Monday, October 12, 2009

Don't Let Car Thieves Get Your Car When Driving On Your Vacation

By Dorothy Yamich

In these difficult financial times most folks need vacations more than ever. And people also want to save a lot of money if they can. One economical solution is to take the family car and drive to and from your holiday destination instead of flying.

If you plan to drive, it may also make sense to take some steps to protect yourself and family from car theft. Having some car thief steal your car, luggage, or other items of value from your trunk could really put a damper on what was supposed to be a fun-filled and enjoyable trip.

Even if you take all of the numerous precautions to prevent auto theft when you travel, very determined professional car thieves can still manage to steal any vehicle if they want it badly enough. Can you remember the car theft action movie Gone In 60 Seconds starring Nicolas Cage? However, you can still dramatically reduce the odds of becoming a victim of auto theft to almost zero.

Most of these auto theft preventative measures are common sense and will you cost nothing to do. So why not make it a habit of implementing them not only when you travel by car on your holidays, but also in your every day driving as well?

Firstly, you should never take it for granted that you are immune from car thieves when traveling, or that your vehicle is not really worth stealing.

Keep in mind that thieves might be after more than your vehicle, luggage, or any valuables that might be inside your vehicle. They might only want an older car to take a joy ride in or for its parts.

They may also be after your vehicle documents for identity theft purposes, or they could be thinking of robbing your residence while you are away on vacation. Where would they get this important information? From the vehicle registration and auto insurance papers which are usually conveniently located in the glove compartment.

The best solution is to eliminate this problem by keeping these documents on your person at all times while traveling on your holidays.

The second best way to reduce this problem is to hide the documents really well in the trunk. Some police forces in cities that have a high incidence of auto thefts recommend doing this. Just remember to tell everyone who is traveling with you where these documents are squirreled away inside the trunk.

Here are some more ways you can lessen the chances of having your holidays wrecked by car thieves. If you can manage to implement some of these suggestions, you will really lessen the chance of becoming a victim of auto theft when you travel.

Close all of your vehicles windows tightly and lock all the doors when you park it anywhere, even if its only for a minute or two.

A real invitation to lose your vehicle is to leave it idling and unattended. You should never, never do it. Not even for even a minute.

Similarly, do not leave your vehicles keys in the ignition or hidden anywhere in car, including a second set of keys. Car thieves can easily find the keys hidden in the usual places very quickly. Keep another set of keys with you.

Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle, even if they cant be seen from the outside of your car. If possible, you should take them with you.

However, if you have no choice but to leave valuables in your vehicle, at least make sure that they are locked inside your trunk. When you do this, check first and look around to make sure that nobody is watching, or better still, stop, pull over, and put them in your trunk before you arrive at your intended destination. Prying eyes can be anywhere.

When you park your car in public areas, turn you front wheels either to the right or left before turning your ignition off. This engages the steering wheel lock mechanism located in the steering wheel column which could make your vehicle somewhat more difficult to steal.

Engaging the emergency brake after you have parked and turned the motor off may also make your vehicle harder to tow away.

For front wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles you should park them a bit differently when in underground parking. Front wheel drive cars should be parked nose in and rear wheel drive ones, nose out. Then turn your tires to the right or left. Again, this may make your auto harder to tow away.

It is always better to park in an attendant supervised parking lot rather than an unattended one. If its a place or lot where there is valet parking, just give the attendant your door and ignition key. They do not need any other keys on your key chain.

In public places around dusk and at night, always park in well lit areas that have a lot of pedestrian traffic. Keep in mind that most auto thieves prefer to work at night.

Try to avoid parking near or next to any obstruction, such as a fence, hedge, large truck, or anything that blocks a clear view of your vehicle to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

When you stay in a place that has gated, secured parking, make sure that the gate has completely closed after entering or leaving so that a thief doesnt sneak in to the parking area where youre staying.

If you observe any suspicious activity like a person or group of people milling around or near your vehicle you should call the police.

Here are some anti-theft devices that you can install for maximum protection. You may already have a few of these products installed in your vehicle.

You can use a very visible after-market steering wheel locking bar. Most car thieves will likely move on to easier prey/greener pastures. Other less visible after-market products are locks for gas pedals, brake pedals, as well as armored collars that fit around the steering column which protects the ignition. For any manual shift vehicles you can also use an after-market shifter lock. These are effective but not highly visible to prying eyes.

Another thing that you can easily do is to have your mechanic install a hood lock that will prevent easy access to your vehicles battery and security system.

A loud vehicle alarm system and a highly visible alarm sticker on your windshield can be worth its weight in gold when combined with the addition of a number of other anti-theft security options.

The best vehicle protection is a passive electronic immobilizer that disables the motor when the ignition is turned off. Its not an inexpensive device to get installed but is well worth it for your peace of mind. There are more benefits you may receive by installing an electronic immobilizer in your car. A number of auto insurance companies will offer a discount on your policy if you can produce documentation that you have had one installed. You may also get more money for your vehicle if you sell it down the road.

Last, but not least, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage on your vehicle including theft and damage before you travel on a vacation.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

How To Get The Right New Auto Insurance?

By Graham McKenzie

After you have already purchased the new car you always wished to have, you may just come to know that you will now also have to get car insurance besides your monthly car payments. For many states, it is compulsory to have car insurance, and most finance providers require you to get a minimum coverage for your new car.

If you wish to lower your premiums on your new car then the best way out would be to buy a ?safe car?. These cars are called so because they include extra features like air bags and anti-lock brakes, which protect the cars from heavy damages during an accident. Even though the car your buy is not particularly a "safe car", you may still avail the discount rates by adding some features that the insurance companies look for, in your car.

When thinking about car insurance with a new car you will want to think about what type of model you purchase. All insurance companies use some sort of rating, usually an ISO symbol, which tells the insurer about how much it would cost to fix the vehicle in a crash. Although it is not a set number, it helps the insurer get a general idea while they set your premiums. Sports cars have a much higher rating than your average family vehicle, so be sure to take that into consideration while buying. Even the color of your car plays a small factor towards your premium.

You should never leave a new car uninsured, because if you get into an accident within a week of buying your new car, and are unable to fix the damages; then it would really be terrible. Moreover, most financing companies ask you to get some auto insurance. In case you don?t get it yourself, they get it done for you and charge you with three times the cost.

You must carefully decide what sort of coverage you require from your auto insurance. Many people think that liability insurance is the best choice; however you may require supplementary coverage for your new car. What would you do if you have an accident with a driver of an uninsured car? You may in this case require collision insurance.

You must also consider the fact that a brand new car is more vulnerable to vandalism and theft. A sports car is more open to this threat. To safeguard your car from such happenings, you may need a comprehensive insurance, which covers your car for any kind of disaster except car accidents.

Insuring your new car may be costly; therefore it is essential that you include this cost while calculating your expenses. Your insurance company takes into account all factors like your past driving record, credit record, and car-type to determine your risk level as a driver. Drivers can try many ways in order to reduce their premium rates, but for this they may need to do a little research for better quotes and look for the different type of discounts on offer.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Things To Know About Teenage Driving

By Nathan Lewit

Teenage driving is something we all can remember. It was a thrill when we got that piece of paper giving us the ability to take to the road in a car. Lately teenage driving has become synonymous with crashes and tragedies.

Nowadays we are all too familiar with the fact that car accidents are the leading cause of death for teens these days. A lot of this can be blamed on the experience that a teen doesn't have when it comes to being behind the wheel of an automobile. Along with this there are also other high risk behaviours that are associated with teenage driving.

Teens that are at the point of getting their license are being highly encouraged to take driver's education courses in an effort to prepare them more for what is in store for them when they do hit the open road. They teach about car safety and rules that must be abided by, and they do so both in a class setting as well as in an actual vehicle. This is a great start for teens but the learning needs to keep on going after the courses are complete.

Teens are a bit on the naive side and do not think that some of the things that they are doing will hurt anyone. This is so far from the truth though. How can a person text message and drive at the same time?

There are so many things that teenagers take for granted once they begin to drive it is a very scary thing. There are a lot of teens that text message and talk on cell phones while they are driving. This is taking a huge risk with their lives when they do this as well as others that are on the road when they are doing such things. New laws that have been implemented making the use of cell phones while driving illegal in many places is an excellent way to reduce this risk associated with teenage driving.

Another high risk thing that teens are still doing without much thought is drug and alcohol abuse while they are behind the wheel of a car. No matter how stiff the repercussions are for them if they get caught it does not seem to deter them from acting this way. There are still huge numbers of people each year being killed or seriously injured due to alcohol or drug related accidents that result from teenage driving. The only good thing is that law enforcement agencies are cracking down more and more on our youngsters than they did before.

Young men are having behaviours that are quite risky as well. They love the road racing idea but do not think of the people that may get hurt while they do such things. They just see it as speed and more speed. This is okay when you are in an appropriate place like there are in some states, but it is not acceptable on our everyday roads.

There are many groups out there that have come to light in an effort to help with our teenage driving efforts. They want to ensure that our young driver's are safe as well as others that are on the road. Government agencies and people giving out of their personal money and time to help are very high in numbers and they all should be thanked immensely.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Why does your Car Insurance Quote Increase after an Accident?

By A Nutt

Car accidents usually result in an increase in insurance premiums. Even if you are not responsible, your insurance company will have to incur some costs. There is an increase in car premiums and policy quotes because the accident will be rated against your coverage. There are a number of types of insurance coverage that can include collision, personal injury protection, and medical coverage. If you are found at fault' for an accident, coverage such as personal liability and collision will cover you, your vehicle, and personal injury to the other driver. Often, if you have just one accident, you will see an increase in your car insurance quote.

Car insurance quotes will increase because you will be considered a high risk driver. The premium will reflect the nature of the accident and the costs associated with the accident. Insurance companies will usually charge 'points' to your policy. Depending on the insurance company, these points will be charged to your policy for a certain period of time that usually ranges from three to possibly seven years. If you are in an accident that was your fault, the insurance company will consider that you are a high risk of having accidents in the future and increase your rates. You will also receive higher insurance quotes. The length of time between an accident and your quote and premiums decreasing depends on a providers policies. As well, you may have to pay a higher deductible for the insurance.

Another reason why an accident can increase your premiums when you are 'at-fault' in an accident is that there are some companies who will not insure you. When there is less competition for your business, then there is less incentive to give you a good deal. As a result, your insurance quote will be higher. When you add the insurance 'points' into the mix, it is easy to see how an accident can become very expensive. If you have a faultless driving record, it is unlikely that your premiums will increase after an accident that was determined not to be your fault.

You can normally expect a rate increase of between 20-40%. This increase is based on the Insurance Services Office's (ISO) criteria of raising a premium after an accident. According to the ISO, for multi-car policies, the surcharge is 20 percent of the base rate, and for single-car policies it is 40 percent. It is important to remember that there are other factors taken into consideration after an accident such as your age, gender, and driving record. These factors will affect how high the percentage increase will be.

The increase in premiums is not done so that the insurance money can get their money back, but is based on the risk that you may be involved in another car accident. Each insurance company has different policies and standards, but they look at your chances of getting into another accident. The number of accidents that you are involved in also increases your insurance premiums.

Some companies will absolve past accidents after a set period of time has expired. This can be two years, or as much as five years, but the period will vary depending on the insurance provider. Basically, you have to show the insurance company that you are no longer a high risk driver.

The best way to avoid high car insurance quotes is to avoid an accident. You can do this by practicing safe driving. One car accident can seriously impact your car insurance quote and the premium that you will pay.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Green Cars Means Cheaper Insurance

By A Nutt

It seems that these days everyone wants to do their part to help protect the environment. Due to growing consumer demands, Business and Industry are now coming up with ways for people to benefit from living a green lifestyle. One way of encouraging eco-friendly living is for insurance companies to provide cheaper car insurance for people who buy green cars. Recent research shows that drivers are increasingly more likely to purchase a green car.

There are many reasons why people are gravitating toward green cars. Because green cars have lower emissions, they will save more on gas. As well, lower emissions will result in a decreased carbon footprint since there is less carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide being released into the atmosphere. This helps slow down global warming.

Because some green cars such as hybrids tend to be expensive, insurance companies are now providing discounts to people who buy more energy efficient vehicles. This can include not only hybrids, but cars that have high mileage. Research has shown that people who drive hybrids are a lower risk of getting involved in an accident and tend to be less reckless drivers. These drivers are considered more sensible and they care about the environment so there risk is lowered. A lower risk driver will receive lower premiums. As well, many of these companies that offer discounts for green drivers are involved in programs that work to make a more sustainable environment.

Green Car Insurance is basically a method of providing discounts for people who drive low emission vehicles. The insurance was designed and implemented on the concept of reduce, reuse, and recycle. They reward eco-friendly customers with discounted car insurance premiums. Most of these companies offer some type of carbon offsetting program. This means they take a percentage of the price of a policy and give it to carbon offsetting projects. Some of the programs involve planting trees, supporting recycling projects, or other eco-projects. They may even offer extra incentives such as using recycled car parts for repairs and recycling the car if it is irrecoverable. There are a number of green car insurance companies that will offset 100% of a vehicle's emissions.

There are also proposed pay-as-you-go car insurance programs. This is where your insurance rates are based on the actual number of miles you drive. This encourages drivers to reduce the number of miles they drive each year. Drivers would confirm mileage either by their repair records, odometer readings, or even a piece of equipment installed on the vehicle that tracks mileage.

Customers are now being rewarded for their green lifestyle with insurance discounts. For example, GMAC offers a program with their OnStar system allowing customers to send their mileage stats via OnStar, and if their yearly confirmed mileage is less than 15,000 miles, they can receive up to a 54% discount on their GMAC car insurance.

The number of insurance providers that are providing policies that include green options is increasing. Unfortunately, not that many people know about these eco-friendly insurance options because they receive less advertising than traditional insurance policies. If you are one of the millions of people who are concerned about the future of the planet and its resources, ask your insurance company if they offer a green insurance policy. As more people learn about these great insurance options, the green trend will continue to swell. Educating consumers about the importance of green cars will encourage more people to consider purchasing a green car.

Offering cheaper insurance for green car owners means more people will buy these vehicles and thus create a cleaner and greener environment with Auto Parts Stores

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Very Cheap Auto Insurance -- Four Time-Tested Recommendations

By Chimezirim Odimba

There are a lot of ways to pay less on your policy. But while many of them might reduce your cost, they could leave you with insufficient coverage. This is, however, not the case with the recommendations I'll share with you in this write-up as you'll realize considerable savings while still maintaining sufficient coverage. Here they are...

1. Folks who have more than one vehicle will make considerable savings if they insure them all with the same auto insurance provider. It makes sense to insure all your cars with the same insurance company unless got a better deal for some of your vehicles with another insurance carrier. You can ensure you are making the right choice by doing extensive comparison shopping. But however you look at it, a multi-vehicle discount is one way to get cheaper rates.

2. A multi-policy discount is a good option to cut down your overall insurance cost. That's, for example, if you purchase your auto insurance policy from the very insurer that underwrites your homeowners' insurance.

Nevertheless, I must point out that you might NOT be saving as much as you might by switching. Comparison shop with quotes sites and then have a chat with your insurance agent. This done, you'll be in a position to say for sure if this would make you save a lot more.

Online Auto Insurance Quotes

3. Staying without making claims will make you eligible a good discount. But remember that not all carriers present this discount.

If your agent tells you that they don't give this discount make it clear that you'll change over to another insurer. As a matter of fact, you should because you'll certainly find a better offer somewhere else if you've maintained a claims-free status for this number of years.

However, more often than not the threat of switching from you will be enough to make them shift grounds.

4. Make out some time to visit not less than 5 insurance quotes sites that offer quotes on auto insurance policies. Doing this should take you not more than 25 minutes.

As you visit each site, ensure you give the same information. Doing otherwise will give you misleading quotes. When you've received your auto insurance quotes, compare them to determine which serves your interest best both in price and value.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Business Auto Insurance

By Matt Hellstrom

Everywhere we turn, we see evidence of rough times.The recession continues to result in higher unemployment rates. The highest recipients of bail-out money from the federal government are insurance companies and banks. Everyone who wants to stay in business are looking at ways to cut costs. In times like this, business auto insurance becomes a vital area for grinding out the best deal possible.

If a business is of a type that requires a vehicle fleet, it has a business relationship with a car company and a vehicle insurance company. But this year those relationships are going to change for more companies than ever before.

This state of flux is only increased by the ease in getting insurance quotes for vehicles on line. Never before has competition between insurers been as tough as it is now.

With the collapse of large insurers like AIG, what will that mean for insurance rates? With insurers under ever-mounting pressure to show profits, will they be offering lower rates to keep customers, or raising them to squeeze even more out of what they've got?

The competitive advantage of using the Internet to do your due diligence doesn't just apply to companies with fleets of vehicles. If you take a deduction on your taxes for vehicle expenses for your job, and especially if you are going to be changing vehicles this season, you can use online quotes now like never before.

The changes being forced upon General Motors and Chrysler by the credit crisis will have the effect of dramatically lowering product loyalty. In consequence, truck and car buyers will, in many cases, be considering models they are unfamiliar with. While this type of action will be gut-wrenchingly disruptive for U.S. auto makers, it will similarly demand a change in process in the auto and truck buying and insurance decision process for business. The stability that product familiarity brings when it comes to business expenditures no longer exists in the area of vehicle replacement decisions.

Word from General Motors is that the company may go into Chapter 11 as of June 1st. Does this mean that you, as a small business owner, are going to have to reconsider your decades long attachment to General Motors automobiles and trucks? Will more expensive hybrid or fuel-saving features factor into the cost of insurance? Whichever decision you come to may boil down to ongoing insurance costs. The Internet is the only way to get the wide range of business auto insurance quotes that you are going to need as you do your due diligence.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Do Not Worry About Poor Credit And Car Insurance

By Steve Avarez

Everyone in the country is trying to save as much money as they can and bills are starting to fall behind. This can be the cause of poor credit, and most people tend to think that poor credit and car insurance simply do not mix.

If you are having a little bit of trouble getting car insurance because of your credit, then take a look at a few of these tips and see what they can do for you.

The law simply states that in order to drive around on public roads, you need to have the right amount of car insurance. But because of the state of the economy and the tight budgets, many people are driving around without it.

These two aspects may not seem like a pair, but they go together better than you think. There are great ways to investigate your credit and then learn about how it affects your car insurance.

Take another look at the major car insurance companies and see what your poor credit gets you. These companies are hurting for more customers to keep their heads above the water, so poor credit and car insurance will be no trouble at all. You can get free quotes and get back on the road again in no time!

Try not to get discouraged with your poor credit and auto insurance needs. There are companies and websites that will offer all sorts of insurance deals so that you can get back on the road. Most companies will report to credit agencies so that you can get out of the poor credit hole!

When you have poor credit and car insurance needs, you may feel trapped or helpless, but the truth is now you can get that affordable car insurance. All you need to do is get online and look around; from there you will be connected to hundreds of sites!

Just because you have bad credit doesn't mean you can't get car insurance. There are many options - but you'll have to shop around to get a reasonable rate.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Easy Ways to Obtaining a Cheaper Car Insurance Policy

By Amy Nutt

In these difficult economic times, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. One area that can be expensive is car insurance. Everyone would love to benefit from having cheaper car insurance. Fortunately, there are a number of easy ways to obtaining a cheaper car insurance policy.

1. Lower or Dont Purchase Collision Coverage: Collision coverage is the amount you are covered for if you damage or permanently wreck your vehicle. You will be compensated for the value of your car. If you have a used car that is not worth very much, it may not be financially beneficial to pay for collision coverage.

2. Discounts for Auto Safety Features: Most insurance companies will provide discounts to drivers who have security features installed in their cars. This can include anti-theft devices, anti-lock brakes, airbags, motorized seatbelts, and strong locks and latches.

3. Driver Training Discount: Many insurance companies will offer discounts to people who have completed a driver training program. For example, teens and older drivers will benefit from driver training as a method of lowering their insurance premiums.

4. Lower your Mileage: Insurance providers will ask how many miles you drive per day. The amount of miles you drive each day affects the price of a insurance policy. The more miles you drive the higher your premiums will be. Lowering you mileage will help lower your insurance costs.

5. Combine Auto and Home Insurance Policy: Most insurance providers will provide a discount for people who combine their home and auto insurance policy. This also includes Renter's Policies. Discounts can range from 5% to 20%.

6. Maintain a Good Credit Rating: A clean credit history will lower your insurance premiums. Insurance providers will check your credit history when calculating your insurance costs. Check for any errors on your credit report and get them fixed and pay off any outstanding bills.

7. Insurance for Multiple Vehicles: Many insurance providers will provide a discount for people who insure more than one vehicle with them.

8. Student Good Grade Discount: If a student can maintain a grade of an A or B, depending on the car insurance policy, one can get a discount on their car insurance.

9. Anti -Theft Devices: Auto club insurance and Insurance companies will provide discounts on insurance for people who have anti theft devices in their cars. It can be either a manually set device or an automatic one.

10. "Eco-friendly" Discount: Most insurance providers will provide a discount on insurance to those who drive energy-efficient cars such as high mileage cars and Hybrids.

11. Comparison Shop: It is important to never accept the first insurance policy offer. One should compare at least 3 different companies and their policies. There are online insurance sites that provide a tool to compare several companies. All that you have to do is submit your information and you will receive a list of quotes from several different companies.

Because car insurance can be expensive, it is important to take advantage of any method that will lower your car insurance premium.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Benefits of Combining Home and Auto Insurance

By Amy Nutt

Home insurance and auto insurance are two types of insurance that nearly all people will need at some point in their lives. When you have a number of different insurance policies, the cost of premiums can quickly become a financial hardship. When it comes to insurance, we all want to get the best deal and the best coverage. One of the best ways to save money on your insurance costs is to combine your home and auto insurance with one insurance provider.

Combining your home and auto insurance policies with a single insurer can greatly reduce your premium. According to the Insurance Information Institute, "combining your home and auto insurance policies could save you up to 15 percent on both premiums." To compete for your business, many insurance providers provide discounts to customers who buy both home and auto insurance with them.

Combining both home and auto insurance can drastically reduce your premium coverage payments to insure the contents of our homes from fire, theft etc, the structure of your home in the event of fire, wind, and other types of damage covered under the terms of the policy. As well, you will have insurance for your vehicle in the event of an accident, especially liability, collision, theft, and vandalism. The majority of insurance companies that offer combined home and auto insurance coverage will bill you for both policies at once. This means you will make one payment each month.

The best way to find a cheap home and auto insurance rate is to search online. The fastest and simplest way to locate a combined cheap home and auto insurance policy is to compare home and auto insurance quotes using an online insurance comparison tool. There are many insurance sites that offer this comparison tool for free with no obligations to purchase. All that you have to do is fill out a quick quote form and then you receive several insurance quotes. You can then pick the best insurance policy that meets your needs.

When you combine your home and auto insurance, you will not only save money, but you will have the added convenience of one insurance package, one payment to make each month, one renewal date, and one single deductible that will apply in the event of a claim is made.

As with any type of insurance, it is important to do your research. You should find out how a company ranks in terms of how well they pay their claims and how strong they are financially. You should also read the insurance policy carefully so that you know exactly what you are covered for and how much the provider will pay for a claim. It is important to remember that having the right amount of coverage outweighs the cost of inadequate coverage.

Anyone with a home and vehicle needs to be protected by having insurance. With the current unstable economic market, it just makes sense to save money by combining both your home and auto insurance policy.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Online Car Insurance Quotes Made Easy

By Adam Schwintelmann

The days of having an insurance agent that people go to for all their insurance needs are coming to a close in the near future. The days of finding the best insurance deals online are here and are not going away. Finding an online auto insurance quote is a very simple process. There are several sites that people can go to and receive free quotes from various companies. The nice thing about these sites is that they will search multiple insurance agencies to find the best rates for the coverages requested. This saves people the time of doing all of the searching on their own.

Many of these websites have licensed insurance agents that work to find you the best rates on the coverage amounts that you want. They won't just send you a piece of paper with your coverages and tell you to sign it. These agents that provide the online auto insurance quote will walk you through all of policies step by step. These experts are also available to answer questions and give you information about the policies that you might not otherwise know. Depending on the type of car you are trying to insure, there are some ways that you can save money on your policy premiums.

One of the biggest factors in determining your premium amounts on any car insurance is the amount of coverage that you want to have. When looking at an online auto insurance quote, it is a good idea to get quotes with one set of coverage amounts, and then change them and compare the other set of quotes. If the premiums aren't that much more for higher coverage amounts, then it might be worth it to you to have them. The other factor that will have a large impact on your premium amounts is your deductible.

The higher you set the deductible for the policy, the more your premiums will go down. Setting the deductible too high, however, can put you in a tough spot if you ever are in an accident. When you look at an online auto insurance quote, change the deductible amount a few times to compare the premium differences. Shopping for car insurance is something that people should spend time doing before they decide on a policy. Talking to an insurance agent about coverage amounts is a good idea. Looking online is the best way to compare prices, get questions answered and find the best policy.



Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Online Quotes For Car Insurance - Where To Get Auto Insurance Quotes Online

By Matt Hellstrom

If you are shopping around for auto insurance, whether it's your first time, or it's because you're getting a new car, or it's just because you think you can get a better rate, getting auto insurance quotes online is the only way to shop. In possibly no other common transaction is the value of the Internet more pronounced. Customer loyalty has been shattered in the car insurance business, thanks to transparency of the World Wide Web.

Many accuse the insurance industry with a litany of failures in responding to customer needs. Loyalty bonuses, common in many businesses, simply are not out there in the car and home insurance field, and they should be. The problem of insurance skimmers, that is, companies that specialize in low rates for older drivers, continues to give actuarial statisticians fits. Given this failing, many insurance companies find themselves needing to adjust to the new mode of delivering auto insurance quotes online.

The insurance companies have to balance off the income they lose in giving group rates to older drivers. That's the way business works. And in this case, business working means rates for high-risk young males and new drivers have soared in part thanks to the Internet. It is no longer uncommon for young drivers to drive without collision coverage even in an almost new car, or to drive with no insurance at all. It is one of those unintended consequence of new technologies.

But higher rates for young drivers aside, shopping for car insurance online is an eye-opening experience. Before the internet, consumers had to spend hours going through the phone book, punching their way through a voice menu only to wind up most times leaving their name and number on some agent or broker's answering machine. And of course there was the time spent handling the call backs, keeping track of the quotes, doing call backs, and on and on and on.

Surveys of those who do shop for car insurance online consistently rank "Convenience" as the number one reason people shop on the internet for car insurance. They love the ability to get an instant quote without having to trade voice mails, or even speak with anyone.

When you are at an online car insurance site, a dialog box will ask you all the right questions - the questions you didn't know you should have been asking. Typically these include; number of years driving, make and model of car, place of residence, whether or not the vehicle is used to commute to work, moving violations within the past X-amount of years, etc.

Playing with the answers is a fine way of learning what other factors are taken into account when determining your rate. Who knew that where you live is a significant issue? And what about that speeding ticket? How much is that costing you? For this reason, using the internet to obtain auto insurance quotes online has skyrocketed.



Monday, September 28, 2009

Find out How to Compare Free Insurance Rate for your Auto!

By Guiscard Mathurin

If you are comparing free auto insurance quotes, then there must be many questions that come through to you. Here are solutions to few of them.

There are many reasons why people compare auto insurance. However, before you do that, you need to know what goes behind the scenes when companies give free auto insurance quotes. While comparing the free auto insurance quotes, please note the area that you live is a major factor that affects the free auto insurance quotes. If the area that you are living in has high number of crime & thefts, then the rate will shoot above the roof for sure. If you prove to the insurance company that you have parked the car in your garage & has installed an alarm system that might help you lower the quotes.

Getting the best rate is one of the main reasons for you to compare auto insurance. The Internet provides the best answer to compare auto insurance quotes. All you have to do is simply enter some important information and the quotes for you to compare auto insurance are ready. It has been noticed that if you compare auto insurance & study it well, it will surely be beneficial for you in many ways. And for those who compare auto insurance, and do it well, they save a lot of dollars.

Now, when you compare auto insurance policies, you do that with the free auto insurance quotes that you would have got, either online or over the phone. The key is " The source from where you get these free auto insurance quotes. If it is credible enough, trust you would get good quotes for your perusal.

There are many things you could do to get quotes for the insurance coverage. While some of them may seem time-consuming to you, it is important you spend this amount of time. At stake is " The best and the most affordable auto insurance coverage for your vehicle.

Saving money is one part of the deal, but you also need to ensure you choose a respectable company when you compare auto insurance. At the end of the day, the free auto insurance quotes will only tell you certain things, and credibility of the company is definitely not something it will tell. This is for you to find out!

Getting free auto insurance quotes is not a tough ask at all. All you have to do is log on to the Internet, and get some quotes from different websites. One thing you should avoid is getting quotes from the same company, else you would spend a lot of time to compare auto insurance and yet not get anywhere.

If you do the compare auto insurance activity well, you would realize how profitable the free auto insurance quotes are for you. For starters, you will easily be able to save at least hundred dollars on your insurance coverage. Not a bad incentive that!



Sunday, September 27, 2009

Commercial Van Insurance for Businesses

By Simon Normski

Commercial van insurance packages can start very basic and grow in price and specifications depending on what you require for your small business needs. Usually any insurance firm that can provide you with personal insurance will be able to provide commercial van insurance as well. Cheap insurance online for vans, trucks and cars can be found quickly and easily using the Internet and a basic search engine.

Finding cheap commercial insurance on van vehicles is a necessary part of owning or leasing a commercial vehicle. Whether you are a small business owner or a private contractor, you will need to find the cheapest insurance for your commercial vehicle in order to ease your business expenses while providing the coverage you need.

Additional insured items such as glass coverage, contents for theft or even adjusting the amounts that you can be liable for in the event of an accident can be varied depending on your insurance broker and the limitations they have for their policies.

You should have no problem finding cheap commercial insurance for van vehicles, the hardest part will be deciding on which insurance policy is right for you.

Some insurance brokers will provide cheaper insurance for vans that are over 5 years old or that have an up-to-date mechanical inspection performed. If you have chosen to purchase a vehicle that is over 5 years of age from a dealership that will provide a mechanical inspection certificate, be sure to make your insurance broker aware since you may qualify for additional discounts on your overall cost.

The costs of a commercial policy will differ from the individualized insurance that you are typically used to. You should compare van insurance online for better results with a good broker. This also enables you to contact more insurers in one go. Brokers have developed comparison software to help you compare the best van insurers and this also helps you find low cost van insurance policies to suit your budget also.

The trick is knowing where to begin and how extensive of a search to perform in order to gather enough information. By gathering information from a number of assorted resources, you are sure to find cheaper van insurance that suits all of your business needs while corresponding to your budget.

Most people when first looking for information will turn to their local telephone book's business directory. Here you can find all of the local insurance companies that are able to provide commercial insurance services for you at your fingertips.



Saturday, September 26, 2009

Who To Call When Your Car Breaks Down In The Middle Of The Highway

By Amy Nutt

It is midnight, rain is pouring down in buckets and you are stuck on the side of the road with a blown tire. Although you are tempted to call friends or family, you loathe waking anyone up at this time of night. Fortunately, road side assistance programs were created for just such scenarios. A quality roadside assistance company is usually accessible any time of the day or night and for a nominal monthly fee will come to your rescue when you need it the most.

A noteworthy roadside assistance program

Even so, there are numerous new companies out there that offer great service for a reasonable price.

Things to look for in a good roadside assistance program

Many people who opt to pay less for roadside assistance may find that the price only covers so much. For example, some auto club plans may help you change a tire or bring much needed gas, but you may have to pay towing costs. Plans may not cover disasters that occur when a fire or flood occurs either.

If you are shopping for roadside assistance programs, be sure to ask what the plan will cover and what it will not. If there are certain protections you can not live without, you may have to sacrifice economy for quality. In other words, you may have to pay more to get more.

A few of the things you need to keep in mind when comparison shopping for roadside assistance programs are:

24/7 service - Although one would think that all roadside assistance plans would offer 24 hour a day seven days a week coverage, the truth is this may not always be the case. Ask questions to clarify this point before signing any contracts.

Cost of gas or oil - Another surprise to many stranded motorist is the fact that youll have to pay for gas or oil. Even more alarming is that, with some companies, you will have to pay for this convenience upon delivery. For those who may not carry cash or checks on them, this will leave you stranded anyway despite monthly payments for RSA service.

Towing fees - If your car is not in running condition and has to be towed you may be saddled with the bill on the wrong program. Even in situations where towing costs are taken care of, with a bad service provider, you could wait for several hours before you are rescued.

As with any consumer purchase, read the fine print and ask plenty of questions before you settle on a particular RSA company. With so many wonderful roadside assistance programs available today, you are bound to locate one that is tailor made for you and your particular families needs.



Friday, September 25, 2009

Car insurance rate " What are the factors impacting them?

By Guiscard Mathurin

When you request for auto insurance rate quotes, the website you use will duly oblige you in providing you with quotes. And even before you realize, you will have plenty of car insurance rate quotes with you. You may be tempted to take something right away, but hold " Do you even know how were the car insurance rates calculated?

This is one question that is not asked by a lot of people, and some thing that should be enforced as a principle when anyone gets to choosing car insurance plans. Car insurance rates have their own calculations, and the calculations of car insurance rates are often based on a lot of inputs provided by you. Thus, if you have a car insurance rate on your hand, assume safely that this is based on whatever you have provided the company.

A low car insurance rate indicates that you are safe as a driver. This is a reward for you following all the safety rules while driving " Your car insurance rate will be low! If you have not been booked for any violations, your car insurance rate will be low. As simple as that! So, if you wish to get low car insurance rate for your insurance plan, be sure to have a clean driving record.

Not many people know that women applying for insurance plans get low car insurance rates. Surprising, but that is what the insurance companies believe in. So, if you wish to get your car insurance done, buy the car on your partners name and book an insurance plan on her name. This way, at least you can ensure low car insurance rate on the insurance plan.

If you are driving your car in New York or Houston, popularly known to have rush on the roads all the time, gear up for higher car insurance rates. The belief here is that these cities report higher rates of accidents, and hence the car insurance rate jumps up. If you are in these cities, bad luck, but for now, you may have to pay up a little more due to the high car insurance rate.

So, if you wish to have a low enough car insurance rate, then the first thing you should do is to watch your driving skills. Take some additional lessons, if you feel that will help you be in control when behind the wheels. This should be done if you wish to gain from the car insurance rate that you would possibly get on your insurance plan.



Thursday, September 24, 2009

Save Money With Pay As You Drive Insurance

By Graham McKenzie

If you don?t drive that often then pay as you drive insurance can be a good choice for you. Some people just can?t image life without a car, but for others it is just a luxury used for only holiday trips or long drives. If you travel more by bus then you?ll recognize the need for pay as you drive insurance more, as you are already paying premiums for a car you do not use that often.

Pay as you drive insurance is more like a deduction. It is a kind of choice given to drivers, but is obtainable in a few states. The real price can?t be mentioned in the agreement, because of factors like your final cost is received only after you give an account of your hours driven or distance traveled. This makes the insurance plan unlawful in some states. However insurance companies are trying to sort out this problem so that everyone can benefit from this insurance plan.

This insurance can be is ascertained in numerous means. An assessor can come to observe your mileage and fix the rates accordingly, or you can also directly send your mileage to your insurance company, using GPS. The GPS also helps in determining the driving patterns and style if you feel this can help in further lowering your premium rates. You can also get your mileage recorded by using the technology called pay-at-the pump.

Pay as you drive insurance can really be cheaper, for drivers who do not hit the road too often. Almost two of every three people can use this insurance plan and save money. Another advantage of the plan is that you can opt to have a short period of coverage. This can be ideal for the college student who come home and drive only during summer vacation. Instead of paying insurance all the year around, they can get covered by the pay as you drive plan. A lot of people find their cut by nearly 50%, which matters greatly for many drivers.

The countryside drivers are apprehensive of pay as you drive insurance as they think they will have to pay dearly if they drive more. But there is nothing to worry; as the insurance companies regulate their scheme accordingly, noticing that most accidents take place in the urban areas. Your rates will be calculated on the basis of the standard details of your neighborhood, and deductions will be made based on your mileage.

Besides, being a cost saving scheme, the pay as you drive insurance also helps in protecting the environment. As few people will drive cars, there will be comparatively less accidents and the carbon dioxide discharge will also be reduced. You can this way begin serving the environment, without having to change your way of living.

If you are skeptical of the pay as you drive insurance, try recording your mileage for a month and looking up quotes. You may have to talk to an agent to get a quote, but it is likely that you will be surprised by how much you save. If you find that you are putting on too many miles for this type of insurance to be beneficial you can just keep the insurance you have.



Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Steps To Process A Car Accident Insurance Claim

By Graham McKenzie

Filing a claim for accident insurance is very easy, but the anticipation regarding the accident make the process seems very tough to get completed. If you file your claim correctly, in the right way then it should be processed in less than a week?s time, though it may take almost a month before you receive your check for any medical expense or damage.

Once you are in an accident you should first check to make sure that everyone is all right. If it was a severe accident someone may have to call 911 to get help. It is also important to remember that you should not admit fault at any time after an accident. If it turns out that the accident wasn?t your fault you may still end up paying as a result. Try to get everyone calmed down and relaxed before approaching the other driver or drivers.

You must approach the other party only to exchange contact details and information. You must get details like their names, address, and phone number. If you find that the other driver is upset then let the police officer arrive and take this information on your behalf. The police officer will draft a report with whatever information he can gather by talking to both parties and inspecting the accident area.

Before anything else is done you should take a few quick pictures. Of course, if you are in a busy area they will want to get the cars out of the way as soon as possible, but you need to get pictures before anything is moved. Get pictures of the damage to both cars and the surrounding area.

You must also call your claims representative at this time. If both the parties have a little time to spare then the claims representative can come at the spot and inspect. They assist in the claims process by taking pictures, questioning the witnesses, and preparing the report accordingly. The agents also assist you by filling up the form either with you in person or over the phone. The agents may want to know the accurate time and location of the accident. You may also get a copy of the police report and send it to the insurance company.

After you have called your claims representative, taken pictures, and exchanged information with the driver you are allowed to leave the place. If you knock own someone?s car and drive away without exchanging any information it is called hit and run. You may receive a check through your mail for expenses incurred due to the damages, however this may take time. Most probably you will have to pay out of your own pocket for all the costs of fixing your car.

You can ask several things to the claims agent to clearly understand the claims procedure. You may ask things like your coverage details, as different types of plans offer dissimilar coverage. You may question the agents as to when the remaining paper work is due, though its generally done in less than a week. In case of grave accidents, you may get your lawyer have a look at your legal formalities and paper work.



Tuesday, September 22, 2009

What Is Comprehensive Car Insurance?

By A. Nutt

When you purchase a vehicle or put one back on the road, beyond the responsibility of owning and driving the car daily, you also need to have insurance. Insurance is a legal requirement in order to protect yourself and others financially and medically in the event of an accident, natural disaster, or other incident that can cause significant financial hardship for you or other drivers. One type of insurance you may need, depending on the circumstances under which you purchase your vehicle and your needs as a consumer, is comprehensive insurance. What is comprehensive insurance, and why would you consider this?

Understanding Comprehensive Policies

Comprehensive insurance covers losses that occur to your vehicle due to fire, theft, natural disaster, or vandalism. This type of insurance also covers anything that is considered an "Act of God," which can be anything from severe storms to flooding.

Comprehensive insurance should be especially considered if you are paying full price for a vehicle as a new purchase or lease. You will also want to obtain comprehensive insurance if you live in a high risk area such as a coastal area or flood zone, or a densely populated area where vehicle vandalism or thefts may occur on a more frequent basis. Depending on the type of vehicle you intend to insure, comprehensive insurance can be of help if you would not be able to replace the vehicle easily or if it would be too costly to do so.

Comprehensive Insurance Benefits You

Unlike other types of insurance like liability and collision, which are generally required for all drivers regardless of type of vehicle or value, comprehensive insurance is more of an insurance that protects and reimburses you directly. Other types of insurance are generally for the benefit of other drivers and pay for losses sustained during traffic accidents. Comprehensive coverage allows you to quickly recoup any losses to you directly if your vehicle is stolen, damaged intentionally. or subject to a naturally occurring event like a fire or flood. You need this kind of coverage to make up for any gaps in your liability and collision policies, particularly since those policies may not cover your losses in full.

Consider Your Options Carefully

Choose wisely when deciding what types of insurance to place on your vehicle(s) and you will be glad later on when and if you have to place an auto or glass repair claim. Comprehensive car insurance coverage is not only affordable; it can give you peace of mind that other basic insurance policies cannot. If you had to replace your vehicle today because it was stolen or totaled by a tree falling on it, what would you do? Not only would you have to replace the car, but you would be legally and financially responsible for paying off your car note. Comprehensive insurance takes care of those worries and protects you from having to come up with a lump sum to replace a vehicle loss.



Monday, September 21, 2009

Keeping Your Car Securing Safe

By Colin Samuels

When it comes to keeping your new set of wheels secure and safe, it is not something you just forget about. Your car security system needs to be reliable and may be a part of owning a car that you think is important.

Choosing the right kind of car security is your first step. However, after you have selected the right type of security for you, installation will be next. Many people opt to do this on their own rather than paying big bucks for a professional to install it for you. It is possible to do as long as you are careful and have a reasonable idea of what it is that you are doing.

It can save you a lot of money if you have the capability to install your car security system by yourself. However, it is a big job and it might be a good idea to have a friend help you so that it goes faster and more smoothly. Read through the instructions and make sure you are comfortable doing everything needed. If you do not know anything about installing car security systems, you might want to get help so that you do not miss anything you need to do.

Keep the instructions for the installation close at hand. The first thing you will have to do is find a good place to mount the brain of the security unit. Make sure that the brain is secure and will not be jostled around when the car is moving.

After you do this, you are going to need to mount the system's sensors. Oftentimes, these components mount under the dash, because they are out of sight, and out of the way.

If you want to have keyless entry for your car, you will need to include your lock and door controls in the system itself. For that, you will need instructions because every car is different. After you hook these up, make sure the system is working as it should be. Make sure there are no crossed wires, loose wires, or anything else that would make the system not work properly. Test every feature of the system thoroughly as you go along.

The siren for your security system is usually mounted under the hood of your car. When doing this you need to make sure that it is not directly touching anything that will get very hot, like the engine itself. If you are not sure where to mount the siren, call a professional just to ask or consult the instructions.

Take a look at everything and make sure it is not going to be too wet or too hot, no matter the conditions. This is very important to make sure your security system keeps functioning properly. You may be very tempted to do things "your way," but it is a good way to get yourself into trouble if you do not know what you are doing.

Test every component and feature of the system carefully. If something does not work right, take a look and see if you can fix it. If you still cannot, go back to your place of purchase, or call them, and get help. You have to install your security system correctly, or it is not going to work.



Sunday, September 20, 2009

Low Cost Auto Insurance

By Matt Hellstrom

With the economy being at all time lows and everyone feeling the pinch, it makes sense to try to lower your every day costs and economize wherever possible. One area that not many people focus on is getting low cost auto insurance, under the mistaken belief that there is little that can be done about car insurance premiums.

There are certain factors that you will not be able to change such as your age and gender or even where you live and work, but you can take advantage of low cost auto insurance by following a few straightforward guidelines that can influence your chances of qualifying for lower rates. The most frequent discount is given for good drivers, those who maintain a good driving record with no traffic infractions or accidents for at least three years. Some companies may require five years, but you'll need to check with your own insurer.

If you've shopped for a car lately, you've probably read the various consumer buying guides and are aware that a car's government safety rating for crash tests can influence the price of the car itself. But it can also influence the insurance rate along with the car's repair track record. The cost of repairs as well as incidents of thefts and accidents for a particular car model can affect the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage.

Buying a safer car is not the only factor that determines whether you be able to get low cost auto insurance. The cost of the car as well as your own financial credit score can influence auto insurance rates. Having good credit tells the insurer that you are a responsible person and a lower risk. Driving flashy, expensive sports cars give the opposite impression even if that's not really a fair assessment of you. But be aware that insurers view this as a risk factor .

One way to have a low cost auto insurance policy is to increase the amount of your deductible. Instead of picking a low amount such as $100, see if you can increase it to a $1,000 out of pocket expense before the insurance applies. You can see a dramatic reduction in the premiums if you are willing to absorb more of the cost of repairs before a claim is made. Use the difference in premiums to fund your deductible instead and you'll be seeing more of your money in your pocket.

You may be able to get a low cost auto insurance policy if you are an infrequent driver or you don't need your car to get to work. A number of insurance companies will give a discount for low mile usage as long as you can show that you are within the limits. You can also reduce your premiums and see a large savings if you eliminate collision and comprehensive coverage once your car reaches a certain point where the value no longer exceeds the cost of repairs.

If you're anxious to see if you can obtain a low cost auto insurance policy, you should visit one of the rate comparison sites. You can get an instant quote for just about any vehicle you have in mind. The great thing is that you can change to different scenarios and know immediately what the impact on the bottom line will be. This is a great tool to use in conjunction with shopping for a new car.



Saturday, September 19, 2009

Save Yourself With Car Insurance

By Nancy Potts

There are many reasons why auto insurance coverage is important. One of the most important reasons to obtain auto insurance is for the peace of mind it offers you. If you are ever in a car accident you need to know that your expenses will be covered. Accidents can be costly. You almost always have some sort of physical damage to your vehicle which may or may not leave you with a functioning vehicle. If your car is damaged auto insurance covers the majority of the cost to repair it so that you can get back to your normal day-to-day routine.

You may also have suffered a personal injury from a car accident. If you are injured in an accident, your insurance also covers medical expenses to get you back on your feet. Sometimes you're not the only one with injuries. It may be a passenger in your vehicle, or perhaps the driver or passenger of the other vehicle. Auto insurance covers those expenses as well.

Perhaps you have damaged someone else's property in an accident. Would you really want to be financially responsible for their property as well? Auto insurance would cover expenses to repair other individuals' property so that you wouldn't have to.

You may have just purchased a new vehicle and need financing. Your lender will also require you to obtain insurance so that their investment in your car is protected. They need to know that if your car is stolen or is damaged beyond repair that they will get the money they lent you to buy it, back. Auto insurance will provide them with the money to settle your loan so that you don't have to continue making payments on a car that doesn't exist anymore.

With all that can go wrong in a car, why wouldn't you want to be protected. It's so easy to buy auto insurance. The insurance industry today offers many ways of shopping for the right coverage. Many companies offer auto insurance quotes in a matter of minutes and can allow you to compare them to other companies to be sure you are getting the best coverage at the best price.



Friday, September 18, 2009

Home And Auto Insurance

By Matt Hellstrom

If you are in the market for a car or home loan, you'll realize that you can't get either one unless you purchase your home and auto insurance first. And like most buyers, you don't really have time to think about what you really need or want in terms of coverage. You just get what the bank tells you must have and will buy a policy that meets the basic requirements.

Once you've closed on your home or car loan, you probably never really looked at your home and auto insurance policies again. If you're lucky, you'll never need to look and will probably continue to pay the monthly premium for as long as you own your house or car. You'll probably complain about the rising premiums each year, but just shrug it off as a sign of the times.

It's a fact that most people will not bother to comparison shop for insurance after they've made the initial purchase. The line of thinking is that insurance is a necessary evil that you have to keep paying and there's not much that can be done about it. The truth of the matter is that hardly anyone considers combining home and auto insurance purchases with the same company. This is a mistake since doing so can represent substantial savings in premiums.

Most insurance companies offer this option, but not all insurance agents will tell you about it. Quite frankly, there's no incentive for them to do so, since it can mean reduced commissions for the agent. You've got to ask to get it and even then, some will tell you it's not such a great idea, because they are two different products and should be purchased and handled separately.

The best way to determine if you can get a better deal by switching your home and auto insurance to the same company is to call your current insurance companies and ask them for a quote on the coverages you are seeking. The worst they can say, is that they don't have that type of coverage. Chances are though, you can get still get a small reduction in premiums if you are a homeowner.

It's a good idea to investigate some of the online insurance comparison services that are out there. Simply by filling out a questionnaire and providing information about your car and home, you can easily find out the best rates available in your area. By comparing the different rates, you are in a better position to obtain a home and auto insurance policy that be far cheaper than your current policies.

The beauty of using online insurance quote comparison sites is that you play "what if?" to your heart's content. You can plug in different values for each component of the home and auto insurance coverage and you'll see rates based on those scenarios. For example, you can see the differences in premium costs if you decide to install a remote home security system, or if you raised your deductible from the typical $500 to $1000 or even more. So, do your homework and you'll soon be pocketing more savings.



Car Accident Settlement - Your Legal Rights

By Bart Icles

Countless people suffer injuries from car accidents every day, and some even die as a result of this. Vehicular accidents are often caused by drunk driving, unsafe road and car safety practices, vehicle malfunction due to poor maintenance, hot tempers, and speeding. Even the most harmless of collisions of slow impact type fender benders can result in some severe physical injuries. Barring getting injured in a car accident, the vehicles of all involved parties will still be damaged to a certain degree and will need fixing. At this point on, you will be needing a good and experienced attorney specializing in car accident settlement cases.

Car accident lawyers are special litigators who are exclusively dedicated to handling cases regarding all car accident settlements. With legal representation, you can resolve your problem a lot sooner and easier, with the chance of getting a good settlement deal to address the legalities of claims and settlements from car accident settlement cases. These lawyers are not as costly as you may think, and once their services are acquired will only need to be paid once your case is resolved. Most will even give you free consultations regarding the merits of your case. before you actually decide on hiring them.

Many car accident victims who do not have legal representation are in for a surprise of their lives once the insurance companies of the offending party comes into the picture and decide to play hard ball with them. Knowing that you are in the dark regarding the legal procedures of car accident settlement cases, they will be incredible difficult to work with giving as little cooperation on their part, to the point of frustrating you at every turn until you''ll just give up in pursuing your case against them. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and paying the full amount of car accident claims are not good for their business, and so will do everything in their power to making your case as difficult as possible.

Now, on the other hand, if you have legal representation, these wayward insurance companies will have no more excuses to throw at you, and will be forced to cooperate fully and give you what you are rightfully entitled to. Your lawyer will map out every bit of possible legal scenario to get you all the insurance coverage you're entitled after the accident. They have all the legal know-how and savvy to face what underhanded tactics these insurance companies and their representatives dish out to unsuspecting and innocent car accident victims.

With an experienced car accident lawyer, you'll not only get what you're rightfully entitled under the law, and you'll also sleep better at nights.



Thursday, September 17, 2009

Discount Car Insurance: How You Can Qualify

By Steve Romsi

We would all love to save as much money as we possibly can and it is nice to be able to do so with items that we absolutely must have. Car insurance is one of these items. Often times car insurance can be expensive. However, the cost of your car insurance will vary from company to company, so it is important that you receive as many car insurance quotes as possible before making an informed decision on your coverage.

Given that car insurance is a required purchase all across the United States, it would be highly beneficial for you to do your homework before settling on an agent and buying your car insurance. For instance, many people are not aware that insurance companies can sometimes offer substantial discounts on car insurance for various criteria you may meet. All you need to do is talk with your insurance agent about what discounts might be available and ask for a few car insurance quotes based on what discounts they may offer. The discounts can be fairly substantial if you are able to take advantage of them all and who really couldn't use some extra money in their pocket?

Though the discounts may vary widely from one car insurance company to the next, this is where the benefit of receiving multiple car insurance quotes will come in handy. It is this way that you can determine which car insurance company and agent to give your business to. Also, be wary if the agent does not offer nor mention any available discounts. Yes, you want to be pro-active and ask about them, but you should also feel confident that your agent has your best interest at heart and not just the best interest of the company's bottom line.

So you are aware, not all discounts are offered in all states, but the most common discounts include: car safety features such as anti-lock brakes, air bags -- both driver and passenger -- and automatic seat-belts; you may also receive a discount for any voluntary defensive driving courses you have taken.

Multi-car discounts are also popular because you will be insuring more than one vehicle with the insurance agent; and it is also possible to receive a discount for a clean driving record -- that is to say, no tickets or accidents in the previous 5 or more years. So be diligent about requesting your car insurance quotes and make sure you can get the most coverage at the best price before purchasing your policy.



Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Correct Way To Report A Car Accident For Insurance

By Graham McKenzie

All drivers get involved in some type of car accident at least once. Therefore It is very necessary to be acquainted with the basics of providing your information to the other driver so that they know how to later get in touch with you. Although, the accident is small, you must not simply drive away, else it might be called a ?hit and run?. It might be possible that you knock an empty car but even then it is essential to exchange your information with the owner or driver of the car so that they ay contact you. In a serious accident, your first objective should be to ask someone to call at 911.

The first step, which most people forget, is to not admit fault. Even if the car accident was your fault it is not wise to admit it to the other driver. If it is later found out that the accident wasn?t your fault, you may still be forced to pay for the damages because you said it was. Try to be calm and handle the situation in an orderly fashion so everyone involved can get back to what they were doing.

Swap the insurance information with the other party/ parties immediately. Ensure that the names, contact numbers, and addresses are provided so you can contact each other later. This explains why it?s so essential to carry your insurance proof along with you in your vehicle. You might have to give the proof later if you don not have it with you at the time of accident.

If everyone is willing to wait you can call your claims representative to come and access the damage. Sometimes this isn?t possible, but you should call them as soon as you have a chance. Your claims representative will take pictures if you are still around, fill out your claims form, talk to all of the parties involved with the crash, and even talk to some of the people who saw the accident.

You must also click pictures at the spot and nearby areas before the mess is cleared and vehicles are removed. These days it?s become very easy as most people have mobile phone cameras. So, take enough pictures which may help describe the accident scene.

Once you have called your claims representative, taken pictures, and exchanged information you are usually free to leave the scene. By now a police officer would have arrived to help sort out the mess and tow trucks may be taking away your vehicles. Sometimes the damage is light enough so that tow trucks aren?t necessary. Even so, it may be weeks or months until you get a check in the mail, so you may have to initially pay for the repairs yourself at first.

The money you get is determined by the lowest repair quote given to the insurance company. If your car is totaled you will receive the blue book value for your car. The blue book value is a standard set of prices for cars taking into consideration their model, age, and condition. If you made any modifications to your vehicle you will not be compensated for them.



Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Cheapest Vehicle Insurance -- Ways To Save Much

By Chimezirim Odimba

Is it possible you have a car that you've not used for a long while? Do you have a broken car? Is this car still on your auto insurance policy or have you removed it?

Funny as it may seem, this is one reason some folks pay higher rates than they should. I hope this is not the case with you.

Belonging to an auto club could get you a discount with some insurance companies. Don't allow the size of the discount this may offer stop you from going for it if it makes sense in your situation.

Don't try to give false information in your bid to get cheaper rates. State things just the way they are. Insurance fraud costs us all.

If you couldn't care less about the cost to everyone in general, don't forget that your insurer is free to cancel your policy on the grounds of false representation.

This could make you lose a lot more than what you thought you would save. Your rates are raised by a big margin by your new insurer once your auto insurance policy lapses.

Reports have it that the average American family pays about $1,500 extra premium dollars because of insurance fraud. You can help reduce this to our collective advantage by being truthful when completing your application form and if you ever have to file a claim.

You'll get a No Claims bonus or discount if you do not make any claims for about four years. Here's a tip: Even though you might have cause to make a claim, don't if they are minor issues. Therefore, if it's a minor case, handle it on your own. What you'll gain from a No Claims discount will certainly outweigh it.

Another option for you is to use your parents' auto insurance policy. If you're of driving age, then your parents certainly are far above 25 years which means they are lower risk drivers.

There are two conditions that you must fulfill for this to be possible: The vehicle must be registered in your parents' name and you must live with them. This means that by law they own the car. If the benefits of "independence" outweigh your car insurance savings then this is definitely not alternative for you.





Monday, September 14, 2009

Uninsured Drivers are Asking for Trouble

By Phineas Greavy

One of the worst situations a driver could find themselves in is being in an automobile accident with an uninsured or under-insured driver. If you get in an accident with a person who doesn't have proper coverage you could end up being financially responsible for injuries or damages incurred. Expenses caused by accidents can get very high and you need to be sure that you aren't stuck with any exorbitant bills.

An uninsured driver is someone who, for whatever reason, doesn't not have any auto insurance coverage on them. Most states require some sort of minimum insurance coverage, however, the driver may have been canceled for nonpayment. If an uninsured driver was to strike you with a vehicle, they have no insurance to pay the expenses for damages or injuries inflicted upon you. It would be up to you to file a lawsuit to hold them personally responsible and you may never see the money if they truly don't have any to give. If you are the individual that is uninsured and cause an accident, you won't have the insurance company to defend you if any lawsuits arise. If you have elected to include uninsured motorist coverage on your own insurance, your company would then cover the costs.

There are also cases of under-insured drivers. This means that an individual doesn't have the proper coverage necessary to completely cover the costs incurred in an accident. If you are in an accident with a person who only has a $100,000 limit for medical expenses and your injuries require over that amount, you would have to pursue the excess through a lawsuit and hope that they have enough personal assets to cover the costs. If you had the additional coverage for under-insured drivers, your insurance will pay the difference that the other insurance would not. You may be the one that is under-insured in which case it would be you that may be sued for additional expenses.

There are many important reasons to have auto insurance. Its not hard to obtain auto insurance quotes. In fact many companies now will provide you with many different auto insurance quotes so that you can compare prices. When you do compare companies, be sure that you are also comparing coverage so that you know that you have the right amount of coverage to protect yourself from those who don't.



Sunday, September 13, 2009

Tips For Cheaper Dothan Alabama Car Insurance

By Chimezirim Odimba

Some suggestions for reducing your Alabama auto insurance rates could reduce the quality of coverage you get and are, therefore, NOT advisable. You can, nevertheless, still pay a lot less without compromise to the quality of your coverage if you know and apply the right tips. Following are tips that are good for you...

Staying claims-free will result in a good discount. But bear in mind that not all insurers offer this discount.

Your agent should be made to understand your dissatisfaction with their refusal to offer you such a discount and don't fail to point out that you may leave for another insurer. Believe it or not, every insurer likes having people who stay claims free for this long as policy holders and you shouldn't have any difficulty getting better rates with a host of other insurers.

But more often than not a serious threat of leaving from you is enough to make them shift grounds.

You can bring down your rates by going for a multi-vehicle discount. However, there are a number of cases where you'll save more by insuring each car with different insurers. You can find out which will serve you best by first doing a little research before taking this step. But however you look at it, a multi-vehicle discount is a great way to pay less.

Having more than one policy with the same insurer also attracts considerable discounts. That is, for example, if you buy your auto policy from the same insurer who caters for your home insurance.

However, bear in mind that you may be better off if you buy your different policies from different insurers who offer the best rates for each policy. It's worthwhile that you doing comparison shopping. That way you'll be able to determine if this will be to your advantage.

Who says your credit rating is not a factor used in calculating your Dothan car insurance? Some experts will tell you that experience has shown a predictable pattern between the two. They maintain that experience and statistics show that a poor credit rating means irresponsibility which also plays out behind wheels.

Drive carefully if you're really keen on getting lower car insurance rates. It's a wise idea to NOT drive at all if you have taken alcohol (even if it's simply a sip.

Traffic offences that are associated to drinking invariably make you attract unbearable rates. Even those speeding tickets do add up to make you get higher rates over time. For your safety then and cheaper rates, never go against any traffic law despite how negligible you think it is.

For people who are less than 25 years, car insurance rates can be reallyexpensive. However, one step you can take to attract more affordable rates if you belong to this age group is keep getting good grades.

The good student discount is for students who get A's or a minimum of B's. For young drivers who make themselves eligible, you can expect discounts of about 5%. Experience has proven to insurers that what makes a student maintain excellent grades is a level of responsibility which such students also maintain behind wheels. Students who maintain good grades are usually seen as more responsible and less likely to take to recklessness behind wheels.

You will save more by visiting a minimum of 5 Car insurance -- auto -- online quote sites. That way, you will make it most likely that you'll get all the lowest quotes available since five sites will return not less than 25 quotes altogether.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Inexpensive Auto Insurance? Apply These

By Chimezirim Odimba

Everyone in their right mind would be really glad to discover a way to enjoy cheaper rates provided such a way won't negatively affect the quality of coverage they enjoy. Let's discuss several sure-fire ways of achieving just that...

1. A multi-policy discount is a proven way to bring down your total insurance cost. All you are expected to do to become eligible for this is to purchase your vehicle insurance policy from the same carrier which is handling, for example, your home insurance.

Howbeit, be informed that you might be better served if you buy your various policies from various providers who give you the lowest quotes for each policy. Getting quotes and comparing offers out there with what you'll save are very recommended steps. You'll be certain of the better choice in your case if you do this.

2. Policyholders who do NOT make claims for more than three years usually attract a discount for it. But don't be surprised if your insurance agent tells you your vehicle insurance carrier does not give this discount.

If your agent says that they don't offer this discount make it clear that you'll go to another insurer. As a matter of fact, you should leave them because you will almost always get a better deal somewhere else if you've maintained a claims-free status for this long.

And, believe it or not, your insurer is likely to shift grounds if they notice you're quite serious about switching.

3. If you maintain collision and/or comprehensive for an old vehicle that isn't a classic, then you are paying a lot more than you should. A vehicle's Kelly Blue Book value at the time of making claims (and not the price of the car when you bought it) is what controls what you'll get from your insurance provider. This means that not minding how much you've paid and the length of time you did, you may get NOT a dime if that book shows the car is not worth anything when you file a claim.

Do the smart thing and cut out both of them from your vehicle insurance policy. You will be saving much if you do this.

4. Choosing high deductibles is a proven step to land better rates. The recommended choice is the highest you can provide with some level of comfort.

Your insurer you to contribute this amount.

5. Take every opportunity to avoid driving your vehicle since it will bring down your mileage and, by consequence, your rate. This is particularly recommended for those of us who live in cities with modern mass transit systems.

Another good option for those who want to cut down their mileage is joining a car pool.

6. Under-25 drivers get very high rates. But for drivers who find themselves in this age range, having good grades at school will help you get better rates.

You need to maintain a grade point of not less than B to have this good student discount. This will slash off up to five percent from your rate if you make yourself eligible. Experience has proven to insurance carriers that what makes a student maintain excellent grades is a level of responsibility which also shows while driving. It's difficult to find reckless young drivers who keep getting wonderful grades.

7. You can save much money in auto insurance if you obtain and compare auto insurance quotes from insurance quotes sites. You'll make savings if you use only one quotes site. However, you will get better results by using at least five.

The plain logic in this is that you'll get many more auto insurance quotes from many more insurance companies. This raises your chances of getting better rates.



Friday, September 11, 2009

Evaluating Car Insurance Coverage Options

By Evelyn LeGrand

One of the most necessary -- and required -- aspects to owning a car is having car insurance to cover you, your vehicle and in some cases, the other driver should you find yourself in the unfavorable position of being in an accident. Like most insurance, car insurance can be confusing and difficult to understand... especially if you have an insurance agent whose primary focus is selling, selling, selling rather than providing you with the service and coverage you need. And that leads us to another question, how much car insurance do you actually need? And, how much is it going to cost you?

You definitely want to sit down with an insurance agent in order to determine the right amount of coverage necessary for your vehicle since every state has different laws that apply to what is required when it comes to insurance coverage. However, you can receive a car insurance quote -- either online or by phone -- in order to find out the approximate monthly out of pocket cost that is going to apply to you.

It is important, from a basic business point of view, for you to do your homework where the cost of insurance is concerned. This will prevent any unscrupulous insurance agent from taking advantage of you by charging you too much for whatever insurance coverage it is you need. Too, by searching for car insurance quotes, it may also be possible for you to find an insurance company that is reputable, but has much lower prices than their competition. This is probably one of the main reasons people request car insurance quotes in the first place. Once you have narrowed down your search to two or three insurance companies, you can schedule an appointment with each of them in order to determine what type of coverage is required in the state in which you live.

If you are just searching for the minimum coverage you can purchase, you will certainly need to find out exactly what that minimum will not cover in the event of an accident. Fortunately, the minimum required car insurance that is required in one state is often similar to that of other states, though specifics -- such as dollar amounts -- may be higher or lower. Typically, all states require bodily injury and property damage coverage, but some also require you to carry uninsured (or under-insured) motorist coverage as well.

When you are seeking your car insurance quotes, it might be beneficial for you to include this coverage as well, especially if you plan on traveling to a state that requires it. Once you have scheduled your appointments, prepare a list of questions and you will be able to choose your insurance agent, and the coverage you need, with confidence.



Thursday, September 10, 2009

Why Auto Insurance Is A Must

By Ricardo Jibero

Most people who own a vehicle know the importance of having auto insurance coverage. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the importance of having sufficient coverage. The average driver will choose the bare minimum of coverage that is set by state law. The problem with minimum coverage is that it doesn't always cover all the expenses incurred from an automobile accident.

If you and another car are involved in an automobile accident and both of you are injured and you don't carry sufficient coverage, you could be held financially liable for any costs incurred in the accident. Medical bills as well as any emergency medical assistance can be very expensive. Someone will need to cover those costs. Ultimately you could be sued for payment and forced into bankruptcy if your coverage isn't adequate.

You may also be involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. If your policy doesn't have specific coverage for uninsured drivers, again you can be held personally responsible for any expenses that may result from the accident.

Not all insurance policies protect against theft or fire. If your car is stolen and your insurance doesn't provide coverage, you will find yourself without a car and your insurance will not reimburse you for your loss.

Believe it or not, your policy may not cover your own car for damages if you choose the minimum coverage. If you want your own vehicle covered you need to be sure that you have the proper insurance so you don't find yourself paying for damages incurred to your car in an auto accident

There is also separate coverage to cover your car from damages incurred by vandalism or natural means. If a tree was to fall on your car in a wind storm and you didn't carry the right insurance, you would have to pay for all the repairs.

Most state minimums cover expenses for bodily harm to the driver, passenger and for expenses for damages to other personal property. If you don't want to be held accountable for expenses beyond the minimum then you need to be sure you speak with your insurance adviser about what coverage options are right for you. They can then provide you with auto insurance quotes from a few different companies so that you get the right coverage at a price you can afford.