Good Driver Insurance
Reader Question: I am looking for better auto insurance for my new car than my previous insurance coverage. I had Sta@@ Far@ insurance for years, but they seem to slowly but surely raise their rates over the years. I got a new car and they have once again raised my rate, so I am ready to shop around.
Stanley,
Boston MA
Stanley,
Good for you! Checking your auto insurance rates every 3 years is a great idea. This is a pretty common tactic for many agents, they slowly raise your premiums but the increase is so low that they know you will just put up with it. But over the years, so incremental increases really add up to a lot. Checking around will almost always result in lower rates….at least until year 3 until the new company starts to jack up your rate ever so slowly.
The zip code form above is for Comparison Market, they are a leader in comparison insurance shopping. They will compare 12 companies for you….instantly, and for free…and there is no obligation to do anything. Once you see the results, which you will online, you can select each carrier and learn more about their offer and the coverage they are offering you and of course the price.
Honestly, this is the fastest and easiest way to shop around for car insurance. Try it now…and post your comments after you get the rate quote. We want your feedback!
Cheap Young Driver Insurance
Reader’s Question:
Is it true that insurance providers offer car insurance discounts for teenager who take a Driver Education course?
Blanche
Los Angeles CA
Insurance providers do give a car insurance discount for young drivers that have taken a driver education class. These insurance providers believe that it is important for new young drivers to take a driver education class if offered by the insurance provider since it is helpful as they learn to drive automobile for the first time.
In some states it is required for the young drivers to take a driver’s education class and that is why no car insurance discount is given to some. Defensive driving class or driver education course are also used by most states in lieu of driving points after receiving an individual receives a traffic offense violation.
When Can My Auto Insurance Company Cancel My Policy?
Reader’s Question:
My girlfriend just purchased auto insurance for her new car. I don’t have a car and obviously neither do I have car insurance. We are just wondering on how car insurance stuff works here in West Allis, Wisconsin. Can her car insurance company just cancel her policy anytime they want? Or is there such thing as grace period before auto insurance policy can be cancelled by the insurance company itself?
Orion
West Allis, WI
Hello there Orion!
I’ve checked with Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) about your question and I learned that car insurance companies can cancel their policyholder’s auto insurance policy provided that said coverage has been in effect within the 60 days. If an insurer chose to cancel the policy within the mentioned period then they are not required to give out explanation about the cancellation. Other reasons wherein a policy can be cancelled is when a policyholder failed to make a payment for the premium on the due date, fraudulent activities done by the policyholder himself/herself when availing of the policy or when making the claim, or major changes on the characteristics of the insurer.
However, for a car insurance policy to be cancelled, insurer is required to notify through writing the policyholder not less than 10 days before the effective date of cancellation or else said cancellation will not be processed.
If you have any questions about car insurance termination you can ask your car insurance agent in West Allis, Wisconsin or even the Wisconsin OCI.
Should I Trust My Car Insurance Agent?
Reader’s Question:
I had an accident two weeks ago in Sacramento, California where I live, but I found out that my insurance will only cover the hospital bill of the driver I got into an accident with. My insurance said that my coverage will only be limited to personal injuries and not property damages. Was I swindled by my insurance agent?
Joseph,
Sacramento, CA
Well, Joseph, it seems you are a classic insurance buyer where you sign first and then ask questions later, when you’ve already gotten into an accident. Thinking you have an insurance coverage but not really understanding what and how much your insurance will cover is just the same as wearing a body armor made of cardboard in the interior. You’re giving yourself a false sense of security this way, if I may add. Joseph, I think what happened is, you bought what is called the Personal Injury Protection auto insurance or better known as PIP. The PIP is mandatory in 46 states and their cities including Sacramento, California, so, we might call them your basic insurance. Well, at least your PIP covered injuries inflicted. When accidents really are that bad, injuries to persons are much expensive rather than those damages to properties. Imagine, you or the other driver were put into comatose or needing surgery and will be confined to around 3 months in a hospital, can you imagine the bill that would amount to? If you’re really on a tight budget, personal injury protection auto insurance wouldn’t be that bad. As we say, as long as I breathe there is hope, at least being alive or having the means to stay alive is more than anything we can ask for. Damages to property won’t really be that a big thing when you know you just cheated death. So, drive safely.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, car insurance agent
Young Driver Auto Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I’ve just recently relocated to Birmingham, Alabama. I have a teenage daughter who is just starting to learn how to drive. My question is—Should I buy insurance for her, or since she’s going to be using my car, will she be covered under my auto insurance policy? Thanks!
Sue
Birmingham, AL
Everyone I think aged 25 and above needs to have his or her auto insurance for the car he or she is driving. If you already have your own license and your own car, you must have the car insured. But, of course, since your daughter is just learning how to drive, I don’t think she’s already 25. Kids who are just learning how to drive cannot have their own auto insurance policy because you need a valid drivers’ license to get car insurance. If your daughter is just currently learning how to drive, I’m pretty she would be covered under either the high school’s insurance policy or the driving school’s policy. After she gets her drivers’ license, then that is the time to take an insurance policy for the car you’re giving her this Christmas!
Since she only has a learners’ permit now, and the car she’s going to drive is yours, she would covered under your policy. I think that most auto insurance policies are whole-family policies since they don’t expect that each family member has his or her own car to drive. Of course, there will be car-borrowing involved. If I were you, I’d call an insurance company/agent there in Birmingham, Alabama to ask the necessary questions. Choose wisely because things are different from one company to the next. Tell your daughter, Sue, that I said happy driving.
Cheap Non Owners Insurance Policy
Reader’s Question:
Hi, I have a friend who recently got a job here in Sarasota, Florida, and she needs a car to drive to and from work. The problem is they only have one car, and her husband uses it. I was thinking of lending her my car. If something happens while she’s driving, is my auto insurance going to pay for the damages?
Beth
Sarasota, FL
Hi, Beth! To answer your question–As long as she has your permission to drive your car, yes, your car insurance company is going to pay. It doesn’t mean that she has to get your permission every time she uses it–it’s just that you should be able to say that you actually lent her your car. I think, though, that it’s a different thing if she uses your car more than you do. Technically speaking, a car insurance policy is associated with the car itself. However, car insurance companies take note of who the primary driver of the car is also.
One thing you can do is to call your car insurance company in Sarasota, Florida and have your friend added to your insurance policy. If they find out that your friend is the primary driver, and not you, they may say that you have given them false information and not pay. Another thing you can do, and this is better, I think, is to ask your friend to get a non-owner’s policy. This type of insurance covers any car she may drive. But if she gets into an accident using your car, your insurance is who’s going to pay first, and then your friend’s policy will cover the excess amount that isn’t covered by yours.
Liability Auto Insurance Discounts in New York
Reader’s Question:
I live in Buffalo, NY and I will be moving to another state in three months, what will happen if I cancel my liability insurance?
Harold
Buffalo, NY
The car insurance company must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if you cancel your liability insurance. If your insurance coverage is reinstated or you get new insurance coverage, your car insurance company in Buffalo, NY is also required to notify DMV. If the car insurance company does not file an electronic notice about your new or reinstated liability insurance, the DMV will send you a letter about your insurance. Once you receive the letter, read the insert mailed with the letter, and follow the instructions in the letter. You are given 10 days from the date of the DMV letter to prove that you carry an insurance coverage, prove that you sold the vehicle, or show other proof that insurance coverage was not required in New York State. If you do have insurance coverage, also ask your car insurance company to file an electronic notice of insurance coverage with the DMV.
If you do not have liability insurance, you must surrender your vehicle plates to the New York State DMV immediately and make sure you get a receipt. You must respond to the letter you receive from the DMV or surrender your license plates to avoid the suspension of your registration and driver’s license. If your liability insurance is about to lapse and you do not plan to replace it with other car insurance, surrender your vehicle plates to the DMV before your insurance coverage lapses.
Hybrid Car Insurance Discounts ?
Reader’s Question:
I’m thinking of switching to a hybrid car and I heard that discounts are being offered by car insurance companies for hybrid car owners in Los Angeles CA, is this true?
Dustin
Los Angeles CA
Basically, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) combines an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by batteries. This technology merges the best features of today’s combustion engine cars and electric vehicles. The combination allows the electric motor and batteries to help the conventional engine to operate more efficiently which in effect cuts down fuel use.
The main reason why discount is being given to hybrid car owners is that a research indicates that hybrid car owners tend to fall into the preferred insured category. Car insurance is an assessment of risk; the lower the risk you represent to the car insurance company the lower the premiums they will charge. This is because you are treated as a customer who will potentially be less costly than one who is more likely to make a claim. The discount may not be available in all states and is subject to individual eligibility so contact your Los Angeles CA agent or insurance company to further discuss details about getting a hybrid car insurance.
Even if the market price for cars is steep, the fuel that you save along with incentives like tax breaks do make a hybrid a good and sensible choice. But still, before you say “yes” to a hybrid car, you must do in depth research. Know the pros and cons by talking to manufacturers and owners of hybrid cars.
High Risk Auto Insurance
Reader’s Question:
My son is 30 years old. He let his car insurance lapse. His car insurance has been canceled for non-payment over the past years. So now he can’t seem to find an insurance carrier to insure his car in Savannah, Georgia. How can he get car insurance now?
Daniel
Savannah, GA
Due to your son having car insurance lapse previously, he is now considered a high risk driver. For drivers such as your son that are unable to find an insurance carrier in the voluntary market that will insure them, many states have high risk insurance companies that will cover these types of drivers.
High risk drivers in Savannah, Georgia typically have to go the GA Automobile Insurance Plan (GAAIP). It was created to give car insurance coverage to eligible high risk drivers who seek coverage and are unable to get such coverage through the voluntary market.
To find out who these insurance companies are in Savannah, Georgia and how your son can obtain auto insurance in GA through the GAAIP so that he can insure and use his car contact the GA Insurance Commissioner.
Will Traffic School Lower Car Insurance Rates?
Reader’s Question:
Do you know the online traffic class that I can go to take the course to remove points from my drivers license in Georgia ?
Rita
Columbus, GA
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) does not permit driver to take traffic school classes online or on a computer. The Georgia Department of Driver Services only permits class instruction for its approved traffic school.
To get more information regarding driver’s classes to removed points from your drivers license or driving history in Columbus contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Keep in mind that after taking the course to show your finished certificate to the correct state office so that the points will be taken off of your drivers record. Usually this must be done within a certain amount of time.
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