Friday, October 23, 2009

Car Insurance For Females - Five Proven Tips to Get Lower Rates!

1.Shop around - Generally, females love shopping. Therefore, there is no reason why females should not shop around for their car insurance! Sufficient amount of shopping around to search for the best quotes is your foolproof bet to cheap car insurance for females. Insurance companies do not normally give out similar quotes; they are usually different between companies. So, it is up to you to compare them and take up which you think is the best deal.

2. Some insurance companies offer lower premiums for drivers who has graduated from driving classes. These defensive driving classes are capable to educate you into becoming a better driver. Enrolling in these classes is also a good way to get cheaper car insurance for females. Furthermore, they are usually inexpensive and some can be taken at home.

3. Get a higher deductible amount for your car policy. Higher deductibles will lead to lower premiums. If you think you cannot afford to pay very high deductibles in the event you make any claims, start saving the money now! Save a portion of your salary every month in your savings account. The money saved will be used to pay the deductibles once you file a claim. If you finally didn't make any claims, you will eventually be left with some extra money.

4. Drive carefully so that you will not land yourself in any traffic violations or accidents. The more tickets you get, the higher the rates that you will receive. Therefore, always drive cautiously to lower your risk and your insurance company will be happy enough to give you cheaper car insurance for females. They might also reward you with bonuses for the amount of time you are accident-free.

5. One of the most common mistake that people usually make is choosing the minimum amount of liability for their car. Seriously, if you are willing to pay slightly more, let's say extra ten dollars a month for more coverage, it helps a lot in preventing your finances to be ruined in the future.

Article Source: http://www.insurancearticle.com

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Why Is Your Car Insurance So Expensive?

Although these days it's pretty easy to arrange your car insurance online, comparing quotes at the click of a button and paying by credit card for instant cover, one ever present difficulty still remains: the high cost of insurance policies. The fact that having car insurance in place is both a legal requirement and a sensible idea doesn't detract from the annoyance of having to pay what seems to be an exorbitant sum, and most of us would jump at the chance of reducing the bill.

To do this we need to know what factors insurance companies use when deciding how much our premiums will be.

Perhaps the most important influence on the level of your premium is your own history as a driver. If you've a history of having accidents, then naturally you're a higher risk to the insurer and so they'll charge you more. Worse, if you've been convicted of a motoring offence such as speeding or driving while under the influence, then your insurance will cost you even more - especially if your licence was withdrawn.

On the plus side, a history containing no black marks such as accidents will result in cheaper insurance as you build up a 'no claims' discount over the years.

The next most important factor is what kind of car you're trying to insure. Naturally, more expensive cars will cost more to replace, and so the insurance will cost you more too. This isn't the whole story though, as other features such as engine size, the availability of cheap spares, and the difficulty of repair will have an influence too. Finally, some models of car are well known for being easier to break into or steal than others - the insurance companies are well aware of this and will adjust their quotes accordingly.

How you use your car will also affect the price you pay for cover. If you rarely drive and have a low annual mileage, then your premiums can be cut as you're on the road for less time, and therefore have less chance of needing to make a claim. City drivers may also have to pay more compared to those who drive in quieter areas.

Where you keep your car is important too - if you have a secure parking area, preferably one that keeps your vehicle out of sight and under cover, then your risk is lowered, as will be your premiums. Cars that are regularly parked at the roadside are at a higher risk of being stolen or involved in collisions, and so will be more expensive to insure.

One final point to cover is that of how attractive your car is to thieves, and not just in the obvious way of how desirable your vehicle is! An expensive car with a good security system including an alarm and window etching etcetera will be more of a hassle for criminals to profit from, and so is less likely to be stolen than a cheaper car with little or no security. Also, a car featuring plenty of gadgets such as an expensive audio system or satellite navigation will attract greater interest from potential thieves.

So as we can see, even though car insurance is an expensive business, it's not always as simple as it seems, and by looking at what insurers want in a 'perfect' customer, you may be able to drive down your premiums.

Article Source: http://www.insurancearticle.com

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Protect against road rage with the right car insurance

In today's increasingly stressful world, it may come as little surprise to learn that a growing proportion of drivers in the UK are now subjected to incidents of road rage each year, with millions of British drivers getting involved in or being the victims of verbal exchanges; or sometimes even physical scuffles on the roadside!

Young drivers in the 18 to 34 age bracket are the most likely to be involved in road rage incidents, while drivers who are aged 55 or older are the least likely group to be involved in angry exchanges.

Tailgating seems to be the most common contributor to road rage. Tailgating is where a motorist drives too closely behind the car in front, and was accountable for around three quarters of road rage incidents in the past year.

Such incidents can lead not only to rising blood pressure and in extreme circumstances physical injury, but can also result in the offender causing damage to their car, thus leaving them even more frustrated and with a potential hike in their car insurance premium. MoneyExpert found that half of those who have been affected by road rage were subject only to verbal abuse, but a considerable portion also had their cars damaged maliciously.

As Sean Gardner from MoneyExpert.com noted, it is likely that most drivers will lose their tempers at some point while driving, either from being cut up at a roundabout, or after being exposed to the dangerous antics of reckless drivers. As a result, there is some sympathy for those motorists who are victims of other people's bad driving. However, when drivers cross the line and let their tempers get the better of them then that is the time when the victimised driver will want to have a car insurance policy that protects them from road rage incidents.

Some insurance companies, such as women's car insurance provider Sheila's Wheels, will not only cover the cost of any damage to a car if its owner falls victim to another motorist's road rage, but it also offers counselling if the driver feel traumatised by the event. Other providers offer monetary compensation, and will provide cover as standard for personal injury and car damage resulting from incidents of road rage.

Meanwhile, the RAC has found a notable difference in the way people act when they are driving compared to when they are not in their car, claiming that the impression of safety which being in a car provides makes people bolder and more likely to let their tempers flare, with almost half of motorists admitting to becoming hot headed much more quickly when they are behind the wheel.

The RAC also found some disparity between the number of people who consider themselves good drivers when compared with their perceptions of other drivers; almost all drivers were found to consider their own driving style as either 'considerate' or 'very considerate', but when asked about the driving styles of others, less than half thought that other drivers were considerate.

Some of the responses that people said they give to drivers who they consider have done them a wrong deed on the road include slamming on the brakes when someone is tailgating them;, getting out of the car at traffic lights to have a confrontation with the other driver, ; giving them a dirty look;, issuing a rude hand gesture, while one driver was so upset that they threw a Chinese take-away at the offending party!

However, it's not all doom and gloom on the roads, as the research showed more people will make the effort to thank other drivers for being courteous, perhaps by letting them out of a junction for instance, than the number of people who said that they would sound their horn if they were annoyed by another driver.

Acting director of the RAC Foundation, Sheila Rainger, urged drivers to keep their cool on the roads or else face the prospect of possible damage and a claim on their car insurance policy. For the sake and safety of other road users, she said, it is better to recognise that they are not God's gift to motoring and to quietly go on their way.

Article Source: http://www.insurancearticle.com

Car Insurance - The Loss of Use Policy Exclusion

In this article we will be looking at the "loss of use" exclusion clause in your car insurance document. It describes what alternative transport your insurance company will offer to you if your own vehicle is disabled because of theft or accident. In the majority of cases the answer is in the negative!!

Some insurance companies have a network of appointed repair shops who will offer you a courtesy car if one happens to be available. A few insurance companies have a car hire scheme as part of their policy whereby they will arrange a car for you from their chosen car hire company. However, most insurers do not offer either of these options.

Most insurance companies offer a car hire extension to their comprehensive policies. The extension is expensive and the policy cover is quite limited. You should decide if you feel it essential that you purchase it. It is not a vital 'add on' for everyone. Answer these questions:

If my car was disabled would I still be able to :
- get to work (by train, cycle, bus, walk)?
- take the children/grandchildren to school?
- go shopping
- go on holiday?
- pursue my sports, social interests, hobbies etc?

If you could cope without a car for a few days, you don't really need to purchase this additional cover. If you're sure that you can't then you should check that you have this cover.

Bear in mind, if your car is stolen or an accident is your fault, you will not be able to claim any car rental costs from a third party. You won't be able to go and see a 'credit hire' company. You probably can't be certain of the loan of a courtesy car from the garage. So this additional cover becomes worthwhile for you.

Similarly, if you do not wish to use the recommended repairer of your insurance company, or your car is written off, your car hire additional cover should come to the rescue. Let's take a look at what you can expect from a typical policy.

You may only hire a car if yours is disabled for at least 2 days, but the maximum period of hire is 14 days. If you need it for more than this you will have to pay the additional cost to the car hire firm. There's been many a disagreement between repair shop, insurance company and vehicle owner when repairs have overrun because of non-availability of parts and no party wants to pay the additional car hire costs.

You can't have a hire car for a glass only or windscreen claim.

There's usually a maximum distance that the hire company will deliver a rental car so if you live out in the sticks and the hire company is a fair few miles away from you, expect an additional charge if you arrange for them to deliver it to your home. Is it possible for you to get to the nearest branch yourself?

Your existing motor insurance policy will cover the hire car for comprehensive benefits. That helps your insurance company to limit the price of the hire car cover but if you are involved in an accident whilst using the rental car, the insurance claim will be on your policy.

The rental car can only be claimed from the date your car goes in to be repaired if it is still safe and legal to drive your vehicle. If the vehicle is not safe to drive you can hire the car from the day of the accident.

Policies will very likely impose a maximum period of hire, such as 14 days. If your car is restored prior to that date, you have to return the hire car as soon as your car is returned.

The rental car supplied will almost certainly be a basic, manual gearbox model no more than a couple of years old. If you require something a bit bigger you might have to pay a supplement. If you require an automatic they will try to locate one for you within the vehicle groups specified in the policy. The hire car will usually come supplied with a tank full of fuel. You must return it with a full tank of fuel. If you don't you will be billed by the hire company for a fill up. And they charge a very high price for fuel!

Some hire companies will ask for an imprint of your credit card, guarding against the possibility of having to top up the fuel in your car or bumping it whilst out and about.

Article Source: http://www.insurancearticle.com

Car Insurance

With so many companies offering auto insurance, choosing the right auto insurance policy can be a complicated and difficult task. It is important to remember that not all auto insurance companies have the same criteria while deciding the cost of auto insurance and different companies will offer different auto insurance quotes for the same cover. If you are looking for auto insurance, here are a few tips to help you make an informed decision:
Deciding how much coverage you need
General recommendations for accident liability are 50/100/25. $50,000 bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident, $100,000 for all people injured in an accident and $25,000 property damage liability. Keep in mind, the above mentioned insurance options are for a typical motorist. If you are 'accident prone' you might want to go for more comprehensive auto insurance cover.
Research your options
If you already a few unpaid parking tickets or have had a spate of parking tickets in the past, don't apply for auto insurance straight away. Auto insurers always check past accidents and parking tickets before offering a quote, before applying for auto insurance wait till the points you have earned have disappeared. If you already have auto insurance, look through the bill and find out exactly how much you are paying for your current insurance cover. Note down how much your automobile is insured for and how much you are paying for your current automobile insurance cover.
Receiving quotes
Once you know exactly what your new insurance company has to compete with, start looking for auto insurance companies online. Don't restrict yourself to online insurance quotes only; speak to friends and family members for references as well. You can also visit websites like insurecomparequotes.com to compare quotes from various insurance companies that are located in your city or county. Don't settle for a single company and get quotes from various companies before finalising an insurance company. Auto insurance quotes vary appreciably from company to company, and you should carry out an exhaustive market survey before finalising auto insurance.
Also make sure the website you are receiving a quote from is a direct provider, most websites only offer instant quotes on behalf of a larger auto insurance company. In such cases, it is simpler to pick up the phone and get in touch with the auto insurance company directly.
Getting in touch
Once you have short listed a few companies, get in touch with each company on the phone and discuss each quote in detail. Make sure you get a copy of the quote via email or fax, and the auto insurance company has details like vehicle registration number on their file. While speaking to the salesman try and get discounts and look for a company that is offering you a 'no frills' assessment. It is important to be flexible and choose auto insurance that meets your individual requirements, chop and change to make the quote as competitive and meaningful as possible.

Article Source: http://www.insurancearticle.com

How To Buy Car Insurance

Purchasing insurance can be a daunting and laborious task and all too often very expensive, but it needn't be as long as you follow these four easy steps:

Choose your level of cover

The amount of insurance that you need may vary depending on several factors. For example, it might be better to insure an old vehicle with 3rd Party insurance as the premiums on comprehensive insurance for the car might outweigh the advantages of full cover. The amount of insurance you require could also depend on things like the amount of money you owe and own, your assets and how much out-of-pocket cost you could afford.

It may also be worthwhile looking into a combined house and car insurance policy as various insurance companies provide lower premiums for these policies. Some insurers offer discounts on multi-vehicle policies too.

If you are uncertain as to what level of cover you require, it may be best to contact an insurance broker for assistance.

Comparison shop

Shopping around for the best motor insurance deals could save you hundreds of dollars. Numerous websites in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and South Africa provide online insurance quotes and comparison shopping services. If you have a couple of insurance companies in mind, call them directly for a quote or contact a broker to do this for you. The important thing is to get several quotes from different insurance companies.

Once you have your quotes compare the premiums, but don't make your decision solely on this. A car insurance policy may cost less because it offers less cover or has more restrictions. It is also wise to go with an insurance company that has a good record for paying out claims.

If you are considering buying a new car or motorcycle, it may be wise to shop around for insurance quotes before you make your purchase. Premiums differ vastly depending on the make and model of the vehicle. For example, certain car models are more popular with thieves making them a greater risk for insurance companies. Some cars are more expensive to repair and some damage more easily. The amount you will need to pay for insurance may sway you to buy a lower risk vehicle. Even if the price of insuring your new car isn't very important to you, having quotes to return to once you buy your car will help get you covered a lot faster.

Get intimate with the policy details

Understanding the fine print of your insurance policy might save you both money and grief if you should need to claim. Make sure that you understand the terms and cover of the insurance policy you decide to purchase, especially:

Who and what is insured

What exclusions and limitations apply

When the cover starts and ends

What level of cover is provided

How much your premium will be

When and how to claim

If you are unsure about any details of an insurance policy, it is best to ask an insurance broker or agent to explain.

Reassess Your Policy Periodically
It's a good idea to shop around for insurance quotes on a yearly basis, but certain important events in your life might warrant another look at your insurance needs. This could include:

Getting married or divorced

Starting a family

Renting a house or apartment

Buying a new house or car

Significant changes to your income

Retiring

Following these simple but extremely important steps can help you save money and hopefully change your perception of car insurance as being a 'grudge purchase'.

Article Source: http://www.insurancearticle.com

Classic Car Insurance - How to Get The Right Insurance

One of the most interesting hobbies that you can have is to own a classic car. However, as pleasurable as it may be, owning a classic car also requires a lot of responsibility. Although the concept of having a classic car is nice, it can be very hard to take care of them. First of all, owning a classic car means that you will have to pay high bills for their maintenance. Moreover, you would need to be stringent in your security measures, since these cars are more prone to theft as compared to regular cars. These cars are worth more and thus you would need to protect them to the best of your ability. Thus, owning a classic car can be very costly and you will have many expenses to make even after you buy your classic automobile.

One of the other responsibilities for classic car owners is the classic car insurance that you have to get. However, classic car insurance is very expensive, as compared to regular car insurance. As you know, an accident involving your classic car will be very costly. While a normal fender bender accident would cost only couple of hundred dollars, an accident involving classic cars would cost usually thousands of dollars. In the case of a more serious accident, the cost of repair for your classic car can cost in the range of tens of thousands of dollars.

Moreover, a classic car is a high theft risk and thus this criterion also causes classic car insurance to be very high in price as compared to normal car insurance. However, you are not without options, as you can easily find some means to reduce your car insurance. In order to reduce your classic car insurance here are some steps that you can take:

- First of all, security is the most important concern for your classic car. You would need to install a high end advanced alarm system in your classic car to protect it against thieves. Some people do not install an alarm system thinking that it will damage the originality of their classic car. Nothing can be more important then protecting your car and having an alarm system is very important for the insurance companies.

- Make sure that you have a closed garage to put your car inside at night. This can also help immensely in reducing your classic car insurance and it will help to protect your car.

- It is important for you to determine whether you will use your classic car for long distances. If you are not using your car to travel around, then your mileage will be low and as a result your classic car insurance will decrease. Hence, try to use your regular car to get around and use your classic car only on special occasions to keep the mileage down.

- You can also get a group discount, especially if you have another regular car. This way, you can get a really good reduction on your price.

Article Source: http://www.insurancearticle.com