Cheap Car Insurance

Insurance For Car Non-Owners

admin — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:41:06 +0000

In most cases insurance for cars goes with the vehicle and not the driver. The policy is written in the name of the car owner but the insurance applies to the car, for specified types of coverage of the driver and of the passengers, and of other people and property that might be involved in a claim for damages, whether for personal injury or for damage repairs.

The insurance policy is written to include specific drivers: usually the vehicle owner, principal driver and any family members.

So what if the driver were not specified on the policy? Perhaps a relative or friend borrowed the vehicle, either with your permission or without.

In the permissive situation the insurance coverage on the vehicle is considered first. If the driver has other insurance it is considered as secondary coverage.

If the primary insurance is inadequate to cover the claims then the secondary insurance may apply additionally. This could be a case where liability insurance comes into play.

In other situations where the vehicle is driven without your permission you could swear an affidavit against the driver or lodge a police report that the vehicle was stolen.

So how is insurance applied if you are the driver and not the owner of the vehicle?

In most cases the vehicle’s insurance is primary and covers the damage. Again, if coverage is inadequate then the driver’s insurance may be pursued. If the driver has insurance on a different vehicle then the insurance companies negotiate on who pays, which can lead to a drawn out claims process.

If you as the driver have no other vehicle then you should be sure that the owner has adequate car insurance coverage amounts, and that you have liability insurance, otherwise you might have to come up with the expenses of a claim.

Tiburon Insurance Rates and Teens

admin — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:07:22 +0000

As an example of how the type of car you drive affects insurance rates let’s look at the Hyundai Tiburon.

The Tiburon is a sporty car that has good performance and is not very expensive. It was popular with young drivers since 1997 when Hyundai began production.

But there was a hidden flaw.

The Tiburon topped the charts for the worst rate of theft for 4 years in a row through 2003 (IBC data). And Hyundai did not even build any in 2002.

Because there was no anti-theft device thieves soon learned it was easy to steal. The low likelihood and high cost of recovering stolen cars made Tiburon insurance more expensive.

In 2003, Hyundai added a theft deterrent: an electronically coded vehicle immobilizer. As thieves discovered it was now hard to steal they moved on to easier targets. Insurance rates dropped dramatically.

If you are considering buying a used Tiburon you would benefit from picking models no older than 2003. Then the vehicle will be at lower risk of loss and you can get lower auto insurance rates.

This is good news if you are a teen driver. You can still consider this popular, sporty car but know that it won’t be the most expensive to insure. Since Tiburons from 2003 on have an approved anti-theft device you can get a discount and cheaper car insurance.

7 Tips to Cheap Auto Insurance

admin — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:02:45 +0000

Buy a low risk car
Car insurance rates are based on the value of the car, the cost to repair, crash test results, prevalence of theft, and frequency of claims. Many factors affect these criteria, but what you drive can have a big impact on your car insurance rates. You can compare ratings of vehicles at Highway Loss Data Institute. Pick a car that has moderate power, is less popular with young drivers, has a good safety record, and is inexpensive to repair, in order to get cheap car insurance.
Clean up your credit score
Insurance companies not only use car type to determine rates, they also use your credit history to determine if you are a reliable bill payer. Maintain a responsible credit history by paying bills on time, and keeping your credit balance low, in order to have cheap car insurance.
Drive carefully
How you drive has a huge affect on your insurability. Your past driving history is included in the way your risk is rated. Keep your driving record spotless with no infractions, violations, tickets, claims, and you can get affordable auto insurance.
Increase your deductible
If you have adequate savings to afford paying the first $500- $1000 of an insurance claim, choose a similar deductible for your car insurance coverage. Increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 can save you up to 30%. Increasing your deductible to $1000 can save you 40% on collision and comprehensive coverage.
Reduce coverage on low value cars
If you have a car that is of low value, for example, that is less than ten times the premium, collision repair insurance may not be worth it. there’s a good chance the vehicle is written off and you will get only it’s market value. Be sure to retain injury and liability coverage, but drop collision coverage to get affordable car insurance.
Combine auto and homeowners from same company
Insurance companies may give you a special rate if you have other insurance with them, such as homeowners, or multiple vehicles, as well as a long-term customer history. However, don’t automatically assume this is true. Shop around and compare insurance quotes.
Ask for discounts
There are many possible discounts offered by insurance companies but you have to ask for them. Here is a list of possible car insurance discounts that you can request. Keep in mind, however, that some companies’ rates can be lower even with fewer discounts. Ask for all discounts possible but compare the overall value when choosing cheap car insurance.

And of course you should shop around at as many agencies, brokers, and online, to compare the insurance coverage and rates that fit your needs for cheapest and best buy in car insurance quotes.

Cheap Car Insurance For your Teenager

admin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:33:50 +0000

As a parent you want your teenager to be safe and sensible when driving. As a teenager you revel in the new freedom and independence that driving yourself provides. A parent tries to instill responsibility and rules. A teen wants no rules but has not learned consequences. When driving, the consequences of accidents can be devastating and expensive. Having car insurance is sensible and necessary but finding adequate coverage and cheap car insurance for your young driver can be challenging.

Naturally, any age driver who is new on the road has less experience and judgment to guide them. Many accidents occur in the first few years of learning to drive. When you add youthful exuberance then the risks and chances are even higher. It is much harder to find a combination of good insurance coverage and low rates when you are getting car insurance quotes for new drivers.

It is possible and convenient to add your teenage driver to your existing car coverage policy. However you may be smarter by getting a separate policy in the name of the teen. If you establish that the insurance cost and payment is reliant on good driving they will not only learn that freedom comes with responsibility and consequences but also they will establish a good driving record that can be a benefit in the long run. This will allow you to provide independence and also encourage good behavior.

One of the first things to consider when a teenager begins driving is the type of vehicle driven. A sporty, high performance model may be more desirable for its status and thrill but is more likely to be driven recklessly, more likely to be expensive to operate and maintain, and certainly more expensive to insure. Even if the value of certain cars are about the same, insurance rates can vary significantly according to the vehicle model.

One way to compare insurance rates is to search online. Some web sites offer instant quotes, and even show companies’ rates side by side. This will guide you in finding some companies that offer cheap car insurance prices but you may not find the type of coverage detail you need in order to make an informed comparison. Be sure to review all the coverage types that you need and what they are actually including, or, more importantly, what they are excluding.

If you are getting quotes from brokers be sure to ask for the same types of coverage and the same coverage amounts in order to make valid comparisons. Also look for any discounts that could apply, especially a drivers’ ed class, for example.

When you have your young driver out on the roads you want to feel secure in the knowledge that they have a safe car, that they understand the risks of driving, and that they know and take responsibility for their actions. If you establish the connection amongst these factors you can be confident in their own safety and that you are getting the best car insurance rates.

Tiburon Insurance Rates and Teens

Car Insurance Discounts

admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:14:55 +0000

An easily overlooked way to lower you car insurance cost is to forget to ask for available discounts.

Discounts vary amongst car insurance companies, and from state to state. Here are examples of discounts that may be available in the state you live and with companies that offer car insurance. There is no harm in asking, and car insurance discounts can make a big difference in your savings.

Anti-theft Device
Anti-lock Brake System - ABS
Passive Restraint - airbags
Side Airbags
Stability Control System
Careful Driver
‘Top tier’ rating
Homeowner
Multiple Car Owner
Claim free record (over 3 years)
Loyalty program
Defensive driving course certification
New car
Economy car
Senior citizen
Married
High-graded student
OnStar service
LoJack installed
Window glass VIN engraving
Low mileage driver
Car pooling
Car club membership
Employer program
Business association
Professional affiliation
Online application
Full payment option
Protected parking
Secured garaging

As you can see, there are many possibilities that could lower your insurance risk and rates so that you can get a discount. Discounts can vary from 5% to 25%, providing significant savings. Don’t forget to ask when shopping around for cheaper car insurance. Since insurance companies change their policies periodically, you should review on a yearly basis what your coverage is and if you become eligible for discounts, or whenever your circumstances change.

Tiburon Insurance Rates and Teens