Category Archives: Car Insurance
Gap Insurance
Gap Insurance
Why is gap insurance considered as a financial safety belt? Simply put, it keeps you from being financially ruined when disaster hits your car. For example you are in this situation, you bought a late-model car three months ago using a car loan with a regular car insurance. The car costs ,000 and you have already made three payments of 0 each month. Then, disaster strikes. An electric post falls and slams down on your car. The car was flattened to half its height.
Immediately, you reported it to the auto insurance company, which they in turn play with numbers, mileage, depreciation, market values, and other related stuff. After a couple of days, the adjustor informs you that the worth of your car at the time of the accident is ,000. This is the amount that the auto insurance company will provide you. But the finance company that gave you the loan will still consider the car to be worth its original price. They also play with numbers, interest rates, taxes and license fees. Then they come up with the amount of ,000. This is the amount that you need to pay them. If the auto insurance company releases the ,000, where will you get the remaining ,000? Your car is already a wreck but you still owe the finance company.
You need not face such a dilemma if you have a gap insurance. With the gap insurance, you can ignore the difference between the amount covered by the regular car insurance and the amount you owed the car loan company. This difference is called a “gap” and the gap insurance bridges it so that you need not rack your head for additional financial resources.
A car lease contract must also have a gap insurance. It is a feature that prevents you from draining all your finances. Some dealers who lease cars don’t offer a gap insurance. This is okay as long as they include a “gap waiver” in their lease contract. This waiver declares that you are no longer responsible for gap charges that may occur when your leased car is wrecked.
When you get a gap insurance, determine how much is offered in the gap policy. You should also know how much will be added to your monthly bill. A gap insurance, for it to be recognized, must be accompanied with comprehensive insurance policies that cover collision.
Sometimes, a gap insurance may no longer be needed if the terms in your regular auto insurance policy indicated that the company will pay off the full amount you owed from the car loan lender.
Auto Insurance Online Shopping For First Timers
Auto Insurance Online Shopping For First Timers
A mere thought of a safely net to count on each time you get involved in a car accident would give you peace of mind. Surely, you don’t want to think of any emergency expenses all the time. But if that safety net costs you so much, then you may be getting a good protection yet certainly hurting your pockets. The essence of a safety net is spoiled and the idea of a good protection is wasted. That is why as a first time car insurance buyer, you have to realize that is it not enough to buy any car insurance policy that is suggested by a friend or similar to your parents.
Assuming that you are at the right age, already have obtained a driver’s license, have purchased a vehicle, have learned the terms and the different car insurance policies, then you are ready to buy your car insurance; the best place to do it is online.
However, shopping for car insurance online can still be very confusing if you are just armed with the above assumptions. Here are the step by step procedures which will help you in your pursuit for car insurance online:
1. Shop around
Search for different car insurance companies. Also look for sites that offer free quotes. This will enable you to know the exact amount you will have to pay for your car insurance policy. Search for car insurance company websites that offer online support. Read financial strength ratings of different car insurance company. You may want to visit Standard & Poor’s ratings and the A.M. Best regarding this information.
2. Be ready with the information you need when you ask for quote
These are: home address, previous car insurance details, driver’s license number, details about your car to be insured (model, year, and VIN), driving history, car’s use (business, leisure, etc), mileage per year, and so on. Have them with you once you begin researching.
3. Learn the tricks on savings
There are several factors that influence the amount of your car insurance policy; factors like your location, age, gender, status, credit rating, car’s security (anti-theft) system, number of years as a driver, driving history, etc. Some of them you cannot change while some can. Learn to lower down your premium using these things.
For example, a person with a clean driving record can get a cheaper premium compared to those who have received few tickets purchasing for the same coverage. Another example would be: purchasing a policy with the highest deductible you can afford can lower your premium. Also, a car with security and anti-theft devices such as airbags, car alarms, automatic seat belts, and tracking systems has a lower premium than cars without. There are several of these, know them all and you will surely get the most out of your coverage.
4. Get car insurance quotes from at least 3 sites
Different car insurance companies offer different prices for the same coverage. Make sure you get at least 3 car insurance quotes to know which company offers the best price for the same protection.
5. Weigh and select which one offers the best
Now that you have the quotes from different car insurance online, you have the final say on which one will serve you best.
The Cheapest Car Insurance For Teens – Keep The Rates Down
The Cheapest Car Insurance For Teens – Keep The Rates Down
We love them even though they are expensive – a fact that doesn’t change once they get older. They become extra costly once they become teens. Their taste in clothing becomes more expensive. Santa no longer brings stuffed animals; he’s hauling the newest Nintendo in his bag. They need money for proms, football camps, cheerleading uniforms, and band instruments.
What happened to the days when peek-a-boo was enough to make them smile?
Teens are also notorious for having more expensive car insurance rates than older drivers. This is mainly because car insurance companies view teens as less experienced drivers and more risky to insure. Since age is already working against them, teens must take extra care to make other factors car insurance companies look at work for them.
Despite the rising costs of raising teens, there is a way to get cheap car insurance for teens – actually, it could be the most important way to get cheap car insurance for your teen. Buy your teen a practical, affordable, and safe car.
Teens dream about the day they become old enough to drive, and many teens get their first car when that day comes; however, if it is a flashy, expensive, unsafe car the car insurance company will see it as likely to be stolen or robbed, costly to repair in the event it becomes damaged, and likely to not protect against accidents.
On the other hand, if the car is modest in appearance and price, as well as equipped with safety features, the car insurance company will be more likely to offer a cheap car insurance quote for the teen.
By purchasing your teen an affordable, practical car, not only are you helping to get cheap car insurance for your teen, you are also helping to keep your teen safe which makes buying your teen this kind of car the most important way to get cheap car insurance for your teen.
How To Find Affordable Car Insurance In Nevada
How To Find Affordable Car Insurance In Nevada
If you think it seems like it’s getting harder and harder to find affordable car insurance in Nevada you’re not alone. Car insurance premiums have been going up all across the state, even for drivers with good driving records who have never filed a claim.
It has gotten so bad that some drivers are contemplating driving without auto insurance – but don’t you be one of them. Automobile insurance is mandatory if your drive a car in the state of Nevada and the penalties for driving without insurance are extremely severe – and could result in your driving privileges being suspended entirely for a good long time.
The answer is to find ways of driving down the cost of your car insurance premiums and allow you to find affordable car insurance here in Nevada.
Start by maintaining a good driving record. Do not drive when drunk or impaired in any other way. The potential penalties are simply too severe. In addition to any legal problems you may face, your auto insurance rates are likely to soar if you are convicted of any moving violation, especially drunken or impaired driving.
If you smoke, consider quitting. It may be difficult to quit, but the money you save – including the savings on your car insurance premiums – can make all the discomfort worthwhile.
If you are in school stay there and study hard. If you are a student and you can maintain a “B” average most car insurance companies here in Nevada offer what is called a Good Student Discount.
If your parents are willing, have your car added to their policy rather than taking out a policy of your own. Most companies charge student driver’s less if their policy is attached to their parent’s policy.
If you are over 50 take a safe driver refresher course. Such courses are even offered online and the successful completion of one of these courses can save you up to 10% on your car insurance premiums.
If you are buying a car don’t get that sports car or SUV or muscle car, not unless you are prepared to pay a much higher insurance premium. However, do by a car with air bags and other safety features, as these tend to lower your auto insurance rates.
If you have two or more cars make sure they are both insured by the same company. Most Nevada car insurance companies offer a multi-car discount – also, if you have a homeowner’s insurance policy or a health insurance policy or long term care policy or any other insurance policy, consider having it carried by the same company that insures your car. Most companies off a rather hefty multi-policy discount.
Be willing to pay the highest deductible you can afford. No one likes paying for any portion of an accident out of their own pocket, but the larger your deductible the lower your monthly car insurance premiums are going to be.
Lastly, go online and spend whatever time you need comparing prices and policies among a variety of companies, since prices can vary widely even for the same basic coverage. It takes effort and commitment, but if you are willing to do your homework and spend the time necessary to compare policies and prices, it really is possible to find affordable car insurance in Nevada.
Good luck!
On Vacation – Do You Need Rental Car Insurance?
On Vacation – Do You Need Rental Car Insurance?
If you’re in the planning stages of your next vacation and they include a rental car, you may want to talk with your insurance agent about the rental car insurance options that you may have.
When it comes to traveling and more specifically rental car insurance, the market is extremely competitive for your dollar. This is because not only do the insurance companies compete for your dollar, but so too do the rental car agencies, and your credit card companies as well. And while all this competition may sound as though it works to your advantage as a consumer, all the marketing hype may change if you have an accident.
Start by contacting your insurance agent and see if your policy includes rental car insurance. Most auto insurance policies do including covering you in a rental car as well. Of course, verify this with your agent. Make sure it includes collision and liability insurance (damage to your car and to the other vehicle). Make sure your current coverage doesn’t fall short of the type of car you may be planning on renting. For instance, if you drive an older car with minimal coverage, you may be putting yourself at risk if you’re going to rent a top level newer car. So, check on any limitations that your policy may have. Find out what the conditionals are ahead of time so you don’t get caught short.
If you are considering getting your rental car insurance through one of your credits cards, then you should shop carefully. Call your credit car company and ask them to fax or mail the details to you. Either way get their coverage in writing. Again, ask specifically about collision and liability coverage and if there are any limitations or stipulations or complete exclusions. Don’t assume that just because they offer you ‘insurance’ that you will have the coverage completely protects you.
Thinking about getting your coverage directly from the rental car company? You’ve got some more investigating to do. Insurance coverages from rental car companies are all over the place and generally can be fraught with all kinds of stipulations and exclusions and certainly not all rental car companies are not on equal ground.
Don’t base parts of your decision to go with insurance from the rental car company thinking that if you are at fault in an accident that you can avoid a potential rate hike from your home insurance company. Your regular insurance company can raise your rates no matter who cuts the check. If you are involved in an accident make sure that you report this to your insurance company back home because if the credit card insurance or the rental car company insurance doesn’t pay… and you haven’t reported it to your insurance company, you could paying out of your own pocket.
Make sure you ask a lot of questions and get them answered well before you go on vacation. And as a side note, you may want ask your agent with whom you have your homeowner’s policy about what is the coverage in the event you have personal belongings stolen from a rental car. It may sound like a bunch to get done before you go on vacation, but getting yourself the proper insurance can literally save you financially.
Taking Out A Cheap Car Insurance Policy Can Give You More Than Peace Of Mind
Taking Out A Cheap Car Insurance Policy Can Give You More Than Peace Of Mind
In October 2007 the safety organization “Tyresafe” ran a campaign which highlighted how important the tyres of your car are to your safety, with claims on insurance policies resulting from accidents caused by worn or dangerous tyres. In order to emphasize this there has been a request that garages give out free checks to motorists such as checking the pressure of the tyres of drivers that are driving legally on the road with car insurance. So when you take out a cheap car insurance policy you can get more than just peace of mind that you have insurance but also a free tyre check.
It is thought that up to a quarter of all motorists on the road drive around with tyres that are worn and some of these are considered to be deadly. Worn tyres means your car has less grip on the road and with winter and icy weather fast approaching checking your tyres and replacing them is just as important as taking out and finding a cheap car insurance policy. If car insurance prices are to remain low then it is essential that claims are kept to a minimum and worn tyres are just one of the many reasons which can cause an accident and so boost up the cost of car insurance.
If you want the cheapest quotes for car insurance then you can do more than just keep a check on how worn your tyres get, keeping your car parked in a garage instead of on the road, installing the latest security features such as immobilisers, car alarms, etching windows with the number plate and fitting tracking devices call all reduce the cost of the insurance. To make further savings you can limit the type of insurance you take out instead of taking out fully comprehensive insurance which gives the most cover including covering both cars to be repaired if you should be in an accident, fire and theft and giving cover for passengers it is the dearest type of car insurance and you can take out third party. Third party fire and theft will pay for damage done to the other car in an accident and insure your own car if it should be stolen or damaged through fire and is a lot cheaper than taking out fully comp.
If you are not sure which type of car insurance is the right type for your needs then check out the specialists website as they will offer plenty of helpful advice, hints and tips and articles to help you choose the right type of insurance. Along with this you can also learn how to make the best savings on your car insurance and of course out your car insurance policy search in the hands of the specialist broker in order to be able to obtain the best deal. Specialist will be able to conduct a search throughout the entire car insurance marketplace which saves you not only a great deal of time but also money and allows you to insure your car cheaply.