Friday, November 23, 2007

Car Insurance Bill Cut In Half By Comparing Internet Auto Insurance Quotes!

Car insurance companies base their rates on many factors. Where you drive, how much you drive, and where you park your car at night all go into the calculation of your final auto insurance bill. Other things matter too. Your age, driving record, and even your credit report can affect your own individual premium. Things that can save you money on your bill are safety features, driver safety courses, and anti-theft devices. For instance, my car insurance company allows a 30% discount for air bags because they have been proven to reduce personal injury. They also tend to discount other safety features. However, no matter what you have on your car, or what steps you take to protect yourself and your vehicle, different car insurance companies use different formulas to calculate rates! It can really pay off to shop around.

I had one auto accident in the last 10 years, and it was very minor. However, after I purchased a late model car, it caused my premium to increase from about $90 a month to $160! That was quite a jump, and I thought it was unfair, but I let it go for awhile and just paid the premium. Then I got curious and decided to do what I advise others to do, and that is to compare car insurance rates. I found a large, national company that was willing to charge me less for my new policy on my newer car than I was paying for the same policy on an older car! So instead of paying $160, or even $90, I was only paying about $80 a month.

Car insurance rates, companies, and plans differ by location and individual. I cannot tell you which company will offer you the cheapest rate. That is because rates are determined by individual factors like age, driving record, type of car, zip code, and so on. But what I can tell you is that it will be very time consuming to call around and check rates with half a dozen different companies. That is because you will need to give the insurance agents dozens of answers so he or she can give you an accurate quote. Besides, you may not feel like dealing with a salesperson until you are ready to purchase. It is really nice to be able to narrow down your search to a couple of options before you actually apply.

However, many car insurance quote systems are published on the internet these days. You can take from 3 to 5 minutes to answer the basic questions. Then just sit back and let insurance companies compete for your business! You should get 3 to 5, or more, competitive quotes, and it should be simple to choose the company with the right plan and the right price! Then you can select the best price and discuss your plan with a qualified, local insurance agent.

I am really happy that I took a few minutes to compare quotes. I cut my car insurance bill in half without sacrificing any coverage. With rising gasoline prices I could not afford to be so loyal to my old insurance company that I let them get greedy on me! I also do not believe that my experience is unique because I do get feedback from consumers who have saved lots of money by taking a few minutes to shop around!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

9 Quick Tips On Keeping Auto Insurance Rates Down

People spend the time to shop prices and rates on a great many things, however the sad thing is when it comes to Canada car insurance some don't shop enough and if you are one of them you could be paying too much for your auto insurance coverage. Keep these tips on keeping auto insurance rates down for your next car purchase or even when it is time to renew your auto insurance, it could really pay off!

1. SHOP RATES

Many people believe that all insurance companies charge the same rates when it is based on the same coverage from company to company. In Nov 2006 a study done determined that premiums between insurance companies based on the same coverage differed by over $900. Hmmm kind of blows that belief that all insurance companies are created the same.

Use the internet to shop your insurance rates, you cn get an Canada car insurance online quote SHOP THE RATE AND SAVE!

2. Put all your vehicles on the same insurance

This is called a "Multi-vehicle discount" and can save 10% off both cars.

3. Include all your insurable items on one policy

When you include your home with your car insurance it's referred to as a "Multi-line discount." Insurance companies use this to get all your insurance business and you benefit by saving up to five percent more on your insurance rates.

4. Consider increasing your deductible

Does your budget allow you to cover a $1000 repair job? If you can then raise your deductible to $1000 from $500 and pay less for your insurance.

5. Consider deleting the collision coverage for an older car

You have to think about this before you do and see if you are able to afford it. However if you drive an older car that is worth $1000 and if your deductible is $1000 then your collision coverage isn't doing much to help. DON'T drop it, but if it would be better for you, drop it but talk to an insurance agent first and see.

6. Buy a car that is considered a "low risk" insurance vehicle

If a car is more likely to be in an accident or stolen then you will be paying a higher insurance premium. Car insurance rates are based on the previous claims history for that particular car. Before you buy a new car, get some quotes to compare and see how the rates are determined.

7. If you can, don't use the car to drive to work

Insurance rates are higher for those who drive to work. The concept is that the more you are in your car driving the higher the risk there is of getting into an accident. If you can, take public transit or car pool.

8. Take a defensive driver's course or training

New drivers are provided with discounts if they have taken a defensive driving course within three years

9. Have anti-theft devices installed

You can check with insurance companies to see what anti-theft devices they recognize in order to gain a discount as well.

These nine tips on keeping auto insurance rates down will help you SAVE on your insurance premiums in the long run. The important thing to do though is SHOP THE RATE, you could be paying too much in the first place!

Monday, November 12, 2007

With Winter Being Just Around The Corner A Cheap Car Insurance Quote Is Essential

Winter will be upon us before we even realise and with it come dark early nights, icy conditions, and rain, snow and high winds. With extreme weather comes a higher risk of being involved in an accident and so of course making sure that your car insurance is up to date is essential, if it is not then getting a cheap car insurance quote for your renewal is essential.

With the transition into winter occurring car insurers report every year that around the month of November there is a 13% increase in the amount of people claiming on their car insurance because the bad conditions mean more people are involved in accidents. One way to avoid this and ease the transition is to slow down and take your time, do not set off at the last minute but instead set off 15 minutes earlier. Winter brings the unexpected and you should be prepared for all eventualities. Keep checks on your car ensuring that there is enough water, oil ad the tyres are inflated and not worn and this can go a long way to keeping you safe.

While you want to safe of course car insurance is essential and obtaining a cheap car insurance quote or several quotes is also essential, the best way to make huge savings and to get the best advice possible when it comes to shaving money off the premiums for the insurance. The specialist broker will be able scour the internet and check with some of the top UK insurance companies before offering you the quotes for the cover in the shortest time possible.

Along with searching online on your behalf and helping you to secure the cheapest quotes possible for the cover the specialist will also be able to offer vital and helpful information to give you some hints and tips on how to save money yourself. Car insurance premiums can cost less if you have secured your car with the very best in car security, for example installing car alarms, immobilisers, tracking devices or having your windows etched.

When getting a cheap car insurance quote you should also consider adding breakdown cover to the policy, breakdown cover can be crucial particularly in the winter months when cars are at their most unpredictable due to the weather. Around 72% of drivers on the road have admitted to having broken down at sometime or another and 16% of these unfortunate enough to have no cover at the time of breaking down and in cold dark weather it is not a very pleasant thought if you are not covered by breakdown cover. Breakdown cover doesn't have to be expensive particularly when taken out alongside car insurance as a package, while some basic breakdown cover could be included in policies it is important to check what it actually covers. Checking out the full terms and conditions of any policy that you take out is imperative as this is where you can find what you are and are not covered for in your insurance policy.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Guard Your Vehicle With a Policy

Protection is an important objective of human beings everywhere. We all know about the theory of the survival of the fittest. Thus, every person seeks to protect his life and his property. It is one aim that most humans have in their lifetimes. As a result, we seek insurance policies to help us avail of the protection that we are seeking. Insurance policies are largely associated with policies for health and life. However, life insurance is only one of the branches of the insurance markets. Anyone who has ever owned a car will be aware of how necessary car insurance is.

Just as there are multiple options being offered by health insurance companies, there will be services available for vehicles too. The minute that one purchases a vehicle, one must be aware of the possibility of accidents. People with new cars are a real sight. They start guarding their new car against any kind of damage, and take care of their new-found possession as though it were a precious piece of art. This is exactly why people should go in for insurance for their vehicles. And car insurance is easily available with most leading insurance companies.

In most cases, insurance is taken to protect the vehicle against sudden accidents. Whether you drive a car or a truck, auto insurance will be a necessity. Let us take the instance of an accident in which your vehicle was involved. If the damage is major, then the insurance company upon inspection will bear the cost of repairs for the vehicle. In most cases, the owner of the vehicle will initially have to bear the cost of repairs. Later on, once the paper work has been completed, the insurance company will reimburse the same in full.

If the car is completely damaged and beyond repair, it will be categorized as a write off. In this case, the insurance company will reimburse you for any excess charges that have been paid by you. In most countries, it has become routine to avail of a vehicle insurance policy even before the car is taken out on the road. This is to ensure that the owner does not have to bear the brunt of someone else's mistake.

Also, if you are selling your vehicle to a third party, you can either transfer the insurance or allow them to take on a new policy. This needs to be done at the time of transferring ownership. Otherwise, the liability in case of accidents will fall on you because your name is the one on the insurance documents. The various factors that determine the value of the insurance include the age of the person driving the car, whether it is a self-driven or a chauffer-driven car, and the distance that has been covered.

Again, before signing on the dotted line, it is better to talk to different insurance companies to understand the kinds of coverage that they offer. Just as in the case of life insurance, here too, you will have to pay premiums throughout the term of the insurance. So make sure that the premium does not turn out to be too high.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Student Driver Car Insurance Savings Prevent Auto Insurance Sticker Shock

Young Driver Car Insurance Blues

Many parent with teenagers are pretty responsible drivers, and so they enjoy some of the best insurance rates. However they are shocked when they see the premiums for the young drivers in their household. Many teenage car insurance rates, especially for boys, can triple their parent's car insurance bill! This is especially true if the parents want to add the driver to their fairly new car that has comprehensive insurance coverage with all of the bells and whistles. Of course, the answer might be just to tell that younger driver to get a job, but because school is so competitive these days, the parents many hesitate to have their teenager work long hours just to pay for car insurance.

Car Insurance Discounts For Students

Young driver car insurance rates are expensive, and that is mostly because young drivers do not have a driving record for the car insurance company to base rates on. So they lump the younger drivers in a high risk pool, and those students usually get nailed with high rates. This is especially true for young males, though females will have higher rates too. If you are under twenty-five, you may be lumped in a high risk pool. Insurance companies know that pool is made up of drivers who are more likely to have accidents and make claims.

However, car insurance companies also realize that some young drivers are better than others. Many car insurance companies will offer young driver discounts for a couple of actions they can take. Car insurance companies like good grades, and so a B average or better will earn a discount with many top companies. Also, taking the time to take an accredited driver safety class has been proven to reduce accidents, and they also usually come with a decent discount. Check with your insurance company, or a few insurance companies, until you find out where you can take a class that will shave a few percent off of that premium!

Of course, many insurance companies will also offer a multi-policy discount. So if the same company handles the same family's home insurance, other car insurance, plus the student driver, you may enjoy the best rates out there.

Buy the Student a used Car

However, I do have one more tip if none of this works. If the family car is fairly new, consider the purchase of an older car for the student driver. Only put liability insurance on that car. Even the used car payments, and the liability insurance premiums, are likely to be less than the newer car's full insurance protection. Besides, your family will get an extra car too. Just do not let the student driver use the newer car.

Shop Around For Young Driver Car Insurance

Car insurance companies do have different rates, and even though they all advertise the cheapest rates, we know that cannot be true! You need to compare offers from various companies. This used to take a long time, but now you can find several fast online forms to get quick quotes.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Where to Get Cheap Oregon Car Insurance Quotes Online

Car insurance is required by law in most states, including Oregon. Here's how much car insurance you need to drive in Oregon, and where to find cheap Oregon car insurance quotes online.

What Car Insurance is Required in Oregon?

Oregon law requires the following minimum amounts of insurance for all vehicles:

* $25,000 per person for bodily injury and property damage

* $50,000 per accident for bodily injury to others

* $10,000 per accident for property damage

* $15,000 per person for personal injury protection to cover medical expenses for up to one year after an accident

* $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury uninsured motorist coverage

What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance?

If you're caught driving without these minimum amounts of car insurance, you may be subject to severe penalties:

* You could be fined

* You may have your driving privileges suspended for up to one year

You may also need to file proof of compliance with Oregon's insurance and future financial responsibility law for up to three years.

How Can I Find Cheap Car Insurance Online?

Insurance premiums can vary by hundreds of dollars from one insurance company to another. This means that in order to find the best price on your car insurance, you need to shop around and compare quotes. It is easy to shop around and compare quotes online if you go to an insurance comparison website.

On an insurance comparison website you simply type in your insurance information, including your:

* Name and address

* Vehicle year, make, model, and VIN number

* The limits and deductibles you want

* Safety features on your vehicle, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, and an anti-theft system

After you submit your information you'll begin to receive quotes from multiple A-rated insurance companies. On the best insurance comparison websites you can even talk online with insurance professionals and get answers to your car insurance questions, plus get advice on how to lower your car insurance rate even further (see link below).

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Chicago Car Insurance Companies

Some of the major car insurance companies are Car Insurance Chicago, Car Insurance Minnesota and Car Insurance Houston. Customers always look for insurance companies that offer low payment rates to suit their needs and also financially and legally protect them in case of an accident.

These companies provide all types of car insurance coverage including liability, comprehensive coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments (MedPay) and rental reimbursement.

The minimums of auto insurance vary by state. In some states, licensed drivers cannot register a vehicle without showing proof. Generally, the vehicle is covered under some type of car insurance policy. Similarly, licensed drivers are only asked for proof of vehicle insurance coverage when the licensed driver is in an accident, gets a ticket, or has one or both already on their driving record. Either way, the need for vehicle insurance coverage means many licensed drivers are shopping around for insurance providers that provide competitive costs.

But it is advisable to get the quotes for your vehicle policy before deciding on any insurance. Compare the quotes from each auto insurance company for the one that offers you the best coverage at the most affordable rate.

The other car insurance companies in Chicago are Rockford Car Insurance, Aurora Car Insurance, Naperville Car Insurance, Peoria Car Insurance, Springfield Car Insurance, Joliet Car Insurance, Elgin Car Insurance, Waukegan Car Insurance, and Cicero Car Insurance, Decatur Car Insurance Arlington Heights Car Insurance, etc. Most of these companies have websites that will give you detailed information about rates and coverage.

Monday, November 5, 2007

How to Save Money on Auto Insurance

The cost of your car insurance premium is dependent on many factors. Some of these are within your control (your credit history and the type of car you drive), and some are not (such as your age and where you live). If you follow the guidelines in this article, you can keep your insurances premium as low as possible.

Shop around – You should get multiple quotes before you agree to any insurance contract. Get direct quotes from the major companies and their agents. You should also get a few quotes from online sources and possibly even talk to independent insurance agents who represent multiple companies. With a sampling of insurance quotes, you will have an idea of what you can expect your insurance premium to cost. But don't decide based on price alone. You should research each of the companies you are considering. Find out such things as: do they have a local office near you, what is their process for filing a claim, do they have a reputation for strong customer service or are they known for being hard to work with, and are there a significant number of complaints with the state insurance department. In addition to performing your own research, you can contact independent rating companies such as A.M. Best, Fitch, Standard & Poor, Weiss, and Moody's. These companies rate the financial strength of insurance companies. You can find their respective websites by performing an online search.

The company with the lowest rate most likely won't be the company with the best service or the most hassle-free method for filing a claim. It's up to you to determine what is most important when purchasing your auto insurance.

When purchasing a new car, compare insurance premiums before you buy. The difference between insurance premiums can drastically vary from car to car. So, before you get your heart set on a particular brand and model, you should compare insurance costs on several cars that are similar to the one you want. You might find the car you are in love with carries a substantially higher insurance premium than another model.

Higher deductibles – The higher the deductible you choose for each form of insurance, the less that particular premium will cost you for the year.

Use the same insurance company for all your insurance needs – Insurance companies will give discounts if you purchase multiple forms of insurance from them such as Life Insurance, Auto Insurance, and Home Insurance.

Low-mileage discounts – Most insurance companies offer discounts for motorists who drive less than the average number of miles on a yearly basis. This is especially true for antique or collectible car policies, which usually have insurance programs designed specifically for low-mileage use.

Unless it's an antique, don't purchase comprehensive or collision – If you drive an older car and its cash value is low, it might be a good idea to avoid the comp and collision policies altogether. Unless the value of the car justifies paying for the high premiums, it's much more economical to simply forego those particular insurance options.

Safe driver discounts – There are insurance companies who specialize in providing discount policies for safe drivers. If you have an impeccable driving record, you should seek out those insurance companies who reward good drivers.

Inquire about discounts – Some discounts are not always advertised and the only way you will find out about them is to ask. Some of those discounts include: student drivers with excellent grades, anti-lock brake systems, low annual mileage, drivers who are 50+ years of age, no accidents in 3 years, no moving violations in 3 years, higher deductibles, multiple car discount, daytime running lights, anti-theft device. This list is by no means complete. You should ask your insurance specialist if there are any discounts that may apply to you.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Cheap Car Insurance Is There - Find It Out

Insurance is an important deal to protect what we have. We need insurance for that basic security of life and property. Your car is one among your cherished possessions and it boils down to you to take absolutely good care of it and to protect it from the dangers that it faces while on the roads. This is one of so many other things that are out of your hands: the things which human beings can do nothing about. For example, you cannot calculate disasters or you cannot prevent accidents all the time, despite best intentions.

And when it comes to things like your car, wear and tear is the way it all follows. You can do nothing about the unforeseen except guard against it, for instance, by purchasing car insurance. It helps you face the situation when it strikes. Many people shy away from car insurance policy due to the extra-high premiums that accompanies these policies. But then, you need to know how to shop your way around to cheap car insurance.

Your safe driving record always stands you in good stead, qualifying for cheap car insurance by default. However, if you don't, you need not really worry. You may consider joining car driving classes, scoring good grades in them to prove your honed driving skills. This keeps you a better chance at low premiums.

However, there is another thing that you should not miss out on. This is to find out what coverage you are getting in a low-priced policy. The more flexible the policy, the better your chances of seeing your insurance claim settled without a hassle. Because if you go for Cheap Car Insurance, and find out later that is so rigid so as not to cater to your situation well, the very purpose of having an insurance is defeated.