Getting Temporary Car Insurance for Permanent Drivers

Getting Temporary Car Insurance for Permanent Drivers


               

         

   

       

 

By itself auto insurance is confusing enough for many people. Throwing in a wrinkle like temporary car insurance may be a bit much. But relax, temporary car insurance is quite specialized and really isn't that scary.

As the name implies, temporary auto insurance is a policy designed to be in force for a short period of time and for a certain occasion. Terms for policies are usually measured in days or weeks. Temporary car insurance shouldn't be confused with things like non-owned auto insurance, which is a full-term auto insurance policy that covers a driver instead of a vehicle.

Temporary Car Insurance for Rentals

Although there are other uses for it, the most common application of temporary car insurance is in a rental situation. Rental temporary auto insurance is not true car insurance as much as it is an agreement between you and the rental company for that company to reimburse you for damages. It's an added charge to your rental and always presented as an upsell.

Many insurance companies will automatically cover you at least partially in a rental car as long as you stay in the United States or Canada. Temporary car insurance offered by the rental company may pick up the slack, or may be completely unnecessary.

If you plan to rent a car in the near future and are unsure of your coverage, consult with your insurance agent before renting. It could save you quite a bit in unnecessary rental car charges. If you do rent, plan on an extra $6 to $12 a day in rental charges - not cheap if you annualize that premium.

If you're driving in any other country, however, you want to seriously consider taking the rental company's temporary car insurance. Apart from Canada, most American auto insurance policies exclude international coverage in general and coverage in Mexico in particular. The chances are very good indeed your car insurance back home won't be there when you get off that international flight. That rental auto insurance may be the only thing between you and an unfortunate international incident should you get in an accident.

Temporary Car Insurance in Mexico

Another common application of temporary car insurance involves driving south of the border, even if it's your own car. Unlike in Canada, where your local auto insurance policy is valid and generally recognized by local authorities, legally driving in Mexico carries an entirely different set of requirements.

American insurance companies don't do business in Mexico or sell Mexican auto insurance. You will have to strike out on your own to get the coverage you need.

Temporary Mexican car insurance may be available through your agent by way of an insurance brokerage, online, or through an agency based close to the border. When purchasing temporary auto insurance for use in Mexico - and especially when dealing with agents or firms you don't know - be sure you're actually getting Mexican auto insurance. Also be sure you're not paying too much.

There are several reputable Mexican insurance companies to choose from including ACE Seguros, HDI Seguros, Grupo Nacional Provincial and others. Don't be afraid to do some research on these companies as many have A. M. Best ratings for financial security just like their American counterparts. "Seguros," incidentally, is Spanish for "insurance."

Now that you have your Mexican insurance, you're just about halfway done. You also need to get a Mexican tourist visa and a "Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit" for your automobile. Although this permit isn't required in Baja California and parts of Sonora in the northwestern part of the country, don't even think about driving without it elsewhere in Mexico. If you're caught without one, your car will likely be confiscated and you might find yourself spending time behind Mexican jail bars.

The visa and permit are available at the customs port of entry at the border or at a Mexican consulate. An English-language online application for the permit is also available, which will help you save time at the border. All told the total investment for driving in Mexico will run you several hundred dollars, however much of that is a deposit on the permit. You'll get the deposit back when you surrender the permit upon returning to the United States.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5962581

How Car Insurance Companies Calculate Your Premium

How Car Insurance Companies Calculate Your Premium

How your insurance premium is calculated depends on various factors. Some of the factors can be determined or selected by you, but unfortunately most of the factors such as your age, where you live or your marital status are out of your immediate control.

               

         

   

       

 

Gone are the days where only a few basic parameters determined the rate you pay. Insurance companies has come a long way and nowadays, the criteria for calculating insurance premiums has changed significantly and includes several complex parameters that are being considered to determine the premium rates. In this article we explain the main factors that influence the insurance premium that you pay for your car.

THE VALUE OF THE CAR

Insurance companies usually covers vehicles at their 'Market value', except if requested or stated otherwise. The 'market value' of a car revers to the average between the trade-in and retail price.

The trade price is the price a second hand auto dealer will pay for a used vehicle whereas the 'retail price' refers to is the value that the car 'retails' for if you were to buy it from an auto dealer. The 'trade price' off a vehicle is basically the lowest value of a used car, and the 'retail price' can be seen as the highest valuation of a used car.

Market value is calculated with this formula: Market value = (Trade value + Retail value) / 2

The premium is then calculated based on the car's market value, which takes into account the make and model, age, condition of the vehicle and the resale value, and the value of all additional accessories.

MAKE / MODEL OF THE CAR

Types of cars vary greatly - from Luxury SUV's, a family sedan to a contractor's faithful old bakkie. It can hence be expected that the make and model of a vehicle have a big influence your car insurance premium. Some vehicles would cost a lot more to repair while other cars could be more at risk of being stolen or hijacked. Remember, each car make / model has its own claim record and the insurer calculates the vehicle premiums based on its own claim experience.

The age of the vehicle will have a definite influence. Older cars are often cheaper to insure than their more modern counterparts. Older, second hand cars may be less expensive to replace, but it may be difficult to get parts for the vehicle. Big engine capacity, high speed and younger drivers are usually associated with sports cars and will raise the premium significantly whereas safety features offered with a particular vehicle would in turn positively influence your premium.

TYPE OF INSURANCE / COVER

Two main types of car insurance cover exists in the market and some variations of the two main types. Comprehensive insurance is very extensive and covers injury to other people or damage to their vehicle / property in an accident as well as your own vehicle for accidental or other damages, theft and hijack, and some 'acts of god'. It is therefore the most expensive type of car insurance.

Third party insurance is quite limited and is also the cheapest of the options. Generally, it covers you for damage to another party's vehicle and costs associated with the accidental death or injury of third parties involved in the same accident, but you are not covered in any way.
Some insurance companies may also provide a discount on your car insurance if you also maintain other policies, such as homeowners' or life insurance with the same firm.

WHO YOU ARE PLAYS A BIG ROLE

AGE

As you get older, seek out discounts at the ages of 21, 25 and even 55 which is common milestones where insurers consider a statistical reduction in the risk of a driver. When turning 60, you may be eligible for still more discounts. Check to see if your insurer offers a discount for retirees.

If you have kids below the age of 21, insure them on the parents' policy rather than a separate policy to save costs. Insuring a teen driver can be expensive, but teenagers who maintain a very good school average (Usually at least a B-average) could qualify for significant discount. Never list yourself as the main driver on a teenage driver's policy if you are not - This is known as fronting and can nullify your insurance cover with the company.

GENDER

Single males under the age of 25 are considered the highest risk and pay the highest rates. Statistics show that male drivers are involved in more accidents and female drivers, so insurance companies charge young men higher premiums than women of the same age.

OCCUPATION

Many car insurers consider education and occupation when they set rates. Even though they usually do not publicise exactly how much a premium is affected by this, specific discounts are offered for people who work in or have degrees in particular fields.
Vehicle insurance companies have found that people in the following fields are statistically less risky than other occupations:

• Educators: College professors and school teachers
• Medical professionals: Doctors, surgeons, dentists and other
• First responders: Police officers, fire-fighters and emergency medical technicians
• Scientists: Any field with suitable degree
• Engineers: A bachelor's or higher degree in Engineering or Architecture
• The Military: Active or retired military-related associations, Pilots

MARITAL STATUS

Most insurers factor your marriage status into their risk equations. Those who are married are viewed by some insurers as less risk prone, and qualifies for a discount.

EDUCATION

Almost all insurers will offer a discount to anyone with tertiary schooling, particularly persons with a degree are considered less risky than those without one. Some insurers might even offer further discounts to alumni of certain universities.

DRIVING / CLAIM HISTORY

Drivers with a good driving record with little or no previous claims may benefit when they purchase a vehicle insurance policy by receiving lower premiums. First-time drivers or drivers with no history on South African roads could expect a higher premium until they build up a reputation as a responsible driver.

WHERE YOU LIVE

Where you live and work plays a big role in the cost of you insurance premium. Urban areas, with greater population densities and heavier traffic, get higher rates than rural areas. Your specific neighbourhood or whether you live in a secure housing complex also plays a role. If your car is kept in a locked garage at night where you live or in a secure basement during the daytime where you work, you would see a reduced premium rate.

SECURITY FEATURES

The premium may be reduced if the vehicle is fitted with security features. Cars fitted with anti-theft systems such as GPS Tracking devices, visible wheel, steering locks or ignition cut-off anti-hijack systems are less likely to be stolen, and hence less expensive to insure against theft.

BUSINESS VS PRIVATE USE

If you use your car for business regularly, you would inevitably have a higher annual mileage rate. Higher than average mileage rates increases the chance of being involved in an accident which translates into higher risk to an insurer and your premium would be adjusted accordingly.

EXCESS AMOUNT

Most insurers allow you to negotiate the amount of the excess you are willing to pay. This means you can undertake to bear a fixed amount of the loss for every claim, and hence get a substantial discount on your premium. Generally, the higher the 'excess payment' value that you agree for, the lower your premium will be.

NO CLAIM BONUS

Insurance companies usually offer a 'no claim' bonus to policy holders who maintains a 'clean record' for a specific period of time. The longer the period you have not claimed, the greater the discounted premium you can expect to pay.

CREDIT RECORD

Insurers also make use your credit score as part of the criteria for calculating your insurance premium. Insurance companies see people who take good care of their financial situations, as typically a more careful type of driver. Commonly, the better your credit score, the lower your insurance premium will be.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8335629

How to Buy Classic Car Insurance

How to Buy Classic Car Insurance

Collector Car Insurance and Classic Car Insurance

If you are fortunate enough to own a classic car - or any collectible automobile - then you want to ensure that your luck does not run out because of having inadequate insurance coverage. Call it covering your butt - or covering your "asset" - but by all means, call one of the major providers such as American Collectors, Haggerty, or Parish Heacock insurance companies and let them put you in the driver's seat in terms of professional protection of your cherished automotive investment.

How to Kick the Tires on Classic Car Insurance

The whole idea of insurance is that it needs to do what you expect of it in an emergency, when the rubber really hits the road. And classic car insurance is as different from conventional auto insurance as, well, a classic car is from your run of the mill generic vehicle.

When you buy a classic car insurance policy, you are essentially purchasing protection for those times when - God forbid and knock on wood it doesn't happen - disaster strikes in the form of a fire, a collision, or an act of theft or vandalism. Just as we now have modern airbags to save us in the event of a crash, we also have collector's car insurance, to protect us with adequate moneybags when calamity throws a wrench in the works.

The time you invest in choosing the right classic car insurance coverage is well worth the value and peace of mind that a quality collector's insurance policy delivers for owners of classic motor cars.

The Nuts and Bolts of Classic Car Insurance Coverage

Collector car insurance is not the same as the insurance you buy for normal coverage of your daily transportation. Collector car insurance, or classic car insurance, is made especially for the needs of the car collector. And while ordinary insurance does offer some protection, no matter what you drive, it can leave you high and dry in the event of a loss that it not effectively covered by the terms of the insurance contract.

For example, you may have a garage-kept Cadillac Sedan DeVille with swooping fins your grandparents bought for $7,000 brand new back in the 1960s. But dealers have offered you three times that much, and you saw another one sell at an auto show for $35,000. If you don't have special collector car insurance or classic car insurance, and the car is totaled, you will be lucky to get $7,000 for it. With depreciation calculated in, the insurance statisticians may decide that it is worth only half that much, or less, and you could wind up with two or three grand in exchange for your dream machine.

Stipulations or requirements normally encountered while shopping for collector car insurance or classic car insurance:

• A decent driving record.
• At least 10 years driving experience
• No teen drivers on the policy or drivers with poor driving records
• Secure and out of the weather garage
• Proof that you have another car for daily transportation
• Collector vehicle insurance is sometimes limited by the age of your car, and if your car is too young it may not qualify for a particular policy.
• Limited mileage. You probably don't want to drive your creampuff car all the time, and your insurance company doesn't want you to either. Mileage limits have increased recently, though, so if you can live with 250 miles a month you're probably okay.

Coverage with collector car insurance or classic car insurance: Three kinds of value are important to understand when buying your policy. 1) Actual cash value: This is what you usually get with ordinary insurance, and is based on replacement cost minus depreciation.

2) Stated value:

The insurance company pays up to the stated value of the car, but may not guarantee the full stated value. And deductibles of up to $1,000 usually apply.

3) Agreed value:

In most jurisdictions, those who provide collector car insurance or classic car insurance are allowed to insure for a value that you and your insurer agree upon. And for most autos, there is no deductible. If your $100,000 vintage Rolls get trashed, you get a check for 100 grand, plain and simple - which is exactly why collectors use special classic car insurance coverage.

Do a periodic review of your coverage limits, because classic car prices are rising. What you insured your cherry classic for ten years ago may be a fraction of what it's worth today. And if you are restoring a vehicle, ask your agent to give you appropriate insurance. There is no need to pay extra based on mileage statistics, if your car is up on blocks with no engine inside it. And as the car's value increases thanks to your hard work of restoring it, you should raise the coverage to keep up with the added value of the restoration.

Keep all your receipts and paperwork - for everything from parts and labor to expenses incurred to take it to a classic car show - so that you can document the total investment your collector's car represents. And take photos and keep them updated, for the same reason. And Last But Not Least: Special Savings Opportunities

As long as you meet the criteria in terms of how you use and take care of the car, you can usually buy a policy.

Traditional insurers will either refuse coverage, offer only a replacement value based on the nuts and bolts (minus heavy depreciation) of the car, or will charge you a prohibitive amount for the premium. But many collectors find that special collector's coverage saves them money - as much as half - while insuring them for higher limits, sometime three or four times what a traditional company gave them.

Yes, it's possible to get collector's insurance coverage for full market value for your car, and save up to 50 percent off of the premium you'd pay with ordinary insurance. That makes classic car insurance a must-have for any serious car buff.

Below is information about three of the most reputable and dependable collectors and classic car insurance companies in the USA (All information listed below subject to change, please contact the insurance companies listed to be sure.):

Hagerty Insurance P.O. Box 1303 Traverse City, MI 49685-1303

Email: auto@hagerty.com Toll Free: 800-922-4050

Qualifications:

• Similar to the others listed below, but please contact Haggerty for details.

American Collectors Insurance P.O. Box 8343 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 Email:info@americancollectors.comToll Free: (800) 360-2277 Qualifications (subject to change or regional laws so check with the company for specific up-to-date information).

• At least 15 years old
• Garage-kept
• Driven on a limited, pleasure-only basis (up to 5,000 annual miles - available in most states)

You may also qualify by:

• Having at least 10 years driving experience
• Having a good driving record
• Having at least one "regular" vehicle for every licensed driver in the household You may request a policy application either directly from American Collectors Insurance or through your local insurance agent (rates are the same either way).

Parish Heacock Classic Car Insurance P.O. Box 24807 Lakeland, FL 33802-4807 Email: info@parishheacock.com Toll free: (800) 678-5173 Qualifications (subject to change or regional laws so check with the company for specific up-to-date information).

• Each household member of driving age must have at least 10 years driving experience or be excluded.
• Each household member must have a regular use vehicle less than 15 years old that is insured with liability limits equal to or higher than the limits being applied for on the collectible vehicle.
• All licensed members of household and any other drivers of the vehicle must be listed on the application.
• Maximum of two accidents or violations in the household, maximum of one per licensed household member in past 3 years. No major violations permitted in past 5 years.
• A Driver Health Questionnaire must be completed for all drivers over 70 years old.
• Auto must be stored in a locked permanent garage facility when not driven.
• Auto may not be used for commuting to or from work or school, used for business purposes or as a substitute for another auto.
• Autos not covered while on a racetrack or when being used for: racing, speed, driver's education, or timed events.
• Must display pride of ownership: well maintained, in restored or well-preserved condition.
• Vehicles under restoration must be stored at residence or a restoration shop, with a target date for completion. Agreed value coverage is not available on cars under restoration. Eligibility subject to company review.
• Replica Vehicles and Pro Street vehicles are subject to company review.
• Trucks and Jeeps must be over 25 years old, and not be used for towing, hauling, off-road or utility use.
• Generally do not require appraisals, but may ask for one if vehicle value is difficult to determine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/310140

How to Cut the Cost of Car Insurance

How to Cut the Cost of Car Insurance

Less desirable and low value cars are cheaper to insure

When I was 17 I wanted to own a Ferrari and live life in the fast lane. Even if I could have afforded the car, then I couldn't have afforded the insurance to cover it. At 17 you are brand new to the world of driving and statistically you are more likely to make an insurance claim. Mixing high-powered cars with inexperienced drivers is not something car insurance companies are super-keen about, the chance of a claim shoots through the roof with the price of the premium following it. When you are young and inexperienced, buy a low-powered, low value car to try and keep your car insurance premium to a minimum. If it is worth less then it will cost less to fix/replace when in your youthful exuberance you crash it. The same logic actually applies to everyone, the lower the value of the vehicle and the lower the car insurance policy will be in most cases. Sports and premium cars will always cost more to repair in an accident so the insurance will reflect this. New cars now feature myriads of anti-theft and driver aids that in many cases will help to reduce the cost of insurance so keep an eye on the spec sheet when looking at a new car. A good rule of thumb is that less desirable and low value cars are cheaper to insure.

Age is a concern

I mentioned it above and it bears repeating. Generally the younger you are the higher your car insurance premium. This is down to inexperience and the youthful belief that bad things will never happen to you. The statistics say otherwise, which is often a shock to an unsuspecting young driver who ends up in a crash wondering how it happened to him...Driving experience and age are usually linked and that leads to a method of reducing your insurance premium - whatever age you are you will benefit from advanced driving courses and many car insurers offer discounts for these qualifications. It may only be a five - 10 per cent saving for the course but on a premium of £1000 it's worth having the saving and it will remain with you for years, so it should be a good investment, not to mention make you a better driver.

Keep adding to the no-claims bonus

The more years you can accumulate without making a claim the better as most car insurers will offer a discount on your insurance for this. Effectively you are proving you are good business to have and because you haven't made any claims then you are a good risk for them to underwrite. There's nothing you can do here but keep your nose clean and don't make a claim. If you own a low value vehicle and dent it parking, you'd be advised not to make a claim on comprehensive insurance because it would reduce your no-claims bonus, likely to be for a small amount of money and you may even end up paying for most of it depending on excess. In that case, provided you have not caused damage to any other vehicles or property, keep quiet, fix it yourself and your saving on no-claims bonus will be sweet the following year - in time, when you have built up three or more years no-claims bonus, you can actually protect your bonus, meaning even if you make a subsequent claim you will not lose your bonus.

Convictions aren't cool

If you are an inner-city teenager then an ASBO may be a badge of honour. Insurers are less impressed by convictions though, so it is best to avoid them if you can. Minor speeding offences are certainly not in the same category as serial killer though, so if you have a couple of points it will not be the end of the world or have a major influence on your premium depending on the insurer.

If you've got a garage, use it

What are garages for? If you ask the average person they'll probably say for storing all the kids' toys, the home gym, bicycles, the freezer and tumble-dryer. I have news for you all; the garage is designed to house your vehicle when you are not using it. The fact that it puts a physical barrier between any opportunist thieves and your car is a real good thing and car insurance companies will recognise this and reduce your premium if you park in a garage overnight. Using your garage will save you money; it doesn't get any easier than that.

Anti-theft devices

Most modern cars come with immobiliser and alarms factory fitted and if you notify your insurer it will check to make sure they are to approved standards and will apply discounts if applicable. You can get other devices that slosh around in the passenger footwell until you park and then fix to generally your steering wheel or gear-stick. These are mechanical devices and some do attract further discounts if used, just do your homework before buying. Thatcham is the organisation which grades security devices and generally a decent mechanical security device will feature its Thatcham approval very prominently along with any premium discounts you may expect, so choose carefully.

Use a reputable broker

Car insurance is very big business with around 30million+ vehicles on the UK roads, so there is a wealth of car insurance companies to choose from. Ironically, the big names you are familiar with are probably in your head because of massive marketing campaigns on television, on-line etc. Regardless of the message, those marketing campaigns need to be paid for and that means they may not actually have the best rates, although the sheer scale of some of these businesses means prices will be keen due to buying or underwriting power. The best advice is to compare a couple of different prices from different companies. Call the insurer and then call a comparable competitor and then perhaps a small car insurance broker. Each one will ask you if you have a price already and you should tell them what it is. Generally if they want the business they know what to beat. The moment you get a broker saying they can't match the price then you are probably close to the best market price or else speaking with a broker that is not a specialist in the area.

A word of caution on price comparison sites

There are plenty of price comparison sites around which promise to drive the cost of your insurance policy down - Money Supermarket, Go Compare, Confused etc. They certainly do help reduce the cost of insurance as most of the major players are fighting for business on the same platform. Where these price comparison sites do not perform so well is actually advising you on the sort of policy that's best for you or your car. Would comprehensive be cheaper and more suitable than third party fire and theft? The point is you cannot ask the price comparison site for any advice, that's where car specialist brokers have the edge. Compare it to buying a new house, would you buy one without a survey? You might and then when it subsides into the sea you'll be praying your insurance will cover it...the point is you shouldn't buy insurance without talking with an expert either.

Pick up the phone

The internet is a great shopping and selling tool, you know my feelings on that from previous articles...but I suggest if you speak to a real person at a brokerage then you have a much better chance of getting cheaper car insurance. They can ask more questions, clarify your requirements and if needed they can even delegate the rate (set the price themselves) if they really want the business. There is no substitute for human contact, just make sure you speak to at least three different brokers to get a true comparison.

Got a nice postcode?

If you live in a postcode where there are few thefts and claims then your insurance premium will be lower than living somewhere that is a known crime hotspot. If you can afford it, move to a posh area and you'll benefit from lower insurance premiums. Not the easiest way to save on the cost of insurance for sure...

Mileage and use

The more miles you drive the more chance you have of being involved in a claim. It's simple statistics. The fewer miles covered, the less your insurance premium should cost. Don't tell lies though, if you exceed the stated mileage by a distance then it could invalidate your insurance.

Married with kids?

Insurers like selling car insurance to married couples mortgaged and with kids and jobs. You are very easy to credit check and generally display responsible behaviour which hints at a lower risk for the insurer. That can reduce your car insurance quote.

Don't modify your car

We all see the bling bling cars that haunt Supermarket car-parks late at night and whether you like the tacky neon colours and loud exhausts is neither here nor there - the fact is that any sort of modification is likely to hike your car insurance premium. Modifications can draw attention, invalidate warranties and in the case of loud exhausts, can also be illegal (if above the noise limit). If illegal, then it could invalidate your insurance as well. The fact is that car manufacturers spend a lot of time developing their products so they work well and if you modify them then it's all out the window and your insurer will be scratching his head wondering what he should charge - and it will almost always be more than a standard vehicle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2395148

Learn How To Buy A Car And Car Insurance Without Breaking Your Budget

Learn How To Buy A Car And Car Insurance Without Breaking Your Budget

Do you ever wonder why different cars cost you different amounts for auto insurance premiums? Why is it that a new Corvette may cost you $1,600 dollars a month in auto insurance and an older Buick Regal may only cost you $90 per month? The new car insurance cost versus the old car insurance cost is a subject that you must review before you buy any car. Review insurance costs before you buy and you will not get caught in a financial trap.

New cars cost more to insure than old cars for three reasons. First, an auto theft of a new and exotic car costs much more than the auto theft of an older and average style car. This is because of the large value difference of the new car versus old car. For example, a new Chevy Caprice is much more costly to insure than an older Chevy Caprice. It simply costs more money to replace a new, expensive car than an older, less expensive car.

Second, the cost to repair a new car is much more than the cost to repair an old car. As such, this fact shall also increase your insurance premium cost for a new car. For example, if a new Chevy Caprice is damaged in an accident, the auto repair shop will charge you much more money for repairs than if the subject car were a ten-year old Chevy Caprice. For this reason, your insurer will charge you much more insurance premiums on a new vehicle than an older vehicle because of such repair costs.

Third, the style and type of car also shall greatly affect the cost of automobile insurance premiums that your car insurance company will charge you. Insurance companies use actuarial statistic tables which show them the past loss experience on particular styles and types of cars. They use these tables, to help calculate what premiums to charge their customers in the future. Statistical tables show these insurance companies that owners of certain styles and types of cars, such as sports cars, engage in more risky driving behavior than owners of cars that are of average type and style.

For example, insurance company statistical tables show that the insurer has experienced more losses with sports cars than with average cars. It is because the owner of a Corvette will probably drive such car faster and riskier than the owner of a Toyota Camry. With such speed and risk also comes along more losses for the insurance companies. With such risk and loss increase, the insurance company must then increase their return and charge more for auto insurance premiums.

Another example of how the type and style of vehicle may present an insurance company with more risk is the off-road style vehicles such as the Hummer line of vehicles. These vehicles are designed to perform in the off-road type environment. They are raised up off the ground more than regular automobiles for under carriage clearance. Additionally, they also have four-wheel drive capability.

With such design capabilities, the statistical tables show that the insurance company has experienced more losses with these types of cars than regular cars. This is because the owners of such vehicles will engage in off-road driving which is both risky to the vehicle and driver. In fact, some insurance companies may bar recovery for such damages, when the owner of the insured vehicle was damaged while any engaging in risky, off-road driving. Again, with more risk, the insurance company will increase return and thus auto insurance premiums. Now that you know that certain styles and types of cars cost more to insure than others, you have to be smart about what kind of vehicle you are going to buy.

Rather than take a guess at what you believe a vehicle's insurance costs are, call your car insurance company and ask your insurance agent for a free car insurance quote for the exact type of vehicle that you are interested in buying. You can get a definitive answer to your question of whether or not you can afford both the car and the insurance premiums required to cover your car against insured losses.

The time to make such assessment is not after you purchase a vehicle. At that point in time, it is too late. The time to make such assessment is way in advance of your purchasing an automobile. You definitely want to be able to make both car payments as well as insurance premium payments. Get a free auto insurance quote ahead of time and avoid financial problems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6287028

The Cheapest Car Insurance is Possible If You Do These

The Cheapest Car Insurance is Possible If You Do These

Cheapest auto insurance has been dream of many car owners. For many, they put all their trust in there vehicle insurance broker while for some, they do it by themselves. Do you want to do it by yourself? Read on,

First step: You have to decide what you actual want in vehicle insurance. Ask yourself, what type of auto insurance coverage do i need for my vehicle? Once you are able to identify this, 15% of your problem is solved. This is your first key step to work towards getting cheapest car insurance rate or quote.

Second step: do you have used old car? do not take comprehensive vehicle insurance coverage with it.

Third Step: Compare motor insurance rates from auto insurance comparing sites. The reason for this is to locate large possible cheap quotes in a limited amount of time. Once you have done this, wait for a day or two and contact the auto insurance company or agency for the deal. You can also use buyback sites to help you reduce these rates you get by shopping around in auto insurance comparing sites.

Third step: if your car is brand new or nearly new, increase your deductible. This will mean you have to take more responsible in repairing your car when there is a breakdown depending on the car insurance policy you choose.

Fourth Step: Join a car club. This has been a strategy many have ignored without knowing the impact it has on there auto insurance rate or premium. if you have a Volvo car, look for the car club and join them. Each car brand has vehicle club and inform your broker or insurance company as this will help you also get cheapest car insurance rate.

Fifth: Pay your motor insurance premium in bulk and avoid monthly payment if you can. There is a discount offered by vehicle insurance company on this as this will help you to get cheap auto insurance.

Sixth: Depending on your status in your place of residence, there are special discount to various groups of people in society. What do I mean by this, if you are a student, there are discount for you if you meet the criteria, if your a teacher, engineer, driver, new driver, women, above 40 years of age just name it there are tons of discount available.

Other general strategies are as follows:
- improve your driving skills
- use one insurance company for all your insurance purposes as this will result to you getting cheaper car insurance.
- If you are looking for a place to live, try check for the crime rate. if you live in low crime areas, expect cheap auto insurance.

Finally, these are some of the strategies to have cheapest car insurance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3506311

How to Find Cheapest Car Insurance - 6 Things You Need to Learn About

How to Find Cheapest Car Insurance - 6 Things You Need to Learn About

Finding cheapest car insurance is not an easy job and requires a lot of research work for any normal person seeking a cheap insurance plan. The type of insurance that you want or need will be a factor in the cost of your insurance; your choices are fully comprehensive, third party fire and theft and third party only, there is not much point in getting fully comprehensive cover if your premium works out at more than the value of the car.

But don't be discouraged, because the cheapest car insurance really does exist. However, when you are looking for insurance for the cheapest price, there are several things you need to keep in mind before making your final decision.

Know the Coverage You Need and comparing coverage types that are the same. The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing insurance is to make sure you get the coverage you need. While foregoing coverage could help you find the cheapest car insurance policy in the short term, it could leave you paying more out of pocket in the event of an accident. The first step in buying insurance is to know how much coverage you need. When you are looking for the best deal on your insurance and you are checking out various companies, make sure that you are comparing coverage types that are the same. The only way to get an accurate account of companies offering the best possible rates, you need to make sure that you are comparing identical types of coverage as well.

Check out the company and its history thoroughly before agreeing to a policy. You don't want to be dealing with a company that has poor customer service and treats its clients poorly. The Better Business Bureau can provide you with information regarding whether or not the company has had any complaints filed against them. If there are a great deal of complaints, you should probably look elsewhere for car insurance. This company probably isn't right for you. You should also look into hidden charges when you compare cheapest insurance. You might not know it, but the insurance company may be charging hidden fees in the policy being offered to you.

Comparing rates car insurance company online. Find the cheapest insurance quote online and get your insurance coverage and insurance policy fast by comparing rates of major insurance companies online. It is for those who have no records of claims for past four years or more. You must find out the cheapest group insurance company for new cars before you buy your policy.

Compare policy features. I would advise anybody shopping for insurance to compare deals not just on price but also policy features, some of which may be outlined in the small print. Some two percent of participants in the survey named breakdown cover and a no claims bonus as the part of a deal most important to them.

Contact an insurance specialist. The cost of your car depends on several factors it is wise to do a little research on this in advance. The best way for cheaper insurance quote will contact an insurance specialist that can find the cheapest insurance car, which was shown on your needs. The cost of the vehicle is determined by several factors, such as the value of the car, like your car, what kind of security measures in your vehicle, which are the owner and driver of the vehicle.

Comparing Multiple Car Insurance Quotes. The best way to find the cheapest insurance is to compare multiple insurance quotes. Your rate can vary by hundreds of dollars from one company to the next, so the only way to find it is to shop around. As you comparison shop for insurance for the cheapest price, don't be fooled or confused by the abundance of discounts available. If you have a spotless record in terms of never filing claims, you have the right to a no-claims discount, which might lead to the cheapest insurance coverage.

So, when you are looking for the cheapest car insurance, there are many things to consider. Keep each of these things in mind when you are looking for insurance that is cheap, and not only will you find a great price, but you'll find quality insurance for your needs as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2356183

Top 10 Misunderstood Things About Car Insurance

Top 10 Misunderstood Things About Car Insurance

After spending many years in the insurance industry we have come up with a top 10 list of most misunderstood things about car insurance.  These car insurance myths are some of the most common questions that most people have about direct car insurance either buying or reviewing their  auto insurance coverage.  Its better to find out now before you have a claim and  it's too late.

• I just got my 1st speeding ticket my insurance rates are going to go way up.

Reality:  If this is your first ticket your rates probably won't even change.  Most direct car insurance providers will give you a pass if you don't have any other tickets or claims in the past 3 to 5 years depending on the company.

• That new Plasma TV I bought last year won't affect my Car Insurance

Reality:  If you didn't pay the credit card  you charged it on then it just might.  Almost all insurance companies now use some form of credit scoring when determining not only if you will qualify for insurance, but also what you will pay.  There can easily be 50% difference in rates for a person with excellent credit to someone with poor credit.

• I just slammed my car door into my lawnmower parked in my garage, my homeowners policy will cover it

Reality:  Your homeowner's coverage has nothing to do with covering your car.  The only way your car will be covered is if you have Comprehensive (Comp) coverage for your car.  And then only after you pay you deductible.

• I just cracked up my friends car and I tell him don't worry my insurance will cover it

Reality: It will but only after your friends policy pays first.  So let's say your friend has a $500 collision deductible and you have a $250 deductible.  You would have to give your friend the $500 for his deductible as his insurance company is Primary.  Meaning your insurance will only pay after his policy limits are exhausted.  So just remember in this scenario your deductible does not matter its going to be based on your friends.

•  If you're riding your bicycle and get hit by a car your car insurance won't get involved

Reality:  If you get hurt or killed while riding your bike or even walking down the street you maybe surprised to learn that you may be covered by your direct car insurance policy.  If the person driving the car didn't have any insurance or not enough insurance to cover your injuries, your Uninsured or Underinsured coverage would pay for your claim. 

•  Someone just broke into my car and stole all of my personal belongings out of it i.e. Cd's, Cell phone, Christmas Presents, my car insurance will pay for it.

Reality:  Your car insurance does not cover your personal belongings left inside the car.  You are going to have to file a claim with your Homeowners or Renters insurance policy to be compensated for these items.  The general rule of thumb is your car insurance will only pay for items that are attached to the vehicle

•  I am going to be charged more for my  Car Insurance because my car is red, blue, black, pink...

Reality:  The color of your car has absolutely nothing to do with your rates.  If you like red buy a red car, if you like black buy a black car.  Don't ever let this silly nonsense stop you from buying a car.   

•  I didn't have a car for the last 2 years, this won't affect my rates.

Reality:  Not having continuous car insurance is frowned upon by most direct car insurance companies now a day's.  Some companies won't penalize you for not having prior insurance.  If you don't have prior insurance make sure you have a good excuse like you took the bus, or you were in the military, or some other legitimate reason.  Oh and by the way I couldn't afford my insurance is not on that list

• Telling a little white lie on my insurance application won't affect my coverage if I ever have a claim

Reality:  This is one of the worst things a person can do.  If you lie on your insurance application there is a good chance you won't have any coverage when you need it the most.  You think they won't find out?  Remember these 2 things when insurance company is on the hook for a ton of money.  #1 They are going to start asking questions and the first thing they look at is your application.  Wouldn't you if you were them?  And reason #2, the insurance companies have more money than god and they have people working full time to find this stuff out. 

•  Buying a cheaper more reasonable car will be less to insure the a more expensive car. 

Reality: There are a lot of different factors insurance companies use to determine rates, however there are many times were the rate for the more expensive car is less than the cheaper car.  One of the biggest factors for the Comp & Collision coverage's are how much do replacement parts cost.  Sometimes on those cheaper cars or the more exotic cars the replacement parts can cost a lot to replace.

So just remember the next time your online looking for a cheaper insurance policy, to consider some of your options.  There are hundred's of direct auto insurance companies out there looking to get in your pocket, just make sure when the time comes you can get into theirs.

Bryan Waldo

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4819595

Cheap Car Insurance Is Easy To Get Online

Cheap Car Insurance Is Easy To Get Online

Car insurance is an added expense over and above the considerable expense of owning and maintaining a car, particularly when you consider all the other types of insurance that are necessary in today's world, so it is only natural to want to get cheap car insurance without compromising on coverage. Luckily, cheap car insurance is well within your reach, provided you know how to get it.

The Internet is the best place to start when shopping for cheap car insurance. Insurance companies are now geared to provide you with a quote online but you will still need to shop around and compare quotes, and keying in your details separately for each insurance company you want a quote from can be a hassle. The answer is to use an insurance company that allows you to get multiple quotes online. You enter your details online, and the insurance company will draw up individual quotes for a number of insurance providers (sometimes as many as eight) and send them to you all in one go. How cool is that? You will even save on your phone bill because you won't need to use the phone to get your quotes.

There are a number of other things you can do to reduce your car insurance besides getting cheap car insurance quotes online. You can increase your excess which will decrease your premiums on a monthly basis but substantially increase the amount you will have to pay out of your pocket when you claim. Accidents happen when you least expect them so you need to be sure you can afford to pay such a high excess if you go this route. All new cars now have to be insured before they leave the showroom floor these days but you can limit the amount of insurance you will have to pay by purchasing a cheap or moderately priced car. To insurance companies, cheaper cars mean cheaper repairs which means they will have to fork out less. The result is a lower premium for the consumer who buys a cheaper car.

Ensure that your car is parked in a secured area like a garage or lockable car port at night, and consider fitting additional security measures such as a gear-lock, as this can help you get a cheaper package. Speaking of packages, it is often cheaper to have a combined coverage package, where you insure your car, home and possessions with one insurance company than several separate premiums with different companies. Avoid driving a high-risk vehicle or expensive car if you can. High-risk vehicles are the makes and models of cars that insurance companies consider to be vulnerable to theft and hi-jacking, and your premium will be raised accordingly. Also, expensive cars tend to be expensive to repair, so you can expect your insurance premium to be higher than if you had a cheaper car.

As you can see, there are a number of ways to get cheaper car insurance, but cheaper is not always better because it can mean you aren't adequately covered. You need to be clear on what your insurance status is and what adequate coverage costs, and then decide how far over and above a reasonable insurance premium you want to go with extras.Car insurance is an added expense over and above the considerable expense of owning and maintaining a car, particularly when you consider all the other types of insurance that are necessary in today's world, so it is only natural to want to get cheap car insurance without compromising on coverage. Luckily, cheap car insurance is well within your reach, provided you know how to get it.

The Internet is the best place to start when shopping for cheap car insurance. Insurance companies are now geared to provide you with a quote online but you will still need to shop around and compare quotes, and keying in your details separately for each insurance company you want a quote from can be a hassle. The answer is to use an insurance company that allows you to get multiple quotes online. You enter your details online, and the insurance company will draw up individual quotes for a number of insurance providers (sometimes as many as 8) and send them to you all in one go. How cool is that? You will even save on your phone bill because you won't need to use the phone to get your quotes.

There are a number of other things you can do to reduce your car insurance besides getting cheap car insurance quotes online. You can increase your excess which will decrease your premiums on a monthly basis but substantially increase the amount you will have to pay out of your pocket when you claim. Accidents happen when you least expect them so you need to be sure you can afford to pay such a high excess if you go this route. All new cars now have to be insured before they leave the showroom floor these days but you can limit the amount of insurance you will have to pay by purchasing a cheap or moderately priced car. To insurance companies, cheaper cars mean cheaper repairs which means they will have to fork out less. The result is a lower premium for the consumer who buys a cheaper car.

Ensure that your car is parked in a secured area like a garage or lockable car port at night, and consider fitting additional security measures such as a gear-lock, as this can help you get a cheaper package. Speaking of packages, it is often cheaper to have a combined coverage package, where you insure your car, home and possessions with one insurance company than several separate premiums with different companies. Avoid driving a high-risk vehicle or expensive car if you can. High-risk vehicles are the makes and models of cars that insurance companies consider to be vulnerable to theft and hi-jacking, and your premium will be raised accordingly. Also, expensive cars tend to be expensive to repair, so you can expect your insurance premium to be higher than if you had a cheaper car.

As you can see, there are a number of ways to get cheaper car insurance, but cheaper is not always better because it can mean you aren't adequately covered. You need to be clear on what your insurance status is and what adequate coverage costs, and then decide how far over and above a reasonable insurance premium you want to go with extras.

Article Source: here