AUTO CAR INSURANCE

Get all the information you need about car insurance

Tips For Saving Money On Car Insurance - Car insurance is required by all licensed drivers but many of them don’t know how to find the best rates available. Being complacent and purchasing car insurance without carefully investigating your options or maintaining the same car insurance for the remainder of your life could mean that you are paying too much for your car insurance. Comparison shopping, ensuring that you are receiving all the discounts you qualify for and maintaining a clean driving record are just a few of the money saving tips that can save you a fortune on car insurance.

Comparison shopping for car insurance, even after you are already insured, cannot be underestimated. It is critical that you investigate all of your options before choosing an insurance provider to ensure that you are getting the best possible rate on your car insurance. There are so many factors considered in car insurance policies such as where you live, your driving record, your age and the type of car you drive just to name a few. With all of these factors to consider, it is very possible that you will find that there is a car insurance provider who will offer you a considerably lower rate than other providers.

Even after you have secured insurance for your car, it is wise to periodically check the rates that other providers will offer you. Car insurance as well as your circumstances are perpetually changing and you may find that the provider who is willing to offer you the best car insurance rate varies periodically. Many car insurance providers offer a host of discounts to their clients who qualify for these discounts. These discounts can relate to your driving record, safety features of your car, your age or other factors.

These discounts can result in a tremendous cost savings on your car insurance policy but while many insurance providers offer these discounts, they don’t always advertise them. This means that you may have to do research to determine what type of discounts you may qualify to receive. Carefully, review your car insurance policy to determine which discounts you are already receiving and then contact your car insurance provider to inquire about other discounts that may be available. For example if your driving record is devoid of accidents or tickets, you may qualify for a good driver discount.

Also, if your car has certain safety features such as daytime running lights, you may also qualify for car insurance discounts. Your age can also qualify you for certain car insurance discounts. Some insurance providers also offer discounts to those who insure their house with the same company as they insure their car. Taking advantage of this type of discount can save you money on both your car and home insurance. Being aware of the discounts that are available and ensuring that you are receiving these discounts, can save you a great deal of money on your car insurance.

Finally, maintaining a clean driving record is very important to receiving the best available car insurance rate. While it is true that each car insurance provider is unique in the factors that contribute to lower rates, the one factor that is consistent among all providers of car insurance is that a clean driving record is critical to your rate. Although accidents are sometimes unavoidable, it is imperative that you adhere to all traffic regulations and that you drive safely at all times. This will reduce the number of traffic violations that you incur as well as the number of accidents that you cause. Following these tips will help you to maintain a clean driving record that will keep the cost of your car insurance low.

Many drivers lament paying their monthly car insurance bill because they feel as though the insurance isn’t necessary. Although car insurance is a financial burden that seems superfluous, it does pay off if you are ever in a serious car accident that has significant financial ramifications. For this reason, you should never consider allowing your car insurance to lapse and it is recommended that you search diligently to find the best available rate on your car insurance.

by: Ray Shelton

Car Insurance Estimate Solutions For Years - Shopping around for a car insurance estimate is not something most people look forward to. It is one of the least exciting chores that is required in order to have a car on the road, but it is worth seeking out the most competitive car insurance estimate available. Although getting a car insurance estimate from a number of companies isn’t a desirable task; many people spend far more than they absolutely have to each year on their auto insurance because they simply haven’t taken the time to compare rates and policies with other auto insurance companies. It would be hard to find someone who would walk into an appliance store and decide to spend $200.00 more on a washer that offers the same exact quality and features as the one next to it that costs far less. It doesn’t make too much sense to do the same thing with car insurance.

One of the best things to do before looking for a car insurance estimate is to see exactly what the state requirements are as far as what the necessary minimum coverage is in order to have adequate coverage. This is something that might be better to do without the assistance of an insurance agency if possible because their job is to sell insurance and they make more money with the more coverage they are able to sell.

In order to spend less time on the phone when looking for a car insurance estimate, it is a good idea to have a number of items handy including a driver’s license, vehicle identification numbers, make, model and year of each car and even the name and contact information for the company that is financing all vehicles if applicable. There are also a number of factors that can be taken into consideration when seeking a car insurance estimate that may mean additional savings per year. Features on each auto including airbags, auto alarms, anti-lock brakes and other things may mean discounts on auto insurance. Some insurance companies will even offer discounts for having more than one policy with their company as well as insuring multiple cars through with their coverage. Additional discounts may be found through other things like accident-free driving record, defensive driving course incentives and other discounts.

by: Timothy F

Raising your deductibles is the easiest way to reduce your rates. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium will be. The deductible is the portion you will have to pay in the event of accident, before your insurance coverage steps in. It’s important not to carry a deductible that’s more than what you are able to pay. Your insurance company will not honor its portion of the claim until you’ve paid your deductible. However, the higher your deductible the lower your premium cost will be, so you need to find a

Always remember to ask your insurance broker for any available discounts. Quite often we forget to ask and they don’t seem to volunteer the information. A clean record on the current policy for a certain period of time, having your homeowner's coverage with the same insurer, taking a defensive driving course, having an accident free driving record, and having an approved anti-theft device will reduce your auto insurance rates.

The type of car you drive can also reduce your rates. Stay away from cars that have a high class rating. Rates vary among the different makes and models of vehicles. The different rates are based on the risk of accident, cost to repair, higher theft rates for a particular model and replacement costs such as with a new vehicle. So be sure your vehicle isn’t going to be in a category that increases your rates too much.

A safe driving record consisting of no accidents and no traffic violations will get you the most substantial discount. Most insurance companies are very good at recognizing good driving habits. These are the drivers they want to insure because their risk is much lower.

If the car is old and not very valuable, comprehensive insurance is probably not worth buying as it can quickly add up to more than you’d ever receive in the event of an accident. You can save up to 20% by eliminating collision insurance. You may want to opt not to carry collision insurance as well which can save you and additional 20%.

Check around to make sure you are getting the best auto rates you can. Online auto insurance shopping has taken the guess work out of buying insurance and you can very quickly see if you are being hosed. So if your insurance is coming due now is the time to start shopping!.

by: Sher Matsen

How Can You Lower Your Premiums - Many factors influence the premium for your Motor insurance policy. Your insurer will have asked you many questions whilst producing your quote - some of which will affect your premium and some will not. Below we discuss the key variables that are within the policyholder's control.

Consolidating policies

By insuring a number of vehicles with the same insurer, or by trying to take out home and life insurance through your car insurer, you may be able to secure a ‘bulk buy’ discount.

Location

A big influence on the cost of your car insurance is where you live. The chance of your car being broken into or stolen is a key concern for the insurer. More urban areas traditionally facing greater risk of theft and therefore tend to be more expensive than countryside locations.

Excess

By agreeing to pay a greater excess on each claim you can reduce your car insurance premiums. This is because you are reducing the liability of the insurer and therefore in return they are able to offer you a lower premium.

Your Vehicle

The cheaper and slower your vehicle the lower your premiums are likely to be. If you are looking to buy a new vehicle make sure you fully consider the cost of insurance – you may be able to buy the car but can you afford to run it?

Mileage

You can control your insurance premiums by restricting your annual mileage. However, be aware that if you exceed the restricted number of miles you'll then become uninsured!

Parking

Where you park your vehicle overnight is also very important to the insurers. If it is kept in a locked garage, you should be offered a lower premium than if you leave it unattended in the street.

Security

Security devices that prevent or hinder theft may also reduce your premium. Common examples include alarms and immobilisers, however, be aware that as we improve the quality of our security devices the thieves just become better at bypassing them.

No Claims Discount

Save up your no claims discount by avoiding making small claims upon your policy. After a set number of years, 4 or 5 typically, you'll often be offered the option to pay an additional small premium to protect your no claims bonus. This can prove very helpful if you subsequently end up having an accident.

Advanced driving skills

By taking an advanced driving course you may also be able to reduce your premiums. The Institute for Advanced Motorists and the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents each offer membership which provides you with discounts for both the cost of driving courses and your car insurance premiums. Two key variables NOT within the policyholder's control.

Your Sex.

Women are statistically less likely to have an accident and, if they do, it's less likely to be serious. Because of these statistics women benefit from lower premiums. It is also worth noting that if you represent one half of a couple you should consider having the female as the primary driver with the male as the second driver.

Your Age

The older you are, the less likely you are to make a claim. As a result insurance companies charge lower premiums for more mature drivers.

One final piece of advice.

A large percentage of car insurance is now sold on the Internet. That's because it's convenient and cheap. Many insurers now give a further 10%-15% discount if you buy online.

 by: Michael Challiner

Insurance Company Due To Accident-Defined as: The contract by which the insurer assumes the risk of any loss the owner or operator of a car may incur through damage to property or persons as the result of an accident. There are many specific forms of automobile insurance, varying not only in the kinds of risk that they cover but also in the legal principles underlying them.


In “plain” English, this means coverage that is carried by someone who is driving a motor vehicle that is involved in an accident that causes property damage or personal injury to someone.


Currently, New Hampshire and Wisconsin do not have “compulsory auto insurance liability laws”. Simply put, this means that these states do not require licensed drivers (and there should not be any other kind of driver) to have some type of auto insurance policy that provides at least minimum coverage. The remaining 48 states do have such insurance laws in effect.

You should check with the state you live in if you have questions concerning whether or not you are required to have auto insurance, and also to determine if you are required to have a certain amount of coverage. If you are required to have a certain amount, you will then need to check to see if there is a minimum amount and maximum amount.

States that do not require motor vehicle insurance coverage may, however, require the operator of a vehicle to post a bond or in some other way show proof that he or she is able to pay for any property damage and/or personal injury that may occur as a result of a traffic accident.

There are different types of auto insurance coverage. These include minimum coverage (also called “legal limit” coverage), liability-only coverage, and full coverage. Getting free auto insurance quotes , serve a great purpose in securing the lowest insurance rates.

Minimum coverage is exactly that. It is the least amount of coverage you are required to carry in a state where it is the law that you must have auto insurance. The dollar amount varies from state to state.

Liability-only coverage usually only pays for repair or replacement of vehicles other than your own that are caused by a motor vehicle accident, and for any medical or legal expenses that may occur as a result of a motor vehicle accident.

Full coverage simply means that everything is covered on any and all vehicles involved in incidents, including the policyholder’s.

Different factors determine insurance coverage rates (also known as premium costs). These may include such things as the primary driver’s age, gender, past driving history, and the amount and type of coverage, just to list a few examples.

Younger drivers (usually those under the age of 25) usually have higher premiums. Furthermore, some car insurance companies may still make a distinction in whether the younger driver is male or female when it comes to rates and coverage.

Past driving history can have a great impact on insurance rates, no matter what the driver’s age or gender. A person who has had few or no accidents, or who has been cited for traffic violations only a few times (if any) during a certain amount of time may very well be offered a better rate than someone who might be considered a “less-than-perfect” driver.

The amount and type of coverage provided by a particular auto insurance policy can also make a difference in how much one pays for car insurance. As mentioned earlier, “legal limit” coverage is usually the cheap auto insurance.

Automobile insurance can be fairly expensive. However, when you consider the alternatives: having to pay out of your own pocket to have your car or someone else’s car fixed, and being responsible for all of a person’s medical bills, then the cost does not seem so high.

And, where medical expenses are concerned, keep in mind that you will be responsible for them both at the time of the accident and afterward, which will include any time that the person must seek treatment for any health problem that was or is remotely caused by the accident, or can be traced back to the accident.

In other words, whatever is wrong with the person in the future would never had happened if he or she had not been injured in the wreck. Also, wreck injuries can aggravate pre-existing conditions—whether or not the person knew it existed.

Covering The Cost Of Repairs To Your Bumper-The UK is home to a large number of car insurance providers. If you decide to compare different car insurance policies online, be aware that cheap car insurance policies tend to offer limited cover and may not necessarily include your bumper.


As cars have developed, bumpers have become more effective. They now help to reinforce the vehicle, protecting passengers and engine parts during a collision. There were 170,591 road accidents reported to the police involving personal injury in 2008, 6% fewer than in 2007[1].  One of the reasons why this figure keeps decreasing year on year may be the increased effectiveness of bumpers along with other improved safety features.

However, whilst bumpers are now more effective in serious collisions, they may not fare so well in minor scrapes. The original purpose of bumpers was to protect vehicles going over low speed bumps. This meant that bumpers were relatively simple, unglamorous parts of a car and could be cheaply and easily repaired or replaced.

The ergonomic design of many modern bumpers may increase the overall attractiveness of a vehicle, but this design change also has disadvantages: although bumpers now form an integrated part of the vehicle’s overall aesthetic appeal, they no longer function as effectively as sacrificial, shock absorbers.

Rather than cushioning low impact bumps and grazes, modern bumpers are easily marked, scratched, cracked and dented. Although bumpers were originally designed to protect your car, it is now possible to buy buffers to protect your bumper! In addition, because bumpers are now an elegant part of a car’s overall bodywork, if you’re involved in an accident and your bumper is damaged it can often be more complex and costly to repair.

After an accident if your car can still be driven legally and is roadworthy, reputable insurance companies will deliver a courtesy car to you when your car is picked up for repairs. In this way, car insurance providers can keep you mobile while your car is being fixed. Before long your vehicle should be back with you, looking as good as ever.

by Josie Anderson

Whatever the Weather-In the UK, the car insurance cover market is becoming increasingly competitive and there are a wide range of policies available both by phone and online. Whilst cheap car insurance can seem appealing at the time of purchase, it's always worth checking that your policy is extensive enough to meet your needs.


The last two or three years have been remarkably snowy in the UK. Depths of 10 to 20cm were widespread across England and Wales last winter, and last December saw multiple snowfalls the length and breadth of the country.  It's always best to avoid driving if there's a risk of snow, but if you've no choice but to make a journey then here are a few precautions to help keep you safe.

Travelling with a full tank of petrol is advisable. This means that if there is a problem and you end up stranded for an extended period, you can use your car's heating to keep warm. Condensation can also form in the petrol tank which is another good reason to keep your car running to prevent it from cooling too quickly.

If possible put a small shovel and a sealed container filled with a mixture of sand and salt in the car before you set off. Laying this mixture under your tyres can give you some traction if you get stuck in the snow.

Then there are the fundamentals: an old blanket, coat or sleeping bag is always handy in case of a winter breakdown. It's also worth keeping a first aid kit, a mobile phone, a car adaptable phone charger, some fresh drinking water and a tasty, sustaining snack in case of emergencies.

If your car suffers in the snow and is no longer roadworthy, as part of your claim most reputable insurance companies can arrange to get you and your passengers home or to your planned destination. If the adverse weather conditions make it impossible to complete your journey and you have to make a claim some car insurers will pay as much as £100 per person for overnight accommodation.

Hopefully, if you're well prepared you can spend the festive period enjoying the snow rather than fearing it.

by Josie Anderson

Car Insurance And Parking-Car insurance can help you recover costs associated with damage to your car. This includes scratches to the paintwork, dents to the main body, and damage or breakage to the windows. With good car insurance this could also include providing a courtesy car to keep you on the move whilst your car is being repaired.


It's reassuring to know that damage to your car is covered by your car cover, but if you'd like to keep your no claims bonus and you prefer not to make a claim for accidental damage in the first place, you may want to consider careful parking as a preventative measure.

If you park in a crowded car park, with lots of vehicles crammed close together, your car may be at increased risk of accidental damage. A careless person opening a car door could easily damage your car, or an inexperienced driver could clip your car or leave a scratch during a manoeuvre. Try to avoid parking in crowded, busy car parks if possible, or at least park in a quieter area, such as the top level of a multi-storey car park.

Avoid parking in poorly lit areas as a safety precaution. Your car could be less visible in the dark, and therefore at greater risk of accidental damage from a third party. Dark, poorly lit areas can also put your car at a greater risk of theft.

Park your car in a private garage at home to reduce risk of damage. The majority of car users will leave their car parked at home more than in any other place, so it's important to have a safe parking spot at home to reduce the risk of damage to your car.

By taking these simple steps to safely parking your car, you will also be closer to reducing your car's risk of accidental damage. As an added precaution, however, you should purchase car insurance from a reputable supplier who will protect you and your car financially in case an accident does happen.

by Josie Anderson

Car Insurance Young Drivers-The statistics relating to uninsured drivers in the UK are very worrying indeed. It looks like as many as one in 20 drivers don't have valid insurance, each one of those drivers causing an accident, on average, every 6 months. They are also 10 times more likely to be driving while under the influence of alcohol, and three times more likely to drive in a way that endangers other road users.


Not surprisingly, around one in ten insured drivers have been in an accident with a driver who is not insured. This article will help you deal with the situation if it happens to you.

At the time of the accident, it is unlikely that the driver will tell you that he's not insured. So you will have to take all the details in the usual way ? take their name, address, phone number and car details, and also the name of their insurance company. Most uninsured drivers will lie so in any case, ask for these details as your insurance company will expect you to have them.

It's also essential that you note down exactly what happened in the accident, and what damage occurred as a result. Also try and get a photo of the damage, it's a good idea to carry a disposable camera in your glove box for this reason, or many people now have a camera on their mobile phone. If possible, get the other driver into the picture too. Make a note of the surrounding environment, for example the weather, the lighting, and the road markings. It really is best to have too much information rather than not enough. Ideally you will be able to get the details of an independent witness who can back up your story.

What happens next really depends on your level of insurance. If you are fully comprehensive, then your car will be repaired at no cost to yourself, other than the excess fee you will have to pay. Some insurers offer policies that waive the excess fee to protect you in case of the other driver being uninsured. You may also possibly lose your no claims discount if you did not have it protected.

If your insurance only covers you for third-party, then you will have more trouble getting the damage paid for as your insurance company will not be prepared to pay for the repairs. You have the option of tracking down the other driver, which will depend on whether you were given the right contact details or not, and asking them to pay. You could even take them to court. If you don't want all that hassle, then you can claim compensation from the Motor Insurers Bureau. They help out drivers in these circumstances but you will still have to pay for the first? 300 of the claim, which is a lot more than the average excess. So it is likely that you will be out of pocket as a result.

The Motor Insurers Bureau will expect you to have reported the accident to the police and to have a copy of the accident report. It is also crucial that you noted down the other car's registration details, you won't be able to make a claim without them. To contact the Motor Insurers Bureau call 01908671681 or email: enquiries@mib.org.uk.

British laws are being examined at the moment so that higher penalties can be placed on uninsured drivers. The proposal is to have a car that is found on the roads without insurance towed away and crushed, and the driver hit with a ?100 fine. At the moment, people caught driving uninsured only have to pay on average ?170, which is a lot cheaper than a year's worth of car insurance! We are definitely behind the proposed changes in the law, and hope that they happen sooner rather than later.

The police are keenly aware of the situation: "Uninsured drivers are often guilty of many other driving related offences, such as having no driving licence or MOT certificate. We're doing everything in our power to get these dangerous and illegal drivers off our roads." A round of applause for the police!

Car Insurance Young Drivers

Getting into a car accident is automatically going to bring you a headache, but getting into one where the other driver doesn't have car insurance is going to give you weeks and weeks of migraines. Why does it seem like those people who can't even afford cheap car insurance can always manage to keep their gas tanks filled with gas?

So what exactly happens if you are in an accident and the person who is responsible for the accident doesn't have car insurance? Usually, that person will just get a traffic ticket for not having car insurance and be let off the hook. If the accident is serious, they might get a bigger slap on the wrist, but usually, driving without car insurance is not going to result in more than a big fine.

So why should the average person go out, spend a lot of time getting car insurance quotes, write a check every couple of months to keep the policy current, and spend a lot of money on car insurance when so many people don't do it? The answer is simple - the first time you cancel your cheap car insurance, you are going to end up getting into a crash with someone else that is uninsured. If it's your fault, you are going to probably end up paying out of your pocket for the cost to repair your car and their car.

Uninsured drivers cost the car insurance business millions and millions of dollars every year. Getting into a car crash is a really dramatic experience, but getting into a car crash with someone who isn't insured is going to be even more dramatic. You may be asking yourself whether or not your car is going to be repaired on time if the person who hits you doesn't have car insurance. Don't worry, if the person who caused the accident doesn't have car insurance and there is no way for them to pay for the damages, your car insurance company will usually step up and repair your car for you. It is probably going to take longer for you to get the check from them, but in the long run everything is going to go well.

You may also be wondering what is going to happen to your rates once you get into crash with an uninsured driver. If it wasn't your fault, your rates shouldn't go up. If it was your fault, of course the car insurance companies are going to do whatever they can to get more money from you. If they raise your rates too much, make sure to get car insurance quotes from other companies as see what the fair rates are. You may notice that there is about 15% difference in the lowest and highest car insurance quotes, which means that you can save quite a bit of money over the course of just one year.

No one wants to think about car insurance, car crashes and uninsured drivers. When thinking about these topics, we usually get a headache. Dealing with these topics is going to give you more than one headache because of all the paper work, money and the wasted time.