Getting Auto Insurance With A Poor Driving Record

Posted on Nov 8th 2009, 10:30 am, under Improve Your Auto Insurance Rate

The best way to get a good deal on your auto insurance is to keep a clean record. But no matter how poor your driving record is, you still need to get auto insurance. If you have a less-than-perfect personal history behind the wheel, you can probably expect your premiums to be high as a result of your past recklessness (or misfortune; even a collision where you weren't at fault can still hurt your record). But don't lose hope just yet. There are still ways for you to save money on your auto insurance, even with a bad record. 

First of all, try reducing the amount of insurance you carry. This can be achieved by driving a less expensive car, for example (no SUVs or sports cars, please). In doing so, you can afford to dispense with some of the less essential components of insurance, such as collision coverage (which covers any damage your car sustains by hitting another object), and comprehensive coverage (which protects against damages to your vehicle from non-collision causes, such as fires and floods).

Although you should never drive without liability coverage, you may choose to reduce the amount you carry, as long as you do not go below the minimum requirement required by your state. When reducing your liability insurance, be especially careful if you own other assets, such as a personal business or a home. If a serious and costly auto accident exceeds your liability coverage, you might lose those vital assets.

In addition, the sooner the improve your driving record, and the longer you keep it that way, the lower you can expect your coverage to cost. Insurance firms won't hold your past mistakes against you forever. Still, you must never lie about your driving record when applying for insurance. All applicants are thoroughly investigated, and getting caught lying will make it even harder for you to get insurance.

Finally, always search for the best deals possible online. Though some companies claim to specialize in insuring high risk drivers, you can never go wrong by checking sites that offer multiple quotes for your comparison

Auto Insurance Discounts for the Military

Posted on Nov 8th 2009, 10:28 am, under Find The Best Auto Insurance Quotes

If you are currently serving in any of the branches of the military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army Reserve, or National Guard), or if your spouse is doing so, then there's a good chance that you can get a discount on your auto insurance. If you are on active duty, ask your insurance agent if they have a special package for people in military service. In fact, many insurance companies have already created specially discounted packages for military personnel. 

If you are going abroad on an overseas assignment and will be storing your car while you're away, some companies will let you forgo all forms of insurance and just let you keep the comprehensive coverage. As long as your car stays in storage and you're assigned to an imminent-danger pay area, you may get an additional discount of up to 25 percent on comprehensive coverage. 

Many insurance companies will agree to a big cut in your insurance coverage, if you're going to be abroad for 30 days or more. Some of them even allow a temporary suspension of your coverage. This provides two big benefits: you'll save a lot of money on insurance, and you still maintain continuity of coverage. The latter is very important to insurers, since those with gaps in their coverage record are usually labeled as high-risk.

However, what you ultimately pay for insurance still depends on where you're assigned. If you're deployed abroad, you need to carry insurance there as well. Check the relevant Status of Forces Agreement and the laws of your host country for more information. It's absolutely necessary that you read up and familiarize yourself on the details. If you don't have proper military auto insurance, you won't just be violating local laws, but perhaps an intergovernmental agreement as well. 

Whenever you do online comparison shopping for auto insurance, don't forget to put your military status in the forms. You'll get more discounted quotes that way. In addition, check how often a particular insurance provider raised its rates before. You'll get a better idea of how long you can maintain a discounted insurance rate for your military service.  

Affordable Auto Insurance for Your Teenager

Posted on Nov 2nd 2009, 07:54 am, under Find The Best Auto Insurance Quotes

If you've got a teenage son or daughter, you know how hard it can be to get auto insurance for them. Driving is considered a rite of passage, and many kids nowadays can't wait to get behind the wheel and out from under their parents' wing. But even if your child is the most careful driver in the world, insurance companies still seem to charge exorbitant rates for teenagers. So how can you get the most affordable insurance premium for your child? Here are some ways to do it:

1. If your teenager has a good grade point average (GPA), how this to insurance companies when applying for coverage. A high grade point average is excellent evidence of your child's conscientiousness and responsibility, and this can help you get a discount on the insurance.

2. Always shop around for the best rates. Ask at various companies about their requirements for lowering premiums for teenagers. Many insurance firms offer discounts for students who have passed a teen driving program course with high marks, while others have special rates for teens who are already working. 

3. Another important factor is the distance your teenager plans to drive each year. Naturally, insurance companies consider long distance drivers a higher risk versus those who just use their car for traveling to and from school. Get your child to commit to driving a limited number of miles weekly, and ask them to stay off the highway and within a small local area. Your insurance company will be more inclined to lower its rates this way.

3. Your teenager's car model (and even its color) can influence insurance rates. Avoid older or larger vehicles. Above all, don't allow your child to drive a sports car if you don't want your premium and rates to skyrocket.

4. Ask your current insurance provider if you can piggyback your teen on your own insurance policy. Your insurance company may offer discounts for multiple vehicles and/or drivers. Basically, the more insurance claims you have with a single firm, the lower your rates. In a similar vein, see if you can buy coverage through your employer. You may be able to get significant savings for your child, up to 20 to 25 percent off the usual price.