to claims, by reporting the damage as soon as possible, the insurance company can have it towed to a repair center and start work immediately. You see, some insurance policies even cover a replacement car during the time that your car is still in the works.

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Top 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Auto Insurance.

Auto insurance is one of those must-haves in life. In most states, it is required by law that you carry at least the minimum coverage. There's no way around this, so you might as well take advantage of the money-saving tips below to make the most of your insurance experience.
Tip Number One: Consider Your Vehicle's Value
Let's face it, automobiles depreciate (or lose value) very quickly. When you drive your vehicle from the car lot brand new, the "new" value goes down suddenly to a "used" value. No matter how well you take care of your car, the value will decrease tremendously over a short period of time.
If you've paid off all debts owed on your vehicle, find out from your previous lender the estimated book value. If this amount equals the same or less than what your collision insurance premium is going to cost you, then there's no reason to carry collision coverage. You would basically be paying the total value of your car each year, whether you have an accidentor not. You can save tremendously on your auto insurance premium by leaving off the collision if this is the case with your vehicle.
Tip Number Two: Avoid Traffic Tickets
Speeding tickets or moving violations are the number one causes of high insurance rates. When you drive at high speeds or disregard traffic rules, you are considered an "at-risk" driver, and your insurance rates are raised for several years as a result. Driving safely and following the rules of the road will keep your insurance rates at a low and enjoyable amount.
Tip Number Three: Know Your Coverages
There are some coverages that may not be necessary, depending on where you live or the type of vehicle you own. For example, if you live in a large city where auto theft is common, then theft insurance coverage might be wise. However, if you live forty miles from the nearest town on a high mountain where theft is very rare, then there's no need to pay the additional premium for this type of coverage.
There are many coverages which are optional, but still helpful. You'll need to carefully examine each coverage to decide if it's needful or not. If your insurance company offers you "full coverage", find out exactly what's included. It might be cheaper to pay for only a few of the options separately if you don't need all of the included coverage. This will depend on your needs, car value, etc.
Tip Number Four: Auto Insurance Deductibles
Although high deductibles often get a negative response from consumers, they can actually work to your advantage and save you tons of premium money each year. The concept behind a deductible is to place more of the responsibility on the driver and less on the insurance company. In turn, your premium can be substantially less each year.
A $1,000 deductible amount seems extremely high, but if it saves you $200 per year on your insurance premium, it's well worth it! Keep in mind that the deductible will be due only if you do have an accident where insurance is needed. Otherwise, you get to enjoy the lower premiums year after year.
If you select a policy with a high deductible, you might want to put some of your premium savings into an emergency fund, so you'll have some or most of your deductible if an accident does occur.
Tip Number Five: Insurance Comparisons
Another way to save money is to make comparisons before signing on for insurance. You'll not only want to compare policy options, but also insurance companies and pricing.
Note of Warning: Be careful not to sign up too quickly if a very low price is being offered. Get some references if possible, or ask around to find out if someone else has had experience with the company. Some companies who boast low prices offer the worst customer service, and take a very long time to process claims, so use caution at all times.
Utilizing online resources is a great way to compare California insurance companies. You might also find discount offers online which provide additional savings.
When choosing an insurance company and selecting your coverage, use these simple tips to save money on the premium while also getting a great plan to meet your needs.

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Tips for Getting Cheap Auto Insurance Rates

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 Save On Your Auto Insurance

Let your fingers do the walking… Remember that Yellow Pages Ad Campaign? Excellent advice if you’re shopping for auto insurance. Shop around and do it yearly. Don’t just keep paying the invoice over and over without comparison shopping. Below are a few suggestions to help you get the best deal available on your automobile insurance policy.
Insurance agents really have a lot of leeway. They can price match and they can offer many discounts. There are also many decisions you can make about your policy that will save you a bundle. For example, if you change your deductible on your collision from a $50 deductible to a $1000 deductible, you’re inline for a huge premium savings. If you don’t think you could come up with $1000 out of pocket, then change it to a $500 deductible; you’ll still save a sizable amount on your annual premium payment.
You can also get more of a savings if you change your comprehensive deductible. Many people needlessly carry full coverage on their older vehicle. They originally purchased the vehicle new, paid for full coverage and to this day, continue to pay the same high rate. Their ten year old vehicle may be worth $1000 or less, yet they continue to pay $250-$450 every six months (total $500 to $900 dollars a year) to keep full coverage on their old vehicle.
However, if they have an accident and totaled their vehicle, the insurance company will only pay them the wholesale value of the vehicle. The amount they would receive could be $1000 or less. A vehicle that old just needs the insurance that protects the other person in case of an accident.
Another method to save more on your insurance is by combining your vehicles and other insurance together to get you additional savings. All insurance companies offer a multi-car discount (if yours doesn’t, it’s time to switch companies). Further, many will discount more if you have your homeowners or renters policy with them.
There are a few other discounts that you may not be taking advantage of. It seems obvious, but make sure you are getting the correct rate for your age. There are discounts for various ages than can save you lots of money. Check with your agent on this one. Also alarm systems on your vehicle are usually good for a discount. Additionally, anti-lock brakes and air bags can also help lower your premiums.
Don’t just keep paying the invoice when it comes in. Your insurance bill should be an automatic trigger for you to make a few phone calls to see if you can save even more money on your auto insurance premiums.

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How To Change Auto Insurance Companies

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

The 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

Probably 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?

Car 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

The 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?

Insurance 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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Car Insurance: It's Getting Increasingly Expensive When You're Elderly.

There were 550 serious accidents last year where the driver was over aged 70 and where driver was either killed or badly hurt, reports the Institute of Advanced Motoring . That statistic represents 8% of the national total of 7,035 similar accidents. That means that the over 70's's have more, very serious accidents per mile than any other sector of the population. This view is supported by the Association of British Insurers whose research shows that drivers aged over 70 are 13% more likely claim on their insurance than the drivers aged between 40 and 50.
As the number of elderly drivers will double during the next ten years, this represents a problem for elderly drivers and their families - not to mention the insurance industry, police and indeed all of the emergency services!
You can probably predict the response from the insurance industry. Many insurance companies already reckon that drivers over 80 are as high a risk as the under 25's - and charge premiums to match! Some are even progressively loading premiums once the driver reaches 60. Then at 70, you'll find that many insurance simply refuse to offer cover. Norwich Union and Esure won't quote after 70 and by the time the driver reaches 80, the field narrows to specialised insurers who insure elderly drivers. Help the Aged and Age Concern both market policies that have no upper maximum age. Cornhill only accepts new policyholders up to 84 but if you've been insured by them for a few years, there's no upper age limit. RIAS and Saga are also pleased to consider older drivers.
As the price of car insurance is based on historical claims experience, a 75 year old male driver can expect to pay at least 33% more than if he were aged 50. By the time the driver reaches 80 the premiums hit boy racer levels! So if you're in your early 50's keep smiling at the lowest premiums you'll ever experience – they won't last forever!
And the fairer sex fare even worse. Whilst younger women are renowned for their safe driving, they become more accident-prone as they get older. Whereas male drivers improve with age. (Where have we heard that before!) As a result, elderly women drivers pay the highest rates for car insurance.
It's a biological fact that eyesight and reaction times worsen as age creeps on. And with traffic becoming heavier and road networks ever more complex, elderly drivers can more easily become disorientated and confused. Even a fraction of a second's delay can make the difference between an accident and a near miss. Insurers are reacting by insisting that more elderly drivers take a medical before agreeing to provide insurance. The best advice is to build up a no claims record and as soon as possible and buy No Claims Protection. This protection cost a bit more but it's well worth the money. Then make sure you pay for any small bumps yourself.
But there are some simple steps that older drivers, and indeed all drivers, can take to reduce the likelihood of them having an accident and thereby making themselves more insurable. It's often more about those little things and being alert to likely problems. For example, car parks are a breeding ground for small accidents. Knowing that take more care. Before you get back into your car, walk round it to see how much room you've got. Then edge out carefully making sure that other drivers in the car park aren't driving into the area you're moving into. Then, if advancing years has stiffened you neck and all-round visibility is a bit more difficult, take special care at junctions and when reversing. Remember to move you head and swivel your shoulders - that way you'll increase your sweep of vision.
Many of the policies for older motorists contain special provisions designed to assist them. On Saga's policy for example, ex company car drivers can use any no claims record they'd built up and if a couple are insured and the main driver decides to quit driving, then the spouse can take over the no claims record. Other policies also provide full insurance cover for anyone who takes over driving in an emergency. Cornhill will even payout £250 if the DVLA stops you from driving for health isues associated with age.
In moves to diminish the numbers of accidents involving the elderly, the UK Government is investigating the issue of deteriorating health amongst elderly drivers. It seems to be considering the idea of obligatory health checks for elderly motorists. At the same time some local councils are introducing initiatives of their own. Torbay council has launched a scheme to encourage families and GP's to take more responsibility for encouraging elderly drivers who are not really fit drive, to give up. A road safety spokesperson for Torbay council said, ”The problem is that the elderly can't always see themselves when it's really time to give up driving so those closest to them must take responsibility for that.”
In the meantime, a survey carried out by the Institute of Advanced Motorists confirms that older motorists are aware that they represent an increased accident risk. Seven out of ten older drivers surveyed said they would like to take a refresher course for motorway driving skills and six out of ten wanted to improve their performance at junctions and on unlit roads. In response to these issues, the Institute has extended its advanced tests to older non-members to encourage them to improve and build up confidence. The tests also help spot any serious problems that should encourage the driver pack up driving.

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Car Insurance. Bad Eyesight Threatens Your Insurance Cover.

If you have an accident and it’s found that you’d failed to keep your car roadworthy, for example excessively worn tyres, and that was a contributory factor in the accident, your insurer will probably refuse to pay up. And the police may also show an interest too! Quite reasonable many of you will say. But what if it’s you that’s un-roadworthy?
How many driving accidents are accompanied by the comment “I didn’t see the other vehicle”? And what happens if the problem was your eyesight? Has it deteriorated to a dangerous extent?
Well all of us clearly know if we have an eyesight problem but there are opticians to help on every high street. Remember, if you need contact lenses or glasses for driving then you must wear them and if your eyesight deteriorates you should get a new prescription. It’s the legal responsibility of all drivers to ensure that they’re safe to drive.
Only last week I drew up alongside an elderly driver who was clearly having trouble reading the junction signs. He was leaning forward trying to read the signs indicating towards Leeds and rolling forward at 10 mph – all this at traffic lights that by this time had turned red – and he clearly hadn’t seen those! He was lucky that the cars coming across from the right saw him early. I’m not even sure he saw them either!
The law is quite straightforward – it states that any driving licence holder who cannot meet the minimum level of eyesight must not drive. They are also required to surrender their licence.
The eyesight test for drivers’ states that you must be able to read a number plate containing letters and figures 50 mm wide and 79mm high (that’s a legal number plate) from a distance of 20 meters. But you can use your driving glasses.
Having said that there’s no legal obligation for you to have regular eyesight tests but you are required to tell the DVLA if you develop any medical problem that affects your fitness to drive. If you don’t tell them, it’s a criminal offence.
In some American states drivers have to take an eye test every five years but not in the UK. Here, driver aged 70 and over must complete a medical form every three years confirming their fitness to drive and the definition of “fitness” includes eyesight. If theses drivers fail to send in their medical form, they lose their driving licence. (I wonder what that elderly gentleman at the traffic lights said on his?)
On the insurance front, if you are involved in an accident where your defective eyesight was a contributory factor, your insurance company may well argue that you were negligent and refuse to pay out. This could be simply because you needed glasses to drive but weren’t wearing them at the time.
So drive carefully, and keep your eyes peeled – elderly gentleman in Leeds please take note!

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How To Find Best Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is an insurance policy bought by the auto owner to safe guard his/her vehicle against theft, accident and any other loss incurred. You can buy auto insurance for any of your auto mobile such as car, truck or bus. Auto insurance not only covers insured vehicle and insured party, but some times it covers third parties also. Different auto insurance policies have different terms, norms and conditions under which, these items are covered.
Today large numbers of auto insurance policies are available in the market and it is really very difficult task to purchase the best auto insurance for the safeguard of your vehicle.
Here are some tips, which can be used to find the best auto insurance for your black boomer.
1. To locate best auto insurance, you are requested to make a search on your own. First of all go to local auto insurance providers. Compare auto insurance quotes provided by them. Most of auto insurance providers have their websites, you can go there and request for car insurance quotes online, if you own a car. Compare their quotes and find best auto insurance for your vehicle. Always remember that bargaining is the key to buy cheap auto insurance.
2. After comparing auto insurance quotes apply for the best one for you and your vehicle. While applying given them details as much as you can such as your name, address, zip code, your marital status, car’s annual commuting miles and safety features because as default they can offer you high quotes without any specific benefits. Hence, to buy a cheap and best auto insurance always give full details about you and your vehicle.
3. Sometimes insurance companies provide specific offers. Thus always look for offers, as they can deduct your premium from $200 to $400.
4. Before signing your application form read each and every point of fine print, as they can protect your right.
With keeping these simple tips in mind you can find best auto insurance policy.

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Auto Insurance Discount

Yellow Pages Ad Campaign is an excellent advice if you are shopping for auto insurance. Shop around and do it yearly. Do not just keep paying your invoice over and over without comparison shopping.
Insurance agents really have a lot of leeway. They can price match and they can offer a lot of discounts. There are also a lot of decisions you canmake about your policy that will save you a bundle. For example, if you change your deductible on your collision from a $50 deductible to a $1000 deductible, you抮e inline for a huge premium savings. If you Do not think you can come up with $1000 out of pocket, then change it to a $500 deductible; you抣l still save a sizable amount on your annual premium payment. However, if they have an accident and totaled their vehicle, the insurance company will only pay them the wholesale value of the vehicle. The amount they would receive can be $1000 or less. A vehicle that old just needs the insurance that protects the other person in case of an accident.
Another method to save more on your insurance is by combining your vehicles and other insurance together to get you additional savings. All insurance companies offer a multi-car discount (if yours does not, it is time to switch companies). Further, A lot of will discount more if you have your homeowners or renters policy with them. You canalso get more of a savings if you change your comprehensive deductible. A lot of people needlessly carry full coverage on their older vehicle. They originally purchased the vehicle new, paid for full coverage and to this day, continue to pay the same high rate. Their ten year old vehicle may be worth $1000 or less, yet they continue to pay $250-$450 every six months (total $500 to $900 dollars a year) to keep full coverage on their old vehicle. There are a few other discounts that you may not be taking advantage of. It seems obvious, but make sure you are getting the correct rate for your age. There are discounts for various ages than cansave you lots of money. Check with your agent on this one. Also alarm systems on your vehicle are usually good for a discount. Additionally, anti-lock brakes and air bags canalso help lower your premiums.
Do not just keep paying the invoice when it comes in. Your insurance bill should be an automatic trigger for you to make a few phone calls to see if you cansave even more money on your auto insurance premiums.

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The Ways to Save Big on Auto Insurance

Auto insurance can make a big hole in your pocket. Insurance premiums vary hugely between companies, agencies or agents, brokers, and of course the make of the car you own and your credit rating. To pay lower insurance you must:
1. Always maintain a good driving record.
2. Never accept the first estimate you receive. Be wise and check comparisons of different insurance providers at your state insurance department website or phone them. Their addresses and contact numbers can be accessed from consumer action website. Be sure to get competitive quotes from different insurance providers. Contact providers that are strongly recommended by people you know well. Keep your peace of mind by checking the financial stability of the companies with rating companies like A.M. Best well as in forums and blogs.
3. Complete a market survey well before you select a car make and make a comparative table of insurance and other hidden costs. Find out which features increase insurance premiums and which ones reduce premiums. For example if parts of a certain make are hard to find or expensive such cars will have huge insurance premiums, similarly installation of anti-theft devices or an extra brake system lowers insurance premiums. Many questions are answered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
4. Choose to have higher deductibles this will reduce the burden by at least 15-25%. But look at your finances first and determine whether you can set aside US$ 200-US$1000 periodically to create an emergency vehicle fund.
5. Consider availing the insurance from the same company that has you covered for home, accident, or life. Many companies offer concessions to clients who have more than one kind of policy. Known as a multi-policy discount this could benefit you.
6. Most policies are based on your personal credit record. Having an unshakeable credit history can lower costs. Pay bills on time, don’t avail too many loans, and be sure that credit balances are as low as possible.
7. Avoid duplicating medical coverage. Find out whether eliminating medical cover in auto insurance will reduce your premiums or the personal injury protection costs. In some places the reduction is as much as 40%. So, if you have adequate health insurance you could weigh the pros and cons of eliminating this in auto insurance.
8. Find out if insurance premiums are dependant on where you stay. Sometimes staying in a rural community or suburbs as against the city center could save you a bundle.
9. Take advantages of discounts like low risk career, low mileage, taking public transport to work, car pooling, no violations or accidents, taking defensive driving courses, following safety rules and regulations, or having a child who studies far away.
10. Use the reductions offered for insuring more than one car belonging to the family. Many companies have special offers for corporate organizations, club members, professional groups, alumni groups, or clubs.
Make time to make a big saving. Check through all the parameters and mark areas where a saving can be made. The market is competitive and you can be the beneficiary.

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