Archive for the ‘Car Insurance’ Category

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Wednesday, August 16th, 2006

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AutoShop101 - Explains how all the major parts of your vehicle works, with sections on common problems and theory.

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How To Deal With Your Auto Insurance Company

Saturday, November 18th, 2006

Disputes, especially when it comes to settling insurance claims, are not new scenarios. In fact, they take place every day. Just what causes these disputes? Well, one of the obvious reasons is most policy holders think that they deserve to be paid a larger settlement than what they receive. Second, claims are slow to process. And third, claims are denied.

There are various ways to deal with your auto insurance company. First, is the aggressive approach, which I am not encouraging since I am a peace-loving individual, and believe that everything should be settled in a peaceful and civilized manner. There are actually several peaceful options which a policyholder may undertake depending on the degree of insurance dispute.

For cases wherein your insurance agent is unable to solve your problem, it is advised to get the name and then the phone number of your insurance company’s claims department. Afterwards, call the consumer complaint department and never hesitate to tell them your problem because they may be able to help you. And don’t forget to get the name of the person whom you talked with in the consumer complaint department.

The next step is to send all documents to the consumer complaint department to back up your complaints. Send it to the person whom you talked with in the consumer complaint department. But be sure not to send the original copies of your documents. Have your documents photocopied because you need the original copies in case you have to take the matter to court.

Another option that you have is to ask for reassessment of your claims from the appraisal service or the arbitration service of your insurance company. If the result still has not satisfied you there is always your own state’s insurance department that may be able to help you.

However, if you still feel that you have not been given a satisfying solution to your insurance problem you may call 1-800-942-4242 which is a toll free consumer information service that is sponsored by the insurance industry. They have trained personnel that are available to assist and answer queries relating to various auto insurance complaints. They are available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Nevertheless, if you still feel that after you have applied all the above-mentioned options and yet you feel that you have not been given the appropriate solution you want, you can always take the matter to court. You can hire a lawyer, preferably one who is an expert in handling auto insurance cases.

There are many qualified lawyers out there who may be able to help you. According to studies, insurance claims have a much better chance of being settled if it is done with the assistance of an auto insurance expert lawyer. This is because your auto insurance lawyer knows every miniscule detail there is to know regarding auto insurance claims. Protect your rights; hire an auto insurance lawyer to help you.

About the Author

Stu Pearson has an interest in Finance.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area. It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

7 Auto Insurance Tips

Wednesday, November 15th, 2006

1> Raising your deductible
Deductible is the amount you pay from your pocket before making an insurance claim. The disadvantage of raising your claim is when you make a claim, you will pay more. However, if you are a safe driver, you will overtime save more money by raising your insurance deductible. Look at your previous insurance claim history and make a discreet decision for yourself.

2> Older Auto - Drop comprehensive / collision coverage.
If your car is not worth much, why pay for comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. You can visit a myriad of online sites to find true worth of your car. Additionally your insurance broker might be able to pull up the true worth of your vehicle.

3> Taking advantage of low mileage
Some auto insurance companies will give discounts if you drive less than a certain number of miles or drive less than a certain distance to work.

4> Moving - Consider insurance costs.
If you are considering moving, it will be a good idea to call your insurance agent and get his opinion on the insurance costs in the new city or state.

5> Low profile vehicle
Your vehicle will also determine your overall insurance costs. Some of the cars are favorite for thieves since they fetch a good price. Some cars are more expensive to repair. It makes a lot of sense to do adequate amount of research before you make your auto purchase.

6> Make sure your vehicle is correctly listed by your insurance agent.
Many manufacturers offer somewhat similar model names for vehicles but insurance costs may vary. Additionally 2 or 4 door or the wrong model can impact your auto insurance quote.

7> Have your insurance broker check other insurance company discounts.
A lot of companies will offer discounts if you and your spouse are insured with the same insurance company. Additionally, if you seek home insurance, life insurance, auto insurance from the same insurance company, you will get some discounts. Check with your insurance agent on saving money.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area. It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

Your Auto Insurance Company For Extra Money?

Saturday, November 11th, 2006

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Most people, once they have an auto insurance company, simply just let their current policy renew and renew without checking to see if maybe they can get a better deal somewhere else. If that describes you, maybe you would look into exploring your options if you knew how and painless it really is. This article will show you just how easy the process is.

Shopping for a new auto insurance company The easiest and quickest and as a result the most painless way to shop for auto insurance is to go on the internet. Many companies can give you quotes 24/7 on their websites. You can also get contact information for a particular auto insurance company on their site and call them up on the telephone. When considering switching companies, the first thing to do is to get comparison rate quotes from several companies.

You do want to be very truthful about all your information so that you can get accurate quotes. The company will find out about any accidents, claims or traffic tickets anyway, so don’t try to hide anything. Also, when you get comparison rate quotes, make sure you compare the coverage you have with your current auto insurance company to what is available with any new company so that you can make a comparison that makes sense.

How to switch Once you have found a new auto insurance company and purchased your new policy you must cancel your old policy. If you don’t cancel your old policy the old auto insurance company could assume you wished to continue your insurance with them. They would be expecting to receive premiums from you. When they don’t receive those premiums they would eventually cancel your policy due to unpaid premiums and report your lack of coverage to the Department of Motor Vehicles of your state. This could affect your credit and your ability to get a new auto insurance policy.

Canceling your old policy is easy. Usually, all you need to do is to inform your old auto insurance company in writing, telling them when you would like the policy cancelled. They will then send you a form to sign and return, which in effect will cancel your policy.

One thing to note Do not cancel your policy from your old auto insurance company until the insurance is actually in effect with the new insurer. This way you avoid any lapse in coverage. However, nowadays there is little chance of that happening. Most states require all drivers to carry a minimum amount of insurance and your old auto insurance company will probably require you to show proof of insurance before they will cancel an active policy.

When you switch is very important The best time to switch to a new auto insurance company is when the current policy is about to expire. When you receive your policy renewal notice from your current auto insurance company is the best time to switch. This is usually about a month before the current policy is actually going to expire. It is during this period when you can switch insurers without incurring any fees or penalties.

Also, because it is so close to the end of the policy term you would avoid trying to figure out the amount of unused premium that you are due from your old auto insurance company. You also avoid arguing with your insurance agent about exactly when you cancelled and how much the auto insurance company owes you.

But yes, you can cancel outside of the 30 day period If after taking into account the fee or penalty you may have to pay you may find that you still would get appreciable savings. So, while it is best you switch within that 30 day renewal period, you can actually cancel at any time.

Are you ready? That’s all there is to it. Just think of all that extra money that could be coming your way if you follow these simple guidelines.

About the Author

Joe Folger with his extensive insurance experience writes for http://www.autoinsurancecompanyinfo.com and further information about almost any particular auto insurance company can certainly be found there.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

Auto Insurance Guide - Get Your Auto Insurance Policy

Wednesday, November 8th, 2006

Auto insurance provides complete protection against losses happened as a result of vehicle accidents. Normally it includes car insurance and motor insurance. The customers purchase this insurance policy just to reduce the risk incurred due to accidents of cars, trucks and other vehicles. People can also secure their vehicles against theft, fire damage or accident damage.

Auto insurance policy may cover insured party, insured vehicle as well as third party that are involved in the accident. Sometimes policy is valid for certain circumstances. Different policies are available for the customers and they can purchase anyone as per their requirements. Coverage levels can vary for each auto insurance policy.

Insurance is one of the essential things to secure you, your family as well as your vehicle. You?ve to just pay a certain amount of premium for a fixed period of time and then the insurer agrees to pay you for any kind of damages or loss of your vehicle. Cost of an insurance policy totally depends on the coverage because your policy covers more only if you pay more.

Auto insurance is expensive because it is the best way to secure you and your automobile. Main types of auto insurance are as follows:

Fully Comprehensive auto insurance policy
Third party (fire & theft)
Third party insurance
Specialized car insurance

People mostly purchase fully comprehensive auto insurance policy as it covers all types of cases like theft, accident and other damage. It is an expensive policy but whenever you go to buy this one you should try to get 100% security for your vehicle. Third party insurance is cheapest than others and it offers coverage only if you?re at fault and hit other party. It is the best option in case you owned an old vehicle.

Specialized car insurance is for the 25 years old vehicles. These vehicles require special services so these are categorized as classic. An individual can choose the best as per his/her requirements. But whenever you go to purchase these policies you?ve to be sure about the source from where you?re going to buy the insurance policy. You should first make you budget means how much you can afford to pay for auto insurance policy premium.

After deciding your budget, make a decision on amount of coverage that you want for each accident. You should tell your requirements to different insurance companies and agents. You should discuss your problems with the companies. Then choose the best among them means select that company which is ready to give more coverage. You can also search on Internet for the best service providers.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

Auto Insurance Guide- Get your Auto Insurance Policy

Saturday, November 4th, 2006

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Auto insurance provides complete protection against losses happened as a result of vehicle accidents. Normally it includes car insurance and motor insurance. The customers purchase this insurance policy just to reduce the risk incurred due to accidents of cars, trucks and other vehicles. People can also secure their vehicles against theft, fire damage or accident damage.

Auto insurance policy may cover insured party, insured vehicle as well as third party that are involved in the accident. Sometimes policy is valid for certain circumstances. Different policies are available for the customers and they can purchase anyone as per their requirements. Coverage levels can vary for each auto insurance policy.

Insurance is one of the essential things to secure you, your family as well as your vehicle. You’ve to just pay a certain amount of premium for a fixed period of time and then the insurer agrees to pay you for any kind of damages or loss of your vehicle. Cost of an insurance policy totally depends on the coverage because your policy covers more only if you pay more.

Auto insurance is expensive because it is the best way to secure you and your automobile. Main types of auto insurance are as follows: Fully Comprehensive auto insurance policy Third party (fire & theft) Third party insurance Specialized car insurance

People mostly purchase fully comprehensive auto insurance policy as it covers all types of cases like theft, accident and other damage. It is an expensive policy but whenever you go to buy this one you should try to get 100% security for your vehicle. Third party insurance is cheapest than others and it offers coverage only if you’re at fault and hit other party. It is the best option in case you owned an old vehicle.

Specialized car insurance is for the 25 years old vehicles. These vehicles require special services so these are categorized as classic. An individual can choose the best as per his/her requirements. But whenever you go to purchase these policies you’ve to be sure about the source from where you’re going to buy the insurance policy. You should first make you budget means how much you can afford to pay for auto insurance policy premium.

After deciding your budget, make a decision on amount of coverage that you want for each accident. You should tell your requirements to different insurance companies and agents. You should discuss your problems with the companies. Then choose the best among them means select that company which is ready to give more coverage. You can also search on Internet for the best service providers.

About the Author

About Author: Author presents a great website on Auto Insurance http://www.gdautoinsurance.com/ that provides advice on how to get cheap auto insurance. Website offers some valuable tips for auto insurance and what should be the basic qualities of auto insurance agent. You can visit his site http://www.latestautoinsurancetips.info

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

Top Tips to Save a Ton of Money on Auto Insurance Premiums

Wednesday, November 1st, 2006

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We all hate doing it, but it’s something that we all must do at one time or another… the wonderful task of shopping for car insurance quotes!

Since there’s no avoiding it, you might as well learn a few ways you can save money in the process. Here is a compilation of the top tips you can use to make sure you never overpay for your car insurance premiums…

1. Search for quotes regularly - Many people inadvertantly pay the same premium for years without ever shopping around. As your vehicle ages, it depreciates in value. You shouldn’t pay the same premium on an older vehicle as you would on a newer one… think about it! It’s generally good practice to do a quote search on a yearly basis, but the more often you do it, the better chances you have of getting lower rates.

2. If you have an older vehicle, consider “liability only” insurance - When making a decision like this, you need to consider the value of your vehicle compared to what you’re paying for your premium. If your vehicles wholesale value is, say $1000, why pay almost that much per year (give or take) when that is all you will get from your insurance agency… if you total your vehicle?

3. Take a defensive driving course - A simple 6 hour defensive driving course can save you up to 10% on your insurance premium. Contact your local department of motor vehicles for information on taking this course. Many times, you can also take this course by mail, by video, or even online!

4. If you have more than one vehicle in your household, insure them with the same agency - Most insurance agencies will knock a huge percentage off of your premium for multiple auto insurance policies.

5. If you also have life, home, fire, boat or any other type of insurance, use the same agency - As with having multiple auto policies, most agencies will knock a huge percentage off of your premium for multiple policies.

6. Increase your deductible - The higher the deductible you choose, the lower your premium will be, so set your deductible at the highest rate possible… just make sure that if you were to need the insurance you would be able to cover this deductible.

7. Maintain good credit - Insurance agencies, just like any other business, like to be paid… and on time. A good credit rating will lower your premium.

8. Think like an insurance agent - Insurance agencies base their rates foremost on one thing… risk. The more at risk you seem to be, the higher the premium will be, and vice versa. When talking with an agent, give them reasons that you are at a lower risk, ie: you have a safe vehicle, you have a clean driving record, you don’t use your vehicle for work purposes, you don’t travel often, you’re vehicle has anti-theft devices, you park in a garage, etc. A good idea would be to make a list of why you’re at a lower risk before you even speak to an agent. Be creative!

About the Author

Did you like this article? Read more auto insurance articles just like this one at http://insuranceauto.bravehost.com. Plus, browse through other auto insurance tips and resources.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

What the Auto Insurance Companies Know About You?

Sunday, October 29th, 2006

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American values have always given top priority to the right to privacy. But are you aware of the amount of information you unknowingly pass over to your insurance company, when you apply for auto insurance. Most of this information ends up in database companies who make profit out of selling information about you.

Your credit is what most insurance company wants to know. They use this credit data to decide about your auto insurance policy premiums. Use of this practice has expanded drastically because through your credit information they get a clear picture about your history with your previous auto insurer. Even before you approaching them they have already placed you in a category through which they will not end up in the loosing side. To be fair, they precisely know what type of claim you are likely to make and not to make and what is the best premium for you.

Every auto insurance company scrutinizes your credit history acquired from the database company and gives you a rank, of which you are unaware of. The rank will categorize you under preferred, standard or high-risk. Next they look is your payment history. If you are a timely payer you will move towards the preferred category. But if you have a bad history of payment then you move the opposite direction. This entire ranking, which takes place without your knowledge, is due to the information you have passed over to your earlier auto insurance company. An odd activity the month before you buy your new auto insurance will put you under the high-risk group. The odd activity might even stop an auto insurance company from selling you the policy.

ChoicePoint and the Insurance Services Office (ISO) provide auto insurance companies with all the necessary information they need. Your name, address, phone number, claims, credit report, criminal record if any, and the most curious aspect any auto insurance company would like to hear, your driving history. ChoicePoint has a database called Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange or CLUE. The information they gather from your credit history, gives you a rank. When you apply for auto insurance, the company you applied asks for your rank and they immediately get the answer into what category you fit. The All Claims databases maintained by ISO, mainly looks into fraud. Unusual or suspicious behavior in your credit history will be notified to the insurer. They also maintain a record about the claims that have dragged on to courts.

Apart from this top auto insurance companies also have their own database. The government agencies of your state also have all the necessary information. If you are curious to know about your motor vehicle report you can approach your state’s department. TransUnion, Equifax, Experian are some of the companies who can provide you with your credit history. The CLUE report of ChoicePoint is also available but you have to pay for it. If you have any difference of opinion with the ISO’s All Claims report. You can acquire a copy and dispute it.

So, next time when you approach an auto insurance company keep it in mind that he knows a whole lot of things about you, which you are unaware of.

About the Author

Ms.Grace Navas is an insurance agent and regular contributor to Super-Value-Insurance.com. Super-Value-Insurance.com helps consumers compare online insurance quotes.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

Getting the Best Deal on Auto Insurance

Thursday, October 26th, 2006

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Shop around and do it yearly. Don’t just keep paying the invoice over and over without comparison shopping. Below are a few suggestions to help you get the best deal available on your automobile insurance policy.

Insurance agents really have a lot of leeway. They can price match and they can offer many discounts. There are also many decisions you can make about your policy that will save you a bundle. For example, if you change your deductible on your collision from a $50 deductible to a $1000 deductible, you’re inline for a huge premium savings. If you don’t think you could come up with $1000 out of pocket, then change it to a $500 deductible; you’ll still save a sizable amount on your annual premium payment.

You can also get more of a savings if you change your comprehensive deductible. Many people needlessly carry full coverage on their older vehicle. They originally purchased the vehicle new, paid for full coverage and to this day, continue to pay the same high rate. Their ten year old vehicle may be worth $1000 or less, yet they continue to pay $250-$450 every six months (total $500 to $900 dollars a year) to keep full coverage on their old vehicle.

However, if they have an accident and totaled their vehicle, the insurance company will only pay them the wholesale value of the vehicle. The amount they would receive could be $1000 or less. A vehicle that old just needs the insurance that protects the other person in case of an accident.

Another method to save more on your insurance is by combining your vehicles and other insurance together to get you additional savings. All insurance companies offer a multi-car discount (if yours doesn’t, it’s time to switch companies). Further, many will discount more if you have your homeowners or renters policy with them.

There are a few other discounts that you may not be taking advantage of. It seems obvious, but make sure you are getting the correct rate for your age. There are discounts for various ages than can save you lots of money. Check with your agent on this one. Also alarm systems on your vehicle are usually good for a discount. Additionally, anti-lock brakes and air bags can also help lower your premiums.

Don’t just keep paying the invoice when it comes in. Your insurance bill should be an automatic trigger for you to make a few phone calls to see if you can save even more money on your auto insurance premiums.

About the Author

Brennan Howe is owner of www.freeinfosites.com. Where you can find information on a variety of topics including car buying tips.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

5 Easy Steps To Lower Your Auto Insurance Quote

Sunday, October 22nd, 2006

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It was not too long ago when contracts were made on a handshake and a promise. Individuals were not particularly concerned with things like insurance because they relied upon the goodwill of their neighbor to compensate them for wrongful damage. For a variety of reasons, including an increase in the speed and cost of auto wrecks, auto insurance soon became an important purchase for responsible individuals. Not long after, the federal government mandated that auto insurance be carried, at least minimally, by all car owners. The increase in the need for auto insurance over the last 10 years has led to increases in the complexity of insurance, while at the same time, amplifying the need to be more cost conscious in auto insurance purchases.

Buying auto insurance today requires as much dexterity as buying the automobile itself. It is important to know the factors that an auto insurance company considers when offering quotes. This will allow you, as the consumer, to know what steps you need to take in order to qualify for a lower quote. The five easy steps to a lower insurance quote are:

1. Portray yourself as a ’safe’ candidate: Insurance companies are interested in managing risk. Consequently they offer drivers who are less likely to get into wrecks or at a minimum into wrecks of less severity, a lower insurance quote.

-Maintain a clean driving record, free of traffic violations or accident claims.

-Install anti-theft devices in your vehicle.

-Attend a Drivers Safety Training program.

-Buy a ’safe’ vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety together collect information on safety related aspects of different vehicles. Buy an automobile that is officially designated as ’safe’.

-Park your vehicle in a garage.

2. Show your Credit worthiness: As a risk management entity, insurance companies are also worried about getting paid on time. If you can show yourself to be credit worthy, there is less risk of you not making your payments on time, thus warranting a lower rate.

-Maintain a good credit score and clear up any errors on your credit.

-Cut down on the total number of outstanding credit cards to 2 or 3.

3. Practice Financial Wisdom: The way in which you structure and pay for your policy can lower the risk that an insurance company faces with respect to you as a customer. By taking steps to lower their risk, you receive a lower insurance quote and policy.

-Buy an annual policy instead of a six monthly coverage to get you a lower rate that remains the same for a year.

-Opt for automatic payment deductions from your bank account or your credit card to avoid getting charged for mail payments.

-Increase your deductibles on comprehensive and collision policies to reduce on the rates.

-Get loyalty discounts by buying your home and auto insurance from the same company.

4. Assess your Insurance Needs accurately: This is obvious, the more coverage you get the more it will cost you. Add-ons are killers in the insurance business, strip your policy down to just the minimum of what you need.

-If your vehicle is not used much or you have an old car with little market value, opt for minimum liability alone. It will cost you less.

-After fulfilling the legal mandate on auto insurance, insure according to your needs alone.

5. Other wise things that you can do: There are a number of other considerations that go into your insurance quote. Some of them are not reasonable steps to take, while others you can do with little effort which can translate into substantial savings.

-If your car is used only for a particular purpose, make your agent aware of it, as this will limit the cost.

-Students that make good grades are often eligible for a discount.

-Give up smoking; it can help you get better quotes.

-Change your occupation if you can help. A delivery boy carries a higher risk than a storekeeper.

About the Author

Sam Caldrone recommends that you visit http://www.smartautoinsurance.com for more information on getting an auto insurance quote.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote