Posts Tagged ‘car insurance’

Cheap Car Insurance

Monday, September 6th, 2010

There are four great ways to obtain cheap car insurance, according to Bankrate’s article “4 shortest routes to cheap car insurance.”  The best step before purchasing car insurance or even after is to shop around.  You can use online tools to get quotes or call around to different companies.  Always ask the companies a lot of questions, including what discounts may be available.  Sometimes Erie insurance and other smaller companies can get you better rates than the big guys.

Changing to a higher deductible is another way to lower your car insurance rates.  You can decrease your monthly payments by 1/4 simply by increasing your deductible by a few hundred dollars.  It’s important to have enough money to cover your increased deductible available in case you need to make a claim, so be sure to save it in your bank account.  Another important step to take when trying to lower your car insurance is to take advantage of any discounts that apply to you.  Some companies offer discounts for driving fewer miles, having an alarm system, good driving records, and even for taking additional driver’s training classes.

By adding other insurance coverage on with your car insurance, you might be able to make your monthly payments for each cheaper.  Companies often give better pricing to customers who insure both their home and auto together.  It might save you money to insure more than one car with the same company if you have a family member needing insurance as well.  Shop around and ask insurers about any possible discounts they offer to get cheap car insurance for your vehicle.

Car Insurance at Miami’s New RCC

Tuesday, 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.

Pay Less Car Insurance to Safeco

Wednesday, 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.

State Farm Car Insurance Ranks Well in Overall Satisfaction

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

J.D. Power & Associates’ 2009 National Auto Insurance Study rated numerous car insurance companies in terms of five categories.  The accompanying press release, “Lower Premiums at the Onset of the Current Recession Drive Significant Increase in Overall Satisfaction With Auto Insurance Companies, But a Hardening Market Could Eradicate 10 Years of Progress,” explains the results in detail.  Amica Mutual had the highest ratings for the tenth year in a row, with the highest marks in all five categories.  The factors measured were overall satisfaction, contacting the insurer, policy offerings, billing and payment, and pricing.  The overall rankings for the car insurance industry were at a five-year high in 2009, partly based on lower premiums because of the economic recession.

State Farm car insurance ranked “better than most” in overall satisfaction, “among the best” in contacting the insurer, and “better than most” in two of the remaining three categories.  USAA and New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co. were the other two standouts ranking “among the best” in all categories, but they are both only offered to a limited group of people.  Farmers auto insurance and most other insurers ranked “about average.”  Over forty percent of customers said that their premiums decreased without having to shop around and switch to another insurer.  Unfortunately, history shows that about a year after recessions, customer satisfaction declines as rates begin rising.  If the car insurance companies talk with their customers before potential rate increases and try to work with them, it might work to dissuade negative opinions as prices inevitably rise again.

Car Insurance Increases in Michigan

Monday, April 12th, 2010

According to “Auto insurance going up for Michigan drivers,” ABC News affiliate WZZM reports that car insurance rates will be increasing in Michigan.  The increase was initiated by the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association and will take effect on July 1st.  Each vehicle will be charged $18.20 more for auto insurance coverage.  Insurance agents say that they get complaints about these increases and have to explain them in detail to many consumers.

The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association has been around since 1978 and is the only one of its kind in the United States.  They pay the medical bills above $480,000 after car accidents.  Encompass Auto Insurance and other insurance companies wait to see what this Association will do about rate increases each year.  Usually the fees do go up but there have been times that did not occur.  With a $2 billion deficit and $800 million of payments to make, the M.C.C.A. says that after months of research they have no choice but to make this rate increase.

State Farm Insurance Quote Lower With iPhone App

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Young drivers have a new way to get a lower State Farm Insurance Quote.  State Farm introduced its second iPhone application last month and 9,000 people have already downloaded it.  This information is from “New State Farm app aimed at young drivers” by Ryan Denham of Pantagraph.  The application is called Steer Clear Mobile and is geared towards drivers under age 25.  They download videos, trip logs, and self-assessments to their iPhone or iTouch and go through this safe driving program.  The Steer Clear discount program can save young drivers up to 15% off of their car insurance.

State Farm’s mobile team wanted to take advantage of a media form that young drivers use and try to make them all safer.  Since they may not tell their parents or teachers that they have driving questions, the hope is that they’ll learn how to drive safer and buy State Farm car insurance because of the discount.  This program was previously available, but was done either through an agent or by downloading and printing out the forms.  The program takes a few weeks to complete and must be reviewed by an agent for verification.  Some added benefits to iPhone application users are a section on driving tips based on weather and places to find an agent.

Car Insurance Fraud in Pennsylvania

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

This seems to be a case of another criminal that didn’t think their ill-willed plot through.  According to David Singleton’s article “Reported stolen car leads to insurance fraud arrest” in The Times Tribune, a man from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania committed car insurance fraud.  He reported his car stolen on Christmas Eve last year after it had been involved in a car accident only ten hours earlier.  The 29-year-old man told police that he left his car at Chick’s Diner in South Scranton with the keys under the floor mat.  He said that his brother picked him up at 3:30 in the morning on Christmas Eve.

Unfortunately for this would-be criminal, the police task force caught him in his lies.  After filing an insurance claim and saying that he was not in his car when it was involved in the accident, surveillance video from Chick’s Diner and cell phone records have shown that this 1999 Nissan Maxima was not stolen.  It was driven to and from Chick’s by the 29-year-old man.  Companies like Estrella Insurance and Dairyland Auto Insurance have to worry about crooks like this when they receive car insurance claims.  It’s people like this criminal that can make insurance rates go up for everyone else.  Thanks to stellar police work, this time the criminal didn’t get away with his crime.

Mercury Insurance Chairman Talks Prop 17

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Proposition 17 will be on California voters’ ballots in June, according to Steve Lopez of the Los Angeles Times.  Lopez sat down with the Chairman of Mercury Insurance, George Joseph, for his article “Talking car insurance with Mercury’s top man.”  Joseph is bankrolling Prop 17 because he says it is in the best interest of California drivers.   While Mercury often gets bad press in California, they offer customers low rates and have been the leading independent car insurance broker in California for nearly 50 years.  Maybe the bad press comes from competitors’ attacks?  As a Mercury Insurance customer, Lopez wanted to talk with Mr. Joseph to get his side.

Proposition 17 would offer loyalty discounts to customers even when they switch companies.  If a good customer was insured through Bristol West Car Insurance for years and switched to Mercury Insurance, or vice verse, they could retain their customer loyalty discount.  This sounds like a great advantage for California drivers, but Mercury adversary Consumer Watchdog believes differently.  The company  said that along with that small discount to some consumers would come large increases for others.  They believe that a lot more uninsured drivers would be on the road because of the surcharges that would be implemented for drivers who do not have the industry standard ‘perfect’ records.  This battle will remain strong until the vote in June.

Encompass Auto Insurance Ratings

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Encompass auto insurance offers car insurance, homeowners policies, and a unique Universal Security Policy combining multiple personal policies.  They are a subsidiary of Allstate Insurance Company focused on sales by independent agents.  With over 25 years of experience helping independent agents serve their customers, Encompass is a strong company that has withstood the test of time.  All of their insurance products are underwritten by Allstate and it’s affiliates.

A.M. Best Company rates the financial strength of the underwriting companies.  As of July 2009, all of the listing companies had positive ratings.  In every state but Florida and New Jersey, Allstate Insurance Company 100% reinsures the products.  Their A.M. Best rating is A+ (superior).  In Florida, Castle Key Insurance Company reinsures the business.  Their rating is B- (fair).  New Jersey’s business is reinsured by Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company which has a strength rating of A- (excellent).  You can rest easy knowing that your car insurance needs will be covered with Encompass Insurance.

Car Insurance Rates Increase in Louisiana

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Drivers in Louisiana can expect to pay at least $71 a year more in car insurance starting January 1, according to KTBS News’ article “Car insurance bills to rise for Louisiana drivers.”  This new law that increases the required minimum liability coverage will effect over one million people in Louisiana.  Unfortunately for the drivers, many are not even aware that this new law has passed.  Insurance companies did not have to notify their policyholders in advance of this required increase in their coverage.

The current law in Louisiana requires what is known as “10-20-10″ liability coverage for cars and trucks.  That means $10,000 of coverage for the injury or death of one person from a car accident, $20,000 of coverage for more than one person, and $10,000 of damaged property coverage.  This new law ups the coverage to $15,000, $30,000, and $25,000 respectively.  A State Farm Insurance quote will now work those new figures into your policy.  Even those who carry minimum insurance will see a significant increase in their policy amounts.