Car Insurance Pricing Plans

The law requires liability insurance for all drivers and vehicles. This means that if you are involved in a serious accident, and it turns out that it was your fault, your insurance company will pay out any claims that are made against you. Extra coverage on your own vehicle, called comprehensive insurance, is optional. 

Insurance companies based on a number of risk factors will calculate the price you pay for this insurance. Basically how it works is the more they feel you are at risk of crashing, and the more they think the resulting crash will cost them, the higher the premium you’ll pay.

   Assessment 

Common factors that will be to assess the premium are the value of the car you’re driving, the safety of that vehicle, the coverage you want, will there be deductibles or limits etc.? How much you’ll drive the car, how your driving record stands, how long you've  held your license, your age, and if you are young, also your sex.

The premium is then calculated. Usually there is a flat per car, per year rate that everyone pays, regardless of other factors. The other factors will then alter this rate, generally upwards. So if your car is especially fast or dangerous your rate will be increased by a set amount. If it is very old, your rate goes up. If you’ve had one or more accidents in the past, your rate will go up. If you’re young and male, your rate will go up. The more of these factors you satisfy, the more your rate will be going up.

   Discounts

As a sales enhancement, many car insurers offer a "low estimated future mileage" discount to customers who predict that the car's mileage will be below some stated limit during the next premium period. There is no verification involved and no additional charge if the car is subsequently driven more than the stated amount. This arbitrary discount tends to foster customer belief in the mistaken idea that "miles" are just one of many classification factors used to raise or lower prices from the territorial base rate. In fact, odometer miles (which insurers do not use) are not a factor but a metric - the only valid basis for measuring each car's consumption of insurance protection in on-the-road use.

   The best way to save on car insurance is to shop around, keep a good clean driving record, drive safely, and choose reliable cars that are not known for their power and speed.

Car Insurance Basics

   

   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.

A Guide To Car and Motor Insurance

Whether you’re buying clothing or shopping for car insurance, you always want to get the best value for your money. So, what’s the secret to finding reliable, affordable car insurance?

Shop around for the best deal. Get several car insurance quotes from different insurance companies before you buy or renew your policy. Insurance companies vary, so you could get a better deal somewhere else.

Don’t be afraid to switch. You can switch insurance companies whenever you want, even if it’s in the middle of your car  insurance policy term. If you find a better rate, switch and save.

There are three types of Car Insurance:

Third party, which covers your legal liability if you damage someone else’s physical property (walls, vehicles, gates etc.) due to a driving accident.

Third party, Fire and Theft offers third party cover and adds on two useful pieces of cover - fire damage to and theft of your car, including damage caused by a theft or attempted theft.

A fully comprehensive policy includes Third Party, Fire and Theft and in addition will pay for damage to your own vehicle in the event of an accident. There are many extras, too, for example it will also give you cover when you drive other people's cars - useful if you borrow someone's car and their insurance does not cover you.

The following factors affect what you pay for your premiums.

Your age, your job, your driving record.

The car you drive. The higher the value of the vehicle, the higher the premium. High performance vehicles are also more expensive to insure than their stock standard equivalents.

Then there's the location of the car. You'll pay more if you keep the car in a high-crime area or park it on the street at night.

What you use the car for. You'll pay more if, for example, you plan to use the car for business delivery purposes.

Then there is the excess structure that you choose. The higher the excess the lower the premiums.

Gear Locks, Satellite Tracking - will help reduce your premiums

If you are buying a new car ? Don't forget to shop around for Insurance!

For a first-time car buyer, the process can be a difficult decision. Many buyers are not aware of the fact that they need to have insurance before driving their new car off the showroom floor. The financial institutions providing the finance for the purchase will insist on this, in order to ensure that their new asset is protected.

Don't just accept the first offer that is given to you, get at least 3 quotes before making your decision. "Many banks or finance institutions are affiliated to an insurance company or brokerage firm. New buyers therefore may find themselves feeling pressurized to take insurance cover through the bank's preferred supplier. It is important to know that this cannot be enforced and the decision lies with the client. This makes it essential to shop around for competitive quotes, to ensure that you are offered the best deal - from the perspective of both cover and price. For young drivers, this becomes imperative, as they are often penalized for their age and lack of driving experience, translating into higher premiums and excesses."

Cash buyers are not exempt from the need to insure their new car. Thefts and hijackings are still a reality and the growing number of cars on the road puts all drivers at increased risk of being involved in an accident. Choosing an insurance product that is suitable in terms of budget, value adds, cover and excess payable is a careful decision that, with the right advice, can be made sensibly and safely.

Many young, first-time buyers find that purchasing insurance through a direct insurer is actually a simple process.

They are likely to receive a tailored insurance solution catering for their specific needs - with direct insurance, clients don't pay any additional charges for getting what they want. Any driver about to embark on purchasing a new vehicle would do well to consider the time- and cost-saving benefits of direct insurance."

A Better View On Car Insurance

Rates of the Car Insurance gets higher and higher. Not all families can afford this easily, so ca insurance became an issue that should be faced in our lives. If you do not investigate and take some time to research and understand the different types of insurances offered in today’s market, car insurance will surely be a minefield.

Policies vary from company to company. Basically, comprehensive cover is full coverage of your insurance while a third party protects you for damages to someone else’s car.

After deciding what type of insurance you want, ask yourself if you want to insure the car on the agreed value or current market value of the car. You might consider the agreed value option of your car is a special model because it allows you to include added extras. While in the market value option, the insurance company pays out the amount the car is worth at the time of the accident, so the amount could be different to the market value originally spelled out in the policy when you signed up because of depreciation.

You can get down to the smaller and more tedious option once you have worked out what type of cover you want. You may consider some thing like the amount of the excess, if you want to choose the repairer, if you want to loan vehicles if your car is stolen, if you want the policy to cover the car for business use, if your car is repaired using only genuine spare parts and many more.

The Australian Insurance Council’s Group General Manger for Western Australia and the Northern Territory Daryl Cameron said in 85% of cases, policies are bought on price alone. This can be dangerous for people who do not read their policies carefully. He also said that your insurer might refuse to pay out if you are not honest in your insurance quotes.

“It is vital that all known information regarding the vehicle or any intended driver is fully disclosed to the insurer when taking out a policy or when one is up for renewal. If anything changes that may affect your policy, you must tell the insurer; it is extremely important to remember that you have a duty of disclosure,” Mr. Cameron said.
Watch out for the traps that catch many unsuspecting motorists. Ask as many questions as you can to understand what you are getting into. After all, there is no harm in asking.

There are points to remember when considering car insurance. First, research, investigate and take your time when looking for car insurance. Second get a coverage that suits your needs. Third, decide if you want a market value or agreed value cover. Make sure that you fully understand what you are covered for. Know the factors that are excluded in the policy. You should also know the excess when making a claim. Tell you insurer about anything that happens to you that may affect your policy. Know the payment method that suits you. Know if in the case of “At Fault” claim, you can protect your no claim bonus. And lastly, remember that cheapest is not always the best.

Make sure that you are familiar with the cover provided by the policy and not just compared policies on price. Cheaper does not always mean better.

20 Tips To Cheaper Car Insurance

20 Tips To Cheaper Car Insurance

1. Buy from the internet.Most companies offer a discount for online applications as this is automated process and costs them a lot less to process your application, you can usually see discounts of 5%-10%.Click here to get a instant online insurance quote

2. Shop around.All insurance companies use different formulas to calculate your insurance premium by adding or detracting money after each question the ask you.By shopping around you could find big savings on your insurance premium.

3. Buy extra products.Most insurance companies also do other insurance products ie"Building's and content's insurance".Most insurance companies will give extra discounts for purchasing more than one product,by doing this you could save a fair amount on all your insurance premiums.

4. Pay your insurance premium in one go.By paying your insurance premium in full you can avoid paying costly interest charges that would be added if you paid your insurance premium by instalments.Some insurance companies may charge as much as 15% APR on instalments.You may even receive a discount for paying in full.If you can not afford to pay in full check out what rate a small loan would be you may still save some money.Fill out a online loan application.

5. Increase your voluntary excess.Your excess is the amount paid by you in the event of a claim,by increasing this your insurance company should reduce your premium.

6. Lower your annual mileage.Lowering your annual mileage can reduce your premium,most insurance companies will quote you for around 12,000 miles a year.Try and work out how many mile's you will do if it's likely to be less you may get a discount.Be honest about this as your insurance company may ask to see old MOT'S and service history to verify your mileage in the event of a accident.

7. Have a Alarm,Immobiliser or Tracker fitted.Theft of and from your vehicle play a major role in the calculation of your insurance premium.Having a alarm or immobiliser fitted will give you a small discount to your premium and having a tracker fitted could make you quite a saving.

8. Take the advanced driving test.Passing your advanced driving test will show your insurance company that you have extra skill when driving and are less likely to be involved in a accident.

9. Don't inflate the value of your car.Adding extra value to your car when you apply for your insurance quote will do nothing for you apart from increase you premium.In the event your car is stolen or written off you will only be paid the market value of your car at the time of your accident.

10.Look after your credit rating.Insurance companies are now looking at your credit score as part of the calculation for your insurance premium.Maintaining a good credit rating could avoid unnecessary additions to your premium.

11. Insure your car Third Party Only.Third party only is the minimum cover you are required to have by law it's also the cheapest.If your vehicle is of a low value then you could consider this type of cover.You need to remember that with this type of cover if you was to have a accident that any damage to your vehicle would not be covered for repair.

12. Keep a clean licenceInsurance companies take driving convictions very seriously and can dramatically increase your car insurance premium,by maintaining a clean licence proves to the insurance you are a safe and careful driver.

13. Remove any unnecessary drivers.If you have a young driver on your insurance policy that no longer use's the vehicle you should remove them as this will reduce your premium.

14. Young driver's add a older driver.Some insurance companies will reduce young drivers premiums if they have a older named driver on the insurance.

15. Build up your no-claims discountOne of the biggest factors affecting your car insurance premium is the number of years no-claim's discount.You could receive up to 75% discount for around 5 years of no claims.The more years you can stay claim free the safer driver your insurance company will see you as.

16. Protect your no-claims discount.Although this will increase your insurance premium if you have a lot of years of no-claims you may want to protect this as a small claim may increase your premium by up to 75%.

17. Buy a lower insurance group car.A very important factor to your insurance premium is what car you drive.Most insurance companies adopt the Association Of British Insurance Group Rating.This rates vehicle's from 1 - 20 generally speaking the higher the group the higher the premium.By buying a car with a lower group rating can lower your premium especially for young or inexperienced drivers.

18. Join a car club.If your vehicle is a classic or specialist consider joining a club related to your car most clubs offer insurance schemes which have very good premium rates.

19. Put your spouse as a named driver.Some insurance companies offer discounts when you add a spouse as a named driver as opposed to unmarried couples,they see marriage as a sign of stability and associate stability with safe driving and there for give you a discount.

20. Take pass plus.If you are a new driver consider taking your pass plus.some insurance companies could give you as much as a 25% discount and when you have just passed your test and have no no-claims this could make a considerable saving.

10 Ways to Save Big on Auto Insurance

 

Auto insurance can make a big hole in your pocket. Insurance premiums vary hugely between companies, agencies or agents, brokers, and of course the make of the car you own and your credit rating. To pay lower insurance you must:

1. Always maintain a good driving record.

2. Never accept the first estimate you receive.  Be wise and check comparisons of different insurance providers at your state insurance department website or phone them. Their addresses and contact numbers can be accessed from http://www.consumeraction.gov/insurance.shtml the consumer action website. Be sure to get competitive quotes from different insurance providers. Contact providers that are strongly recommended by people you know well. Keep your peace of mind by checking the financial stability of the companies with rating companies like A.M. Best (http://www.ambest.com/) as well as in forums and blogs.  

3. Complete a market survey well before you select a car make and make a comparative table of insurance and other hidden costs. Find out which features increase insurance premiums and which ones reduce premiums. For example if parts of a certain make are hard to find or expensive such cars will have huge insurance premiums, similarly installation of anti-theft devices or an extra brake system lowers insurance premiums. Many questions are answered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at http://www.iihs.org/.

4. Choose to have higher deductibles this will reduce the burden by at least 15-25%. But look at your finances first and determine whether you can set aside US$ 200-US$1000 periodically to create an emergency vehicle fund.

5. Consider availing the insurance from the same company that has you covered for home, accident, or life. Many companies offer concessions to clients who have more than one kind of policy. Known as a multi-policy discount   this could benefit you.

6. Most policies are based on your personal credit record. Having an unshakeable credit history can lower costs. Pay bills on time, don’t avail too many loans, and be sure that credit balances are as low as possible.

7. Avoid duplicating medical coverage. Find out whether eliminating medical cover in auto insurance will reduce your premiums or the personal injury protection costs. In some places the reduction is as much as 40%. So, if you have adequate health insurance you could weigh the pros and cons of eliminating this in auto insurance.

8. Find out if insurance premiums are dependant on where you stay. Sometimes staying in a rural community or suburbs as against the city center could save you a bundle.

9. Take advantages of discounts like low risk career, low mileage, taking public transport to work, car pooling, no violations or accidents, taking defensive driving courses, following safety rules and regulations, or having a child who studies far away.

10. Use the reductions offered for insuring more than one car belonging to the family. Many companies have special offers for corporate organizations, club members, professional groups, alumni groups, or clubs.

Make time to make a big saving. Check through all the parameters and mark areas where a saving can be made. The market is competitive and you can be the beneficiary.

10 Ways To Lower Your Auto Insurance

And the insurance rates you pay are hugely dependent on the insurance company or agent, your age, your car type, your driving record, and even the area you reside in!

You should never go without auto insurance though, despite the costs. Almost all the states require you to protect yourself with a minimum amount of liability coverage. Naturally, the bare minimum is not adequate enough for the average car owner. And as you add in additional coverage for your car, you realize that you will be paying a fairly large sum annually.

So, understanding auto insurance can actually help you to decide on a suitable insurance policy that won't vacuum clean your wallet! Here, we have gathered 10 of the best tips for lowering your auto insurance, by as much as 40%!

Always compare insurance policies. There are states which regulate auto insurance rates, but the insurance premiums can vary by hundreds of dollars for the exact same coverage. It is definitely worthwhile to shop around. The first thing you can do is to check with your state insurance department. They often provide information about the coverage you need, as well as sample rates from the biggest companies. You can also ask your friends or look up the yellow pages. Checking consumer guides and asking insurance agents can pay off as well. You can easily find out the price range for your insurance policy, as well as discover the lowest prices in town.

However, you should not be shopping based on price along. The insurance company should provide good service at the best price. Excellent personal service is available as well, and they provide added conveniences, although they cost a fair bit more. Ask the company how you can lower your costs, and also check their financial ratings. The rule of thumb is always to get three price quotes from three different companies, and pick the one with the best value.

It can also be a good idea to increase your deductibles. When you file a claim, the deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance company pays for the rest of the damage. A higher deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage can lead to a much lower premium. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $400 can reduce your premiums by up to 25%. However, you must ensure that you have the financial resources to handle the largest deductible when the time comes.

Remove certain types of coverage from your policy. Almost all the states require liability coverage for your car, but the rest of the coverage is probably dispensable. However, you do not want to be underinsured if you're in an accident, so it isn't advisable to remove all of your additional coverage. Optional coverage includes medical payments, uninsured motorist, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage for older cars. If you drive an older car that's worth less than $2,000, it's probably more cost-effective to drop collision and comprehensive coverage since you'll probably pay more for the coverage than you'll collect for a claim. You can find out the worth of your car by asking auto dealers and banks.

Make sure your credit report looks good. Car insurance companies often look at your credit history as there is a correlation between the risk to the company and your credit history. If you pay your bills on time and maintain a good credit history, you can enjoy lower insurance rates.

Drive less. Insurance companies often offer low-mileage discounts to motorists who drive less than a predetermined number of miles each year. You can use public transportation more often, car-pool with friends, and take the train or a plane instead of driving to another state. And you'll save on more than your coverage as you'll need to spend less on gasoline (of which prices are incredibly high).

Maintain a clean driving record. The company will give you a price break and you can save on your insurance policy after a specified period of a clean driving record. This means that you have no accidents, no serious driving violations etc, during this period of time. The simplest and surefire way to qualify for this discount is to drive carefully and defensively all the time.

Choose a low-profile car. Insurance rates vary among difference models of vehicles. Generally, sports cars and high-performance cars tend to cost more to insure, mainly because they represent more risk of theft and the drivers are often the people who drive more recklessly. Newer cars will cost more to repair or replace than older ones, so naturally they can more to insure. Low-risk vehicles include station wagons and sedans.

Ask about safety and security discounts. The insurance companies sometimes offer discounts on your insurance if your car is equipped with the following: anti-lock brakes, air bags, automatic seat belts, car alarms, tracking systems. These reduce the injury risk to you, as well as the chances of your car being vandalized or stolen.

Finally, ask about other discounts. You may receive a discount if you buy more than one type of insurance from the same company or if you insure multiple cars under the same policy or company. You may also receive discounts for taking a defensive driving course, staying with the same company for a few years, being a driver over 50, good-student discounts, and being an AAA member. If you already have adequate health insurance, you can also eliminate paying for duplicate medical coverage, thus lowering your personal injury protection costs by a substantial amount.

10 Tips That Can Help You Get The Cheapest Auto Insurance

  With everything else on your mind, have you put your auto insurance on auto pilot? It's not your fault if you have -- lots of people do it. In fact, the insurance companies count on it. They make more money that way by raising your rates over time.

But maybe it's time you review your policy and compare it with what else might be out there that can save you substantial amounts of money this coming year.

Here are 10 tips that can help you make an informed decision as to whether you are paying too much for auto insurance:

Request higher deductibles.

Your auto insurance deductible is the amount you agree to pay upfront before your insurance company pays its share to repair your damages. Inquire about increasing your deductible from, say, $200 to $500 -- you might be surprised at how much you can save every year. In some cases, you could save between 15-30% on the cost of your collision and comprehensive coverage. If you increase your deductible to $1,000, you may be able to cut it even further -- perhaps by as much as could decrease that cost by at least 40 percent, or more.

Drop coverage you don't need.

Do you drive an old beater? Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage altogether. Who needs to pay a premium that is higher than the actual value of the car to begin with? So go online and check out how much your car is actually worth. You can do this at Edmunds.com.

Don't pay for double coverage for medical.

If you're already covered with a decent health, life and/or disability insurance policy, just buy the the minimum personal injury protection that your state requires.

Don't buy a car that thieves like to steal.

It’s more expensive to insure a car that is popular with car thieves. You can check out the statistics for that at ConsumerAffairs.com. And while you're at it, don't buy a car that is expensive to repair.

Drive less.

Many insurance companies offer a “low-mileage discount” to drivers who qualify. So if you can carpool to work, you might save on gas AND insurance. And not only that -- you'll sustain less wear and tear on your vehicle too. Lastly, many cities reserve an express lane on the freeway/interstate for carpoolers -- so you'll get to work faster, too. Call your insurer and find out whether you qualify.

Safety features can save you money, too.

Did you know that You can often get a discount if you own a car with automatic seat belts, anti-lock brakes and/or daytime running lights? Also, if you have an approved alarm system or other anti-theft device you can save money, too.

Put your teenager on your policy.

Don't put teens on their own policy -- it costs too much. And another thing about teens: if they keep decent grads and pass an approved drivers’ training course, you can get a reduced rate for that as well. Lastly, if your teen goes to college more than 100 miles from home, they can qualify for further discounts -- if they leave their car at home.

Put all your family's vehicles with one insurance carrier.

Many insurance companies will be happy to take your premiums for more than one car at a time. And not only that -- if you buy homeowner's and/or life insurance too, you'll save even more.

Ask this simple question: "What other discounts should I know about?"

If you’re older than 50 and/or retired, you might qualify for a discount through organizations like AARP; if you have no accidents or points on your record, you could qualify for a safe-driver discount; and/or if you’re a longtime customer with your carrier, you could save some money that way.

Reconsider before paying extra for roadside assistance.

Here's the thing: getting towed might actually increase your premium and/or affect your eligibility for coverage. And adding insult to injury -- you might have had coverage through your credit card. Check it out. Sometimes having roadside assistance through an independent company might be the best deal of all.

Conclusion

So there you have it -- lots of ways to save on your auto insurance. Pick up the phone and check it out. After all, who wouldn't like to have an extra few hundred (or thousand) dollars to save or spend?