August 25th, 2010
According to Laurent Belsie’s article in The Christian Science Monitor, the five states where you will spend the least amount of your median income on car insurance are not necessarily the states with the cheapest car insurance rates. In “Insurance rates: Top 5 states to insure a car for less,” Belsie lists the five states where companies like Esurance will insure your car for less of your median income than all other states. The national average for car insurance payments is $733 per year or 3.5% of one’s income.
Although insurance rates are relatively high in Massachusetts, the median income is as well so residents of the Bay State pay the least percentage of income towards their car insurance. The average cheap car insurance payment of $509 a year equals out to 2% of the annual income in Massachusetts. Minnesota is the second place state, even though they have very harsh winters filled with loads of snow, ice and sleet. Drivers there spend about 2.4% of their median income on their average car insurance payments of $563 per year. Maybe it is because they spend so much time stuck in their houses in a snowdrift!
Hawaii comes in third place, even though they pay the most insurance of all the top five states at $602 a year. They also make much more on average than Americans in other states. Companies like Allmerica car insurance don’t have to worry about snow and ice since residents are driving in beautiful weather year round. The fourth place state is New Hampshire, partly because there are so many less drivers per square mile than neighbors like New York City. Residents pay $595 a year, which is 2.5% of their median income. Utah rounds out the top five with residents paying 2.4% of their income for car insurance of $573 per year. They have a lot of open space and far fewer residents than many other states.
Tags: Allmerica car insurance, cheap car insurance, Esurance
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August 17th, 2010
Car salesmen are trained to sell. They want to sell you not only a car, but an unlimited number of extra options as well. According to Bankrate, Inc.’s article “5 costly car dealer options to skip,” Kamil Skawinski recommends avoiding certain options. Not only will they not help get a lower Estrella Insurance quote or other car insurance, you will pretty much be wasting your money.
Rust-proofing your car is the first unnecessary option. Most new cars today have excellent rust-proofing already and you can actually void the factory’s corrosion-perforation warranty by having your car rust-proofed by an outside source. Skipping this service can save you anywhere from $200-$1,200. The article recommends avoiding fabric protection services as well. You can be charged $100 or more for this service that costs the dealership next to nothing and your vehicle really doesn’t need it.
The purchase of paint protection can cost $200, but actually shouldn’t be done on most new vehicles. Your best bet for protecting your paint is performing regular washing and waxing duties on your vehicle. While insurance companies like Dairyland Insurance do recommend etching your VIN number on a car window, it doesn’t seem wise to do it at the dealership. At home kits are less than $50, but you could pay up to $300 getting it done at the dealership.
The thousands of dollars for extended warranties charged by dealerships can be avoided by purchasing a highly rated vehicle and performing its recommended maintenance. Many experts agree that extended dealer warranties are not worth the cost if you simply take care of your vehicle. By avoiding unnecessary options car salesmen try to offer you, you’ll save money to put towards car insurance, maintenance, or parking costs.
Tags: Dairyland Insurance, Estrella Insurance Quote
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August 11th, 2010
Kelley Blue Book put together their list for the best “green” cars in 2008 and they are still some of the most fuel efficient vehicles today. There has been an increasing interest in environmentally friendly cars because gas prices are high, the economy has been weak, and people are more environmentally conscious than ever before. While “green” cars have unique challenges for insurers like Eastwood Insurance, it doesn’t mean that they will cost you more to insure. They might actually cost you less.
While coming up with their top ten list, Kelley Blue Book looked at fuel efficiency, price of the car, performance, comfort, the utility, and its updated technology. They compiled their list for new car buyers looking for the total package, not just the fuel economy. There are “green” cars in just about all categories of vehicles now, even large SUVs. Compare car insurance offers and you can find great deals for the purchase of a new environmentally friendly car as well as available government incentives.
The Toyota Prius with its 46 mpg is not only the best selling “green” car, it is the most fuel efficient and Kelley’s number one choice. Honda’s Civic Hybrid is the second most fuel efficient at 42 mpg and is popular with many consumers because it looks like a more traditional sedan. The third, fourth and fifth vehicles are the smart fortwo at 36 mpg, the Nissan Altima Hybid at 34 mpg, and the Mini Cooper at 32 mpg. The Ford Escape Hybrid is the first SUV on the top ten list and boasts a respectable 32 mpg. Honda’s Fit with 31 mpg, the Mercedes Benz E320 BlueTEC at 26 mpg, Toyota’s Highlander Hybrid at 26 mpg, and Chevrolet’s Tahoe Hybrid with 21 mpg round out the rest of the top ten.
Tags: compare car insurance, Eastwood Insurance
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August 4th, 2010
The technology allowing blind people to drive is actually closer than you might realize, according to MSN’s “Car Insurance for Blind Drivers.” Kat Zeman of Insure.com wrote in the article that a Ford Escape outfitted with “nonvisual interface technology” has been developed by the National Federation of the Blind and Virginia Tech. The prototype will be released in January of next year, but the possibility of mainstream models on the road is still years away. How will Dairyland Auto Insurance and other companies come up with a way to insure blind drivers on the road? It’s something that they will have to think about soon, if they haven’t already.
Most car insurance companies do not have any policies or guidelines for insuring visually or hearing impaired drivers on the road. Car insurers in California don’t currently charge more for hearing impaired drivers. Companies like Allstate require you to have a valid driver’s license in order to obtain insurance. Since that requires you to pass a vision test, they don’t ask for anything further. If the vision guidelines change in the future, so might the policies of car insurance companies. It looks like they aren’t really sure what they’ll do in the future. It all depends on the development of this vehicle for blind drivers and the direction the government takes.
Tags: Allstate, car insurance companies, dairyland auto insurance
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July 27th, 2010
Farmers Insurance will soon be the third largest auto insurance company in the United States, according to Bristol West’s website. Bristol West car insurance belongs to the Farmers’ family and they are getting some new members. Farmers recently acquired AIG’s Personal Auto insurance business. This includes 21st Century auto insurance, among others. Although all of the companies are related, they run separately and offer their own unique customer benefits in their marketplaces. Bristol West and Farmers’ Foremost Group will begin to merge and run concurrently.
Bristol West operates in 40 of the United States currently. They assure their customers that their merger with Farmers auto insurance and the acquisition of AIG and 21st Century will not affect Bristol West customers. Policies will remain unchanged and their great service and excellent products will move forward with the company. Bristol West has combined their operations with the Foremost Group of Companies, so while policies and services will remain unchanged, some insurance documents may look a little different with the Foremost name attached.
Tags: 21st century auto insurance, Bristol West Car Insurance, Farmers auto insurance
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July 21st, 2010
Unfortunately for the rest of us, many people in need of extra cash during these tough economic times are getting rid of their car insurance. According to “More local drivers foregoing car insurance to make ends meet” from Washington news station KREM, Marissa Bagg describes this effect from the nationwide recession. Each state in the U.S. requires drivers to carry insurance on their vehicles, but you are not required to show proof when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license. So when forced with a choice to insure their vehicle or buy food for their family, Americans are choosing the latter. It’s always better to look for cheap car insurance to keep yourself safe though.
Companies like Farmers auto insurance may work with you to help you keep your car insured and avoid costly expenses related to not having insurance. Local Washington insurance companies are dealing with the problem in different ways. One company said it has lost 1/4 of its business due to the economy and customers saying they cannot afford to keep car insurance. State Farm Car Insurance is working with consumers and allowing them to suspend their policies in order to save the money needed to pay their premiums and not be considered uninsured. They have seen customers lessening coverage and cutting down on other things though. Before you cancel your car insurance policy, see if you company will work with you to avoid the huge expenses that will come if any accidents occur.
Tags: cheap car insurance, Farmers auto insurance, state farm car insurance
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July 13th, 2010
A one of a kind new rental car center has just opened at Miami International Airport (MIA). According to Just News article “Rental Car Center Eases Hassle At MIA,” this rental car center is a one-stop shop for Miami travelers needing rental cars. The building houses sixteen different rental car companies and has a garage that can hold 6,500 vehicles.
Renting a car, obtaining car insurance, and much more will be available to nearly 28,000 people every day in this rental car center. Officials in Miami say that it is the first of its kind in the United States. There are also 130 gas pumps and 42 bays to wash cars available. The Florida Department of Transportation is hoping to get stops at the rental car center for Amtrak, bus, and the county’s Metrorail transportation services.
So far, travelers are very happy with the center and have said it is perfect and it cuts down on complications that could arise. The rental car center is expected to reduce the traffic congestion notorious at larger airports. This is good news for insurance companies like Liberty Mutual who see a lot of fender benders outside of airports. There is also a new shuttle bus service for the rental car center.
Tags: car insurance, Liberty Mutual
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July 1st, 2010
Many Memphis flood victims are relying on their insurance from companies like GEICO Insurance to help with their damaged vehicles. For those without flood coverage from their car insurance company, FEMA provides federal aid to those who qualify. One Memphis woman who was a victim of the flooding recently found out that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would not be providing relief to her, according to “No FEMA car aid for Memphis flooding victim.” The article, from Kevin McKenzie of The Commercial Appeal, states that she did not qualify because she didn’t carry the minimum required car insurance.
FEMA’s rules clearly state that cars must be “street legal” to qualify for their “Other Needs Assistance”, meaning that owners must have license plates that are current and carry the required minimum of liability insurance coverage. While this particular Memphis woman has a sad story in that she is widowed and fighting breast cancer, there is nothing FEMA can do because she doesn’t meet the program requirements. Car insurance companies are also struggling with high rates of damage to vehicles in the Memphis flooding. Natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes can take a large toll, especially on smaller companies. FEMA did direct the flood victim to a charity website where she may be able to get a car, so she still has another route to pursue. This story just helps to stress the importance of carrying at least the minimum amount of car insurance.
Tags: car insurance companies, GEICO Insurance
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June 23rd, 2010
There are many steps you can take to lower your car insurance bill, according to “A few quick steps could cut your car insurance bill in half.” The article, by Sandra Block of USA Today, gives numerous tips to help consumers lower their car insurance rates.
Decrease the amount of coverage that you are holding on an older vehicle. If it isn’t worth much to begin with, make sure you aren’t carrying too much insurance. At some point in your car’s life span, it can be wise to eliminate collision and comprehensive coverage. While it isn’t always easy to determine exactly when to do this, you can save up to 40% from your insurance rates. It has been said that once your vehicle is worth less than 10 times your premium you should make this move.
By raising your deductible, you can can decrease your car insurance bill from companies like Safeco car insurance by nearly half. If you are a safe driver and can fairly easily come up with the money for a higher deductible, this step may be right for you. Before buying a new car, make sure that you find out how much more it will cost you to insure. Your rates will be based on the price, theft rates, safety records, and repair costs.
When looking for insurance coverage for a teenager, make sure to check rates for adding them to your policy as well as getting them their own. Purchasing from a high-risk insurance company for your teenager could cost less than adding them to your policy. Always research any discounts that may apply to you. If you start working from home or using public transportation more, you might qualify for a low-mileage discount. Certain safety features, a good driving record, maintaining your policy for many years, and driving less overall should be able to get you discounts as well.
Tags: car insurance, Safeco car insurance
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June 17th, 2010
A recent ranking of states in order of car insurance affordability puts Massachusetts at the top of the list, according to press release “InsWeb Releases 2010 Car Insurance Affordability Index.” They compare car insurance rates in each state with the median household income in the state to get their affordability factor. The lower the affordability factor, the less households pay for car insurance based on their budget. Massachusetts’ affordability factor was the lowest at 1.84%, making them the most affordable state. The rest of the top ten in order are New Hampshire, Vermont, Minnesota, Utah, Nebraska, Hawaii, Indiana, North Carolina and Virginia.
With an affordability factor of 6.93%, a full two percentage points higher than any other state, Louisiana is the least affordable state in which to insure a car. Companies like Infinity auto insurance have to charge more based on the risk factors in that state, but residents’ median income does not balance with the insurance costs. The other nine least affordable states are Oklahoma, Missouri, Washington D.C., New York, West Virginia, New Mexico, Kentucky, Arizona and Florida. Many surveys rank where Americans pay the most and least for car insurance, but they don’t take into account how affordable the insurance is relative to median income. By determining what percentage of a family’s income goes towards car insurance, we get a better overall picture.
Tags: compare car insurance, Infinity auto insurance
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