Understanding auto insurance quotes help you truly save

If you are just starting the process of looking for auto insurance, then you know it’s not such an easy task. If you’re new to the process, trying to figure out all of the terms and legalese and still get the best rates can seem even more bewildering. Going into the process knowing as much as possible ahead of time will make this process not only less confusing, but will also make it less expensive as well. Here we will talk about why you need auto insurance, and how knowing the specifics can help you truly save when you are shopping around forauto insurance quotes.

Vehicle insurance is required by every driver in America, and this holds true no matter what your financial situation is or what kind of car you drive. The function of auto insurance is to protect you against financial loss in the event that something happens to you or your car while you are on the road, or even when you are at home. The kind of car you drive will be a significant factor in your quotes, and knowing how this plays a role in your insurance rates will help you determine what you need, what you don’t, and how to save on insurance.

The truth about auto insurance is that not every insurance company evaluates your premium cost the same way. This means that by doing a little homework you can save on auto insurance by finding out which insurance companies are most willing to work with you. The first thing you should do when you are looking for auto insurance is to determine exactly what you need. Liability insurance is required, but you may not need the extra types of coverage, especially if they are not required in your state.

Collision and comprehensive insurance are types of coverage that is sometimes optional. Where liability insurance will protect a third party in an accident for which you are at fault, collision insurance will protect you in the same accident. If you are not at fault, the other party’s liability insurance will cover your losses and damages. Comprehensive insurance will cover you in the event that anything happens to your vehicle that is not accident or collision related. So this coverage will cover things like theft, vandalism, or events deemed to be acts of God or Mother Nature. If you have an older car that will be more expensive to repair than replace in those events, comprehensive coverage may wind up being just an unnecessary expense with insurance, as you will still be out financially in the event a comprehensive act affects your vehicle.

Another way to reduce your coverage costs will be to examine your driving record before you begin shopping around. If you have made a claim in the recent past with insurance, have any tickets on your driving history, you may see your premiums go up. On the other hand, if you know you have some issues but the points on your driving record are set to expire in the near future, you can shop around for your insurance policy with that in mind, as you can expect to see your rates lower as a result.

The most important thing to keep in mind when looking to lower auto insurance quotes is to shop around. Only then will you know exactly what insurance company is willing to work with you and your needs, and give you as many discounts as possible to lower auto insurance quotes. Today the insurance business is more competitive than ever, so use this to your advantage and shop and compare auto insurance quotes before you sign the dotted line!

Tips for lowering auto insurance rates for young people

If you have ever tried to get car insurance for someone who is younger than 25 you’ve probably been unpleasantly surprised by how expensive it is to insure a teen driver. Yes, it’s true, car insurance rates are the highest for younger drivers who are only accumulating their initial experience and there’s a reason for that. Younger drivers make up the group that file the most claims and tend to get in serious accidents more often than older drivers due to the lack of driving experience and general risk taking behavior. So, even if your young driver is perfect behind the wheel he or she will still be charged with higher rates. But do not despair because there are a few tips you may find useful for getting cheaper insurance for a teen driver:

Encourage better grades

It may seem like there’s no particular connection between car insurance and school grades. Yet, there’s a possibility to kill two birds with one stone if you manage to encourage better results from your teen at school or college. The thing is that insurance providers offer attractive discounts to good students and this can be a very effective way of lowering your teen’s auto insurance rates. The main aim is getting an average of B and higher and providing a copy of grade report periodically to the insurance provider. So you get both some cut in insurance costs and encourage the young driver to be a better student.

Shop around

Shopping around is a must regardless whom you’re buying insurance for. There are many companies on the market and they all tend to offer different rates. Why not using this to own advantage and saving some money right from the start. Of course, teen drivers will always be charged with higher premiums but after doing some comparison shopping you can actually find affordable offers. The main idea is getting as many auto insurance quotes from different providers as you can, comparing them and choosing the most competitive one. With so many quote comparison sites out there it’s not that complicated and will only take a couple of minutes.

Keep the teen under your policy

Many parents make the mistake of buying a separate policy for their young drivers once they get a car on their own. This of course leads to an increase in costs because such a policy will sometimes cost twice as much as your own policy even if it carries the same amount of coverage. So instead of buying an individual policy you should consider including your teen to your own insurance policy, even if the teen has a car of his own. By doing so you will still get a slight increase in your premiums because of adding a high risk driver but it will be cheaper than having a separate policy to cover the teen. And if you have several cars in the household you may opt for multiple vehicle discount to lower your current rates.

Get a cheaper vehicle

Getting a cheaper vehicle for a young driver may be not the most popular measure but it’s sure is effective from the insurance point of view. The more expensive is the car you’re trying to insure the higher will be auto insurance quotes. You should be especially cautious about sports vehicles, muscle cars and luxury autos since they are the most expensive to insure.

When buying car insurance why buy liability cover?

In the majority of the states, the law of tort says you’re financially responsible if you cause someone else to be injured because of your bad driving. This can be people in your own vehicle, any other vehicle you hit, or the people on the sidewalk or who own property next to the road. Although physical damage to property can be limited, the value of claims against you for personal injuries can be surprisingly large. Let’s take the worst case of you hitting a top banker driving an expensive vehicle. The most you can be asked to pay is the replacement cost of the vehicle, but now think about the level of medical expenses and how much your victim may lose in pay while unable to work. Then come the damages for the pain and suffering. How many zeros do you see on the value of the claim? Now, of course, there would be little risk to you if you live in rented accommodation, have no assets and a job with a minimum rate of pay. Other than the amount of cover from your insurance policy, there’s little risk to your life. But if you do own your own home, have savings and a reasonably good job, you are now a target. If you lose the case, the court can order your home sold, your savings confiscated and garnish your pay leaving you a bare minimum to live on. It’s at times like this you wish you’d had a reasonable amount of liability insurance. Remember, you are liable to pay even if you have insurance. Whatever is left owing after the maximum is paid by your insurer comes out of your pockets.

This explains why basic liability insurance is mandatory in all but three states. All drivers should be able to offer a minimum amount of money to make good the losses. For example, in Wisconsin the liability minimums as from 11/1/2011 are 25/50/10, i.e. $25,000 as the maximum contribution to medical expenses if only one person is injured, $50,000 as the maximum is several people are injured, and $10,000 to repair damaged property. If your reaction to these figures is surprise at how low they are, you might want to consider buying more than the minimum amounts if you have assets to protect. Some states also make it mandatory to carry uninsured motorist cover while the states running a no-fault system also make it mandatory to carry personal injury protection to pay for your own medical treatment or, in the worst cases, your funeral expenses.

When it comes to estimating whether to buy cover on top of the minimums, it all comes down to a guessing game. Obviously, no one wants to be involved in an accident but, should the worst happen, you want enough insurance so you sleep well at nights. It’s worth paying a little more in premium installments to avoid the stress of court cases against you personally. Car insurance is all about sharing the risks with the other drivers on the road. Only a small percentage are ever involved in accidents so, when the losses are divided among all, the car insurance rates are relatively low.

Want cheap auto insurance? Buy a safe car!

Cheap auto insurance is not hard to find if you have a car that is deemed safe by insurers. For those looking into getting cheap auto insurance, it may be time to look at your car first – what does it lack that your insurance rates are sky high?

Experts say that the safer the car, the lower the auto insurance premium but what makes a car safe?

First and foremost, take a look at the basics. Your car should have seat belts since seat belts are lifesavers and will definitely come in handy in letting you sit tight if a crash happens. Seat belts have saved many a lives and will also save you a lot of money if your car has them.

Another thing to check for are airbags both those that are located on the dashboard and the impact air bags located on the side. These function as cushions when an impact happens.

The good news is, most of the new car models are safer than the ones manufactured in previous years and these car models usually have a number of safety features that will make it easier for you to get cheap auto insurance rates. Often, these cars will cost more but in the long term, they will save you lots of money in terms of your insurance and its maintenance.

What are the safest cars to date? The recently redesigned Audi 6 does not only look good and perform well on the road. It is also one of the top safest cars in the market today. It has a collision warning system and even has night vision.

The BMW 5 Series has good crash test ratings and also features an assortment of safety features that will definitely impress your insurer. From blind spot monitoring, to collision warning to lane departure systems, this BMW model is a good car choice.

If you are planning to buy a safe car to get cheap auto insurance, you should also consider getting the sporty Infiniti EX 35 or the Infiniti M37.

Antique Vehicles and Cheap Auto Insurance

Trying to get cheap auto insurance for antique cars can be tricky. In fact, it can be a bit frustrating too because more often than not, cheap auto insurance for antique and highly valued cars usually do not exist unless of course you can get a discount from specialist insurers.

Getting collectibles insurance may be a fine idea if you really want to give your antique car good protection because even if you see a valuable collection, a traditional car insurance provider will only see it as a risky and therefore expensive deal. Most people who are into collecting old cars do not pay attention to insurance though according to experts and what they usually do is they just call their insurance agent and just add their antique car in their policy.

If you recently acquired an antique car or a relative or close friend left you one, it is possible that you do not know that policies for such cars exist. Experts say though that insuring an antique with a traditional insurer is a big mistake because for one, a traditional policy presupposes that a vehicle’s value will decrease over time. An antique car’s value however is likely to increase or appreciate. There are a number of cheap policies from specialized auto insurance companies that offer good coverage. One has to note though that you should know how much the replacement value is and that your agent should agree with you when it comes to this so that your pristine antique car’s value will not depreciate at least according to its policy. Getting a standard policy will not only be expensive but it will also be quite a headache because it will not give you the coverage that you need.

But how does one get a cheap policy for such an expensive car? Many people would think that this is rather counterintuitive but the reasoning here is simple. Most classic or antique cars are pampered. They are also driven in a careful manner and rather infrequently so this spells cheap auto insurance for the owner.

Free Auto Insurance Quotes and Safety Features in Cars

Looking for free auto insurance quotes? When looking to move to a new insurer or shopping for a policy for a car you are about to buy, getting free auto insurance quotes is a good way to compare and contrast the choices you are given. Aside from looking for the cheapest car insurance quotes however, you can also lower your premium by making sure that your vehicle has safety features not only for your own safety but also for you to save some money along the way.

Seat belts and airbags for example are two very basic yet very important things a car should have. These two things can save your life and the lives of your passengers in case an accident happens. This will also save you lots of money on your car insurance premium.

Having other safety features such as ESC or Electronic Stability Control. This safety feature will help you stop impending skids on the road therefore giving you more control over your car even in an event where you are already expected to not have control over it. This is a highly advanced safety feature and this is something you should look for when planning to buy a new car.

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems are also a great addition to your car’s safety features. Under-inflated tires are dangerous and this is something that you definitely should avoid. Your car’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System will do this for you though making it one less of the things you should worry about. Other new safety features include blind spot monitoring systems and systems that send you an alarm the minute you start leaning slowly to another lane. The latter prevents those who are tired or sleepy from getting into an accident while on the road.

There are also safety features that need to be installed and this includes booster seats for your small children. Websites that provide free auto insurance quotes usually ask for the safety features of your car before sending you a quote so it is better to have these than pay a high price for your premium.

Car Insurance Quotes And The Gender Difference

Car insurance quotes are determined by a number of factors and this includes your age, your gender and even the place where you live. Statistics show however that most car insurance quotes are heavily influenced by age and gender. Some may call it gender and age bias but this isn’t discrimination at all because auto insurance actuaries base their formula on facts and studies. It is needless to say that insurers will charge higher rates to riskier clients and in the terms of gender, it is the male of the species who are at the losing end especially those who fall under the 16 to 25 age group.

Women in the same age group however enjoy better rates than their male counterparts and this is due to the fact that they usually drive less and are less likely to push their limits while on the road. Most men are easily tempted to drive faster and more often than not, they also have a tendency to drive even if they are sleepy. You shouldn’t worry though because as you get older, your premium will improve but one has to note that there are still insurers that will not provide you with the premium cut that you need since they are using a different formula to determine insurance quotes.

Although insurance quotes are usually personalized i.e. the quotes are computed based on gender and age make it easier for companies to determine how much an individual will be paying. Statistics play a very important role and even if you do not fall under the stereotypes of say women being more cautious on the road or men being more aggressive on the road, it is needless to say that you would have to deal with such stereotypes and just make the most of it. The gender difference is not imaginary though because based on studies, males truly are more aggressive when driving especially those who fall under the 16 to 25 age range.

When looking for car insurance quotes, it is important to compare one quote from one reputable provider to the next.

Auto Class Types Rented by Cheap Car Rental Companies

There are several different classes of auto provided by cheap car rental companies. This allows for a wide range of prices and options when renting your car, whether you’re on a budget or have a ton of people and luggage. Although each company will vary slightly as far as selection goes, there are a few basic categories which are pretty common.

The Economy Car

If you’re looking for the ultimate in cheap car rental, the economy size is your new best friend. Not only are the rental prices lower for economy cars, but the gas mileage is usually outstanding compared to larger vehicles. Economy cars may also be called compact cars, although some companies may offer compact cars as a separate rental category. If this is the case, compact usually costs a little more than economy.

Standard Size

The next level up after economy/compact are the midsize or standard vehicles. Again, some companies may separate these into two separate categories (or more) while others include all mid size and standard vehicles under one “standard” rental category. These cars seat more passengers than economy/compact cars, and also have more cargo room.

Cars to Avoid

If you are aimed at cheap car rental, you should definitely avoid larger vehicles. Trucks, vans, minivans and SUVs will all cost quite a bit more to rent than either economy or standard vehicles. The larger class of rentals also get worse gas mileage, so you’ll be paying more at the tank than with other rentals.

Luxury rentals are another no-no if you’re trying to save money. Forget the brand name cars and look for something that’s more budget-friendly.

Making Your Choice

When it comes time to decide which rental car will work best for you, don’t forget to take into consideration more factors than just price. For example, you have to have enough seating for everyone in your party, and room for any luggage you may have. The family who needs to rent an all-wheel drive vehicle in order to get to their campsite will have very different needs from the single businessman who’s just using the car to get from his hotel room to his conference and back again. If your goal is cheap car rental, take a look first at the economy and compact cars, and go from there.

Cheap car insurance and usage-based insurance

It’s curious how quickly an idea either takes off or dies the death. What was casually called pay-as-you-go has now become a highly competitive market. If you ever wanted proof of just how competitive, you only have to look at the court roster where you find Progressive suing State Farm and The Hartford for alleged infringement of patents. You may well throw up your hands in despair. We are used to seeing technology companies accuse each other of copying the other’s patent for an on/off switch, but patents also cover any business ideas that no one has registered using those words before. So Progressive claims it registered the idea of using technology to monitor how far and how well people drive and to offer discounts to all the safest drivers. Now we have to wait for a judge to say how obvious this business plan is and that it should never have been registered as a patent. Until then, attorneys are collecting their usual high fees to fight it out to the death.

So what exactly is Progressive offering that it feels must be defended so aggressively? In most states, this insurer was the first to offer a black box for monitoring driving behaviour. The most recent version is called Snapshot. What makes this so interesting is you can run it for a one month’s trial while holding your existing policy. This gives you a direct comparison and tells you exactly how much you will save if you make the switch. If you decide not to switch, there’s no comeback. Progressive simply recovers the hardware link and looks for business elsewhere.

Why is usage-based insurance the best chance for inexpensive car insurance? The answer comes in two different ways. The first relates to the number of miles you drive and the time of day you drive them. The statistics show low milage drivers have the smallest numbers of accidents, particularly if you drive at off-peak times. Second we come to the way you drive. Gentle acceleration, modest braking, no violent swerving all indicate a safe driver. That earns you cheap car insurance. All the insurer has ever wanted is proof you are safe. Now technology supplies that information you can earn maximum discounts.

Before calling to car rental companies decide where to go among these top U.S. road trip destinations

Preparing to go on a road trip, comparing quotes from car rental companies on a car that will fit your needs is a bright idea. Car rental companies cater to the family travelers, the couple as well as the solo travelers, etc.

If you have already chosen a car but don’t know where to go even if you are itching to drive cross country, you can visit the best road trip destinations in the United States. Here are some of them:

Washington, DC and Virginia

The colors of Washington, DC during autumn is just spectacular and whether you plan to go there to get a glimpse of the White House or the Lincoln Memorial, make sure that you pay Virginia a visit too.

New Orleans, LA

Ahh … the magic of New Orleans is like no other. This one-of-a-kind destination features unique architecture especially in the infamous French Quarter. The cuisine is also to die for and eating Cajun or Creole dishes while listening to jazz is definitely worth the long ride.

Colorado

Visiting the Rockies is a good idea and if you remember Katharine Lee Bates’ America the Beautiful, it is interesting to note that she was in Colorado when she wrote it. Colorado is a great road trip destination for those who love the great outdoors. In the summer, the spectacularly beautiful state features a number of activities – from swimming in its pristine waters to fishing to mountain biking and whitewater rafting.

Boston, Massachusetts

Historical sites and pubs are what you get if you go to Boston, MA. You can barhop all you want and experience fantastic pub fare – probably the best compared to what is offered in nearby states, according to experienced barhoppers.

Disney World, Florida

There’s nothing like going to Disney with the kids. All the magic and fun in one place is definitely worth the long drive.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

This is definitely the top road trip destination because it is not just one but one of the best natural wonders the world has ever seen. If you are planning to go to the Grand Canyon, it is best to compare quotes from different car rental companies. The best car rental companies will be able to offer reasonable daily rates for your rental.