Car Insurance Basics

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Car insurance is basically insurance that drivers can purchase for any kind of vehicle in order to protect against losses sustained in traffic accidents.  Auto insurance policies are, in reality, a bundle of different coverages.  This insurance will usually cover the insured party, the insured motor vehicle, and any third parties involved.  Different policies will identify the situations in which each of these entities is covered.

Below are the specific coverages involved when you purchase car insurance.

- Liability Insurance: Liability coverage is the most basic and foundational coverage in car insurance policies and is required in most states.  This coverage ensures that if you are the one at fault in an accident, your liability insurance will pay for the physical injury and property damage expenses of any third parties involved.  This coverage includes legal bills.  Remember that third parties can sue you for “pain and suffering” damages.  Minimum insurance may not sufficiently cover you in more extreme cases, which is why many people recommend that drivers purchase more than the state minimum required.  Liability coverage limits are usually conveyed with three numbers.  For example, liability limits of 20/50/10 indicate that there is coverage of $20,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

- Collision Coverage:  In the case that you are in an accident, collision insurance will pay for the repairs that your vehicle requires.  Collision coverage is usually the most expensive coverage that you will have to pay for.  Insurance companies will declare a vehicle “totaled” or a “write-off” if the replacement would be cheaper than the repairs needed.

- Comprehensive Coverage:  This coverage will pay for any damages to an automobile that were not caused by an accident.  Qualifying damages include damages arising from carjackings, vandalism, natural disasters, and hitting an animal.

- MedPay, PIP, and No-Fault Coverages:  MedPay will pay for the medical expenses of you and anyone else in your car after an accident, regardless of whose fault the accident was.  PIP (Personal Injury Protection) and “no-fault” coverages are other forms of medical payment protection.  They are broader than MedPay and may be required in certain states.  These expanded coverages cover child care and lost wages.

- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists Coverages:  UM (Uninsured Motorists) coverage will pay for injuries you have sustained if you are involved in a hit-and-run by a driver who does not have auto insurance, and is mandatory in many states.  UIM (Underinsured Motorists) coverage will pay for you if the driver who hit you creates more damage than their liability insurance can cover.

- Supplemental Coverages:  Rental reimbursement is an add-on that will cover rented vehicles in case of damage or theft.  Auto replacement coverage ensures that your automobile will be fully repaired for replaced even if the costs are more than its depreciated value.  Coverage for towing and labor covers you in case of an auto failure on the road where towing is necessary.  These supplemental coverages are usually offered as separate items or included in larger policies.
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Finding cheap online auto insurance

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Automobile car insurance is something that we all need and should command careful consideration. When in the market for auto insurance coverage, and with so many car insurance companies to choose from, it can be a bit confusing when trying to decide on the best and most affordable coverage for your vehicle. With the convenience of the internet, finding all the information required to get the best deals and rates can easily be accomplished online.

Finding a reputable auto car insurance company is a job within itself, and like buying a home, it is imperative you clearly understand what you are getting.  When in search of cheaper car insurance rates you should take into account all the factors that can affect your car insurance premiums. So before you sign on the dotted line, read the fine print of Automobile Insurance Policy to insure you are getting the necessary coverage to protect yourself.  It happens time and time again, when the car owner gets into an accident or fender bender, the coverage they thought they were paying for is not part of their policy which can lead to out-of-pocket expenses.

Get several car insurance quotes

Some key factors when shopping for cheap car insurance is to first make sure you get at least three or four quotes since the price you pay for your car insurance can vary by hundreds of pounds. Finding cheaper insurance rates depends on your previous driving records, to include any type of infraction such as speeding, seat belt and auto accidents. Age, gender and the type of car you are seeking auto insurance coverage on including the age of the vehicle, will clearly be critical factors in determining your annual car premiums.

It is equally important to find a car insurance company that can answer any questions you may have and how quickly they handle claims fairly and efficiently. Once you decide on a quote you are satisfied with, before agreeing to anything check with your state insurance department about the company’s history. Finding out the financial well-being of an insurable institution and the number ratio of consumer complaints, could avoid headaches or any future regrets. 

Learn the facts about car insurance

Some other ways of saving money is to ask your insurance broker or agent for a higher deductible. The deductive is the amount of money you pay before the insurance company pays out on your claim. The purpose of requesting a higher deductible can lower your auto rates substantially.  When you increase the deductible from £500 to £1,000 you can potentially save you over 40% on your car insurance rates simply because the insurance company will pay out less for your claim. However, if you know that you can not pay out the higher deductible should something happen to your car in the instance of an accident, and then it is best to remain at a lower deductible.

When figuring out the appropriate insurance coverage for your car, take into account the age of the car. This could also influence your auto premium, for example you may want to consider excluding the collision or comprehensive coverage on an older car. It is not cost saving to yourself when you continue to pay full coverage on a car worth less than amount you pay for your insurance coverage.  If the car has a market value of £2,000 or less, you would not want to pay more in premiums since you will never get back what you are paying out.

You can easily find out the current market value of your car in order to find out what coverage you will require from a number of valued sources such as banks, auto dealerships, or go online and use the search term, “finding the value of your vehicle”. You can find several reputable services such as, www.kbb.com or www.nadaguides.com where all you have to do is type in the applicable information about your car and instantly you will have the market value. As the saying goes, an educated consumer is a smart consumer, the more you understand prior to purchasing auto insurance, you will be able to make an informed and valued decision.
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What To Do To Keep The Rates Down

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Automobile insurance is one of those things in the budget that is always going to be there. There are very few places in America that permit you to drive vehicles without insurance and so it behooves each and every one of us to get a better handle on our own auto insurance coverage. The industry is changing a bit because the competition is strong. There are new and creative auto policies on the market today. The trend that has gained the most momentum is the self-insuring concept. Higher deductibles is the weapon that the customer can use to lower rates significantly. Higher deductibles means that the policyholder has decided to take on more of the risk for the automobiles insured. The day of low collision deductibles is all but gone. Lower deductibles no longer warrant the high premiums. There is too much money to be saved with higher deductibles.

Lowering the Rates for Young Drivers

Young drivers on newer vehicles that have a lien holder’s interest will raise the auto rate significantly. The collision and comprehensive rates for drivers under 21 years of age are very high. A young driver on an older vehicle without the collision and comprehensive coverage will lower the rate significantly. There are discounts for young drivers who have completed a qualified drivers training course. Some companies have good student discounts on students with a grade point average of 3.0 or better. When the young driver reaches 21 the rates begin to drop for most companies.

Senior Citizen Discounts – Most companies have discounts for people age 55 and older who are retired or work less than 20 hours a week. There are mature driving courses that can also give the senior citizen a discount.

Multi-Policy Discount – This discount is available when you insure both your auto and home with the same insurance company.

Tort Options – Some companies offer discounts for a limited tort option. Tort is your ability to sue for pain and suffering. Limited tort rates in some states reduce the overall premium of the policy up to 30%. Ask your insurance company about the tort options in your state.
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