Using anti-theft measures to get auto insurance quote discounts

In some parts of the country, the risk of your vehicle being stolen is high. As a result, all auto insurance companies reward you with discounts for comprehensive cover when you take preventive measures. What then should you do to reduce the risk your vehicle disappears? For a proper answer to this answer, you need to ask your current insurer or those who give you auto insurance quotes for details of their discounts. In principle savings are available for measures taken under two different headings:

1. Warning devices 
   What you might call the first level of protection comes from telling the potential thief and the neighborhood that your vehicle is not going to be easy to steal. We start with noise. If an alarm goes off when some tries to open the door or start the engine without the proper key, the amateur thief is deterred. Even the professional may be put off if it is not going to be easy to disable the alarm. No one wants to drive a vehicle through the streets with the alarm sounding. Then there are the passive deterrents. Any casual thief or professional who was looking for a vehicle that would be easy to sell on will be deterred if you have etched the VIN on to the windows, or have fitted locks to the brake pedal or steering wheel.
   
   
2. Immobilizing and tracking devices 

These prevent thieves from getting through your ignition system or has a separate switch for allowing the gas to flow. Even if someone does get the vehicle into motion, a GPS tracker will allow the police to recover the vehicle - assuming the thieves do not find and disable the transmitter.

Send details of all preventive measures to your auto insurance company and prove you are eligible for discounts. Then it's just a case of common sense. Always remember to take the keys out of the ignition and lock the door when you leave your vehicle. A key deterrent to potential thieves is visibility, so you should always park in areas that are well-lit and have a reasonable level of foot traffic, whenever possible.

Getting cheap auto insurance to drive legally

It really isn't worth the risk getting caught driving without having insurance due to the potential consequences. You can temporarily lose your driving privilege if your driver's license is suspended or revoked which can impact other areas of your life. It is better to get cheap auto insurance and drive legally.

Know State Requirements

Laws regarding auto insurance vary from state to state. By visiting the official website of the state you are visiting you will be able to easily learn about the laws in that state. Along with the minimum requirements, penalties for violating the law are also outlined. States are strict about enforcing their auto insurance laws. One way they verify drivers are insured is to send out requests to drivers to prove they had insurance during a specific time period in the past. The state will contact your auto insurance company to confirm your information. If you did not have coverage, you will be penalized by having your driver's license suspended immediately.

Minimum Insurance Coverage

Although this can vary by state, the typical minimum coverage required is liability. There are two types of liability coverage: bodily injury and property damage. If you cause an accident, liability insurance will cover the medical expenses and car repairs of the other party. Your own expenses are not covered under liability insurance. And, in most cases, liability insurance will not pay for injuries to your passengers. You can be personally help responsible for costs beyond what the insurance covers.

Understand Rate Calculation

Insurance companies consider multiple factors when calculating rates. The most important risk factors include your driving record, credit score, age, and location. You may be eligible for certain discounts that can help lower your rates. New customers may get a reduction just for purchasing a policy.

Shop Around for Low Rates

If you have decided to get the minimum amount of coverage required to be legal, your best option is to shop around for cheap auto insurance. Aggregator sites offer a one-stop shopping opportunity for drivers by providing free quotes from major insurance companies. You can quickly get cheap car insurance without the hassle of talking to insurance agents.

Save With Higher Auto Insurance Deductibles

If you want to save money on your auto insurance rates, consider which deductibles are most advantageous to you in the long run. Deductibles are those amounts you have to pay upfront before your insurance company will pay a claim. The higher deductible you have, the less you pay in annual premiums because you are sharing the risk if you are involved in an accident.

Too often drivers assume it is in their best interest to have a low deductible so the insurance company pays more on claims. But this is not always the case. There are two primary factors that determine the deductible that is best for your situation.

Financial Health

The first factor is your ability to pay the deductible if you are involved in an accident. If you are able and willing to pay a higher amount, and you have a good driving record, you can save thousands of dollars by accepting the higher deductible.

Remember that you can get out of purchasing insurance altogether if you can prove you have the financial means to pay for vehicle damages and medical expenses if you cause an accident. You can use the same logic to determine the amount of deductible you need to reduce your risk and save money.

Coverage Type

The second factor is the type of coverage you are purchasing. Not all coverage has deductible options. Coverage for vehicle damage has deductibles. This includes collision and comprehensive coverage. If you have an older vehicle, consider what the insurance company will actually pay if you submit a claim. It may make more sense to have a higher deductible and save money. However, if you just bought a car and are required by your lender to have full coverage, you may want a lower deductible to reduce your financial risk if you are involved in an accident.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) also includes a deductible. Many states require drivers to have this type of insurance. But if you have personal health insurance, you can accept a higher deductible on your PIP and reduce your annual premiums. Your health insurance can cover your medical expenses if you are involved in an accident.

It is not uncommon for insurance companies to offer a limited selection of deductibles. If you are not happy with your insurance company's options, talk to other auto insurance providers . You can also shop online for auto insurance that has the deductible and coverage that is best for you.

Getting Auto Insurance For Top Stolen Cars

Getting auto insurance in general can be a difficult task if you are looking for premium rates you can afford. However, industry experts say that it is more difficult to get auto insurance for top stolen cars in the country because they are likely targets for car theft compared to other cars. What should you do if your car is on the list of the top stolen cars? Before enumerating what you can do to either get an insurance policy for your vehicle or to get a lower premium to insure it, here is a rundown of the top stolen cars in the country today.

The 1995 Honda Civic is one of the most popular cars among car thieves according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Another report from the NICB listed the 1997 Ford F-150, the Nissan Sentra (1994), the 1991 Honda Accord, the Acura Integra (1994), the 1989 Toyota Camry, the 1994 Chevrolet C/K 1500 and Dodge's 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup.

If you have any of these cars, insurance experts say that you should install anti-theft devices on them. This includes warning devices, immobilizing devices, and tracking devices. An immobilizing device is very important for cars or vehicles like the ones in the list because for one, if car thieves try to drive away with your vehicle, the vehicle's fuel will be cut off. Most immobilizing devices also have smart keys that prevent the car from starting or being driven. Tracking devices are also a great addition to such vehicles because it will allow law enforcement to track it down and recover it when it is stolen. If these devices are installed, your insurer will be more willing to provide you with a good rate for your premium or in some cases will be more willing to have you purchase a car insurance plan from their company because your car or vehicle is now protected from car theft.

It is important to note that even if car theft occurrences in the country has gone down according to the NICB, insurers want to protect their profit and as much as possible lower all expenses hence those who drive cars that are susceptible to theft are usually turned down or are charged very high auto insurance rates . It is also a good idea for you to check out auto insurance packages from a comparison website to get a good price.

Getting Cheap Auto Insurance on the Fastest Cars of 2012

Cheap auto insurance is easy to find if your car is a car equipped with safety features and the newest technology. However, getting cheap auto insurance for very fast cars can be rather difficult because for one, the speed that such cars could reach will make your insurer hold on to his seat as if he is watching your car in a racing track. Here are the fastest cars of 2012 and why so many drivers just cannot help but buy them even if they are usually expensive to insure.

However, there are those fast cars that have relatively low car insurance rates. This includes the Chevrolet Corvette GS. This two-door convertible has a mean annual insurance premium f approximately $2, 000 according to our research and when you factor in how fast the acceleration is i.e. zero to 60 mph at a 4 second rate, then the average premium you would be paying is $500 per second or a little less.

The Mercedes SL65 AMG is another powerful car with almost the same acceleration rate as that of the two-door convertible from Chevy and according to industry experts, the yearly premium costs usually go from $750 to $800 which is relatively inexpensive compared to insuring other fast cars.

Let's admit however that insurers do not really like insuring people who choose fast cars because insurance companies factor in premium rates on perceived risks i.e. paying out damage claims and injury claims, etc and when one comes to think of it, driving a fast car entails one getting into an accident quite frequently especially if the driver is too adventurous. However, since there are now so many fast cars available in the market, there is no more need for you to pay top dollar to get insurance unless of course you choose fast cars that also fall under the luxury car category such as a corvette, or a Porsche.

For those planning to get a fast car, another good choice is the Camaro SS. Yep, this car sure looks great but it's not as fast as the first two mentioned in this article. However, getting one is a good choice because it would be easier for you to get cheap auto insurance for it. If you are driving a fast car and want cheap auto insurance, it is advised that you get more information from a reputable insurer.

Factors Affecting Car Insurance Rates

Insurance companies use many risk factors to establish insurance premiums. These are used to determine the level of risk you pose to the company. As the risk increases, so too will your costs. Each insurance provider has its own set of factors used to calculate car insurance rates. However, there are several common factors that most providers take into consideration.

Driver Age

Younger drivers are more likely to be in accidents than those who are at least 25 years old. More experienced drivers, typically between 50 and 65 years, tend to be the safest drivers. So, all other factors begin equal, younger drivers will pay higher premiums.

Driver Gender

Female drivers tend to get lower rates because they are statistically less likely to cause an accident. Industry-wide, females are viewed to be the safer gender behind the wheel of car and pose less risk to insurance companies.

Geography

Location is a major factor when it comes to auto insurance rates. Where you live and work is important if you are looking to save money. If you live or work in a dangerous neighborhood, you will probably pay higher rates. Typical weather for your community is also taken into consideration. Living in an area that sees frequent snowfalls which adversely impact driving conditions can increase your rates.

Type of Vehicle

Certain vehicles are safer than others. And specific cars have high theft rates. Both of these realities are factored into your rate calculation. Some insurance providers may give drivers of domestic vehicles lower premiums. This is simply because domestic cars cost less to repair than imports. If you have to file a claim, your insurance company wants to pay out as little as possible.

Credit Score

Drivers may not be aware that insurance companies use credit scores when setting premiums. The underlying belief is that if you have a high credit score, you are responsible. You will be more likely to be a safe driver and less likely to submit a claim.

Driving Record

A history of safe driving can significantly reduce your rates. Driving records are the major factor that car insurance companies look at when calculating your premiums. Any type of ticket or accident can cause your rates to be higher.

There are many more factors that go into your car insurance rate. These are some of the more common ones that have significant influence on your premiums.

Reducing car insurance quotes with the right car

Of all the things people consider when comparing car insurance quotes, one factor always seems to escape their attention. Surprisingly, since this factor is really important when calculating insurance costs, and it's actually the first thing your insurer will ask about when getting quotes. Yes, we're talking about cars. Most drivers don't even consider their car as a flexible option for optimizing insurance costs. However, if you really want to get affordable car insurance quotes, you'll have to take a closer look at your car, since it may be not the best one to search for affordable insurance with.

First of all, let's understand why insurers are so picky when it comes to different makes and models, and don't offer the same quotes for all cars depending solely on the amount of coverage you buy. However, if you have owned more than one or two cars, you know the difference, and insurers know it too. Each car features a unique mix of different factors involved, which insurers are very sensitive about, such as car safety, road performance, security measures, theft rates, repair costs, and others. Even the same car make can have two slightly different models that will have completely different car insurance quotes because the safety or theft rates are higher with one of them.

So what should a driver look for in a car if he wants to get a ride that won't cost him a fortune to insure? As mentioned in the previous passage, you'll need to locate car models that have the optimal balance of all the factors that matter to insurers. First of all, it has to be really safe, so that the passengers and the driver won't get seriously injured during an accident. It has to be secure and with low theft rates, otherwise the insurers will charge you just for the risk that your car can be easily stolen. It has to be easily repaired without the need to purchase expensive spare parts, or your repair bills will require you to get more coverage in the first place.

Naturally, each car model has its strengths and weaknesses when analyzing these factors. So you'll have to shop around really good in order to find a suitable car. You can start with the medium segment, as it usually features the optimal models in terms of insurance. Yet, as said, it all strongly depends on the particular model, and the difference in car insurance quotes can be rather drastic even in the same segment.

Commonly Filed Auto Insurance Claims

People file auto insurance claims everyday. These claims can range from a minor windshield repair to a vehicle being totaled. Understanding the most common claims can save you money when shopping for auto insurance, as you will want to make sure you are covered for these types of incidents. Below you will find the top 5 reasons people file auto insurance claims.

Fender Benders

Fender benders are definitely the most common reason a person would file an auto insurance claim. These types of wrecks sometimes happen in parking lots and other times when we are distracted and cannot react quickly enough. These types of incidents are unlikely to cause serious injury, however the damage can quickly get expensive due to crumple zones. A crumple zone on a car absorbs some of the force of an accident, but afterwards can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars to fix.

Windshield Repair

Windshield repairs are quite common but are usually optional on your policy, meaning they will cost you extra. Windshields are easy to crack by no fault of your own. Rocks flung by other cars or ice build up can crack your windshield. These can cost a couple of hundred dollars to replace.

Brakes or Mechanical Repairs

A brake system failing cannot only be extremely dangerous, but also pricy. If you are on the highway when your brakes go out, it could result in a major accident. In this case, you are stuck with not only the brake repairs, but also the damages to yourself or others and involved vehicles. It is important to get mechanical repair coverage if your policy offers it.

Rear-end Damage

Rear end collisions are very common. While these types of incidents are usually the fault of the rear ender, they can still serious injure you and leave you with high medical bills. Choosing a high bodily injury policy can save you hundreds of dollars in these situations.

Vandalism

Even in the "nice parts" of town there is vandalism, so nobody is safe. Many things can be stolen from a vehicle such as emblems, GPS systems, headlights, and any other valuables in your car. Not only would you have to replace these items, but you might have to replace windows that were knocked out, or for other damages your car incurred. For this reason, you should always choose to be covered for theft and vandalism when you pick your auto insurance policy.

Cheap Car Insurance for Classic Cars

Nobody wants to buy insurance. But when you have significant money invested in classic cars, you go out of your way to make sure they are insured. Fortunately, you no longer have to break bank to do so. You can now get cheap car insurance for classic cars. Following are tips you can use to get the lowest insurance rates while maintaining quality coverage for your investment.

Stick With Liability Insurance

Just because your car is a classic does not mean it has any value other than sentimental. If this is the case, insurance companies may not be willing to insure it beyond the state required minimum amount. However, if your classic is actually a collector car, you have more options available to you. Unless you are independently wealthy, you probably want more than liability insurance to protect your car. But if you do have the financial resources, you can settle for liability and take care of any damages yourself.

Consider a Collision and Comprehensive Policy

The purpose of this is to make sure you have an opportunity to recoup some of the value of the classic car if it is damaged. Medical expenses will not be covered. And you are unlikely to receive the real value of your classic car. Rather, you will get the depreciated cash value if you file a claim. Determine what the maximum per vehicle and per accident coverage you can get on your car. Do not pay for more than is reasonable.

Ask For a Specialized Policy

There are two main types of special insurance for classic cars: a stated-value policy and an agreed-value policy. With a stated-value policy, the owner establishes the car's value. This particular type of insurance allows owners to buy only the coverage amount they can afford. It is possible this amount is much less than the car is worth. An agreed-value policy involves negotiation between the owner and insurance agent. You both agree on the car's value at the time you purchase a policy. If your car is totaled or stolen, that is the maximum amount you can claim.

A benefit of classic cars is that they do not pose the same type of risk as your average car. They are not driven much so the likelihood of a classic car being involved in an accident is very low. This makes it much easier to get cheap car insurance.

High-risk drivers and cheap car insurance

Have you recently been involved in a car accident? Were you at fault? If so, you have experienced the inevitable increase in auto insurance premiums. And if you have multiple accidents or speeding tickets on your driving record, you can expect even higher rates. You still have several options when it comes to shopping for cheap car insurance.

Getting a better Driving Record

This will take time but you should make a concerted effort to clean up your driving record. It will require you to be accident-free for a specific period of time. You also need to avoid getting tickets for speeding and other moving violations. Generally, it takes three years for tickets to be removed from your driving record. At that time, you will find that your rates drop, often significantly.

Stop claim filing

Insurance companies also consider claim histories when rating drivers. Customers who frequently file claims pose a higher risk to insurance providers. As a result, they will have higher rates to cover potential losses to the company. Although the most common reason drivers file claims is because of accidents, there are other ways your car can be damaged. Limit the number of claims you submit to only the most expensive and you may be surprised by your lower rates.

Using multiple companies when comparing quotes

You always have the opportunity to compare rates by getting quotes from different insurance companies. You can do this either by contacting individual insurance providers or by using an aggregator site that provides a one-stop comparison shopping experience for customers by presenting various insurance quotes from several companies at the same time.

It is possible that even as a high-risk driver you will be able to find a good policy with lower premiums simply by shopping around. Each insurance company has its own set of factors it uses to set rates. You may find that you are eligible for certain discounts from one provider that another does not offer at all. By researching all of your options, you will be able to get cheap car insurance that provides the coverage you need.

Why auto insurance rates are loaded for inexperienced drivers

As you know getting a license to drive at 16 is no longer the automatic rite of passage it used to be. If we go back to the 1980's, about half all sixteen-year olds applied for licenses on their birthdays. That reduced to less than 30% in 2010. Ignoring the cost problems, the popularity of the internet and hand-held technology means teens can get together virtually. There's not the same pressure to actually meet each other face to face. At a national level, there's also a significant reduction in the number of miles we drive. This is not a recent phenomenon arising from the recession. The vehicle miles traveled has been falling over the last ten years. That's a welcome relief for parents because the death and injury statistics for teens in vehicles is alarming. When you put beginners into situations where there's a high element of danger, it's hardly surprising they make mistakes and injure each other.

For calculating the auto insurance rates, every newly licensed driver is given inexperience points. Should they pick up a ticket or make a claim, there's an increasing chance they will be forced out of the voluntary and into the assigned risk market. This will almost certainly occur if they are caught drunk or affected by drugs. The only way to loose these points is to go through years without a claim.

When a teen has a driving license, the parents must decide whether to add the name to their family policy. If there's any chance the inexperienced driver may drive a family vehicle, failure to insure will be counted as a form of fraud and the policy will be cancelled. But if the teen buys a vehicle in his or her name, a separate policy can be issued. Naturally, it will be more expensive than adding the name to the family policy, but it does teach responsibility to a young driver when the auto insurance rates react so precisely to the way the vehicle is driven.