Posts Tagged ‘Insurance’

Car Insurance Deductible Explained

Published by author on May 23rd, 2009 - in Need auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Can you please explain to me what a car insurance deductible is?

Maria

Albuquerque, NM

Car insurance deductible is always part of auto insurance. They have considerably affected your rates. Choosing a deductible can lower your rates as much as 10-20 percent. While some mentioned around %40 for the highest deductible. Without them, car insurance companies would have to pay higher for claims. As an effect, you will shoulder the load by paying higher premiums.

You need to be careful in choosing the amount for your car insurance deductible. They can be $100, $250, $500 and $1000. Certain states have minimum requirements for it like New York state. Therefore you need what is mandated.

So here’s how it works. Assuming you chose $500 dollars as your deductible. If an accident happens, to which you’re at-fault, and the total claim amounts to $1900, you will pay a portion of this claim. In this case, you will shell out $500 and the insurance will settle for the remainder which is $ 1,400.

Another scenario for application of deductible is: after an accident, your car has been damaged. Repair cost amounts to $250. Since your deductible is $500, you will end up paying for the repair cost and the insurance company isn’t obligated to share the amount simply because the value falls within the portion you chose to pay out-of-pocket.

So you really have to be careful in selecting the amount. You have to ensure that you can afford it. However, that could change in certain conditions. Like in a state that follows a no-fault system, you might get a refund of your deductible if it has been established that the other party was at fault. It may be claimed from the other person’s car insurance or refunded personal by the at-fault party.

Choosing a deductible can lower you rates as much as 10-20 percent. While some mentioned around 40% for a higher deductible.

What Is an Auto Insurance Deductible?

Published by author on May 21st, 2009 - in Need auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have no idea what a deductible is in car insurance. What is a deductible?

Myers

Chicago IL

Prudent insurance buyers would always find a strategy to decrease their car insurance prices. Over time, people have found tactics on how to do this. One of which is by stretching deductibles. So what is a deductible?

Insurance deductible is the money that you would have shell out for the damages incurred by your car during an accident. It is also a portion of the total estimate for car replacement that you would have to shoulder. This will become your personal expenditure. It might not sound approving on your part to compensate for something that you were anticipating to be covered. However, this is what they consider a necessary evil in order to extract savings from your car insurence expense.

Most car insurance companies provide range of insurance deductible for you to avail. They amount to $100-$1,000. The most customary value chosen is $500 dollars. The most optimal value for the highest deductible is $1,000. However, you can transcend to a higher deductible if your budget permits you to do so.

You really have to think in choosing what range of deductible you will be availing. This is to ensure that by the time you have to make claims; you will not end up having to pay for entire cost of damage.

Choosing the amount for your deductible should also be a balance. It can also help if you know yourself well as a driver and if you know your finances well. As they say, if you have had history of accidents, then it might not be smart to increase your insurance deductible. However, if you are so sure that you can go on years without accidents, and if you are sure, you are a better driver, why not go for the highest insurance deductible. You should also be sure to have the deductible amount set aside at all times.

Factors That Affect Car Insurance Quote

Published by author on May 19th, 2009 - in Need auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am just wondering how a car insurance company determines how much premiums they are going to charge you?

James

Montgomery AL

The answer depends on the personal and vehicle information you will give to them together with your current driving status.

First off, your personal information which includes your age, gender, marital status and how long have you have been driving affect your car insurance rate. These are the first set of question you are required to answer if ever you need to ask for a quote. Drivers who are females or are married will usually acquire cheaper car insurance rates. Drivers who are first time drivers or are aged 16 to 20 will surely have an expensive quote. Most drivers who have been driving for a long time with minimal or no accident at all can be eligible for a good driver discount or if not, they will be rewarded with a lowered insurance rate.

Second set or group is all about your cars information you are trying to insure. Car information includes its year, make and model. Car insurance companies also ask what will be the primary use of your vehicle and sometimes they even ask if it’s already paid in full or if it’s still being paid through financing. They might also ask how many miles you have driven in a span of one year in order for them to know if they should give you cheaper rates or if they can provide you discounts.

Other factors that can affect your car insurance quote include security and safety features installed in your car. Some examples of these features are car alarms, airbags or anti-lock brakes. These features can greatly lower your premiums to a minimum. Another factor that has an effect on your premium is the place where you park your car overnight. Having it parked in a safe garage can reduce your premiums because there is a lesser chance of your auto being vandalized or there is a lesser chance of it being stolen.

Need Car Insurance Discounts For Seniors

Published by author on May 19th, 2009 - in Need auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

Im turning 50 this month and I am just wondering if I can get any discount from my insurance company? I have a clean driving record for several years already. I just want to lower my car insurance premium a bit.

Martina

Chicago IL

Having a good driving record for years pays off.

Car insurance providers usually offer car insurance discounts for retirees who are getting some type of pension.

Additionally, insurance providers provide discount as well to senior drivers however, the age usually starts at 55 and older.

I suggest that you ask your insurance company if they provide discount if you renew your insurance policy. If you have been with the insurance provider for many years, you can get discounts as well for being a long time customer.

If you drive less and do not use your vehicle very often then you can take advantage of the low mileage discount. Other discounts are having safety features in your car, insuring more than one vehicle etc.

Many insurance companies will provide long-time policyholders with no claims and a clean driving record with a good driver discount.

You may also enroll in defensive driving class to get safe driver discount.

Hope this helps!

Need Lower Car Insurance Rates

Published by author on May 19th, 2009 - in Need auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

How can I reduce my car insurance cost. I’m thinking of canceling my policy because I cant afford the high insurance rate. Please help.

Mark

Boston MA

Most people find it vital to have auto insurance, while some people tend to have it because it’s mandated by law. For whatever reason, it is important that we can save on it and not overspend on it. So, here are some tips that will surely reduce your vehicle insurance premiums in no time.

Having a clean driving record has its advantages. Car insurance companies almost always charge safe drivers with cheap vehicle insurance premiums. Sometimes, instead of being offered with cheap rates, some vehicle insurance company gives discounts ranging from 10 to 15 percent.

It is also important to consider the cost of car insurance before you go out and purchase a car. There are certain cars that cost more to insure. Usually, if the car you’re trying to insure is expensive to repair or its vehicle parts cost expensive in the market, you will be charged with a high premiums. Another factor to consider when buying a car is its safety and security rating. Most car insurance companies have data or records that can tell if a auto has a high theft rating or if a certain vehicle lacks safety devices which will surely result in higher premiums.

Another way to lower the cost of premiums is to increase it’s deductible. Having a ample deductible will result in cheap premiums. Though you’d probably pay more in an event of a vehicle accident before your vehicle insurance kicks in, this is a better way to spend money rather than having a low deductible that will result in high insurance premiums monthly.

You can also try to eliminate some car insurance coverage once your vehicle reaches a certain age. For example, you might want to drop the collision coverage if you have been driving it for more than four years. You can also drop collision coverage to save money if you have a clean driving record.

Question About Car Insurance Rate

Published by author on May 19th, 2009 - in Need auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

What will happen if my friend drives my car and get citation for DUI, will that increase my car insurance rate?

Harry

Phoenix AZ

If your friend was given a citation for driving under the influence while operating your vehicle it should not affect your auto insurance in any way. Your friend will get the citation written under his name and and it should not reflect on the vehicle owner’s driving record or car insurance. This means that it will reflect in their driving record as a driver and should not cause you any trouble in your auto insurance rate going up.

Even so, for instance, your friend gets involved in an accident while driving your automobile, the insurance claims will therefore go on your insurance claims record and may affect your insurance rate. Car insurance commonly follows the vehicle first and the driver the second. This means that if your friend get into an accident, it would be your insurance that would kick in first and your friends insurance would be the secondary and would cover the excess if your coverage limits were exceeded.

As the owner of the vehicle, you have liability for those you give permission to drive your vehicle so if the insurance limits were exceeded, then normally, in most sates, the one driving the car and the owner of the vehicle are both liable for all the damages that the motorist may cause while driving the automobile.

Need Auto Insurance After DUI

Published by author on May 13th, 2009 - in Need auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

I have a DWI on my record and my insurance si very expensive. Can I do anything to make it lower?

Carmi

Austin TX

If you have a DWI/DUI in your driving record, auto insurance generally higher than those who have no accident or traffic violations in their record. The reason for this is because most insurance providers see drivers which as DUI in their record as a risk.

If you have been convicted of DWI, generally you will be required to get an SR22 in most states. It would be difficult for you to get cheaper car insurance rate if you have DWI on your record. If you try to keep a clean driving record you will eventually get a cheaper auto insurance rate.

The best way to get the cheapest auto insurance rates after you have been convicted of a DWI is to shop around for quotes. There are various comparison website just like the one you see above where you will only have to place your zip code and personal information once, and get up to 12 quotes from various insurance companies. In this way, you will be able to decide easily which companies offer the best quote.

You may also get insurance discounts if you have safety features in your vehicle. Also, you may also be able to get discount if you take defensive drivers course. Make sure what discounts you may be eligible of to help you get the lower auto insurance rate.

I Need Low Cost Full Coverage Auto Insurance

Published by author on May 12th, 2009 - in Need auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

How can you get low cost full coverage auto insurance in your policy?

Jean

Chicago IL

There are various ways to get cheap car insurance. Read on.

1. Shop around for auto insurance quote. Insurers change their rates all the time and rates vary from one company to the other. Make sure you always shop around to see which company offer the best rates.

2. Choose efficient vehicle. Hybrid cars are said to have low cost for repairs.

3. Maintain a good driving record. Some insurance companies provide safe driver discount with a policyholder that has a clean driving record.

4. Keep your policy active. Avoid having lapse in your policy.

5. It is advisable that before you buy a car, check the insurance cost first

6. Drop collision and comprehensive if you have an older vehicle.

7. You can get discount if you purchase more than one insurances from the same company. You can get as much as 20% discount if you can get homeowners or renters insurance as well.

8. Make sure that you keep a good credit rating. Auto insurance companies check your credit record when determining car insurance rates.

9. If you drive less, you may be eligible for low mileage discount. Remeber to inform your insurance company on your next renewal.

10. Choose the highest deductible that you can afford.

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