Free Auto Insurance Quotes and Safety Features in Cars

Looking for free auto insurance quotes? When looking to move to a new insurer or shopping for a policy for a car you are about to buy, getting free auto insurance quotes is a good way to compare and contrast the choices you are given. Aside from looking for the cheapest car insurance quotes however, you can also lower your premium by making sure that your vehicle has safety features not only for your own safety but also for you to save some money along the way.

Seat belts and airbags for example are two very basic yet very important things a car should have. These two things can save your life and the lives of your passengers in case an accident happens. This will also save you lots of money on your car insurance premium.

Having other safety features such as ESC or Electronic Stability Control. This safety feature will help you stop impending skids on the road therefore giving you more control over your car even in an event where you are already expected to not have control over it. This is a highly advanced safety feature and this is something you should look for when planning to buy a new car.

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems are also a great addition to your car's safety features. Under-inflated tires are dangerous and this is something that you definitely should avoid. Your car's Tire Pressure Monitoring System will do this for you though making it one less of the things you should worry about. Other new safety features include blind spot monitoring systems and systems that send you an alarm the minute you start leaning slowly to another lane. The latter prevents those who are tired or sleepy from getting into an accident while on the road.

There are also safety features that need to be installed and this includes booster seats for your small children. Websites that provide free auto insurance quotes usually ask for the safety features of your car before sending you a quote so it is better to have these than pay a high price for your premium.

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Vehicle insurance and driver's age

There are many things that affect a driver's insurance rates. Starting with the car he or she drives to the place where its registered - all these small pieces of data are analyzed by the insurance company and used to determine the rates they'll charge this particular customer. But of all the factors that the insurance companies will use there's one particular piece of data that you just can't do anything about - your age. That's right, your age also has impact on how much you will have to pay for having your car insured. And for some age groups this impact isn't as good as they would like it to be.

As with any other factor involved in calculating insurance rates, the age of the driver helps the insurance company to determine the likelihood of filing a claim. In other words, from the insurer's perspective your age can determine the probability of you having a traffic accident during a given period of time. And if this may seem quite vague they have the statistics on their side. According to statistical analysis different age groups tend to produce different numbers of accidents with teens and seniors being the most likely to have traffic problems while the middle age being the safest of all drivers. Let's look closer at this observation.

Drivers aged less than 25 tend to get the highest car insurance quotes of all age groups because they produce more accidents in general. First of all, young drivers lack the driving experience for avoiding certain risky situations. Moreover, teens tend to behave more risky in general thanks to the well known attitude common in this particular age. So we have a mix of factors that allows the insurers to act as they usually do - set higher rates. Of course, this doesn't mean that all teen drivers are necessarily bad drivers. But it's when the majority determines the rates for the minority and there's little you can do about it.

Middle age drivers on the other hand already have plenty of driving experience on their hands to behave more responsibly on the road. Besides, most people tend to get more cautious and laid back with age that's why you won't see so many housewives or business executives speeding on the highways as there are teens doing such things. That's why drivers aged between 25 and 55 tend to have the lowest car insurance quotes in general.

However, at a certain point age stops being an advantage and turns into a disadvantage. This happens around the age of 55 and goes onwards with each year passing. From this age the quotes you get start to increase steadily and around 65 will go up even at a faster phase. This is explained by the fact that senior drivers tend to produce more accidents than the average driver yet the reasons in this case are different from those at teen age. Older car owners usually develop health conditions that may affect their driving abilities and speed of reaction. That's why they usually get higher car insurance quotes just like teens do.

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Auto insurance quotes and other insurance products

One of the main differences between auto insurance and other types of insurance services is that if you choose not to insure your car it's not just your personal choice but a legal offense. All other insurance products are purely optional, even though life can make them rather necessary in certain situations. For example, health insurance isn't required by law but imagine going to the hospital for care without having an insurance plan - you'll spend thousands of dollars out of own pocket. House insurance isn't required as well but in case your house gets burnt down wouldn't it be much better if you had the insurance in the first place? Insurance products in general are a great method for minimizing your risks and eliminating the financial impact of situations that are beyond your control or forecast. But if you put your mind to it you can actually optimize your costs by using different types of insurance products at the same time.

Let's take a typical situation within most families in this country. You have at least one car in the household, so there's an auto insurance policy on your hands, all the family members have health insurance and the house is probably insured too. This leaves us with three insurance policies most often purchased from different providers. Of course, it's better to get auto insurance quotes from a company that specializes in providing auto insurance and having your house covered with a company that focuses on real estate insurance. It sounds very logic from the first view. But if we say that you may actually get better rates when buying all these things from a single insurer?

Of course, not all insurance companies provide the entire spectrum of insurance services as even large insurers tend to put their focus on specific types of products. But there are still companies that can provide you with all the basic insurance policies you may need starting with car insurance to house insurance. And they usually provide significant discounts to customers who actually choose to get all the policies from them at once. Sounds very attractive, doesn't it?

In reality, of course, you don't buy all types of insurance at once. You get auto insurance quotes when you buy an auto and start looking for home insurance after moving into your new house and that rarely takes place at the same time. Usually you would just compare quotes for the same types of products form different companies without even thinking about getting it from the provider you have other insurance products purchased from. But now you know that this option is there to consider and you should think about it every time you get another insurance product.

For example, you're comparing auto insurance quotes for a car you've bought for your spouse. First of all, consider getting it insured with the same company that has your primary car covered - most insurers offer significant rate cuts when you cover tow or more vehicles under the same policy. But even if the auto insurance quotes you get from the company you already have policies with aren't the most competitive learn how big is the discount they offer for having different insurance products with them - it will certainly make any policy really attractive.

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Car insurance: Do I need it if I drive, but don't own the car?

What happens if you drive but don't own a car? Do you need to buy an insurance policy if you don't have a car? The basic answer is no and yes.

You have a driver's license, generally use public transit, don't own a car, and only drive a couple of times a year when you rent a car or borrow a friend's for a couple of days-- you probably don't need to invest in car insurance. When you rent a car, you should pay for the rental insurance. When you borrow your friends car just check with him or her to find out what the limitations on his policy are so you don't complicate things. Understand that if you are in an accident and his insurance is maxed out you will be liable for any additional payments for property damage or medical damages.

However, if you are using a friend's car more than a couple of times a year (and a couple of days at a time) then his policy may not want to pay out for your indiscretions if you are in an accident. If you rent more than a couple times a year, more like once a month, or every couple of months for a couple of weeks, then you might find it saves you money to buy your own Non-Owners auto insurance policy.

It is good to shop around for Non-Owner auto insurance quotes. You will be surprised to see the diversity in prices. However, they are based on the type of coverage you need and your driving history. A good non-owners policy will give you coverage for PIP (personal injury protection), uninsured, or underinsured driver, liability, and medical. You have the option of including rental reimbursements, towing, moving the up the collision to comprehensive. The basic coverage, depending on your driving history and your location should be between $500 to $1000 per year. Be advised that a non-owner policy will only kick in to pay damages after any other insurance pays out. So your friend's policy might be charged for your accident and it could affect his insurance premium. Nevertheless, it is better to carry the coverage because it minimizes his costs and protects you.

Take the time to review different insurance company's car insurance rates, and let us help you review multiple non-owner auto insurance quotes to help you find the right one.

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Prove you have low milage, drive safely and cheap car insurance is yours

It's curious how quickly an idea either takes off or dies the death. What was casually called pay-as-you-go has now become a highly competitive market. If you ever wanted proof of just how competitive, you only have to look at the court roster where you find Progressive suing State Farm and The Hartford for alleged infringement of patents. You may well throw up your hands in despair. We are used to seeing technology companies accuse each other of copying the other's patent for an on/off switch, but patents also cover any business ideas that no one has registered using those words before. So Progressive claims it registered the idea of using technology to monitor how far and how well people drive and to offer discounts to all the safest drivers. Now we have to wait for a judge to say how obvious this business plan is and that it should never have been registered as a patent. Until then, attorneys are collecting their usual high fees to fight it out to the death.

So what exactly is Progressive offering that it feels must be defended so aggressively? In most states, this insurer was the first to offer a black box for monitoring driving behaviour. The most recent version is called Snapshot. What makes this so interesting is you can run it for a one month's trial while holding your existing policy. This gives you a direct comparison and tells you exactly how much you will save if you make the switch. If you decide not to switch, there's no comeback. Progressive simply recovers the hardware link and looks for business elsewhere.

Why is the best chance for cheap car insurance? The answer comes in two different ways. The first relates to the number of miles you drive and the time of day you drive them. The statistics show low milage drivers have the smallest numbers of accidents, particularly if you drive at off-peak times. Second we come to the way you drive. Gentle acceleration, modest braking, no violent swerving all indicate a safe driver. That earns you cheap car insurance. All the insurer has ever wanted is proof you are safe. Now technology supplies that information you can earn maximum discounts.

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Auto Insurance: Getting the Best Deals Relies on Best Quotes

A car is one of the most important investments that can be made. There is no getting away from its necessity to simply get around, but when the dependence placed on it for work and family life is taken into account, the significance of the car is even greater. Little wonder then the auto insurance protecting the investment is a seriously taken decision.

For many of us, our car is the second largest single investment that we make, with our home the obvious first. So protecting your car is not so much about covering the cost of getting a new one should something happen the old, but in protecting an investment that could be tens of thousands of dollars.

But while its importance is clear, the need to find affordable and reliable insurance options is equally essential. Thankfully, it is not hard to find competitive auto insurance quotes in a market with so many competing firms, and the Internet boasting some extremely good deals too.


The Importance of the Quote

When it comes to auto insurance, there is already a well-established tradition of seeking quotes from rival companies. Even in the modern era of Internet insurance firms, this remains a vital part of the whole process and the only way to secure the best possible premiums.

The fact is that when it comes to getting the best possible deal, protecting your car is only part of it. The terms of the policy should obviously ensure the best possible coverage in case of an accident or the car being stolen. In such cases, aspects like a no-claims bonus and how first claims or minor claims affect it should be considered.

However, the most competitive auto insurance quotes will not only details such factors, but offer terms that are affordable in the first place. And, transfer discounts, where moving from one firm to another, is also a positive aspect to look out for.

Finding the Best Quote

Like so many other financial products, an auto insurance policy is subject to market developments as well as terms and conditions. That makes finding the best possible quote quite difficult. The sheer number of insurance firms is huge, and so the task of considering so many offers is difficult.

However, the Internet makes the task easier by providing comparison sites that immediately find quotes that are within your range of preferences. The result is that quotes from companies that were not known about can be found, quotes that would never have been located. So, protecting your car can become less expensive.

Still, it is always a good idea to contact the firms directly to see what extra deals may be on offer. Getting the most competitive auto insurance quotes can often come down to human contact, rather than Internet connection.

Problems With The Online Option

The advantages of online auto insurance are quite clear, but that is not to say there are no disadvantages. The unfortunate truth is that, like everything else that is available online, trusting the vendors or suppliers is an issue for the consumer. It is very easy for unscrupulous operators to catch consumers out.

For this reason, it is important to check any insurance firm online with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, which rates all businesses operating in the US. That way, protecting your car does not have to lead to disappointment or financial pressure.

When searching for competitive auto insurance quotes, it is important to keep in mind that what looks to be too good to be true is usually too good to be true.

Hilary Bowman is a Financial Expert who specializes in Loans for People with No Credit and Bad Credit Loans

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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.

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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.

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Finding cheap car insurance for drivers that are high-risk

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 getting cheap car insurance.

Improve Driving Record

You should make a concerted effort to get your driving record cleaned up, although this may take some time. 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.

Avoid Filing Claims

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.

Compare Quotes from Multiple Companies

Getting yourself a variety of quotes from different insurance companies will always give you the opportunity to compare rates. 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.

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Make sure you know what determines your insurance quotes

To a person who's buying their first insurance policy the market and its mechanics may look like total chaos. There are so many factors involved and so many little details that require your attention, no wonder that the first intention when dealing with such an abundance of information is to get the first policy and just forget about it until renewal date comes. Of course, this is a sure way to end up overpaying for your insurance, and that's the last thing you want to do if your budget is limited due to recession. Fact is that you can optimize your costs by comparing car insurance quotes from different providers. And in order to do that correctly you have to know what actually affects the quotes. Fortunately, it's not that complicated to learn, but it will definitely help you determine your prospects when buying insurance. So here are the most important things when it comes to calculating your car insuranc quotes:

Amount and type of coverage

This is the most important aspect of car insurance that has a very profound impact on how much you'll be charged by the company. The only part of the policy that is actually mandatory is the third party liability coverage. All other coverage types are purchased additionally and are not mandatory. Having a lot of coverage on your hands is good because it ensures that you have enough money to cover any type of accident. However, the more coverage you include the costlier the policy becomes. So there's a direct relation between the amount of coverage and the rates the company will offer. This can vary to a degree, but the rule is the same with all providers.

Age and sex

The demographic group you make part of also has a tremendous impact on the level of car insurance quotes you'll receive from different companies. This results from the statistical data all insurance companies compile about their customers and claims. Young drivers usually get the highest car insurance quotes because they produce the most accidents due to lack of driving experience. Senior drivers aged over 65 also get higher rates because they often have health problems that make it hard for them to react in traffic properly. Women get lower quotes than men because they have proven to be safer drivers with fewer accidents in average.

Place of residence

The place where your car is registered in is important as well. People living in large urban areas typically pay more for insurance than their rural peers from small towns. This is caused by the difference in traffic and the risk of accident. Places with constant heavy traffic tend to produce more insurance claims, thus if you're mainly driving in such areas your car insurance quotes will be higher.

Car being insured

Don't forget about the car in question because it will significantly affect the range of car insurance quotes you'll get from different insurers. Small cars can be expensive to insure since they produce more claims and tend to take more damage in general. Sports and muscle cars provoke risky driving and end up in more serious accidents thus the higher rates. Large trucks, minivans and SUVs deliver more damage during collision, so they also can deliver increased rates. Medium-sized and family cars tend to be the safest and cheapest to insure. Luxury cars and collectibles may often require special or exclusive insurance options that are rarely affordable.

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Is it right for you to go for the minimum auto insurance quote?

About the minimumauto insurance quote

Taking out insurance is like making a bet that you never have a bad day. The industry is based on calculated risk management. A lot of mathematics, science, and guts go into the algorithms that determine risk. You may think that they are just out to make money off you, and you are right. Surprisingly though, they make the most money when they have loyal customers who come back year after year, and who trust them to take care of you when something goes wrong. If they have to spend all their profits chasing new customers, they don't make any money.

Finding ways to save money wherever they can, and cutting corners where it is possible is something everyone is doing these days, and it is because of a very tight economy that is affecting everyone right now. Sometimes, you might be inclined to go with whatever the state has deemed as the minimum liability insurance. Before you do, think about what that insurance is supposed to cover, and what you have to fill in the gaps is you do have an accident.

Things to consider when choosing the level of liability insurance are your own personal assets. No one in their right mind heads out on the highway looking to create an accident, but if you are in an accident, and you are at fault it can cost you over and above what your insurance is going to pay out. If you own property, or have assets that are in excess of what you have covered by your policy then you may be at risk of having to pay out the difference. Basic coverage n New Jersey is: bodily injury $10,000 for all persons, and $5000 for property damage. If you're at fault and the accident totals the other person's car valued at $15,000 and their medical bills pile up over $10,000 (and they do not have coverage for underinsured driver) you will need to find some way to pay the bill. The accident victim's attorney will put a lien against assets, like your house or bank accounts. Saving a few dollars, a year on your auto insurance is not a smart reason to be left living in your car. When comparing auto insurance quotes make sure you are looking at liability levels that match you level of assets. If your home is worth $250,000 and your other combines assets put you over $300,000 then $300,00 is the minimum you should be carrying. Knowing what is at risk for you can help you make the best decision on your coverage.

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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.

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Seat belt laws and auto insurance quotes

There have been studies around the world and the conclusions are the same. Having seat belt laws and actually enforcing them reduces the seriousness and extent of injuries in traffic accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that fatalities are halved through the use of the combined shoulder and lap belts. That's slightly more than 5,000 deaths a year avoided. When it comes to children, the statistics are even more impressive with about 70% of fatalities avoided. No matter what we may think about the use of seat belts, the evidence of their effectiveness is overwhelming. Yet, there's quite a wide discrepancy between states on the wording of laws and the way in which the laws are enforced.

Let's start with a simple piece of research evidence. It states the risk of injuries is reduced to anyone in the vehicle, i.e. it makes no difference whether you are sitting in the front or back nor which side of the vehicle you are sitting, wearing a belt is good for your safety. So if a state is going to mandate the use of seat belts, the mandate should cover the drivers and all the passengers regardless of age. Yet New Hampshire does not mandate the use of seat belts, and a significant number of states like Arizona only require belts to be worn by children. The adults are expected to act wisely and wear them because they know they will be safer. Some only mandate the use of seat belt in the front seats.

Then we come to the way in which the laws are enforced. Some states make the mandate a primary offense, i.e. the police officer can stop the vehicle if he or she sees a driver or passenger not wearing a belt. By its nature, this is the most effective form of enforcement. But seventeen states only use secondary enforcement, i.e. a ticket can only be written if the vehicle has been stopped for some other reason like running a red light. In those states, the official statistics show about 20% of the population routinely ignoring the laws. Since most of those people are teens and young adults, this explains the high fatality and serious injury statistics. Finally, we come to the amount of the fine payable on citation. In some states like Alabama and Alaska, the amounts for the first offense are trivial but in California, once you add in fees, the fine is about $100. In all states, the fines for a second offense are higher - in Maine, for example, the fines rise to $300 for a third offense. These are less trivial and, in states with the highest levels of fine and the most active enforcement, there are fewer deaths and serious injuries.

Calculating auto insurance quotes

One of the most important cost elements when calculating quotes is the medical expenses of those injured. So anything which reduces the seriousness of those injuries controls costs and potentially allows a reduction in the premium rates. In this case, we drivers get a double benefit. We are not only physically safer, but also get the benefit in the auto insurance rates we pay. This is not to say the rates will always fall. They may simply stabilize. But even that would be a benefit.

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Quotes for auto insurance could soon drop in Florida

Let's start by putting this reform into a proper context. If you look across the USA, there are about 6.5 million traffic accidents every year. People are injured in about half these accidents, with some 2 million having some degree of permanent disability. Overall, about 40,000 die each year. Florida is one of the twelve states (plus Puerto Rico) with a no-fault insurance scheme. In theory, this should keep costs low by avoiding disputes as to liability. Unfortunately, the reverse has happened as fraud on personal injuries has soared to record levels. As a result, the premium rates have risen far faster than inflation as the insurers passed on the cost of this fraud to policyholders. As a result, many drivers have been on the roads without adequate cover to pay for any personal injuries they might cause. Worse, the actual enforcement of the mandatory insurance law has been poor. For the responsible driver, carrying uninsured or underinsured insurance was a must. There is hope for the future following the passing of a consensus bill through the Florida legislature in March 2012, which is all thanks to the efforts of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Governor Rick Scott.

This is a major victory as the history of insurance has been blighted by often angry disagreement about what should be done. The first signs of improvement came in 2002 when the Florida law enforcement agencies began to collaborate with the National Insurance Crime Bureau to put more effective strategies in place to crack down on the amount of fraud. The Medical Fraud Task Force began to analyze the volume of claims submitted to Florida auto insurance companies. As you can imagine this was an enormously demanding task. However, over time, patterns were identified. At first only individuals were prosecuted. Then entire criminal organizations were taken down, sometimes including medical professionals who were colluding to provide fake reports in support of the claims. The first step in the reform package has been a requirement that all clinics be registered and have a licensed physician as the medical director. The second step requires an alleged accident victim to request treatment within 14 days and for a licensed physician to certify that this is an emergency response to an accident. Without this certificate, the claimant will not receive the full PIP benefit of $10,000. Only $2,500 will be paid. Given the Insurance Information Institute has evidence showing Florida leads the country in staging accidents, reducing the payout to $2,500 is not going to solve the problem. Longer queues in both hospitals and clinics is the only thing that this will generate.

However, given that some reform is better than no reform, this is some progress. So long as the collaboration with the NICB continues to identify fraudulent claimants, the level of fraud will decline a little. Hopefully, in this breathing space, the Florida government can devise a better long-term solution. This level of fraud forces up the auto insurance quotes every year, burdening local drivers with ever higher rates to pay the fraudsters. HB19 is not a perfect law and not everyone got what they wanted, but auto insurance rates should stabilize as payouts are reduced. The first battle to be won is that there is, at least, an agreement that something has to be done between the public and their representatives in legislature.

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Auto insurance and pay-as-you-go

Privacy has been one of the hot trending issues over the last year. It really took off when Facebook began playing with its terms and conditions, but now it's all tied up with the extent to which anyone can collect information about your use of the internet. Today, with the technology falling in price and improving in quality, insurance companies are deciding whether to make pay-as-you-go one of the standard policies on offer. To understand what's involved, we need a simple explanation of how it works. To calculate your premium rate, insurers currently weigh factors including your age, gender, where you live, whether you are a student or employed, whether you have picked up tickets or make claims, and whether you appear to be a responsible person from your GPA, credit card score and other records. All these factors are reasonably reliable because they are facts you cannot influence directly. That's why insurers have always been reluctant to offer discounts for low mileage. It's possible drivers may lie or change the odometer. The new technology transmits information to your insurer giving your location, the time of day, and the distance traveled. Some insurers are also offering technology to monitor the way you drive, but this is a different issue.

In our modern society, the number of vehicle thefts has been falling but, in some neighborhoods, it remains a common problem. If all vehicles had a GPS transmitter, this would make the recovery of stolen vehicles easier. So the technology to track a vehicle's movements is almost certainly here to stay. This is also vital information to your insurer about whether you are at risk of an accident. If all your driving is around a suburb at off-peak times during the day, the risk of an accident is small. But if you commute long distances down an interstate every day, the risk of a collision is high. The more miles a year you drive in heavy traffic, the more likely a claim. Hence, if you are a senior, a homemaker or drive fewer miles than average, a pay-as-you-go policy will be good for you. Indeed, those who prove their driving records can earn up to 40% discounts if they sacrifice their privacy.

Nevertheless, pay-as-you-go is not the most popular policy with the insurance industry, particularly if the technology can also monitor how well the vehicle is being driven. Let's take this step-by-step. The idea is that the premium rate should be based on actual evidence of how safely we drive. If the times, places and distances prove us less likely to claim, we earn discounts. But suppose it turns out that, say, 50% of all drivers have low mileage and drive safely and they all claim their discounts. That means the remaining 50% are all the drivers most likely to have an accident and their auto insurance rates should rise. Remember, insurance is all about spreading the cost of the risk among everyone in the group. If the cost of all the claims remains the same but half the drivers now receive a discount, the remaining drivers must all pay more. So cheap auto insurance for the low mileage crowd and expensive insurance for everyone else.

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Insurance groups in auto insurance

The theory of buying a new car is always straightforward. You watch Top Gear, see something spectacular, toddle off to the nearest dealer's showroom, plonk down cash and drive away contented. Well, if that's your approach, you're either a company director who gets one of these eye-watering bonuses, or you've never tried to buy and insure a car before. Let's go back to Jeremy Clarkson and his happy band of cartoon-like presenters who often sacrifice intelligent comment for humour. Many of the cars shown are expensive to own and repair. Before you even begin dreaming of buying one of these often sleek speedsters, check which insurance group it belongs to. Remember, you're looking for cheap car insurance.

Until 2010, there were only 20 groups. This reflected a general feeling that insurers could predict the costs of repair with enough accuracy to set premiums. However, following work done by Thatcham, the motor insurance repair research centre, the groupings were expanded to 50. This is now adopted as standard by the Association of British Insurers and Lloyds Market Association. For each group, there's now an estimate of the cost of parts and labour following a crash test at 15 mph. The other factor influenced by Thatcham is vehicle security. This takes account of the locks and any other security features fitted as standard. So the car you would like to buy may be allocated to Group 18 and have an A for an adequate level of security (E shows the security provided exceeds the group expectation, i.e. the car would be shown as a 17E). For obvious reasons, it's unwise to buy a vehicle which has a D or U security classification.

The rule is that you get cheap car insurance when the car is in a low group. The majority of newly manufactured cars intended for the mass market are within the range 1-20. But do not assume that small underpowered cars will belong to a low group. Some of the Fiat Bravo range are in Group 17, the HGT is in Group 29.

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Some news on driverless autos and auto insurance

In the movie Minority Report, Stephen Spielberg has an extended sequence showing cars of the future being assembled and how they drive themselves. It's pleasing how well a film made some ten years ago has been predicting the future. The multitouch computer interfaces are here as are the retina scanners. Facial recognition software is routinely used at airports and other safety-critical locations, and we are now carrying pads around on which we can read the latest newspapers and books. Strangely enough, the driverless vehicles are also on our streets being tested. That might surprise you. Except the states of California and Nevada have already passed laws making it legal to have these vehicles drive you. So what's the problem?

In a sense, we have most of the technology already available off-the-shelf. Cameras can be fitted to give 360 degree vision. Radar can tell the vehicle when anything else is moving nearby. GPS transponders tell the vehicle exactly where it is. Computers can easily be configured to talk to each other so that each vehicle can be told when there's something else nearby on the road. We have voice recognition software which will allow owners to input the desired destination and route preferences. Many of the standard vehicles are already drive-by-wire, i.e. electronic rather than mechanical links to the accelerator, brakes, and so on. All we need are the software packages to interpret all this data and translate it into instructions for the vehicle. For the record, in March, Google announced that its driverless car has traveled over 200,000 miles on roads in all types of traffic conditions. There has not yet been an accident. Indeed, so confident is Google that it has begun discussions both with government and the insurance industry.

The theoretical advantages are enormous. A computer never takes its "eyes" off the road to answer a cell phone or comb its hair. It never drives too close to the vehicle in front. There's no reckless overtaking or speeding. If this technology was adopted across all our roads, the number and seriousness of traffic accidents would be significantly reduced. Given that more than 30,000 people are killed on our roads every year, this would be a major improvement. With the number of accidents falling, insurance costs would fall and premium rates could be reduced. Except we all know technology can break down. There's a world of difference between trusting the PC on your table at home to keep your personal information safe and allowing the same PC to drive you at 70 mph down a busy interstate.

Auto insurance cost reduction in the industry

It seems the discussions with the auto insurance industry have been going well because Google recently announced a more positive testing program for the software. Instead of this being ten or more years in the future, it has lost its speculative nature and could be approved in the next two or three years. The question for you as individual drivers is whether you will surrender your hands-on control to a computer in return for significant reductions in auto insurance rates . It's actually a very good deal and only dangerous if a few reckless people insist on continuing to drive themselves or it amuses hackers to take over vehicles and stage crashes.

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How to rent a car and get good service?

Everyone knows the potential advantages of renting a vehicle. You get the freedom of the road and, in those parts of the world where the public transport system is not so hot, it's the only way to get where you want to go in a timely fashion. Yet we all have friends with horror stories about the poor service they received when collecting and returning their vehicles. Allowing for cultural differences and language problems, the first and best step to getting the best service is to write to the renter explaining your needs. Sadly, mental telepathy is still very limited and, unless you tell people what you need, they can only guess. When they guess wrong, you get upset and that's where the problems grow bigger. So a simple list of your needs - trying not to make them sound like a list of demands - will smooth the way. If you arrive and find things still not ready, show the email. This usually produces apologies and more urgent attention to those needs.

How to get the most out of car rental companies

Let's start by thinking about your choice of vehicle. If you have children or a lot of stuff to carry around, remember some countries prefer smaller cars. Telling the renter what size of vehicle you need is essential. Put the other way round, if you want to make the biggest savings, you're going to want the smallest, most fuel-efficient vehicle on the lot. Now come to the driving itself. In the US, we're used to automatic transmissions. In other countries, stick shift is the norm. If you can't drive a stick shift or you're worried about a stick shift using the "wrong" hand (yes, some of these pesky foreigners drive on the other side of the road), tell the renter you want an automatic transmission. Now start thinking about all that stuff. How big is it? For example, if you're off to a ski resort, do you want a rack on the roof to carry your skis and poles? Is one of your children young enough to need a special seat? Better still, if you don't know exactly where you're going, do you want a GPS system?

Now think about where you're proposing to drive. This is not something that needs to be cared in stone, but if you think you may go into different countries, remember to ensure you are carrying all the equipment required under local laws. For example, as of July 1, 2012, the French Government has decided you must carry a breathalyzer. If you fail to produce one when asked by the nice police officer with a gun strapped to his waist, there's an instant fine. It's about $15 a time and these police officers have radios so can ensure you get stopped every mile if you don't smile when asked to pay up. So ask your friendly car rental company to stock up your vehicle with all the mandatory equipment for the countries in which you propose to drive. Ask for a list and know exactly where it is. If you tell a car rental company what you actually need you can receive really good service.

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Making a booking with car rental companies

The chance to fit you into one of their various set packages is something that any car rental company with a fleet of cars to rent out wants. By default, if the booking is imprecise, you'll find yourself arbitrarily dumped into their "standard" vehicles on the "usual" terms. Perhaps this will work well for you. But when it proves a bad guess, you need to unpick the agreement when you arrive at the collection point without causing a major war. Remember you need the company to give you a vehicle at a good price so upsetting the local representatives before you start is not the best way to win. Indeed, you should have done all the heavy lifting by email before you set off for the collection point.

The length of time you wish to rent the vehicle for will be your first question. If this is literally one or two days, you will nearly always do better with one of the national or international companies. The large companies always carry a big fleet of vehicles of different sizes so can more easily fit you in for short periods. When you approach a "local" company, it will want you to take the vehicle for a minimum period, usually a week. If you insist on a shorter period of hire from a small company, you will be denied any possibility of a discount. Companies that rent out on predictable cycles can be left with a vehicle sitting in the lot waiting for the start of the next period of hire to start.

The distance that you are looking to travel will be your next question. If this is going to be within the immediate area, going local will be safe. Should you breakdown or hit problems, people can come and rescue you. But if you're planning to take off into the boondocks, a national company is going to give you more protection because, hopefully, you will always be within range of a branch office or the national company can tap a local garage to give roadside assistance. Alternatively, ensure you have membership of the national roadside rescue services in the countries you propose to visit. You always need to be just one cell phone call away from help.

Car rental companies and discounts

It is always worth asking about discount if you want to get the best possible deal. It's a rule of life. If you don't ask, you never get a discount. If this is going to be a regular event, ask about a loyalty program. Most are free but, some times, you pay a small amount to join. Once in, you get a discount on all the bookings you make. The same applies if you're already a member of frequent flier programs or your credit card provider has a local promotion. In the other direction, always ask about any terms entitling the car rental companies to impose charges or fees. For example, what are the no-show rules? Some companies charge you only if you fail to collect at all. Others charge you if you're late. So, if you're stuck in traffic on your way to the collection point, are you calm or is there frustration because a fee will be imposed unless you can get there in the next five minutes? Car rental companies like the chance to add to your bill. Know what you're getting into before you sign up.

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Be smart about car rental companies

Everyone knows the potential advantages of renting a vehicle. You get the freedom of the road and, in those parts of the world where the public transport system is not so hot, it's the only way to get where you want to go in a timely fashion. Yet we all have friends with horror stories about the poor service they received when collecting and returning their vehicles. Allowing for cultural differences and language problems, the first and best step to getting the best service is to write to the renter explaining your needs. Sadly, mental telepathy is still very limited and, unless you tell people what you need, they can only guess. When they guess wrong, you get upset and that's where the problems grow bigger. So a simple list of your needs - trying not to make them sound like a list of demands - will smooth the way. If you arrive and find things still not ready, show the email. This usually produces apologies and more urgent attention to those needs.

Let's start by thinking about your choice of vehicle. If you have children or a lot of stuff to carry around, remember some countries prefer smaller cars. Telling the renter what size of vehicle you need is essential. Put the other way round, if you want to make the biggest savings, you're going to want the smallest, most fuel-efficient vehicle on the lot. Now come to the driving itself. In the US, we're used to automatic transmissions. In other countries, stick shift is the norm. If you can't drive a stick shhft or you're worried about a stick shift using the "wrong" hand (yes, some of these pesky foreigners drive on the other side of the road), tell the renter you want an automatic transmission. Now start thinking about all that stuff. How big is it? For example, if you're off to a ski resort, do you want a rack on the roof to carry your skis and poles? Is one of your children young enough to need a special seat? Better still, if you don't know exactly where you're going, do you want a GPS system?

Now think about where you're proposing to drive. This is not something that needs to be cared in stone, but if you think you may go into different countries, remember to ensure you are carrying all the equipment required under local laws. For example, as of July 1, 2012, the French Government has decided you must carry a breathalyzer. If you fail to produce one when asked by the nice police officer with a gun strapped to his waist, there's an instant fine. It's about $15 a time and these police officers have radios so can ensure you get stopped every mile if you don't smile when asked to pay up. So ask your friendly a car rental company to stock up your vehicle with all the mandatory equipment for the countries in which you propose to drive. Ask for a list and know exactly where it is.

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Car insurance and winter driving

For example, did you prepare your vehicle for facing bad weather conditions? After all, it's predictable there will be snow and ice in winter. So did you fit new tires so you would have the maximum possible traction in slippery conditions? Or did you remember to put chains in the trunk so that, when the snow gets deeper, you can still drive reasonably safely? We all know the risk of sliding or skidding out of control. Why then do we fail to take action to protect ourselves and other road users? There are probably several reasons, not the least of which are that this means spending money on buying the chains, some think it inconvenient to fit them, and you cannot drive fast when you have them fitted. The fact local governments may require chains to be fitted as a condition to using the roads in some areas is not considered a reason for action (curiously, there are no chain laws in Florida and Missouri - strange oversight).

Then we come to all those routine maintenance tasks like adding antifreeze and retuning the engine so it's more likely to start when the temperature drops. Did you fit new blades on the windshield to give you better visibility when there's snow fall or a blizzard? And then we come to all the steps to protect you should your vehible break down or be involved in an accident. Do you have an emergency bag packed with warm clothing and blankets should you need to keep warm while rescue comes? You did remember to charge your cell so you could call for help? If you are making a trip cross-country where signal strength may be low, did you tell people when you were expected so they could send out search and rescue teams?

All these things are basic common sense yet, when the first snows hit, we seem to have forgotten to prepare. If accidents are more likely because of this failure and it's shown to be a regular failure, your car insurance rates will rise. If you have been making claims, the car insurance quotes coming in from other insurers will not be welcoming. No insurer wants to take on someone who fails to prepare in the face of obvious dangers. That's why insurers in the states where the weather is worst offer discounts for drivers who go on defensive driving courses and learn how to drive more safely. Your choice!

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Insuring a new vehicle

So you've bought yourself a new car? Congratulations! That's certainly a purchase that matters a lot to most car owners. Whether it's your very first car or just another vehicle to add to your garage, buying a new car is always exciting. Each car certainly feels different on the road and you will always try to find the model that will make you feel comfortable both as a driver and as a passenger. But with a new car comes new responsibility, which always takes the form of insurance. And it's this small bit of responsibility that can sometimes spoil all the fun about buying a new car since it can be really expensive. So let's try to learn how to optimize insurance costs and not spoil the excitement of owning a new vehicle.

First of all it really matters how did you finance your purchase. The most common option in our country is using auto loans since you can always get good rates and buy a car that you otherwise would have to save a lot of money for. But there's a downside to using auto loans from the insurance perspective since you will be obliged to purchase additional types of coverage with your policy in order to get the loan. Most lending companies require collision and comprehensive coverage to be purchased with the insurance policy and that can considerably increase auto insurance quotes for your car. So make sure to consider this effect when financing your car through a loan. If that's the only option you have then try to avoid the most common mistakes people do when buying cars this way. First of all, don't get the policy offer at the dealer's office or by the lending company. They usually have exclusive contracts with specific companies and offer higher rates than you would get from a third party provider. You're obliged to purchase additional coverage but they can't make you buy it from a particular insurer. So when you get your loan take the time to get auto insurance quotes from as many companies as possible in order to get the most competitive offer possible. You will be surprised to see that you can actually find affordable policies even with collision and comprehensive coverage included. That's the whole purpose of comparison shopping.

Now, if you're financing your car out of own pocket there are two main options to consider. First, you can get the most stripped down policy carrying only third party liability that will automatically offer low auto insurance quotes right from the start. Of course, this means that the situations when your policy will apply will be quite limited. But instead you can save a lot of money on auto insurance. Yet, assuming that you can afford to buy a car without using credits, loans or any other forms of financing it's logic that you actually have enough money to buy decent coverage for your auto as well. And you would certainly like to buy more coverage options in order to protect your car adequately. After all, things like comprehensive coverage or uninsured motorist coverage really come in handy in a range of situations where a basic policy would simply make you pay out of own pocket. So make sure to think about that after celebrating the purchase of your new ride.

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Top Ten Stolen Cars in America

Looking for car insurance quotes? Having a number of car insurance quotes in your possession will give you an insight on what type of insurance you should get and where to get it from but aside from your insurance policy, another thing to consider when you are buying a new car is to ensure that it has all the features you want. Your premium is based on a number of factors - the type and model of car you have, your records at the DMV, and your profile. If you want lower premiums, getting a car that is not in car thieves' hot wheels list is a good idea. Sure you'd be insured with it and you can easily replace your car but filing a claim is a very long process so if you do not want to be inconvenienced by your insurer's processes or protocols, better not get any of these top 10 hot wheels. Here is the list of top 10 stolen cars in the United States in 2011 alone:

• No 10. 2002 Ford Explorer 11, 783 stolen
• No. 9 1999 Ford Taurus 12, 000 stolen
• No. 8 1994 Acura Integra Over 12, 000 stolen
• No. 7 1996 Jeep Cherokee 14, 350 stolen
• No. 6 2000 Dodge Caravan Over 15, 000
• No. 5 2004 Dodge Ram 17, 405 stolen
• No. 4 1997 Ford F-1 About 17, 500 stolen
• No. 3 1989 Toyota Camry Almost 27, 000 stolen
• No. 2 1995 Honda Civic Almost 50, 000 stolen
• No. 1 1994 Honda Accord 55, 170 stolen

As found in Forbes magazine, thieves have been stealing American-made cars since 2002 - preferring these cars over European ones. According to a report by CNBC, supporting what Forbes magazine has published, thieves steal cars that do not draw much attention that is why you didn't see BMWs on this list.

The good news is, if you get a car that is technologically more advanced than the ones in this list, thieves won't try to steal them. This is because of the security these cars provide. Now that you know which models are the favorites of thieves, you can concentrate on getting a car that is not on this list and then surf car insurance quotes. If you do not have an idea where to get your coverage yet, go to a car insurance quotes comparison site asap.

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The popularity growth of companies offering car rentals

The increase in the popularity that is currently being experienced by car rental companies is not all that surprising. Local drivers are responsible for this boost in demand for rental services. Rentals offer tangible benefits for local drivers who are seeking alternatives to the expense of gas-guzzling vehicles that have costly price tags, require ongoing maintenance, and are parked more than they are driven.

Cost-Effectiveness

Hiring a rental is cheaper than paying for a taxi or using public transportation when available. And if you share the cost of a rental, your personal expenses drop even further. Many companies offer discounts to local drivers as an added incentive to use their services over other transportation options. Rental rates that are based on mileage can be particularly cost-effective for local drivers.

Reliable Transportation

The use of public transportation by young people in the last few years has seen an increase. Now they are turning to rentals so they are not tied to a public transport schedule. A group of friends or coworkers may go in together to share the cost of a rental. They do not have to worry about a car payment or maintenance. And they save on gas expenses by sharing the costs between them.

Convenient

Hiring a rental is more convenient than relying on taxi services. You do not have to wait to be picked up. You can just get in the car and drive to your destination. It is common for travelers to rent transportation once they reach their city of destination. They prefer to be in control in their travel schedule rather than depending on people they do not know.

Public Image

In an effort to present their prospective clients with an image that is more sophisticated many local professionals use car rentals. You may be picking them up from the airport or meeting them at a restaurant. Whatever the case, you want to manage how they view you and the type of vehicle you drive says a lot about you.

Environmental Concerns

Sharing the expenses of a rental car basically reduces the need for additional cars on the road. Many car rental companies include eco-friendly vehicles as well as hybrids in their fleet. You can have a real impact on the environment by using rentals rather than purchasing your own vehicle.

It is anticipated that car rental companies will continue to grow in popularity, especially in cities and high-growth urban areas. See if this is a money-saving option for you.

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Looking into auto insurance and car sharing services

In the past, people living together in the community were expected to act as good neighbors. If someone had a problem, you were expected to help out. But times change and trust issues have arisen. Today, the majority of people have their own problems and prefer to deal with them without outside interference. This reflects a shift away from old-fashioned Christian values to a Libertarian attack on the scrounger. There is a widespread discouragement of people who either depend on others to do what they should be doing themselves or feel that they are entitled to assistance.

Thats what makes the car-sharing services so interesting. Rather than opting for a rental or asking your neighbour to borrow their car there is now an alternative. This is a service that enables you to use another vehicle for short periods of time. It helps out the people who only need access to a vehicle occasionally. Some of the services are run as cooperatives. Local people club together to produce a pool of vehicles and members of the group can book them by the hour. Others run as commercial organizations, renting out on a for-profit basis. The common denominators are that, unlike many rental agencies, you can get access to shared vehicles at any time of the day. Its all self-service. But, as you will understand, every member has to be approved before any vehicle is made available.

Now le us look at the problem of auto insurance ,in terms of sharing a vehicle. When working on an informal basis, some owners have found their policies cancelled by their insurers. There are terms limiting ownership to non-commercial use. As long as you allow someone use your car on a regular basis for money it becomes a commercial use vehicle. Now states like California, Oregon and Washington are passing laws to control the emerging market. This allows you to share your vehicle and make a little extra income without risking to loose your auto insurance protection. This is good for the environment with fewer vehicles needed. It also meets a growing social need because more people find vehicle ownership too expensive. The laws require the sharing organization to hold a fleet policy. When you hand over your vehicle, its then covered by the common policy. There are also new rules about safety to ensure the vehicles are in a roadworthy condition when others are allowed to drive them. Everyone benefits!

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Does going Green affect your Car Insurance?

Many factors affect your car insurance premium like:

• Your Driving Habits
• Your Driving History: number of violations and accidents
• Your average yearly mileage
• Your number of claims filed
• Your neighborhood
• Your Credit Score

Insurance companies rate the risk of all of these factors and follow trends to set your premiums. A recent trend in the automotive industry is the introduction of green car or hybrids. Several types of automobiles are labeled green or hybrids. There are two types of combination hybrids series and parallel. The combination hybrid uses both a battery driven electric motor and a gas engine. The electric motor allows for a smaller, lighter more fuel efficient gas engine. In a parallel hybrid the electric and combustion motors both the transmission together. In a series hybrid, the combustion engine is only used to recharge the batteries, and the electric motor does all the work of driving the transmission. There are PEV's (plug in electrical vehicles like the Nissan leaf) that use battery as the only power source; not to mention automobiles developed around natural gas as the fuel source are available on the market.

Most green cars on the road today are combination hybrids (gas and battery). They average between 45 and 55 mpg. With today's volatile fuel prices that can add up to considerable savings at the pump, and the most popular models have good safety ratings. So does going green save you on car insurance? The answer is yes and no.

Many of the green cars are higher end, and higher price tag automobiles. The higher the initial cost of the car, the more expensive your car insurance. Don't lose heart if you want to go green to save the environment, or just to save money at the pump. Most automobile manufacturers are rolling more moderately priced green machines off the assembly line. While the sticker price is still a bit higher than their non-green models, the range of models is opening up. There are green versions now offered in most price ranges. You can now buy a mid priced 4 door sedan version that is not only limited to the luxury line. If you want to go green the mid to compact size models will save you on car insurance and at the pump.

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Insurance rates with respect to car types

A large number of drivers usually get surprised when they learn about different insurance rates for different car types. They think that it doesn't matter whether it's a small car or a hot rod as long as they have a good driving record and don't get in trouble in traffic. With all that, insurance companies have a different perspective on things and they will charge you with different premiums depending on the type of car you're trying to insure. That's why you should always bear in mind the following characteristics of each car type and make your decisions correctly if you want your auto insurance budget to be limited:

Small vehicles
Small sized vehicles are usually very affordable and rather comfortable in the conditions of a big city with heavy traffic. They typically have low engine volumes, top speed, get stolen quite rarely and are inexpensive to handle at repair. Even so, auto insurance can be a bit expensive for small cars because they tend to get damaged very bad during accidents. Basic physics aren't on small cars' side during collisions because the smaller object tends to get the most damage regardless of the safety features the manufacturer has included. That's why costly claims tend to arise more often with such vehicles, and the insurers respond with respective pricing.

Mid-sized cars
Mid-class vehicles are often considered to be the safest and the cheapest to insure. Naturally, it depends on the particular make and model, but the in general these cars are quite safe, have low repair costs and theft rates, and tend to get damaged much less than smaller vehicles during an accident. That is why you will usually get the best auto insurance rates for this car type.

SUVs
Large cars, trucks and SUVs that fall into the same size category are certainly very comfortable and give you a whole different perspective in traffic. But the size can be a problem with these vehicles. Due to their increased mass as compared to other vehicle types SUVs tend to produce more damage during accidents, especially involving other cars. Third party liability claims with SUVs are likely to be higher because the other car tends to get damaged quite bad and there are likely to be injuries as well. Added to the higher repair costs for such vehicles SUVs are usually more expensive to insure.

Sports vehicles
Fast sports cars often look like a great option for car buyers since they are both cool and cheap. However, when it comes to insuring a typical sports car, you will actually have a hard time getting cheap auto insurance because insurers tend to classify such cars as high risk. High top speed, engine volume, elevated theft and accident rates as well as the likelihood to produce a very serious car crash all contribute to expensive auto insurance rates for sports vehicles.

Expensive cars
It may look natural for expensive cars to be costly in terms of insurance. But it has nothing to do with their initial price as there are other reasons to charge higher rates for such vehicles. First of all, they are usually very costly to repair, often requiring exclusive and overpriced repair parts that are hard to find in an ordinary repair shop. Besides, such vehicles are often targeted by car thieves and burglars due to their value and exclusivity. That's why getting cheap auto insurance for any luxury car is problematic.

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Tips on insurance cost optimization

There's hardly anyone who would be willing to pay more for something they can actually get at a lower price. This is especially true when it comes to auto insurance. The only problem in this case is the common lack of knowledge about saving methods that can effectively reduce one's insurance rates. Knowing even the basic saving strategies will help you save a lot of money and avoid situations when you'll be forced to pay for something you don't really need with your insurance policy. So the next time you will start shopping for auto insurance consider using the following tips:

Get only what you really need

The most common mistake customers make when buying a policy is getting all the coverage, they can get assuming that it's better that way. Of course, having different coverage options with your policy is nice since you never know when you will need them, but this also pushes up the cost of your policy. As a result, you end up with higher premiums and lots of coverage options that aren't truly necessary to buy. So, the first thing you got to do is analyze your current auto insurance needs and outline the types of coverage that are really necessary. See if you need any other coverage options besides the mandatory third party liability and consider buying them only if they are really necessary. Otherwise it will be hard for you to avoid overpaying for insurance.

Never take the first policy offered

For a lot of drivers, auto insurance is an obligation they want to get done with as soon as possible. So there's not surprise about the fact that a lot of people choose to buy the first policy they come across without even spending some time on rate comparison, assuming that all the policies have the same price. This often results in additional costs you could easily avoid by getting a cheaper policy after some comparison shopping. The truth is that all insurers have different pricing methods, and you can actually get a policy that carries the same amount of coverage cheaper by comparing insurance quotes. With so many sites giving you the opportunity to do it online there's no excuse for avoiding comparison shopping, which can result in substantial savings.

Don't hesitate to get discounts if you can

Even if you don't know about any discounts offered by your auto insurance provider this doesn't mean that there aren't any. Some insurers won't advertise it widely but still give you a discount if you comply with their requirements. Discounts are usually offered to low risk drivers who maintain a clean driving record and don't file any claims, good students who have an average of B or higher, owners of multiple vehicles, senior citizens and drivers who have a low yearly mileage. It never hurts to ask the insurer if they can give you a discount while the result can cut your insurance costs.

Change your insurance factors if needed

Some of the factors influencing your auto insurance costs are rather hard to change such as your sex, age or place of residence. However, you can take measures to improve other factors such as your credit score, driving record or even change the current vehicle with something that is cheaper to insure.

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How to Buy Auto Insurance

Auto insurance is mandatory in most states. Although a person might feel that driving around without car insurance could save him a lot of money, there are many reasons why buying auto insurance cannot be avoided. Most states in the US expect a person to buy at least a minimum amount of car insurance. The minimum amount of insurance varies from state to state, although the 50/100/25 principal is generally recommended. This would mean $50,000 for a person injured in an accident, $100,000 for all injured parties, and $25,000 for property damage. Consumer reports, however, put these figures at: $100,000 per person, $300,000 for all accident casualties, and $100,000 for property damage. A person's driving license may be suspended for driving without insurance. In fact, most insurance companies are unwilling to provide insurance to people who did not previously insure their vehicle.

Buying Auto Insurance

Type and Amount of Coverage: Nowadays, auto insurance can be easily purchased online. The first step before buying insurance is to decide the type of insurance required. The premium would depend on the kind of coverage. More comprehensive the coverage, higher the premium. The following types of coverage are generally available: basic, comprehensive, collision, property damage, bodily injury, medical payments, personal injury protection, uninsured motorist coverage, emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and auto glass replacement. The basic coverage insures against bodily injury and property damage caused to the counter party in an accident. Property also refers to public property that might have been damaged due to the accident. Comprehensive, as the name suggests, covers all unforeseen events, except accidents. This coverage is useful for people who fear auto theft, vandalism, explosions, earthquakes and other such calamities. Collision insurance, on the other hand, is meant to protect against car damage due to any kind of collision. One does not need to pay a premium for emergency roadside assistance in case he is a member of an auto club.

Shopping Around for the Best Quote: Auto insurance companies have actuarial tables that document the probability of occurrence of all possible situations. Based on these tables, they provide quotes. These quotes are generally available online on completing a simple application, without a person having to provide sensitive information. In order to get an exact quote, a person would have to mention the type of coverage desired, provide a description of the car, the number of people likely to drive the car, their age, sex and their license numbers. Of course, the premium on any policy would depend greatly on the driving record of the person seeking auto insurance. Any speeding tickets and accidents on record will raise the amount of premium. It would be advisable to keep a copy of the driving record at hand before shopping around for the best deal.

Availing Discounts: Most insurance companies provide discounts to drivers with a good driving record. Installing anti-theft devices in the car can also help in obtaining a discount. Sometimes auto insurance companies may provide discounts to youngsters who have completed a driver's safety course. In addition to these discounts, one can avail discounts, in case one has been with the same insurance company for many years. A smart way to avail discounts is to opt for group insurance, or insure more than one car at a time.

Checking Company References: A person should ensure that he is buying insurance from a reputable company with good financial prospects. One should also check for consumer complaints against a company.

Auto insurance is a must for every car owner. Just as a good credit rating helps a person get credit at lower rates of interest, a good driving record will lower the premium on various policies and help one secure inexpensive auto insurance. A person should buy a policy that suits his needs. For instance, it makes no sense to buy comprehensive or collision insurance on a vehicle that has depreciated so much that it has no value. Similarly, personal injury protection is unnecessary for a person covered by a good health insurance. These are some of the ways of deciding on an appropriate auto insurance policy.

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Top Auto Insurance Companies

When one buys a new car or vehicle, the first thing that one would hope and wish would be for it to be away from any kind of damage. But, this is not always possible, which is why auto insurance is very important. Getting your car or vehicle insured is the best way to save yourself the heavy costs that are incurred in case of any damage that is caused to the vehicle. Auto insurance cover expenses of damage caused to the vehicle in case of accidents, theft, fire, etc. To be more precise, getting an auto insurance is as good as buying yourself some peace of mind.

Top Auto Insurance Companies
To get the best deal for your auto insurance and to be sure that your vehicle gets maximum coverage, it is essential that you get your auto insurance from one of the top rated auto insurance companies. The rates at these companies may be slightly higher than the rest of the auto insurance companies, but, it would be certainly worth the excellent service that they provide you with. These companies rank amongst the top 10 auto insurance companies due to their features like roadside assistance, round-the-clock customer support, discounts at auto shops and auto dealers, promotions and updates, regular billing schedule, etc. Not only is it convenient to deal with such companies, it also gives you a good value for your money. Here's a list of top auto insurance companies that you can choose from depending upon your specific needs and budget.

Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies

No. 1: 21st Century Auto Insurance
This is one of the very well-known auto insurance companies and features in most of the top auto insurance company lists. It is dedicated to quality customer service and focuses on auto insurance that is 'just right' for its customers. It also has tie-ups with other insurance companies in America through which it offers other insurances like renters insurance, term life insurance, flood insurance, etc.

No. 2: Esurance Auto Insurance
One of the fastest growing insurance companies in America, Esurance auto insurance company believes in offering easy, hassle free ways to buy insurance. They work not only to provide insurance policies to their customers, but also to educate them about the policy. They are also backed by strong online security and finances, which makes them a lot more reliable than other auto insurance companies.

No. 3: GEICO
This is a top insurance company and was first started for the U.S. military personnel and government employees, so, aptly named 'Government Employees Insurance Company'. Today, it provides its services to a whole lot of customers, that is, around 9 million customers and more than 16 million vehicles. It is known to offer the best auto insurance quotes and other types of insurance to its customers. No wonder it ranks in the top rated auto insurance companies list.

No. 4: Progressive Auto Insurance
This company has been around in the top rated auto insurance companies list for a long time now. Established in 1937, the company strives to provide the best auto insurance coverage to customers who are looking for affordable, good quality customer service and a good auto insurance coverage for their vehicle. Customers can buy the policies online or even over the phone.

No. 5: Allstate Auto Insurance
This auto insurance company is well-known for its insurance packages and the coverage customization options that it offers. This enables its customers to opt for the auto insurance coverage that best suits their requirement and budget and also gives them the maximum coverage possible.

No. 6: State Farm Insurance
This company was founded in 1922, by a retired farmer and salesman and has been providing quality auto insurance policies ever since. The company was founded on the value of being fair to its customers, offering them a fair price for the coverage and also a fair claim settlement. The company still continues to follow the foundation laid by the founder and has issued over 75 million auto insurance policies till date. This company sure has made its place to the top 10 auto insurance companies list.

No. 7: Nationwide Auto Insurance
This company is as old as 80 years and had started off as a mutual auto insurer. Today, it is one of the largest financial services and insurance companies in the world with over $135 million statutory assets. This company also provides auto insurance coverage for leased cars and other features like 100% repair guarantee, 24/7 claim services and discounts and offers for its customers.

No. 8: American Family Insurance
This company, too, has been around for more than 80 years, providing the best quality business and services to its customers. It is known to be a reliable and stable insurance company and their mission talks about being 'the most trusted and valued service driven insurance company'. It offers a wide range of products which includes top class and cheap auto insurance coverage and highly knowledgeable advisors. These have helped it rank on the list of top auto insurance companies.

No. 9: Hagerty Auto Insurance
This company ranks on the list of top auto insurance companies because this is an auto insurance company with a difference. The auto insurance that they offer includes collector car insurance and collector boat insurance and it also has customer centric facilities like roadside assistance, low premiums, value coverage, flexible usage, etc.

No. 10: Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance
This company has been in the insurance business since 1912 and has committed itself to provide useful, fairly priced insurance coverage to its customers. This company is the fifth largest P&C insurance company in America and has also earned an 'A' rating for its services. Not surprising that it features on the list of top auto insurance companies.

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Comprehensive Auto Insurance

Comprehensive auto insurance coverage plays a very significant role in covering and insuring your vehicle from all types of unfortunate situations that your car comes in, except accidents and collisions. There are many automobile owners who simply prefer to choose conventional auto insurance policies, and later find themselves in trouble. To protect your car in every possible situation, it is better to opt for both types. Nowadays, both these are available in a single package, however, if you want you may purchase both the insurances individually as well.

What is Comprehensive Auto Insurance?
This, in simple words, is a type of car insurance that insures the vehicle from all kinds of situations that are not caused by accidents while driving. Apart from car crashes and on-road accidents, there are many things that can happen to your vehicle such as theft, damage by fire, floods, and other natural calamities. This is where comprehensive automobile insurance comes into use.

What Does it Cover?
Excluding vehicle accidents, it has a cover for everything. The things covered in this car insurance policy are damage to the car from any animal; falling materials and tree falls; car theft; damage caused by an attempt of larceny; natural disasters like fire, floods, storms, hail, or earthquakes; vandalism; damage during public violence; explosions; and other similar circumstances.

When to Drop It?
If your car is under the protection of comprehensive insurance, and if you decide to drop the coverage, you need to think if it would save money or actually cost you more in the time to come. Car insurance experts suggest that if your yearly premiums exceed 10% more than the base value of the automobile, it is better to drop the coverage. For example, if the total worth of your car is around $4000, and if the annual premium rates are exceeding $400, dropping the coverage is an appropriate alternative.

Difference Between Collision and Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Many people have a misconception that comprehensive and collision auto insurance are the same. Let us find out the difference between the two.

The main difference between these two types of insurance is that the comprehensive insurance covers most of the natural calamities and other unfortunate events as listed above. On the other hand, collision auto insurance has a protection cover for the damage caused by accidents in case of a moving vehicle. It also covers all disbursements which are incurred for a severely damaged car; relating to towing, car repair, and car parts replacement costs. However, if the car is to be repaired due to accidents caused by improper car maintenance, such expenses are not considered in the collision auto insurance.

To protect the car from all problems, it is recommended to avail the best and affordable collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Comprehensive insurance is very essential for people who reside in dangerous areas where there are more possibilities of natural calamities to happen.

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