How To Save On Auto Insurance For Married Couples

Posted on Dec 16th 2009, 07:14 pm, under Find The Best Auto Insurance Quotes

Buying auto insurance for yourself is one thing, but buying it as a married couple is another thing entirely. You may not be aware of it yet, but there are several ways that you can save on auto coverage costs for you and your partner:

1. Ask for a discount up front. Because you're living together, it's assumed that you'll each do less driving than a single driver, thereby lowering your risk and your  insurance premiums as well. In addition to this, insurance companies have found that married couples, especially those over 25, drive more responsibly than single people. Lastly, all insurance providers want to start long-term relationships with their married customers, in the hopes of eventually covering the entire family. In fact, even before you get married, you may already be eligible for a domestic partner discount, so ask your insurance agent for more information. 

2. If you don't already have two vehicles, buy another one, if possible. In addition to the cheaper rate that married couples qualify for, you may also get a multi-vehicle You can also receive a multi-vehicle discount.

3. Take a look at each other's driving records. In particular, check if either one of you has received DUI violations or traffic tickets, since these may disqualify you from receiving any married couple discounts. The following will raise your rates as a couple: a poor record as a single individual, ownership of an expensive sports car, involvement in multiple accidents, and DUI records. In these cases, it is probably better to get separate auto insurance policies instead of joint coverage.

4. Check the statistics for car theft where you live. Is your home in a safe area? If not, you can expect your auto insurance rates and premium to be higher than usual. 

5. Since you've now combined your income with your partner, you should increase your coverage limits. This provides protection for your increased assets and income. Lastly, you should both name each other as the beneficiary on your death insurance.

Get auto insurance quotes online so you can do some comparison shopping for married couple discounts. Get as wide a selection as possible so you can find the best value for your money.  

Car Insurance for Senior Citizens

Posted on Nov 16th 2009, 02:46 pm, under Find The Best Auto Insurance Quotes

Usually, a vehicular accident is one of the first signs that a senior citizen should stop driving. Now this can be a really difficult thing to do; it's always hard to give up one's independence. But it is also an indisputable fact that a person's vision, coordination, and reaction time deteriorate with age. Drivers over the age of 75 have among the highest rates of fatal daytime accidents. If you're a senior citizen who still wants to keep on driving, it's absolutely imperative that you maintain your driving skills.

Just like any other driver, you'll also be needing auto insurance if you want to get on the road. Check out our quick list of tips for lowering your insurance rates for senior citizens: 

1. Pass a defensive driving course. Eight-hour classes are offered by local and state agencies at a cost of $10 to $30 an hour. You may also ask your insurance agent about the availability of these driving courses, inquire at the nearest AAA chapter, or check the web site of the National Safety Council. The good news is that most states mandate insurance policy discounts for these classes, and several insurance firms offer them of their own accord.

2. Check for other discounts. If you are already retired and don't have a full-time job, you may be able to get a 5% discount off your auto insurance. However, the specific age requirement for benefits like this varies according to insurance companies and state laws, so ask your insurance agent for more information. You may also get discounts for air bags, anti-lock brakes, and other safety features.

3. Do some comparison shopping. Use consumer auto insurance information from your state's insurance department. To find your state's auto insurance information, you can check the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.

4. Drop some insurance policy components. This is more advisable for owners of older vehicles. You can generally afford to dispense with collision and comprehensive coverage. Consider increasing your deductibles as well.

5. Don't get into accidents. Keeping a clean driving record is one of the best ways of keeping your insurance rates down, no matter what age you are.

In the end, remember that medications, health problems, and physical conditions may keep you from operating a vehicle properly and safely. Conditions that have been tied to auto accidents include the following: diabetes, joint inflammation, vision issues, neurological disorders, and foot problems. Always be realistic about your capability to keep driving. Ask your doctor for the final verdict on whether you're fit enough to drive yourself. 

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.

Online Auto Insurance Shopping: Doing It Right

Posted on Nov 2nd 2009, 07:42 am, under Find The Best Auto Insurance Quotes

Today, searching for the right auto insurance policy has never been easier, thanks to the Internet. You can get multiple online auto insurance quotes in mere seconds from reputable sites like Progressive, Allstate, or State Farm, making comparison shopping really quick and simple. Of course, if you want to get the most out of this information resource and make your search even more effective, there are some important points you should consider:

1. Consider your auto insurance requirements. For example, do you want to just have a basic safety net in case you ever get into an accident? Or is your car a priceless possession that requires extra insurance and contingency measures? Before you even start shopping around, you must have a good idea of what you need.

2. Go to a website that provides multiple car insurance quotes. These tools will let you compare rates from several competing companies, and you can tailor your search to match your geographic location and the type of vehicle you own.

3. Look into the details of the insurance policy. You want a policy that contains the most essential protective elements. These include personal liability, collision coverage, and damage from uninsured motorists. Among these, liability insurance is the most indispensable, so always get quotes that include this component at the minimum. This way, even if you damage something expensive, you won't get buried in debt. Beyond these basic requirements, your needs will depend on your budget and vehicle.

4. Compare the auto insurance rates with your current budget. Your goal is simple: Find the insurance policy that offers the most coverage at the lowest price. Of course, keep your basic requirements in mind. Take your time and compare as many insurance policies as you can. Auto insurance companies are highly competitive with each other, and if you're persistent, you're bound to find a firm that will give you the right coverage at a fair price. Once you've found a suitable policy, check out our article on how to select the best insurance deductible for your money.

Switching Auto Insurance Providers

Posted on Oct 31st 2009, 01:48 am, under Find The Best Auto Insurance Quotes

If you're shopping around for auto insurance in the United States, you have a lot of choices: over 2,500 of them, in fact. Of course, as in any industry, there are some big, well-known players such as Geico, State Farm, Prudential, and Allstate, but you don't necessarily have to buy your insurance plan from one of them. 

With so many companies in the game, competition is intense. This is good news for buyers. Because it's so easy to switch from one provider to another, insurance premiums and other prices have gone down while customer satisfaction has shot up. The Internet has made it even easier to find the best value for your money -- a quick web search will provide you with direct access to most of these 2,500 companies, plus company reviews and tips for buying insurance.

In addition, you don't have to limit yourself to shopping around only when you need a new insurance policy. Even when your current plan looks like a good bargain, it can't hurt looking for a firm that might offer you an even better deal. 

However, always bear one thing in mind when switching auto insurance providers: never allow your old policy to lapse without activating your new one. Failure to do so will increase your premiums drastically, since your insurance company will consider you a high-risk individual due to your irresponsibility. To make things worse, your action is recorded by credit reporting bureaus, and this may lead to an increase in interest rates on any loans and credit cards you take out.

And of course, make sure you've fully considered all important details before you decide to change your insurance provider. Sometimes you may think you've found a great bargain, but it turns out that your new provider has poor customer service or a record of denying legitimate claims. 

To ensure that you're dealing with a reputable firm, check your candidate provider's financial stability through services such as Standard and Poor's or A.M. Best. In addition, you can get customer service satisfaction ratings for each company at JD Power and Associates. Get all the facts on potential insurers so you can make the best choice possible.