Reader’s Question:
I don’t have my own car yet but here I am already troubled about paying my car insurance in the near future. They say that it’s getting higher so I need to ask: Will I ever find cheap car insurance here in Texas?
Marlon
Grand Prairie, TX
There are a lot of cheap car insurance plans that are offered by different car insurance companies. All you need is a careful research and review about the car insurance plans available. Here are some tips to help you find cheap car insurance in Texas:
Ask for Car Insurance Discounts
Car insurance companies often reward their customers with different kinds of discounts. Being a good driver or accident-free and having low annual mileage are some of the car insurance discounts that might be available for you.
Get Higher Deductible
Having higher deductible is a great way to lower the premium on your car insurance, especially if you have a good driving record. Just keep in mind that you should have the amount of money available should you be involved in an at-fault accident.
Shop Around Online
Many car insurance companies have Websites that provide car insurance quotes so this is your way to find the cheapest price for your car insurance. It is very simple to obtain car insurance quotes online since you can ask for them for free. It is advisable to use a car insurance comparison quotes Website for you to acquire several free car insurance quotes without having to submit your information one by one.
These are just some pieces of advice to get you started on your search for cheap car insurance. Take some time to find out exactly what your car insurance needs are as it will make it easier for you to choose the right car insurance policy.
July 28 2009 by author in Uncategorized |
Reader’s Question:
What are the factors that affect car accident insurance auto insurance here in Georgia?
Merly
Atlanta Georgia
There are several factors affecting the rates of your car accident insurance policy in Georgia. One of which is age. Drivers below age 25 are most likely to be involved in car accidents compared to other age groups. Since they are prone to more car accident risks, their car insurance rates are higher especially to young drivers.
Second, is gender. Males in particular are given higher rates than females because of their impulsiveness and irrationality when it comes to road manners and discipline.
Third, the type of car you are driving. Sports utility vehicles are considered as vehicle fads right now due to its massive size and weight. But those very factors are the sole reasons why your rates are higher if you own an SUV compared to an old band wagon.
Fourth, location. Insurance companies need to determine your location in driving. Those who are located in rough terrains are mostly given higher rates compared to those located in urban plain areas.
In conclusion, you must know first hand the limits and capabilities of your car insurance policy. And it should not be regarded as a bulletproof vest for anyone who believes that it is okay to be involved in accidents because insurance are made to help you – not promote irresponsibility to life. Therefore, safety must always be heralded as your topmost priority.
June 18 2009 by author in Uncategorized |
Reader’s Question:
Is there some kind of a law that when an automobile insurance agent gave you a wrong car insurance quote, can they honor it?
Alfred
Boston MA
Normally, when you get car insurance quote from an automobile insurance agent, and you place an incorrect information on your application, they will correct it and they will tell you will pay nay difference in the premium if necessary. Some insurance company will even cancel the policy. Usually you will be notified about the changes. The notification will show the reason. If you have been notified and you failed to pay the premium amount, your car insurance policy will be canceled.
Some changes that can be made may be:
- An increase in the premium you are charged
- Non-renewal of your policy
- Cancellation of your policy, or,
- A reduction in your policy coverage.
If you do not agree with the decision of the company canceling your policy you you have the right to protest though. However the decisions and guidelines of the company complies with the law.
But if you believe that the automobile insurance agent did something illegal regarding your car insurance contract you can always make a complaint with the insurance regulator in your state.
Reader’s Question:
I will be out of the country next year and an auto insurance agent here in Indiana recommended that I get overseas car insurance, could you tell me more?
Laura
Gary, IN
For people who will be traveling to other countries and would be bringing their car over, it would be highly advisable to talk to your auto insurance agent and get an overseas car insurance policy. Fat is, once you leave the country, your existing auto insurance coverage would probably be unable to extend protection to you anymore. If you’ve already got auto insurance there in Indiana, that means that you did not want to risk getting injured or losing a great deal of money while driving, so imagine what would happen to you if you get involved in a car accident in Mexico? As an example.
Most of the big, nationwide car insurance providers like GEICO or Farmers would either have offices, subsidiaries or affiliations in different countries that can arrange for you to have the same amount of auto insurance coverage you already have in the U.S to take effect in that particular country. Of course, each carrier would have their own set of rules and policies regarding overseas auto insurance so it would be best to consult an auto insurance agent or representative with your carrier for the details.
Also ask your carrier about the necessary details like how and where to file a claim in the country you will be traveling into in case you need to, contact numbers, as well as if you will be charged for the said policy in dollars or by using the local currency.
Tags: automobile insurance agents, insurance agents, auto insurance, cheap auto insurance, auto insurance quote
Reader’s Question:
I have a really bad driving record here in North Dakota (rebellious streaks as a dumb-teenager). Do you think there would still be auto insurance agents out there who can give me good car insurance rates?
Jimmy
Fargo, ND
A blemished driving history certainly has its drawbacks when it comes to getting affordable auto insurance rates or premiums, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. However, there are also other factors you need to be aware of that can cause high auto insurance rates, this is to set your expectations on how low you can realistically go on your premiums there in North Dakota.
Driver Profile
This includes age, gender, where you live and even the kind of job you hold. Teenagers and Senior Citizens typically have higher rates, as well as male drivers compared to female drivers. The type of car you drive can also affect your rates, small vehicles, expensive cars and models with low safety ratings are more expensive to insure.
Credit History
Credit Scores can be used by companies as a major indicator of how responsible you are in taking care of your bills, which can also be a reflection of how you are when driving.
Now that you have an understanding of how insurance agents and carriers determine rates, here are a few tips to help you out:
- Take advantage of discounts you may qualify for. Completing Defensive Driving classes as well as installing additional air bags and other safety measures on your vehicles can qualify you for discounts.
- If you have a student or you are one, getting good grades can qualify you for Good Student Discounts.
- Auto insurance portals like this one offer free online auto insurance quotes. You can compare rates to know who gives the best rates for you.
Tags: automobile insurance agents, insurance agents, auto insurance, cheap auto insurance, auto insurance quote
Reader’s Question:
Would it be better to get coverage from auto insurance agents or should I go with brokers here in Montana instead?
Jane
Missoula, MT
Good question. For those not aware, an auto insurance broker is not the same as an auto insurance agent. A broker works independently, and may have many clients and insurance companies he/ she works with. An auto insurance agent works for a single company only and whatever offers and discounts they can provide you would only be limited by what the company can offer.
An Independent insurance broker would have access to a broader choice of rates and premiums between many auto insurance companies and could probably get you good rates there in Montana however, most would work on a commission basis, which means the more customers they get or the higher the value of auto insurance plan they sell, the more they make money. So a broker may or may not have your best interest in mind when they look for a policy. An agent would probably exert enough effort and offers to snag you as a customer, but again interests may conflict and they may only have limited options which may not be the best available.
The good news is this, these days there is a much better way of getting auto insurance coverage which is buying insurance from a provider directly. The Internet is a a great way to do this since there are a lot of auto insurance websites and portals (like this one) that offers rates comparisons between companies easily and can even help you apply for the coverage Online.
Tags: auto insurance agents, auto insurance information, auto insurance advise, cheap auto insurance
Reader’s Question:
I would like to know how auto insurance agents or adjusters determine how much money they will pay me for my totaled vehicle here in Kansas. Thanks!
Milton
Lawrene, KS
Interesting question. It is always advisable to have a good idea of how much your can expect to get from your totaled vehicle before meeting up with auto insurance agents or a claims adjuster. These individuals are hired to always look out for the best interest of the company in every car accident claim they handle (which may not always be aligned with what is best for their policyholders).
A reasonable auto insurance company would pay you the amount of money or settlement equal to the market value of the said vehicle during the time of the accident. You can refer to web sites such as www.kbb.com or www.nada.com to get an idea of how much your vehicle costs. Of course, you will have to factor in all the administrative expense and deductibles involved when filing a claim that might be subtracted from the reimbursement check you will get.
Another effective way would be to look up the current value of your vehicle there in Kansas. You could also look up the current price of a very similar vehicle, if you can’t seem to find out how much your car model is worth these days. Don’t have false expectations that you can milk out more money from the auto insurance company since they will have all the necessary resources to know exactly how much your vehicle is currently worth.
Tags: auto insurance agents, auto insurance information, auto insurance rates, cheap auto insurance
Reader’s Question:
My teenager just got his drivers license and we are thinking of giving him a car as a gift, what should I consider when I get auto insurance here in Delaware for my son?
Chase C.
Brandywine, DE
This is a very relevant question. If you are not already aware, having a teenage driver under your auto insurance policy would already cost an arm and a leg, and getting them their own policy would just make financial matters worst. But we can’t have him driving his new car without any form of auto insurance can’t we? So, here are a few things to consider (and a few tips as well) when getting auto insurance coverage for your son.
1. When speaking to auto insurance agents or representative, ask about discounts that you may be eligible for. There are many companies that offer discounts for adding another named driver (i.e your son) or another vehicle under an existing auto insurance policy. If you don’t already have one you can get further discounts if you have had a clean driving record for the past 3 to five years and by having your son take defensive driving lessons. If your son is still in school, you may also qualify for good student discounts if he does well academically.
2. Consider a less expensive or even a second-hand vehicle which would cost less to insure than a brand new, top of the line model.
3. Shop around, there are a lot of deals available Online both on auto insurance companies web pages as well as by utilizing auto insurance portals such as this one. You can compare rates across different providers faster and much more convenient than having to call them up one by one.
Tags: auto insurance agents, auto insurance information, auto insurance policy, auto insurance rate
Reader’s Question:
Is it possible for me to negotiate with an auto insurance agent here in Arizona for my rates?
Jake
Phoenix, AZ
Definitely! we all have to learn how to negotiate (or haggle) from time to time, and with the global economic pinch everyone is feeling right now, negotiating with your auto insurance agent there in Arizona for better rates is a must! Here are a few tips that can help you uncover those “hidden” discounts and savings that your auto insurance may not be telling you about.
1. Do your homework and shop around. If you are not armed with timely auto insurance information then you might as well be shooting blanks. There are a lot of websites or insurance portals (just like this one) that you can use for free to get timely and accurate quotes and comparisons between many auto insurance providers.
2. Call up your agent or provider. Let them know that you are being offered so and so rates by XX company that is better than what you are currently paying for (of course you want to make sure your information is accurate) and see what they will do to keep you as a customer.
3. If they can’t push down your rates further, start asking questions to uncover other discount options. You can ask about discounts for getting your life or house insurance under the same provider. Look for annual payment schemes which usually costs less then monthly payments. Discounts are available as well for those who have taken defensive driving lessons as well as having a low driving mileage per year. It may seem tedious but the savings you’re going to get are well worth the effort.
Tags: auto insurance, auto insurance agents, auto insurance company, affordable auto insurance
Reader’s Question:
Will auto insurance agents find out that I have some bad driving records here in Kentucky even if I don’t tell them so?
Hope
Fayette, KY
Yes, even if you are a bit clandestine about your previous driving history an auto insurance agent would still have ways and resources to find out if you have had any driving violations, car accidents, and even minor traffic misdemeanors and points against your driver’s license. Most states and their respective DMV’s or Department of Motor Vehicles have their own systems that keeps track of each person who has a driving record.
Your auto insurance agent or carrier there in Kentucky may choose to run a Motor Vehicle Report or MVR on you. Or they may use third party institution and may even contact an old auto insurance carrier (it is legal for auto insurance companies to exchange records to avoid fraudulent intentions) for the details. Checking of your driving record and history is usually done when you applied for the auto insurance policy or once your auto insurance policy is being renewed.
Auto insurance carriers can also use a system known as C.L.U.E or your credit report to get the necessary information to adjust your auto insurance rates appropriately. Insurance companies always do their background checks, and this might not be such as bad thing since if you have a clean driving record for the past three or five years, you want to make sure you get very good rates out of it. For those whose records are less than stellar, take this as an opportunity to get back on track, and maintain a good record for the at least three years so that you can also get good rates.
Tags: auto insurance agents, auto insurance tips, auto insurance information, cheap auto insurance