Posts Tagged ‘compare car insurance’

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State Farm Auto Quote May Not Cover These Things

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Car insurance companies must find a balance between offering excellent insurance coverage and running a business.  In the Fox Business article “6 Auto Insurance Potholes,” by Jay MacDonald, we learn some of the actions we should take to avoid damage that won’t be covered.  When you get a State Farm auto quote or that from another car insurance company, they are covering damage to your car assuming that you act in a responsible manner.  It’s just not possible for a car insurance company to exist and cover any possible thing that could happen to your car.  You have the responsibility to make good decisions, which should ensure that you are covered by your insurer if something does happen.

Any intentional damage to a vehicle or person will likely be excluded from your coverage, so keep your road rage in check.  When you compare car insurance policies, most have a livery exclusion.  So if you use your vehicle to make deliveries or transport people on a regular basis, whether for business or charity, you need a car insurance policy that specifies coverage for the continual transportation.  Be sure that your policy covers any damage if you lend your car to a friend or family member.  Your policy may or may not cover them and even if it does, it may limit coverage or stipulate that you have to be riding in the car with them.

Don’t brush off your car salesman when they offer you lease-gap insurance coverage.  For those who lease vehicles or take out a loan to pay for new vehicles, a totaled car is usually only covered for the market value.  If you owe more than that, which most people do, you have to come up with the extra cash to cover the difference if your car is totaled.  If you don’t have comprehensive coverage from a company like Bristol West car insurance, you probably aren’t covered from damage caused by acts of nature.  Comprehensive coverage will pay for storm or flood damage, problems animals cause to your car, or damage from hitting a large animal like a deer.  Anything that doesn’t come with your car is not covered by your car insurance policy if stolen.  Electronics and shopping bags alike are not reimbursed, even if they are stolen from your car.  Make sure to double check your car insurance policy to see if you have any gaps.

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Testosterone Can Make for A Higher State Farm Auto Quote

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Women may be better off leaving their boyfriends and maybe even their husbands off of their car insurance policies, according to “He’ll Break Your Heart–and Your Car Insurance Rates.”  Emmet Pierce’s article for Fox Business says that gender is a large factor towards determining your car insurance rates.  A State Farm auto quote, or a quote from another insurance company, calculates insurance rates based on gender for a few reasons.  Males tend to take more chances like driving faster and making risky decisions, which results in more accidents and tickets from police officers.  This is especially true for males in their 20s, resulting in a higher State Farm auto quote.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that testosterone is likely the reason why men are riskier drivers than women.  In fatal car crashes, men are twice as likely as women to have been intoxicated.  Men are more likely not to wear seatbelts, to speed, to make riskier decisions, and they also tend to drive more miles.  All of these reasons make them more expensive to insurance companies when you compare car insurance quotes.  While it may not be monetarily beneficial for a woman to add a man to her car insurance policy, compare car insurance quotes in the reverse it could work out in a man’s favor.  Most car insurance companies offer a discount when you insure more than one car, so a man adding a woman without a bad driving record could result in a significant discount.  A woman adding a man with a flawed driving record, however, usually loses more in premium increases than any discount she would have received for adding another car to the policy.

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Finding Cheap Car Insurance as Gas Prices Soar

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

It costs a lot more to drive a car today than it did just last year.  Not only is the cost of gas putting a huge dent in our pockets, but when you compare car insurance rates with last year some companies have increased their premiums.  According to the Standard-Examiner’s article “Gas prices, insurance increases to make driving more expensive this summer,” author Kristy Eppley Rupon says that the average driver is paying $825 more this year to drive.  The cost of purchasing your car has been increasing steadily as well, so drivers are being hit on all fronts.

Even though prices seem to be rising across the board, it still is not too expensive to drive compared to the alternatives.  You should definitely be evaluating your car and driving habits though to see what you can do to make the most of your money.  Many Americans are driving their cars longer instead of purchasing a new car when they thought they would.  Finding cheap car insurance is still possible, but you have to do your research and make adjustments like increasing your deductible.   There are even people moving so that their commute to work is shorter or joining carpools to save on gas and mileage.

While gas prices are seemingly out of control, they are not likely to go down below $3/gallon anytime soon based on the troubles in the Middle East, oil futures investing, and increased summer driving habits.  The article says that the best way for us to get gas prices down is to consume less oil from foreign countries both by driving less and investing in alternative fuels.  Insurers like Estrella Insurance are affected by high gas prices just like us and watch closely to see what changes can be made.  If people decide to drive less or cut down the number of cars in their family, it could increase insurance costs for everyone as companies lose members.  Regardless of why it costs more to drive now, everyone has to make personal changes and sacrifices to adjust to our new economic normal.

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Idahoans Are Finding Cheap Car Insurance

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Idaho is the place for finding cheap car insurance, according to InsWeb’s latest report detailing median car insurance rates by state.  The report looks at car insurance rates for the 50 United States as well as the District of Columbia.  Some of the largest car insurance companies and InsWeb customers were tracked to find these rate results for 6-month car insurance policies.

This is the second year in a row that Idaho had the lowest insurance rates in the survey.  On average, Idahoans pay $436 for six months of car insurance.  The nine other states in the top ten with cheap car insurance premiums are Maine, Vermont, North Dakota, North Carolina, Minnesota, Virginia, Utah, Ohio, and Wisconsin.  Each of these states had six-month premium costs below $550.

Louisiana drivers pay the highest  premiums in the country when you compare car insurance, with the average driver spending $1,111 every six months.  This is also the second year in a row for Louisiana being ranked in the bottom spot.  Rounding out the top ten states with the highest car insurance premiums are Maryland, Rhode Island, Nevada, Arizona, Washington D.C., New York, Connecticut, California, and Georgia.  It is interesting how the cheapest and most expensive states don’t seem to have much in common.  Each list contains states all across the U.S. with different weather and economics.

In addition to the median car insurance rates, InsWeb also collected demographic specific insurance rate information.  The rate for all drivers decreased 5.6% since last year.  Men looking for car insurance from a State Farm auto quote or elsewhere are paying 5.2% less than last year and women are paying 6.9% less.  While three age groups saw an increase in their car insurance rates, five age groups saw an overall decrease.  Those 19 and younger, 60-74, and 75 and older saw their rates increase anywhere from 3% to 6%.  People between the age of 19 and 60 saw their rates go down.

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Compare Car Insurance Trends

Monday, December 20th, 2010

There are five trends in the car insurance industry that will help you keep your resolutions to save both money and time next year.  Insurance.com discusses their trends in the article “Insurance.com Reveals 5 Car Insurance Trends That Will Save Time and Money in 2011.”  Like many businesses, insurance companies have been hit hard by the struggling economy and are offering incentives and deals to obtain and keep customers.  Compare car insurance from this year and the likely trends for next year and there are significant time and money saving offers for consumers.

First of all, car insurance rates will be more competitive.  Insurance companies like Allmerica car insurance will be offering better premium rates to get new customers.  The next trend will be an increase in the number of policies that are based on mileage.  Consumers who drive very few miles are likely to receive big discounts next year if they get into one of these policies.  Lower deductibles and refunds of premiums paid will likely be given to accident-free drivers by many insurance companies in 2011, giving them a greater incentive to drive safely.

The fourth trend for 2011 will save tech savvy consumers a lot of time.  The use of smart phone options related to car insurance will become even more widespread with communication regarding policies and claims becoming simpler.  Finally, insurance companies like Eastwood Insurance are likely to offer more budget friendly options for car insurance.  More companies are likely to offer minimum coverage plans and advertise them to attract consumers who are cutting back.  Talk to your insurer and research others to save yourself time and money in 2011.

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Compare Car Insurance in MI

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

Michigan drivers pay more than double their neighbors in Ohio when it comes to car insurance.  A news story from journalist and reporter Marc Schollett entitled “Fact Finder: Car Insurance Costs Rise” seeks answers for disgruntled Michigan residents as to why they pay so much for their car insurance.  Michigan falls in second place when it comes to the top five states with the highest car insurance premiums behind only Louisiana.  Residents of Michigan pay an average of $2,098.29, while their neighbors in Ohio are paying half that at $999.86 and landing in the list of the five least expensive states when you compare car insurance costs.  Unfortunately there is more bad news for Michigan residents because industry insiders say that their rates are increasing at a faster rate than the other states, while some states are even seeing decreases in premium costs.

While the overall reason that car insurance is more expensive in Michigan is quite complex, Schollett found some interesting reasons and facts during his research.  Insurance companies in Michigan have the second highest rate of profit in the United States, only beaten by Hawaii.  It appears that companies are holding high reserves because they overestimate the amount of money they need to cover drivers.  Unfortunately the Insurance Commissioner in Michigan doesn’t have the rights that most other state Insurance Commissioners do and cannot stop insurance companies like Bristol West car insurance from increasing rates across the state or mandate refunds when customers have been overcharged.  Additionally, Michigan drivers have had their insurance rates based on their credit scores since 1996.  This may lead to someone with a terrible driving history but a good credit score to pay less for car insurance than a great driver who was laid off and has a bad credit score.  There are currently petitions being sent to Michigan lawmakers to change some of these policies.

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Compare Car Insurance Facts

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

There are five facts about car insurance that are not known to many drivers, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “5 Things You Don’t Know About Car Insurance.”  Author Chad Fisher discusses both unexpected things that are and are not covered when you compare car insurance.  The first fact is that the personal items in your car are not covered, even if your car is stolen or they are damaged in your vehicle.  You need to add personal belongings like GPS machines and cell phones onto your home insurance policy in case anything happens to them, even in your car.

Another piece of information of which many people are not aware is the possibility of obtaining a diminished value claim payment from an insurance company.  While it is unlikely that you would be reimbursed from your own insurance company if they covered your vehicle in an accident, the diminished value may be paid out to you from the at fault person’s insurance company if your car will now lower in value because of being in an accident.  It is a good idea to check with car insurance companies and see if they offer any coverage for your pet in the case of a car accident.  Some policies do cover veterinary bills up to $1,000 if your animal was in an accident with you.

Some consumers are not aware that they are being charged extra to pay monthly for their car insurance.  It is possible that Encompass auto insurance and others might offer you a discount for paying your policy in a lump sum either once or twice a year.  You have to check with your individual company to see what their policy is regarding lump sum payments.  The fifth fact that you may not be aware of is that your insurance company might pay for your taxes and registration fees in the case that you are in an accident and your car is deemed a total loss.  It’s important to read the fine print in your insurance policies since you may be covered for costly expenses that you didn’t even realize.

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Compare Car Insurance for Ohioans

Friday, September 10th, 2010

According to the Street Insider, “(the) Ohio Median Auto Insurance Rate (is) Now $560 per Household.”  Over the past six months, the six month car insurance rate for Ohioans has actually gone up 5% to $560.  When you compare car insurance rates for different demographics, there is a wide range in what people are paying.  Women, at $531, pay less than men do at $585.  The age group of 60-74 pays the least on average at $483 while the teenagers age 19 and younger pay the most by far at $1191.  20-24 year olds pay $761, 25-29 year olds pay $554, and 30-39 year olds pay $535.  Rates decrease to $507 for 40-49 year olds, to $489 for 50-59 year olds, then go back up a bit to $533 for those aged 75 and older.

Those in Ohio who pay both the median car insurance rate of $560 every six months and earn the median income of $41,532 are paying 2.7% of their gross income for car insurance.  That makes Ohio the 14th most affordable state for car insurance based on income.  State Farm car insurance quotes can let you know if you are able to get a lower car insurance rate in Ohio that is more along the lines with the median.  Men in Ohio pay about 10% more than women do for car insurance.  Teenagers in Ohio actually pay more than double what those in the 30-39 age group pay when you compare car insurance.  The easiest way to lower your car insurance is to shop around and see what different companies have to offer you.

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Eastwood Insurance for “Green” Cars

Wednesday, 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.

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Compare Car Insurance Affordability

Thursday, 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.

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