car insurance online

Car Insurance When Renting a Vehicle

2008-11-09T04:34:00.001-08:00

As you are checking out, you will be asked whether or not you want an insurance policy on your rental vehicle. Do you need this coverage, or is it simply an additional cost to put more money in the rental agency's pocket?
There are four basic types of coverage: loss damage waiver, liability insurance, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage.
Loss damage waiver covers your liability for damage to the vehicle if it is in a collision. The rental company's insurance will cover the damage to the vehicle. Rental cars automatically come with some liability insurance, because the state law will require it. Because most drivers need more liability coverage than what comes with the vehicle, rental agencies offer liability insurance.
If you or your passengers are injured in a crash while driving the vehicle, your medical care could be covered under personal accident insurance. Personal effects coverage, the final type of coverage, will pay for any theft of the things you are transporting in the rental car. Keep in mind that your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy probably already covers the theft of personal belongings, even while traveling.
Do You Need Insurance When Renting a Car?
Before you sign up for the car rental company's insurance policy, make sure you really need it. Some of the insurance products you already own may cover the same things that these insurance products will cover. If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, you are probably already covered for a rental. However, if you only have liability coverage, you may want to consider purchasing the loss damage waiver when renting a car. When you call your insurance agent, find out if loss of use, towing, and administrative charges are covered if you were to wreck the rental.
Another place to look for existing coverage is with your credit card company. Many credit card companies that offer rewards programs automatically insure the rental cars rented with that card.

Texas Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements

2008-11-09T04:28:00.000-08:00

Texas Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements
The Texas auto insurance minimum coverage requirements were put in place to make sure that all drivers have some protection if they are involved in an accident. What Are The Texas Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements?
In Texas, drivers are required to have the following insurance coverage in place:
$20,000 in bodily injury coverage to pay for medical expenses incurred by a single individual injured in an accident where you are the at-fault driver
$40,000 in bodily injury coverage for multiple people injured in an accident where you are at fault. $15,000 in property damage coverage to pay for the cost of repairing the other driver's vehicle. This type of insurance will also pay for damage to road signs, mail boxes, fences, and sheds.
Texas Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements May Not Be Enough
Additional Coverage May Be Necessary
It's a relatively inexpensive way to protect your hard-earned assets if you are responsible for an accident.
As long as you are thinking about insurance anyway, why don't you ask your insurance company to give you a TX car insurance quote for coverage that will pay to repair your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident? If you are still making payments on your car, you may want to look at putting Gap insurance into place along with the Texas auto insurance minimum coverage requirements. This coverage will pay the difference between the Blue Book Value and the amount you owe on the vehicle if it is totaled in an accident.

Automobile Insurance Rules - Will You Get Covered?

2008-11-09T04:22:00.000-08:00

Automobile Insurance Rules - Will You Get Covered?
Automobile insurance rules cover a wide range of situations and aspects of insurance and often differ from state to state, as insurance laws are different across the country. Automobile insurance rules concerning international borders are important to understand. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is another area in which automobile insurance rules vary significantly from state to state. Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage is an optional coverage one can elect to have on their policy which pays for their medical bills when they are hit by a driver who has no insurance coverage. Some states, such as Texas, allow insurance companies to offer uninsured motorist property damage coverage in addition to the uninsured motorist bodily injury. The property damage coverage will pay to fix one's car if damaged by a driver who has no insurance.
When it comes to accidents, automobile insurance rules are usually consistent from state to state with one exception. Accidents in which one driver strikes the other from the rear almost always result in the fault being placed on the driver who strikes the other from the rear. If one is applying for insurance, he or she will pay a higher rate if he or she has no existing coverage. In other words, insurance companies charge people with gaps in their coverage higher rates than people who have no gaps, also known as "continuous coverage."

Cutting Insurance Budgets Creatively -- Tips For Paying Far Less

2008-03-02T01:49:00.001-08:00

Cutting Insurance Budgets Creatively -- Tips For Paying Far Less

You can cut on your insurance budget creatively without putting yourself or family at risk. Here are great tips for paying far less for much more...
1. All professions are not equal -- At least as far as auto insurance is concerned. Scientists are the cheapest to insure while business owners get the highest rates. Statistics, for example, shows that scientists (due to their discipline and way of life) are better risks than every other profession.
If you want to know where your vocation belongs and what to do, ask your agent. Just bear in mind that each insurance provider might maintain a slightly different position.
2. A CLUE (comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report is essential for every home buyer. This report will show you things that could make you pay a lot more for home insurance.
For example, some people do NOT know that they'll pay more if the town they live in has just a volunteer fire service and NOT a full time service. In the same way, The distance of a home to the nearest fire hydrant is a factor in calculating home insurance rates as well as how close it's to a police station.
Get such useful information before buying a house. You could spend less for the house and end up paying much more on insurance.
3. Although this does not affect your homeowners policy directly I'll add it since it affects what you'd have to pay for before you'll be said to have the right coverage for your home. Those who have homes in flood-prone areas pay an additional $400 yearly on flood insurance.
Every mortgagor will insist that you buy it if your home is in a flood-prone locality. Making an adjustment in the region you get a home will lower your insurance budget.
4. Get and compare quotes for all your insurance policies. To do this effectively, make sure you visit at least five or more reputable quotes sites. This simple exercise will easily save you thousands premium dollars if you do it right.
Here are great pages for insurance quotes...
InsureMe Insurance Quotes
Insurance Quotes
Chimezirim Odimba writes on insurance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chimezirim_Chinecherem_Odimba

Insurance Savings -- Simple Time-Tested Steps You Shouldn't Ignore

2008-03-02T01:48:00.001-08:00

Insurance Savings -- Simple Time-Tested Steps You Shouldn't Ignore

There are many ways to reduce what you spend on insurance without downgrading the quality of coverage you enjoy. Let's take a quick look at a few more ways you shouldn't ignore...
1. Take courses in defensive driving. More than making you a better driver, it will help you get cheaper auto insurance.
2. Ensure you have fire extinguishers in your home at very strategic points or near all fire sources. Your kitchen is one crucial point to have one or more working fire extinguishers. You must as well make sure it is adequate for your type and size of kitchen.
And, always remember that you must keep them within easy reach. This may seem insignificant but you'll pay more if you don't have them in your house.
3. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is a painless way to lower your rate. This just means your insurance provider withdraws your premiums automatically from your account at specified periods without mailing you payment notices. This saves an insurer's overhead by eliminating the necessity of payment notices or checks. This is why this results in cheaper rates.
4. You will save a lot if you can shop around and do thorough comparison. And to do this right you need to get and compare quotes for each of your insurance policies across five or more reputable quotes sites. Anything less would be doing injustice to the process.
This is because each quotes site will return quotes from about five insurers. But don't forget that there are over 2,000 insurance companies in the US. You can ensure that you get the best deals by getting quotes from a higher number of sites.
Here are great pages for insurance quotes...
InsureMe Insurance Quotes
Insurance Quotes
Chimezirim Odimba writes on insurance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chimezirim_Chinecherem_Odimba

Rules for Insurance Coverage

2008-03-02T01:47:00.000-08:00

Rules for Insurance Coverage

Insurance is essentially a contract between the insurer and policy owner. Insurer agrees to pay an amount to the person insured or his nominee at any unfortunate event (according to the policy) or at the date or maturity or at death of the policy owner. Policy owner has to pay a fixed amount called premium in periodic intervals (monthly, quarterly, half yearly or yearly). Premium amount varies depends on many factors like age of the policy owner, scheme, type of the policy, sum assured etc.
The various types of insurances are:
Car Insurance
If you use an automobile for your business activities - for example, transporting supplies or products, visiting customers, or ferrying employees or customers - you need to make certain your automobile insurance will protect you from accidents that occur while on business. Car insurance takes care of all this.
Health & Disability Insurance
Health insurance is needed to cover the medical costs if you fall ill or hurt yourself and Disability insurance is needed if you are unable to work because of sickness or injury. Insuring Workers
Once you hire an employee, it becomes your duty to compensate to cover what it costs if the employee is hurt on the job and needs medical treatment and income until he can return to work. Compensating injured workers insurance policy takes this load off your head. Umbrella Policies
An umbrella policy offers you extra liability insurance that pays for a loss when the limits of your policy are reached. Suppose, if you're responsible for someone's injury that requires Rs.1, 50,000 of medical treatment and the liability limit in your underlying policy is Rs.1, 00,000, your umbrella policy will pay the additional Rs.50, 000.
Four key rules of insurance coverage:
1. Insure against the big catastrophes and disasters only. Differentiate what you can't afford to pay for out of pocket and always remember that "the cheapest insurance is self-insurance".
2. Carry the largest possible deductibles you can afford. The larger the deductible, the more you are self-insuring and the cheaper the premium will be.
3. Trust only the best-rated insurance companies. You need insurance companies you can depend on and no hidden costs and conditions.
4. Choose your agent carefully. He should not be a mere third party, rather he should be the first person you contact in case of an emergency knowing that he will take a prompt action on the insurance front while you take care of the damage.
5. Study your insurance plan very carefully and discuss every situation possible. Also study the feedback given by previous or existing customers of the company.
Read more articles http://www.FinanceMeter.net
Tarang Bhargava is the CEO of Vexat Inc. and has an affiliate marketing experience of six years. The website http://www.EarnCashOnline.in is Affiliate Marketing invitation that provides an opportunity to Indians to make money through internet using his experience.
Read articles by him at http://www.ArticlesDirectory.org
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tarang_Bhargava

Secrets Your Agent Doesn't Want You To Know About

2008-03-02T01:46:00.000-08:00

Secrets Your Agent Doesn't Want You To Know About

Let's take a look at these issues. An agent makes approximately 10%-15% on workers' compensation and 15%-20% on property and general liability policies every year - some cut special deals with the insurance carriers for higher commission rates. Some are as high as 30%. This is a percentage of the total premium. In addition to this, the agency gets an additional contingent amount of money if the agency writes a certain volume of profitable business with an insurance company. So in fact, there is an incentive to write business with some insurance carriers over others - how much commission up front, how much back in profit sharing.
When you receive your insurance proposal does it list the commission on the premium page? Does it tell you what the agency will get if they write business with that carrier? Most agents do not give you the commission amount and agents never say what the contingent profit sharing plan is with each of their carriers. Does your agent work for you? No, they operate a business just like you and it is for PROFIT, but their profit is your loss unless you are savvy enough to know how to navigate the waters. How much profit should they get?
Insurance agents and insurance carriers should make a profit. All for profit companies should. However, it seems that their profit at times is a bit large. Consider that as a consultant we average a savings of 35% on 98% of the accounts we work with in our company. Consider that every year we find a client where we save them 50% or more. This years large savings is over 75%. How can that happen? Are the business owners asleep at the wheel of their own business? No, it is the system that sets it up this way. It is a product that most do not fully understand. Until recently the system only had the "insurance experts" of insurance agents to help business owners out with this process. They are "the system". The best avenue is to look beyond "the system" and that is with independence.
You can hire a full time insurance specialist but they need to be in the insurance industry and know as much as possible about the insurance market place or you can hire a consultant, both need to be paid directly by you - the client. The goals in mind should be coverage for least cost, with excellent service. Who do they work for, one person, you. Why? Because you are paying them to do so - not the insurance companies by how much you pay. The best part of this is some consultants - like our company - believe so strongly in what they do - that they offer the service to companies as a win/win. They are only paid if they save you money without jeopardizing your coverage or quality of carrier in any way. The key to saving yourself from paying to much for business insurance is to know what is available to you and using it. Those that pay the most are those that delay the process or avoid it completely.
Andrea LuoniPresident/ConsultantPremium Rate Analysis, Inc.http://www.pracentral.comMs. Luoni is the President of Premium Rate Analysis, Inc. operating in California and Colorado. She has been consulting business' for over 25 years in the management of their business insurance portfolio and consistently reduces the cost by over 35%.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Luoni

Car Insurance you can Buy Online

2007-12-22T06:50:00.000-08:00

Car Insurance you can Buy Online

In these days of technology, consumers have the option of buying their car insurance policy online from various quality companies. Buying a policy online is not only convenient, but also comes with added benefits unfamiliar to many.If you think about it, the internet is the perfect tool for buying auto insurance. You can buy your policy online right from the comfort of your home and when it comes to needing policy service, you can utilize the internet by logging onto your policy management page and making payments, filing claims, creating changes and more.A few years back, consumers were unfortunate because they did not have internet privileges. Using the internet has opened up many new opportunities for consumers to conduct business online from their home which has led to saving time as well as money.How to Buy Car Insurance OnlineWhen it comes to car insurance you can buy online, you must first start by getting your rate quotes. When getting your online auto insurance quotes, you will need to have a few pieces of information available such as:
Driver information such as date of births, driving experience and violation or accident data.
Vehicle information such as year, make and model, number of cylinders etc.
Current policy information including effective and expiration dates. (This is required in order to get a prior insurance discount.)
Type of coverage desired including limits of liability and deductibles if requesting comprehensive and collision coverage, commonly referred to as “full coverage”.Once you have gathered all the required information, visit http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/ and begin comparing online auto insurance quotes from multiple quality companies such as Progressive, AIG and many more.Once you choose your company based on price, brand, or any other factor, you have the option to buy your policy online.OnlineAutoInsurance.com allows you to easily and instantly compare auto insurance rates from different companies by completing one simple form. Additionally, in most states, you can buy your auto insurance policy online and receive instant proof.

http://car-insurance.onlineautoinsurance.com/2007/12/21/car-insurance-you-can-buy-online.aspx

How To Get A Cheap Car Insurance Rate

2007-10-30T03:20:00.000-07:00

Car insurance is legally required for all drivers, but many of them do not know how to get a cheap rate. When it comes to getting insurance for their vehicles, there are two common mistakes people often make. The first is buying auto insurance without carefully investigating your options and doing some comparison shopping. The second mistake is to simply keeping the same auto policy that you currently have, without looking into cheaper options.
Comparison shopping will ensure that you get all of the discounts you qualify for, which can save you a small fortune. Some of these discounts include multiple car discount, good driving record discount, good student discount, homeowner discount, and many more. The trick is that all companies recognize different discounts. Therefore, if your current provider does not offer a discount that another company does, it may save you money to switch. Comparison shopping for insurance for your car, even if you already have insurance, cannot be underestimated and is the best way to get a cheap car rate.
As previously mentioned, there are many factors considered in car policies such as where you live, your age, your driving record, and the type of car you drive just to name a few. With so many factors involved, it is not only possible, but highly likely that you will find a car provider who can offer you a considerably lower rate than other companies. Even if you already have a cheap car rate, it is still wise to periodically check the rates that other providers will offer you. Auto rates, along with your own personal circumstances are perpetually changing and you may find a substantially lowered rate by simply looking periodically.
Some providers will offer a significant discount to those who purchase their home insurance with the same company as their auto insurance. Taking advantage of this type of discount can end up saving quite a bit of money on both your home and car rates. Being aware of the discounts that are offered by your company can save you a great deal of money on your car insurance. Carefully, review your existing policy to determine which discounts you are already receiving and then contact your car provider to inquire about other discounts that you may qualify for.
This may seem obvious, but having a clean driving record is a huge factor when it comes to getting a cheap car rate. This is the one factor that is consistent among all auto providers and makes having a clean driving record is critical to your rate. While, insurance is often seen as a financial burden that seems pointless at times, if you are ever in a serious accident, it will ending up saving you thousands of dollars. For this very reason, you always have current auto insurance to and it is recommended that you do some comparison shopping to get a cheap rate that you can afford.
In just 4 minutes, you can get Free Auto Insurance Quotes from dozens of low cost car insurance companies. Save time and save money by comparing cheap car insurance rates from a wide selection of the best car insurance providers at http://www.BargainAutoRates.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Plante

2007-08-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Car Insurance – How to Compare Rates from Multiple Companies Instantly

Learn how to, with one simple process, compare rates from top car insurance companies such as Progressive, Infinity, GMAC, AIG and more.
The reason we compare car insurance quotes from multiple car insurance companies is to make sure we‘re getting the best rates possible. Of course nobody wants to pay more money than they have to, but in the other hand we also want to make sure that our car insurance company is going to respond quickly and fairly in case of an accident.
What is unknown to many is that there is not one single car insurance company that is cheaper than others. One particular car insurance company can be the cheapest for one person but the most expensive for another. Each car insurance company has a certain category of drivers they want to insure. If you fit their category they will offer you a cheap rate, if you don’t, they will offer you an expensive rate. That is their way of filtering the people they want and do not want to insure. That is the reason we need to compare insurance rates from multiple car insurance companies, to find out which company will offer us the cheapest rate. The key is to find the company that offers the cheapest rate for you, but of course, it is important to compare rates from quality companies only.
There are many quality car insurance companies out there; however, some of those quality companies also have a high price to go along with them. How do we find a quality company for a cheap price? That, my friend, is the key question.
The traditional method of shopping for car insurance is to call around which we all know can be a long process. Another drawback of shopping for car insurance by phone is the probability of getting caught with the old “bait and hook” trick. That is when someone gives you a low quote by phone and hikes it up on you when you go into their office to purchase the car insurance policy.
In today’s world, luckily, we have the internet. The internet makes life a lot easier for all of us. Using the internet, we can shop for many types of things we may need which include shopping for car insurance.
Shopping for car insurance online is the best way to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies. Online, you can also read about a company’s history and make sure they’re a quality company. Most companies offer instant online car insurance quotes thorough their websites which makes obtaining car insurance quotes a lot easier than the traditional method of shopping by phone. Better yet, there are some websites that offer online car insurance quotes from multiple companies with one simple process. You can even purchase your car insurance online if you like the price. One such website is OnlineAutoInsurance.com. There, you can obtain quotes from quality companies such as Progressive, AIG, Infinity, GMAC, Bristol West, and several more. All with one simple process!

http://car-insurance.onlineautoinsurance.com/2007/06/06/car-insurance--how-to-compare-rates-from-multiple-companies-instantly.aspx

Insurance Agent Reveals His Secrets to Huge Savings on Auto Insurance

2007-08-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

Insurance Agent Reveals His Secrets to Huge Savings on Auto Insurance

Hi Folks, my name is Cesar Diaz, I am an auto insurance broker in the state of California. I Operate two auto insurance agencies in California and an auto insurance website serving all United States. I have many years of experience as an auto insurance agent and broker and through the years, I have figured out all ways to save money on your auto insurance. I have decided to share my secrets to saving money on your auto insurance because I don't believe that it's fair for people to pay more money for their auto insurance just because they don't know that they're eligible for a certain discount or maybe because they don't know a certain discount even exists!I hope I don't get in trouble for sharing all my secrets but I feel it's only fair. (Maybe not for insurance companies but for the general public.) Insurance companies have enough money anyway! I believe insurance companies are among the wealthiest companies in the world. Why do you think that is? Thats because they rake in those expensive premiums that you pay for your auto insurance.Well, here are my secrets revealed; You might want to take some notes or even print this out that way the next time you obtain an auto insurance quote, you can reference this article and make sure you get all your available discounts.First of all, most companies will ask for basic information for the purpose of obtaining your auto insurance quote such as name, gender, date of birth, marital status, zip code, whether you have current or prior auto insurance, how long have you been licensed (driving experience), driving record history (tickets and accidents), commute distance to work and annual mileage, occupation and type of use (personal or commercial), make and model of vehicle, alarms and equipment on vehicle, and coverage desired.
When people obtain auto insurance quotes, they just answer the questions being asked by the representatives, but have no idea why the questions are being asked. What does being single or married have to do with getting an auto insurance quote? Well, all questions being asked will affect your rate. I am going to explain why all those questions effect your rate and I am going to tell you what answers will give you the best rate.I am simply going to tell you what answers will give you the best rates; however, I do not suggest giving false information when obtaining a quote. It is important to give accurate answers but at the same time, it is important to know what answers will give you the best rates because if you don't currently fall into the "low rate" categories, you might in the future and since you know, you will want to contact your insurance company to inform them of any changes that will help you save money.I am going to go step by step explaining each question asked by insurance agents and I will explain what answers give lowest rates.1. Gender- Most insurance companies offer cheaper rates for females due to statistics. Less accidents have resulted from females vs males. Could it be because most of the time, if a couple is in a vehicle, the male will usually drive? Could it be because a housewife will not have the usual commute a husband would have driving back and forth to work every day?2. Date of Birth- Roughly, the early ages will generate a higher cost for insurance. Rates will lower as a driver matures; however, rates increase again as a driver reaches the later years such as 60's and up.
3. Marital Status- Generally, a married driver will have a cheaper rate than a single driver. This, again, is due to statistics. Single drivers have a higher loss percentage. Could this be because a married couple have drive less than a single, more active driver? Some insurance companies will allow you to receive the married rate if you live with your "significant other" under common law marriage or they may give you the married rate if you are a single parent. Be sure to ask if you fall under any other the above categories. If you purchase your policy when you are single and get married midterm, be sure to contact your insurance company to get your "married rate".4. Zip Code- Zip codes do affect your rates. This again is based on statistics of a particular city. Some cities may be congested with traffic and may have more accidents than others. Some cities may have more theft than others, ect. In general, the more a city is congested, the higher the rates are.5. Current or Prior Insurance- Some insurance companies will give you a discount if you have current insurance or have had an insurance policy recently cancel within the past 30 days. If you have had an insurance policy within the last 30 days, be sure to inform your insurance agent because most agents will not ask you unless you tell them.6. Driving Experience- The length of time you have been licensed is an important factor in determining a rate. There longer you've had your license, the cheaper your rate. If you have had a license in another state, be sure to include that in your driving experience. Even if you were licensed in another country, it can be used to add to your driving experience although proof may be required.7. Tickets and Accidents- Of course tickets and accidents affect your rate; however, tickets will not affect you until the violation is published on your driving record. Usually not until you go to traffic court or pay your violation. If you purchase your insurance policy before you go to court or pay your violation, it may not affect your rate until you renew your policy. (usually one year) As far as accidents go, there are three ways to rate an accident: At fault with injury, at fault with no injury, and not at fault. They all produce different rates in the order listed from highest to cheapest. If you were at fault, but there was less that $750.00 of damage, you may be able to list it as non-fault so be sure to let them know.10. Commute distance to work and annual mileage- There farther you drive to work, the more expensive your auto insurance may be. If you carpool or use alternative methods of commuting to work such as a work vehicle or you take a bus, be sure to inform your agent because this will help lower your rates.11. Occupation and vehicle use- Occupation will affect your rate. Some occupations are even unacceptable by insurance companies. One such occupation is pizza delivery. Since most pizza delivery drivers are on a time restraint, insurance companies see it as a high risk occupation and will decline coverage. Some occupations will be acceptable but may classify your vehicle use as "commercial" or "artesian" use which will generate a high premium. One example is a real estate agent. A real estate agent drives during work vs. a machine operator stays in one location during work and is less exposed to an accident. An example of artesian use is an electrician using his vehicle to drive to work locations. Again, the electrician is using the vehicle during work and is more exposed to an accident. If you fall under the above categories but drive a company vehicle, you may be exempt from the extra cost of falling into those categories. On the good side, some auto insurance companies may give discounts for drivers with college degrees or if you are a student with a "B" or higher average you may qualify for a good student discount.12. Make and Model of Vehicle- Some vehicle are generally expensive to insure. One such vehicle is a Ford Mustang. Although it is fairly inexpensive to purchase, it can be expensive to insure due to its "sports" performance. It is a good idea to quote a vehicle for insurance before purchasing it as I have seen people have to return their vehicles because after purchasing the vehicle, they couldn't afford the auto insurance. Four door vehicle are usually a bit cheaper to insure than two door vehicles. Usually 4wd vehicle can be higher to insure vs. 2wd vehicles. High end vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Jaguar of course can be more expensive to insure than your average vehicle. Bottom line, quote the auto insurance before buying the vehicle.13. Alarms and Equipment- Auto insurance companies may offer discounts for vehicles with low jack or alarm systems. If your vehicle has one, be sure to let your agent know. Some companies will offer discounts for airbags and other safety features as well. 14. Other- There are other discounts that you can take advantage of. If you have more than one vehicle, be sure to insure them all on one policy to get your "multi-car" discount which can be 20% or more. If you are a home owner, some insurance companies can offer "home owner" discounts. If you have taken a driver's safety course you may be eligible for a discount as well. Also if you keep your vehicle parked in a locked garage over night, be sure to ask if you can get a discount.15. Online Auto Insurance- Many insurance companies offer Online Auto Insurance which can be less expensive than your traditional auto insurance policy purchased in an office location. This is because if you buy auto insurance online, insurance companies have less overhead because the policy is "paperless" and all the savings will be transfered to you. Compare auto insurance quotes online. Some websites offer one simple process for quotes from multiple well known auto insurance companies and you can even buy the policy online. One such website is http://www.OnlineAutoInsurance.com. There you can compare quotes from top carriers and buy auto insurance online if you like. Be sure to stop and get a quick quote and keep in mind the above 15 insider's secrets that I just revealed. Since I took the time to write this detailed article, return the favor by getting a quick quote from my website listed above, actually I will be doing you another favor by saving you tons of money on your auto insurance.Sincerely, Cesar Diaz, agent and brokerhttp://www.OnlineAutoInsurance.com

Often overlooked car insurance coverage

2007-08-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

Often overlooked car insurance coverage

Often overlooked car insurance coverage.
In todays busy world, it is hard to look into all types of car insurance coverage. Consumers often buy car insurance with the minimum state requirements without looking into other important insurance coverage. One often overlooked car insurance coverage is Uninsured Motorist Coverage. Although it is a very useful insurance coverage, it is often waived by consumers due to overlooking the importance of the coverage.
Uninsured motorist coverage was conceived as a partial solution to the problem created by drivers who would not or could not obtain liability insurance. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage benefits those who are covered by a Personal Auto Insurance Policy under which the insured has purchased UM coverage. It does not benefit the uninsured motorist who is responsible for an accident.
Say you were driving along one sunny day, obeying all the speed limits and road signs and out of nowhere, a vehicle strikes you. If you only had liability auto insurance and the other motorist was not insured, your coverage would not assist you in any way. You would have to seek indemnity for your medical injuries and your property damage (your vehicle) through other means.
In some states Uninsured motorist coverage will protect the insured for bodily injury and for property damage in case damages were caused by an uninsured motorist; however, some states offer uninsured motorist for bodily injury only.
Don't overlook this important car insurance coverage. It can be fairly inexpensive and very helpful in case of a loss caused by an uninsured driver. If you reside within the United States, you can use the following link to obtain an online auto insurance quote. Don't forget to quote Uninsured Motorist coverage as well !

http://car-insurance.onlineautoinsurance.com/2007/05/04/often-overlooked-car-insurance-coverage.aspx

Quality Car Insurance at an Affordable Rate

2007-08-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Quality Car Insurance at an Affordable Rate

Finding quality car insurance at an affordable rate is the most important factor when searching the right car insurance company. Many car insurance companies will offer quality car insurance without offering an affordable rate but the key is finding an affordable car insurance rate without having to sacrifice quality. Of course we all want the quality service we deserve when we're paying a premium for it. We are all responsible for making our insurance premium payments on time and expect a car insurance company to take responsibility when its their turn to offer quality service responding to our claims. After all, many of us pay car insurance rates for many years without ever filing a car insurance claim, although as an insurance broker, I have witnessed many consumers purchase car insurance and file a claim within the first 30 days.
One common myth is that if a car insurance company offers affordable auto insurance, they will not offer quality service. As an insurance agent I can confirm that myth as being false, or as the myth busters would say, Busted! I have had consumers request a low quality car insurance company because they stated they couldn't afford a quality car insurance company. I, of course, took the pleasure in quoting his car insurance through multiple quality car insurance companies that I work with such as Infinity Insurance Company and Progressive Insurance Company and he was more than delighted to hear their affordable rates.
There are two common categories when it comes to car insurance companies:
Standard - A car insurance company specializing and providing affordable rates for drivers with one or no violations on their driving record.
Non-Standard - A car insurance company targeting drivers with violations on their driving records and providing competitive rates to make insurance affordable.
You as a driver will fall into one of these categories depending on your driving record. Either way, you should keep the most important factors in mind, quality car insurance at an affordable rate. Whether you have violations or not, you shouldn't compromise price or quality. Many car insurance companies can still offer you an affordable rate with quality service. One such car insurance company that comes to mind is Western United Insurance Company that offers affordable rates to drivers with violations on their driving record. Western United is an affiliated company of AAA Insurance Company which is among the largest insurance companies in California.
It is important to shop around and compare multiple car insurance rates to ensure an affordable rate. Many websites out there offer the ability to shop for car insurance from multiple insurance companies all with one simple process and the ability to buy affordable car insurance online.
One such website is OnlineAutoInsurance.com which allows you to find a quality car insurance company with an affordable rate. Compare auto insurance online from Progressive, AIG, Infinity, GMAC and more quality companies all with one simple process.

http://car-insurance.onlineautoinsurance.com/2007/07/24/quality-car-insurance-at-an-affordable-rate.aspx

Why purchase auto insurance coverage?

2007-08-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

Why purchase auto insurance coverage?

Auto insurance cannot prevent automobile accidents from happening, but it can help offset some of the financial loss or burden that might result from an accident. Various coverages are designed to protect an insured's investment in the value of owned automobiles, to pay medical expenses when injury occurs, and to cover an insured's legal liability to others who may suffer injury or damages. This does not mean that all possible expenses or losses will be covered.
Limits of insurance apply to insurance coverages, and each insurance policy has exclusions and limitations. Auto insurance is designed to reduce many of the financial losses that could otherwise result from owning or operating an automobile. Without insurance, a person would have to bear the entire cost when accidental injuries or damages occur.
Having auto insurance can also help protect you in case of a non-fault accident. There is coverage designed to protect against uninsured drivers in case of an accident. This coverage is called Uninsured Motorist coverage. This coverage can protect yourself and your passengers as well as your vehicle in case you were to be struck by an uninsured motorist. Like other coverages, there is limitations to this coverage.
Feel free to quote this coverage as well as other auto insurance coverage as it is relatively inexpensive. You may obtain a free online auto insurance quote by simply clicking on the link, or by visiting www.onlineautoinsurance.com.

Posted by onlineautoinsurance

Online Auto Insurance Facts

2007-08-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

Online Auto Insurance Facts

Over the past few years, shopping for auto insurance online has increasingly become more popular by United States consumers. More and more people are finding the convenience of comparing rates instantly from multiple auto insurance carriers. As the internet becomes more popular and the online consumers mature, the number of people shopping online is said to exceed the number of people shopping by phone or in person in the near future.Since 2005, an estimated 70 million auto insurance quotes have been given online, but until recently, people are finding the confidence and security to not only receive quotes online, but to purchase the auto insurance policy online.In the first few months of 2007, the statistics show a major increase in consumer online shopping. Just in the first quarter, there has been an increase of 27% in the number of auto insurance quotes obtained online; Furthermore, since 2006, there has been an estimated 45% increase in the insurance policies purchase online. Consumers are increasingly becoming more comfortable making financial purchases online.Auto insurance companies are racing to bring their products online due to the adoption of the internet. Since the explosion of the internet, there has been insurance companies evolved from the huge number of online consumers.Auto insurance companies encourage consumers to purchase insurance online since the overhead expenses of issuing an insurance policy online is less than the traditional method, insurance companies can extend the savings to the consumer.One such website is OnlineAutoInsurance.com which offers online auto insurance quotes instantly. You can compare rates from up to 10 different "quality" insurance companies such as Progressive, Infinity, AIG and more.Feel free to join the millions of people shopping online and take advantage of the savings.

Posted by onlineautoinsurance

Insurance Agent Reveals His Secrets to Huge Savings on Auto Insurance

2007-08-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Insurance Agent Reveals His Secrets to Huge Savings on Auto Insurance

Cesar Diaz, agent and brokerhttp://www.OnlineAutoInsurance.com

Buying Car Insurance Online vs. Buying in Person

2007-08-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Buying Car Insurance Online vs. Buying in Person

In the old days we didn’t have the privilege of buying car insurance online. Now, thanks to the internet, we can simply go online and compare auto insurance rates instantly from multiple companies and even buy auto insurance online and receive instant proof.
The traditional method of buying auto insurance in person does come with its benefits. For example, having a licensed auto insurance agent in front of you allows you to ask as many questions as you wish and receive immediate answers. Having a licensed agent assist you can also help personalize your auto insurance coverage based on your assets and needs. A recent survey of 1,000 American consumers commissioned by IBM reported that 75% of consumers prefer to talk to an insurance agent personally and remain committed to working with them in the future.
Of course there are also negatives that come with buying auto insurance in person. One example would be driving to an office location in order to buy auto insurance, which wastes time and money. Another negative would be the fact that you wouldn’t have the convenience of shopping and comparing multiple companies online and you would not have immediate access to manage your auto insurance policy from your personal computer. You would also be limited to the hours of operation of the particular insurance office.
In the other hand, buying car insurance online offers the convenience of purchasing your insurance policy right from the comfort of your computer. Another benefit is the fact that you can compare quotes from multiple insurance companies immediately. Statistics show that buying car insurance online, on average, is cheaper than buying auto insurance the traditional method. Many companies offer discounts if you buy online because the insurance company’s costs of issuing the policy is less and the savings can be transferred to you.
In conclusion, the best way of buying auto insurance would be to have the right combination of personalized insurance agent service along with the benefits of being able to shop for car insurance online to save time and money and to have the ability to manage your auto insurance policy online and be able to speak to an insurance agent if needed.
There are a few auto insurance agents that have expanded online and offer personalized service by a licensed agent along with the convenience of comparing and buying car insurance online. One such website is OnlineAutoInsurance.com where you can compare rates from top companies such as Progressive, AIG, GMAC, Infinity and more, all with one simple process. You can even buy auto insurance online and receive instant proof.

http://car-insurance.onlineautoinsurance.com/2007/07/02/buying-car-insurance-online-vs-buying-in-person.aspx

Car Insurance Online - The Future is Here

2007-08-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

Car Insurance Online - The Future is Here

In the old days, in order to shop for car insurance we would have to pick up a phone book and decide which car insurance company to call first out of the dozens of advertised companies. It was very time consuming and frustrating having to call several car insurance companies just to find competitive rates.
Aside from the time consuming phone calls, we’ve all had to deal with misleading salesmen on the phone that care more about their commission than about your car insurance needs. We’re all familiar with the old bait and hook trick that salesmen can pull off by giving you wonderful information over the phone to get you into their office, then totally changing the good news to bad news when you arrive.
Thanks to current technologies, we are now able to shop for car insurance online instantly without having to deal with annoying salesmen and time consuming phone calls. All consumers are looking for the same thing when it comes to finding the right car insurance company; a company that can provide cheap auto insurance and also provide the deserved service when needed.
With the internet, consumers are finding what they need in a fraction of the time. Car insurance companies are beginning to evolve from the traditional office location providing car insurance rates by phone, to technology driven, web-based companies allowing users to shop for car insurance online.
Some websites offer the convenience of shopping for car insurance online from multiple top quality car insurance companies all with one simple process. One such website is OnlineAutoInsurance.com which allows you to compare rates from companies such as Progressive, AIG, GMAC, Esurance, Infinity and many more. You can even buy car insurance online and receive instant proof of insurance.
Shopping for car insurance online not only carries the benefits of saving time and money, but also comes with the benefits of allowing users to purchase car insurance online. Purchasing car insurance online can be beneficial in many ways including having the convenience of being able to manage your car insurance online including making payments, making changes, and even filing car insurance claims online.
Statistics show the percentage of consumers shopping for car insurance online have increased tremendously year after year and will continue to grow in popularity as consumers discover the convenience of shopping for car insurance online.

http://car-insurance.onlineautoinsurance.com/2007/07/12/car-insurance-online--the-future-is-here.aspx

How to Shop for Car Insurance

2007-08-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

How to Shop for Car Insurance

By Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor

The word shopping brings a feeling of immediate excitement to most people. But if you combine the word shopping with car insurance — as in "shopping for car insurance" — it produces the opposite effect. The thought of shopping for auto insurance makes the eyes glaze over and the heart rate drop to the pace of a slumbering couch potato. Couch potato? Indeed. Doug Heller, a consumer advocate at The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights (a California-based consumer advocacy group) and a recognized insurance issues specialist, told us that too often "people purchase insurance by calling the number on the screen." But wait, this is important stuff! You want to be adequately covered if you get in an accident. And you certainly don't want to pay more for car insurance than you should. Maybe waiting for a solution to be beamed into your living room is not the best idea. How can you stay awake while navigating through this murky subject? Just remember: There is money to be saved. How much? Hundreds, even thousands, per year. For example, one of the authors typed all of his insurance information into a comparative insurance service. The quotes (for very basic coverage on two old cars) ranged from $1,006 to $1,807 — a difference of $801 a year. If you're currently dumping thousands into your insurance company's coffers because of a couple of tickets, an accident or a questionable credit rating, shopping your policy against others may be well worth the effort. Look at it this way — you can convert the money you save into the purchase of something you've lusted after for a long time. Hold that goal in your mind. Now, let's begin. Before you can shop for something, you have to decide what you need. The first step in finding the right auto insurance for you is to figure out the amount of coverage you need. This varies from state to state. So take a moment to find out what coverage is required where you live. Make a list of the different types of coverage and then return for the next step. (You will find a list of each state's requirements and an explanation of the various types of insurance in "How Much Auto Insurance Do You Really Need?". Also, check out "Little-Known But Important Insurance Issues" as it has a glossary of basic insurance terminology.) Now that you know what is required, you can decide what — if anything — you need in addition to that. Some people are quite cautious. They base their lives on worst-case scenarios. Insurance companies love these people. That's because insurance companies know what your chances are of being killed or maimed, and how likely it is for your car to be damaged or stolen. The information the insurance company has collected over previous decades is crunched into "actuarial tables" that give insurance adjustors a quick look at the probability of just about any occurrence. It is important to keep in mind that the basis of insurance is a difference of opinion between you (the insured) and them (the insurance company). You believe you will, at some point, probably get in an auto accident. The car insurance company believes you probably won't. And the insurance company is willing to take your money to prove you wrong. So how much auto insurance should you buy beyond your state's minimums? "Look at your personal financial situation," Dennis Howard, director of the Insurance Consumer Advocate Network (I-CAN) and former insurance adjuster, advised. "If you have assets to protect — and that is all insurance is doing — get enough liability coverage." For instance, if you purchase $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage but have $100,000 in assets, attorneys could go after your treasures in the event of an accident in which you're at-fault and the other party's medical bills exceed $50,000.Howard noted that his general recommendation for liability limits are $50,000 bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident, $100,000 for all people injured in an accident and $25,000 property damage liability (that is, 50/100/25) given that half of the cars on the road are worth more than $20,000. Here again, though, let your financial situation be your guide. If you have no assets, don't buy excess coverage. Another issue Howard mentioned is that the limits of any uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage that you purchase cannot exceed the limits of your liability coverage. Such coverage, he said, can be valuable, as it will cover lost income if you're out of work for several months after being injured in a major accident. Your driving habits may also be a consideration. If your past is filled with crumpled fenders, if you have a lead foot or a long commute on a treacherous winding road, then you should get more comprehensive coverage. "Consumers should also be aware that they don't have to buy the package [of collision and comprehensive coverage]," Howard said. "If your vehicle is older, if you have a good driving record and if there is a low likelihood that it would be totaled in an accident, but a high likelihood of it being stolen, you could buy comprehensive but not collision." Seems like good advice for all of the 1989 Toyota Camry owners reading this article — this has been the most stolen car in the nation for several years (it's often stolen for parts). But we would expect that most of them on the road have well over 100,000 miles. At this time, a rather sobering point needs to be interjected. Just having car insurance doesn't protect you from absolutely anything bad that might happen. First, the insurance company needs to back up the claims that they make in the fine details of the contract. TV ads show folksy adjustors at the scenes of natural disasters passing out claims checks like coupons for cocktail wieners at a supermarket. But, in case you haven't noticed, real life is a bit different from TV ads. If you have an accident, your car insurance company will take a close look at your claim before mailing you a check. And the check may be written for an amount much smaller than you had hoped. For this reason, you should be intimately familiar with the terms of your policy and call the company with any questions you might have. Now that you have made several practical and philosophical decisions, it's time to start shopping. Begin by setting aside about an hour for this task. Bring all your records — your current insurance policy, your driver license number and your vehicle registration. Drink plenty of coffee. Have a phone at your elbow. And, of course, power up your computer. Begin with the online services. If you go to InsWeb.com or other insurance quote sites, you can type in your information and get a list of comparative quotes. The form takes about 15 minutes to complete. If this bores you, just remind yourself that you are saving money and you can use that money to buy something nice for yourself. If the entire shopping process takes you two hours to complete, and you save $800, you're effectively earning $400 an hour. A few things to keep in mind: (1) When you use quote sites, you may not get instant insurance quotes. Some companies may contact you later by e-mail, and some that are not "direct providers" may put you in touch with a local agent, who will then calculate a quote for you. (A "direct provider," like Geico, sells an insurance policy to you directly; other companies like State Farm sell insurance through local agents. We'll discuss the pros and cons of each later.) (2) It's not easy to get quotes from these sites in all states — if you live in New Jersey, for instance, you'll probably find it faster to pick up the phone, since most insurers currently don't provide online quotes for this state. You can also try getting insurance quotes from some of the insurance companies listed on the Edmunds.com Web site — Esurance, Geico, or Progressive. The forms will take about 10 minutes each to complete. Of course, there are many other insurers that you can contact online. But remember, while you're researching companies, make notes in a separate computer file or on a piece of paper divided into categories. This will keep you from duplicating your efforts. When you visit the different online insurance sites you should take note of several things:
Annual and monthly rates for the different types of coverage — make sure to keep the coverage limits the same so that you can make "apples-to-apples" comparisons
An 800 number to call for questions you can't get answered online
The insurance company's payment policy (When is your payment due? What happens if you're late in making a payment?)
Discounts offered by the insurance company that pertain to you
The insurance company's consumer complaint ratio from your state's department of insurance Web site (more on this below)
The insurance company's A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's ratings (more on this below) Once you have exhausted your online options, it's time to work the phones. Those companies you haven't been able to get an online quote from should be contacted. Surprisingly, doing this process verbally can actually go faster than the online counterpart, providing you have all the information regarding your driver license and vehicle registration close at hand. When you get a quote, be sure to confirm the price. Also, ask them to fax or e-mail the quote to you as a record. While talking to the insurance companies' telephone salespeople, make sure you explore all options relating to discounts. Insurance companies give discounts for a good driving record, favorable credit score, safety equipment (for example, antilock brakes), certain occupations or professional affiliations, and more. For more guidance in this area, check out "How to Save Money on Auto Insurance."Always bear in mind that your mission isn't just to buy the cheapest car insurance out there; it is to buy the cheapest insurance and still receive adequate coverage and service. "You don't want to pay to get a great deal on insurance and then not get your car repaired after an accident," Heller noted.
Your final selection should depend on two things:a. the reliability of the insurance company based on the criteria above;b. the price of the quote. We can all find the lowest premium, but it may not be immediately obvious how to determine whether a company is reliable. When we say "reliable," we're talking about how the insurer treats you, the customer. Particularly, how will the company deal with you when you file a claim? Will you be paid the full amount to which you are entitled? And will you be paid promptly? While there are never any guarantees, we've come up with several ways of seeking out the most reliable insurance companies:
1. Visit your state's department of insurance Web site. Although you may not be familiar with it due to lack of marketing, your state, and every state, has a department of insurance. Most departments have Web sites, and many publish "consumer complaint ratios" for all of the insurance companies that sell policies in their state. This ratio tells you how many complaints an insurance company received per 1,000 claims. All of the experts we interviewed recommended that consumers use complaint ratios as a resource before making a decision. "Just because they're a big name doesn't mean that they'll be a 'good neighbor' or that you'll be 'in their hands,'" Heller noted. If you can't get complaint ratios for your state, he said that you can often get a good idea of how a company treats its customers by comparing the complaint ratios published by other states (this obviously shouldn't be the only deciding factor since a single insurance company often varies significantly from state to state — consistently favorable or unfavorable ratios may be revealing, though). Another consideration: "High-risk insurers come out the worst [in the consumer complaint ratios]," said Brian Sullivan, a recognized insurance expert and editor of Auto Insurance Report, a weekly insurance industry publication. "Whenever you have a really big claim, it's more complicated.... And these companies tend to insure people who get into big accidents." Regardless, a high number of complaints should give you pause, even if the company is financially appealing. Similarly, be sure to jot down those companies with favorable ratios. Howard's Web site provides links and contact information for every state's department of insurance. Additionally, the department of insurance sites often provide basic rate comparison surveys. These can give you a rough idea of which insurers might interest you on a financial basis without the hassle of typing in all your personal information (as you must when you use one of the quote sites described above). This may be particularly useful if you're going to use the phone, rather than the Web, to shop.2. Find out which companies body shops would recommend. Howard offered another idea that you may never have considered: "Contact the local body shops of dealerships or others that you trust. See which companies they would recommend." You can compare the consumer complaint ratios with what the body shop managers say. Clearly, this kind of research is more time-consuming than simply finding the lowest premium rate, but if you have a claim, you want to make sure that your vehicle is repaired correctly and completely with minimal hassle and that OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are used. Howard, who is involved in an effort to create guidelines for the use of aftermarket parts, said that consumers should avoid them for the time being. "Right now, these parts are so incredibly inferior. Body shop managers will tell you which insurers are pushing aftermarket parts." A March 12, 2001, I-CAN press release explains the protections consumers currently have in each state — it's rather fortuitous to live in Minnesota, the only state that prohibits insurers from requiring the use of aftermarket parts. 3. Consider working with an insurance agent. It used to be that everyone purchased their auto insurance from an agent, but now, companies like Amica, Esurance, Geico and others allow you to purchase insurance directly — over the phone from a customer service representative or online. Still, many of the major players have preserved their national networks of local agents — even if you use State Farm's or Allstate's Web site, you will still be assigned a local agent. Before we delve further, you should be aware there are two kinds of agents: (1) the captive agent who represents only one insurance company (AAA, Allstate, State Farm, and the like); and (2) the independent agent, also known as a broker, who represents several insurance companies (for example, Erie and Progressive are both sold through independent agents) and therefore does not have a vested interest in selling you a policy from one particular company. Experts say that consumers who sign on with agents generally have an advantage during the claims process. "The agent has a vested interest in you being happy," Sullivan said. "The claims representative has a general desire to keep you happy, but it's not the same." Further, an agent can become familiar with your situation and guide you toward a suitable policy, Howard said. "Don't rule out direct providers, but my personal preference is to have an agent, preferably an independent agent, write your policy for you.... An independent agent would become aware of less advantageous conditions with one company [and help you move to another]. You can change carriers without changing your agent. I encourage consumers to develop a relationship with their agent." The prospect of good working relations with an agent may help you to make a decision: When Heller purchased auto insurance for the first time, two insurers gave him similar quotes but he went for the slightly higher one because the agent had been highly recommended by a friend. "You shouldn't go direct without always checking out other options," he said. "[...But] never feel pressured by a broker or an agent. Take the time to talk with an agent or a broker as well as do your online research. You may not need an agent — you may find a better deal with a company that operates direct." Independent agents may charge a fee for their services, but you may be able to negotiate. You should agree upon any fee in writing before making a purchase. Look for agents who are certified by Independent Insurance Agents of America (Big "I") or PIA (Professional Insurance Agents). 4. Check out the financial strength ratings for the companies that interest you. Refer to the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's ratings. Both companies publish financial strength ratings for all insurance companies — these "measure" an insurance company's ability to pay out a claim. The A.M. Best rating is expressed as a letter grade from A++ (the highest) to D. Some companies may be assigned ratings of E (indicating regulatory action regarding the company's solvency), F (in liquidation) and S (suspended). In any case, you should only work with companies that have at least a B+ rating. The Standard & Poor's ratings range from AAA (the highest) to CC. Additionally, some companies receive ratings of R (under regulatory supervision) and NR, which means 'not rated'. The letter grades might be modified by a + or - mark. Consider only those companies that have at least a BBB rating. Insurance companies often provide this information on their Web sites, but if not, you can run a search at the A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's sites. Keep in mind that these ratings have nothing to do with the way an insurance company treats its customers. 5. Skim J.D. Power and Associates' auto insurance ratings.Another basic resource is J.D. Power and Associates' auto insurance ratings. Two of the top insurers in the study, Amica and Erie, are also companies that Howard recommends: "Erie is sold by independent agents, who are very knowledgeable about the product. I like their claims handling approach. Almost all other companies look at a claim and find a way to not pay it. Erie and Amica will look at it and try to find a way to cover it."6. Don't assume that affinity programs have your best interests at heart. Sometimes auto insurers will team up with an auto manufacturer, union, trade association, or other entity to offer a select group of people insurance policies at a discounted rate — this is known as an "affinity program." For instance, Ford owners can get a special rate through The Hartford. Don't assume that such an insurance company will provide superior customer service — research these as rigorously as you would an unaffiliated company. "You do get a bit of a premium break, but I would still say go to consumer complaint ratios at your state's department of insurance Web site," Howard advised. "It has been my experience that insurance companies that enter into third-party mass-marketing programs are lacking when it comes to service." 7. If insurers won't treat you right, contact your legislators. It's not always easy to find affordable, reliable car insurance, particularly if you don't make a lot of money and live in an urban area. Your state's legislators, of course, are the people who require you to purchase insurance in the first place (unless you live in New Hampshire, Tennessee or Wisconsin). Contact these officials if you can't find a policy that you can afford or if your current insurer has treated you unfairly during the claims process. "Particularly for low-income consumers," Heller noted, "auto insurance is too expensive relative to their income to even think about.... We urge motorists to get some coverage but also to let their elected officials know that they're having trouble finding affordable insurance." Heller was the leading advocate behind the implementation of the Lifeline Auto Insurance Plan, a pilot program in California that makes affordable auto insurance available to low-income residents of Los Angeles and San Francisco counties (areas that typically have astronomical insurance rates) with good driving records. The program was possible only because "low-income motorists let lawmakers know that 80 percent of the people in their neighborhood were uninsured," he said. So, you've done your research, and you've decided on a company. Before you sign, though, read the policy. In addition to verifying that it contains the coverage you want, there are two clauses that you should look for in the contract:
1. Retain your right to sue."Find out if you are giving up your right to go to court and will be forced into arbitration if there is a disagreement [between you and the insurance company]," Heller advised. "You're much better off if you don't give up this right.... It makes it easier for [insurers] to take advantage of you." If you find a clause to this effect, all isn't necessarily lost. "At least in theory, a contract is a mutual agreement, so you should be able to cross out that line in the policy," Heller said. If the company won't agree to the policy sans clause, then you should probably take your business elsewhere. 2. Avoid aftermarket parts requirements. "If an insurance company has written in the policy that 'new factory', 'like kind and quality', or 'aftermarket parts' [may be used for body shop repairs], ...go on to the next company," Howard said. If you own a relatively new car that you plan to keep for a while, you will probably be much happier if you spend a little more time researching companies on the front end rather than try to fight the company when you have a claim.After you lock in the insurance policy you want with the company you select, you have two more things to do. The first is to cancel coverage with your existing insurance company. Second, if your state requires you to carry proof of insurance, make sure you either have it in your wallet or the glove compartment of your car (some experts discourage this, however — if your car is stolen, the thief has everything he needs to prove the vehicle is his). Now, there's one last thing to do: reward yourself for saving so much money on your car insurance. Now it's time to go shopping — real shopping.

Seat Belts Make Auto Safety a Snap

2007-06-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

Seat Belts Make Auto Safety a Snap

What auto device is simple to use, takes just a second to snap into place, and saves thousands of lives each year? Seat belts of course – probably the single most important tool you have to keep safe while driving.
Seat belt stats at a glanceAccidents do happen, and chances are you`ll be involved with one or more in your lifetime. In fact, according to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 15,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in evening traffic crashes during 2005, and 59% of those occupants were not wearing seat belts at the time of the fatal crash. This is compared to the 44% of occupants who were not wearing seat belts and were killed during daytime hours in `05.
Sobering statistics, no doubt. The good news is the NHTSA reports 77% of passenger vehicle occupants who were in a serious crash and were wearing seat belts survived. Wearing seat belts has been proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% for front seat passenger car occupants and by 60% for those in pickup trucks, SUVs and mini-vans.
More good news: According to an `06 NHTSA report, seat belt use across the nation is pretty solid. The average rate was 81%, with seat belt use ranging from 63.5% in New Hampshire and Wyoming to 96.3% in Washington. And 11 states and territories have rates 90% or higher – including Washington, Michigan, Oregon, California, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Nevada, Maryland, Texas, Georgia and New Jersey.
While these rates are high, the only truly acceptable seat belt usage rate is 100%, 24/7, for all drivers.
Seat belts save more than livesInterestingly, there`s a huge economic impact related to wearing seat belts. According to an '02 report by the NHTSA, between 1976 and 2002 seatbelts prevented 135,000 fatalities and 3.8 million injuries – saving an amazing $585 billion in medical and related costs. Their report states if everyone had used seat belts during this period, nearly 315,000 deaths and 5.2 million injuries could have been prevented, saving roughly $913 billion.
That's an incredible amount of savings and potential for more savings during a time when many driving-related costs can be high – from gasoline to insurance premiums.
Click It or Ticket in actionThis year from May 21 until Memorial Day (May 28), the NHTSA is encouraging law enforcement agencies nationwide to take part in the Click It or Ticket campaign, aimed at enforcing seat belt use. Jurisdictions with stronger seat belt laws generally show higher seat belt usage rates than those with weaker laws. A good example is Mississippi, where the seat belt law was changed to a "primary" enforcement law in 2006 and seat belt use jumped from 60.8% to 73.6%.
The NHTSA hopes the Click It or Ticket campaign encourages drivers to consider the legal consequences of not wearing a seat belt, in addition to being aware of the enormous safety benefits seat belt use brings.
Quick tips on proper seat belt use and safetyJust a few quick reminders about the right way to wear your seat belt: First, the belt should be low and snug across the pelvis or lap, and never across the stomach.
The shoulder belt should be across the chest and collarbone, and be snug. It should never be in front of the face or behind the back. Remember, you still need to wear seat belts even if your car has air bags – in fact, air bags only work properly if you are belted in and they are not designed to replace seat belts.
All children under 12 should be buckled into an appropriate seat, such as a child safety seat in the back. To find out the best child safety seat for your child's weight and age, check with your local children's hospital. Newborns should be placed in rear-facing car seats in the back.
Wearing seat belts is a snap, saves lives daily, and saves billions of dollars. So keep in mind the link between car accidents and seat belts when you take to the roads. We'll all be safer for it.
For more information on seat belt safety tips, statistics and use, or for more information on the Click It or Ticket campaign, please visit the NHTSA's website
If you are in the market for auto insurance or would like to get an auto insurance quote, visit Insurance.com's auto insurance comparison application. Here, you can evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class car insurance providers, saving you time and money on your car insurance.

http://www.insurance.com/quotes/Article.aspx/Seat_Belts_Make_Auto_Safety_a_
Snap/artid/530

California's Low Cost Auto Insurance Program

2007-06-06T00:52:00.000-07:00

California's Low Cost Auto Insurance Program

In an effort to make sure everyone has and can afford car insurance, law officials in California have launched a new Low Cost Auto Insurance program for low income residents. This program will help eliminate the amount of uninsured drivers on the road, while reducing the financial burden many auto insurance companies and insured drivers have been feeling due to the large amount of uninsured motorists on the road.
"By law, California residents are required to carry a minimum of $15,000 per person for bodily injury liability coverage, $30,000 per incident and $5,000 for property damage. Reasonable insurance limits, but ones that are often accompanied with higher auto insurance rates - causing a financial strain upon many residents that do not have the means to pay for auto insurance," stated David Roush, CEO of Insurance.com. "By rolling out this plan, California is helping to make auto insurance affordable and obtainable for all drivers, no matter what their income level is." Currently, California's new Low Cost Auto Insurance program offers a slimmed down version of their current plan, allowing qualified drivers to carry $10,000 per person for bodily injury liability coverage, $20,000 per incident and $3,000 for property damage.
Who is eligible for this plan?In order to qualify for this reduced cost car insurance plan, the resident must be a driver in good standing, reside in one of the approved counties, their household's gross annual income must be 250% or less than the federal poverty level and the value of their automobile cannot exceed $20,000. To view a detailed listing of the federal poverty income levels and the qualifying income levels visit the AIPSO's website.
What exactly is a driver in "good standing"?In order to qualify as a "good standing driver", motorists must meet the following criteria:
Be at least 19 years old and have been driving for at least three consecutive years
Have no vehicle code felony or misdemeanor convictions on their driving record
Have no record of a fault accident involving bodily injury or death in the past three years
Have no more than one property-damage-only insurance claim in which they were at fault or one point for a moving violation within the last three years
Is not a college student claimed as a dependent for federal or state income tax purposes
Cannot have an in-force liability insurance policy for another vehicle
Must demonstrate they have been continuously licensed for 18 months in the U.S. or Canada, if previously licensed in another country
Eligible countiesIn order to take advantage of California's car insurance program, qualifying residents must reside in the following counties:
Alameda FresnoLos AngelesOrangeRiversideSan BernardinoSan FranciscoSan Diego
CostThe cost of the program varies from driver to driver depending on where they live and if the driver elects to add Medical Payments Coverage and Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage to their policy. To get a rough estimate of how much you would have to pay under this new plan, see the AIPSO's chart below.
RATE PER VEHICLE - ANNUAL PREMIUM

Liability
Medical (optional)
Uninsured Motorist BI (optional)
Alameda County
$322.00
$18.00
$32.00
Contra Costa County
$317.00
$17.00
$28.00
Fresno County
$299.00
$34.00
$51.00
Imperial County
$210.00
$18.00
$32.00
Kern County
$239.00
$19.00
$30.00
Los Angeles County
$355.00
$29.00
$65.00
Orange County
$312.00
$24.00
$37.00
Riverside County
$246.00
$14.00
$32.00
Sacramento County
$383.00
$23.00
$49.00
San Bernardino County
$283.00
$18.00
$40.00
San Diego County
$268.00
$15.00
$26.00
San Francisco County
$322.00
$26.00
$39.00
San Joaquin County
$295.00
$23.00
$35.00
San Mateo County
$307.00
$17.00
$25.00
Santa Clara County
$290.00
$14.00
$24.00
Stanislaus County
$359.00
$35.00
$44.00
In addition to these rates posted above, there is also a 25 percent surcharge for unmarried males between the ages of 19 and 24, due to the fact that this age group statistically has the most accidents of any other group.
How to registerIf you are interested in signing up for this low cost auto insurance program and you live in one of the qualifying counties, contact the California Auto Assigned Risk Program at 1-800-622-0954.
If you are not eligible for California's auto insurance program, but would like to see how you can lower your auto insurance rate, visit Insurance.com's auto insurance comparison application. Here, you will be able to evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class insurance providers - helping you find the best auto insurance rate for your limited budget.

http://www.insurance.com/quotes/Article.aspx/Californias_Low_Cost_Auto_Insurance_

Program/artid/502

Insuring a Teen Driver in Single-Parent Home

2007-06-05T22:26:00.000-07:00

Insuring a Teen Driver in Single-Parent Home

If your teen is away at school, living part-time with an ex-spouse, or spending a significant amount of time away from your single-parent home, you may be wondering if you are still required to keep them on your car insurance policy. Insuring a teenage driver can be an expensive endeavor, but depending on the circumstance and practices of your car insurance company, you may not be required to keep them on your auto insurance policy.
Divorced parentsThe first thing single parents should do when deciding on which policy to claim their teen driver on, is to check the language in their car insurance policy or contact their auto insurance company for details. Some car insurance companies suggest that the parent who has custody of the teen while they are in school is responsible for having that teen driver on their auto insurance policy, while others say it is the parent who has custody of the child more than the other.
In some instances, if both parents have the same auto insurance company, the child will automatically be covered on both policies. The reason behind this is that some companies define "an insured" as "a person related to you by blood, marriage or adoption who is a resident of your household."
Honesty is the best policyIf you don't list your teen driver on your car insurance policy, you are risking more than you may know. For instance, if you neglect to list your teen driver during your application process or failed to add your teenager once they have received their driver's license; your auto insurance company could cancel your auto insurance policy for misrepresentation. Worse yet, if your teenager is involved in an accident or traffic violation and you don't have them on your auto insurance policy, you could risk having your car insurance policy become nonrenewable.
However, all auto insurance companies handle insuring teen drivers and single-parent homes differently. Some companies require that all drivers be named on both parents' car insurance policies, regardless of how much time they spend between households.
Worst case scenarioIf your state permits auto insurance companies to void policies for misrepresentation, and your teen is in an accident and you file a claim, YOUR policy could be voided because you failed to tell them about your teen driver. So play it safe and contact your car insurance agent or company immediately once your teen has received his or her driver's license.
High risk teen driversRecently, The National Highway Safety Administration released the statistic below showing just how much of a risk teen drivers are to themselves and to others on the road.
In 2004, 5,896 teenage drivers were killed in traffic accidents. Teens accounted for 28% of all the drivers involved in motor vehicle fatalities
Teen drivers pose a higher risk of accidents than other groups of drivers, which is why the car insurance rates for this age group are so high. "On average, parents can expect to see a 50-100% increase in their car insurance rates once their teen has been added to their auto insurance policy," stated David Roush, CEO of Insurance.com. "However, many companies do offer parents discounts to help reduce the cost of insuring their teenager, such as 'Good Student Discounts' which are available to teen drivers who have a grade point average of 3.0 or above."

http://www.insurance.com/quotes/Article.aspx/Insuring_a_Teen_Driver_in_Single-Parent_Home/artid/516

An Overseas Traveler's Guide For What Insurance They Need

2007-06-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

An Overseas Traveler's Guide For What Insurance They Need

There's nothing like the feeling of excitement when you're going on an overseas vacation. The red X's on the calendar boldly show the countdown to your trip. Your bags are packed, your tickets are ready, your passport is ready for its stamp, and before you know it, you'll be on your way! But what happens when you get to your destination and the unthinkable happens? What if weather makes your trip too treacherous to chance? You end up getting sick? You get pulled over or your baggage is lost? Insurance.com has a few suggestions as to what you can do to make your trip as smooth as possible, even when the unthinkable happens.
What to check before you leave:Health Insurance: In most cases, health insurance plans do not extend outside of the United States, so it is a good idea to check with your insurance provider and see exactly what your coverage entails.
Car Insurance: If you are going to be renting a car and driving when you go overseas, it is a smart idea to apply for an international driver's license. Be sure to read up on the rules for driving in the country you are going to, because they may differ from the driving laws here in the United States. Lastly, be sure you have adequate car insurance before you leave. Because unless you have a true umbrella policy which covers you worldwide, your personal car insurance policy will not cover you if you are out of the United States. You can do this by contacting your auto insurance company or agent before you leave. If you'd like to learn more about driving overseas or to get information on an international driver's license or traveler's insurance, log on to the AAA website, which offers answers and insights on what you may need when traveling overseas.
Lost Luggage Insurance: Lost luggage insurance is something that would be a good idea to check up on before you leave on your overseas vacation. Though homeowners insurance policies cover theft or destruction of personal property, they only cover the items that are listed in the actual policy. With lost luggage insurance, you get the added protection of knowing that if your bags are lost during your vacation, their contents will be covered.
Trip Interruption Insurance: There's nothing worse than being excited and ready to go on a trip, then it being canceled due to conditions that are out of your control. A newer kind of insurance called "trip interruption insurance" is now available that may help cover all, or part of the expenses you paid in the event the trip is canceled. Examples include if a cruise line you booked on goes out of business before your departure date, or if inclement weather causes a cancellation you will be reimbursed. Another perk of trip interruption insurance is that in some cases, if you must cancel the trip due to sickness or death in the family, you may be covered for the flight and hotel costs.
What's in an overseas insurance pack?Many insurance companies offer full-overseas insurance packs for the overseas travelers, beginning with a possible seven-day coverage that costs less than $50 per person. Age, number of people in your party, and how long you plan on staying at your destination determines the reimbursement price. Packages generally include:
Emergency medical evacuation
Emergency medical and dental
Accidental death and dismemberment
Repatriation of remains
Visitor to bedside and return of dependent children
Pre-existing condition waiver
Lost/damaged baggage
Rental car protection
Trip cancellation/delay/interruption/default
Insurance.com overseas travel tips
Do not leave your money in bags you check. Be sure to keep cash, travelers checks, travel documents, valuables and jewelry in your carry-on
Add something to your suitcase that makes it easily identifiable-tie a brightly colored ribbon to the handle or mark an "X" on it with duct tape. This will make it easier to identify in the event your luggage is lost
Choose a rental car that has a trunk-hatchbacks are a homing beacon for thieves
Drink bottled water instead of tap. Though many places have filtered water now, it may still make you ill, which can potentially ruin your vacation
Phrase books definitely come in handy when going to a country where the predominant language is one you aren't familiar with. The book may also save you a lot of time and headaches when someone actually knows what you're trying to ask for
Travel in the off-season. To save the most money and find the best deals, it's a good idea to plan ahead and look to traveling to your destination at a time that not everyone and their mother is going.
Whether you're preparing for that romantic getaway, an action-packed adventure, or just a trip to new overseas destination, Insurance.com is here to help. If you are interested in receiving a travel insurance quote, log on to Insurance.com. Here you will be able to evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class travel insurance providers - helping you find the best travel insurance coverage to protect you in your overseas travels.

http://www.insurance.com/quotes/Article.aspx/An_Overseas_Travelers_Guide_For_What_

Insurance_They_Need/artid/100

Acts of Nature Could Cost You If You Rent a Car

2007-06-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

Acts of Nature Could Cost You If You Rent a Car

It "Hertz" to tell you this, but major car rental companies like America's largest are passing along the costs of repairing vehicles damaged by "acts of nature or God." (The words in quotes come from text at https://www.hertz.com/.)
Guess again if you think Hertz is inventing the wheel with its policy or traveling a different path than its competitors on this matter. "This is not new for us," points out Richard Broome, Hertz vice president of corporate affairs, in Park Ridge, N.J. "That provision has been in our general contract for about the past year," Broome noted. "Our competitors such as Enterprise have been doing this for quite some time, and now we're implementing this for all our other customers as well," said Broome.
Insurance industry executives Dan Kummer and Janine Gibford weigh in with practical coverage advice. For starters, Kummer issued a cautionary message on the subject of major car rental companies that have changed their contracts to discontinue coverage of damage to vehicles caused by "acts of nature or God" such as earthquakes or floods.
"If you don't check (rental agreements) carefully before signing on the dotted line, you could get burned," said Kummer, director of auto insurance for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), an insurance trade organization based in Des Plaines, Ill.
On the plus side, "acts of God" typically are covered under an auto insurance company's comprehensive coverage, Kummer continued. However, Kummer urges rental car customers "to make sure that you have that protection written into your contract and be sure to ask about that if you have any concerns in that area."
Whether or not you file a claim over damage caused by acts of nature, auto insurance rate increases down the road could occur because of Hurricane Katrina. "That wouldn't surprise me," acknowledged Kummer who said that all sizes and types of insurers "took massive claims hits in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina's devastation" in Louisiana and elsewhere in the South. (Katrina in 2005 caused some $38 billion in insured property losses and reportedly produced about $1.8 billion in motor vehicle losses in the South.)
There's no shortcut to reading the rental car agreement, according to Janine Gibford, vice president of state affairs for the American Insurance Association, in Sacramento, Calif. "These contracts are often very long and not written in plain language, so that can make it difficult for the car rental customer to understand all the terms and conditions." says Gibford.
Adds Gibford: "It's a good idea to read through the contracts even though they are not exactly written for a layman's edification. If you have questions, find out from your insurance provider what coverages from your personal auto policy will extend to the rented vehicle and then ask the rental car sales representative what portion of the rental car policy covers exposures that your personal auto policy doesn't address."
Here's one last piece of advice from Gibford. "Ask the rental car company what are the coverage exclusions specified in their contract such as damage caused by acts of nature. Do not be afraid to ask questions when the rental company asks you if you want a 'collision waiver.' A 'collision waiver' is something a customer pays extra for, and you probably won't need that protection from the rental car company because that exposure probably will be covered in your personal auto policy. However, that's something you'll want to check with your insurance provider before agreeing to anything about that with the rental car company."

http://www.insurance.com/quotes/Article.aspx/Acts_of_Nature_Could_Cost_You_If_You_Rent_a_Car/artid/387

How Much Will My Insurance Rate Increase After One Accident?

2007-06-05T19:53:00.000-07:00

How Much Will My Insurance Rate Increase After One Accident?

It's no accident that drivers often save money on their auto insurance bills if they haven`t been in a fender-bender or any other roadway accident. On the other hand, if you have been in at least one vehicular accident, chances are you`re going to pay more for car insurance when your policy comes up for renewal. Insurance industry experts such as Carolyn Gorman point out that this increase can "vary" for several reasons.
The amount is "going to vary from state to state and from one insurer to another," says Gorman, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute, which is based in New York. "But a lot depends on the nature and severity of your vehicular accident and who's found to be at fault. If you were driving drunk, you are going to be in deep trouble with the insurance company and the law. In that situation, you're likely to have your policy non-renewed. However, you can still get insurance, but it's going to cost you a lot more."
State Farm Insurance Co., for example, typically ratchets up your premium if an insured is found to be "at-fault" for a vehicular accident - meaning any accident in which the company pays more than $750 in property damage liability and collision claim payments, according to State Farm spokesman Bill Sirola. State Farm policyholders should expect to see the increase at renewal time on their liability, collision, and personal injury protection or medical payments coverages, Sirola confirms.
"If you've had a good record, and you've been with a particular company for more than five years, companies such as Allstate won't necessarily bump up your rates if you're found to be at-fault in a relatively minor vehicular accident," says Daniel Kummer, director of auto insurance for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, in Des Plaines, Ill.
Your rate rise depends on various factors such as state law and your insurance company rating plan," says Dave Snyder, American Insurance Association vice president and assistant general counsel.
Snyder says that "a minor accident may be forgiven under state law or by an insurance company. On the other hand, there could be severe insurance and legal consequences if there is a major accident with serious bodily injury and the at-fault driver is operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. There could be a dramatic increase in insurance rates or even a cancellation of coverage, subject to state law. But beyond that, there could be heavy fines and even jail time involved."
Some companies such as State Farm have a forgive-the-first-accident policy, but qualifications vary from company to company. When purchasing auto insurance, be sure to ask if that particular insurer has a forgive-the-first-accident program and if so, how you might qualify.

http://www.insurance.com/quotes/Article.aspx/How_Much_Will_My_Insurance_Rate_Increase_After_One_Accident/artid/153

Top 10 life insurance myths

2007-05-22T03:25:00.000-07:00

Top 10 life insurance myths

True or false? Fact or fiction? Understanding term life insurance and its benefits means sifting through the myths surrounding it. So we've taken a look at the most common misconceptions about life insurance to set the record straight, helping you to make the right choice for you and your family.
Myth #1: I don't need life insurance
Probably false. Unless you are an individual who does not have children, has money on hand to cover all debts and funeral expenses, and does not feel the need to offset the loss of their income to a spouse, leave any additional money to family, or to a charity, then it may be true, you don't need life insurance. But few people have the funds readily available to fulfill all their wishes or meet their obligations after their death.
At the very minimum, if you have anyone who relies on your income for their day-to-day needs like a spouse or children, or if you have debts like a mortgage, credit cards, or car loans, then you likely need life insurance.
Myth #2: I don't work outside the home so I don't need life insurance
Definitely false! Just because there's no paycheque to replace, doesn't mean life insurance is unnecessary. In fact, have you ever considered how much it would cost to pay for childcare and housekeeping in the absence of a stay-at-home parent? It's a lot of money and reason enough to have life insurance.
Myth #3: I have life insurance through my job. I don't need any more coverage
False. The truth is your life insurance coverage through your work may not be protecting yourself and your loved ones as much as you think. Review how much your employer-paid insurance provides and calculate whether this is enough to keep your family comfortable through the difficult times if you're not around. What's more, when you leave your job for any reason, including retirement, your coverage will cease.
Myth #4: I have coverage from my mortgage lender. It's enough
Mortgage life insurance pays off your mortgage if one of the people listed on the loan dies before it's paid—but that's it. What about the rest? Term life insurance offers coverage that can be used for anything, including funeral expenses, paying down a mortgage, car loan and credit cards, or to offset the loss of income into the family finances.
Myth #5: I don't need life insurance once my children are self-supporting and my mortgage is paid off
Everybody's insurance needs vary. But how would your spouse manage daily living expenses without your help? And what if your spouse outlived you by 10, even 20 years?
Myth #6: I won't be able to get insurance because I'm a smoker
Not true. What is true is that as a smoker, the premium you pay for your life insurance coverage will be slightly higher than a non-smoker's premium. Even though as a smoker you'll pay more for your coverage, it's likely more affordable than you think.
Plus, many life insurers offer ‘preferred rates' to smokers as well. After all, even though you are a smoker doesn't mean you are unhealthy, so why not?
Myth #7: Once a smoker, always a smoker in the eyes of the life insurers
Wrong! Good news for ex-smokers. Most life insurance companies consider you a non-smoker once you've been smoke-free for 1 full year. So congratulations, after one year you can get non-smoker rates.
Myth #8: I'm young so odds are I won't need life insurance
Although it is unlikely you'll die during your working years, you're not insuring for what's likely to happen but instead, for the worst-case scenario. That's why term life insurance is inexpensive for young, healthy people. Buying life insurance now means you'll be providing financial security without spending a lot of money for it.
For example, an online quote at kanetix for a $250,000 10-year term policy for:
a healthy 35-year old non-smoking woman costs as little as $173 a year*
a healthy 35-year old non-smoking man costs as little as $215 a year*
a healthy 35-year old non-smoking married couple costs as little as $313 a year*
What's more you may even be eligible for 'preferred' rates that mean the annual premiums are even less!
Myth #9: If term life insurance is really so cheap there must be a catch
There's no catch. Your basic term life insurance policy will offer you coverage so long as you pay your premium. You buy term insurance for the duration of time you'll need life insurance, whether that's until the kids are out of school or until your mortgage is paid off. Plus, your premiums are fixed for the length of the term. They won't increase even if the status of your health changes.
Myth #10: It's such a hassle to get life insurance
Thanks to the Internet, getting quotes is fast, free and easy. Online quotes for term life insurance are available online at kanetix from some of Canada's most respected and known insurance companies.
Final fact:
Life insurance policies provide you with customized coverage for your family's needs. Complete a quote online at kanetix for a Term 10, Term 20 or Term to 100 life insurance policy and we'll introduce you to a licensed representative so you can go over your family's life insurance needs.
* Rates from the kanetix website May, 2007.
Sympatico / MSN Finance’s editorial goal is to provide a forum for personal finance and investment ideas. Our articles, columns, message board posts and other features should not be construed as investment advice, nor does their appearance imply an endorsement by Microsoft or Bell Canada of any specific security or trading strategy. Neither Microsoft nor Bell Canada shall bear any responsibility to an investor based on actions taken in reliance of them. An investor's best course of action must be based on individual circumstances.

http://finance.sympatico.msn.ca/insurance/insight/kanetix/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4868349

Free Auto Insurance Quotes Could Equal Big Savings

2007-05-22T03:22:00.000-07:00

Free Auto Insurance Quotes Could Equal Big Savings

Published: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:51 PM CDTE-mail this story Print this page
(ARA) - Did you know that most people are not getting the best price for their auto insurance? Perhaps it's easier to stay with the agent you've always known, or you don't want to spend the time calling each agent individually. Whatever the excuse, procrastinating could be costing you hundreds of dollars.The truth is auto insurance companies are competing for your business, meaning you could easily be offered a better price than what you pay now. Finding what's available for you is easier than you think. Insurance.com specializes in making the process of researching auto insurance quick and easy. And their customers save an average of $451 on their auto insurance contract. Want to know where you stand? Here's how it works:According to the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Insurance.com is the nation's largest online auto insurance agency. The company partners with more than a dozen of the nation's leading auto insurance companies to provide instant and accurate rates to its users. Rates come directly from each insurance company, so it's not just an estimate, it's what you really would pay if you had a contract with that particular company.
Sounds interesting, but how much time does it take? Each customer only needs to answer one set of questions to get up to four real quotes. This process takes about 15 minutes, depending how much coverage you need and your vehicle history.After you receive your quotes, compare it to your current coverage and what you are spending. If you are getting a great deal now, there's no need to change and you can rest assured that you are making a good choice. If like many, you find yourself surprised by the quotes you received and the potential savings, you can buy your new insurance policy online or over the phone through an unbiased knowledgeable licensed agent.If you've had a recent life event -- got married, child got their permit and needs coverage, or moved -- insurance prices could change. Make sure you are getting the best possible price.
You can't control the price of gas or the cost of car repair, but you can save money on your auto insurance. Stop wondering and find out today with a free quote from https://www.insurance.com/quotes/auto.aspx?sid=1000002671.Copyright © 2007, ARAnet, inc.

http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/articles/2007/05/21/ara/automotive/925.txt

Insurance for young drivers set to soarROBERT FAIRBURN

2007-05-22T03:18:00.000-07:00

Insurance for young drivers set to soar
ROBERT FAIRBURN
Young drivers could see their annual car insurance premiums rise to more than £3000 within the next 10 years, it was predicted yesterday.
The high number of accidents and convictions for dangerous driving among 17 to 21-year-olds have resulted in insurers increasing charges by 92% over the past decade. Watchdogs believe the trend will continue.
The uSwitch.com website says it could cost a young driver as much as £3097 to insure a Ford Fiesta.
Average premiums for all drivers are now around £409 year but for 17 to 21 year-olds the figure is £948 with young men being charged £1181.
If premiums continue to rise at this rate, by 2017 the average young driver can expect to pay more than £3000 for annual car insurance.
Young drivers represent just 4.2% of the market yet they account for 16% of motoring offences and 34% of dangerous driving offences.
This combined with the fact young male drivers are also 10 times more likely to be involved in an accident explains why insurers charge younger drivers higher premiums.
Aron Thompson, head of insurance at uSwitch.com, said: "Young drivers do get a raw deal when it comes to insuring their cars.
"While they are typically deemed a more risky group of drivers because of their lack of experience on the roads and prevalence of dangerous driving, unfortunately all young people, even if they are sensible drivers, get tarnished with the same brush.
"We urge young drivers to research the cost of insurance before buying a car."
Earlier this year, the Scottish Executive introduced a six-month pilot scheme in Grampian to help young motorists with the cost of advanced driver training in an effort to cut the number of road deaths.
The north-east has the highest fatal accident rate in Scotland for drivers aged 17 to 25. A total of 62 people died on the region's roads last year.
The scheme provides half the cost of advanced driver training. When this is added to local authority funding already on offer, it means a £150 course could cost as little as £15.© All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1412195.0.0.php

Carbon offset car insurance launched

2007-05-22T03:17:00.000-07:00

Carbon offset car insurance launched

Emma LunnGuardian Unlimited
A new car insurance policy has been launched that will offset 100% of the customers' CO2 emissions for the duration of their policy, as well as make a contribution towards tackling global climate change.
Created by insurance intermediary Budget, ibuyeco allows customers to offset all of their carbon emissions by paying a small additional fee.
Payments are based on the type of vehicle and the estimated mileage details provided by customers. Emissions are calculated using guidelines from several key groups and bodies, including DEFRA whose guidelines are used by other government departments when appraising their policies.

Article continues

Using this method, the typical family car mileage of between 10,000 and 12,000 miles per year would require an offset fee of roughly £20, for example.
ibuyeco managing director, Matthew Gledhill, said: "ibuyeco is a practical solution for those people who cannot simply give up using their car.
"People recognise that sometimes creating a carbon impact is unavoidable, but they still want to do something about it.
"This offset charge will contribute towards the funding of specific projects via the CarbonNeutral Company, one of the world's leading full service carbon management businesses.
"The projects fall into different categories, including energy efficiency, reforestation and renewable energy, and are based both home and abroad."Special reportsConsumer news MotoringUseful linksAA AEA Energy & Environment Association of British Drivers Car-pool.co.uk Commission for Integrated Transport Department for Transport Driving.co.uk Environment Agency Highway code Institute of Advanced Motorists NewCarNet Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Streetcar

http://money.guardian.co.uk/insurance_/motor/factsheet/0,,2084876,00.html

The £100 Car And Home Insurance Rip-Off!

2007-05-22T03:15:00.000-07:00

The £100 Car And Home Insurance Rip-Off!

My current perception of home and car insurance, based on anecdotal evidence, is that premiums are rising massively. People have been telling me that their renewal notice has arrived and the cost has inexplicably risen hundreds of pounds. However, statistics show that this isn't the case. According to the AA, at the start of last year the average quoted comprehensive car insurance policy was £762 and now it's £802, an increase of just £40 (5%). Third party, fire and theft went up from £941 to £993, an increase of £52 (5.2%).
As for household insurance: buildings insurance went up from £208 to £211 (1.2%) in a year and contents insurance down from £152 to £149 (1.78%).
So, at no more than a 5.2% average increase, the changes in average quoted premiums do not reflect the experiences that have been reported to me. However, I believe the answer is simple: many insurers are quoting massively inflated renewal figures. A Fool reader wrote in to say that one insurer has routinely been adding 35% to renewal quotes for household insurance, which can easily add £100 to most people's buildings and contents insurance!
Speaking as a Fool with a background in insurance, I can tell you that this is not unusual. Most, if not all, insurers and brokers will happily increase premiums at renewal, because they know that many people will simply renew. On average people only shop around every three years for car insurance, and every ten for household insurance.
The thing is, though, that if you get a new quote from the same insurer or broker, they will almost certainly improve on their renewal figure. The same Fool who reported the 35% increase said that the insurer quoted £100 less if you got a new quote online, rather than accepting the renewal premium.
Furthermore, compare the average quoted premium with the shop-around premium:
Insurance
Averagepremium
Shop-aroundpremium
Averagesaving
Comprehensive carinsurance
£802
£465
£337
TPFT car insurance
£993
£560
£433
Buildings insurance
£211
£141
£70
Contents insurance
£149
£85
£64
Figures from the AA
As you can see, the savings for shopping around are huge: on average more than £300 for car insurance and about £130 for both buildings and contents.
Here are some more thoughts:
Don't just renew automatically, even if the renewal quote is the same as last year. your insurer/broker might write to say it's 'delighted' to offer you the same price, but in reality the cost of insurance might have even come down!
For many years direct insurers offered heavily discounted prices, for some lengthy periods losing 10p or 20p for every £1 taken in premiums. But now that they've built up large customer bases, they'll feel happy to increase renewal premiums even further.
Don't get emotional about it. It's not about the principle, it's about cost. So, if your current insurer/broker has handled your claims well in the past, offer them the opportunity to beat your best shop-around quote: even if they at first tried to renew for 35% extra!
> Compare car insurance> Compare household insurance> Cheaper Car Insurance Today!

http://www.fool.co.uk/news/your-money/insurance/2007/05/22/car-home-insurance-rip-off.aspx

Say Yes to cheaper car insurance

2007-05-22T03:10:00.000-07:00

Say Yes to cheaper car insurance

We search a panel of more than 20 leading car insurance providers to find the best car insurance policy for you.
Whether you require Comprehensive cover, Third Party, Fire and Theft or a Third Party Only car insurance policy, you can be sure we'll do all we can to find you a very competitive online quote and cheaper car insurance premiums with yesinsurance.co.uk.
If your car is five years old or more, congratulations! You could qualify for even cheaper car insurance premiums, as yesinsurance.co.uk specialises in insurance for older cars. This keeps our costs down, because in the event of a claim our customers' cars cost less to replace and repair than new ones, so we can pass the savings on to you as cheaper car insurance.
We also have great insurance deals for low mileage drivers and second cars because they offer a lower risk of accident as they are on the road less.
We offer a range of payment options to make paying for your car insurance easy - you can pay by direct debit, credit card or debit card and in an annual lump sum or monthly instalments (subject to status). All types of payment can be arranged online or over the phone.
We accept Mastercard, Visa, Switch, Solo and Electron cards.
Please ensure that you have read the important information before making any payment to yesinsurance.co.uk
Please note that if you wish to pay for your car insurance by Switch on a monthly basis we will set up a Direct Debit Instruction.

http://www.yesinsurance.co.uk/car-insurance/

Young, Single and Not Insured? Get Hunting for Best Packages

2007-05-22T03:09:00.000-07:00

Young, Single and Not Insured? Get Hunting for Best Packages
By Kimberly Lankford Kiplinger's Personal Finance
If you're on your own, you need insurance. The trick is figuring out what you need and then finding it at the right price.
Until you reach age 25, auto insurance premiums can be a major budget-buster. But prices for the same coverage can vary by hundreds of dollars from one company to another.
When Keisha Fuller was in her early 20s, she decided not to buy a car until she found an auto-insurance policy that cost less than $1,000 per year. The Atlanta woman started her quest at the Georgia insurance department's Web site, where she learned about smaller companies offering good deals.
She contacted independent agents to get price quotes (find an agent in your area at www.iiaba.org), gathered quotes from large insurers at Allstate.com and Progressive.com, and used sites such as InsWeb.com and Insure.com, which work with a number of companies. The result: Fuller found a policy that cost less than $900 per year.
And she didn't stop there. She reshops her coverage every six months or so, and last December her premium dropped to $426 a year. "I turned 25, an old accident was removed from my record, and I took an online defensive-driving course from AARP for $19.95," says Fuller.
In addition to car insurance, young singles should have renters coverage to insure their belongings, which can be expensive to replace, and give them liability protection. You should be able to find a policy for just $100 to $200 per year, and purchasing it from your auto insurance company could earn you a discount on both policies.
If you don't have health insurance through your employer, it's a good idea to buy it on your own. You can generally stay on your parents' policy while you're a full-time student, up to age 25 (rules vary by company and state). After that, you may be able to continue coverage for up to 36 months through the federal COBRA law. Premiums will jump if your parent's employer had been subsidizing the cost. But you can't be rejected for health reasons, so COBRA may be your best bet if you have a medical condition.
You're healthy? You'll probably be able to beat COBRA's cost. Get quotes from several companies at eHealthInsurance.com, or find a local agent at www.nahu.org.
Raising your deductible on individual coverage to at least $1,100 can lower your premium significantly and qualify you for a health savings account. An HSA lets you set aside tax-deductible money that you can use tax-free to pay for medical expenses that aren't covered by insurance.
Young singles don't have to worry about life insurance. You need that type of coverage only when someone is financially dependent on you.
(c) 2007 Deseret News (Salt Lake City). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.

http://www.carinsurance.com/news/content2576.aspx

Get your free car insurance quotes in minutes.

2007-05-22T03:01:00.000-07:00

Get your free car insurance quotes in minutes.

We provide auto insurance quotes for all 50 states! We offer a convenient way to comparison shop for auto insurance.
Shopping for car insurance is the only way to save money on car insurance. With CarInsurance.com it is easy to buy your auto insurance online, in some states you could complete the process and have your proof of insurance in 15 minutes!
Our site is easy to use and our goal is to show you how much you can save with our services. Not only will you save your money, but you will save your time too. Our online car insurance quote takes just a few minutes and then we provide rates from companies that suit your needs. You can finish online or our professional call center is available to help you purchase car insurance. In some states you will be directed to one of our trusted partners for a rate in you area.
Because we offer multiple company rates and the ability to purchase their auto insurance quote from one place, we are ahead of other online insurance companies. Start your quote to see how companies compete for your business. You could save over 25% on your auto insurance.
Our goal is to give consumers all the information and resources they need to make informed auto insurance decisions. We are your online car insurance marketplace!

http://www.carinsurance.com/

Cheap Car Insurance

2007-05-22T02:44:00.000-07:00

Cheap Car Insurance

At Endsleigh we have a panel of 50 UK car insurance schemes. When you use our quote system we will check all of our providers but we only present the cheapest car insurance quote from them to you.
Whether you are a first time driver, a women driver or are simply looking for a cheap car insurance quote then try Endsleigh.
Our quote process takes less than a minute. Join the thousands of people who switch to Endsleigh every month for our cheap car insurance!

http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/car-insurance.html

Auto Insurance For Your Kids

2006-12-26T01:56:00.000-08:00

Auto Insurance For Your KidsBy Glenn Lamb

Auto insurance can be very expensive for young drivers. Parents are often worried (with good reason) when a young adult reaches driving age. Here are some things that can help manage the risk and cost.
My opinion is that a young driver should generally not be given a car and insurance without cost or obligation. If the young adult has to work or make a significant household contribution they may have more respect for the privilege being granted. It could also be helpful to have a written agreement about your rules for granting driving privileges. In most states a parent can withdraw permission for the young adult’s driver’s license. This should be considered if the young driver shows recklessness. Many insurance companies have a young driver’s safety program. Your agent may have information on this. Your insurance agent may also be willing to consult with the new driver about how the family’s policy will be affected by an accident or ticket for the new driver. To help keep costs down it is very important for the new driver to avoid tickets or accidents. A couple tickets or accidents could result in the entire family's auto policy costs to be extremely high!
The largest factor to holding down a young drivers insurance cost is to have liability insurance only on the new driver’s vehicle. That would only be advisable if the cash value of the young persons vehicle is low and you can afford the cost of losing it. The type of vehicle driven can also make a significant difference. (In general the type of car the young adult doesn’t want will have the lowest insurance cost, for example a station wagon vs. a high performance sports car.) Most insurance companies give a discount if the new driver completes an approved safety course. There may also be a good student discount. Check with your insurance agent about available young driver discounts. If the rate for adding the new driver doesn’t seem reasonable you may want to shop rates from different companies. One item that you should not skimp on is the amount of liability coverage. THE STATE MINIMUM IS NOT ENOUGH PROTECTION! Consult with your agent and be sure you and the new driver have enough coverage.
Lamb Insurance Agency, Auto, Home, Life, and Business Insurance for Texas - http://Insurance-For-Texas.com/ Houston Auto Insurance - http://houston-auto-insurance.com/ Houston Life Insurance - http://life-insurance-houston.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Lamb

Getting Auto Insurance Quotes Online - Keeping Your Rates Affordable

2006-12-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

Getting Auto Insurance Quotes Online - Keeping Your Rates AffordableBy Michael Benifez

I am willing to bet you are among the millions of Americans who do not enjoy purchasing insurance, and auto insurance is no exception to the rule.
However, if you own a car and plan on driving it you have no choice, it's against the law to drive an uninsured vehicle. Having auto insurance means you not only must pay costly monthly premiums but, if you ever get in an accident, you also must pay a sometimes hefty deductible as well. According to statistics, the average person is involved in an auto accident of some kind about once every seven years, so there is a good chance this will include you, if it has not already.
While a number of factors influence how much you pay for your auto insurance such as where you live, gender, driving history and credit score, fortunately there are ways you can cut costs. The fact that auto insurance companies are all vying for your business puts you at a great advantage in terms of shopping around for good insurance deals. Competition does wonders when it comes to bringing the price down on just about anything in this country; after all. It's the American way!
Not only can you save money on car insurance, but the whole purchasing process is now simpler than ever before and you can save yourself loads of time and some cash. With a mouse clicks you can comparison shop on the internet and apply online for the best deal, right from the convenience of your home.
So if you suspect you may be paying too much for car insurance or just not sure, get online now and find out. It only takes a few minutes and you stand to save hundreds of dollars a year. Just do a search on your favorite search engine (mine is google) for auto insurance. Within seconds you will have links to sites allowing you to compare rates from different insurance companies. In addition to finding out how much you can save, you will be able to see at a glance what the minimum coverage is, on a state-by-state basis, and learn about any other car insurance information you may need to know.
Recently, my wife showed me that our auto insurance company raised our rates. We went online, did a quick search, found a better deal and applied for it right there online. Keep in mind, if you ever have an accident and your insurance company treats you like you do not exist, raises your premiums or tries to avoid paying you what they should. Check your auto insurance options. You have plenty of choices nowadays and it makes sense to take advantage of those insurance options.
Michael Benifez covers finance topics for www.LifeinPalmCoast.com, discussing the world of mortgage loans, refinancing and insurance in Palm Coast, Florida and Flagler county. His latest article on auto insurance Palm Coast covers auto rate options.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Benifez

Cheap Insurance for a New Car

2006-12-16T06:30:00.001-08:00

Cheap Insurance for a New CarBy Elizabeth Newberry
If you’re hoping to get cheap insurance for a new car, you need to take the following into consideration before you actually purchase the car.
Find out if your car is one that is often stolen. Many companies provide reports each year listing the “Top Most Stolen Vehicles” of that year. Regardless of how much you love that four-wheel drive beauty you have your eye on, if it’s on the list, it’s a risk. And if it’s a risk, you’re less likely to get cheap insurance for it.
Check out the safety features of the car. This means both inside and out, as well as for you, your passengers, and pedestrians. Inquire about the air bags and how effective they really are. Look at safety belts, and if you have children, make sure the car is equipped for child safety seats. You may also want to purchase a car that has child safety locks. Is the car top heavy and more likely to turn over on sharp curves? How does the car rate when it comes to front, rear, and side impact collisions? If your car proves safe for everyone in and around it, you’re more likely to get cheap insurance for it.
Plan prior to the purchase. Know exactly where you’re going to store the car. Do you live in the suburbs and have your own garage with a lockable door? Or is your only option to park the car on the side of the street? If you live in an apartment complex that rents or sells parking spaces, fork over the extra cash. If an insurance company knows your car is more likely to be safe when not in use, you’re that much closer to cheap insurance for your new car.
There are many factors considered when seeking cheap insurance for a new car; some are uncontrollable like your age. Those that can be controlled, however, should be.
To get free quotes and learn more about insurance please visit the following recommended sites.
Cheap Insurance for a New Car Home Owner Insurance Quote Rhode Island Free Health Insurance Quotes Pennsylvania
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry

Why Do Auto Insurance Rates Change?

2006-12-16T06:28:00.000-08:00

Why Do Auto Insurance Rates Change?

By Tim Gorman

Car insurance costs can be very strange things. You are likely to get one quote from an insurance company and an acquaintance may get a completely diverse insurance quote. There can be lots of reasons that would make the policy rate, or cost, of the insurance policy to vary from individual to individual, location to location and even insurance company to insurance company. That is the reason it is highly advisable for anyone needing car insurance, with the expectation of getting the most for their money, to evaluate information from more than a few insurance companies prior to settling on a particular choice. Pointless to say, looking at various companies and comparing insurance policy cost is just sharp shopping.
Although changes in insurance rates might seem whimsical, premiums increase and they decrease for various auto related situations. They can increase every time there is extra danger implicated as reflected in the insurance policy itself. The more hazard you are, the greater the rate the company will want for insuring you.
For example, if a driver has been cited for more than a few traffic violations, their insurance costs will probably escalate. That driver is considered an extra menace now. If the driver is immature and green, their threat to the insurance company has increased; consequently, it will charge them additional rates than it will charge others having additional driving know-how.
Car insurance policies are also fixed by the insurance company. Various insurance companies will allow preferential treatment to individuals who have secured several insurance policies with the insurer. Other companies will allow reduced premiums to folks who have good students. There are outstanding premiums for policy holders who maintain good credit ratings too.
In addition to these considerations, there are still numerous other determiners that influence the premiums that an insurance company will offer you. This can be simply the rates that the insurance company normally charges. It’s a fact - a few offer lesser rates than other companies.
No doubt, you shop around and do comparisons for many things in your life. So, shopping for the best available premiums for your automobile insurance coverage is a wise move. Interestingly enough, you will probably find that some companies will present a considerably lesser rate for the same insurance than others for no truly apparent cause. Just make the time to evaluate and save money on auto insurance.
For more information on ways to save money on your auto insurance with free online auto insurance quotes try visiting http://www.topautoinsuranceproviders.comwhere you will find a variety of car insurance tips, information and resources to include advice on finding cheap auto insurance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman

Buying Car Insurance Online

2006-12-16T06:25:00.000-08:00

Buying Car Insurance OnlineBy Martin Costelo

Have you heard about a brand new mall and it’s just for car insurance? Sounds outlandish, but in fact that is exactly what the internet is for insurance shoppers all over the world. Better yet, this method of shopping saves money for the agents, underwriters and you especially! Searching for an instant car insurance quote online may seem like the perfect way to search for many of us. When it comes to choosing car insurance, it doesn’t always matter the age of an individual, there are many ways that you could save money when purchasing a policy online no matter what the circumstances.
Shopping around is essential in finding cheap car insurance no matter how you choose to search, but it is especially important when searching for cheap car insurance online. When shopping around for cheap car insurance online, make sure your search is a thorough one. However, shopping online for products such as music, software, or clothes is a radical world of difference from shopping for car insurance online.
Essentially you first need to analyze your fundamental needs for car insurance. It helps to know the minimum required, but many sites will offer that information up for you as well, so it isn’t difficult to find out. You do need to know how much and what type of coverage you need, you can then look at other online car insurance companies to do some comparison shopping. Many insurance companies that do business solely online charge much more for car insurance than those you do business with in person; however, at the same time, there are so many car insurance companies online that they must compete with each other in order to obtain customers, and one way they compete is by matching or offering lower prices. A simple Internet search will lead you in the right direction if you’re looking for companies that will give you online car insurance quotes.
Get googling, and you will find many companies offering online car insurance – many of them fighting for top organic and paid search positions. So you know they want you at their (online) store first! You can request for a car insurance quote online from most sites, but keep an eye out discounts provided by auto insurance companies which should be clearly visible on their sites. While requesting for car insurance quote online provide all your details to the auto insurance company such as your name, age, address, your marital status, car’s annual commuting miles and safety features of your car. Certain features like high density impact bumpers, side-impact airbags, and rear-cams may help reduce your premium, but you need to mention them.
There are also some middleman sites that collect quotes from many insurance companies that may pay them for referring your business. This type of search for car insurance online saves time and money—you just fill in your details, get a quote, do a comparison between quotes from different providers, choose the most beneficial one, fill the application, save it, pay the premium and in some states even print out the insurance card yourself. Insurance is often a tedious thing that nobody really looks forward to, so this can make it as painless as possible. Because it’s so much easier, a lot of people feel more comfortable buying car insurance online, in a click-and-point process that doesn’t involve sitting through ten minutes of automated questions and answers.
After all this, if you still choose to buy insurance in person, you can use this research as a tool for getting true value for your premium agreement. You'll have a clear understanding of why researching and buying car insurance online has increased in popularity with many drivers over the past few years and you can use that to your negotiating advantage.
The great thing about looking for car insurance online is that very often just getting your car insurance online will gain you a discount. The system is fine-tuned to the extent that you can shop online for car insurance that is tailored to suit your financial needs. But probably the biggest advantage is in the fact that it is now easy to find a car insurance company that is focused on meeting your exact needs.
Thousands of drivers just like you have taken advantage of the Internet to find car insurance that provide the necessary protection at the most affordable price. Insurance is a price sensitive product to be sure and car insurance online quotes are a good way of comparing prices, but you need to know a little more about insurance other than just the price.
Martin Costelo writes articles and reports for internet websites. This articles was written for http://www.pay-less-car-insurance.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Costelo