Stop Wasting Money on Car Insurance

Sure, you can take steps in your auto insurance life to make sure that you are saving money. You just want to make sure that you avoid wasting money on your car insurance. Are you wasting your money? The following information will help you understand what we mean when we say wasting your money. You can be saving money, but also wasting it at the same time. Yeah, it sounds confusing, but let us explain it further. Our goal is to always help you create a better car insurance life for yourself. Sometime you can do it all on your own, but other times you might need some assistance. We want to give you that assistance.

The Difference Between Saving and Wasting

Whenever you have car insurance you need to look to save. These savings can come from all sort of different discounts that you can find. You also need to take a look at whether you are wasting money on car insurance. Sure, you might be saving money on a policy that includes special coverage for collisions with animals, but if you do not live in an area where that is a concern you are wasting money. You might be saving money on a plan overall, but if you do not have a car then you are just wasting money. You need to weigh every aspect and see what value it has in your life. Deals are only deals when you can use the plan. If you have a Honda, then insure your Honda, do not insure it as if it were a Ferrari. In that situation it does not matter what savings you get, you are wasting some money.

One Question You Can Ask Yourself

When evaluating every aspect of your plan you need to ask yourself “does this make me safer?” Car insurance is all about your safety on the road. Know the difference between feeling safe, and actually being safe. You will feel safe with the top plans and all the features, but that does not necessarily mean that you need it. Actually being safe means that every part of your policy can be put to good use, and nothing will be left out in times of trouble. If you have 2 or 3 special coverages that will not come into play, you are just wasting your money on them. People who get too caught up in getting every single extra protection are not doing their job. It is your job to get auto insurance that will not break the bank.

It’s Never Too Late to Learn

Have you taken a driving class yet? This is something that young drivers are beginning to do more and more before they get their license. This is a great way to get discounts on your insurance. Older people need to realize that it is never too late to pick up new tricks, and save money. If you deny these classes, you are wasting a valuable chance. Your auto insurance company will help you out if you show them that you are willing to take issues into your own hands. Using the excuse of age is not valid, because there is no limit on how you old you can be to cash in on savings. Do not let this opportunity go to waste, because it will become a waste of money as well

Would You Be Able to Pass a Driver’s Test?

In order to receive your driver’s license you must be able to pass a driver’s test. Are you worried about your ability to pass a driver’s test at this time? Unfortunately you cannot negotiate your way around a driving test, so it needs to be done. You must not go in unprepared, and there are many ways to help yourself study for this crucial aspect of the driving experience. The following are some of the ways that you can help yourself out during this time. Sometimes the simplest measures can help you out greatly. Read through the following information and really see what it has to offer. You need to be able to pass a driver’s test.

They Give You the Answers

You do not need to go into this process blindly. The state helps you out and gives you all the information and answers that you need to know. There are booklets that explain all the rules of the road. Go to your DMV before you take the test and get one of these booklets. There are no trick questions on the test, so this booklet really comes in handy. Many people fall victim to one simple thought. That thought is that everything on the test is common knowledge, so no studying is needed. You can think this all you like, but it is not true. Make sure you go and get the driving booklet and look it over every night before you take the test. The state wants you to succeed in this test, so they give you everything you need to pass.

Driving Class

We understand that the thought of more class is not a happy thought, but this class is different. This is a driving class that helps you get a driver’s license. This class can be in a classroom, where you learn everything you need to know for the test, or this class can be on the road where you practice driving. Either way, this is a good class to take because it gives you the tips and tricks you need to get your license. There are people who view this as a waste of money. Nobody says you need to take the class, but if you want some extra tips, or you need help studying better, a class can really pay off. The DMV will have locations for these tests, or you can check online.

You Can Retake It

A driver’s test is not a one and done situation. If you do not pass the test the first time you can take it again! Hopefully this information takes some of the stress off of your shoulders, because stress can really cause a bad performance. Now, each state will have different rules about retaking tests, and it is possible you have to follow a waiting period after 2 attempts. Make sure you ask about this when you go to the DMV within your state. Just know that you can retake it and try to get your driver’s license another time. Remember, the state wants you to succeed, because if you do good they know there are safe drivers out on the roads.

The “Aftermath” of an Accident

Been in an accident? There aren’t too many drivers who haven’t experienced an accident, whether they were at fault or were the innocent victim. But really, you don’t need to be part of an accident to know dealing with the “aftermath” of an accident can be very stressful, and if it involves a death the stress becomes almost unbearable. It is important to realize the necessity of having great auto insurance and understanding the terms so the policyholder and other members of the policy aren’t scrambling around trying to figure out what is and isn’t covered when the stress of an accident is at large.
Below is an outline of events that could occur after the accident in the process of making a claim to your auto insurer. Not all accidents are the same, nor do they all include the same actions to be taken following the accident. However, by looking at a list of possible scenarios, policyholders may be able to better decide what they would want on their policy if involved in an accident.

A Social Security Number is Not Required for Auto Insurance Quotes

In your quest to find the cheapest auto insurance price, have you noticed you are being asked to provide one of the most important numbers of your life; a number that can be used against you in the event of identity theft? On most auto insurance Websites you are asked for your social security number so the auto insurance companies can provide you with a more accurate estimate of how much your auto insurance policy is going to cost you. With the high risk of identity theft in today’s world, wouldn’t you have more peace of mind getting auto insurance quotes without the need for your social security number? Well, now you can get that peace of mind.
At Onlineautoinsurance.com, we don’t see the need to request your social security number to provide you with a list of quotes for auto insurance from a number of companies. We know it can be nerve wracking for some consumers to give their personal information away on a site they don’t know to be legit. Scam artists are very deceiving in their dealings, and they have become pretty smart in finding different ways to steal money and identities. Rest assured that we are legit and never ask for any money for our services. We are happy to provide information on auto insurance as well as quotes from local companies without any obligation on your part, and we don’t need your personal information.

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How Can I Decrease my Auto Insurance Bill?

The price for auto insurance seems to be on the rise, along with every other bill that arrives in the mailbox. While some bills, like the mortgage or rent, are as solid as concrete and won’t decrease no matter what you do, the other bills may be a little more flexible. You can cut the amount of time you water your grass to save on the water bill, and perhaps set the air conditioner to a higher temperature to lower your electric bill. What about the auto insurance bill? Can that decrease at all? Of course it can be lowered, but only through smart choices on the policyholder’s part.
Decreasing the auto insurance bill can be done with thoughtful planning over time. The process does not always guarantee instant savings or even a large amount of savings, but it does add up in favor of the policyholder. Not all drivers have the opportunity to take advantage of all of these suggestions, but if you are looking to decrease your auto insurance bill, do as much as you can to better your situation until you are satisfied.

Quality Car Insurance at an Affordable Rate

Finding quality car insurance at an affordable rate is the most important factor when searching the right car insurance company. Many car insurance companies will offer quality car insurance without offering an affordable rate but the key is finding an affordable car insurance rate without having to sacrifice quality. Of course we all want the quality service we deserve when we’re paying a premium for it. We are all responsible for making our insurance premium payments on time and expect a car insurance company to take responsibility when its their turn to offer quality service responding to our claims. After all, many of us pay car insurance rates for many years without ever filing a car insurance claim, although as an insurance broker, I have witnessed many consumers purchase car insurance and file a claim within the first 30 days.
One common myth is that if a car insurance company offers affordable auto insurance, they will not offer quality service. As an insurance agent I can confirm that myth as being false, or as the myth busters would say, Busted! I have had consumers request a low quality car insurance company because they stated they couldn’t afford a quality car insurance company. I, of course, took the pleasure in quoting his car insurance through multiple quality car insurance companies that I work with such as Infinity Insurance Company and Progressive Insurance Company and he was more than delighted to hear their affordable rates.
There are two common categories when it comes to car insurance companies:

1. Standard - A car insurance company specializing and providing affordable rates for drivers with one or no violations on their driving record.
2. Non-Standard - A car insurance company targeting drivers with violations on their driving records and providing competitive rates to make insurance affordable.

You as a driver will fall into one of these categories depending on your driving record. Either way, you should keep the most important factors in mind, quality car insurance at an affordable rate. Whether you have violations or not, you shouldn’t compromise price or quality. Many car insurance companies can still offer you an affordable rate with quality service. One such car insurance company that comes to mind is Western United Insurance Company that offers affordable rates to drivers with violations on their driving record. Western United is an affiliated company of AAA Insurance Company which is among the largest insurance companies in California.
It is important to shop around and compare multiple car insurance rates to ensure an affordable rate. Many websites out there offer the ability to shop for car insurance from multiple insurance companies all with one simple process and the ability to buy affordable car insurance online.
One such website is OnlineAutoInsurance.com which allows you to find a quality car insurance company with an affordable rate. Compare auto insurance online from Progressive, AIG, Infinity, GMAC and more quality companies all with one simple process.

Car Insurance for the Classic or Modified Car

Knowing the type of coverage you need for your car insurance will help you in a couple of ways. First, by knowing what you need before you search for auto insurance, you will be better able to avoid overspending and purchasing coverage that wouldn’t benefit you. Second, you will be better prepared to know what you want as part of your coverage so you are better protected. Having the right coverage for a classic or modified car can be a little more complicated than finding coverage for a typical vehicle. There are a few details in auto insurance that are different for classic and modified cars compared to auto insurance for typical vehicles. Knowing these differences can help get your vehicle better protection and get you the right coverage.
These cars — classic cars and modified cars — are usually a hobby for the owners. Whether the owner spends time upgrading their car with turbos or simply loves to cruise the streets in their mint condition ‘67 Chevy, this is a way for these owners to relax and do something that brings them happiness. Unlike most hobbies, a form of auto insurance or financial responsibility is needed for these vehicles so owners can legally drive them around and fully enjoy the experience. Not only is this necessary for legal reasons, but auto insurance for these types of vehicles should be a priority for any driver to ensure they can get the cash value of the car should it be stolen or damaged.

Finding Quality Car Insurance

Finding quality car insurance can be difficult if you do not know where to look. Quality can be in the form of good and friendly customer service with low hold times, fast and complete claims assistance, accurate and timely billing, and good stability (financial strength).
The average consumer will often base the quality of a car insurance company on the brand. This can turn out to be deceiving because advertising dollars to not buy a company quality.
There are many quality auto insurance companies that do not advertise because they rely on brokers to deliver their products. Shopping only by brand can lead you to exclude some companies out there which have not established a brand but have great rates and superior customer service, claims assistance and financial strength. The best way of finding a quality car insurance company is to use the tools provided in this article and leverage your new knowledge when searching for the right carrier.

Quality Car Insurance Checklist

1. Determine the customer service quality and hold times by picking up the phone and calling customer service as if you were already a customer and wanted to ask a question on your policy. Be reasonable. A company does not necessarily have bad service if they do not answer right a way. If it takes within the range of two minutes, that not bad. Keep in mind that some carriers out there will take up to half an hour to answer the phone. When they do answer, kindly let them know you want to be a customer of theirs but you want to know if they have a grace period for paying your payments late. That’s always good to know too.


2. To determine if your company has quality claims assistance, ask a friend who had this company before and have them tell you about their claims experience. If you do not know anyone with that experience, you can visit your state’s department of insurance to check if a particular company has an extensive complaint record. Of course an extensive complaint record will mean that not too many customers turn out satisfied. Make sure the company you’re dealing with is based in the United States and not overseas.


3. AM Best is an independent company which issues companies a financial strength rating in the form of a letter grade, A++ being the best and so forth. Most quality companies will have an above average financial strength rating.

Now that you know how to find a quality auto insurance company, where do you start?

OnlineAutoInsurance.com allows you to compare auto insurance quotes online from multiple companies with one simple process. Choose your company by price, brand, service or financial strength. You can even get car insurance quotes and buy your policy online.

Auto Insurance - Considering Quality over Price

A lot of consumers these days are searching for the cheapest price without even considering quality. Price definitely is an important factor; however, a good balance between the two should be considered.
A common myth is that when the quality of a company is better, the price is higher. This is more of an assumption than a fact. Truth is that there are many quality insurers offering excellent, competitive rates while still being admitted carriers (where policyholders are protected by a state’s guarantee fund) which most likely will lead to the deserved protection in case of an accident.

How does one determine quality?

The quality of a carrier can be determined a few ways. Most states have a Department of Insurance holding complaint records on file which can be publicly accessed. These records are a great indication of quality because of course, an insurer with many complaints will indicate poor customer service. Find out if a carrier is admitted by your state. This can give you a feeling of security because admitted carriers have financial backing in case of bankruptcy.
AM Best is a company issuing letter grades to carrier’s financial strength. Financial strength is a good indicator of quality since one is less likely to experience an under funded claims and service representation. Ask your friends if they’ve had any experience with a certain company. This perhaps is among the best ways of determining if one will be satisfied with an insurer’s services.
One can usually get a feel for customer service if they were to contact the service phone number and ask any kind of question. Notate the hold times and the assistance of the representative handling the call.
The internet is a useful tool, if you punch in a company’s name, you may find comments and feedback on their claims and services which can be useful to make a decision.
Of course, price is a factor to consider as well. The best way of finding a competitive rate is to compare rates from various carriers. This will give you an idea of what rates are reasonable and will point out those who are higher than others.
A useful tool for shopping around for low rates is provided by the free services of http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/. One can instantly compare auto insurance online instantly and easily by rate, quality and a few other factors such as brand. Only leading quality carriers are within their network so one does not have to worry about the “quality factor”, although one can check financial strength if they wish. You may even recognize the many brands available such as Progressive, AIG, Infinity and many more and even wish to purchase a policy online.

Car Insurance Urban Legends

For most of its history, the car insurance industry was shrouded in secrecy. Now with the internet and sites like carinsurancerates.com, information is more widely available and customers are better educated. But some car insurance myths still persist.

Urban Legend #1 - The Red Car Myth

Studies have shown that red cars are involved in more accidents than their blue, green, or gold counterparts, and it is a fact that, on average, drivers of red cars pay higher car insurance rates. But it’s also a fact that car insurance companies do not take a car’s paint color into account when determining premiums. How can both statements be true?
Well, it isn’t the color of the car that matters, but the driver of the car. Some people are perfectly safe drivers of perfectly safe red cars. These people pay low car insurance rates. Others are perfectly safe drivers of not-so-perfectly safe red sports cars. They pay the same car insurance rates as equally safe drivers of blue or gold sports cars. Then, of course, there are the not-so-perfectly safe drivers of red sports cars - these people pay the highest rates.
The issue isn’t the color of the car, it’s the type of car (a greater percentage of sports cars are red than any other color), and the type of driver (aggressive drivers are more likely to prefer red). So it’s true that if you compared the car insurance rates of every red car driver and every blue car driver, the red car drivers would be paying more. But it’s also true that if you wanted to drive either a red or a blue car, the cost of insuring them would be the same.

Urban Legend #2 - Two-Door or Not Two-Door, That is the Question

This is another myth that is partially true. If you took insurance data from all two-door cars and all four-door cars, it would be true to say that the drivers of two-door cars pay higher rates. But do you really get a discount for having the extra two doors? Of course not.
First, a two-door car is more likely to be a sports car, and sports cars are more expensive to insure than sedans. If a two-door car is not a sports car, then it is probably a compact car, which is more likely to sustain damage, both property and bodily, due to its petite size.
Secondly, if a two-door car is neither a sports car nor a compact car, it is probably very old. Older cars are less safe, and thus more expensive to insure.
And finally, the driver of a two-door car is more likely to be single, male, and a less than perfectly safe driver. All of these factors contribute to higher car insurance rates, but that doesn’t mean that you pay higher rates for driving a two-door car. A married woman with a perfect driving record would pay the same to insure a late-model two-door sedan as she would a four-door model.

Urban Legend #3 - Parking Tickets Cause Your Rates to Go Up

Unlike the other two myths, there is virtually no truth to this one. Presumably, this legend stems from the common knowledge that "tickets" cause your rates to go up. This is true, but only tickets received as a result of traffic infractions. People don’t use the term "traffic infractions" when they’re talking to their friends about car insurance, so that’s how this myth was born. But while this myth has no present-day truth, it may be a predictor of things to come. After all, if car insurance companies can charge you higher rates for having bad credit, they could probably also make an argument that getting parking tickets demonstrates carelessness and lack of responsibility. If so, they could start charging higher rates to frequent ticket recipients.
Before the internet, car insurance information was passed along by word of mouth. Not exactly the most stimulating subject, this meant that people learned what they did in small bits and pieces, leading to a lot of misinformation. The more you know about insurance, the more accurately you will be able to determine the right policy for you. As the saying goes, "knowledge is power," or in this case, knowledge is money.

How “Sports Cars” Are Defined by Insurance Agencies

The definition of a sports car has always been tricky - it seems to be constantly evolving, just like the vehicles the term describes. Ask five different people for their definition of a sports car and you’ll probably receive five different answers. Believe it or not, the same would likely hold true if you were to ask five different car insurance companies as well.
Every auto insurance provider is different and they each have their own standards when it comes to determining whether a vehicle should be classified as a sports car. Some may simply arbitrarily decide to label a vehicle as a sports car based on its looks alone, while others might have a very complex set of equations used to decide. Here’s a look at some of the common vehicle attributes that insurance providers look for when determining whether a car is a sports car:

Body Style
Horsepower
Engine
Manufacturer
Cylinders
Size and weight
Handling
2-door or 4-door

Real Definition of a Sports Car

Unfortunately, there is no standard or real definition of a sports car among insurance companies or otherwise. A general definition among consumers has always been a small, high-powered car with 2-doors. However, with so many different vehicles on the market today, such a simplistic definition is rarely sufficient. It’s not uncommon to see vehicles with highly powered and tightly tuned engines with 4-doors. The only way to really know if you’re insurance company considers your vehicle a sports car is to actually call and find out. Some may also provide vehicle classifications online.

Why is the Sports Car Label Important?

So why does it really matter whether an insurance company considers a vehicle a sports car or not? People are interested in a vehicle’s classification because sports cars are generally among the most expensive vehicles to insure. Sports cars are typically smaller than other vehicles, meaning they’re more likely to incur severe damage in an accident. They are also faster than normal cars, which means they’re more likely to be in accidents and their owners are more likely to receive speeding tickets. With auto insurance providers, any vehicle that has a higher risk for accidents will receive higher insurance premiums. Let’s also not forget that some sports cars may have very unique parts, so repairing them or even performing routine maintenance can be extraordinarily expensive. With regular car insurance already expensive these days, you can see why owners of “sporty” cars have a vested interest in whether their insurance provider will hit their vehicle with the sports car label.

Different Sections of an Auto Insurance Policy

Have you ever taken a closer look at the bulky envelope your auto insurance company sends you every time your policy renews? That packet of paper holds the details of your auto insurance policy and can be a lifesaver when you need to know those details to file a claim. If you haven’t taken the chance to review your policy on paper, make time to do so. Anyone who doesn’t have an auto insurance policy yet but is wanting to know more, read further as we explain the different parts of the auto insurance policy explanation packet. We’ll break down the parts and explain their purpose.
The first part of your insurance policy packet is the declarations page. This page lists the important factors of your policy, starting with information identifying the auto insurance company and the policyholder. The name of your auto insurance company should be listed, as well as their contact information should you ever need to get in touch with them. Not only will you find your insurer’s information, but you should be able to see your information as well. Your name, phone number, and address should be listed on the declarations page, showing you as the policyholder. Along with this information about you, your policy number should be listed too. Your policy number, which can be all numbers or a mix of numbers and letters, is the way the insurance company identifies you first on their records. This way, if two policyholders happen to have the same name, their information will not get confused and will stay private.

Why Did My Auto Insurance Rates Change?

At the beginning of every policy period, you are given a notice of the total amount of your premium cost for the next term. If you are the type of person who has your bills memorized and you see an increase in your premium cost, your curiosity (and perhaps temper) may begin to rise as you wonder why your premium has not only changed, but become more expensive. There are a few legitimate reasons why auto insurance companies increase their customer’s rates, and maybe one of the reasons below pertains to why your rates went up.

You Were in An Accident

Of course your rates went up if you were in an accident! Any time you file a claim with your auto insurance company, your rates are going to increase. Auto insurance premiums are based on a number of factors, one of which is the number of times a driver or policyholder has filed claims over the past few years. The more claims that are made, the more money the insurer is paying to fix the policyholder’s accidents, especially if it was a major accident and the costs were close to or at your purchased limit. If the insurer knows they’ll be paying more to insure you, they will charge you higher rates to try to balance their spending.
The one exception to this increase is if your auto insurer offers an accident forgiveness plan. This plan usually includes rules like no accidents or other traffic incidents for 3 to 5 years as a prerequisite. Then if the driver happens to be in an accident, there will not be an increase in rates for that one accident. The time period to qualify for the accident forgiveness plan could then start over, if the insurer offers it more than once to drivers.

Are Car Insurance Rates Determined Unfairly?

There are many arguments that can be made for the case that car insurance rates are discriminatory. For one, they discriminate based on age - the oldest and the youngest pay more, even if they are good drivers. For another thing, they discriminate on the basis of gender, with women paying less for insurance than men. They even discriminate against unmarried people, and since certain groups are not allowed to marry, this amounts to discrimination against them as well.
Car insurance companies do not hide the fact that they "discriminate" on the basis of age, gender, or marital status - although they would prefer to call it something other than discrimination. However, they steadfastly deny practicing racial discrimination, a practice that was once commonly known as redlining. But consumer advocates are now mounting a case that car insurance credit scoring models take discrimination to entirely unacceptable levels - discriminating on the basis of age, income, and even race.

Using Credit to Determine Car Insurance Rates

In the early nineties, the credit scoring company Fair Isaac & Co. (better known as FICO) wanted to drum up more business, so it approached car insurance companies about using credit scores to determine their customers' premiums. Many car insurance companies took FICO up on its offer, and sure enough, FICO was able to show a correlation between certain credit behaviors and increased insurance risk. According to insurance scoring proponents, having bad credit makes someone more likely to engage in risky behavior, and it also indicates a greater probability of outright fraud.
But what's really fraudulent is the secretive nature of credit and insurance scoring. In fact, a recent survey conducted by the Government Accountability Office found that two-thirds of consumers did not know that their credit was a factor in their car insurance rates. And how could they know? Few car insurance companies share this information with customers, and none of them detail their scoring methods. While some simply use the standard (and secretive) FICO formula, others have developed what they consider to be more correlative insurance scoring methods that can penalize people for engaging in normal consumer credit behavior. In other words, you could have a good credit score, but if one particular action that FICO thinks is neutral or even positive is found to be correlative to insurance claims, you could get hit with higher car insurance rates.

Why This is Unfairly Discriminatory and What You Can Do About It

Government studies in Missouri, Texas, and Washington have found that insurance scoring has a disparate impact on young people, the poor, and racial minorities. Why? Because many of these proprietary formulas count the use of "alternative financing" against you, even though FICO doesn't. Since young people, the poor, and racial minorities are more likely to use alternative financing, insurance scoring disproportionately affects them, and consumer advocates are fighting these scoring models in court.
Who knows if insurance companies will continue using these scoring formulas once the legal dust settles, but in the meantime, there is something you can do - shop around. Not every car insurance company uses credit information in the same way, and you could save hundreds of dollars each year by finding the insurer who views your credit history most favorably. For example, a Consumers Reports study found that a customer with a neutral insurance credit score had identical premiums with two companies, but after altering his credit information, his premiums went up by 29 percent with Company A, but a staggering 47 percent with Company B!
Are you with a Company B? You probably don't know. The only way to find out is to get multiple quotes until you find the best car insurance rates. Luckily, carinsurancerates.com makes it easy to do.

Insurance Company Complaints and Who to Complain to

You got in a wreck and your insurance company is refusing to pay. Or maybe you are unhappy with the amount of the settlement, or have a dispute in coverage. Who do you call to file a complaint? Well, in nearly all fifty states of the US and their respective territories, there are Insurance Departments ready to field complaints and possibly investigate.
Before contacting anyone at the State level, it is best to speak with your insurance agent and the company’s complaint department. The state is going to ask you to do that, so save yourself the time and call your company first. Be sure to document the date, time and subject matter of your call, including the name of the person that you talked to. It’s all about “CYA”. Keep a file of all correspondence, replies, expenses, phone calls, and anything else you might need to Cover Your Argument. Also, read and re-read your policy. Don’t trust your agent to give you every detail of the fine print.
If you’ve already contacted your company, and you are unhappy with the response, or no course of action was taken by the insurance company, then it is time to file a complaint with the State Insurance Department. In some states they are called the Division of Insurance; others the Insurance department. But in either case, they are there to help with insurance consumer complaints, rectify any insurance disputes, handle complaints, and make sure companies are following the state and federal insurance laws. Typical problems that the insurance department will handle include: claim disputes, unfair premium adjustments and other premium problems, refund requests, adjustor disputes, fraudulent practices, policy cancellation, and sales falsification.

Insurance Departments have various ways to be contacted. Many have hotlines that you can call to determine if you have any legal basis for a formal complaint. These hotlines can save you, and the department, a lot of trouble. So call them first. In addition, nearly every state Insurance department has a web site and contact form. It may take a day or so, but this is also a good way to test the waters for the validity of your insurance complaint. Remember to always keep copies of anything that you send or email!
While the Insurance Department is there to protect the consumer from unfair insurance practices, there are certain things they can not do. They can not act as your lawyer or give any sort of legal advice. They can’t act as judge and jury when it is your word against the company; you must have some sort of documentation to back up any complaints. The insurance department also can not make any judgments in terms of medical conditions or injuries, they can only determine if an insurance company should be covering that injury based on your policy. And lastly, the Insurance Department can not give any estimate regarding damages.
Once you have filed a formal complaint, realize that it will take anywhere from 10 to 30 business days for the complaint to be rectified. Be patient, and be sure to reply to any inquiries promptly. If the department finds in your favor, the insurance company may have to pay fines, have their license revoked, or endure some other penalty. Companies are required to address these formal complaints in a timely fashion. And remember, just because you file a complaint, doesn’t guarantee that insurance department will rule in your favor.
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PLPD Insurance Coverage Explained

What is PLPD Car Insurance?

Many people have heard the term “PLPD” used to describe a type of insurance coverage, but it seems that few of us actually know what it means. Originally coming from Michigan, PLPD stands for Property Liability and Property Damage. Today, the term PLPD insurance coverage has slowly become more popular in referencing any bare bones car insurance policy that only meets the state’s minimum requirements. The basic idea behind the property liability in PLPD insurance is that you’re covered in the event that your vehicle causes harm or death to a third party. The property damage aspect covers you in the event that your vehicle causes damage to a third party’s property. Property liability and property damage coverage are the minimum requirements to drive in most states, although most people would agree that they are not exactly sufficient for most drivers. The main problem with a PLPD car insurance policy is that it offers no coverage to your own vehicle if it is involved in an accident, just others. That’s just not good enough for most drivers, as there are simply too many variables and random occurrences on the road to risk not having any insurance for your own vehicle. Without sufficient auto insurance, you’re left paying all of your own repair bills if you’re at fault in an accident. Even minor, which is why PLPD insurance should only be used under certain circumstances.

When Should I Consider PLPD?

Although PLPD is generally dirt cheap in terms of auto insurance, it’s not the type of policy that most people should have. In fact, PLPD should really only be used in specific circumstances when it makes sense to have the absolute minimum coverage. Here’s a look at some situations where PLPD car insurance might be right for you:

• PLPD insurance might be all you really need if you are only temporarily driving an old or damaged vehicle. Your vehicle is not covered under PLPD and it may not even be necessary if you plan on getting rid of it soon.
• Is your wallet coming up empty? One of the main reasons people take out PLPD auto insurance is because they simply cannot afford a higher level of coverage. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to use PLPD. Just remember, this type of coverage is probably not sufficient in the long run and you’ll want a higher level of insurance eventually.
• Do you rarely use your vehicle? If you’re only putting a couple hundred miles on your car every month, you probably don’t need the most substantial insurance policy. Save some money and go with PLPD coverage.

When Repairs Cost More than the Car

You’ve recently had an accident, and your insurer gives you a repair estimate. The bad news is that the repair costs exceed the actual cash value of the vehicle. When this happens, your insurer will most likely declare the car a total loss. In that case, your insurer will send you a check for the cash value of the vehicle, and you will have to purchase a new car. Read on for more information on what to do when repair costs exceed the value of the vehicle.

If You Want to Keep Your Car

If for some reason you are extraordinarily attached to your vehicle and would like to keep it, you have several options. First, you could try to get one or two more estimates from other body shops. You may be able to find a shop that could perform the repair work for less money than the vehicle is worth. If so, your insurer may agree to allow you to repair it instead of totaling it out. Secondly, you could accept your insurer’s check for the total loss and ask to keep the totaled vehicle yourself. Usually, insurers take the damaged vehicle and sell it for parts in order to recoup some of the costs. If you want to hold on to the car and try to repair it yourself, you may be able to do so if you are willing to accept a slightly smaller settlement amount. The insurer will have to deduct from your settlement the amount they would’ve gotten from salvaging whatever parts they could.

When You’re Ready to Buy New

You’ve gotten several repair estimates, and it looks like it’s time to say goodbye to your old car and resign yourself to the total loss. When this happens, your insurer will provide you with an estimate of what they think your car is worth. This number will be based on private party sales, surveys of dealers, value guide books, and more.
Remember that you don’t have to accept the first figure your insurer quotes you and move on. Do your own research on your car’s actual cash value (ACV) using online pricing sites, the Kelley Blue Book, and other tools. If you come up with a figure that is significantly higher than your insurer’s, you can request that they adjust their estimate. You will strengthen your case if you can present documentation supporting what you believe your car is worth. For an especially compelling case, you might consider hiring an independent appraiser to give you an estimate. You can then submit this estimate to your insurer when you request an adjustment to your settlement. Keep in mind that the more you can prove your car is worth, the bigger your settlement check will be.

Easy and Free Auto Insurance Quotes

Are you are tired of looking for the right auto insurance? Frustrated with all of the confusing terminology? Do you want to get an idea of what your ideal policy would cost you without the hassle of an auto insurance agent insisting you purchase? Well stop looking and start reading (the remainder of this article, that is!). For your convenience, we have put together a list of questions regarding the ease of finding auto insurance with no cost. Below you find popular concerns and questions that most drivers looking for auto insurance face.

Where do I start looking for auto insurance?

There are many places to start looking for auto insurance, but your best bet is right here on our site. Enter in your zip code and answer the remaining questions honestly. Then, you will be given a list of auto insurance companies — including the more well-known companies — that are in your area who are willing to supply you with auto insurance. You can compare prices and companies side by side and think about which company would best suit you. When you have made your decision, you have the option of purchasing a policy online at that time. If you choose not to purchase a policy, don’t worry, you won’t be charged any fees. We offer our services to everyone to give a fair chance to all drivers to get the best auto insurance available. More....

How to Purchase Auto Insurance with a Suspended License

It is pretty well known that most states require all drivers to carry some form of financial responsibility to pay for any damages they may cause while driving. A popular form of this financial responsibility is auto insurance, and states have a given minimum requirement of auto insurance for all drivers to carry. This requirement involves the types of coverage that must be purchased, along with the minimal monetary amount that each coverage must have.
Failing to carry auto insurance will result in the notification to your state’s transportation department and penalties will be issued. A state can be notified when a driver isn’t carrying auto insurance, either by an insurance company telling the state a person hasn’t renewed their auto insurance policy or by a traffic officer reporting the absence of proof of insurance when completing a traffic stop. Many officers now request your insurance card in addition to your license and vehicle registration. Penalties for not having auto insurance range from fines and the suspension of your driver’s license and/or vehicle registration to very expensive fines and jail time, all of which depends on how many times you have previously committed this crime. More...

Compare Auto Insurance Online for the Best Rate

When you are shopping for an auto insurance that will allow you the piece of mind of a sufficient coverage that also will comply with your state auto insurance legal requirements, it is very wise to shop around first. You should make a plan to compare the companies and coverage before purchasing any at all and the technology of the internet makes it now easier than ever.
If you have current auto insurance or are in need a brand new policy, take a moment to think about where most people go to find information; the World Wide Web, of course. When you are ready to start comparing insurance companies for the best rate, the internet is one of the best and most efficient places to start. If you do not already have auto insurance with an insurance company or have never even had coverage for your vehicle, you may qualify for an instant proof of insurance by using an online comparison tool. The avenues that are available through the internet are almost infinite, simply by answering a few questions and clicking the button. It could not get any easier than that! By typing in basic identifying information about your vehicle and location, the online comparison tool will give all of the results that are specific to your situation.

Essential Tips and Auto Insurance Policy Basics

Finding the best auto insurance company that will provide the amount of coverage that you need at the price you can afford is just the first step. This can be easily done online with an electronic application and most companies give you the opportunity to print the proof of insurance immediately.
With the technology of today, you now have the ability to search, find and purchase auto insurance online with just a few clicks. When you have finished the process of obtaining a paperless purchase online, you will be sent the full paper policy to review. The policy basically tells the vital information and details of your new coverage.
Understanding an auto insurance policy is not as difficult as some people may think. Basically, it gives all of the pertinent information that relates to the insurance coverage and what it all means. It can be a bit confusing at first, but once you can comprehend it all, it really isn’t as hard as you think. An explanation is given below to give you additional information for reviewing your auto insurance policy.

Various Payment Options for Auto Insurance Premiums

Carrying auto insurance is a responsibility that every driver on the road must take and being adequately insured is one of the most important things in which to make certain. Every state has their own set of auto insurance requirements intact to protect the motorists on the roadway. Sometimes the state required amounts of auto insurance provide sufficient coverage, although getting information from an insurance company regarding rates and coverage amounts is very advantageous. There are places on the internet that give free quotes in order to allow you to shop and compare before you buy any such coverage.
Along with the various amounts of coverage that these online quotes will help you to discover, there are also payment options available to fit your lifestyle. Sometimes, it can be difficult to come up with a lump sum of money when there is an insurance premium due that is for a twelve month period. Unless you have saved specifically for this event, you may be better off by choosing the monthly payment option or even the 3 month installment plan. There are different plans existing with each individual auto insurance company that will fit your circumstances and make it easier to come up with the premium when it is due.

Monthly Auto Insurance Payments

There are two ways to pay for your auto insurance premium; paying in full or month to month payments. There are drivers who feel it necessary to pay for their premium in full at the beginning of their policy period, either because they don’t want to forget to pay it or they want that bill out of the way until the policy is renewed. Some drivers find this large sum of money too much to pay out all at once.
One method to squeeze in the financial strain of auto insurance premiums is bypassing paying in full and breaking that one-chunk fee into smaller payments, according to the auto insurance company’s terms. Of course there are pros and cons to this method, but these are days where people are trying to minimize budgets as much as possible, and the pros may just outweigh the cons in the eyes of some policyholders.

Down Payment

Auto insurance companies vary on their policies of how a customer or policyholder may pay for their premium. Some companies require the policyholder to pay a portion of the premium upfront, usually around 25% of the total premium, and then pay the remaining balance off in equal monthly payments for the duration of the policy period. Other companies may allow the policyholder to pay in equal monthly payments from the beginning of the policy period, without needing to make a down payment. In some auto insurance companies this option may only be available to policyholders in good standing with the company, or who have been customers over a certain period of time. Auto insurance companies are willing to give more options to customers who show responsibility in their driving record and with their payment history.

Auto Insurance Advice for Your Teen Driver

Turning sixteen for most teenagers will mean getting their driver’s license and becoming one of the many drivers on the roadway. As a parent of a teenage driver there are many concerns that will be involved in this big step and one of them will be purchasing auto insurance. Letting your teenager drive your vehicle can be frightening enough, but just imagine if you have to wonder if they have sufficient auto insurance and if you chose the right company. Basic auto insurance tips have been compiled here to help you to not only make a smart decision, but also for ways to possibly save money.

Compare Options; New Policy or Add to Your Current Policy

Decide if you should add your teen to your current auto insurance policy or open a separate one for them. There are a few things that you need to consider when you are making this decision. Begin by getting a quote from your own insurance agent to see how much of an increase that you may take on your policy by adding the teen driver. This should be the first investigation to be done to compare your options.

Complying with Your State Auto Insurance Requirements

In order to register a motor vehicle and operate it legally in most states, there are specific kinds of auto insurance that are required by law. The auto insurance requirements for certain states will most always include the minimum insurance liability coverage; however, the amount of coverage will vary by each state. The laws have outlined the requirements for each individual state for the amounts of insurance coverage that will be necessary to operate a vehicle legally. However, the state insurance requirements may not be sufficient for your specific situation and it would be advantageous to obtain an adequate amount in order to protect your assets and for your future protection.

Tort or No Fault State Requirements

In some states there has been a particular model implemented that is called the no fault model that has been made to protect all parties involved. The no fault plan was designed in 1973 to provide protection to both the motor vehicle driver and insurance company. It has been adopted by many states now and is becoming more of an asset to them because everyone is covered without having to decide fault. Basically, the insurance company of each policy holder takes care of their own insured vehicle and driver.

Auto Insurance When You Don’t Own a Car

If I don’t own a car, why would I need auto insurance?It might seem like a waste of money for a person who does not own a car to purchase auto insurance. There are two situations that can occur here; the person will never drive a car or the person will occasionally borrow a car from a friend or rent a car on vacation. A person who will never drive a car — due to age restrictions, illness, disability, etc. — will probably not need to purchase auto insurance that will cover their own liability. However, they should make sure the driver of the vehicle in which they are a passenger has auto insurance for their passengers. This way, if that person is in an accident as a passenger, their medical expenses will be covered or mostly covered.
A person who doesn’t operate a vehicle but regularly rides as a passenger may want to consider purchasing auto insurance that will cover medical costs that come from an accident. Medical payment coverage and personal injury protection may be beneficial to passengers, whether in lieu of or in addition to their regular health insurance.

What Kind of Auto Insurance Do I Need?

Perhaps you are the parent or guardian of a new driver looking to purchase auto insurance. Or maybe you are a driver looking to change your auto insurance policy to provide more coverage. Whatever your situation, initially it can be a bit confusing trying to decipher the different parts of auto insurance and what you as the policyholder need to purchase to provide good protection. We offer a few general tips that may guide you towards your decision, possibly helping you see other options that you haven’t before considered.

State Law Requirement

Some new drivers may not realize that almost every state in our country requires — by law — that all drivers obtain and maintain an auto insurance policy. Failure to do so will result in consequences that may include pricy fines. Consequences also include the suspension of the vehicle’s registration and the suspension of the driver’s license, both of which will be reinstated by the owner by paying a hefty reinstatement fee. A repeat offender could find themselves being charged with time in jail simply for not maintaining auto insurance.

Why Choose GMAC Auto Insurance?

Our SmartDiscounts and SmartServicesSM are designed to give you flexibility and exceptional services, like guaranteed OEM parts for post-collision repairs1 and delivery of a rental car to wherever a mishap may find you.2 And we take pride in offering world-class customer care, especially when handling your claims.
Part of the GMAC Insurance advantage is our experience – nearly 70 years insuring cars. If any company understands how important your car is to you, it’s GMAC Insurance. We know that your vehicle is the key to your freedom and meeting your responsibilities.
Our job? To get you back on the road as quickly and easily as possible in the event of an accident or loss.
The advantages you enjoy with GMAC Insurance include:
SmartDiscounts
SmartServices
Exceptional extended coverages
Our dedication to customer care
Our commitment to your claims service satisfaction
And here's another great reason to choose GMAC Insurance for auto insurance. Customers who switch to GMAC Insurance save an average of $382 per year. Get a free rate quote now and see how much you can save.

GMAC Auto Insurance

We believe there's more to auto insurance than coverages and claims. At GMAC Insurance, we start with experience – yours. We're guided by your unique needs, translated into the policy that works best for you, your family and the vehicles you drive.
Our job? To give you the benefits of our experience. More than 60 years of it, grounded in the automotive industry. We take pride in the insurance products and services we offer, designed to give you the best possible auto insurance coverage – affordably – from your first car to your 21st.
We are committed to your complete satisfaction. And if you do need to make a claim, we'll handle it as quickly, professionally and gently as we can. We don't just want to “get” your business. We want to keep it.
GMAC Insurance. We're here when you need us. Count on it.

Insurance Company Comparisons

Auto insurance companies differ greatly. Some offer basic, no-frills coverage while other auto insurance companies offer more coverage than you could imagine.
You may want to compare auto insurance companies before you decide on one, but where do you start? Right here, with our automobile insurance company comparison chart.
Not only can you see the difference between major auto insurance companies, you can see how automobile insurance companies differ in your state. Our chart comparing auto insurance companies provides information in 20 different areas, including:

• Stability and size – See details about market share, as well as A.M. Best ratings for several auto insurance companies. Customers know that stability and the ability to meet obligations is important for auto insurance companies. So do we, and we show you how different automobile insurance companies fare in these areas.
• Purchase options – To make shopping even more convenient, we help you see if you can buy auto insurance 24/7 online, by phone and more from several major auto insurance companies.
• Customer service offerings – Get details about whether automobile insurance companies offer immediate online policy service, online payments or 24/7 phone access. Easily find out how available a company is to you — and how convenient their services are.
• Insurance products available – Auto insurance companies often offer more than just car insurance. Some auto insurance companies offer motorcycle insurance, boat insurance, home insurance and more. See who offers what at a glance.

As you shop and sift through the many automobile insurance companies, make sure you choose the one that gives you the best deal for your money. No matter what you're looking for, you can find the right automobile insurance company for you.
And remember: Progressive may not be able to provide comparison rates for all auto insurance companies, but we can give you helpful information about several of them to make shopping for car insurance faster and easier.
Get started now and see how your automobile insurance company compares to others.

Get a Progressive Auto Insurance Quote Online

Shopping for auto insurance means spending time researching companies to find exactly what you want. When you shop with Progressive, not only will you find affordable car insurance online, by phone or with an agent, you'll get a good amount of valuable information, too. Choose one of the following topics to learn more about auto insurance and what you'll get with Progressive:

Affordable Car Insurance
Instant Auto Insurance Quotes
Name Your Price®
Why Shop for Auto Insurance Online?
Car Insurance Quotes and More
Easy Auto Insurance Quotes Online
Online, Phone and Mobile Support
Payment Options

Should You Be Told if Your Bad Credit Affects Your Car Insurance Rates?

Recently, there has been growing debate over whether or not car insurance companies should be able to base people's car insurance rates on their credit. There are good arguments on both sides of the debate. The "yes" people say that basing car insurance rates on credit allows car insurance companies to more accurately predict risk, and thus makes rates lower for everyone. The "no" people say that bad credit does not make someone a bad driver, and even if many people with bad credit are bad drivers, then that doesn't mean that good drivers with credit problems should be punished. After all, they have enough trouble paying higher interest rates and climbing out of debt - their problems should not be compounded by higher car insurance rates.
But even the people on the "yes" side would have to agree that you should be notified if your bad credit results in higher car insurance rates. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) says that people have the legal right to be notified when they are declined for credit, employment, or insurance, on the basis of their credit history. But the Act is unclear on whether or not car insurance companies have to notify you if your bad credit results in higher rates. Several state attorneys general say that this is a bogus loophole that needs to be closed.

Arkansas and Oregon Lead the Way

The attorneys general of Arkansas and Oregon have both filed suits against a leading car insurance company for failing to disclose "adverse actions" taken against customers based on their credit. Five other states have joined them in seeking national clarification on the matter. But this begs the question, "Why would car insurance companies not tell you that your credit was impacting your rates?"
The answer is simple: Every car insurance company treats its customers' credit differently. A study by Consumer Reports showed a nearly forty percent difference between how two car insurance companies viewed the same bad-credit customer. And that's two car insurance companies that actually use credit reports - some don't. In that case, you could save up to forty-seven percent on your car insurance rates!

Don't Wait for the Courts - Find Out and Shop Around

The wheels of justice move slowly, and it may be awhile before a definitive ruling about informing people how credit impacts their car insurance rates becomes law. The good news is that you don't have to wait. First, ask your car insurance company whether or not they use your credit file to determine the rates you pay. If they say yes, then ask if you are being "rated" adversely. Ask for their answer in writing. If they say that they don't use consumer credit files, then ask for that statement in writing. If they refuse to provide you documentation or, worse yet, say "I don't know," then you definitely need to shop around. Chances are you can save quite a bit. In fact, it never hurts to shop around, so regardless of their answer, you might want to spend a little time at carinsurancerates.com looking for a better deal. What do you have to lose but the high monthly premiums?

Insurance.com Adds Infinity Insurance

Insurance.com, the leading online independent auto insurance agency in the country, today announced that Infinity Insurance is the newest company to offer comparison car insurance quotes directly to consumers at www.insurance.com and by phone.
"We're pleased to have Infinity Insurance as part of our lineup in California," reports Sam Belden, Vice President of Strategic Alliances at Insurance.com. "They extend our group of companies to 15 nationally, joining well-known brands like The Hartford, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, Safeco, and Travelers Insurance."
Infinity Insurance is one of the largest specialty writers of car insurance in the United States. The brand is best known for bringing affordable auto insurance and service innovations to consumers in underserved markets. A.M. Best ranks Infinity 4th on a recent list of top 15 insurance stocks.
Greg Fasking, AVP National Marketing for Infinity, expressed the company's excitement over the relationship citing that, "Savvy auto insurance shoppers, who compare offers online, over the phone, or by working with experienced independent insurance agents, regularly choose Infinity. Insurance.com brings a new level of accessibility to our products."
"We strongly believe that when insurance companies compete, consumers get the best rates, often saving hundreds of dollars on their auto insurance," stated Belden. "By adding Infinity Insurance to our offering, we are reaffirming that commitment to consumers."

About Infinity Insurance

Infinity Insurance is part of Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation (NASDAQ: IPCC), a national provider of personal automobile insurance. Its products are offered through a network of approximately 13,000 independent agencies and brokers. Infinity receives an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating from A.M. Best. For more information about Infinity, please visit www.InfinityAuto.com.

About Insurance.com

Insurance.com is the leading online independent auto insurance agency in the United States. Our innovative technology allows consumers to link directly to the rating systems of more than a dozen top insurance companies. We streamline the shopping process for consumers, empowering them to instantly compare rates and make the smartest decisions for their insurance needs. Since 2000, millions of drivers have benefited from using our online shopping experience or speaking with our expert, licensed agents by phone. Headquartered in Solon, Ohio on the outskirts of Cleveland, Insurance.com also offers information for life, health and home insurance.

How to Shop Smart for Auto Insurance Quotes

When shopping for a vehicle, most consumers research everything from the manufacturer’s safety record to the location of the car’s cup holders—then compare prices to get the best value for their money. Likewise, because the cost of identical coverage can vary among insurers by hundreds of dollars per year, it’s important to understand the factors that affect the price of auto insurance quotes.
First, consider the type and amount of auto insurance you need. Buying coverage you don’t need is a waste of money, while carrying too little coverage may result in financial disaster if you’re involved in an accident. Depending on your circumstances, you may choose any or all of the following types of auto insurance:

• Liability insurance—the minimum coverage required by most states—protects you if you’re at fault in an accident resulting in injury to another and/or damage to another’s property.
• Collision insurance pays for damage to your own car when you’re at fault in an accident.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you when you’re involved in an accident that is not your fault and the driver at fault is uninsured or doesn’t carry enough insurance to compensate you for your loss.
• Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car that is unrelated to a collision, such as theft, storm damage, fire or vandalism.

Secondly, keep in mind that many insurers offer premium discounts for non-smokers, low-mileage vehicles, safety or antitheft devices, or mature-driver classes. These special benefits can amount to serious savings every year. When researching insurance companies, remember to ask what types of discounts they provide.
Finally, when obtaining auto insurance quotes, be sure to choose a financially stable insurance company with a record of good customer service and prompt claims processing.

Why Do You Need Auto Insurance?

If you own a vehicle, auto insurance is an absolute necessity. Why? On average, an auto accident occurs every five seconds in the United States. With each accident comes the risk of serious injury to drivers, passengers and pedestrians, as well as damage to personal and public property. To better understand why auto insurance is important to you, consider the following:

• An automobile is one of the largest purchases many people will make in a lifetime. Auto insurance protects your investment by providing money for repairs or replacement in the event of an accident.
• If you’re at fault in an accident, auto insurance protects you against financial loss due to property damage, medical expenses and potential lawsuits.
• Most states require drivers to carry liability insurance. In fact, the consequences of driving without liability insurance range from impounded vehicles to heavy fines or even jail time.
• Despite the stiff penalties of driving without insurance, approximately 14% of drivers in America are uninsured. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re injured or your property is damaged by a driver who has no insurance or who doesn’t have enough coverage to pay for your loss.

Proven Methods of Finding Cheaper Auto Insurance

It's with good reason that many government issued guides recommend that consumers compare quotes from multiple automobile insurers to find affordable coverage. A multiple-rate comparison increases the chances of finding cheaper insurance premiums because rates are based on driver and vehicle factors which are unique to each premium quotation. Even factors such as where one lives and coverage desired has an impact on the price of insuring vehicles.

Here is how to find cheap auto insurance with a side-by-side quote comparison:
Gather basic driver and vehicle information in order to be prepared to answer a few basic questions. No personal information such as driver's license or social security numbers are necessary; however, one may choose to provide such info for driving record and credit history inquiry purposes which may result in more accurate quotes. Simply be ready to provide required data such as driver date of births, marital status and the year, make and model of vehicles to be included on the policy.
If necessary, brush up on auto insurance coverage knowledge in order to understand the protection being offered and to help avoid costly misunderstandings which can later be devastating. Keep in mind that although the minimum coverage required by law will be the cheapest, weighing out the savings vs. the reduction in protection helps make a more educated decision.
Log onto http://www.OnlineAutoInsurance.com/ and enter zip code to get started with the quotes comparison. Provide the basic information required and begin comparing multiple companies to locate the cheapest insurance rates being offered.
The option to purchase the policy online may be available to most U.S. residents by providing any additional information needed to process the online-based application. An electronic payment can be made with a credit card or check card and virtual signatures can be signed to receive proof of insurance to place in the vehicle or demonstrate as needed.
The Internet allows for instant price comparisons and makes finding cheap car insurance a much quicker task than it was before the luxury of the World Wide Web. Virtual shopping widens the options by allowing more carriers to participate in a consumer's quest for cheaper rates, ultimately resulting in repeated annual savings.

Multiple Auto Insurance Quotes in Just Minutes!

If you find shopping for auto insurance quotes a bit overwhelming, you’re not alone. Fortunately, InsuranceQuotes.com makes it easy to get auto insurance quotes anytime, from the comfort of your own home. With the largest network of national and local insurance agents from the country’s top insurance companies, we offer plenty of resources to guide you in your search for the right policy— along with one simple, online application that allows you to receive and compare auto insurance quotes from multiple companies. And when you receive your free auto insurance quotes from our partners, we can help you choose the best policy for you.
Whether you’re shopping for insurance for a new car or looking for a better price on your current auto insurance, let InsuranceQuotes.com help you find the coverage you need at just the right price. Get your free auto insurance quotes today—and see just how much you could save!

Reasons to Change Car Insurance Companies

Believe it or not, your car insurance coverage may not be the best of the best. In fact, it may not even be what you want. If you are thinking about changing car insurance companies you need to have a good reason for doing so. Fortunately, there are several good reasons to change providers. If one of them works in your favor you should consider quickly making a change to ensure that you get what you want.
There are two common reasons for changing car insurance companies. One, you are not getting the coverage you want any longer. For instance, you may have found out that what you currently have is not keeping you and your car safe. In this situation there is no reason to stay put. Instead, it is time to make a change for the better. Remember, you can always get more car insurance coverage if you are willing to change.
Another common reason for change is cost. If you are paying too much for car insurance coverage, no matter what it may be, you will have to make a change. While it is important to get the right coverage you must also be sure that you can afford what to pay your premium. Are you comfortable with the current cost of your coverage?
There are some reasons to change car insurance companies. Do any of them fit your situation? If so, it is a good idea to consider making a change so you can feel better about your coverage. It is easier than you may think to change from one car insurance company to another. All you have to do is decide that you want to change and then take the initiative.

Fall Into ‘The Gap’ - Gap Insurance, That Is

Car insurance agents everywhere are probably pondering a name change for "gap insurance." After all, The Gap clothing line has lost a lot of its credibility. On Main Street, their clothes and shops just aren't very cool anymore, and as a result, the company is doing horribly on Wall Street. In fact, the CEO was just given the boot! With all that in mind, fashion-conscious drivers may be worried that driving with gap insurance will make them uncool. On the contrary, purchasing gap insurance can be one of the coolest financial decisions you ever make.

Who Needs Gap Insurance

Let's say you buy a $20,000 car with $2,000 down. Since you're financing $18,000 of your purchase price, you will be required to carry full coverage for $18,000 worth of collision and comprehensive insurance.
A year later, you've paid down the principal on your car loan by another $1,000. You still carry collision insurance for $18,000 worth of damage, and when you're in an accident that totals your car, you're sure glad that you did! Thankfully, no one is hurt, and you look forward to cashing in your insurance check, paying off your bank loan, and then buying another car. The only problem is, your car insurance company will only cover $15,000 worth of damage to your car, since that was its replacement value. The bank, on the other hand, still wants its $17,000, leaving you short by two grand.
In a situation like this, gap insurance covers the difference. You are not legally required to purchase gap insurance, but as you can see from the example above, it can be a good idea given the right circumstances. If you put a relatively small down payment on a fairly new car with an expensive sticker price, you should probably begin shopping around - not at "The Gap" - but for the gap… insurance.

How to Buy Gap Insurance - Is it Worth it?

Gap insurance is most commonly sold by auto dealerships - not car insurance agents. This means that you should normally look to purchase gap insurance at the same time you're buying your new car. However, this does not mean that it's impossible to find gap insurance from a traditional car insurance agent - using carinsurancerates.com, almost any type of policy is only a few clicks away.
Generally, you can expect to pay around $30 a month for gap insurance, but many dealerships instead charge a one-time fee of around $300. The question you need to ask yourself is whether or not it is worth it. Insurance is a financial product, and just as Wall Street traders buy and sell bonds, you need to consider the risk/reward equation of any insurance policy. Is it worth it to spend $300 so that you're protected? How quickly will your car depreciate? How likely is it that you'll be in an accident? These are the questions that you need to answer for yourself.

It Pays to Review Your Coverage

This story brings up another good point: Why pay for $18,000 of coverage on a car with a $15,000 replacement value? You are literally throwing money away with every premium! This is one of the many reasons that experts recommend you shop around for the best deal each and every time your six-month car insurance policy expires. Literally millions of dollars are wasted every month by Americans who decide not to shop around - think of all the money you could save by spending just fifteen minutes online! Multiply that by four and if your hourly wage is less than the result, you obviously should invest some energy in lowering your rates.
When was the last time you reviewed your car insurance policy? Honestly? Well, you've made it this far. You're here and you're reading this article. Now scroll up and to the left and start your free quote. Many people actually increase their coverage while simultaneously lowering their premiums by using carinsurancerates.com. What are you waiting for?

Bad Drivers - Could You Be One?

We all know that "bad drivers" pay more for their car insurance. It makes sense that someone with multiple violations would be more likely to cause more problems than someone with a spotless driving record, but what makes a bad driver? Maybe you've never gotten a ticket in your life, but if you're committing some of these "bad driving" sins, a ticket may be in your near future, and tickets inevitably bring with them higher car insurance costs. So what should a safe driver avoid?

Noisy Distractions

Everyone knows that you should pull over to use your cell phone, but how many people really do? Some states are even making laws against cell phone use in cars. Even if your state doesn't have a law, it's a good idea to try to stick to this rule. It can seem silly to go to the trouble of pulling over just to use your phone, but it really is a distraction. Most of us aren't corporate executives who need to take every call, so we have the luxury of playing it safe and being good drivers.
Maybe you never use your cell phone in the car, but do you listen to music? No, listening to music in the car isn't a sign of a bad driver, but bad music habits are. Do you ever fiddle with the radio dial, poke buttons on your satellite radio, change CDs, or scroll through songs on your iPod while driving? All of these things take your eyes off the road, at least for a second. Not a big deal, but if you do it excessively, those seconds add up and amount to precious minutes that you aren't looking at the road. Especially in bad weather or in an unfamiliar area, those minutes could lead to an accident.
So what if you're not a tech person? You always listen to whatever the radio gives you and you never even remember to turn on your cell phone. What about talking to your friends in the car while you drive. Do you sometimes turn around to see what's going on? Or do you find yourself refereeing backseat fights between unruly kids? These things can be even more distracting than a phone call or a radio dial. Good drivers avoid all distractions.

Bad Driving Mistakes You Might Not Realize You Make

Distractions may be a common cause of unsafe driving, but usually we realize what we're doing and correct it - hopefully before anyone gets hurt. When the cell phone rings, and you reach to answer it, you know you should be careful. However, there are some mistakes that a majority of people, not just bad drivers, make.
For example, do you get tense when you drive a road known for speed traps? Do you purposely drive extra carefully in an area where a friend says the police stake out? It's only natural to be cautious if you think you might get a ticket, but you should be aware that it may say something about your everyday driving habits. If you knew that all the police officers in town were all on vacation, how would you drive that day? Less carefully? Recklessly even?
How about cursing a crowded parking lot? You're driving very slowly, true, but is all your energy focused on finding a spot? Are you keeping an eye out for cars backing out, or shoppers walking around? Most people are guilty of going into autopilot when they're searching for a parking spot. It's not good driving!
If you've made a few driving mistakes in the past, you're likely paying more for car insurance. Follow safe driving rules, and as your tickets fade from your record, you'll pay less. However, if you feel you're paying too much, do a little comparison shopping. Some car insurance companies specialize in helping drivers who've made a few mistakes. Use carinsurancerates.com to find a company who will give you the lowest possible rates.