What to Look For When Comparing Car Insurance Costs

Whether you are in the market for new car insurance or if you just purchased a new car and need car insurance coverage, there are certain things to look for when comparing car insurance quotes. 

It’s also important for you to get quotes when your policy is up for renewal to see if you can save money. Here are the necessary steps to compare car insurance costs to potentially save you money.

Compare Full Coverage and Minimum Coverage

Your car insurance price is going to vary depending on if you want full coverage or minimum coverage. The minimum coverage criteria vary by state. 

Drivers of age 25 or younger tend to get high insurance rates compared to older drivers as they do not have the same experience as older drivers and tend to get into more accidents. Comparing prices against insurance companies could also save you more. 

The minimum coverage required in New Hampshire is 25/50/25 whereas in California it is 15/25/15 coverage. An example of full coverage in New Hampshire is $1,216 compared to minimum coverage at $416.

Drivers With Poor Credit

Drivers with poor credit may have their premiums at a significantly higher rate than drivers with good credit. The states with the highest insurance rate with credit factors are Massachusetts, Michigan, and California. 

Depending on the insurance agency you go through, you could spend significantly more such as $497 a year compared to drivers with good credit. Allstate had the highest rate of premiums for individuals with poor credit. The average price of a policy for poor credit is $3,437 compared to those with good credit of $2,368.

Do You Have an Accident or Ticket?

If you have had an accident, speeding ticket, or driving while intoxicated infraction, your rates can skyrocket. Auto insurance companies tend to consider you a high risk after these infractions which is why the rates are so high. 

Shopping around for car insurance quotes in one, three and five-year intervals will allow you to continue to get the lowest rates.

Compare Quotes

Comparing quotes for cheap car insurance is simple. All you need is your personal information such as the vehicle make, model, miles, and vehicle identification number (VIN). 

You will need to provide your driving history to include any claims, violations, or tickets in the past five years. Providing your current or previous auto insurance to the new insurer will help them compare coverage and pull your information from the past insurance company. 

Further, providing information about the people in your home will help the new insurer determine if they need to be covered.

It’s best to randomly complete quotes with other insurance companies to see if you can get a cheaper rate. Finding a cheaper rate with similar coverage will help you save money for other necessities. 

Even if your car is completely paid off, it’s beneficial to get liability insurance to protect you from the worst-case scenario such as an at-fault accident. This will help you be covered in the event you hit another motorist that is uninsured.

Is Car Insurance Calculated the Same the World Over?

UK drivers have enjoyed some reductions in their car insurance premiums over the past few months, which has been caused by new gender neutral policies, as well as by ongoing competition within the insurance sector. However, there can be some significant differences between car insurance policies around the world, which are often the result of varying regulations and levels of risk. How car insurance policies and premiums are calculated are also determined by local circumstances for drivers.

In the UK, the average cost of car insurance is currently around £1,100, although this can vary quite considerably once age and location are factored in. Younger drivers still tend to pay a lot more than older drivers, while those over the age of 55 can also suffer from increasing premiums. Decisions are made on insurance calculations from your past driving history, the kind of car you drive, and whether you’re doing everything you can to keep a car safe.

The level of risk attributed to a car insurance policy can rise and fall depending on different countries and their general insurance policies. In the United States, for example, the cost of insurance is different from state to state, and can be as high as $2,500 on average in Michigan, through to $995 in Vermont. Michigan also issues driver responsibility fees, and has a high proportion of uninsured drivers, which pushes up premiums.

The cost of car insurance can also be considerably different in countries where third party liability insurance is not mandatory; this is the case in South Africa and New Zealand, where the larger number of people without any form of insurance means that some individual policies can end up being large. Other factors that can affect insurance premium calculations can include limits of no claims discounts, which in France can be a maximum of 50 per cent of the policy’s value.

There are ongoing efforts, however, to standardise insurance costs and calculations. The EU Motor Directive of 2009 imposes rules over third party insurance across European member states, as well as practices for compensation and minimum claims. How rates and premiums are calculated still comes down to individual insurers, though, who can choose to be stricter or more lenient depending on their target market. Specialist insurers can be more relaxed, for example, about providing reasonable cover for kit cars or to drivers with spent criminal convictions.

Similar rules apply in Asia, where car insurance can range from the competitive policies and specialist rates of an insurer like Direct Asia in Thailand, through to China’s combination of nationalised and private insurance. Average calculations and the level of risk calculated across different drivers can consequently be affected by how much of a stake governments have in keeping insurance rates low, and the competitiveness of individual companies to offer low rates to customers.

Author Bio

Paul Taylor is a freelance blogger covering car insurance from around the world. He recommends that drivers check out www.directasia.th for more information on low cost insurance. When not looking for deals, Paul enjoys camping tours and caving.

Five Surprising Things That Can Cause Insurance to Rise

Insurance premiums are at an all-time high, especially for vehicles, so here are a few causes that aren't always considered by consumers that might be increasing the cost, without your knowledge. These are applicable for everyone, whether you are looking for regular car insurance, right through to business van insurance.

Turning 50

Believe it or not it’s not only youngsters that get penalized for stereotypes surrounding their age. Statistically, people in the 50 plus age bracket are more likely to have road accidents than other demographics, so premiums are totted up accordingly. Shop around to ensure you’re not paying over the odds for your age; some companies will price match, so speak up and ask your provider if that’s a possibility. 

Credit rating

Most insurance companies will run some form of background check before agreeing to offer you cover and your credit rating is often the first of these. If you happen to have any missed mortgage repayments, credit card charges, or broken payment contracts, then the cost of your insurance is probably going to suffer as a result. This should be a consideration when deliberating whether to apply for another new credit card.

Vehicles power

This is where companies are really making their money. If you happen to own a farm and drive a vehicle suitable for use on that farm, such as a high powered four by four, your insurance will rocket, even though technically you need such a vehicle. You will also find that may insurance providers will not cover this type of vehicle. Where possible, be sensible with what you ‘need’, rather than what you want and be assured you will pay a sensible price.

Security

Security may seem obvious, but it isn't considered by many motorists and it is a hugely influential factor. This includes where you park your vehicle when at work and home, as well as whether it has an alarm. If you go all out with security measures as well as storage (even if that means hiring garage space), you will probably find there is a drop in your annual insurance fee. 

Payment method

Most insurance providers reward customers that pay annually rather than monthly, so it’s always worth asking for a price for a year as well as the price for monthly installments when inquiring. Save bits and bobs of cash where possible throughout the year, to make this one off payment less of a shock.

How to Choose The Right Car Insurance

When it comes to selecting a car insurance provider, it is important to compare and assess the many factors that are in play. It can be daunting to sort out all of the factors as each company claims to give the most discounts, the best rates, and the best customer care or perks. Selecting which company to go with can involve abundant amounts of research, but not many people know what to look for. 

FindTheBest, an unbiased, data-driven comparison search engine, has developed some tools that may help you with your car insurance search. This post will breakdown some of the most important factors used to compare car insurance companies and will educate you on how to select the best fit for you. Please feel free to test out the interactive tools included below, as they can help you narrow down your search results and create side-by-side comparisons for insurance companies that fit your needs best.

Car Insurance

Comparison Factors 

1. What You’re Currently Paying 

Although it may seem obvious, it is easy to overlook what you’re paying now and exactly why you are paying that amount. This should be your first step in selecting a new auto insurance provider. Understanding your rate is essential to buying car insurance. Every year your car insurance company sends out a comprehensive policy breakdown that shows what you’re paying and what you’re getting for your money. If you do not know where this document is, you can request a copy from your insurance agent. This step is essential in your hunt for a new car insurance provider and will help lead you in the right direction to what you are ultimately looking for. 

2. Amount of Coverage You Actually Need 

You now understand what you are currently paying for, but what coverage do you really need? You must answer question like, how much is your car actually worth? How much do you drive? Do you have long commutes or can you walk to work? Car insurance covers more than the cost of the car, it covers liability such as medical fees and legal fees. It is also important to understand the deductible. A higher deductible can be a headache if you actually get in an accident, but can eventually save you money long-term. If you rarely get into accidents, it would be wise to lower your premium and set aside funds for emergencies to cover the deductible. 

3. Hidden Fees 

Insurance agents will tell you all about the great discounts you can receive, but rarely do they divulge the hidden fees. These fees require a little more research than usual. Car insurance providers tend to charge you more if your marital status is either single or divorced. The easiest way to identify these fees is to run a free quote, and then running a second free quote with a changed marital status. If the quote is different, you know there is a hidden fee. Other examples of hidden fees include, the type of car you drive, where you live, where you work, and your credit rating. 

4. Best Deals Offered 

FindTheCoupons, a FindTheBest site, was created to make your life easier. Finding a coupon for car insurance should take no longer than a few seconds of your time. FindTheCoupon can help you find great deals on car insurance companies and will further assist you in finding the best fit for your next provider. This resource will allow you find affordable car insurance and provides user reviews for the coupons offered. 

5. The Car You Drive

Cars Ratings and Reviews

One of the biggest factors that car insurance companies consider when determining your rate is the type of car you drive. It is often assumed that your rate is correlated to the value of your car, but it is also related to how likely your car will inflict damage on another vehicle, or how likely your car is to get stolen. 

Other factors include how safe your car is and how much repair costs would amount to. It might be wise to keep this in mind when shopping for your next car. Some car insurance sites provide lists of cars and how much they cost to insure them. As long as you do your research on safety ratings you should be in the clear. 

It is always smart to consult with your agent if you need any questions answered. Searching for your car insurance provider can be a tricky topic and with the tools and tips provided in this post, you will be able to find and compare the best insurance options available.

Role Of A Car Insurance And How To Minimize The Payments

Everyone knows that you are an expert driver. You drive cars smoothly without any trouble. You have driven on every street of the town and never had any trouble. You have managed to survive even on close encounters, so it’s proven that you are an experienced driver. As you are a role model to others when it comes to driving cars safely, you might think that you don't need any car insurance. Saved money can be utilized towards a useful cause. Isn't it?

Why you need insurance?

The fact is no one wants to get in an accident but disasters happen every day. Each year millions of accidents take place throughout the globe. So it is a wise idea to have vehicle insurance. If unfortunately any accident happens then your insurance will cover your vehicle damages and medical expense. Everyone inside the car will be covered. You will save lots of money. 

Benefits of car insurance:

There are many benefits of car insurance. Car insurance can protect your vehicle from natural calamities like, earthquake, hurricane, cyclone and from any man-made disaster. Sometime car cover can be so confusing to understand. Buyers should choose policy under the guidelines of the place they reside.

If your car is an investment then insurance protects the investment from lots of hazard factors. Auto covers are not just about your car, they are much more. Insurance can save you from paying large medical bills. Many car insurances are designed to give you full cover you need. During accident emergencies, car insurance can provide you cash that you need safeguarding your valuable belongings such as home and retirement funds and others.

When an accident happens, many tend to take quick loans from private companies at high interest rate to cover up the losses. If you have insurance then you don’t have to worry about anything as your insurance company will take care of everything you required after the accident to return into same status as you were before. 

Car insurance hunting:

There are endless insurance companies offering vehicle coverage. You can contact any one and have your car covered. Before you shop insurance for your car, you need to keep some points in your mind to minimize the cost. Only buy the insurance that is needed. For instance if you already have medical coverage then taking car insurance that covers medical bill is useless. 

Reduce your payments:

If you want to reduce car cover payments further then don’t go for car insurance that covers towing. Towing can be made easier at cheaper rate. Keep the deductible high to reduce payments. You can also avoid minor claims to reduce the payments.

Finally your driving record can reduce the payments further. People who have clean driving record or drive occasionally get rebates from the insurance company on their payments. You can negotiate with the company to minimize the insurance payments.

If you are searching for car insurance then you can delve into the online recourses. There are many online companies offering reliable vehicle insurances. Make sure that you understand each and everything before signing up with an insurance company to minimize your insurance payments.

Author Bio:Austin Richard Is an I.T professional from pass certification. He is 9L0-412 certified. He is now getting prepared for 9L0-518 exam. He likes to write about Business, and Technology.

Tips to Find the Right Insurance for your Car

There are many factors that go into finding the best insurance plan for your vehicle. It’s not always the best idea to simply go for the cheapest insurance plan because in the long run, you may actually end up paying more money. As any truck crash lawyer will explain, if you don’t choose wisely, you may have to cover for more expenses than you bargained for in case of an accident. 

Therefore, make sure you go through the various factors involved and have full knowledge of the details before finalising on an insurance policy. 

Check the value of your car: Depending upon the value of your vehicle, your insurance would vary. If you have an expensive car, you would want to get a more complete or comprehensive plan that would cover incidents such as theft, vandalism, fire etc. However, if you don’t have a very expensive car, you may not need a very comprehensive plan which can run more than the actual value of the vehicle.

Keep your record clean: While you can’t possibly go back in time and change your driving history, it’s always a good idea to keep in mind that you insurance premium will depend upon your driving history. This is because if you don’t have a history of accidents, there is less possibility of your being involved in an accident due to negligence, and therefore you are less likely to file a claim. So not only do you steer clear of any truck crash lawyer by driving carefully, you are likely to get a discount on your insurance premium as well!

Avoid adding other people on your plan: The more drivers you add to your policy, the more expensive your premium is likely to get. In order to avoid this, try and keep this number to a minimal low. Include only those people in your family who absolutely must drive the vehicle separately. This is because the more the number of people drives the car, the more chances there are of an accident and therefore the more likely you are of filing for a claim. 

Keep the embellishments to a minimum: Believe it or not, the more customizations you do to your car, whether it’s fancy alloy wheels or expensive stereo systems, the higher your premium amount is likely to go up. As any good truck crash lawyer can vouch for, these are probably some of the lesser known facts about car insurance premium prices. However, if you do have expensive customizations in place and you have an expensive car, it’ probably a better idea to go for a full cover plan.

These and various other factors are involved in deciding the best insurance plan for your car. If you ask any truck crash lawyer, they’ll tell you to look for a plan that will give you sufficient coverage and not just the cheapest premium, because if you compare the amount of money you’ll have to pay in case of accident, you’ll probably end up saving money if you had invested wisely in your insurance policy.

Kristen is a freelance writer who writes on different topics such as finance, insurance and business. She holds bachelor’s degree in electronics. Her famous articles includes article on truck crash lawyer. She loves to travel and make new friends.

Should I Consider Temp Car Insurance for a Holiday Road Trip?

If you are planning a holiday road trip, temp car insurance is a smart way to go. However, you will first need to consider a few things before making your choice. So let's examine whether this type of short-term policy will be best for your personal situation. 

Do you already have Car Insurance?

First of all, you need to think about whether you have your own car insurance policy entitles you to. If you are fully covered, and you have a fully comprehensive policy, purchasing additional temporary insurance might not be necessary.

But if you don't have any type of policy at all, and you don't intend to get a full policy, temporary insurance coverage is not only a good idea but an obligation. Remember that you need some form of insurance in order to drive a vehicle, so if you are not willing to pay for an entire year, only paying for what you need is the best option.

With short-term car insurance, you can take out cover on a car for as little as a day or (in some cases) as much as 28 days. And as most insurance firms are able to provide you with a policy online or over the phone, you can get out on the road in no time at all.

This makes temporary car insurance a great option if you have just bought a new car, and need cover for that special first drive home!



On top of this, you need to question who is going to be driving the vehicle. If it's only going to be you, you'll have no problem. But if there are going to be several different drivers, you'll have to make sure that they all get added onto the policy.

Always talk to insurers about this to make sure that this doesn't add up to any additional costs. If you fail to notify the insurer of your intention for different drivers to use the vehicle, you may find yourself in hot water should you be involved in an accident or any other unfortunate incident.

Why Get a Short-Term Policy

The beauty of short-term car insurance is that it is extremely convenient and very affordable. However, if you will use the vehicle again on a regular basis, getting a normal policy is your best bet.

There is also a protective factor to think about. If you have an accident when driving under a regular insurance policy, you will lose your ‘no claims’ bonus should you decide to claim. If, however, you are driving under a short-term policy, your regular long-term policy will stay safe.

When going on a road trip, where accidents might be more likely to occur, a short-term, temporary policy can be extremely beneficial in helping to provide that additional protection.

If you do decide to go ahead and get a temp car insurance policy, always shop around. There are dozens of different insurers you could use, so make sure that you spend some time comparing rates in order to get the best possible prices.