Comparing Discount Car Insurance Companies - Things To Know Before Getting A Quote

You are looking for an insurance policy for your car. Several companies give you proposals; all of them are based on the same information which you provided. The policies have widely varying costs and proposals. How can you wisely choose the best policy and company? Read carefully Lay the policies down side by side.

Some insurers are able to offer low rates by giving skeleton coverage. You gave the companies identical information but they may not have returned identical policies. Check the deductibles on the policies. Deductibles weigh heavily on the cost of insurance.

See if all of the policies offer uninsured driver clauses. Look closely at coverage areas. Some companies restrict their policies if you drive extensively out of state. Type of company Just as with home loan companies there are auto insurance companies that specialize in writing insurance for people with poor credit and/or poor driving records.

If you have requested a quote from this kind of company their response may automatically be considerably higher than other companies. If you don't have poor credit and/or a poor driving record immediately eliminate from your search companies that serve these markets. Investigate company records States keep records of how insurance companies respond to their customers.

Files on insurers will include their response times, their histories of paying claims, any complaints or suits filed against them as well as other important consumer information. Note and eliminate any companies which have numerous complaints against them.

Remember, having a low car insurance premium may not be worth much if you don't have the coverage you need or can't get your car insurance company to respond when you have an accident. Please get as many quotes as possible to insure that you will be paying as little as possible while getting all of the coverage that you need without paying for what you don't.

Best Car Insurance Company - How Is A Person To Choose?

How is the average insurance buyer ever going to determine which car insurance company is the best? That sounds like a nightmare instead of a shopping comparison. Insurance agencies are located in every major city and suburb in America. These agencies are either independent agents that represent several insurance companies or exclusive agents that represent one company. These are insurance companies that use the agent distribution as their method of marketing their products.

Some insurance companies have chosen to eliminate the agent and use the mail, the telephone, or the internet to sell their products. The property and casualty companies are always in a battle for market penetration. The insurance companies have to walk a fine line between new acquisitions and expense to do business. This is important information for the consumer because they are the ones making the final decision on who is winning.

The best insurance company for you may be completely different than one preferred by your next door neighbor. Time and experience have a way of guiding you to your choice of companies.

Things to Consider....

1. Insurance Agent - The car insurance agent has been the single most successful means of insurance distribution in insurance history. The neighborhood agent has ties to the community and is easily accessible. That is a great value to a great many people especially with people who want person to person advice and counsel.

2. Direct Distribution - This is the name that we will give to the insurance companies that sell you insurance with 800 telephone numbers or through the internet and mailing services. They sell direct to you and you are serviced by them through customer service call centers. The direct distributor claims to have lower rates becausethey have eliminated the agent.

Once you determine how you want to be serviced then you can begin a search for those types of insurance companies. AM Best is a rating guide that you can find in your local library that gives you the financial strength of each insurance company.

by Greg Haehl

Credit Card and Insurance

Credit card and insurance are two very important financial services in modern sociaty. In a world that is built on the basis of credit, credit cards is a part of daily life for most ordinary people. Insurance, on the other hand, is something to protect you from uncertainty which may happen unexpectedly to anybody. The idea of insuring the future is now accepted by more and more people. Insurance and credit cards go hand in hand in many ways. Coverage for certain insurance policies are sometimes provided as benefit by credit cards issuers at no extra charge.

For example, Chase i-card provides the following insurance coverage:

· $500,000 Worldwide Automatic Travel Accident Insurance coverage

· Purchase Protection - an insurance program that covers purchases against damage or theft for 90 days from purchase date Auto insurance and travel insurance are usually such benefit for cardholders. For an additional premium, insurance protection plans are also available for cardholders to protect an outstanding balance on the cards. Usually, the insurance policy will cover the following:

· Critical Illnes Protection: For a primary or spousal cardholder under 65 years of age and were to be diagnosed with certain critical illnesses, such as Cancer, Heart Attack or Stroke, the insurance policy would pay in full the balance owing on the insured account up to a maximum.

· Disablitily Protection: For primary cardholders under 65 years of age who become temporarily disabled as a direct result of an illness or accident, this insurance policy will make the minimum monthly payments with certain limitation.

· Accidental Death Protection: For primary or spousal cardholders over 65 years of age and were to lose their life as a direct result of an accident, the full outstanding balance (to a maximum limitation) will be paid in full by the insurance plan.

· Job Loss Protection: For a primary cardholder under 65 years of age and he or she becomes involuntarily unemployed, the insurance policy will cover the minimum monthly payments based on the balance to a certain limitation until the cardholder is working again, or until your balance is reduced to zero.

· Dismemberment Protection: For a primary or spousal cardholder who were to lose the sight in both eyes or lose a limb as a direct result of an accident, the insurance policy will pay the outstanding balance up to a maximum.

· Strike Protection: For a primary cardholder under 65 years of age who become unemployed due to a strike or lockout, the insurance policy will make the minimum monthly payments up to a limitation until the insured resume working or the balance is reduced to zero.

· Loss of Life Protection: This insurance policy will pay the full balance on the credit card account to a certain maximum if the primary or spousal cardholder under 65 years of age lose their life. Insurance for credit cards is a service that is getting hotter.

However, usually this service is provided by the card issuer. The cardholder is notified normally by mail along with their monthly bill or at the time when they get the cards. There are growing concerns about fraud within unsolicited credit card insurance marketing activities. Some thieves use this as a way to steal your personal confidential information.

As a rule of thumb, never give your confidential information over phone! The above information is informational only. For accurate insurance policy, please contact your card issuers or local insurance agents before you take out any insurance policy.

Car Insurance On Rentals

When it comes to car insurance, there are a couple of traps you can fall into. The contracts are complicated and extremely difficult to understand, and that's if you even have the time to read them. The fact is that most people don't read insurance contracts and there is a significant information shortage when it comes to consumers and the contents of their own insurance contracts.

One of the problems with this information gap is that it can lead to wasted money. Every time you rent a car you are asked what kind of insurance you would like. The options are generally to take none, which costs nothing, or you could cover liability insurance, which should cost about $10 per day. Then you have a variety of options to cover the rental cat itself, prices for which vary from company to company and state to state.

The full coverage option, which includes liability, passengers, and the rental car usually, comes to about $25 to $30 a day. Most people genuinely don't know what option they should be taking. Liability Liability insurance is the only insurance you are required by law to take out. All the others are optional. That's the first and most important thing to remember when you're at the rental desk, and the total price for your two-week vacation car is quickly adding up and up.

The other thing to know is that in many cases, you will be covered, to some extent by your existing car insurance. You will have to check your insurance policy to make certain, but for the vast majority of drivers,they will have liability insurance by virtue of their own car insurance, and this will carry over to the rental car. It is however, unlikely that full or comprehensive coverage will carry over from your own car insurance.

This is because comprehensive insurance is calculated based on the value of your car. Insurers don't want to be in a position where they set your policy based on your say, $15,000 vehicle, and then have to pay out when you crash a $40,000 rental. So your policy will state that only liability insurance is provided when you rent. Credit Card Cover You may still require no insurance from the rental company however.

This is because many credit card companies, including both visa and MasterCard, offer this insurance if you pay for the rental with one of their cards. This is a major benefit of using a credit card and should not be wasted. Again you should check with your credit card provider what they cover, but the bottom line is, if your own insurance covers liability, and your credit card covers the rental car, why pay a couple of hundred dollars for extra insurance when you're already covered?

If you are in doubt as to your insurance, it is wise however to take the rental company's policy, especially liability.

Shopping Online For Car Insurance

Right now there are many companies all trying to get you to buy their particular insurance plan for your car. From quacking ducks to talking lizards, there is an overabundance of advertisements, all done with the intent to get you sign up for their company.

But which one is right for you?

One of the better solutions that I found is to go online and compare the different automotive insurance policies. That way, it is easy to find one that fits your particular situation. In addition, I have found that utilizing the Internet is the best way to save money.

Before you go out and buy from the first company that offers you a car insurance policy, it is important that you understand which items are important for protecting you and your assets. As you probably know most insurance policies look the same.

So it is important to understand both the company and your unique situation. First you should decide the maximum amount that you can use to pay for your insurance. This step means a careful analysis of your budget. It is a question of how much you can afford. This leads to our second item for consideration. How much do you need to cover?

For people that have a lot of assets, it is vital that they get enough insurance to personally protect their money in case of a catastrophic accident. Many penny pinchers elect to get the lowest coverage. While it important to save money, it is equally important to prevent one accident from wiping you out.

The funny thing is that even if you do elect for lower coverage, you wind up not saving that much money. The next step is to check out the individual car insurance companies. As a result, it is vital that you get quotes from at least five different auto insurance companies. The method that I use is to go online and compare some of the top companies that show up. Here is a brief list of companies that offer top-rated car insurance:

* 21st Century Insurance * Geico * USAA * Safeco Insurance * MetLife Auto * Liberty Mutual * AllState * Unitrin Direct * eSurance * Progressive * State Farm * AIG Auto Insurance * GMAC Insurance * Nationwide * Eastwood * Amica * AAA

Once you find quotes from different companies, you should create a strategy of the various costs involved with purchasing car insurance. This includes deductibles, collision, comprehensive, and the total costs.

For each company, try to get quotes on different levels of coverage. That way,you can develop an accurate portrayal of the price for each car insurance quote.

The final step is to understand how much each company will cover. While you might save money from one particular company, they might offer little to no coverage in case you get into an accident. While you might save some cash in the short term, the long term consequences could be disastrous.

When you have done your analysis, you will have a list of companies that offer quality insurance at an affordable price. With a little effort and research, you can properly cover yourself within your budget requirements.

by Scott Patterson

Car Insurance Issues for Travelers

There are several insurance coverage issues when you drive a vehicle that you do not own especially when traveling. Here are some examples:

1. Even if you decide that your predominate means of transportation for traveling will be by either airplane, train, or bus, when you finally reach your destination you will probably want to rent a car.

2. You may know somebody who will let you drive their car temporarily while you are visiting.

3. You may want to drive to your vacation destination. You have a perfectly good drivable insured vehicle, but you may still decide to rent a car before you leave home so you do not put any additional wear and tear on your own vehicle.

4. You may be an employee who is the custodian of a vehicle you use everyday that is either owned or leased by your employer and you want to drive that car on your vacation.

5. You may be required to drive that company owned car on a business related trip within the scope of your employment.

6. Your employer will pay for you to drive a rental car while you are within the scope of your employment on a business related trip.

I cannot tell you in any case whether or not you have insurance coverage without reading your individual insurance policy with all of the conditions and exclusions to determine which insurance coverage is primary, what is supplemental or excess, and where there is no coverage at all. For example, if you are an employee on a business trip driving your employer's vehicle or a rental vehicle within the scope of your employment, worker's compensation may come into the equation also. However, I will point out some important things that you should be aware of that many people overlook and let you know what you need to ask so you can find out the correct answers from the appropriate people and also make sure that you have all of the proper documentation so there is no misunderstanding or confusion.

The best, easiest, fastest and most reliable way to determine what type of coverage you have on a non-owned or rental vehicle is to call and ask your insurance company (or agent) or ask your employer if you are driving a company vehicle. Also, call and ask your credit card company if you plan to use it to rent a vehicle. Find out if they offer some type of insurance coverage when you use their credit card to rent a vehicle and if so, specifically what type of coverage and what the limits are.

FIRST, for employees driving your employer's vehicles, not all company vehicles are insured by an insurance company with an insurance policy.

Some company vehicles are Self-Insured. Employees driving company vehicles need to know because different rules apply. Your employer should let you know this on the day they give you the keys, but if they don't you need to find out. Also, you need to know if your company insures anybody other than the employee to drive your company car and are you allowed to drive the company car outside of your state or outside of the country.

I was an Insurance Claims Adjuster for 17 years in Los Angeles. All of us adjusters as well as the appraisers and managers drove company cars. The company made it crystal clear to all of us that the only people who had permission to drive the company owned cars were the employees and their spouses. We were allowed to drive the cars for business and personal reasons including going on a vacation and we had permission to drive the cars out of the state of California if we wanted to. Employees did not have permission to allow their licensed teenage sons or daughters, nor their friends, neighbors, parents, siblings, cousins, other relatives or anybody else to drive the company vehicle.

In summary, as adjusters we had 4 basic responsibilities:

1st was to confirm or deny coverage.

2nd was to investigate the claim and determine liability, and how much liability was attributed to the claimant(s) and how much to the insured.

3rd was to determine the amount of damages including bodily injuries and property damage and

4th was to either deny the claim and prepare for litigation or attempt to negotiate and settle.

If there is no insurance coverage, then the rest is irrelevant.

The driver of a vehicle must have permission from the vehicle owner to drive a vehicle. The simplest way to illustrate this is eventhough you may have full insurance coverage on a car you own, if somebody steals your car, then the car thief gets into an accident while driving your car, (obviously without your permission) and causes bodily injuries, death and / or property damage to a claimant(s), there is no coverage for the car thief on your insurance policy.

SECOND, for people planning to rent a car, make sure that you give the names and licenses of all the people who will be driving the rental vehicle to the Rental Car Company. You are also normally suppose to let them know if you are planning to drive the rental car out of the state or out of the country. Do not assume that when you drive either your own vehicle or a rental vehicle out of the country that the insurance will automatically transfer. You may not have any insurance coverage once you drive across the boarder into another country. This is something you need to find out from your insurance company.

There may have been people tell you that your personal car insurance will automatically transfer to a rental vehicle. This is not always true. If you look on your insurance policy you may see the terms "Non-Owned Vehicle" and "Temporary Substitute Vehicle". Some insurance policies make a clear distinction between the two. Others make you read the fine print to try to understand the difference.

Remember to always ask your insurance company if there is anything that is not clear and you do not understand. Insurance policies of different carriers are written differently. But in general, usually what it means is when your vehicle is not drivable or is not safe to drive, out of service, broken down, in a repair or body shop, in for servicing or maintenance and you rent a vehicle as a temporary substitute to replace your own insured vehicle for a limited time, that is normally when coverage will transfer from your vehicle to the rental. You still have to ask if your insurance requires you to rent the vehicle from a Public Automobile Rental Agency or if you will be covered and can be reimbursed for renting a vehicle from a friend. Depending on how your policy is written, it may transfer the full policy limits or coverage may be reduced down to the state's minimum liability requirements. Something else very important to find out is if only liability coverage transfers or if collision and comprehensive damage also transfers.

So on the other hand, that means coverage may not transfer if you rent a vehicle while you are on vacation and there is nothing wrong with your own insured vehicle which is in perfectly good drivable condition just sitting in your driveway at home, or your spouse and kids are driving it at home while you are driving a rental car either on a personal or business trip. Do you really think your insurance company will be covering two vehicles for the price of one? Ask them and find out.

If your own insured vehicle is in good safe drivable condition and you are planning to rent a car while you are traveling, call and ask your major credit card company first because you have a better chance of getting good news from them about rental car insurance coverage while you are on vacation or traveling on a business trip. If you use your credit card to pay for your rental car, there are some major credit card companies that will provide some type of insurance coverage when you rent a car. In any case, always call your own insurance company and ask them what type of coverage, if any do they provide when you rent a car and under what circumstances and conditions it is transferred so there is no misunderstanding.

THIRD, if you are visiting friends or relatives while traveling and they give you permission to drive their vehicle, what you still need to find out is whether the same coverage limits transfer to a driver other than the named insured or does the coverage get reduced down to the state's minimum liability coverage requirements if for example, a friend of the insured is the driver.

Do not be intimidated by the long list of exclusions under the Medical Payments Coverage. Commonly known as Med Pay, it applies to injuries sustained by the occupants of an insured vehicle which includes the insured driver and all passengers regardless of liability. It only pays for "Special Damages" like medical and dental bills but it does not pay for "General Damages" like pain and suffering. You may be covered for Med Pay even if you are a driver or a passenger in a qualified non-owned vehicle.

So this is definitely something you need to find out from both your own insurance company and the insurance company of the vehicle you are in. Maybe one could be primary while the other is supplemental or excess. Just be aware that there are rules limiting and rules against duplication of coverage. Med Pay could be worth several thousands of dollars toward your medical expenses.

Now do you want to know the inside scoop behind the secret walls of an insurance claims office? No matter how much you may think that you do not have coverage for something, always ask. Especially in unique unusual circumstances I have personally witnessed fierce arguments between adjusters, supervisors and managers over whether or not to confirm or to deny coverage. Think about it, if you put a defense attorney and a claimant attorney in the same room with the same case or 2 different United States Supreme Court Judges in the same room with the same case, you could get 2 totally different opinions. That is why you should always ask and take action before the statute of limitations runs because you might financially benefit from somebody's mistake.

by Stephanie Gibbs

Types of Long Term Care Insurance

Regardless of what some people might think, medical insurance will not cover the expenses and services that long term care insurance covers.

There are three types of long term care insurance. The first plan is the skilled nursing care. It has to be ordered by a physician and the patient must be able to fully recover form his or her illness or injuries. It involves a treatment plan, skilled therapy with a licensed therapist and nursing care.

Intermediate nursing care is another type of long term care insurance. Likes skilled nursing care it must be ordered by a physician and the patient must be able to recover from their illness or injury. Unlike skilled nursing care, Intermediate nursing care is not provided on a daily basis. It depends on what treatment and therapy plan tht the doctor has ordered. It is basically a prescribed as needed to get well plan.

The custodial nursing care plan is the full coverage plan of long term care insurance. Custodial care includes daily nursing care and nursing assistance walking, eating, bathing and other hygiene
matters, and also includes colostomy and catheter use, as well.

Custodial care can be an in home care plan, an assisted living care plan or a nursing home plan. It can range from a few hours per week to 24 hours per day. The intention is that the patient will not be able to recover from their injuries or illnesses.

Studies how that 40% of the people who receive any type of long term care services are under the age of 65. Studies also show that there is a 50% chance that a person will need some type of long term care service after the age 65.

Long term care insurance is right for many people, but if you are in the position that you can pay for your care with assets then long term care insurance might not be the best idea.

by Tim Gorman

Cheap Car Insurance – 7 Tips To Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs.

With the cost of car insurance becoming more and more of an issue for the average American family, there are increasing numbers of people looking for cheap car insurance. But although it is possible to find cheap car insurance, the question remains, is it worth buying?

Everyone knows that car insurance companies are not all equal. Cheap car insurance is wonderful when paying the bill, but make a mistake on the company you select and you could find that the cheap car insurance policy that you found may turn into a nightmare. Cheap car insurance may not turn out to be so attractive when making a claim.

So if you have found a discount car insurance broker don’t just take the cheapest quote that you get. You need to find out a little about the insurance company that is offering the cheap car insurance rates.

And there’s ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance even with the best of companies. Here are some tips for those looking for cheap car insurance to help reduce the cost of car insurance without compromising other things.

7 Cheap Car Insurance Tips

1.Look at your deductible amount. This is the amount that you pay first out of any claim. The cost of your policy is directly related to this amount. Many people, particularly those who have had their insurance policy for a long time, have never considered whether they ought to vary their deductible. If you have a good driving record and are prepared to increase the risk of paying a larger amount in the event of a (hopefully unlikely) claim you can save money by increasing your deductible.

2.Have a look at the type of car you drive. Certain types of cars attract higher car insurance rates. Cars such as sports cars and also certain makes and models that are prime theft candidates cost more to insure. If you are buying a car then find out which makes and models these are before you buy.

3.Drive carefully. Although it sounds a little trite to say it, your car insurance cost is a factor of your risk profile. You won’t get cheap car insurance if you have had 3 speeding fines and 2 accidents in the last year. These things are all taken into account and you should take care with how you drive. It all adds up onto your bill. There are big safe driver discounts available.

4.Considering installing safety and anti theft devices in your car. Again these affect your risk profile. If you have a car that is safer and less at risk of theft it should be cheaper to insure. And if you have a car with certain safety devices now check that your insurance company is aware of these, if not tell them.

5.Look at your policy when it comes to renewal time, don’t just pay. There are some things that you can vary in your policy that will affect the cost. Often there are some things there which duplicate other insurance that you may have that can be eliminated. Be critical, look carefully and ask questions about all these before you renew your policy.

6.Have a look at who your other insurers are. Many insurers offer a discount for multiple policies. If you insure your house with a certain company then ring them up and find out if they do car insurance. Get a quote from them. Find out what discounts they offer.

7.Find a good online discount car insurance broker before renewing. The internet is a fabulous resource. Use it. There are all sorts of discount insurance brokers online where you can get fast quotes from a wide range of companies. Don’t just settle for the same company you always use. Car insurance rates vary all the time. Always get comparable quotes before renewing any policy.

So if you’re in the market for cheap car insurance there’s some ideas for you. Don’t just accept that car insurance is always prohibitively expensive, get out there and do something about it.

5 Strategies To Reduce Your Car Insurance Premiums

Your latest car insurance bill has arrived and it is not a pretty site. In fact, it is downright ugly! What can you do? Must you remain hostage to the ever spiraling rate increases foisted upon you when your policy renews? In a word, no. Let's examine five strategies you can practice today to help reduce your car insurance premiums immediately.

1. Shop For A New Policy. Even with "loyalty discounts" in place, many consumers will find that a competing company will offer significant savings over your current plan. This especially holds true if your state recently opened up the market to invite more competition in.

2. Change Your Coverage. If your vehicle is old, you many want to consider dropping collision coverage. Your comprehensive coverage may also be due for reexamination. Finally, make sure that there aren't duplicate costs included such as towing insurance if already offered through your automobile club.

3. Family Status. You may be paying more for your insurance if your policy shows that you are single when, in fact, you were recently married. Rates
are generally lowered for married folks as well as those over a certain age.

4. Up Your Deductible. You can realize instant savings by raising the deductible you are willing to pay. Maybe you don't need a $200 collision deductible when $500 is sufficient.

5. Get Security Discounts. If you park your car in a locked garage and/or have an alarm system installed make sure that your insurer is aware of this as your premium will be adjusted downward. In many cases you can also save on car insurance by bundling it with your homeowners insurance. Finally, talk with your broker to see whatever other measures you can take to realize additional savings.

by Matthew C. Keegan

Need A Car Insurance Comparison? Don’t Have Time?

If you decide not to do a car insurance comparison and simply renew your insurance at the same rate, you could be paying away needless amounts of your hard-earned money. By doing a car insurance comparison, you could get a cheaper rate than what you are presently paying.

A car insurance comparison rate is quite easy to do from home on your computer. This way you don’t have to spend time during the day contacting the various insurance companies during their business hours. You can sit down at any time of the night and do the car insurance comparison yourself by requesting free quotes from the various online car insurance companies.

Most of the online insurance sites will return a free quote as to the rate they charge for your insurance needs within 24 hours. It is best to request at least three quotes so you can do a car insurance comparison when you get them. If you print them off, then you can sit back with your coffee and do a car insurance comparison of the rates.

Take your time and make sure you are actually doing a comparison of the same types of coverage. Another way you can get the car insurance comparison you need without spending too much time on the computer is to contact an online car insurance broker. Using a broker takes all the work out of car insurance comparison.

Rates vary from company to company and some of them give discounts for certain things.You may find when doing a car insurance comparison that some companies give a discount if you are over age 50. Others might have a discount if you have a perfect driving record and still others may offer a discount if you work in a certain industry or if you do not drive your car to work. It does pay to shop around for a car insurance comparison rate. The type of car you have will affect the quote you get with a car insurance comparison rate.

A sports car will cost you more in insurance, as will city driving as opposed to all rural driving where there is less traffic and therefore less chance of having an accident. There are some companies that will give you a break if you have had accidents in the past. If you have several vehicles, you need to do a car insurance comparison to find a company that will give you a lower rate when you insure all the vehicles under the same policy.

Shop around and don’t be afraid to ask questions about the company and its system of rates that it charges. Although some people say knowledge can be dangerous, it will save you money when it comes to getting car insurance.

Cheap Car Insurance – 7 Tips To Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs.

With the cost of car insurance becoming more and more of an issue for the average American family, there are increasing numbers of people looking for cheap car insurance. But although it is possible to find cheap car insurance, the question remains, is it worth buying?

Everyone knows that car insurance companies are not all equal. Cheap car insurance is wonderful when paying the bill, but make a mistake on the company you select and you could find that the cheap car insurance policy that you found may turn into a nightmare.

Cheap car insurance may not turn out to be so attractive when making a claim.So if you have found a discount car insurance broker don’t just take the cheapest quote that you get. You need to find out a little about the insurance company that is offering the cheap car insurance rates.

And there’s ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance even with the best of companies. Here are some tips for those looking for cheap car insurance to help reduce the cost of car insurance without compromising other things.

7 Cheap Car Insurance Tips

1.Look at your deductible amount.

This is the amount that you pay first out of any claim. The cost of your policy is directly related to this amount. Many people, particularly those who have had their insurance policy for a long time, have never considered whether they ought to vary their deductible. If you have a good driving record and are prepared to increase the risk of paying a larger amount in the event of a (hopefully unlikely) claim you can save money by increasing your deductible.

2.Have a look at the type of car you drive.

Certain types of cars attract higher car insurance rates. Cars such as sports cars and also certain makes and models that are prime theft candidates cost more to insure. If you are buying a car then find out which makes and models these are before you buy.

3.Drive carefully.

Although it sounds a little trite to say it, your car insurance cost is a factor of your risk profile. You won’t get cheap car insurance if you have had 3 speeding fines and 2 accidents in the last year. These things are all taken into account and you should take care with how you drive. It all adds up onto your bill. There are big safe driver discounts available.

4.Considering installing safety and anti theft devices in your car.

Again these affect your risk profile. If you have a car that is safer and less at risk of theft it should be cheaper to insure. And if you have a car with certain safety devices now check that your insurance company is aware of these, if not tell them.

5.Look at your policy when it comes to renewal time, don’t just pay.

There are some things that you can vary in your policy that will affect the cost. Often there are some things there which duplicate other insurance that you may have that can be eliminated. Be critical, look carefully and ask questions about all these before you renew your policy.

6.Have a look at who your other insurers are.

Many insurers offer a discount for multiple policies. If you insure your house with a certain company then ring them up and find out if they do car insurance. Get a quote from them. Find out what discounts they offer.

7.Find a good online discount car insurance broker before renewing.

The internet is a fabulous resource. Use it. There are all sorts of discount insurance brokers online where you can get fast quotes from a wide range of companies. Don’t just settle for the same company you always use. Car insurance rates vary all the time. Always get comparable quotes before renewing any policy.

So if you’re in the market for cheap car insurance there’s some ideas for you. Don’t just accept that car insurance is always prohibitively expensive, get out there and do something about it.

by Peter Crump

Types of Long Term Care Insurance

Regardless of what some people might think, medical insurance will not cover the expenses and services that long term care insurance covers.

There are three types of long term care insurance. The first plan is the skilled nursing care. It has to be ordered by a physician and the patient must be able to fully recover form his or her illness or injuries.

It involves a treatment plan, skilled therapy with a licensed therapist and nursing care.Intermediate nursing care is another type of long term care insurance. Likes skilled nursing care it must be ordered by a physician and the patient must be able to recover from their illness or injury.

Unlike skilled nursing care, Intermediate nursing care is not provided on a daily basis. It depends on what treatment and therapy plan tht the doctor has ordered. It is basically a prescribed as needed to get well plan.The custodial nursing care plan is the full coverage plan of long term care insurance.

Custodial care includes daily nursing care and nursing assistance walking, eating, bathing and other hygiene matters, and also includes colostomy and catheter use, as well. Custodial care can be an in home care plan, an assisted living care plan or a nursing home plan.

It can range from a few hours per week to 24 hours per day. The intention is that the patient will not be able to recover from their injuries or illnesses.

Studies how that 40% of the people who receive any type of long term care services are under the age of 65. Studies also show that there is a 50% chance that a person will need some type of long term care service after the age 65.

Long term care insurance is right for many people, but if you are in the position that you can pay for your care with assets then long term care insurance might not be the best idea.

by Tim Gorman

Really Cheap Car Insurance

There are the usual tips for getting really cheap car insurance. You may need to be reminded of these. Then there are the secrets that you haven't heard about. You'll find a few of those here too.

1. Shop around. Call several companies for quotes, starting with those that advertise the lowest prices. be sure to include at least one independent agent, since they can check many companies for you. Use the tips here to make a list of questions to ask them.

2. Raise your deductible to lower your rates. If you really can't afford the first $500 of an accident, you should rearrange your financial life. After all, you're going to find away to afford more than that over time, on higher premiums.

3. Consider dropping collision. Why pay for it if the car is worth $1000? All you'll get is $1000. The rule is: drop the collision if you can afford the loss. You can't drop it if you owe on the car. However, if the car is worth only a couple thousand and you still owe a little on it, get a personal loan to pay off the car loan, drop the collision coverage, and the savings on the insurance may almost make the payments.

4. Round down your distance to work. You are charged more if you drive farther to work, so be sure to give the shortest distance on the application. Fifteen miles is a common cut-off, at which point you start to pay more.

5. Demand the legal minimums. Do this if you have no assets. Most companies will try to sell you their "company-recommended minimums" on liability, but you may not need that much coverage. Remember, if you are broke, you are not an attractive target for a lawsuit.

6. Get any discounts you are eligible for. Ask about any "safe driver" non-smoker" or other special discounts.

7. Home and auto discounts. See if there is a discount if you insure car and home with the same company. This can often save you a lot.

8. Pay for 6 months at a time. Don't take the easy monthly payment option. They
always charge you more for that. Learn to budget and you not only get really cheap car insurance, but everything else is cheaper too.

9. Review your policy. Have your policy reviewed and get new quotes every year or so. If the speeding ticket you had is now past the three year mark (or whatever the company thinks is important) they won't automatically drop the rate, so ask.

10. Consider the insurance costs when buying a car. Sports cars and others are charged higher rates. This isn't a one time charge. You'll pay more for as long as you own the car.

11. Keep policy current. I went without a car for a while, and let the policy lapse because I didn't need it, and there wasn't enough time left on it to request a refund. When I bought a car again, the cost for a six-month liability policy went from $167 to $400 because of my lapsed policy. Keep the policy active if you will be buying again soon, or cancel it, but don't let it lapse.

12. Get paid for diminished value. Ifyou have an accident, be sure the insurance pays what it should. "Diminished value" is often not paid unless you push the point, even though a car loses value from being in a wreck, even after it is repaired.

13. Remove kids from policy. If the kids are at a college that's more than 100 miles away, you can have them taken off the insurance policy and save a lot of money. You can't let them drive the car when they come home to visit though.

14. Get older. Rates drop, especially after 25 years old, so get new quotes now and then as you get older. They may not adjust your rate automatically. Old safe drivers can get really cheap car insurance.

by Steve Gillman

5 Steps To Cheap Car Insurance

We all know that car insurance is compulsory, but it's not necessary to pay more than you have to. A few simple steps combined with some time surfing for cheap car insurance rates really can save you hundreds.

STEP ONE - CUT THE EXCESS, CUT THE RISK

The size of your car insurance premium is directly related to the risk you pose to the insurance company. So the easiest way to cut your premiums is to accept a higher voluntary excess. An insurer's standard excess may be ฃ100; but if you meet the first ฃ250 of any claim, you'll see a reduction in your premium. This is because you're taking on more of the risk so you get a discount. But it's a gamble, be aware that you might have to meet the cost of a broken window after an attempted theft, then a bill for repairing bodywork damage after a car park crunch.

STEP TWO - SECURE IT & SAVE

Another sure way of reducing the risk and, therefore the premium, is by fitting approved security devices. All major UK insurers insist on Thatcham rated security equipment, usually a minimum of an alarm. If you live in a high-risk area for car crime, it makes sense to fit extra security such as an immobiliser and alarm. Not only does it save you money when your insurance renewal is due but it gives you extra peace of mind every time you park up your car.

STEP THREE - LOW MILES, LOW PREMIUM

If your annual mileage is low, 5,000 miles or less, ask insurers if they offer discounts for agreed mileage restrictions.

STEP FOUR - ADD A NAMED DRIVER & SAVE UP TO 15%

Including a named driver on your policy can increase or reduce your premiums depending upon the named drivers age, sex and driving record. A young named driver will increase your premiums, particularly with a limited or poor driving record. However, adding a driver over 30 years old with a long and clean driving record can cut premiums by up to 15%, particularly if the named driver is female!

STEP FIVE - SHOP, HAGGLE & SAVE

Simply shopping around will reward you with the biggest savings. There can be massive differences between the lowest and highest car insurance quotes for exactly the same car and driver(s).

Start off using good comparative online car insurance quote sites like Moneysupermarket and Screentrade, take their best quotes and go direct to the cheapest insurers for more specific quotations.

by Simon Markham

Seven Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim

Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life's least enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal.

Using the following seven steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Understand your policy

Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy. Call your agent or company if you have any questions about what is or is not covered.

Step 2: Exchange information

If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver's name, address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer's phone number. Be prepared to give the same information about yourself to the other driver. You can find insurers' telephone numbers on the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person when operating a motor vehicle.

Step 3: Identify witnesses

Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone numbers in case their account of the accident is needed.

Step 4: File an accident report

Contact local law enforcement officers to have an accident report prepared. If law enforcement is not reachable, accident reports and detailed instructions are available at all police departments, sheriff's offices, your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles' web site.

Step 5: Notify your insurer

Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster will review the accident report to determine who caused the accident. If the accident was not your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault driver's insurance company handle the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you use the other driver's company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and you will not have to pay a deductible.

Step 6: Do not release insurers too early

Do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility until the damages are settled to your satisfaction. For example, have your insurance company handle the claim if the other party's insurance company questions its policyholder's negligence or offers an unacceptable settlement.

Step 7: Consider these settlement factors

. Bodily injuries: You may be entitled to a monetary settlement for injuries caused by another at fault (liable) party. It can take several days for some injuries to become apparent.

. Damages: The insurance company is responsible to pay for the reasonable cost of repairs to your vehicle. An insurance adjuster will assess the damage. Usually, insurance companies and auto body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired. If you disagree with their conclusions, you have the right to obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop.

. Appraisal clause: Most auto insurance policies include an appraisal clause, which can be used to help settle disputes about physical damage claims between you and your insurance company. (The appraisal clause does not apply for claims you file with the other party's insurance company.) If you cannot reach an agreement with your company, you or your insurer can initiate theappraisal clause.

Your appraiser and your insurer's appraiser then select an independent umpire to try to resolve the dispute. Check your policy or ask your agent or insurance company for more information about the appraisal clause.

by Jon Register

Low Rate Car Insurance

Everyone likes to save money! That fact is not a secret to anyone. When trying to save money on car insurance, a question that should be considered is, “What will be the cost to me for “saving” money?” This question is meant to help people realize that there is a difference between “price” and “cost”. While Company “A” may offer slightly lower or even much lower premiums than Company “B”, Company “B” may offer some services that you prefer, i.e. a local agent, 24 hour service, online service etc. These services may be worth the extra price to some people, and not for others. Thus, it is shown that services received may out-weigh the price paid.

Another factor to take into consideration is the quality of service

you receive from an insurance company. While all auto insurance companies want you to believe that they are as good, or even better than the next company; that is simply not true. There are drastic differences in overall service, claim handling, and personality of individual companies.

One company may offer exceptional claim’s service, but perhaps it is very difficult to actually get in touch with the company’s claim’s department; while another company may have terrible claim’s service, but their claim department is easy to reach.

One must ask themselves, “Is it worth paying lower premiums to receive a lower quality of service, or am I willing to pay a bit more to ensure that my service is exceptional?” Don’tmisunderstand. Just because a company offers lower premiums, does not necessarily mean that company’s level of service will be lacking. Great service can come at any price.

The most important item to remember while searching for lower premiums is to do your homework. Talk to your family, friends, and co-workers. Ask them where they are insured, and if they are pleased with their insurance company.

Remember, not all insurance companies are created equally, for instance, a company that runs completely over the phone or internet will have different costs than a company that employs fulltime agents. That is because the cost of doing business is different for each of those companies. This brings the question again, “What services do I value in my insurance company? Do I want the package Company “A” offers or that of Company “B”?”

Low rate car insurance is in the eye of the beholder. Simply put, different services are worth different amounts to different people. So find the company with the services you desire and let the games begin.

by Greg Haehl

How to Find Car Insurance Discounts

Saving money wherever you can is important to us all. Car Insurance should be no different. Do not assume that your insurance agent knows everything about you and your car. At HometownQuotes we go out of our way to find all the possible car insurance discounts that are available to each customer.

Drivers should take advantage of all discounts that many providers offer, that can significantly reduce the cost of car insurance. Understanding discounts and how they can affect car insurance premiums can help smart shoppers make better decisions about their coverage and possibly save themselves some money in the process.

Read below to identify possible discounts that could help you save money on car insurance this year. Other than discounts, there may be some other ways for you to save on your insurance premiums. We will go over several discounts that can help with your current situation.

First, there are discounts for Car Safety features. Certain states will give you discounts for anti-lock breaks. Make sure you know if it is two or four wheel anti-lock break vehicle. Automatic seatbelts and airbags are frequently discounted on your insurance premiums.

In most states, a defensive driver class discount may apply. If the principal driver usually 55 years old or older has completed an approved defensive driving class a discount could apply. Keep in mind that most states will only approve this class if it is voluntary meaning that it was not the result of a violation or infraction.

Some insurers will give you a discount for having multiple cars. In some cases, this will only apply if you have two or more drivers. If you have a clean driving record, meaning you do not have any tickets, accidents or suspensions in the last three years (some companies require five years) then you could be eligible for a safe driver's discount.Many insurance companies will reward you with staying with the same insurance company for many years without any accidents reported.

They will offer you a renewal discount. It makes sense, you have carried insurance with a company for several years, and have not had an accident, your insurance company likes you and wants to reward and keep your business. Some companies honor you with a discount if you had prior limits on your previous policy. They discount you because they understand you are a better risk.

Conversely, if you do decided to change insurers a proof of prior insurance discount may apply. Most insurers request at least 6 months of consecutive insurance from the previous insurer. If you are a full-time student who meets certain grade requirements and are unmarried and usually under 25 years of age (some states the age is 21) you could be eligible for a good student discount.

If you own a home, including condominium, town home, or mobile home, which is used as a principal residence, a discount could apply. Military personnel either currently active or retired from any branch of the US military a discount could apply. If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft device, a discount could apply.

You could lower the cost of your car insurance in other ways as well.

For people who own older cars, it may not be necessary or cost-effective to protect them with collision and comprehensive coverage. By comparing the book value of your vehicle and the premium that the insurer has offered, you may find that it cost as much for the insurance as it does for the vehicle. If the car is worth less than $2,000, you will probably spend more insuring it than it is worth.

The whole idea of driving an older car is to save money, so why not get what is coming to you.In addition, keep in mind that the type of vehicle you buy could greatly affect your premium. A flashy red sports car is usually going to cost more to insure than a mid sized sedan. This is also true of vehicles that are on the list of most stolen.

There are many ways that policyholders can save on their insurance. Knowing more about auto policies and premiums can help consumers take advantage of less obvious discounts while ensuring that they have the appropriate protection for their vehicles.

The last way to save is to assume more risk. If you chose higher deductible on your Personal Injury Protection or Comprehensive and collision coverage will lower your premium as well. The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before your insurance company begins paying the rest.

Understanding how discounts affect your car insurance rates is important to save you money.

by Matt McWilliams

Tips For Saving Money On Car Insurance

Car insurance is required by all licensed drivers but many of them don’t know how to find the best rates available. Being complacent and purchasing car insurance without carefully investigating your options or maintaining the same car insurance for the remainder of your life could mean that you are paying too much for your car insurance.

Comparison shopping, ensuring that you are receiving all the discounts you qualify for and maintaining a clean driving record are just a few of the money saving tips that can save you a fortune on car insurance. Comparison shopping for car insurance, even after you are already insured, cannot be underestimated. It is critical that you investigate all of your options before choosing an insurance provider to ensure that you are getting the best possible rate on your car insurance. There are so many factors considered in car insurance policies such as where you live, your driving record, your age and the type of car you drive just to name a few. With all of these factors to consider, it is very possible that you will find that there is a car insurance provider who will offer you a considerably lower rate than other providers.

Even after you have secured insurance for your car, it is wise to periodically check the rates that other providers will offer you. Car insurance as well as your circumstances are perpetually changing and you may find that the provider who is willing to offer you the best car insurance rate varies periodically. Many car insurance providers offer a host of discounts to their clients who qualify for these discounts.

These discounts can relate to your driving record, safety features of your car, your age or other factors. These discounts can result in a tremendous cost savings on your car insurance policy but while many insurance providers offer these discounts, they don’t always advertise them. This means that you may have to do research to determine what type of discounts you may qualify to receive. Carefully, review your car insurance policy to determine which discounts you are already receiving and then contact your car insurance provider to inquire about other discounts that may be available. For example if your driving record is devoid of accidents or tickets, you may qualify for a good driver discount.

Also, if your car has certain safety features such as daytime running lights, you may also qualify for car insurance discounts. Your age can also qualify you for certain car insurance discounts. Some insurance providers also offer discounts to those who insure their house with the same company as they insure their car. Taking advantage of this type of discount can save you money on both your car and home insurance. Being aware of the discounts that are available and ensuring that you are receiving these discounts, can save you a great deal of money on your car insurance.

Finally, maintaining a clean driving record is very important to receiving the best available car insurance rate. While it is true that each car insurance provider is unique in the factors that contribute to lower rates, the one factor that is consistent among all providers of car insurance is that a clean driving record is critical to your rate. Although accidents are sometimes unavoidable, it is imperative that you adhere to all traffic regulations and that you drive safely at all times. This will reduce the number of traffic violations that you incur as well as the number of accidents that you cause. Following these tips will help you to maintain a clean driving record that will keep the cost of your car insurance low.

Many drivers lament paying their monthly car insurance bill because they feel as though the insurance isn’t necessary. Although car insurance is a financial burden that seems superfluous, it does pay off if you are ever in a serious car accident that has significant financial ramifications. For this reason, you should never consider allowing your car insurance to lapse and it is recommended that you search diligently to find the best available rate on your car insurance.

by Ray Shelton

Top 10 Ways To Save Money On Car Insurance

Purchasing car insurance can be somewhat complex. The more information you're armed with will help you save money. Below are 10 ways to save money on anyone's car insurance.

1. Clean Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) - Try your best to have a clean license. This means no speeding tickets or violations for at least 39 months. Car insurance rates favor drivers with clean licenses.

2. No accidents - I know people don't try to have accidents, but being accident free for at least 39 months usually places you in any insurance company's most preferred rating tier.

3. Prior Insurance - Insurance companies look favorably upon those who have
   had insurance for at least 6 months. If you currently have insurance, try not to let it lapse and then look for new insurance. Keep it in force continually.

4. Good Credit - More and more insurance companies are looking at an individual's credit rating to determine insurance rates. The better your credit, the better rate you'll receive on your car insurance.

5. Defensive Driver Certification - Anyone can sign up to take a Defensive Driver course. The course is usually 6 hours in length and upon completion; you're entitled to receive an 8-10% discount off your car insurance.

6. Select Modest Vehicle - Insurance for cars is related to the actual vehicle itself. Obviously the more expensive the car the more expensive the insurance. Try to purchase a modest vehicle thus making the cost of the insurance less expensive.

7. Deductibles - The deductible you choose on your auto policy is the amount deducted from a claim, which you're responsible to pay out of pocket. A higher deductible relates to a lower insurance rate.

8. Multi Vehicle Discount - Car insurance policies offer a discount once you have more than one vehicle insured. Normally the discount is 25%. If you have more than one auto policy in your household, you should combine the two and take advantage of the savings.

9. Package Policy - Companies offer a discount to policyholder's if you insure a home (condo, or renters policy) with them as well as your car insurance. The savings on the car insurance may pay for the complete cost of a renter's policy or will provide a large discount on a homeowner's policy.

10. Address - Try to live outside of a major metropolitan proper area. The suburbs can be 40% cheaper to insure a car vs. a city address.

by Robert Lawrence

Car Insurance Tips

You have come to the right place, if you are looking for information on how to get car insurance for your new or pre-owned auto or if you just want to get a better auto insurance quote. Not all auto insurance companies have the same policy coverage, pricing or terms. To get the best car insurance policy at the cheapest rate, you will have to do a little research; most auto insurance companies offer online quotes, this is the easiest way to do comparisons.

If you have an existing policy from your current insurer, pull it out or request they send you a copy. Read it through carefully and highlight the most important coverage items to identify areas where you may need decreased or additional coverage.

Deductible in the event of a claim - Increasing your deductible can lower your insurance quote by hundreds of dollars.

Total loss - Coverage in the event your automobile is stolen or totaled in an accident.

Property Damage Liability - This coverage is important in the event your vehicle causes damage to someone else's property.

Can you go to the auto repair shop of your choice ?

Does it make a big difference if you opt for a higher deductible?

Where can I find Cheap auto insurance quotes?

by Jamie Snodgrass

The car insurance industry has got really competitive in the last few years, so prices haven't really changed much. There are now over 100 car insurers to choose from, so there are some very good deals out there for those who are prepared to shop around. 23% of motorists still choose to insure with the same company as the year before, but they could undoubtedly save money if they did check out some other companies.

Motorists could be forgiven for not getting other quotes, it used to be a very laborious exercise involving long waits while getting routed through the call centre, and boring repetition of facts to sales advisors. Now, thanks to the internet, it's all a lot more simple. Car insurers also offer extra discounts to people who buy online.

However, you need to consider the quality of the policy, not just the price:

• Check that your low quotation is not due to an extremely high excess.

• Check that you will get a courtesy car if your car needs to be taken in for repairs.

• Check that legal insurance cover is included, if you want it, and automatic windscreen replacement.

• Find out if there is an accident help line in case of an emergency.

It's a good idea to ring the insurer direct to talk through the policy in detail before signing up online.

Money saving tips – recommended!

You can get a quote with over 40 car insurers if you input your details into a good car insurance broker's website. You'll only need to give your details once.Call the insurer with the quotation to check exactly what is and isn't covered. If you have a garage, then you'll save by keeping your car there overnight. You'll also make savings if you can keep your car on a driveway.

This is because there is more chance your car being broken into or vandalised if it's kept on the road. Give your insurer an accurate picture of how many miles you do each year – you will save if you travel less.

Some occupations, like being a landlord, journalist or professional footballer (if only) attract higher premiums. You can save money if you work in finance or the civil service. Get married! Men under 30 pay more if they're not married – it's just the excuse your girlfriend is looking for! Under 25's pay more, but you can get lower premiums if can put a driver over the age of 25 with a good driving record on your policy as a named driver.

That person must be under 60 though, as premiums rise again at that age. Agreeing to higher excess (the average cost is ฃ100) will help lower your premiums. If your car is not of a high value, you could get third party cover and make quite a saving compared to fully comprehensive insurance.

Pay as you go insurance is a new option for 18-21 year olds. It's a recent development introduced by Norwich Union, in which you pay a unit cost per mile. The cost per mile is more between 11pm and 6am. You pay an initial fee of ฃ199 to have a Global Positioning System fitted to your car, and then it transmits details of your mileage direct to Norwich Union.

They send you a monthly invoice and you pay for the miles you've done! Taking Pass Plus lessons to improve your driving abilities could save you around a third on your premiums. They cost ฃ15 - ฃ30 an hour and cover driving at night, in busy rush hour jams and fast motorway driving. You can find out more at www.passplus.org.uk . You can also improve your driving skills and make insurance savings with the Institute of Advanced Motorists ( www.iam.org.uk ). Find out the insurance group of a car before you make the purchase. There are twenty insurance groups – the slower and less desirable the car (to criminals) then the lower the rating.

You could make considerable savings by choosing a car in a lower insurance group. If you want a high spec or performance car then you can expect to pay a lot more on your insurance. They're a lot more likely to be stolen or involved in an accident.

Making the sensible choice might be a bit boring, but it will be a lot cheaper. Watch your speed. Most insurance companies will let you get away with a single fixed penalty fine but if you repeat the offence then your premiums will rocket.

Protect your no claims discount as soon as you can (usually after four years). It costs a bit extra but it's well worth it. Satellite navigation in your car will lower your premiums. Insurers have found that people concentrate more on their driving and less on trying to find their way, which means less chance of having an accident.

It's a good idea to have an engine immobiliser or alarm fitted not just because it could help you keep hold of your car, it will also make you a saving of 5-8%. If there's two or more cars in the household, get them on the same policy to get a good discount.

by Michael Challiner

The Insider's Secrets On Availing Cheap Car Insurance

With the streets of Briton teeming with rash drivers, it is in your best interest to get a car insurance. In certain states you are actually required by the law to get a car insurance.

So, even if you think of it as an excess baggage to your financial budget, you don't have a choice but to get it.

However, there are certain steps that you can take to save money on your car insurance. This piece aims to give you a scoop on how to spend less on your car insurance.

First and foremost element that affects your car insurance rate is your driving record. If you have been driving for a long time and have a relatively clean driving record, then you can get a cheap car insurance. Safety measures like air bags, automatic seat belts, car alarms and brakes can do you good in saving those precious pounds.

Approaching the same insurance company that has your other insurance accounts also helps you in getting discounts. Moreover, sticking to the same insurer beyond one year can also make you eligible for discounts.

Your premium rate can come down considerably if you offer high deductibles, which is nothing but the money that you pay prior to making a claim on an accident. Since new and flashy cars have high maintenance values, therefore insurances of such cars is also very high. Mileage also plays an important role in determining the premium rate on your car insurance. Less is your mileage count; lower will be your insurance premium.

Another way of saving on your car insurance is by avoiding double health coverage. If you already have enough health coverage, then you can avoid clubbing it with your auto policy. You can also get great discounts by availing group insurance policies. Find out about such policies wherein you can become eligible for good discounts if you join the policy as a group. The safest and the most trusted way of availing cheap car insurance is by making comparisons of several car insurance offers. Compare the offers from a couple of companies before you decide on your car insurance policy.

by joanne

Car Insurance Basics

What is car insurance? Car insurance is essentially insurance that covers you, your passengers, and your car in case of an accident. Most states require that car owners carry liability coverage in their car insurance policy. Liability insurance covers expenses incurred for damaging another vehicle with your own when you are at fault. This means that if you are in a vehicular accident and your car caused the damage, then the liability piece of your car insurance will cover the damages according to the terms of your policy.

Your car insurance premium (cost) is made up of several different factors. Those include your age, driving record, gender, vehicle type, vehicle age, geographic location, number of miles you put on your vehicle yearly, the deductibles (collision and comprehensive), etc.

What is collision coverage? Collision coverage is the portion of your car insurance that will pay you to repair or replace your vehicle in the case of a covered accident. What is comprehensive coverage? Comprehensive coverage is the portion of your car insurance that helps pay for damages to your vehicle that are incurred as a result of situations such as weather, theft, and vandalism. As with all insurance, car insurance policies carry a deductible. The deductible amount is the portion of the claim that you as the policy holder are responsible for paying.

For example, if you carry a $250 collision deductible and you cause a wreck that requires $1000 worth of repairs to your vehicle, then you will pay the first $250 and the car insurance company will cover the remaining $750. Car insurance costs go up as you lower your deductible. If you are willing to carry a higher deductible, then your car insurance will be less expensive.

Another item to keep in mind is that as your car ages and its value declines your car insurance premium will decrease in price. This assumes that you keep a good driving record and do not get any tickets or get in to any accidents. Also, as you car gets older you can reduce the amount of coverage that you have in your car insurance policy. Many people believe there is no need to carry anything more than liability coverage on a car that is old and not worth much anyway. It is always up to you, but it is definitely something to consider.

Car insurance is typically charged at a six month rate. This allows you and the car insurance company to make adjustments a couple times a year. You can pay the premium of your car insurance once every six months or you can break the payments up in to a schedule that is more suitable to you. Many people make payments once a month. Keep in mind that car insurance companies are willing to let you do monthly payments, but they charge a higher rate on a month-to-month payment than they do for the six month total.

For example, your six month rate may be $600, but if you make monthly payments, then you are charged $120 per month. There are several companies that offer car insurance so you have plenty of choices. Please visit ChildInsure.com today for more information on car insurance as well as health, life, and home insurance. You can get a free online quote from providers in your area with just a few clicks.

by Jason Barrett

Cheap Car Insurance

Yes! It is possible to get cheap insurance. The best way to find low cost insurance is to get insurance quotes from several different companies and then you can see what the cheapest rate is. Here is a list of some things that contribute to the cost of your insurance.

The first factor would be the area in which you reside. Insurers look at your neighbouring area. If your area has many accidents it will affect and increase your premium rate. Most of the time, you will find more fender benders in inner city area. In rural areas you might find more severe accidents. The reason for this would be because of the higher speeds on the open highway.

factor would be the type of car you own. If you have an older vehicle with some damage your insurance will obviously be cheaper. Owning an expensive sports car will surely increase your insurance rate.

The third factor would be young driver discounts. Some companies offer discounts for good students with a 3.0 grade point average as well as drivers training discount. If you put the two together the discount can be quite significant.

The fourth would have to be matured driver and retired discounts. Some companies can offer retirement discounts and mature driver discounts to lower the rates for senior citizens.

contribute to your insurance rate. Be sure to ask about any discounts when shopping for your car insurance. Think about where you live, your vehicle and how you arrange your coverage. If you do a little more research and educate yourself it will help you get the insurance that is right for you, and an insurance that will save you more money. So go out inform yourself and save money on your car insurance!

by Jenna Simpson

Car Insurance Quotes

Powerseeker is a leading online car insurance provider that specialises in looking for the cheapest car insurance in the UK. Along with the lowest rate of interest, it pinpoints insurance that can be procured without the bother of innumerable phone calls.

The car insurance sector in the UK has become increasingly competitive and marked by low tariffs over the past few years. Despite that up to two million people in the UK drive without insurance, causing injury to other people including passengers and damage other people's property. Price-based competition has not only led to reduction in overheads but also the arrival of price slashing entrants resulting in lower premiums and some of the cheapest car insurance quotes.

The Internet is the best place to start searching for the cheapest car insurance quote. It has to be searched for, evaluated and contrasted across the market before a decision of choosing the cheapest car insurance quotes in the UK can be made. This is so because the difference between the highest and lowest quotes can be astounding. At Power Seeker, our insurance advisors say that it is wise to browse through more than one 'comparison website' (that enables review of offers and options for a one-stop 'policy overview') because different websites might deal with different companies with varying quotes and premiums.

Our insurance providers have provided us with a handy list of tips that can be used to acquire the cheapest car insurance quotes and premium:

Buy Online: Many insurers grant percentage discounts for buying car insurance online.

No Claims Bonus: A personal discount is obtainable for driving 'claim free' during the period of insurance.

Parking: If you park your car in a locked garage overnight and during the day and do not drive your insured car to work, the premium would be reduced.

Alarm: Guard against theft by adding a standard alarm and immobiliser.

Mileage: The premium is also reduced if your average mileage per annum is less than 12,000 miles.

Excess: Opting to pay a higher excess can lower your premium.

Trade Value : If the 'trade value' of your vehicle is not high then it may be worth downgrading your cover -- Fully Comprehensive', 'Third Party Fire and Theft' and 'Third Party Only'.

Driving Tests: Clearing tests conducted by recognised institutes like the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the Institute of Advanced Motorists can get you heavy discounts on car insurance premiums.

Consolidation: Consolidate multiple insurance policies. Try and use the same insurance company for more than one vehicle.

Nowadays, there are innumerable cheap car insurance providers in UK who claim to give competitive car insurance quotes online. But as a potential car insurance buyer you should also know that the policy should not only provide value for money but also be modified to suit particular needs. An in-depth study and comparison of car insurance quotes will help in getting an ideal insurance quote for your car.

by Adrian Pitt

Cheapest Car Insurance UK