Are Accidents More Likely To Occur Closer To Home?

If you are going to be involved in an accident, chances are it will happen close to your home. Progressive Insurance polled 11,000 of its policyholders who experienced accidents in 2001. They found that 52% were involved in accidents within five miles from there home and 69% were involved in accidents within ten miles from their home. Only 17% of those polled experienced accidents beyond twenty miles from his or her home (Strillacci, 2002).

To some people, this is major news and would deter them from driving. I would hope this statistic would not do this to you. I anticipate this article will actually give you confidence in driving short, and long, distances from your home as well as show you the important role insurance plays in our lives.

As I already showed statistically, you are likely to get into an accident within 10 miles from your home. Before this scares you into never driving again take a moment to think about that statistic. It makes sense. For most people, their 'comfort zone' is close to home. People usually grocery shop, go to church and go to work within a few miles of their home. And when you compare that amount of people to the amount of drivers who travel for a living or drive long distances to see relatives or for vacation, you can see how that statistic came about.

Now, knowing that the statistic is skewed, the next question to answer is 'Will it make sense to drive longer distances to go grocery shopping, to go to work, to go to church, etc.?' In order to answer that question, you need to address the needs of time and money. You will also need to address the perils of driving shorter distances versus driving longer distances.

Before you extend your 'comfort zone' of driving, you have to analyze your costs of time and money. If you wish to drive further to meet your needs, you may have to wake up earlier, get home later, go to bed earlier, spend less time with your family, etc. And, if you wish to drive further to go grocery shopping, you will have to consider bringing a cooler to keep your cold food from spoiling until you get home. Other additional costs include adding mileage to your vehicle. This extra mileage lowers your vehicle's re-sale value. It increases the frequency of oil changes and tire changes. It also increases the chances of having other engine problems with your vehicle. Another cost to consider is the ever-increasing cost of gasoline.

Before you extend your normal driving 'zone,' you will also need to evaluate the perils you will face in driving short and longer distances.

Some of the dangers of driving within ten miles of your home include sharing the road with people with short attention spans. These people are running an errand and are only going four blocks from where they live. People may not be wearing safety belts. Again, many may have a false sense of security since they are not traveling a long distance from their home. Another concern that affects some is if it is really rainy out, flash flooding can become an issue.

When you drive longer distances however, you also face hazards. For example, you are sharing the road with people who may be sleep-deprived. You may be sharing the road with people who have become mesmerized from their long trip; and as a result they are in a hypnotic state that causes their senses to become dulled. And as you probably have seen many times you may also be sharing the road with someone going the speed of Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise.

It might not make sense to extend your 'comfort zone' due to time and money restraints. Even if you can extend your 'comfort zone', regardless of the costs of time and money, you still face perils and the possibility of being involved in an accident. What do you do?

Make sure your insured. Insurance is known as 'risk transference.' With insurance, you are transferring the risk of financial loss that comes with an accident to the insurance company. As to which insurance company to use and how much insurance to purchase, that is another article in itself. Just do the necessary research, and purchase as much insurance as you can afford. And, as a result of transferring your risk, you are left with the peace of mind knowing that regardless of the distance you are driving and the perils you are facing, you will be covered for the limits you chose to purchase.

So, the next time you are leaving to go four blocks to run an errand and someone reminds you of the statistic that accidents usually occur within ten miles of your home, smile for two reasons. First, knowing that you are going to face perils on the road regardless of the distance you are driving. And, second, knowing that with your insurance you are transferring the risk to the insurance company for the limits you chose to purchase.

Reference: Strillacci, L. (2004, November)

Teens or Seniors - Who Are The Worst Drivers?

There are two different groups of drivers that are considered the most dangerous on the road, the teens and seniors. The teens are young and are beginning to drive. They are learning about the rules that need to be followed on the road. There are also the seniors which even though they have more experience, their response time decreases significantly. By taking a look at the negative aspects of bad driving in each group we can come up with a conclusion of who is the worst driver - teens or seniors?

Seniors are the most experienced in driving, but with age they start loosing their senses. Hearing and lost of eyesight are the two major senses that people within the senior age group start loosing. The response time for seniors is longer thus making them less reliable. Their memory tends to be shorter as well.

Seniors usually do have more time to travel to their destination but because of the loss of senses and memory capabilities they get lost. This leads to a confusion that causes accidents, making them less reliable on the road.

Teens are beginning to drive they are trying to cope with school, work and rules. Teens have all of these issues to work with and not enough time to place them in order or to prioritize them. Teens sometimes are unable to decide right from wrong. Teens can be immature and do not have enough experience to figure out quick decisions and that all the responsibility that is needed to be structured in order to have a better and safe environment system on the road.

Teens are under peer pressure. This pressure can get them involved in street car racing to prove to others who is tougher. This is a game that only ends up being dangerous to all with consequences that leads to nothing but sadness to all of us that care because teens can hurt themselves, others that are racing or even unsuspecting passer-bys.

Teens are also into customizing their vehicle. Customizing can void or destroy most of the safety features the vehicle was built with originally. Teens are also a risk on the road because they also want to have fun. The teens do not think of the consequences of what their driving can do. Some teens drink alcohol and use drugs and still take off driving thus putting at risk all of us on the road.

Music is a big effect on teens. They listen to music that stimulates the brain and distracts them making the teen drivers less reliable on the road getting carry away. Teens are also distracting with calls on cell phones while driving. While a more experienced driver might be okay taking a call teens don't yet have the experience to deal with this extra item that takes away their focus on driving.

Another factor I must add is when teens are traveling in groups they tend to distract each other causing the driver to loss the focus on the road and that is when fatal accidents occurred. Teens have fatal accidents due to careless driving every year.

Think about the issues I discussed for both seniors and teenagers. Both groups have different sets of concerns. Both can make driving difficult on the road for us. Now I ask you, who are the worst drivers Teens or Seniors?

Talking to Your Parents About Insurance

Who can you talk to about auto insurance? Insurance agents are a good source. However, due to their life lessons, their love, and their own financial responsibility, parents are an invaluable source to talk to about auto insurance.

Auto insurance is risk transference. This means you are transferring the risk of financial loss from an accident to a company for the cost of a premium. You should purchase the amount of insurance you can afford.

If you purchase too much insurance, you run the risk of not being able to make your monthly payments and your policy's subsequent cancellation. And, as a result, you will have no insurance at all. If you do not purchase enough insurance, you run the risk of financial ruin when an accident occurs, when you could have afforded the extra coverage.

Insurance agents are a good source to help determine your insurance needs. They can explain the various types of insurance coverage to you. They can often offer you the types of coverage you are looking for to meet your financial needs. They can also find companies that are flexible when it comes to making changes to your policy when your insurance needs changing.

Insurance agents can give you other pertinent information about insurance companies. Part of their job is to answer questions you might have concerning insurance and the different types of coverage that are available to purchase for your vehicle. They are licensed by the state in which you live and they drive on the same streets you drive on so you should not be afraid to ask them questions.

However, parents are an invaluable source when it comes to getting advice on your car insurance needs. I realize that your parents were most likely raised in a previous generation and the gap from their generation to yours could lead to a viewpoint on life-matters which differ from your standpoint.

A difference in opinion between you and your parents is probably true on many matters. And as a result, this might have led to a decline in communication with them. However, their life experiences and closeness to you make them the perfect candidates to talk you about auto insurance. Their experiences over the years have given them an invaluable amount of wisdom. Also, since they love you, you know that their advice will also come from their hearts (besides their heads).

Besides their wisdom and love, parents may also have a financial interest in you. If you are a dependant or a minor, the state in which you live may hold your parents accountable if you are involved in an accident. As a result, they may require you purchase enough insurance to protect their financial assets as well as your own. And if they want you to purchase more insurance than you can afford, to protect their financial interests, they may help you with your premiums.

When it comes to discussing auto insurance, agents are a good source. However, due to their life experiences, their love, and their own financial responsibility, your parents are an invaluable source. Take a couple of minutes and ask your parents their thoughts on insurance. That couple of minutes might save you a couple of dollars, or a lot more, in the long run.

Auto Insurance Discounts To Ask About

You do not have to be the best driver on the road to be eligible for discounts through your insurance company. Asking about available discounts is a great way to lower your premium. When you get a quote with CarInsurance.com, we ask all the questions to get you the available discounts. When you purchase through CarInsurance.com, we ask additional questions, specific to the company you are purchasing. This allow you to get company specific discounts. Here is a list of possible discounts that may be available to you through your auto insurance company.

Most Common Discounts:

• Multi-Vehicle or Multi-Driver Discount
  If your policy/household insures more than one vehicle through the same insurance company it is likely you will qualify for a discount. This holds true for having multiple drivers in the household all insured by the same company as well.
• Multi-Line Discount
  This is available to you if you purchase your homeowner or renter insurance policy through the same company that you have your car insurance. Some companies only sell auto insurance, so this would not apply. With CarInsurance.com and Safeco, in most states you can get an auto discount and a homeowners discount when purchasing a policy.
• Safe Driver
  This is typically for the driver that has not had any accidents, tickets or claims in the last three to five years or even longer. This discount is applied. Companies verify this discount by checking your driving record.
• Safety Features
  Car safety features are items such as airbags, automatic seatbelts, and anti-locks brakes. This is a good list to have when shopping for a new car. CarInsurance.com automatically includes standard vehicle features and we ask if your vehicle has any optional vehicle features. These are easy discounts to obtain.
• Anti-Theft Devices
  Devices such as car alarms, VIN etched windows, Lojack, On Star, or disabling devices such as fuel or ignition cut-off switches. CarInsurance.com automatically includes this feature discount if it is standard on your vehicle and we ask if your vehicle has any optional vehicle features.

Other Limited Available Discounts:

• Defensive Driver or Safety Course
  In certain states if you have taken a defensive driver or car safety course you will be able to get an insurance break.
• Good Student
  In some states if you are a full-time student and maintain a B grade point average or above you can qualify for a discount.
• Military
  In certain states, active or retired military members may be able to take advantage of a price reduction. There are also other special discounts if the personnel are shipped overseas.
• AARP/AAA/Firemen Groups
  Member of this and other organizations can get affinity discounts if they are active members.
• Profession Based
  A few companies have done risk studies and found that people with college degrees and in certain professions are less likely to have claims. A few of the professions that might be available for this type of discount are educators, engineers, and scientists.

These are not necessarily the only discounts available to you through your insurance company or in your specific state. To find out what discounts you may be eligible for ask your agent or insurance representative. If there are no discounts available to you at this time remember to check back later in the year to see if any new discounts are available. With CarInsurance.com, we will ask all the necessary questions to get you all the available discounts. CarInsurance.com has written a comprehensive car insurance knol to help you understand discounts, surcharges, and rating factors.

The Basics of Canadian Car Insurance

Owners of motor vehicles driving on the public roads of Canada are required to insure their automobiles. The auto insurance laws vary depending on the territory or providence in which one lives. Here is basic information concerning the car insurance required by the various governments within Canada.

When you purchase automobile insurance in Canada you should receive a Canadian Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card. This insurance card is also referred to as your insurance “pink card.” If you have recently moved to Canada from the United States this card is comparable to the insurance card your American car insurance company would have previously given you while insured in the U.S.

The Pink Card should be honored as proof of your vehicle having car insurance anywhere within Canada. This card is thus a very important document that you should keep with you and supply to a police officer if requested. It is recommended to not leave your insurance card in your vehicle, just in case the vehicle is ever stolen.

In British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba you cannot obtain your vehicle registration until you provide proof of the necessary mandatory basic insurance being purchased. Again in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, the government insurer provides the basic or required minimum car insurance policy. Both government insurers and private insurers can sell enhancements thus add extra coverages to your basic policy.

In Quebec, injury claims are covered by a government program. In Quebec, vehicle and property damage claims, as well as bodily injuries due to a collision outside of Quebec, are covered by private insurers. According to the Canadian government, the provinces and territories that are attended to by private insurance companies all must have standard terms and conditions listed within the insurance policy. Each territorial or provincial government though sets its own standards and minimum limits for the amount of liability coverage that motorists must buy.

Though provinces and territories legislate auto insurance policies and coverages there should be numerous choices of limits (above the mandatory amount), deductibles and other optional coverages available. So, as in many other nations, motor vehicle insurance coverage can vary between insured individuals. When in need of using your car insurance you will need to know what coverages you purchased and have on your policy.

In provinces where government insurers must provide the basic mandatory coverages insured usually do not receive a printed policy. Instead the vehicle registration itself stands as proof of insurance coverage. If additional, optional coverages were purchases as part of a policy bought by a non-government insurance carrier an extension policy should be issued. Documents outlining the coverages should also be received by the individual purchasing insurance.

Lawsuits for economic losses, exceeding the no-fault accident benefits of your insurance policy, are permitted everywhere except Manitoba and Quebec. In Ontario, your ability to sue for loss of income is subject to various conditions such as medical, rehabilitation and other related costs and only when the injury is termed to be very serious. In Saskatchewan, you may legally recover only with respect to the gross income losses that exceed a specified amount.

In Quebec, Saskatchewan and Manitoba laws do not permit you to sue for pain and suffering due to a motor vehicle accident. Ontario allows lawsuits for injured persons but only if they sustain permanent serious disfigurement, impairment of important physical, psychological or mental functions or if the person is killed. A court in Ontario would assess the damages and a deductible would apply.

The automobile insurance system in Quebec is different than other areas. It has two main components - bodily injury and damage to property. Bodily injury is covered by a public administered plan while property damage is covered by private insurance companies. In Quebec and Ontario your insurer compensates you for the loss of use of automobile and the share of the damage caused to your vehicle when another driver is legally at fault. You thus deal with your own insurer and not the other party’s insurance carrier. This is called direct compensation.

In Canada, accident benefits coverage is mandatory everywhere except Labrador and Newfoundland. Uninsured automobile vehicle protection is universal though. Accident benefits coverage compensates you and your passengers, regardless of fault, for injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Car insurance in Canada has a few universal coverages but for the most part motor vehicle insurance coverage varies greatly from province to province or territory. The basics of insurance might stay the same but certain variables and laws change. For more information on the area of Canada in which you live, or plan to move to, you can contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

References for this article include the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and Transport Canada which both have very helpful and informative websites if you wish to learn about Canadian insurance coverages as a whole or about a specific province or territory insurance system.

Optional Auto Insurance Coverages in Florida

Most every state in the United States requires a certain amount of auto insurance on a vehicle and/or driver. Beyond the mandated coverages there are optional coverages that can help protect yourself and your vehicle. If you do not need the coverages on your current car, it is still wise to know what coverages are available to you if you change vehicles or want to upgrade your auto insurance coverage. Let us take a look at what optional coverages are available to motorists with cars registered in the state of Florida.

Florida law only requires a motorist to purchase personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL). A minimum of $10,000 PIP and $10,000 PDL insurance is mandated to be placed on a motor vehicle in Florida. Other coverages are optional, unless the FL Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires you to meet certain financial obligations by purchasing more coverage.

The types of optional insurance available in Florida include: · Bodily Injury Liability· Collision· Comprehensive· Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury· Medical payments· Travel Protection Plan· Hospital Indemnity· Towing· Rental reimbursement· Accidental Death and Dismemberment

Not all insurance companies will offer all of these optional coverages but many offer a number of them. Florida law prohibits an insurance company from mandating you to buy these additional types of coverage, even though many of them offer you more protection for your car or you and your passengers. However, your financial lender or lien holder may require you to carry collision and comprehensive coverage if you have financed your vehicle.

The optional coverages most often chosen by car owners to add extra protection on a vehicle are collision and comprehensive. Collision coverage pays for repair or replacement of your vehicle if it collides with another vehicle, flips over or crashes into an object. This is regardless of fault.

Comprehensive coverage pays for losses from incidents other than a collision. This includes things such as fire, theft, vandalism, hail or windstorm. It also typically covers damages caused by falling objects or hitting an animal. Both Collision and Comprehensive covers have a deductible amount attached to them that must be paid first when making a claim. This deductible amount is decided upon at the start of the policy.

Bodily Injury Liability (BI) pays for death or serious and permanent injury to others when you are legally liable for an accident involving your motor vehicle. Your insurance company pays for injuries up to the limits of your policy and provides you with legal representation if you are sued personally. Your policy may or may not cover others who drive your car with your permission.

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) bodily injury pays for injuries to you, your family and other people in your vehicle if they are caused by the negligence of an uninsured or underinsured motorist. UM coverage typically pays for medical expenses and lost wages that you and your passengers may incur after the accident.

Medical Payment is a type of optional coverage that pays for medical expenses for accidental injury, up to the limit of your policy. It covers medical expenses for you, your family members or passengers, regardless of fault so this makes it different than the BI coverage. Medical payment insurance covers you whether you are in your own vehicle or someone else’s automobile.

Towing and road service is an additional item that some insurance companies sell with insurance policies. Read the towing policy carefully though because some insurance companies can cancel your policy if you have too many towing claims, even if you did not have any accidents.

Rental reimbursement is another additional item that goes beyond car insurance. With this coverage, you may receive reimbursement for an auto rental up to a specified limited amount. It applies if you get into an accident with your own vehicle and it can no longer be driven until it is repaired.

If another driver causes the accident, the at-fault party’s liability coverage may reimburse you for renting a vehicle so check with their coverage before using your own. You usually have to purchase collision coverage on your automobile before you can get rental reimbursement on it.

Other optional coverages may be available to you but before purchasing any, find out what you are receiving. If you live outside of Florida many or all of these coverages are likely also available to you, so check with your insurance agent. For more information on insurance coverage terms and definitions try searching the CarInsurance.com Learning Center.

Car Insurance and No-Fault Benefits

In No-Fault states if you are in an accident and receive bodily injuries it is your own car insurance that will cover your injuries and medical bills. This no-fault insurance coverage is usually termed Personal Injury Protection or PIP. Currently 12 states and Puerto Rico have passed laws requiring vehicle owners to have no-fault coverage (PIP) as part of their state mandated minimum automobile insurance coverage.

As the Insurance Information Institute (III) notes Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania have verbal thresholds with their no-fault insurance. The other no-fault seven states-Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota and Utah-use a monetary threshold. Three states have a "choice" no-fault law. In New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, motorists may reject the lawsuit threshold and retain the right to sue for any auto-related injury.

Under no-fault laws, motorists may sue for severe injuries and for pain and suffering only if the case meets certain conditions. These conditions relate to the severity of injury and are referred to as thresholds. There is a verbal threshold which may be expressed in verbal terms or a monetary threshold expressed in dollar amounts of medical bills. Because of high threshold levels no-fault systems restrict litigation which tends to reduce costs and delays in claims being paid out. Verbal thresholds eliminate the incentive to inflate claims that may exist when there is a dollar amount to reach for medical expenses as with a monetary threshold.

If you have been in an automobile accident the first course of action, whether you have bodily injuries or not, is to contact the police to make a report. The next step is to contact your insurance company to report the accident. Your insurance provider should then be able to walk you through the steps of making a claim. If you have injuries and need to place a claim against your PIP coverage, this can be done at this point as well.

If you are unsure of what your Personal Injury Protection policy covers, ask your agent to explain the benefits and which will be of use to you under your current situation. Benefits typically can include payment for loss of wages, medical expenses, replacement services and other economical damages you might have suffered due to the accident.

Medical expenses that will be covered by No Fault are those medical expenses that are reasonable and necessary are covered. The state’s statutes in which you reside usually regulate what is deemed reasonable and necessary. This definition usually excludes experimental treatments or alternative/holistic treatments. Your state's insurance regulator can also tell you about your PIP benefits and consumer rights.

In Minnesota their statutes include as medically necessary the following items: medical, surgical, x-ray, optical, dental, chiropractic, and rehabilitative services, including prosthetic devices. Also allowable by MN statutes are prescription drugs, ambulance or other transportation expenses incurred in traveling to receive other covered medical expense benefits.

The state of Minnesota’s PIP system demands that before any wage loss claim will be paid by your insurance provider that a doctor's disability note must be presented to your PIP insurance adjuster in order for you to receive wage loss benefits and that proof of wage loss from your employer on a form available from your insurance adjuster.

In Florida their no-fault (PIP) coverage includes payment for 80 percent of medically necessary expenses, 60 percent of lost wages, 100 percent of replacement services such as child care, housekeeping or yard work, and $5,000 for death benefits. Florida also allows that for a higher premium you may amend your personal injury protection coverage to increase medical expenses to 100 percent and lost wages to 80 percent or increase your minimum limits from $10,000 to $20,000 or more.

There are other states, such as Washington, that do not require PIP but have it as an option that a driver can carry as part of their insurance coverage. In Washington State Personal Injury Protection if you choose this optional coverage it pays for medical and other expenses resulting from an auto accident, for people specified in the policy, regardless of who is at fault.

While this coverage is not required in Washington, it is mandatory that it is offered to car insurance buyers and must be rejected in writing if the car owner does not want to add the coverage. In a Washington PIP policy the named insurer and residents of that person’s household related by blood, marriage or adoption are covered for injuries incurred in an accident. Also passengers of the named insurer’s vehicle and pedestrians are covered.

In Washington, just as Minnesota and Florida, PIP covers reasonable and necessary medical expenses for injuries sustained in an automobile accident, up to three years from the date of the accident and up to the $10,000 limit. Other benefits of PIP in Washington State include income replacement (maximum of $200 per week for 1 year, after a person has been disabled for 14 days after the accident), funeral expenses of $2000 and loss of services of up to $5000.

Whether your state requires you to carry Personal Injury Protection (no-fault) insurance coverage or not you will want to be informed of this coverage and what benefits you may receive from it. Find out from your insurance agent, or your state’s insurance regulatory body (Department of Insurance) who and what is covered by a PIP policy and if there is different coverage options you may want to include for better protection of you and your family.

Customizing Your Vehicle and Car Insurance

You do no want to drive around in a “plain Jane” automobile that looks like every other car out on the road. What you want is a sporty car with fancy new parts replacing the factory ones that came on the vehicle when you bought it. Once you spend the money to customize your vehicle you need to make sure that your investment is covered by your auto insurance policy.

Customizing your vehicle can be a lot of fun. You can add on ground effects that make your car look lower or more aggressive. Next, you have put on a new back fin, wing, or spoiler. There are side skirts, front dams, new grills and many other parts that you can place on your vehicle to give it the look you want. After-market parts no doubt give vehicles a personality. It is fun to see a car that does not look like all the other cars on the road.

What did you get for your money? Beyond the look of the vehicle, beyond the new way it handles, beyond the new fat wheels and rims what do you have? You have an investment. Now what happens if the rims are stolen? Even worse, what happens if you are in an accident and the after market parts are damaged or even destroyed? How will you replace them, will insurance cover it?

The best time to find out what your auto insurance company will cover is before you start working on your vehicle. You might find out the insurance company will not cover the parts you are adding on or if you are modifying your engine they will not want to continue your current policy. Even if it seems tempting to hide what you are doing from your insurance company, that is never a good idea. If they find out what you have and it is against some clause in your policy you could be in trouble. You never want an insurance company to think you are trying to commit insurance fraud.

Insurance coverages for customized cars will vary from state to state and insurance company to insurance company. There are many variables involve such as: what type of vehicle you have, the changes you are making, your current policy and perhaps even your driving record. If your current insurance policy does cover your items, such as custom wheels or rims, likely you will have to do an endorsement on the policy and pay an additional premium.

You do not want to modify a car in a way in which it would be found unsafe. Keep this in mind while doing any work on it. If you do change the car and end up in an accident and the insurance company deems that the modification made the car unsafe it could be enough, depending on state laws, for them to not have to pay out on your claim.

What if your insurance company says no to the changes you are determined to make or have already made? You likely will not have to tear up your car and put it back to the factory look. Instead, you can shop around for an insurance company that will cover your customized car. CarInsurance.com has carriers that offer simple Custom Parts and Equipment coverage. It might mean you need to find an insurance company or broker that specializes in antique or specialty cars but if you want your vehicle and all of its parts to be properly be insured you will find the right insurance company with a policy for it.

For an insurance company to compensate a person for aftermarket or customized parts the insurer will need to know beforehand that those special items were on the vehicle. After the rims are stolen or the customized grill is totaled, it is too late to notify the insurance company of their existence in most cases. If you do not think they need to know about your specialty rims wait till the morning you walk out and they are gone and see if your insurance company, without the correct endorsement, will cover them - it will not likely go in your favor.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more thieves are going after customized parts. They have given up on breaking in the car to steal radios or compact disc players but instead go for the rims that are on the outside and sometimes easy to grab. You do not want to end up with your prized possession missing off your vehicle and not have them covered.

In short, if you are going to spend your hard-earned dollars, or possibly thousands of those, on customizing your vehicle make sure that the parts will be insured properly. The first step is to contact your auto insurance provider. Be upfront with what you have or what you want to do with your vehicle. Likely, the agent will have to look up their guidelines on the various parts and get back to you with a quote for what an endorsement for covering these items would cost.

This endorsement would apply to the comprehensive or collision portion of your insurance policy in most cases. If you are spending a lot of money on your vehicle, you should already have these coverages, which are beyond your state’s minimum liability coverage, on your vehicle. As you add new items to the vehicle, continue to let your insurer know so that they will not say they did not know about them and only pay for standard factory replacements if they are damaged or stolen.

Customizing a car can be a lot of fun and give you great joy. Do not let this pleasure be taken away by not covering your investments properly. Whether adding rims or an in-car entertainment system let your insurance company know so that you car covered if there is a loss of it in the future. Then you can ride around in style with confidence.

Tips for First Time Insurance Buyers

There are many scary things in this world. Buying insurance for your first time should not be one of them. In the next few paragraphs, I will offer some tips, which will remove the fear of first time auto insurance buying.

First, you should research the definitions of the types of coverage out there. An educated decision is usually a good decision. Sometimes people experience problems comprehending definitions from a manual. If you are this type of person, you might want to find out if any of your family members or friends is in the insurance industry. They may be able to do an adequate job familiarizing you with the insurance terms or definitions.

After familiarizing yourself with the types of coverage, plan to give yourself enough time to shop for the right types of coverage with the right company at the right price. When you wait to the last moment, you run the risk of not being able to purchase the types of coverage you desire.

Without planning enough time to call around and compare the rates for the types of coverage, which you desire, you also run the risk of purchasing your coveted insurance at a higher rate. In addition, companies vary in their service in which they offer their customers. Some companies offer some flexibility when you look to change your insurance coverage in the future as your needs change. You may end up compromising these when you do not give yourself enough time researching the various insurance companies that are out there.

Now that you have researched the types of insurance coverage that are out there to prepare you for an educated decision and you have allocated enough time to execute this to your advantage, you need to determine your insurance needs. A licensed insurance agent can be a good aide in helping you assess your insurance needs; however, determining your insurance needs will be up to you.

Following are some of the questions you will need to answer. Do want extra medical coverage for the party in the other vehicle? Are you looking for only what the state requires to cover your tag? Is your vehicle so old that you need towing coverage? Alternatively, does a lien holder own your vehicle, and as a result, you need extra coverage for your vehicle? Is there more than one driver who needs to be insured on your policy?

Since you have assessed the types of coverage you need, you now need to determine how much insurance to purchase. Always purchase as much insurance as you can afford.

Does it make sense to purchase the most insurance possible, and as a result, your policy cancels in 90 days because you cannot afford the monthly payments? On the other hand, does it make sense to purchase the least amount of insurance types of coverage possible when you can afford more? If you currently cannot afford the types of coverage you desire, some companies allow you to 'upgrade' your policy (increase the types of coverage) in the future.

There is another thing to consider when you are determining how much insurance types of coverage you can afford. If you are currently financing the cost of a vehicle, or you are going to purchase a vehicle and you are going to finance its cost, there is a good chance your lien holder will require you to carry comprehensive and collision types of coverage. These types of coverage help protect the lien holder financially if something happens to the vehicle; however, the cost of these types of coverage may keep you from affording other types of coverage, which you covet.

Again, purchasing insurance for the first time should not be intimidating. To keep it from being intimidating, remember the previous tips. Educate yourself with the types of coverage. Allocate enough time to give you the best possible results. Determine your needs. Finally, purchase as much insurance as you can afford.

The best place for new drivers to shop for insurance is online at CarInsurance.com. If you use their simple quote form to get a quote, the coverage page will give you simple packages to make sure you are covered and protected. You can modify or extend coverage, limits, and deductibles. Getting a car insurance quote is a great place to learn.

Shopping Options for Auto Insurance

Shopping for car insurance can be a big undertaking. It can be daunting at times but is very important. There are now many ways to get yourself insured and the coverage you need.

Smart customers know it pays to do a little research before buying car insurance. Just based on the price of the insurance rates today, why not take the time to check the rates with several companies. Researching companies holds true for renewals as well. You can get a feel for the insurance market and find out if you have the best rates. If your current policy is already cheaper you know you are doing all right.

The first and best way to find out what is out there is to go through your local phone book. Most, if not all, companies will give you quotes right over the phone. This way you can run down the list and get multiple rates right away. One thing to remember is to compare apples to apples. This means make sure you are getting the price for the same type of coverage.

Full coverage for one company is not the same as for another. Limits are important to look at as well. Bodily injury with company A may be a little cheaper then B but their coverage may be only 10,000/20,000 while B's is 100,000/300,000. You want to make sure you are aware of the coverage you are have and that you want the type of insurance you are getting a rate for. You can always adjust your policy up or down to meet your needs. Before adjusting it down consider that you may save a few dollars now by lowering coverage but during a claim be unhappy that the limits paid are lower then your damages. Always, always buy as much insurance as you can afford.

Another way to find companies in your area is to go online. The Internet is an excellent tool to help you shop around. You can look up many carriers and may even be able to run quotes yourself. There is no waiting on hold and you can usually do it 24 hours a day. You do not have to wait for an agent to help you or call you back if he or she is busy. You can print out lists and easily compare prices.

Online you can also check the credentials of the company. You can look to see how long they have been in business and find locations. You can find companies that are not in your local area but can serve you just as well. Some companies allow you to start your policy right on the computer for added convenience. You can get your quote, enter your information and activate your policy immediately. Proof of insurance usually can be printed right from your home computer's printer.

Driving around town may also afford you the chance to find a company that is close to you. An agency close to your home or job is convenient. Agencies close by also let you make payments right in the office and lets you get to know your agent. This way however does give you a limited amount of choices and prices may not be as good as you may get by calling around.

Is one way better then the other? Well that is up to you. Some people just want to get the process over and done with. Some people want the best rate available. Some want the best and most coverage available. The answer is whatever is most comfortable for you is what you should go with.

What are the differences between a cancellation notice and non-renewal notice?

OK, you take that stroll down to the mailbox excitedly as you do everyday hoping to find the catalogue with all that neat stuff you want to buy or to find that magazine you love to read or to find that big check Uncle Bob sent! Come on, you know you love getting mail and really look forward to this daily ritual. You know that Mr. Postman has brought you something fun along with those pesky bills.

However, sometimes you get mail that scares you. You know this because it's very official looking. The contents must be very important but the thought of what is in there frightens you. What is in there? What have I done? What am I going to have to do? Why me? Your heart starts to rapidly beat. You set aside all of the other fun mail you received and you rip this one open first.

Lo and behold, it's a notice from your insurance company. Your eyes immediately focus on the word "cancellation". Before you get any further along in the letter your mind is going a mile a minute. You are confused, frustrated and maybe even angry. You are many things that you were not just moments earlier. Again, you begin to think: What have I done? What am I going to have to do? Why me? Let's stop here.

Consider yourself lucky. "Lucky", you say to yourself. Why am I lucky? Well, you are lucky because you could very well have received a "non-renewal" notice instead. Have I confused you yet? Great, I was hoping that I had so that I could explain the differences to you. A 'cancellation notice' is very different from a 'non-renewal notice'.

A 'non-renewal notice' is like the kiss of death. It is the ultimate low blow you can receive. It is rejection in a big way. It hurts. Go ahead and cry; let it out. There, doesn't that feel much better? I thought so. OK, moving on: When you receive a 'non-renewal' notice from the insurance company they are telling you that they no longer wish to insure you at the end of your policy term. Don't take it personally, there may be many reasons they have chosen this option.

The reasons can range from something simple such as the fact that they no longer offer your program or have chosen not to do business in your state to something not so simple such as your horrendous driving record. In any event, they don't want you anymore. In most cases, you have the right to appeal this decision but good luck. Once they have made up their mind it's going to be tough to make them change it. After wallowing in your misery for a short while, you will have to consider your options.

Your options include being uninsured. This would not be advisable for obvious reasons. Your other options include meeting any conditions imposed by the insurance company to make your risk acceptable. And of course you have the option to find another insurance company. One that likes you just the way you are.

Now, on the other hand, or in the other envelope, is a 'cancellation notice'. Many of us have seen these and know what they are. They are nasty- grams from the insurance company telling us that at a specific time on a specific date at a specific place you will no longer have insurance coverage provided by them. The reasons for these notices vary as well.

You may have overlooked your payment or you may have neglected to provide the required or requested information. In any event, it's not too late. You can save this policy by simply doing what you did not do. Make that payment or provide that information.

When all is said and done, just remember that you have options regarding both notices. In any event, you will soon have no insurance. You will have to take some action either way. Now that you are armed with this information go ahead stroll out to your mailbox. Look for that favorite magazine in there or even that previously scary insurance notice, you now know what it means and what you can do about it.

Auto Insurance Basics

Some people only think that insurance is something they need to get their registration and tag so they can drive. It is needed because their license may/will be suspended if they don't have it. It's just a bother to some because people think "I don't get into accidents, I am a careful driver.”

Often time’s people will call for insurance and say "give me the cheapest insurance or give me only what is required." Many people don't even know what this insurance coverage this is. A lot of people only really become aware of what coverage they have when they need it, like when they need to make a claim.

When you run into that stopped car or have someone sideswipe your car in a parking lot while you are shopping, suddenly having only the coverage that is required by law may not be the best thing to have. You should always have as much insurance as you can afford to carry. Having too little is never good and if you have insurance you cannot afford is not any better. A policy that is cancelled due to non-payment does you no good at all.

What are required in most states are Liability coverages. States are concerned with motorists having Liability coverages in places since these are what cover others that you may harm in an accident. The state wants to limit lawsuits by drivers having proper insurance in place to cover another person’s property or injuries that they caused a person to sustain in an accident. Thus instead of motorists continually taking each other to court or having to negotiate payment for damages on their own they instead have Liability coverages that the victim can place a claim against and get paid for their damages.

While each state has their own set of auto insurance or financial responsibility laws most require a motorist to carry Property Damage and Bodily Injury Liability coverages. These coverages are typically referred to by their limits so for instance in California the basic insurance limits are noted as 15/30/5. The first two numbers reference your Bodily Injury coverages and the third is your Property Damage coverage. So you are required in CA to have at least limits of $15,000 for the death or injury of one person in any one accident, $30,000 for all persons injured in any one accident and $5,000 for any property damaged in one accident or incident. Now what do these Liability coverages actual cover?

Bodily Injury Liability (BI or BIL) coverage is required in most states. Whether it is required by law or not it is wise to have this coverage and again with the highest limits you can afford. Bodily Injury Liability covers other people's bodily injuries or death for which you are responsible. Claims for bodily injury may be for such things as medical bills, loss of income or pain and suffering.

In the event of a serious accident, you want enough insurance to cover a judgment against you in a lawsuit, without jeopardizing your personal assets. Bodily injury liability covers injury to people, not your vehicle. Therefore, it is a good idea (and usually an insurance company requirement) to have the same level of coverage for all of your cars. Bodily Injury Liability does NOT cover you or other people on your policy.

Property Damage Liability (PD or PDL) covers you if your car damages someone else's property. Usually it is their car, but it could be a fence, a house or any other property damaged in an accident. It is a good idea to purchase enough of this insurance to cover the amount of damage your car might do to another vehicle or object. So if you hit someone’s car or a person’s fence or even the state’s guardrail in an accident your Property Damage Liability coverages will cover you, up to your limit amount.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UM or UMBI) is another coverage you may want to consider. Uninsured motorist covers you if the other party was at fault and you were injured and they were not insured. UM covers you, the insured members of your household and your passengers for bodily/personal injuries, damages, or death caused by an at-fault uninsured or hit-and-run driver. If you are involved in an accident where the other driver is at fault but has no insurance, your policy will cover your medical expenses, up to the limit on your policy.

There is also Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UNDUM) which covers you, the insured members of your household and your passengers for injuries, damages or death caused by the negligence of a person with insufficient insurance. If you have an accident with a person whose coverage cannot meet your damages, your policy will meet the difference-up to the limit of liability listed on your policy.

In some states UM, and sometimes UNDUM as well, are required as part of the basic minimum insurance requirements while in quite a few other states the coverage is not required however the auto insurance provider must offer you the coverages and you must decline in writing if you do not want them as part of your policy.

There are also Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Property Damage coverages though they are not available in every state. Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) covers your auto when property damage is sustained by an insured and the negligent operator does not possess insurance. If you do not have Collision coverage, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage pays up to a certain amount for repairs to the insured car (some states have limits at $3500, some are lower and some are higher). If you have Collision coverage, Uninsured Motorist Property Damage coverage only pays your Collision deductible (in some states).

Underinsured Motorist Property Damage covers when property damage is sustained by an insured and the negligent operator possesses insurance, but the limits of liability carried by the negligent driver are not sufficient to cover the damages. Similar to UMPD if you do not have Collision coverage, Underinsured Motorist Property Damage coverage pays up to a certain amount for repairs to the insured car (some states have limits at $3500, some are lower and some are higher) If you have Collision coverage, Underinsured Motorist Property Damage coverage only pays your Collision deductible (in some states).

Another common insurance people ask for is Full Coverage. This is not an actual coverage or group of coverages that are “full coverage” meaning they would cover any incident or situation. Most people only know that their car dealer or bank wants Full Coverage so they ask for it. What most people mean when saying they need full coverage are at least your state’s minimum insurance requirements (Liability) plus Physical Damage coverages. Comprehensive and Collision is what your lien holder (loan institution or leasing company) is looking for when they say Full Coverage is needed as terms of your financial agreement.

Collision covers repairs when your vehicle hits or is hit by another vehicle or object. It pays to fix your vehicle less the deductible you choose. If your car is destroyed it will also pay up to the book value (Actual Cash Value) of the vehicle at the time of a loss.

Comprehensive covers for loss caused by other circumstances other than a collision. Some examples are theft, flood, fire or animal damage. This will also cover total losses up to the Actual Cash Value. Glass breakage is also normally covered under your Comprehensive coverage.

There are other types of optional coverages available such as ones where medical expenses due to injuries from an accident are covered. Medical Payment (MedPay) covers medical costs to you and your passengers injured in an accident.

There are over 10 No-fault states in the US that also require you, as part of your basic auto insurance policy, to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) which is also referred to as no-fault insurance. Insurance laws in no-fault states vary however basically when a person is injured in an accident they use their own PIP coverages, instead of the at-fault party’s Bodily Injury Liability, for their medical expenses.

PIP covers within the specified limits, the medical, hospital and funeral expenses of the insured, others in his vehicles and pedestrians struck by him. The basic coverage for the insured's own injuries on a first-party basis, without regard to fault. It is only available in certain states. Depending on the state, the covered parties below and the amount of protection may vary. Under current no-fault laws, motorists may sue for severe injuries and for pain and suffering only if the case meets certain conditions. These conditions, known as a threshold, relate to the severity of injury

There are many types of coverage to purchase and meet your insurance needs. Every type of auto insurance coverage has a purpose and all are good to get if it fulfills a need of yours. It is always advised that you get as much car insurance as you can afford since it is just more protection for you, your vehicle and your assets.

These are just some of the basics about the insurance there is more detailed information about each type of coverage out there which you can find at the CarInsurance.com Learning Center. Available to you are definitions, an insurance coverage calculator and car insurance information for all situations or stage of life. Here we gave you basic information which should give you a good idea about what type of coverages you might need to research more or be ready to purchase if you are aware of your auto insurance needs. Knowing the basics is your first step on making smart purchasing decisions!

Auto Insurance for Young Drivers

The biggest worry of most parents today is their children growing up and beginning to drive. They dread having to add them to their auto insurance policy because of the increase in premium. Unfortunately, all children grow up and when they start driving this has to be done. There are several reasons why insurance for young drivers is so high.

The first reason that premiums are high for young drivers is their lack of driving experience. You will need to have, at the least, over three years driving to be quoted a lower rate.

Next is their age itself. If they are under the age of 25, the rate will mostly likely be high. Normally a single male driver rates higher than a single female. This is because males are rated as a higher risk to insurance companies.

A young driver feels a sense of independence when they begin to drive. It is actually the beginning of responsibility. It is important as a parent to encourage your young driver to have confidence when driving to avoid any fear they might have on the road, to prevent any accidents.

At their age any accident, ticket or a suspension may double or triple an auto insurance premium. As adults, when we have any infraction on our driving record it increases our premium and it hurts our pocket, just imagine being a young driver. Paying for their premiums may help young drivers learn the importance of taking care of what they have and what it means to have special privileges such as driving a car. We must encourage them to realize how car insurance is important and how they must carry the proper types of coverage on the car.

When it is time for our teenagers to get a vehicle we must go with them to pick out a vehicle that best suits their budget. We must explain that a regular sedan or simple vehicle is cheaper in price for insurance then a sports vehicle or sports utility vehicle. As a parent, we should have the last decision-making on which vehicle they should purchase at the beginning and explain to them how important it is to obey the laws of driving.

The most important thing is to instill in our young drivers is the importance of keeping their motor vehicle record clean so they are not paying outrageous premiums for many years. It is important to drive safely, not only for them but for everyone else on the road as well. We might be driving carefully but perhaps the person in the other vehicle does not have the same mentality. We must encourage them to keep their eyes on the road and not to get distracted by anything else. They have to be aware of their surroundings and be a defensive driver.

Keep in mind that we were young once. It is exciting for them to feel that sense of independence behind the wheel. Therefore, my word of advice to young drivers is, keep your chin up and eyes focused to keep your pocket full.

Ways to Save on Auto Insurance

For the past few years we have been experiencing an increase of premiums with regard to insurance policies. I'm sure you have been asking, as I have, why are the ratings rising? One reason is inflation and to that we owe the higher volume of car accidents nationwide. As agents and consumers we have ways to help solve these high rates.

How can we help keep rates low? What factors do we need to consider?

The first thing we need to look at is the driving record. Of course it is always best to have a good driving record. A bad driving record is the number one reason for which insurance companies hike up their rates. When having a poor record, a way to improve it is to take the classes the state provides to lower points on your license. Florida has this type of program so check with your state to see if they do as well.

A second factor to keep in mind is the type of vehicle you are having insured. When buying a vehicle one needs to take into consideration the category the car will fall into and the safety features it has.

A sports car will have higher rates because of the risk of having an accident are supposed to be greater than a car from the family category. In addition insurance companies offer discounts on vehicles have safety features such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, alarm, etc. So it is a good choice to have these types of features in your car so that your policy premium can be lowered.

A third way to lower premiums is to have a policy with no lapse in it. Renewing on time and avoiding cancellations, due to lack of payment or otherwise, will help you because at renewal a discount may apply.

The final factor I will mention is the credit check companies now run to find out if you have had a previous lawsuit against an insurance company. There has been a rapidly growing amount of lawsuits against insurance companies from attorneys. If in fact you have had a lawsuit against an insurance company the policy premium might be raised due to a higher risk perceived by the insuring company.

Knowing all of these factors we may now feel more educated when we buy our car insurance.

Insurance Tips: How to Save When Buying Car Insurance

If you want to save money when you purchase your car insurance here are a few ways that can help you as you search for auto insurance.

First thing you can do is comparison shop. It cannot hurt to call around to see what other prices are out there. If the price is higher you know you are where you need to be and if you find a lower rate you always have the option to change. You can use information from your state’s insurance regulator to help you decide. Most all state insurance regulator sites tell you what the state’s minimum coverages are and also can show you what other types of coverage are out there as well as give you sample rates. There is also the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) web site which gives such insurance to consumers. Armed with this information you can get quotes from a number of companies and find the best one for you.

Increasing deductibles is another way to lower your premium. A deductible is the portion of money you pay before the insurance company pays for damages or injuries. The higher your deductible is the less exposure the insurance company has, thus your premium will be lower. If you choose the highest deductible you can afford you may save hundreds of dollars over the term of your policy.

Dropping Comprehensive and Collision coverage on older cars is another way you can to save money on your insurance policy. This type of coverage protects your car if it is damaged or stolen. Usually it is the cash value of the vehicle at the time of a loss minus the deducible. On older vehicles the value is lowered already by depreciation. You need to take into consideration the premium you pay, the value of the vehicle and the deductible you have. You may be paying more for the coverage then the vehicle is worth. If there is a lien holder on the car, you normally have to keep this coverage on the car until you pay off the loan. After the car loan is paid off it is your choice if to keep these types of coverage and at what levels.

Buying a more economical car may help reduce your insurance. Yes, driving that Corvette is fun but if you want to save money maybe you can be driving something that is a little less expensive. Vehicles that are costly to fix or that have a higher chance to be stolen are generally higher priced as far as your insurance premium. There are reports that you can check to find out which cars are stolen more often. One of these types of reports is by The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). Parts and repair times also tend to me more costly on higher end vehicles. A vehicle that is easier to repair will save with labor costs thus help lower your premiums.

Some companies give discounts if you do not drive your car as much. If you live close to your job you may get discounts for this lower mileage usage. Some companies may also list the car as an "occasional use" vehicle based on the mileage, which can reduce your premiums.

Asking about which discounts are available is a great way of reducing your premium. Discounts are given for safety features such as airbags and anti-lock brakes. Anti theft systems can reduce costs as well. Owning a house, being married, driver training courses and having no tickets or accidents are all ways that may make it possible for you to be eligible for discounts. Getting a list of discounts from your company is a great way to reduce your costs.

Maintaining a good driving record is also a major determining factor on how much the premium will be. If you can maintain a safe driving record, one without violations and/or accidents, your rates will be lower than someone who is more reckless. Many companies give discounts if there are no violations on your driving record. This is due to the company potentially having less exposure insuring a driver with a clear driving record than the driver with multiple tickets and/or accidents.

One final way to save on insurance is to keep your policy enforced. By making payments on time and keeping your policy intact you avoid extra late fees and you avoid costly tickets for not carrying the proper type of coverage that your state requires. You avoid possible a suspension of your driver's license and you also may be eligible for discounts for renewing your policy all by just keeping up with your premiums. Most companies will give renewal discounts as an incentive to stay with them and keep your policy valid and in good standing.

These are just some ways that you as a consumer may use to lower your insurance costs. Now get out there and start saving some money!

If you want to save money when you purchase your car insurance here are a few ways that can help you as you search for auto insurance.

First thing you have to do is comparison shop. It cannot hurt to call around to see what other prices are out there. If the price is higher, you always have the option to change. You can use information from your state’s insurance regulator to help you decide. We recommend the Insurance Learning Center or CarInsurance.com’s Coverage Calculator. Most all state insurance regulator sites tell you what the state’s minimum coverages are and can show you what other types of coverage are out there as well as give you sample rates. There is also the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) web site, which gives such insurance to consumers. Armed with this information you can get quotes from a number of companies and find the best one for you. CarInsurance.com’s goal is to be the largest site to give resources to help and the ability to compare and purchase auto insurance.

Increasing deductibles is another way to lower your premium. A deductible is the portion of money you pay before the insurance company pays for damages or injuries. The higher your deductible is the less exposure the insurance company has, thus your premium will be lower. If you choose the highest deductible you can afford, you may save hundreds of dollars over the term of your policy.

Dropping Comprehensive and Collision coverage on older cars is another way you can to save money on your insurance policy. This type of coverage protects your car if it is damaged or stolen. Usually it is the cash value of the vehicle at the time of a loss minus the deducible. On older vehicles, the value is lower already because of the vehicle’s depreciation. You need to take into consideration the premium you pay, the value of the vehicle and the deductible you have. You may be paying more for the coverage then the vehicle is worth. If there is a lien holder on the car, you normally have to keep this coverage on the car until you pay off the loan. After the car loan is paid off, it is your choice if to keep these types of coverage and at what levels.

Buying a more economical car may help reduce your insurance. Yes, driving that Corvette is fun but if you want to save money maybe you can be driving something that is a little less expensive. Vehicles that are costly to fix or that have a higher chance to be stolen are generally higher priced as far as your insurance premium. There are reports that you can check to find out which cars are stolen more often. One of these types of reports is by The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). Parts and repair times also tend to me more costly on higher end vehicles. A vehicle that is easier to repair will save with labor costs thus help lower your premiums.

Some companies give discounts if you do not drive your car as much. Progressive is offering a new service that monitors your driving habits and gives discounts. You can purchase this coverage through CarInsurance.com’s quote and purchase process. In addition, some companies are starting to offer coverage by the mile. If you live close to your job, you may get discounts for this lower mileage usage. Some companies may also list the car as an "occasional use" vehicle based on the mileage, which can reduce your premiums. CarInsurance.com will automatically apply the discounts when you get a quote and answer the mileage questions.

Asking about which discounts are available is a great way of reducing your premium. CarInsurance.com asks all the discount questions during a quote and even more specific discount questions when you are purchasing your policy. Discounts are given for safety features such as airbags and anti-lock brakes. Anti-theft systems can reduce costs as well. Owning a house, being married, driver training courses, and having no tickets or accidents are all ways that may make it possible for you to be eligible for discounts. Getting a list of discounts from your company is a great way to reduce your costs.

Maintaining a good driving record is also a major determining factor on how much the premium will be. If you can maintain a safe driving record, one without violations and/or accidents, your rates will be lower than someone who is more reckless. Many companies give discounts if there are no violations on your driving record. This is due to the company potentially having less exposure insuring a driver with a clear driving record than insurance a driver with multiple tickets and/or accidents.

One final way to save on insurance is to keep your policy enforced. By making payments on time and keeping your policy intact, you avoid extra late fees and you avoid costly tickets for not carrying the proper type of coverage that your state requires. You avoid possible a suspension of your driver's license and you also may be eligible for discounts for renewing your policy all by just keeping up with your premiums. Most companies will give renewal discounts as an incentive to stay with them and keep your policy valid and in good standing.

These are the easiest ways to save on your car insurance. A major goal of the CarInsurance.com quote and purchase policy is to make every company competitive. That will save you money. Now get out there and start saving some money!