Monday, April 30, 2007

Car Insurance - Safety First Child Restraints

September 2006 will see the introduction of new laws regarding child restraints in cars. Current laws state: - Children aged three to 11 (inclusive) and less than 150cm tall are permitted to travel in an adult seat belt if no child restraint is fitted. New legislation says: - Children aged three to 11 and under 135cm have to be seated in child seat or booster (designed to be used with an adult belt), suitable for their age and weight. Children taller than 135cm (4ft 5ins) or aged 12 or over must wear an adult seat belt where one is fitted. The driver is responsible for ensuring these rules are complied with until the child reaches the age of 14, when they must take responsibility for their own safety. The Department of Transport believes that, by making sure that children are securely restrained and not allowed to use adult seatbelts until they are sufficiently tall for them to work in the proper manner, 2,000 child injuries and deaths will be prevented. The penalty for failing to comply with these regulations will be a fixed penalty fine of 30 or, if the case proceeds to court, a fine of up to a maximum of 500. Exceptions will be allowed in emergencies, cars without seatbelts, and when children are passengers in taxis. Information on child-seat safety can be obtained from the Child Accident Prevention Trust, www.capt.org.uk or from the governments website www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk theres a question and answer section on government website which is very comprehensive and seems to answer every question you could think of. Theres a good choice of car seats available, and you should always ensure that they are made to conform to the European Union safety standards. For a young child its probably worth investing in a seat that can be adjusted as your child grows. For an idea of what youd have to pay for a seat that would take your child from 9 months to 12 years, the Recaro Start seat can be bought for around 200. Theres the Evolva 23 seat, from Britax, which is adjustable and suitable for children weighing from15kg to 36kg and up to 135cm (4ft 5ins). The back of the seat can be extended as the child grows, so that the head is always supported. This costs around 65. For a baby of up to 9 months, or around 13kg, a rear facing approved car seat is acceptable, fitted on either the front passenger seat or in the back of the car. It must no be used in the front if an airbag is fitted. Its extremely important that the seat is fitted properly, and many suppliers offer a fitting service. Do remember that its important that before you have the seat fitted; make sure it fits your child. The 18 September is the date that the Department of Transport is aiming for, so remember, after this date you need to comply with the new rules. These laws are to be taken seriously. Parents and regular carers are not the only ones who need to be car seat ready. You may occasionally take your, say 9 year old, grandchild out with you. The big difference there is that, prior to September 18; no special steps had to be taken. After this date youll need to equip yourself with a seat or booster. If you are in the unfortunate position of being involved in an accident, and if your child or children are not travelling in an approved car seat or booster, your insurance may not be willing to pay out, resulting in what could be a considerable personal claim against the driver, whose responsibility it is. Parents and (even occasional) carers please take note. Car Insurance mart is a specialist website that offers UK residents access to a href="http://www.car-insurance-mart.co.uk">Motor insurance. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Challiner

Car Insurance And A Bad Driving Record: Can You Still Save Money?

If you're worried about car insurance because of a bad driving record, there may be some things you can do to save money. Here are some tips. Consider raising your deductibles. While you work to improve your driving record, which takes time, you can ask for a higher deductible on your comprehensive and collision coverage to get a lower premium. Do you really need all of those features? The more features your policy has the more it will probably cost. Right now's a good time to consider getting rid of rental car reimbursement and towing coverage. Consider a less expensive car. If you drive a less expensive car, you may want to carry only collision coverage and not comprehensive coverage to lower your insurance costs. Improve your credit score. Believe it or not, insurance companies often use credit scores to help determine risk. The higher the risk you are to them, the more they will charge. One way to help lower your risk is to improve your credit score. Comparison shop. You'd be surprised at how car insurance costs can vary between companies. Do some comparison shopping by getting at least three different quotes. Make sure you are comparing the same coverages and features between quotes or your comparison won't be accurate. Be truthful about your driving record. Car insurance companies spend a lot of effort to combat insurance fraud and can find out if you've lied. This will only make things harder for you because they will probably cancel your policy. What's more, this may make it harder for you to get insurance from another company. Scott Lunt is a freelance writer with over 15 years experience writing insurance-related articles. You can compare car insurance quotes and find more tips on saving on car, home, life, health and long-term care insurance at LowerYourInsurance.com. The site also includes a handy worksheet to help you when shopping for car insurance. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Lunt

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Car Insurance Rate Teen Give Them Something Safe!

Its probably safe to say that all teens look forward to their sixteenth birthdays so they can gain the privilege of driving. Driving offers freedom, responsibility, and an overall grown up feeling for teens. And its probably also safe to say that most teens not only want their own vehicle, but they want a cool vehicle, as well. After all, no one wants to drive to school in Dads old work truck, right? Regardless of whether you purchase your teen his or her own vehicle, or lend them the family car, one of the best ways to get a low car insurance rate for your teen driver is to make sure your teen driver is driving a safe vehicle. If you choose a safe vehicle for your teen driver, not only are you better protecting your teen and the passengers, but youre also protecting the vehicle itself. Insurance companies will look at how much its going to cost to repair the vehicle in the event of an accident, as well as how safe your teen and the passengers will be inside the vehicle in the event of an accident. Insurance companies will look at statistics such as crash test ratings and features such as air bags for both drivers and passengers, so you should research them as well when you head out to purchase your teens vehicle. So, once you head out to shop for a vehicle for your teen, keep in mind that car insurance rates for teens tend to be lower when you choose a sturdy vehicle with plenty of safety features. And if you plan to just loan one of the family cars to your teen? Opt for the safest one! By taking these steps, not only do you have a greater chance for lower car insurance rates for your teen driver, but youre also helping to ensure the safety of your teen as well as passengers.

Car Insurance. Uninsured Cars To Be Crushed

Are you one of the one in twenty motorists who regularly drive without insurance? You'd better watch out - your car could be heading for the crusher and shipped off to the world's biggest scrap smelter in China! New powers now allow the police to seize, impound and crush any car found on the road without insurance. A pilot scheme was introduced in Durham last spring. Since then, police have impounded more than 1,200 cars. Of those around half have been crushed into cubes and packed off for smelting. Operation Takeaway as the pilot scheme was known, has been such a big success, that police forces throughout the UK are enthusiastically polishing up their tow trucks. The scheme is now supported by a new national police database that's supported by the insurance industry. It enables the police to check the insurance status of every car in the UK whilst they're sitting in their patrol car. Now if you're caught red handed without car insurance you're forced to hand your keys to the police at the roadside. There are no exceptions - this applies to everyone; it doesn't matter if it's just a forgetful mistake or conscious driving without insurance. Then you'll have to get your skates on! You've just 14 days to produce a valid insurance policy to the police and collect your car. And other costs mount up. Before you can collect your car, you have to pay the cost of kerbside recovery (around 105) and the cost of secure storage - and that could easily amount to 15 a day. So, if you leave collecting your car to the 14th day, you could be in for a bill for 315. And if you don't reclaim your car, off to the crusher it goes! During the pilot scheme, the cost of crushing the cars was partly funded by Direct Line. They have estimated that Operation Takeaway prevented up to 2,000 accidents. And many of the cars impounded by the police were found to be un-roadworthy. A police spokesman said, Uninsured drivers are often guilty of many other offences. Such as having neither driving licence nor MOT certificate. We are doing everything in our power to get these dangerous and illegal drivers off our roads. Indeed, uninsured drivers are much greater problem than many of us would expect. The Department of Transport recently reported that 1 in 20 motorists regularly drive without insurance. Furthermore, research from the Association of British Insurers discovered that uninsured drivers are amongst the most dangerous on the roads. On average they cause one accident every six months and are three times more likely to be convicted of driving without due care and attention. And who pays for those uninsured accidents? We do! The average car insurance premium is loaded by 30 to cover the cost of damage caused by uninsured motorists. Across the UK that adds up to an extra 500 million paid out each year by the law-abiding motorists! But that's not the end of our financial pain. If an uninsured vehicle collides into your car, it's still recorded as a fault claim on your policy. This means you'll have to pay the excess when your car is repaired and unless you've got Claims Protection on your policy, your no-claims bonus will take a knocking. Over a two-year period, the reduction in your no claims bonus could easily cost 275 in higher premiums. The move to take cars off the road and crush them has been warmly welcomed by the Association of British Insurers. The ABI has long criticised the leniency of punishment handed out by the courts to uninsured motorists but they still want tougher penalties. Offenders are typically fined just 150 to 200 - with time to pay - and this is much less than the average car insurance premium. Surely this cannot be true justice! Michael writes for Brokers Online who offer Cheap Life Assurance and most UK financial services including car insurance. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Challiner

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Car Insurance Rates: Learn To Lower Your Rate

So you want to learn about keeping down your car insurance rates? This article contains the bare essential facts pertaining to car insurance rates. You can find many types of articles about lowering your insurance rates on the web today, but when you process it all, here is what you'll learn: The easiest means of decreasing your car insurance rates is to compare different insurance companies. This can be accomplished instantly on the web. Rates can be different by state, age, vehicle, etc. But perhaps the largest determining factors of your car insurance rate is the insurer your agent is working for. Seeking out the lowest priced quote is a reliable way to save money. Another way to save money is to increase your deductible. As I know you understand, insurance companies are making money off you. Which means that on average you will almost always pay far more in deductibles than you receive in benefits. The whole purpose of insurance isn't to give a benefit when you someone wrecks your car, it is to stop you from going deep in debt after you have an auto accident. If a thousand dollars won't kill you financially then increase your deductible accordingly. Far better to reduce your car insurance rates by increasing your deductible and then pocket the money saved. An additional way to lower your car insurance rates is for all those crazy drivers reading this. Formerly when I would receive a speeding ticket, I would just mail in the money or I would drive to the courthouse to pay it. Now I've wised up. Now if I receive a ticket, I hire a lawyer. They are surprisingly skilled at reducing or eliminating the points. This lawyer fee is a couple hundred dollars well spent. You should now have all you need to move you forward saving money. Since you now understand these car insurance rates facts, you should be ready to start taking action. The opportunity to learn more will always exist, but please keep in mind that this information won't be of benefit unless you actually use it. Share your own car insurance rates knowledge along with Tom Cromlento by visiting car insurance rates portal. Publishers: visit car insurance rates web site content for a unique version of this article.

California Auto Insurance FAQs

California insurance companies offer affordable auto insurance policies for drivers working in certain occupations, good drivers, students and senior citizens. The best way to get low price insurance is shopping for insurance companies offering discount insurance. If a driver has more than one kind of insurance policy with the same company, he can receive discounts for all those policies. It is possible to reduce the premium amount by raising the deductible. Keeping anti-theft devices and the mileage of the vehicle within certain limits will receive some discount as well. What are the main criteria to be considered for choosing an insurance company? Insurance price is the most important factor to be considered when choosing an insurance company. A reputed insurance company having credit for handling auto claims fairly and quickly, with a financial stability rated A+ or higher will be ideal. What are the situations in which one can review his insurance coverage? There are no strict limitations to review California auto insurance. You can review the coverage whenever you face life change situations such as marriage, divorce, or buying a new car. A twice-yearly review of coverage is also possible. What are the minimum levels of auto insurance that a driver must have? According to California auto insurance law, a driver requires a minimum policy of $15,000 bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 coverage for all bodily injured people, and $5,000 property damage coverage for a single accident. There is no need to carry uninsured motorist coverage in California. Is it possible to pay the annual premium all at once? It is not possible to pay premium at once, but one can choose a good payment schedule. Companies offer a range of payment plans, including annual, semi annual, quarterly and monthly payments. When does a driver pay the deductible? Normally, a driver or owner pays the deductible directly to the repair facility when the vehicle's repair work is completed. California Auto Insurance provides detailed information on California Auto Insurance, California Auto Insurance Companies, California Auto Insurance Comparisons, California Auto Insurance Laws and more. California Auto Insurance is affiliated with Dental Insurance Companies. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Morris

Friday, April 27, 2007

Burn Rubber, Not Your Pocket - 5 Tips for Lower Sports Car Insurance

Car insurance usually varies directly with the performance of your car so if yours is a nippy sports car then your insurance premium will be one of the main costs. Your sports car may be your ultimate status symbol but along with high miles per gallon and original cost of the car, the high insurance premium means this status comes at a cost. Speed, or rather excessive speed, is the main cause of driving accidents and since sports cars can go faster than any other vehicle on the road insurance companies are keen to cover themselves by offering high premiums to sports car owners. So what can the sports car lover do to ensure his passion doesn't leave him bankrupt? Below are 5 top tips to getting as low a rate as possible: 1. For several reasons having a low credit rating will encourage the insurance companies to offer you a lower insurance rate for your sports car. If you can't be trusted with money, you won't be trusted behind the wheel of a 200mph killing machine. 2. Pack your sports car with as many extra safety features as possible. Although this will mean an increased up-front cost on the purchase of your car, it will certainly impress the insurance providers. 3. It goes without saying that a clean driving record will mean a lower premium. If you've got a history of speeding tickets and accident claims, expect to break the bank when it comes to getting your sports car insured. 4. Before making any purchase it's very important to do research. This becomes even more prevalent when it comes to car insurance as quotes can vary wildly from one company to the next. The internet is a great tool for doing this and there are sites available that will take your details and do all the comparisons and research for you. 5. Consider taking out quite a high excess if you can afford it. If you are a safe driver this should not become a problem and will almost certainly mean a lower monthly rate. Having a sports car affords its owner a sense of luxury and prestige but if it becomes hugely expensive to run then it may begin to feel like more of a burden. With fuel costs rising every day, it is very important to find as low an insurance deal as possible for your pride and joy. Andrew McNaught has been a keen sports car enthusiast since he was young. He is now a respected webmaster and owner of http://www.sports-car-world.info which provides informative articles on all aspects of the sports car. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_McNaught

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Best Fixed Annuity Coverage - How To Find It

To get the best fixed rate annuity coverage you definitely need to shop around to find a good deal. The easiest way to do this is to get on the Internet and start comparing insurance rates. There are hundreds of sites on the World Wide Web that specialize in offering charts and product sheets so that you can compare different offers side by side. These types of insurance comparison web sites that make it quick and easy for anyone to compare different offers and interest rates, even if you have never taken out insurance or a pension before. The reason that most people end up paying too much for their fixed annuity plans is that they don't bother to shop around for the best annuity coverage. It is such a tedious job that sometimes they just take the first deal that they run across. This is just not the way to go about shopping for the best fixed annuity coverage. You should at least go to the same type of time and trouble that you would to shop around to find the best credit cars, mortgage or car insurance. You should also do this in a short amount of time as it is inevitable that the insurance company will eventually ask for your social insurance number. This of course is used to check your credit rating, which can also have an impact on the rate of interest that you are offered. Another thing to look at, besides price is just exactly what the plan actually covers. Just because it is cheap does not mean it is the best fixed annuity coverage for you. Finding the ideal plan can mean taking many other things into consideration besides price including fees, the price of withdrawal penalties and the structure of the plan. Most of this information can be found in the fine print of your agreement with the company, which of course you should ask to see and read thoroughly before signing on the dotted line. Tiffany Walker has finally revealed her annuity secrets online. Read the latest by clicking here: Best fixed annuity coverage. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tiffany_Walker

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Car Insurance Quotes

Every year, we see the rise of automobile expenses. This causes automobile insurance quotes to climb in response. Vehicle repair expenses, recovery of stolen vehicles, fraud, and other instances that may arise that is covered by the insurance are factors that contributes to the rise in insurance costs. Keeping the factors just mentioned in mind, finding a car insurance quote suitable for you may be a little hard. Examining the issues further can be your guide in knowing what to look out for with the car insurance quotes you have. Depending on what type of car you have, high repair cost may be inherent. This will also mean higher insurance quotes for you. The cost of developing and repairing automobiles with new features such more space inside, smaller construction outside, and anti fog capabilities have negatively impacted car insurance prices. Some consumers choose to add rental car coverage to their car insurance policies. Added features incur more expense and, in turn, combine to raise the price of car insurance. Remember also that the newer the model of your car, the higher your liability will be. An estimated 2 million car accidents result in injury. The most common (if not typical) costs for treating a victim from a car accident can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the injuries sustained. In the U.S. alone, the Department of Transportation estimates that car accident-related deaths cost more than $150 billion every year, further pushing up the price of car insurance. Then there is also the legal expense brought about by the accident. Some insurance policies cover it, and because most U.S. courts award outrageously big sums today, this feature hikes the price of car insurance. Insurance Quotes provides detailed information on Insurance Quotes, Car Insurance Quotes, Life Insurance Quotes, Health Insurance Quotes and more. Insurance Quotes is affiliated with Car Insurance Policies. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Stith

Best Auto Insurance - How To Find It The Right Way?

Auto insurance is an insurance policy bought by the auto owner to safe guard his/her vehicle against theft, accident and any other loss incurred. You can buy auto insurance for any of your auto mobile such as car, truck or bus. Auto insurance not only covers insured vehicle and insured party, but some times it covers third parties also. Different auto insurance policies have different terms, norms and conditions under which, these items are covered. Today large numbers of auto insurance policies are available in the market and it is really very difficult task to purchase the best auto insurance for the safeguard of your vehicle. Here are some tips, which can be used to find the best auto insurance for your black boomer. 1. To locate best auto insurance, you are requested to make a search on your own. First of all go to local auto insurance providers. Compare auto insurance quotes provided by them. Most of auto insurance providers have their websites, you can go there and request for car insurance quotes online, if you own a car. Compare their quotes and find best auto insurance for your vehicle. Always remember that bargaining is the key to buy cheap auto insurance. 2. After comparing auto insurance quotes apply for the best one for you and your vehicle. While applying given them details as much as you can such as your name, address, zip code, your marital status, cars annual commuting miles and safety features because as default they can offer you high quotes without any specific benefits. Hence, to buy a cheap and best auto insurance always give full details about you and your vehicle. 3. Sometimes insurance companies provide specific offers. Thus always look for offers, as they can deduct your premium from $200 to $400. 4. Before signing your application form read each and every point of fine print, as they can protect your right. With keeping these simple tips in mind you can find best auto insurance policy. We offer the best online source of auto insurance. Check it out now on http://www.home-insurance-rates.info . Find all about insurance on - http://www.home-insurance-rates.info

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Car Insurance Policy What To Know About Car Insurance Before You Shop

The car insurance policy has a lot of legal language that most of us do not begin to understand. The essential parts of the car policy are found in the declarations page that you receive when your policy renews. Car insurers are always competing for each others policyholders. Every car insurance company uses actuaries and underwriters to help determine the rates. Rating Territory Whether you like it or not, your neighbors and friends in your community help determine the rates in your area. These areas are called rating territories by the insurance companies. If there are high losses and frequency in your area then your rates are going to be higher. The opposite is also true. Liability Insurance Liability insurance protects you when you are liable in an automobile accident. This is valuable protection for you because this is the portion of the possible that insures you against the highest risk and financial loss. Liability claims because of death and injury are by far the largest. Dont cut yourself short in this area. Physical Damage Insurance This portion of the car insurance policy pertains to your vehicles. It is a good idea to self-insure in this area by purchasing this coverage with high deductibles. Low deductibles no longer warrant the high premiums for the protection afforded. High deductibles will save you thousands of dollars over the life time of a policy. Car Insurance Discounts There a number of discounts in car insurance, Vehicles with air bags, seat belts, anti-lock brakes, and anti-theft devices all have discounts. Senior drivers can receive retirement discounts. Young drivers with driver training education receive discounts. Some companies give good student discounts for the young driver with a 3.0 grade point average. Its also important to have certain information available when shopping for car insurance. The vehicle identification number for all vehicles, the drivers license number for all drivers, and your current insurance information will make your shopping easier. View our Recommended Source for Insurance Quotes it is a simple site that offers low rate insurance quotes of all types. car insurance quotes home owners insurance Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gavin_Bloom

Auto Repair Insurance: Extended Warranties�Myths and Facts

How much insurance does one need? You have the big four: home, health, life, and car insurance. Then theres a second category, which starts getting a little hazy with credit card insurance, purchase protection plans, fraud insurance and more. Extended warranties, also called extended service contracts, or extended service policies fall into the mist of this second category. Extended warranties are supposed to pay (in full or in part) for specified repairs for a specific period of time after the expiration of the factory warranty. They can be a great value. They can also be a significant waste of money. It gets quite foggy in the details. What exactly is covered? How long? How much? Are there hidden charges? There are numerous extended warranty companies and an even wider variety of warranty packages available: silver, gold, platinum, platinum-plus, and a host of other confidence-building words. Whats the best plan, and are extended service contracts worth the money? Extended warranties, like life insurance policies, are a numbers game. Theyre a gamble. You pay $2500-$4500 for a 2 year, 100,000-mile protection plan and hope that you get at least that back in warranty repairs. The provider on the other hand, hopes to pay out less than it insured. There are three major types of plan providers: The manufacturer, the dealership/third party, and third party providers. Each one has its assets and liabilities (discussed ahead). What exactly is covered in an extended service plan? As mentioned above, whats covered depends on the package purchased. Some plans only cover the power train: the mechanical components of the engine, transmission, and rear-end. Others cover the power train plus some electrical components. Still others cover electrical, advanced electrical, and computer components. Some only cover whats listed in the contract. This is called a Stated or Named contract. This means that if its not stated, its not covered. Some cover bumper-to-bumper, similar to a manufacturer warranty, except trim pieces, upholstery, exterior components, cosmetic items, and a number of other exclusions. Never before has the adage, The devils in the details, been so applicable. Manufacturer Extended Plans: Extended service plans from the manufacturer are the best in terms of coverage, convenience, and quality. Coverage is similar to the warranty while the vehicle was under its original factory warrantywith similar exclusions stated above. The billing is direct, meaning you dont have to pay out-of-pocket, except for a deductible, if applicable. Quality is great too, as an extended warranty from the manufacturer will only use factory parts. They also have money, so theres less risk of bankruptcy. The down side of manufacturer extended service plans is that they are not cheap. These plans are generally the most expensive, require low mileage standards, and necessitate servicing your vehicle at a dealer for coverage. Dealership/Third Party Plans: Extended warranties from a dealership are actually from a third party insurer. These providers are generally reputable, but not always. However, if there is an issue (such as the warranty provider filing chapter 11, which is quite frequent in the extended service contract business), the dealer may step in to cover any repairs that would have been covered under the defunct plan. Also, claims are easier: billing is direct because the dealership has a working relationship with the provider, and there is usually agreement on price. Some dealers set up their own internal extended warranty, which is honored by the selling dealer. This is rare, and should not be confused with a manufacturer warranty. Important: extended warranties are often passed off as manufacturer warranties. Theyre not. This is a sales trick. Also be aware that there is a significant mark up, as the dealership is merely acting as the middle man. Lastly, extended warranty companies often go bankrupt without warning. Third Party Plans: These plans are called third party plans because they are outside the responsibility of the manufacturer and the service center performing the repairs (unless theres a working relationship with a repair shop as stated above). There are hundreds of extended service contract companies. Some have good reputations, some dont. Third party plans are frequently sold by used car dealers. You may also receive an official looking notification in the mail stating that your warranty is expiring, and directing you to call an 800 number ASAP. This is a marketing tactic by an independent warranty provider. Despite the official appearance of the postcard or envelope, its not from the manufacturer. Manufacturers do not send out reminders about warranty expiration. Given the wide-variety of third party plans there are numerous red flags. 1) Claims: Extended warranty companies will be quick to tell you that filing claims is easy, and that the service center gets paid immediately via a credit card. Thus, theres no out-of-pocket expense for you. However, the warranty company cant dictate a service centers policies. Some service centers will only accept payment from the repair customer. Thus the burden is on the repair customer to fill out the forms, contact their warranty company, and await reimbursement via check, which can take 2-8 weeks. It is the service centers responsibility to contact the extended warranty company to let them know whats wrong with the vehicle and to check coverage. This process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 20 days, sometimes more, depending on the degree of repairs and especially the amount. (See $1000 and Adjusters ahead) Service centers and extended warranty companies frequently battle over the fair price of repairs. Many repair shops no longer negotiate, and just state the price, leaving the contract holder (i.e., the service customer) responsible for the difference. 2) Rentals: Rental coverage is a great benefit. However, there are fixed rates and time limits. In other words, the warranty company is not going to pay to have you drive a Mercedes-Benz, even if you drive a Benz. Rental allowances range from $25 to $35 per day. Also, rental coverage is based on the number of hours it takes to repair the vehicle, NOT the number of days your car has been at the shop. 3) $1000 and Adjusters: Repairs that approach $1000, or that require a significant amount of work, will be cause for the warranty company to call in an adjuster to confirm the diagnosis. This will delay the repairs by a minimum of 24-48 hours. It may cost you additional money when an adjuster is involved. You may be charged to have your vehicle pulled back into the shop for inspection, as well as for the time spent with the adjuster. 4) Tear-down Charges: In many cases, an extended warranty company will require that a particular component be taken apart for inspection to determine if the repair is indeed needed and covered. This puts the service customer in a very awkward position. The customer will have to authorize potentially hundreds of dollars of tear-down expense in the hopes that the repair is covered. If its not, the customer is out the hundreds in tear-down PLUS the actual repair. This does happen! Common Myths About Extended Service Plans: Extended warranties cover maintenance services and brake work. No. Extended warranty plans do not cover maintenance or wearable items. Brake pads and rotors are wearable parts. Maintenance such as coolant, brake and transmission flushes, tune-ups, services, oil changes, bulbs, wipers, and more are not covered. They told me its bumper-to-bumper, so it covers everything, right? Wrong. Not even a factory warranty covers everything. When pitching the sale for the extended warranty, one is very often lead to believe that he or she will have nothing to worry about. This is just not true on so many levels. For example, if your bumper falls off its not covered. I dont have to pay anything, right? Wrong. Despite the claims of 100% coverage, there are many factors involved. The labor rates, labor hours, diagnostic times, parts prices, and machine work are just a few items that often conflict with a service centers policies. Some extended contracts only pay a maximum of $55 per hour, and only allow one half hour for diagnostic time. This is generally unacceptable to the service center, as labor rates have skyrocketed to over $100 per hour at many dealerships, and average $75 at local shops. Moreover, with the complexity of todays vehicles, diagnostic time is at a premium. The customer pays the difference. If I have an expensive problem, I can just purchase an extended service contract. Its unethical, but its an option many attempt. However, most service contracts have a minimum time requirement before the first claim can be filed: usually three months. Also, many contracts require that your vehicle be inspected by a service center to check for pre-existing conditionsjust like life insurance. My contract lasts up to 100,000 miles. Only if the time limit doesnt run out first. All extended warranty plans have a time limit. For example, a typical contract will state that the vehicle is covered for two years or 100,000 miles, which ever comes first. During the sales pitch, however, the emphasis will be on the 100,000 miles, not the time. If my car breaks, it gets fixed like new. Actually, depending on the contract, an extended warranty company can insist on installing remanufactured or even used parts. Items commonly not covered by extended warranties: * Any component with a pre-existing condition * Any component related to a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) * Many components that has been updated by the manufacturer * Extra components necessary due to manufacturer updates to complete the repair * Trim pieces: molding, cup holders, dashboard, console, body parts, glass * Many accessories: radios, DVD players, TVs * Many expensive electronics: climate control units, navigation assemblies Extended service contract positives: Some service contracts are transferable, and may thus increase the resale value of a vehicle. Many come with trip interruption reimbursement, towing and 24-hour road side. Some plans can also be financed, or have E-Z Pay Plans. Others offer a money-back guarantee. What should you do? Youll get lots of advice about doing the research, comparing plans, and reading the fine print. This is all sound advice. But what about doing the math? Lets say a plan costs $2500 for 2 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. To break even youll need a minimum of $1250 per year in covered repairs, excluding regular maintenance. Remember covered is the vital word here. Another way to break it down is to anticipate having to pay $104.17 per month over the next two years in covered repairs. Do you want to take that bet? What could happen? You could double your money or more in repair work. You could conceivably get a new engine and transmission (or used ones anyway). You could also easily spend $2500 for a service contract, and still have to pay another $2500 for repairs, which for a variety of reasons, were not covered under your plan. Now youre out $5000. Alternatively, you could keep the initial $2500. In many ways all an extended warranty does is prepay for repairs. You could stick the money in the bank and collect interest. Then you could withdraw the money for repairs as needed. Another consideration thats rarely discussed is the cause of the problems. Many car repairs problems are the result of wear and tear, neglected maintenance, physical damage, or acts of Godsuch as flood damage. None of this is covered. The gamble only covers failed components. If the vehicle youre driving does cost $2500 to $4500 in repairs due to outright failed components, is it a vehicle you even want to consider keeping? A vehicle that needs this kind of repair work due to mechanical, electrical, or computer failures may not be worth it. The $2500-$4500 would be better spent on an upgrade to a quality vehicle rather than insuring a lemon. Theres no question that auto repair is expensive, and even quality cars break from time to time. But do they breakdown to the tune of $2500-$4500? Thats a hefty bet on a possibility. Terence OHara from the Washington Post makes an excellent assessment about extended warranties in general. He writes: extended warranties play upon a basic human trait to avoid loss, even if it means sacrificing a possible future gainthe gain is all the other things of value that a consumer could buy with the money that was spent on a warranty Whats the best plan? Money in your bank account! -Theodore P. Olson (Ted) Making Sense of Car Repair Prices Ted holds extensive certifications from Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, GM, and ASE. Over a twenty-year period in the automotive service industry, he has served as a technician, shop foreman, shop manager, shop owner, service advisor, service manager, and service industry consultant. He is the author of eight books and numerous articles on the automotive service industry. Other Works by Ted Olson Include: * ARREST the Automotive Service Industry! * Maintenance Myths: A Step-by-Step Guide to STOP Getting Ripped Off! * Auto Repair: The Shocking Truth About Who's Ripping You Off and Why! * Automotive Service Pricing Strategiesa fair pricing guide for service centers * Being the Besta comprehensive customer service handbook for service advisors * Service Center Personnelan auto repair informational for general service staff * Service Mission Statementa philosophical proposal to improve customer service Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Theodore_Olson Theodore Olson - EzineArticles Expert Author

Monday, April 23, 2007

Car Insurance Online

The enormous advantages that the Internet has to offer have prompted car insurance companies to advertise their policies online. Initially, car insurance was available only through a car insurance agent. The process was tedious and time consuming and required immense paperwork and assessments. This factor alone has made a large number of people opt for online car insurance. Car insurance companies now offer online services that have made it very easy for clients to acquire information they may need. Car insurance quotes and auto insurance claims can be obtained or filed at any time of the day. Online car insurance helps provide interactive and spontaneous customer care, rather than wait on the phone line for long periods of time. Insurance companies are using this medium to sell car insurance directly. Opening online accounts with car insurance companies is also proving to be beneficial. In case clients misplace an insurance card it is possible to simply acquire a printout of the original copy. Car insurance online accounts with existing insurance providers puts an end to storing piles of insurance paperwork. Online car insurance even allows people to receive updates and file claims whenever needed. Car insurance online sites have gone a step further by making the online experience easy and user friendly. Car insurance terminology and verbiage may be difficult to understand. Most car insurance online services are aiming at providing simple and understandable information. Online car insurance allows customers to learn about various types of auto insurance coverage, limits and deductibles. Certain states even allow people to purchase a car insurance policy online. These methods are considered to be safe since most Web sites use secure connections. This prevents outsiders from attaining personal information about a prospective client. However, it is important to realize that car insurance online is at times only a part of the entire process. Car insurance online often complements and eases the car insurance procedure. Car Insurance provides detailed information on Car Insurance, Car Insurance Quote, Car Insurance Policies, Car Insurance Company and more. Car Insurance is affiliated with Top Auto Insurance Companies. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Seth_Miller

Auto Owners Insurance - Do You Really Need It?

If you think you dont have any need for auto owners insurance, just consider the answer to this question. How would you manage to pay the medical bills of someone who gets hurt in an accident when you are at fault? If you do not have an unending supply of money, then you definitely need auto owners insurance. While getting auto owners insurance does add to your annual expenses, you can pay out the cost of the premiums through a monthly payment plan. When you get a quote for auto insurance, you need to ask if the company has this option for payment. Then its just a matter of budgeting this payment with your regular monthly bills. The initial quote you get for the auto insurance does not include the cost of financing through monthly payments. Most companies dealing with auto owners insurance have several plans designed to meet your needs. For example, you can pay the amount of the auto insurance in two equal payments, pay a percentage down and have the rest divided into six or eight monthly payments or pay it out over a twelve month period. There are so many companies that will give you a free quote, auto insurance is easy to find. The rate you pay depends on certain factors, Your age is important in getting a good rate for auto owners insurance, but if you are a new driver or are under the age of 25, then you will have to pay more because you are seen as a higher risk of having an accident. If you have an accident then the insurance company pays the costs of the repairs and any medical expenses that might be involved. Each auto owners insurance policy also has a deductible. This is the amount that you have to pay before the insurance company pays out any money. The lower the amount of the deductible, the higher the quote for auto insurance that each one will give you. Choosing a high deductible is one way of lowering you auto insurance premiums. If you are one of these people with a high accident rate, then you should expect to receive a high quote. Auto insurance companies may even refuse to issue a policy for you because they see the possibility of having to pay out more than they collect in premiums. Auto owners insurance companies make money when you pay the premiums and never collect. It does give you peace of mind though, knowing that you have the protection and coverage you need. Everyone has accidents at some time or another and you need to have the insurance to back you up. So sorry about the bad news, but you normally do need auto owners insurance. For a website all about Car Insurance visit Peter's Website Car Insurance Answers and find out about Budget Car Insurance as well as Auto Insurance Company and more, including UK Car Insurance, online Car Insurance and Car Insurance Quotes. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Crump

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Car Insurance: Mini Bike Shocks Ahead

Car insurance takes a significant portion out of a lot of peoples incomes, but for younger drivers it can be beyond reach on a low income. Under normal circumstances a new driving licence is a clean one, with penalty points for motoring offences not making an appearance until after at least a little time on the road. These two facts make motorcycle ownership a much more attractive proposition for impecunious young people. There is however a noteworthy exception to this. It is only relatively recently that mini motorbikes have made an appearance, and their use has been taken up avidly by juveniles, but already legislation has had to be amended to deal with their illegal use. This is resulting in the motorbikes being confiscated and in some cases crushed; and their owners being prosecuted. There would appear to be little point in prosecuting a juvenile as a result of a motoring offence, but the authorities have decided to use the law to enable them to deal with offenders in a fairly unique way. Even though the offenders are usually children, who are several years from being old enough to hold a driving licence, they are hit with penalty points. These are placed on record, and when a first licence is applied for the penalty is applied and the licence endorsed. The offences being committed which give rise to these penalties are usually based on laws relating to vehicle use. It is illegal to use any vehicle unless the driver has a licence and the vehicle is taxed and insured; if these requirements are not met then use is only permitted on private land and is subject to the land owner giving permission. The problem is that the majority of mini motorbikes are used on public land, pavements and roads, and it is doubtful if the (usually) youthful riders are aware that any offence is being committed. It is however even more doubtful if the riders have contributed to the cost of the motorbike in any way. So the machines have mostly been bought by parents who should be aware of the law and should show a greater sense of responsibility. A number of accidents have already occurred when riders have collided with pedestrians, road users and miscellaneous obstructions. Make no mistake these machines may be small, but modern engine design has ensured that they are capable of speeds which are out of all proportion to their size. Both riders and their victims have ended up in hospital, and in some cases in intensive care as a result of their injuries. Bad enough if the damage ended there, with an injured child or pedestrian, distraught parents and a costly motorbike confiscated and crushed, but the delayed effect can also be traumatic. It is likely that all parties to the accident will have forgotten about the other penalty until the young person applies for their first licence on reaching qualifying age. If the licence is granted it will carry the record of the forgotten penalty points. O.K. so wheres the problem, you may ask. A licence was wanted and has been issued. The problem lies in the next requirement which is insurance. Every company approached for a quotation will ask about the drivers record, and when they learn that the licence has penalty points on it their interest will fade rapidly. There will be an instant and fairly savage mark up in the premiums to be paid. This is likely to vary according to the severity of the offence, from a relatively mild but still pricey cost increase for minor offences to swingeing increases for more serious offences such as dangerous driving. Any mention of a drink driving offence will make insurance almost impossible to obtain due to the prohibitive cost, assuming that cover is not refused outright. An insurance company spokeswoman has given some examples of actual costs. A youthful male Fiesta driver with a penalty free licence is quoted as facing comprehensive insurance payments of around 37 per week, but the same lad with a dangerous driving conviction has to find almost 48 per week. This is a 29% increase and is a considerable sum to pay out every week. Note that whilst a young female driver in the same position would pay the same 29% increase for a dangerous driving conviction, the relevant figures in her case would be under 24 per week on a clean licence or over 30 per week with the conviction. This is because of the higher accident risk for young males. So generous parents need to consider carefully. They could be doing their offspring no favours in the long term by splashing out on a mini motorbike for them before they obtain a licence and can then ride legally. Car Insurance Rover are a specialist website that offers uk residents online car insurance. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Challiner

Auto Insurance - Which One?

Auto insurance is often a sticky subject. Everyone feels like theyre paying too much to insure their car, and wants to know how to get their premiums down. Its an industry that really lacks an effective way to make price comparisons, leading many people to switch every few years the way they do with credit cards or phone providers. When you understand the factors that go into deciding the price you pay for auto insurance, however, you should find it much easier to read the market and use it to your advantage. This article should give you a basic grounding, but whole books have been written on the subject its up to you how much you want to learn. The most basic thing you need to understand is that insurance companies dont decide premiums based on how much they like you, or how much they think you can afford. Insurance is based on one thing, and one thing alone: risk. Every time the insurance company has to pay out for an accident, they keep a record of the amount, and every other factor they can find the make, age and model of the car, the age and gender of the driver, where they live, how long they have had a license, and so on. There are hundreds of factors. From this, the insurance companies can build up what is called a risk profile. This allows them to work out the risk that they will have to pay out to any given person, and how much they would be likely to have to pay, based entirely on past experience. This is why a newly-qualified male driver in his twenties driving a sporty car has to pay so much to get insured the statistics show that this group is by far the most likely to have an accident. Once you understand this system, you can use it to your advantage. Obviously you cant change who you are, but you can change your car. The make, model and age of your car are three quite important factors in your risk profile, and theyre all open to you to change. It is not difficult to use online insurance quotation tools to find out which cars are pricey in insurance terms, and which ones are cheaper, and use this to help you make buying decisions. John Gibb is the owner of auto insurance guidance , For more information on auto insurance please check out http://www.auto-insurance-sources4u3k.info Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gibb

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Car Insurance: Legal Expenses Cover Make It an Essential

Sometimes its just not enough to be insured, as Simon, our accountant, found out recently. He loves his car, a BMW 7 Series with metallic silver paint, and thinks of it as one of the family. So he made sure when arranging his insurance that he had every angle covered, and he chose to get the optional extra of legal expenses cover. This optional extra doesnt add much to the premiums, but it can make a real difference in the event of an accident or claim. Even comprehensive insurance doesnt cover everything. So when Simons car was hit in the back at the traffic lights a few months ago, he made the most of the extra capabilities that the legal cover gave him. For example, Simon works as a self-employed accountant. If hes not working then he doesnt get paid. The BMWs repairs were all covered by his comprehensive insurance and the paintwork would soon be restored to its former glory, but what about Simon and the fact that his wrist was broken in the accident? Thanks to the legal cover, the processes of compensation for Simon were soon underway, and all at no extra cost. For just 2 a month extra on his premiums, Simons legal advisers organised a compensation payout for his broken wrist. Simon was also unable to go back to work for a month so he would not be receiving any pay. Again, the legal cover stepped in and as we speak, negotiations are in the final stages to ensure that he receives compensation for his loss of earnings. The whole point of this type of cover is that if you were not at fault in the accident, you can receive compensation for various issues that will inconvenience you. In Simons case, this was loss of earnings and personal injury. For others, it may be that they can use the cover to rent a car while their car is being fixed at the garage. Not all peoples car insurance provides provisions for a hire car. With legal expenses cover, you dont have to suffer such high levels of inconvenience, and youre not out of pocket. As with any type of insurance, you dont appreciate it until you actually have to make a claim. Having legal expenses cover makes it all so easy, as all you need to do is complete the claim form then sit back and wait for the insurer to send you the settlement cheque when the matter has been negotiated. You may need to talk to the solicitor assigned to your case, but your involvement will be minimal. If the case has to go to court, you may not necessarily have to attend. The process will run very smoothly and you can be sure that your insurer will do everything they can to get a satisfactory outcome. When you buy your car insurance next time, look out to see if its included automatically, or if you need to get it as an extra. Because most of the insurance policies sold on the Internet are focusing on being cheap, they often wont include legal expenses cover in the initial quote, as it would affect the premium. So be sure to select it as an extra when you get the opportunity. Prices vary for this type of cover from insurer to insurer. They range from 17.85 per year with More Than to 24 per year with Budget so its not going to break the bank. Not many insurers include it for free, but Admiral is one of the companies that does. So dont forget to get legal expense cover when the time comes. Disputes can be long and complicated and payouts can add up to millions of pounds, in which case you will really benefit from making this simple and cheap choice. Brokers Online are a specialist fince website offering access to uk life insurance and car insurance Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Challiner

Auto Coverage In Alabama

If you live in Alabama and want to know what insurance you need read on. By speaking with car insurance agents online you will also be able to get car insurance estimates. Having the right coverage and getting it for the right price are important. Bodily injury liability is required by law in Alabama. It provides coverage for damages to a person covered by the policy to pay for bodily injuries to other people involved in the accident when you are responsible. If you injure someone in an auto accident the liability can add up very quickly sometimes totaling into the hundreds of thousand of dollars. So you need to make sure you have adequate bodily injury liability coverage to protect yourself and your financial interests. Always purchase the highest amount you can afford. The more assets you have and the better off you are financially the more coverage you will need. Property damage liability is also required by law in Alabama. This coverage protects the policy holder from damage caused to property when you are at fault. Property includes vehicles, houses, lamp posts and any other non human item. Here again you should purchase as much as you can afford. Remember some of these new cars are worth a lot of money and if you dont have adequate insurance to replace the vehicle then the other party will come after your personal assets. Uninsured motorist bodily injury is not required by law, but the law does require your rejection of coverage in writing. Since you have to buy insurance to protect yourself from financial loss for others you might as well buy some coverage to protect yourself too. Uninsured motorist bodily injury protects you if the other driver is in the wrong and does not carry adequate liability insurance. Its a good policy to have. Medical payments are not required by Alabama law. This coverage protects against medical expenses incurred as a result of an accident. Costs such as ambulance, x-ray, hospital visits are all covered. Whether you require this will depend on what type of medical insurance coverage you have. If your coverage has limitations you will want to carry medical payments coverage. If your existing medical insurance has unlimited coverage you may not require this coverage. The only problem is that medical payments also covers passengers in your vehicle and if they dont have adequate medical coverage you could be held liable for expenses and without medical payments coverage it could put you in the poor house. Collision coverage is not required by law in Alabama. This is the coverage that helps pay for damage to an insured auto as a result of an accident even if you are in the wrong. The premiums can be reduced by choosing a higher deductible. This is the portion you are willing to pay before the insurance company starts to pay. Never choose a deductible that is higher than you can afford because the insurance company is not going to pay their portion until you come up with yours. Comprehensive coverage is not required by law in Alabama. This coverage protects against damage to your vehicle that is not a result of an accident. For example, hail, theft, vandalism, or falling objects. Again you can reduce your premium by choosing a higher deductible. There are also additional coverage you can purchase if needed. For example coverage for your stereo system, or loss of vehicle coverage. If you require any of these coverages check with an agent. It is very important that you make certain you have adequate coverage. An accident occurs in just a split second and no matter how good of a driver you are you just never know when you might be involved in an accident. You certainly dont want to risk the financial well being of yourself and your family by buying insurance carelessly. So take you time and make sure you understand the coverage you have purchased. Make sure you have adequate coverage for the laws of Alabama. Sher from The Auto Insurance Center has been serving customers for over 20 years. To find out how to save on your auto insurance Please visit us at http://www.all-auto-insurance.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sher_Matsen

Friday, April 20, 2007

Car Insurance: Involved in an Accident with an Uninsured Driver?

Uninsured drivers are ten times more likely to drink and drive and three times more likely to be convicted of driving without due care and attention. They also cause one accident every six months. In fact one in twenty motorists regularly drive without insurance. It's therefore not perhaps surprising that, one in ten of all motorists have been involved in accidents with uninsured drivers. The question is what to do if you're involved in an accident with one? At the time of the accident you're unlikely to realise that the other driver is uninsured so you'll have to react in the normal way. Take a note of the other car's make, model and registration number. Also note the other driver's name and address but whether he'll give you his correct details is perhaps unlikely! Nevertheless, always record what the other driver says. Unless you have this information you'll have no leg to stand on when it comes to getting some of your money back. Also take notes about the damage to the other car and the accident scene. Remember to note road markings, road signs, light and weather conditions and whether the other car had its lights on in fact as much detail as possible. Then if you're lucky enough to have an independent witness get their full contact details. And if you happen to have a camera in the car, take lots of pictures - and try and get one with the other driver clearly in the picture. The police might like that one! If your policy is comprehensive, your insurer pay for your car to be repaired but you could lose your no claims discount unless you've paid to protect it. But then there's the issue of your excess payment that's the first part of the repair cost you have to pay for. You'll have to pay that unless you're lucky enough to have a policy that waives the excess payment if you're hit by an uninsured driver. For those of you with third party car insurance, you're in for a hard time. Your insurer won't pay for your repairs and, as the other driver is uninsured, you're not going to get any money off him unless you can trace him and succeed in a court action. Even then there's no guarantee that he'll pay up! Your only guaranteed solution is to make a compensation claim to the Motor Insurers' Bureau - but you'll still have to pay the first 300 of the claim. The Motor Insurers' Bureau insists that have the other drivers' car registration number and you must first report the accident to the police. Always ask the police for a copy of their accident report as the Bureau's likely to ask to see it. The Bureau's telephone number is 01908 671681 or you can e-mail them on enquiries@mib.org.uk. At the moment The UK' Law is being amended to crackdown on uninsured drivers. Not before time. Anyone keeping, not just driving, an uninsured vehicle now faces a fixed 100 fine and can also have their car seized and crushed. Currently the average fine for driving without insurance is just 170 and that's hardly a punishment when car insurance costs many times more. Losing the car plus a fine of 100 is much more realistic. Let's hope that the courts fully implement the crushing sanction! A police spokesman said recently, Uninsured drivers are often guilty of many other driving related offences, such as having no driving licence or MOT certificate. We're doing everything in our power to get these dangerous and illegal drivers off our roads. We say, go to it blues and two's! Michael Challiner is the exclusive finance editor writing for Brokers Online who offer their clients online access to the best car insurance and cheap life insurance Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Challiner

Agents Recommend Using Local Car Insurance Agents

Are you looking for a good insurance for your vehicle to buy right now? If you are, then you might be included in the thousands of vehicle shoppers in the market who try their luck at finding the best car insurance coverage for them to buy through the Internet. However, car insurance agents do believe that this might not be the best thing. In fact, these agents highly recommend that vehicle shoppers better ask for assistance from local car insurance agents instead of the Internet. Phillip Sanouvong is an owner of a website which offers vehicle information. Sanouvong explains, Many people think its great to quickly click around and buy their policy on the Internet. But when they have a car accident, they are annoyed by all the 1-800 numbers, poor customer service, and the absence of a personal advocate on their side. This may be exactly true. In fact, you may still continue buying your replacement Mercury car parts through the internet but you better leave purchasing a car insurance policy to the good hands of local car insurance agents. According to these insurance agents, you do get lots of advantages if you deal directly with a local car insurance agent if you are going to buy car insurance for your trusty vehicle. You see, because you deal with the agent face to face, you are able to ask and point out gray areas so you can understand the whole deal better. Plus, with an insurance agent, you do not have to go through everything before you can explain your current situation. Since the insurance agent does already know about your history when it comes to your car and your car insurance policy, they can easily and quickly explain to you whatever may be bothering your mind. Aside from these, you can also ask the assistance of these local car insurance agents come the time when there are changes to your vehicle or to who now holds the position as the primary driver of the vehicle. These local car insurance agents also offer, most of the time, discounts and other offers that would let you save much. Auto Parts Information Mercury car parts Terry Brown is a 32 year old from Houston Texas, and an enthusiast for anything auto-related. He currently writes auto-related articles for several publications. ### Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Brown

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Car Insurance For Your Teen Driver That Combines Savings And Safety

When you're shopping for car insurance for your teenage driver, keep in mind the type of car he or she drives can affect how much you pay. Even more importantly, you want to make sure your teen is driving a car that provides extra safety to compensate for their lack of experience. Here are some things to consider. Stay away from a sporty, high performance vehicle. Car insurance companies will most likely charge a higher rate for sports cars. What's more, this kind of car can encourage your child to drive recklessly and increase the chance that they'll get into an accident. Get a car with safety features. Front and side-impact air bags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and good crash test performance in a vehicle will provide extra protection for your teen. These features also tend to save you some money on your auto insurance premium. Older may be cheaper but not always safer. You'll probably get a lower rate if your teen is the primary driver on an older vehicle. Depending upon how old the car is though, it may not have the safety features to help keep your child safer. A larger car is usually safer than a smaller vehicle. This may or may not make a difference on how much your auto insurance costs, but a larger vehicle will give you peace of mind while your child is driving. However, an SUV is considered to be a more dangerous vehicle for teens -- even though SUVs tend to be big. That's because they are easier to roll. Once you've determined the car your teen will be driving, shop around for comparison car insurance quotes. Rates and discounts can vary between companies, so it's good to get at least three different quotes for the same coverages. Scott Lunt is a freelance writer with over 15 years experience writing insurance-related articles. You can compare car insurance quotes for teen drivers and find more tips on saving on car, home, life, health and long-term care insurance at LowerYourInsurance.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Lunt

Affordable Life Insurance Rate - Learn How To Get The Low Rates And Coverage That You Need

Affordable Life Insurance Rate - Learn How To Get The Low Rates And Coverage That You Need Life insurance policy rates are determined by insurance company actuaries. They use mortality tables and other statistical information to determine the actual rates. The insurance shopper is usually oblivious to life insurance rating procedures but there are a lot of factors that you can evaluate before making a purchase. The purchase of life insurance has to have some planning in order for it to become effective and meaningful. There is a lot of life insurance purchased that eventually lapses because the need was not clearly defined from the beginning. This can cause repeat purchases and the lost advantage of keeping a policy in force. Permanent life insurance accumulates a cash value over the years and so it is particularly harmful at times to cash surrender your policy and start over again. Things to Consider 1. What is the Purpose? This question is the most important question that you will ever answer before you purchase life insurance. You need to be very clear on the purpose of the life insurance or you will allow the policy to lapse when your budget needs relief. There are multiple needs for life insurance and so it is important to do some kind of needs analysis so that you are satisfied with the amount of life insurance and the type of life insurance that you purchase. 2. What kind of Life Insurance? Once you have determined your needs then it is a good idea to budget a certain amount of money for life insurance. This is important because it will help determine how much permanent or term life insurance to purchase. 3. What Kind of Service? There are some people that want to purchase life insurance from an insurance agent because they want the agent to service the policy and keep them informed about future needs. There are an increasing number of people who do not want an agent and prefer to do business over the internet or by telephone. Recommended Source for Life Insurance Quotes http://www.ezquoteguide.com/ Car Insurance http://www.ezquoteguide.com/car/ Home Insurance http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Car Insurance Company Ratings - Where To Find The Best Insurance Deals

The nature of a car insurance company is such that you might not discover their true stripes until you need to call on them in a crisis, but car insurance company ratings are an extremely useful way to find an insurance carrier that wont let you down when worst comes to worst. We might hope that we never need to call upon the insurance weve taken out, but its still not a service we can do with out, and finding reliable and unbiased car insurance company ratings can be our first step in locating an insurance provider that will be everything we need it to be if that dreaded accident ever occurs. Theres little doubt that it can be difficult to find insurance company ratings that are fair and balanced. Of course the company themselves are unlikely to show you their less than positive side they will point you in the direction of glowing testimonials, but are a little more behind the door in admitting their shortcomings. And there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when choosing a car insurance company. Price is important, of course, but so are customer service, and the ease with which you can make a claim in the event of an accident. Finding an insurance company that offers all of these can be a daunting affair thats why its so great that someone has registered our needs and come up with automobile insurance ratings that we can trust. One of car insurance company ratings is offered in a companys reputation, and carriers such as Allstate, Nationwide, and State Farm, well-known companies that have managed to hold onto some clients for years, are a fairly reliable bet. Thats not to say, however that smaller, less well-known companies dont offer a great service, so for an inside look on how the big companies are really rated, and to find details of those you might not have heard of, check out J.D. Power and Associates. J.D. Power and Associates rates insurance companies in terms of the variety of coverage they offer, rates, claims processes, and customer service, helping you compare insurance companies in all these important categories. Other services that have grown up in recent years are Amica and Erie, who have posted the best rankings with J.D. Power. These companies have secured rave reviews for finding ways to cover claims. Another extremely useful source for car insurance companies ratings is A.M. Best and Standard and Poor's who offer insights into an insurer's financial strength by displaying ratings that determine an insurance company's ability to pay claims. Thankfully there are great resources available to help us find the car insurance companies ratings we need to help us make the best decision for ourselves and our families. Before you sign on the dotted line, you want to know which insurance provider is the best for you, so be sure to check these resources out before you put pen to paper. To find out more about Cheap Car Insurance visit Peter's Website Good Cheap Car Insurance at http://www.goodcheapcarinsurance.com/ and find out about Car Insurance Discounts and more about cheap car insurance. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Crump

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Car Insurance Companies: A Few Top Quote Comparison Sites

Pinpointing the best car insurance companies for your situation can be a difficult task. As is the case with most popular topics, it is increasingly difficult to wade through the dozens of spam "quote comparing" websites to find the best company for you. After spending considerable time scouring through the sites, I am glad to tell you the best three resources for reliable car insurance companies quotes. Keep in mind this is just my personal opinion, but I'm sure others will agree. 1. Progressive.com Progressive provides a service to show you how their rates compare with others. I have seen more advertising for Progressive than all other car insurance companies. I eventually decided to check out their instant service. Although other people have found their site helpful, it was not working when I attempted and all I got were their quotes. With that being said, it was still a simple form I was able to complete in no time. 2. Insure.com Insure is a very popular place that provides rates for all sorts of insurance. They also have areas for life, businss, travel, etc. One thing I always check out is whether they recognize my zip code. My zip code was created about 4 years ago, so it is quite surprising how many sites still say it is non-existant. Sadly, Insure was a site like this. Although it really turns me off when they fail to have my zip code, this is still a site you ought to use when shopping for car insurance. 3. CarInsurance.com This final site I found has the cleanest look. And guess what. They found my new North Carolina zip code! You should keep in mind that that apparently they conduct these car insurance companies comparisons themselves. After the first screen I was taken to a screen to choose from other companies serving my area. I chose NetQuote.com to conduct my research. Keep in mind that these sites comparing car insurance companies have their own agenda to make money ahead of their desire to save you money. So you should shop around even among the above and other sites to receive the best deal. I know you will benefit from these quote comparison sites to find the best car insurance companies for your family. Please pass along any other great sites you've found. This topic isn't only for "experts," you know! You can add your own helpful article at the site located in the section below. There's definitely at least a dozen other sites for knowledgable car insurance companies facts which would benefit others as well. Tom Garimentis would like to encourage you to always keep educating yourself. Visit unique articles to learn more about how you can share your own car insurance companies knowledge. Publishers, visit car insurance companies website content for a distinct version of this content.

Affordable Car Insurance Rate New and Old Cars

With the various different kinds of insurance today health insurance, life insurance, home owner insurance is it any wonder that when it comes to car insurance we want to get a cheap car insurance rate? No. The good news is there are ways for you to get an affordable car insurance rate, whether you are in the market for a new car or are looking for car insurance for the car you already own. If youre in the market for a new car, there are a few things you should take into consideration before you seal the deal. Car insurance companies are more likely to give affordable car insurance rates for vehicles that are both low profile and safe. It always helps to live in an area that is considered low crime, but most of us arent going to pack up and move simply to get an affordable car insurance rate. So, when you browse the car lot, look for cars that have many safety features, are sturdy enough to avoid expensive repairs, and arent likely to be stolen or burglarized. You may want to do some research about the particular cars you are interested in before you visit the dealership. If you already own a car, there are still some tips for getting an affordable car insurance rate. You can make some safety changes to your car, as well as add anti-theft components. You can also take a look at your driving style. Have you been in several automobile accidents? Do you tend to get traffic citations pretty regularly? If so, you will need to start driving more cautiously in order to eliminate car accidents and citations, thus getting an affordable car insurance rate, as well as saving money and lives. Whether you plan to purchase a car next week, or you have had your car for several years, there are ways to get a cheap car insurance rate. Visit our recommended company to learn more about the following: Cheap Auto Insurance Home Owners Insurance Company Auto Insurance Companies Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry

Monday, April 16, 2007

Car Insurance Claims Horror Stories

The nightmare of contributory negligence... Is this the way YOUR state does things? We had a young lady insured in our agency. She was driving to work one day, waiting to make a left-hand turn, with her turn-signals on, etc... As approaching traffic cleared, she began her turn... just as the bonehead behind her was passing on her left! There was a grinding collision...! Obviously, it was the passing driver's fault, and we had our insured file a claim against that driver's car insurance. That is when we found out the other driver was uninsured. No problem, we thought. The other driver was speeding, driving without a license, driving without car insurance, passing at an intersection... Clearly at fault... This is exactly why we carry "Uninsured Motorist" coverage... to pay for our damages and injuries if we are struck by an at-fault uninsured driver. So our insured filed a claim under her own policy's UM coverage. Simple solution... But the company denied the claim! The reason? CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE. This legal doctrine, as it applies to car insurance, simply says that if you are found to have contributed to the loss to any degree, you cannot collect from the other party!!! How did she contribute? The car insurance company said she should have checked her rear-view mirror to see if a speeding, unlicensed, illegally passing bonehead was there before she started her turn..!!! Unbelievable... Another car insurance claim that went wrong... Under the "med pay" coverage of your car insurance policy, coverage is provided for injuries to anyone "occupying" a covered auto. If you look in the definitions of the policy, however, you see what they mean by occupying... You are "occupying" the car in you are in it... on it... getting into it... getting out of it... getting onto it... or getting off of it! This can lead to some very interesting claims... The most bizarre med pay claim I ever saw went like this: There was a girl and a guy out on a date. After the movie and dinner, they found themselves with too much time and privacy on their hands, one thing led to another, and the girl found herself pregnant. The family did not anticipate their teenage daughter getting pregnant, and had no maternity coverage on their health insurance. So they filed a claim and under the boy's father's car insurance policy's "med pay" coverage! After all, they said... it was an "injury sustained while occupying a covered auto"! They received full maternity coverage for pre-natal care and delivery! And we wonder why our car insurance premiums are so high... Doug Haley is a 20+ year veteran of the insurance industry, currently working in pre-licensing education in Tennessee. He is the author of "Secrets Your Insurance Agent Never Told You" Car Insurance Saver Blog at carinsurancesaver.blogspot.com Secrets Your Car Insurance Agent Never Told You at thecarinsuranceguru.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doug_Haley

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Car Insurance Because Precaution is Better than Cure

Car is considered as the most popular form of transport to cover considerable distances at your own convenience. It can save you from the hassle of standing in long queues at the bus stops, avoiding the task of waiting for taxis, a car has become a necessity rather than a luxury for us. But there are lots of risks that are attached to owing of car such as: Accidents: Accidents have become a common term for car owners in the past few years. Most of the times, the cause of the car accident is rash driving. Even if you are careful while driving, the carelessness of other car driver could lead to serious accidents. Engine breakdowns and technical faults: There could be engine breakdowns or technical faults which are common problems in cars these days. The change in temperature affects the working of a car engine, and at that time is essential to take your car to a professional mechanic and get it serviced. Car theft: Imagine you are coming back form a party late at night. You move towards parking to get your car. But, when you return from the party your car is not there, its stolen. These are common incidents and there rate is continuously increasing. These risks can lead to sudden unavoidable expenses which may affect your finances if not insured by car insurance . As a health insurancecovers your life against accidental injuries or illness, in the same way a car insurance plan covers your vehicle against the damages or loss which your car may come across. car insuranceis available through different plans as per the affordability of different types of consumer with lower premiums and flexible terms and conditions. So you dont have to worry much about the cost of the insurance plan. Various insurance providers have websites which offer you several free car insurance quotes to choose from. The goal of the online insurance providers is to serve the consumers with a variety of options. Also it eliminates the task of visiting the insurance companies for getting the quotes, saving your precious time. Points to remember while going for a car insurance plan Dont go for any plan in hurry, sit down and carefully read the terms and conditions of the plan and then apply for it if it suits your budget as well as requirement. Inform the insurance provider if you are involved in any accident along with requisite details. File the accident and notify your insurance provider for the same as soon as possible. You can get all your car insurance related queries by logging on the websites of insurance providers and placing your queries. Your queries will be answered by experienced professionals. Car insurance is the right way to end all you financial worries related to your car ensuring proper funding at the right time.

This is 5 Tips to Get Cheap Car Insurance

Getting a car insured today has become a matter that requires substantial research. For most people the main criterion of selecting or rejecting a car insurance company is price. Every body seems to be after cheap car insurance. But how does one quantify cheap? To accurately compare quotes, you need to make sure the insurers youre comparing are offering similar types and amounts of coverage, and also a similar deductible amount. Meanwhile, here are a few pointers on how to go about getting a car insurance that will be more affordable: Keeping all your eggs in the same basket may help you lower your car insurance costs. Some insurers give discounts if the applicant already has one or more insurances from the same company. For instance, if you already have homeowners insurance and another auto insurance plan from the company, chances are that you may have to pay less for insuring your new car. You can even ask them to give you a quote and compare it with that of other insurance companies. Keep your driving track record clean. Easier said than done, no doubt, but it really pays in the long run. If you have a couple of accidents to your credit, chances are that you may have to empty your pockets a little more to have your car insured. This is the auto insurers way of hedging the risk from your bad driving and safeguarding themselves from a possible claim in the near future. Increase your deductible amount. This is the amount that you agree to pay in the eventuality of a claim before the insurance company pays up. What this implies is that you are taking a risk of paying more if the need arises. But if you are a cautious driver and are confident that you are likely to be so in the future too, it will knock off a sizable chunk from your yearly payouts. Even the make of the car can determine how much you pay for the insurance of the car. Attractive and expensive cars are more theft prone and hence make the car insurance expensive. The inherent nature of the car and the likely profile of the user can also determine the insurance amount. Volvo, a symbol of safety, is likely to be driven responsibly but a Mustang is likely to be driven by a less cautious driver. Therefore if you are planning to buy a car in the near future, spare a thought on the insurance front too, since a low-profile car can have a lower insurance cost. Take precautions to theft proof your car. This can affect your risk profile immensely, apart from giving you a general peace of mind. Cars equipped with anti-lock brakes, air bags and automatic seatbelts are also eligible for insurance discounts. Remember not to just go after the cheapest quote you get in the market. Do your homework, compare quotes and reimbursement track records of several insurance providers before you finalize your car insurance company. Jon Atkinson recommends that you visit http://www.cheap-autoinsurance.com/ for more information on cheap car insurance. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Atkinson

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Car Quotes

Car Quotes Buying a car is a very important undertaking. Second to a home, it is usually the second most expensive piece one buys. When buying a car, there are so many things to consider such as the cost, interests on loans, maintenance, insurance, and so on. In the past, it was a much harder task because looking for the best deal was much more complicated. It often meant going to and fro to different car shops and negotiating with different car dealers. Now, buying a car is so much simpler because asking for a car quote online is just a click away. There are sites directly selling new and second-hand cars, car parts, car insurance and car lease. You just have to choose which model you want and the price quotation will appear or will be sent to you. In applying for a car insurance quote, you just have to answer some questions and your quotation will be emailed straight away. Other sites offer free referral services to several dealers offering different discounts and prices. These companies are connected to numerous other sites with different quotations. It can be trusted that they have reviewed these sites, have previously worked with them, have used them, and have received good feedback from various visitors using them. With the availability of online car quotes, buying a car is now so much less of a hassle. You do not need to hustle to different car shops and dealers. Whats more, you do not have to deal with pressure sales as you parley with the dealers. You can review different car sale sites on your own or ask assistance from an established referral service. A few minutes of inquiries can shave off hundreds to thousands off your purchase. With car quotes from different companies, you will definitely find the best deal to satisfy your automobile needs. Car Quotes provides detailed information on Car Quotes, Car Insurance Quotes, Used Car Quotes, New Car Quotes and more. Car Quotes is affiliated with Car Lease vs Buy. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damian_Sofsian

Car Insurance: Types of Insurance You Need to Understand

America has become a culture of cars, SUVs, minivans and sports coupes. With all this traveling in and out, back and forth around the maze that is the United States infrastructure, its easy to understand why auto insurance is required in order to own an operate a car. For car buyers, an effort needs to be made on the part of insurance companies to provide information on the different types of auto insurance available. These include bodily injury and liability, collision, comprehensive, full glace, liability, medical coverage, personal injury protection, and underinsured or uninsured motorist. Liability insurance coverage is imperative to have as a driver. This insurance covers any injuries or damages to property that may occur during an accident. Two types of liability include bodily injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance. Medical insurance is different in that it focuses on the driver and passengers of the car. This will cover any medical treatment for the driver and the passengers. In addition, the medical insurance may or may not offer disability insurance and pain and suffering compensation. Uninsured or under-insured drivers insurance will pay any costs that you or your passengers may experience if an accident should occur with a driver who is uninsured or underinsured. Collision insurance deals with the cost of damage caused by a collision to your car that may affect the book value. Comprehensive deals more with damage caused by vandalism, natural disasters, theft or other kinds of damage. There are several other types of car insurance. These include glass replacement insurance, towing insurance etc. These types of insurance are often not required and are not popular as they are often costly. Now that you know what types of car insurance are out there, the next step is to find a credible insurance agent. The first place to investigate this is through family and friends. Referrals will help you sort those agents that you want to investigate further. You will want to speak with several different agents before you make your final decisions. Ask any and all questions you may have. That is what the agent is there for. Sara Chambers is a marketing consultant and an internet content manager for http://www.carinsuranceblog.com.

Car Insurance: Types of Insurance You Need to Understand

America has become a culture of cars, SUVs, minivans and sports coupes. With all this traveling in and out, back and forth around the maze that is the United States infrastructure, its easy to understand why auto insurance is required in order to own an operate a car. For car buyers, an effort needs to be made on the part of insurance companies to provide information on the different types of auto insurance available. These include bodily injury and liability, collision, comprehensive, full glace, liability, medical coverage, personal injury protection, and underinsured or uninsured motorist. Liability insurance coverage is imperative to have as a driver. This insurance covers any injuries or damages to property that may occur during an accident. Two types of liability include bodily injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance. Medical insurance is different in that it focuses on the driver and passengers of the car. This will cover any medical treatment for the driver and the passengers. In addition, the medical insurance may or may not offer disability insurance and pain and suffering compensation. Uninsured or under-insured drivers insurance will pay any costs that you or your passengers may experience if an accident should occur with a driver who is uninsured or underinsured. Collision insurance deals with the cost of damage caused by a collision to your car that may affect the book value. Comprehensive deals more with damage caused by vandalism, natural disasters, theft or other kinds of damage. There are several other types of car insurance. These include glass replacement insurance, towing insurance etc. These types of insurance are often not required and are not popular as they are often costly. Now that you know what types of car insurance are out there, the next step is to find a credible insurance agent. The first place to investigate this is through family and friends. Referrals will help you sort those agents that you want to investigate further. You will want to speak with several different agents before you make your final decisions. Ask any and all questions you may have. That is what the agent is there for. Sara Chambers is a marketing consultant and an internet content manager for http://www.carinsuranceblog.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_Chambers

Car Insurance Shopping: Why Some Companies May Give You A Better Rate

Car Insurance Shopping: Why Some Companies May Give You A Better Rate You may have heard it before, but shopping around for car insurance is one of the most important things to do to help you save money on insurance. That's because rates can vary from company to company for the same insurance. But why? Here are a few reasons. In general, almost all car insurance companies look at several factors when determining your premium including your age, the type of vehicle you drive, your driving record, the state or region you live in, your claim history and more. However, each company may actually price their car insurance based on other factors. Some car insurance companies have different claims experiences in different states. The company will use that claim experience to help project future risks of loss. That risk is one factor that will ultimately affect rate. If Company A has experienced higher losses in a state than Company B, Company A may charge more to offset any future claim costs. Companies may incorporate their costs of pricing, selling, underwriting and servicing policies as well as advertising and customer service costs into their rate structure. The costs of doing business vary from company to company and this can affect the rates they charge. However, depending upon how they allocate these costs, it could also mean one company provides better customer service than another. That's why it's important to consider a company's reputation as well as the premium when you are comparison shopping for car insurance. Competition can also affect rates, especially if companies are vying for a certain niche market such as people with bad driving records. So when you're ready to comparison shop for car insurance, make sure you're comparing the same coverages and features. That will help you see the differences between companies. And make sure you get at least three quotes from different companies. It may take a little time, but it will give you the information you need to get the right car insurance for your situation. Scott Lunt is a freelance writer with over 15 years experience writing insurance-related articles. You can compare car insurance quotes and find more tips on saving on car, home, life, health and long-term care insurance at LowerYourInsurance.com. The site also includes a handy worksheet to help you when shopping for car insurance. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Lunt

Car Insurance Shopping: Should You Buy Direct Or Through An Agent?

The Internet has really changed how people can shop for car insurance. You can quickly compare quotes between different companies from the comfort of your home or office. You can get a lot of information to help you make decisions without dealing with pushy salespeople. But when you actually buy your insurance, does it matter if you buy direct or work with an agent? There are basically four ways you can buy your insurance: 1. Directly through an Internet site. This way you make all of the decisions about your coverage on your own, pay your premium online and not speak with a representative or insurance professional. 2. Direct, through a telephone representative. Typically, you call a toll-free number for a single company, a representative takes your information, may provide you some options and you can pay over the phone or receive a bill. 3. Through a captive insurance agent. A captive agent works for one insurance company. They can provide you different options and may help find ways for you to save on your car insurance. 4. Through an independent agent. An independent agent represents several different insurance companies. They work hard to get the best value for their customers by researching several companies. Going direct through an Internet site or telephone rep may work for you if you are the type that likes to do all the research and want to minimize the people you talk to. The advantage of working with agents is that they want to develop a relationship to keep your business. Thus, they work hard to make sure you're satisfied. This includes trying to find your best rate on car insurance, answering your questions quickly and helping your claims go through quickly. Though they're getting paid commissions from the companies they represent, agents tend to be very protective of their customers. Whatever method you choose to buy your car insurance, just make sure to get at least three quotes while you're shopping. Scott Lunt is a freelance writer with over 15 years experience writing insurance-related articles. You can find more tips on saving on car, home, life, health and long-term care insurance at LowerYourInsurance.com You can also compare car insurance quotes in your area as well. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Lunt

Auto Insurance : 3 Top Points You Really Need To Think On How Much Auto Insurance ...

3 Top Points You Really Need To Think On How Much Auto Insurance ... Car insurance is really a evil as you need to have a very tricky mind to make decisions on how much insurance you pay. What is the limit I need to pay? Am I paying too much? It can be a big trouble for you. How can we protect ourselves from not paying too much? The best way is to be more liberal with the automobile policy limits wherever they count. In fact, I am going to explain step by step of the process of purchasing the suitable car insurance. Firstly, the liability coverage is the main portion of auto insurance that really comes into play when you get an accident. In many states, this coverage is the part of law policy. However, you may feel confused as the required limits are usually pretty low. You usually take higher risk paying higher policy limits. For example, in case you are living in a place where the minimum liability requirement is $55,000, which will be the amount that all the insurance will cover in a crash. It looks good but that means that if another person is in serious injured and the property damaged alot, the real costs can be alot more. You can find that the $55,000 is really not enough. Actually, you can protect yourself and your assets in a crash by increasing bodily injury coverage limit and liability insurance. Therefore, rather than taking the basic $55,000 limit, simply choose $200,000 per person and $400,000 per accident. fortunately, the cost difference of the insurance policy is similar as well as you can save alot more if you get an accident. Furthermore, the higher limit policy you choose can also give your lawyer leverage after an accident. More of the time, the other party can settle for the limit of the policy. You can then be kept out of the court. However, if you have the low coverage policy, then they may not tend to settle the case easily. They are likely to sue you instead directly which is that you do not that to happen. Hopefully I have given you a few things to think about. While having too much insurance is a waste of money, not having enough can lead to tragic events, which will have effects on the rest of your life. If you are wise you will protect yourself and your assets in the event of a crash by making sure a reasonable amount of coverage is provided. It is correct that you might pay a few more bucks a month for a higher limit policy and you might not have chance to use it but it means a lot difference if you get a big crash. It will wise in long run. Rashme Wong is a successful Internet Marketer and publisher of Top Auto Insurance Providers. A website that specializes in providing auto insurance advice to include easy ways to get a better estimate from an discount auto insurance that you can search and learn from the comfort of your home. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rashme_Wong