Where to Buy Cheap Auto Insurance Online

The best way to get the best price for anything is to comparison shop, and it's especially true when you're trying to buy cheap auto insurance online.

In the good ol' days, before the Internet, you had to spend hours on the telephone answering hundreds of questions just to get a handful of car insurance quotes. And then you had to decipher those quotes to make sure you were comparing apples to apples.

Now, it only takes a few minutes online in the privacy of your home to get a number of quotes so you can compare rates and get a cheap auto insurance quote.

There are a number of comparison sites that will give you rate quotes from top-rated insurance companies (see links below). When you go to one of these sites you'll be asked some questions to determine what type of policy you need. Then you can decide which quote is best for you.

It's quick, it's easy, and best of all, it's free.

Other Money-Saving Tips

* Before you visit a car insurance comparison site, have your policy handy so you can refer to it for some of the questions you'll have to answer.

* Consider raising your deductible. This alone can save you up to 30% on your auto insurance premiums.

* If you drive an older model car, consider dropping your collision coverage. Collision coverage can cost upwards of $450 a year and may be more than the cost of repairing your car.

* Drop your coverage for medical payments if you already have medical insurance that covers you.

* Don't just compare rates, compare ratings. You want to get the cheapest rate with the highest-rated company.

We love them even though they are expensive – a fact that doesn’t change once they get older. They become extra costly once they become teens. Their taste in clothing becomes more expensive. Santa no longer brings stuffed animals; he’s hauling the newest Nintendo in his bag. They need money for proms, football camps, cheerleading uniforms, and band instruments.

What happened to the days when peek-a-boo was enough to make them smile?

Teens are also notorious for having more expensive car insurance rates than older drivers. This is mainly because car insurance companies view teens as less experienced drivers and more risky to insure. Since age is already working against them, teens must take extra care to make other factors car insurance companies look at work for them.

Despite the rising costs of raising teens, there is a way to get cheap car insurance for teens – actually, it could be the most important way to get cheap car insurance for your teen. Buy your teen a practical, affordable, and safe car.

Teens dream about the day they become old enough to drive, and many teens get their first car when that day comes; however, if it is a flashy, expensive, unsafe car the car insurance company will see it as likely to be stolen or robbed, costly to repair in the event it becomes damaged, and likely to not protect against accidents.

On the other hand, if the car is modest in appearance and price, as well as equipped with safety features, the car insurance company will be more likely to offer a cheap car insurance quote for the teen.

By purchasing your teen an affordable, practical car, not only are you helping to get cheap car insurance for your teen, you are also helping to keep your teen safe which makes buying your teen this kind of car the most important way to get cheap car insurance for your teen.

Before the Internet came along the only way you could compare auto insurance prices was to spend half a day going to insurance offices, or calling insurance agents, to get enough quotes to get a good rate.

Now all it takes to get a cheap auto insurance rate is to spend a couple of minutes online in the comfort of your home. You don't even have to spend time surfing different insurance sites because there are insurance comparison sites that will allow you to get rates from different companies all under one roof.

All you do is fill out one online questionnaire to get multiple quotes from different top-rated auto insurance companies in your area. It's fast, it's easy, and it's free.

How to Compare Auto Insurance Prices Online

Here's how to compare auto insurance prices online quickly and easily ...

1. Be aware of the discounts you can get. The top three ways to save money on your policy are:

* Raising your deductible - this can save you $500 or more on your insurance.

* Dropping your collision coverage if you have an older car.

* Dropping medical coverage if you're covered by medical insurance.

2. If you have a policy, have it handy so you can refer to it to answer questions on the online questionnaire.

3. After you choose the best insurance rate, check the company's ratings at JDPower.com to make sure the company you choose is reliable and will give you good service.

4. When you get your policy read it over carefully to make sure you're getting all the deductions you can, and all the insurance you need.

Bottom Line

Is it worth spending a few minutes of your time to compare auto insurance prices online? Most definitely.

When I went comparison shopping a few years ago I was able to save more than $450 on my yearly premium.

Finding the cheapest car insurance rate is simply a matter of comparison shopping. But how can you get the cheapest rate without spending hours on end talking to insurance agents? Here's how...

Make a List

The first thing you need to do when it comes to getting the cheapest car insurance rate is to make a list of all the discounts you can get. Here are some of the biggest money savers:

1.Deductibles - Raising your insurance deductible from $200 to $500 can save you 30% on your insurance premium. Raising it to $1,000 could cut your premium in half.

2. Cars - The type of automobile you drive determines the insurance rate you pay. The difference in insuring an expensive sports car and an inexpensive family sedan can be as much as $1,000 a year.

3. Safety features and ant-theft devices - Most insurance companies will give you discounts for air bags, anti lock brakes, and automatic seat belts. They will also give discounts if you have a burglar alarm or other anti-theft devices installed in your car.

Eliminate unnecessary coverage

Drop your medical coverage if you already have a medical insurance policy that covers you, and get rid of your towing coverage if you're an AAA member.

Eliminate your collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, or both if you drive an older model car and the cost of your annual premium is the same as the value of your car.

Go Shopping

Shopping online is a quick and convenient way to shop for most anything, and it's especially true when it comes to auto insurance. Rates for the same auto insurance coverage from different companies can vary as much as $1,000.

After you make your list of auto insurance discounts, fire up your computer and head to an online car insurance comparison site. Here you can get a number of quotes from top-rated insurance companies so you can compare quotes and choose the cheapest car insurance rate.

You can find everything online these days, even car insurance. Here I'll show you how to get discount auto insurance from top-rated companies quickly and easily.

Get Online Quotes

The only way to get the cheapest discount auto insurance is to comparison shop, and the easiest way to do that is to shop online.

All the top companies - American Family, State Farm, Allstate - maintain websites where you can get online quotes. But it can take all day going from site to site, filling out forms and talking to agents, in search of discount auto insurance.

Now, there's a better way. There are comparison auto insurance websites that have A-rated companies all under one roof. All you need to do is spend a few minutes filling out a simple online questionnaire and you'll receive a number of quotes from those companies.

Believe me, there's no better way to find cheap auto insurance. It's fast, it's easy, and it's free!

Get Maximum Discounts

Part of the form-filling process is to include the discounts you want so you can get your car insurance at the best possible price. Some of the discounts you may want to consider are:

* Combining your auto insurance with your homeowners insurance: 10% - 15% discount.

* Raising your deductible to $500 or $1,000: 10% - 50% discount.

* Insuring both your cars with the same company: 10% - 15% discount.

* Dropping your collision coverage if you drive an older car: 15% - 30% discount.

Bottom Line

A few minutes spent searching for discount auto insurance online can save you $300 to $500 or more on your car insurance premium. Why not give it a try and see how much you can save.

The state of California is known for its high prices. The cost of living in general is much higher than the cost of living in many other locations. California also requires relatively high levels of auto insurance coverage to be carried, resulting in extremely high insurance premiums. While car insurance rates will always be higher in California than in many other areas, a bit of persistence can result in a significant savings.

Drivers in California should follow every available general suggestion on ways to minimize their insurance premiums. They should also shop around carefully, as rates can vary dramatically from one company to another. One reason for this is that California law allows insurers to charge based on previous payouts. If for whatever reason your insurer has paid an unusual number of claims, then your rates may be affected.

If you are in the market for reasonably priced car insurance in California, begin by determining which coverages you actually need. Many insurance companies have their own in-house minimums, which may be significantly higher than the state-mandated requirements. Check with the state to determine exactly what is required and insist that the insurance company begin with those numbers. Additional coverage will be determined by many factors including the value of your car, whether you are making payments and your financial resources.

Maintaining a clean driving record is the single biggest factor in keeping your insurance rates low. Safe driver bonuses are plentiful but may require a perfect record. Other discounts are available for full time students, members of various organizations, retirees and others. Make sure that you are taking advantage of every possible discount or bonus.

Purchase your insurance online through a comparison network such as esurance.com. These sites list many different plans without bias, and generally offer lower rates than those available through a middleman who draws a commission. Make sure that you compare plans that are identical in terms of coverage, deductible and additional products.

Consider a higher deductible. If you are a good driver with a low risk of accidents then it may be better to pay a higher deductible should an accident occur, as opposed to a high monthly premium. Before making this decision examine your budget to determine whether the money would be available to pay the deductible if needed.

Check insurance rates before buying a new car. Vehicles are classified by group and certain groups such as sports cars cost significantly more to insure. Your driving record also plays a part, meaning that young drivers of sports cars will pay much more than both young drivers with other cars and older drivers with good records who own sports cars.

Truly cheap car insurance is difficult or impossible to find in California. However a bit of persistence can pay off in significant savings. Shop around, drop unnecessary coverages and be sure that you are getting all applicable discounts. You will be able to find insurance that will fit your budget while meeting your needs.The state of California is known for its high prices. The cost of living in general is much higher than the cost of living in many other locations. California also requires relatively high levels of auto insurance coverage to be carried, resulting in extremely high insurance premiums. While car insurance rates will always be higher in California than in many other areas, a bit of persistence can result in a significant savings.

Drivers in California should follow every available general suggestion on ways to minimize their insurance premiums. They should also shop around carefully, as rates can vary dramatically from one company to another. One reason for this is that California law allows insurers to charge based on previous payouts. If for whatever reason your insurer has paid an unusual number of claims, then your rates may be affected.

If you are in the market for reasonably priced car insurance in California, begin by determining which coverages you actually need. Many insurance companies have their own in-house minimums, which may be significantly higher than the state-mandated requirements. Check with the state to determine exactly what is required and insist that the insurance company begin with those numbers. Additional coverage will be determined by many factors including the value of your car, whether you are making payments and your financial resources.

Maintaining a clean driving record is the single biggest factor in keeping your insurance rates low. Safe driver bonuses are plentiful but may require a perfect record. Other discounts are available for full time students, members of various organizations, retirees and others. Make sure that you are taking advantage of every possible discount or bonus.

Purchase your insurance online through a comparison network such as esurance.com. These sites list many different plans without bias, and generally offer lower rates than those available through a middleman who draws a commission. Make sure that you compare plans that are identical in terms of coverage, deductible and additional products.

Consider a higher deductible. If you are a good driver with a low risk of accidents then it may be better to pay a higher deductible should an accident occur, as opposed to a high monthly premium. Before making this decision examine your budget to determine whether the money would be available to pay the deductible if needed.

Check insurance rates before buying a new car. Vehicles are classified by group and certain groups such as sports cars cost significantly more to insure. Your driving record also plays a part, meaning that young drivers of sports cars will pay much more than both young drivers with other cars and older drivers with good records who own sports cars.

Truly cheap car insurance is difficult or impossible to find in California. However a bit of persistence can pay off in significant savings. Shop around, drop unnecessary coverages and be sure that you are getting all applicable discounts. You will be able to find insurance that will fit your budget while meeting your needs.

There are a ton of choices out there when it comes to low cost auto insurance. So how do you find the cheapest auto insurance with the best company? Here's how ...

Compare Quotes

Far and away the best way to get the cheapest low cost auto insurance is to comparison shop online. There are Internet sites where you can get a number of quotes from A-rated companies so you can compare quotes and get the best rate from the best company (see links below).

All you do is fill out a simple online form in order to determine what kind of coverage you want. It's quick, it's easy, and best of all, it's free.

Get Discounts

As you fill out the online form, make sure you include all the discounts you're entitled to. Here are the biggest money-savers when it comes to buying low cost auto insurance:

Deductibles - An insurance deductible is the amount of money you pay before your auto insurance company pays a claim. Raising your deductible from $100 to $500 can save you 10% to 15% on your insurance. Raising it to $1,000 can save you up to 50%.

Collision coverage - Collision coverage covers your repair costs when you're involved in an accident. It can cost you $500 or more depending on the type of car you drive and it's age. The cost of collision coverage for older cars may be more than the cost of repairing the car.

A rule of thumb is to drop your collision coverage if your insurance premium is 10% or more than your car's current value.

Bundled insurance - You can get a 15% discount with most companies by putting your auto insurance with your homeowners insurance. And you can save 15% if you own two autos and insure them both with the same company.

If you're going to be purchasing a new car in the near future, you may want to think about how the car is going to affect your car insurance rates. Believe it or not, the car you choose will definitely affect how low or high your car insurance rates will be, but you can choose a safer car to ensure that you get low rate car insurance that is affordable. The following are some of the safest cars that you can buy and purchasing a safer vehicle will result in great savings on your car insurance.

1. Volkswagen Passat - In 2006, the number one rated family sedan for safety was the Volkswagen Passat GLX, which has a V6 engine. This car provided excellent safety features designed by Volkswagen and tested out to be the safest car in the family sedan category. If you want a nice family car that is fairly inexpensive and also very safe for your family, this is a great choice!

2. Toyota Camry - Still in the class of family sedans, the Toyota Camry came in second place in 2006, right behind the Volkswagen Passat. The Camry is a bit cheaper than the Passat, and also comes with great safety features that make it one of the best choices if you want a car that is safe for your family.

3. Volkswagen Golf - If you are looking for a smaller car, but you still want great safety, you may want to consider the Volkswagen Golf as your next choice. In smaller cars, the Golf won the number one spot for safety with the great safety features offered by the Volkswagen automaker.

4. Honda Civic EX - Another smaller car that was high on the safety list, scoring number two, is the Honda Civic EX. Once again, this car is a bit more cost friendly than the Volkswagen Golf, and it still comes with excellent safety features that will keep you safe and help you get lower car insurance rates. If you are purchasing a car on a budget but want to make sure it has great safety features as well, then this car is an excellent buy.

5. Honda CR-V - If you are looking for a small SUV with a great safety rating, you may want to consider purchasing the Honda CR-V. While usually you will pay more to insure a SUV, the Honda CR-V provides safety features and a great safety rating that will help you save.

6. Toyota Highlander - If you want a larger SUV but you want to make sure the vehicle is safe, the Toyota highlander is a great choice. The Highlander is one of the cheaper SUV’s available and comes with a great safety rating that will have you driving with confidence.

When you're going to purchase a new car, you want to look at the cost of the car, but you also want to check out how much it will cost to insure your car as well. Picking a car that has a high safety rating and great safety features can save you a great deal of money on car insurance rates each year. Take control of your car insurance rates and purchase a vehicle that will keep you safe and help you find low rate car insurance.

The biggest mistake drivers make when buying car insurance is just calling the first company that comes to mind, which is probably the one they last saw on television. You are sure to end up paying way too much for insurance if you do this.

Here is a flawless way to get the cheapest insurance without sacrificing good coverage.

Step 1 – Compose a List of 10 Car Insurance Companies

Start with the top nationwide companies like All-State, Geico and Esurance. Then, finish off the list with some local companies. It’s important to inquire from several companies for two reasons. First, you’ll find that the rates are quite different, in some cases one company may be $100s less than the others. The second reason building a list is good is that later on when you are talking to agents and getting quotes, they’ll quickly see that you are shopping around and therefore may offer an even lower rate right on the spot.

Step 2- Get Quotes

Get online quotes from all the companies that offer this service. Be sure you keep track of the kind of coverage you are getting a quote for. Don’t make the mistake of believing one company is cheaper than the other when in fact they are only cheaper because the quote was for less coverage. Then, call all the companies that don’t have online service and see what they will offer you. Make sure that you get every quote in writing. Email should be good enough. You need a paper trail. Finally, put your list in order from the cheapest to most expensive. Now you’re ready for the next step.

Step 3- Bargain

Call the company offering the 2nd cheapest rate. Ask them if they can do better than the cheapest offer you had. If they can, make sure you get the quote in writing. You can stop here if you want and purchase your car insurance. Or, you can rinse and repeat this step to see if any of the other companies are willing to beat lowest quote. When your satisfied that you found that lowest quote then buy your car insurance.

There are several companies in Mexico for general as well as auto and other goods. The policies are high-yielding, secure and reliable. The returns are high. The premium is also low. The Mexicans live peaceful lives after insuring themselves and their goods, for example houses, cars, home appliances and the like. The coverage ranges from daily to annual. Even driving licenses may be insured. The business growth of the insurance companies has been astounding. Almost all started their business in small capacity, but over the years those have turned into giants having branch offices throughout the length and breadth of Mexico.

The Insurance Companies collect personal information such as the name of the Internet service provider and the Internet Protocol (IP) address through which you access the Internet. The Companies are committed to protecting the security of your personal information. They use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. For example, they store the personal information you provide on computer servers with limited access that are located in controlled facilities.

Additionally, when they transmit sensitive personal information (such as a credit card number) over the Internet, the companies protect it through the use of encryption, such as the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol. All credit card transactions that take place with Insurance companies are provided by special net security which has its own private policy. The measure has been chosen to secure all the customer’s transactions due to the number of years that they have been providing this first class service. They provide the SAFE gateway to thousands of companies and have implemented security measures that cannot be duplicated by other sites.

The insurance companies may occasionally update the privacy statement. When they do, they will also revise the "Updated" date at the top of the privacy statement. The companies encourage customers to periodically review the privacy statement to stay informed about how the companies are helping to protect the personal information.

All said and done, it is always advisable that the people purchase insurance from a financially stronger insurer. There are over fifty insurance companies in Mexico, of which some are good and some are bad. According to the 1997 report of the Mexican insurance Commission, only two Mexican Insurance companies write over $400 million US in non-life premium (life insurance excluded). These companies are Grupo Nacional Provincial and Seguros Commercial America.

The next three largest companies write between $100 million US and $200 million US in premium. Each of the remaining insurers writes less than$70 million in premium (with quite a few writing less than $10 million) including some companies quite familiar to purchasers of Mexico Insurance. Mexico law mandates that only insurance companies which are licensed and admitted in Mexico can provide ‘civil liberty’ coverage that is recognized by the judicial system of Mexico.

Liability to bodily injuries Liability to property damages Collision Insurance Comprehensive Insurance Medical Expenses Insurance Coverage for uninsured motorists

It is important for you to understand what all these do for you when you get a car insurance policy. Each of these details covers different areas. Normally they are lumped together in a car insurance policy. But you can always separate them. If you do look for a car insurance policy, it is good to make sure you get it in any combination you want, but make sure to get it from the same company; to avoid any complications later, when and where as claims are involved.

In general car insurance falls in two categories. Namely, property coverage for damages to your car, and liability coverage to others' vehicles and properties involved. They type and level of liability car insurance you have to be insured is subjected to regulations imposed by the area authority you are in. Requirements varies from areas you

are in, but it always wise to insure more that the minimum required, so as to protect you sufficiently.

To get the best deal on the car insurance you will need you should get familiar with all the options available in the

coverage. Determine your local authority's requirements, and then specifies what is needed for you. Decide on the type of

deductibles you need and the premiums you are willing to pay. Check with the car insurance company or the agent you approached for

discounts you may have or entitled due to your good driving record (sometime termed as "no claim bonused"). Go about asking for quotes

from differennt car insurance companies and talk to as many agents as possible.

You can get auto insurance ratings from a number of services. But do these ratings really tell you what you need to know? Here's the inside scoop on how find the best rates with the best companies.

Auto Insurance Ratings

As a former insurance agent I'm often asked, "What's the best insurance company?" My answer is usually, "Best in terms of what? Biggest? Best known? Most solvent? Best rates? Best service?"

There are three major services that provide auto insurance ratings - A.M. Best, Standard and Poor's, and Moody's. However, their ratings focus primarily on a company's financial strength.

Nice to know if you're an investor or an insurance agent trying to impress potential client. But what you really want to know is how good a company's service is and how fast they pay their claims.

The best way to find out this information is not to check a company's ratings, the best way is to ask the company's customers.

But what if you don't know anyone who's dealt with a particular company?

There's an easy way to get the inside scoop on insurance companies. It's a little-known site where actual customers rate companies on such things as customer service, response to claims, and even website experience.

My favorite part is the review section where customers pass on their experiences with various companies. It is, to say the least, a real eye opener.

Be careful when you read the reviews because some of them look like they were done by insurance company employees ("These guys are the greatest!"), and some were done by their competitors ("These guys suck!"). As in the Olympics, toss out the highest and the lowest ratings, or at least take them with a grain of salt, and go with the majority.

Comparison Shop First

If your looking for the cheapest insurance rate with an A-rated company there are websites where you can get multiple quotes from top-rated companies. My advice is to check out one of these sites first to get the best quote, then check out the company.

Looking to get the cheapest car insurance quote you can? Here's a step-by-step guide that will show you how.

Go Shopping

Rates for the same insurance coverage can vary from one insurance company to another by as much as $1,000, so the first thing you need to do to get the cheapest car insurance quote is go to an online insurance comparison site. There you can get quotes from various companies so you can compare them and get the cheapest rate. One of the best comparison sites is listed below.

Get Discounts

In order to get rate quotes from one of these sites you'll be asked to fill out a questionnaire where you can list the types of coverages and discounts you want.

Here's a list of the biggest money-savers:

1.You can save 10% to 15% on your insurance premium by increasing your deductible from $100 to $500. You'll save 25% to 30% by increasing it to $1,000.

2. If you have two cars you can save 10% to 15% by insuring them with the same company.

3. If you have an older car that's not worth a lot you can save 15% to 30% by eliminating collision and comprehensive coverage.

Other money-savers include:

- Eliminating medical coverage if you already have medical insurance.

- Requesting discounts for security and safety devices such as anti-theft devices, car alarms, and air bags.

- Eliminating towing and car rental coverages if you already have them or don't want them.

Check Companies

The cheapest car insurance may not be cheap at all if your insurance company refuses to pay a claim. So before you buy your insurance, I recommend going to epinions.com to see what actual customers have to say about the various companies and what their claims experience has been.

While auto insurance is the thing that almost every car owner has to deal with, not anyone wants to take the trouble of seeking affordable auto insurance quotes. However, no one would refuse if they were offered a good deal. It is just about the time people whish to spend on the quest for a better deal. Time is precious and here are the tips that will allow you to get a cheap auto insurance without wasting your precious time resources.

Before the Internet emerged in our lives, it was a rather difficult task to compare available quotes from different companies. People had to spend long hours on the phone to get a piece of a valuable information. Now, with the Internet, everything is much easier. You can switch on your computer and get quotes from several companies within a few minutes. Lots of insurance companies and agencies have their websites online and with the help of special forms you can request available auto insurance quotes. The vast majority of companies provide this service with no charge.

There are some other legitimate ways to decrease insurance rates. Insurance companies would greatly appreciate if you gave them as much detailed information about yourself as possible. Your marital status as well as vehicle’s safety features may have an impact on the insurance rate you’ll be offered. Uncertainty costs more then transparency. Insurance companies will offer you more affordable rates if they know about you everything they need.

Manipulating deductibles is another way to influence on your insurance premiums. High deductibles will allow you to get lower insurance premiums. For instance, if you raise your deductible for a couple of hundreds of dollars you’ll get a reduction of a hundred dollars. But you should be ready to take the financial burden in case an accident happens.

By installing anti-theft alarm systems on your vehicle not only you reduce the chances of your car being stolen but also lower your insurance premiums. Insurance companies consider such cars less risky, which means they are potentially less expensive for insurers. As a result your insurer may reduce your insurance premiums.

Most of auto insurance policies include coverage for medical costs. This is a reasonable option unless you already have a health insurance policy that covers you in case you are injured. And if this is the case you may consider excluding medical costs coverage from your auto insurance policy.

While you are in chase of lower insurance rates, don’t forget to check the credibility history of the company you’re going to deal with. Established insurers with a long history should be your primary targets. And find out whether the company you’ve chosen has a license to operate in your state, otherwise there is no reason for you in such a company.

Looking to buy auto insurance online? Want to get the cheapest insurance rate with the best insurance company? Here's how ...

1. Comparison shop - Insurance rates can vary as much as $1,000 between companies, so the first thing you need to do is get quotes at an insurance comparison site before you buy auto insurance online. (See links below)

2. Increase your deductible - Raising your deductible by a couple of hundred dollars can save you up to 50% on your insurance premium.

3. Drop your collision and comprehensive coverage - If the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage for an older car is more than the cost of repairing that car, consider dropping these coverages.

4. Bundle your insurance - Including your auto insurance with your homeowners insurance can save you 15%.

5. Use one company - If you have two or more cars you can save up to 15% by insuring them with the same company.

6. Drop duplicate coverage - Eliminate your medical coverage if you're already covered under you heath insurance policy, and drop towing coverage if you're covered by AAA.

7. Install a security device - Most insurance companies will give you a discount if you install a car alarm or other anti-theft device.

8. Request discounts - Ask your insurer what discounts are available and take advantage of them. Get all the discounts you're entitled to for such items as automatic seat belts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes.

9. Check ratings - You're not saving a dime if your insurance company won't pay your claim. I recommend going to epinions.com to see what actual customers have to say about various auto insurance companies and how they pay their claims.

A car accident can be a scary time in anyone’s life. Even if the damage is minimal there is a police report to file, the other driver to deal with and an auto insurance claim to file. If it is your first accident you may find yourself overwhelmed and unsure what to do first. Fortunately filing a claim is a step by step process that is relatively simple to learn and understand.

The success of your auto insurance claim will be determined by many factors. What you say and do at the scene of the accident, the completeness and accuracy of the police report, the accuracy of information that you receive from the other driver and the speed with which you make the insurance report can all affect your ultimate claim results.

At the Scene Never admit fault. In most jurisdictions “relative fault” comes into play for insurance purposes. Even if you clearly did something wrong, the other driver is obligated to try to avoid hitting you. If he did not do everything possible to avoid the accident then he may be partially at fault. Relative fault is complicated and best left to experts to determine. Simply stick to the facts and be honest but avoid discussions of fault.

Make sure to get the other driver’s full name, vehicle information and complete insurance information, as well as a contact number. Insist on a police report even if there is only minor damage. Write a statement for your own records at the scene if possible or as soon as you get home.

You should report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurer will send you forms which must be accurately completed. Be sure to call the insurance company if you need any help with the forms, as these forms will be the primary documents used to investigate your claim. The insurer may also request the police report and the other driver’s insurance information. The next steps will depend on the insurance company’s determination of fault, their normal procedures, and the type of insurance you have.

If the other driver is determined to be at fault then his insurance company may offer you a quick settlement, especially if you were injured. Take time to review the settlement offer and if possible, have an attorney look it over. You will need to make the determination as to whether the offer is fair and reasonable. Your other option is a lawsuit, which can be costly and time consuming. Only you and your attorney can decide which choice is right for you.

Although a car accident and the accompanying paperwork can be scary and intimidating, the actual process of filing a claim is a step by step and relatively simple process. Follow the above tips and do not hesitate to ask questions. You will be successful in filing your auto insurance claim.

Statistically, women have fewer accidents than men and therefore have lower insurance rates. Even so, if you're a woman you still want to get the cheapest insurance you can. Here's how to do just that.

Compare Rates

Because women's insurance rates can vary as much as $1,000 between companies for the same type of policy, the first thing you need to do is to find the company with the best rates.

The quickest and easiest way to that is to go to an online insurance comparison website. There you'll get get quotes from top-ranked companies so you can compare rates. (See link below.)

Maximize Your Discounts

Once you're on the comparison site you'll need to fill out an online questionnaire so you can get a quote that fits your needs. As you fill out the questionnaire you'll be able include discounts for your policy. Here are the ones that will save you the most money:

* Increase you deductible if you can afford to pay it.

* Decline collision and comprehensive coverage if your car is worth less than your premium.

* Decline medical coverage if you already have medical insurance that covers you.

* Decline towing coverage if you have it through AAA or somewhere else.

* If you have two cars, insure them with the same company.

* Decline rental car coverage if you don't want it.

* Include all the discounts you're entitled to for security features like anti-theft devices, airbags, anti-lock brakes, and automatic seat belts.

Last, but not least, you'll want to go to a consumer rating site like Epinions.com to get the inside scoop on the company you choose, to find out how they treat their customers and how quickly they pay their claims.

Nearly all of us own a car or vehicle of some sort and one thing you must have if you plan to drive on a public highway is car insurance.

There are thousands of car insurance companies available to insure with and the best deals are normally found on the Internet.

That said, although you will probably pay more doing business with a high street broker you will have the added benefit of being able to probe them with questions and more importantly get them to do all the chasing around if you are unfortunate enough to have to make a claim.

Whilst searching for your car insurance it is worth taking the time to read the policy. Although car insurance policies are one of the most boring things on earth you will certainly be reading through it with a fine-toothed comb if you need to make a claim.

Generally when that time of year comes around when we have to hunt down the best car insurance deal we simply have one thing in mind and that is how much is this going to cost me! This approach can on some occasions backfire if you need to make a claim.

For instance, if you do get a great deal on the premium this can be reflected on the restrictions and terms and conditions applied in the policy. You may find that you will have to pay an enormous excess in the event of making a claim on the policy.

You may also find out after the event that your car insurance is not as comprehensive as you may have first thought it would be. An example of this would be if the car is subject to a theft and your valuable laptop and golf clubs have been stolen. To keep premiums down and attracting new customers car insurance policies will sometimes have a limit of cover afforded to valuables in the vehicle.

These points are worth considering even if most of us subscribe to the illusion that 'an accident is not going to happen to me because I drive carefully'

You need to consider the scope of cover you require. If your car is of a high value then you definitely need your car insurance to be fully comprehensive which will not only cover you for damage to other parties in the event of an accident but will also cover the cost of any damage rendered to your own car.

The alternative is third party fire and theft, which will only cover you for damage and injury to other parties. You will have to bear your own costs for the damage on your own car. This may be a viable solution if your car is not worth a great deal and the difference in the cost for comprehensive car insurance and third party is considerable and you wont mind suffering the loss of your own car if the worst should happen.

Before we start to look at why using an insurance broker could be the perfect way to buy your Motor Trader Insurance let’s start off with a few supposed truths about the insurance industry.

Number 1 – Let’s be honest from the beginning and just say it – most people don’t like insurance. For most people losses rarely occur and therefore they are paying out insurance premiums year on year and yet they don’t actually see any real benefit of it.

Number 2 – Most people (even those who have suffered a loss and have made a claim) see insurance as too expensive with actual insurance companies seen as money grabbing and having no purpose other than to make money.

Number 3 – People see insurance as either boring and sold by men in suits or sold using annoying advertising on the television promising cheap or the cheapest insurance and delivering call centres who seemingly have replaced customer service with queues and staff who don’t really know what they are talking about.

If you’re a Motor Trader who needs to purchase Motor Trade Insurance and any of the 3 points above ring a bell with you then you really need to read on and discover just 4 reasons why using an insurance broker could be just what you need when you next buy your business insurance.

The first reason for using an insurance broker is that they can save you time. Yes you could spend time trawling the internet, thumbing through the yellow pages or ringing around a selection of insurance companies but you could also contact just 1 insurance broker and let them do the work for you. As a motor trader I’m sure you’re time could be put to better use elsewhere anyway.

The second reason why you might want to use an insurance broker when purchasing motor trader insurance is that providing they are independent (that is they have access to more than one policy) they can search to find you the very best cover. Cover that in some cases isn’t available anywhere else.

Another reason for choosing an insurance broker is that they can very often provide you with a level of service that you won’t find elsewhere. Go direct with an insurance company and there’s every chance you’ll be faced with queues, call centres and people without a real understanding of your needs. However choose the right insurance broker who understands the motor trade and you can benefit from advice and guidance aimed at reducing your exposure to risk. And in the event of a loss occurring they will even act on your behalf to make sure your claim is settled quickly and favourably.

The fourth and final reason why using an insurance broker could be just what you need when buying motor trade insurance is that they could save you money and we’d all no doubt like to be paying less for our insurance. A good broker will therefore be able to take advantage of the facilities they have with the leading insurance companies so you benefit from the cover, the service, the time savings and the premium savings all from the same source.

Motor Trade Insurance doesn’t have to complicated or expensive so find the right broker and make sure the price is right for your Business Insurance.

If you’re a Motor Trader you’ll know more than anyone just how price sensitive the automotive industry can be. And as Motor Trade Insurance is likely to be one of your companies biggest outgoings paying the right price for your Motor Trader Insurance is going to be vital.

Whilst the UK has benefited from a pretty stable financial environment in recent years with rising house prices, low interest rates and many companies making money there now maybe signs of a change. During 2006 interest rates rose steadily and with 1 rate rise in 2007 already (and with more forecast as the year progresses) there is every chance that there will be less disposable income in the UK economy.

So what will this mean for consumers and Motor Traders?

Well for consumers it could mean they have less money to spend on new cars, second cars or indeed on the servicing and repair of existing vehicles. There is also every chance that as value for money becomes more of an issue they will shop around to secure the best price and service.

And when Motor Traders Insurance policies come due for renewal there is every chance they too will start looking around to secure the best deal on their Motor Trade Insurance. And if indeed money is an issue it is very easy for companies in the motor industry to opt for the cheapest is best option. After all, isn’t one type of Business Insurance pretty much the same as all the others?

Well for Motor Traders in the UK I would urge you to proceed with caution as whilst low cost motor trade insurance is available from many different insurance providers you don’t want to leave yourself in a position without the right level of cover or the right insurance excess (or deductable).

For many motor traders the best option to take when buying motor trade insurance for the first time or when their current motor trader insurance comes due for renewal would be to consult the services of an insurance broker. An insurance broker who specializes in motor trade insurance can search the market to find you the right cover at the right price so you not only save time – but you also save money.

In the event of you needing to make a claim they can also help you get the claim settled quicker and more favourably. A good insurance broker should give you advice and make sure you only pay for the insurance cover you need and want.

The MGF, designed and produced by Rover, is a small mid-engined sports car, with a soft top roof and plenty of boot space. Despite this, it is not renowned for its practicality, but if that is what you are looking for then you are missing the point of the MGF - it is intended to be fun to drive and something of a head turner. The driving position is quite low to the ground, which means when the top is down you get a unique driving experience, it is ideal for the summer months. It grips the road well and has good balance when driving, which is just as well with a 0-60 time of just 8.5 seconds. It responds immediately to the slightest touch on either the accelerator or the break, roaring into life with a great burst of energy, yet slowing quickly without much effort.

However, the slightly cramped cabin (especially when the roof is up) and hard body styling makes for an uncomfortable time when taking in long journeys or negotiating bumpy roads and sharp corners. The plastic rear windscreen means is liable to cloud up, and can become creased and folded where the roof has been put up/down many times. Frequent problems have also been reported with head gaskets on the older models, and this is a common cause of breakdowns.

Second hand values have stayed quite strong, due to Rover restricting the supply, and cars can be picked up from around £3,500 for a 1995 model and upwards, and it proves relatively cheap to run. Fuel consumption is good, at around 38.4 mpg, and with an insurance group of 9/10 cover is cheap as well.

Production is due to begin once more in 2008, courtesy of Nanjing Automobile, at the old Longbridge plant in West Midlands, as well as in their yet to be completed Chinese factory. The MGF is expected to go back on sale in 2009.

All in all the MGF is a fun sports car, with great style and personality, suitably cosy and enjoyable during the winter, and a fast, thrilling ride in the summer sun.

It is compulsory to purchase car insurance before driving on public roads.

Penalties for not purchasing car insurance vary by country, often involve a substantial fine, license and/or registration suspension or revocation, as well as possible jail time. Usually the minimum required by law is third party car insurance to protect third parties against the financial consequences of loss, damage or injury. Typically, coverage against loss of or damage to the driver's own car is optional.

Insurance coverage levels should cover some or all of the following items:

The insured party
The insured vehicle
Third parties
Liability to bodily injuries
Liability to property damages
Collision Insurance
Comprehensive Insurance
Medical Expenses Insurance
Coverage for uninsured motorists

Different car insurance policies specify the circumstances under which each item is covered. A vehicle can also be insured to includes against theft, fire damage, or accident damage separately.

Depending on the country's law, the car insurance premium can be either mandated by the county or determined by the insurance company in accordance to a framework of regulations set. In most countries, the insurer will have more freedom to set the price on physical damage coverages than on mandatory liability coverages.

When the car insurance premium is not mandated by law, it is usually derived from the calculations of an actuary based on statistical data. The car insurance premium can vary depending on many factors that are believed to have an impact on the expected cost of future claims. Those factors can include the car characteristics, the coverage selected (deductible, limit, covered perils), the profile of the driver (age, gender, driving history) and the usage of the car (commute for work or not, predicted annual distance driven).

Most of us haven't got a clue about what our car insurance really covers. Here's what car insurance covers and how you can save money on your premium.

Collision Coverage

Collision insurance pays for repairs to your car from a collision regardless of who was at fault.

Raising the deductible - the amount you pay before your insurance company pays a claim - will save you hundreds of dollars a year on your premium. If you have an older car that's not worth a lot, dropping your coverage, especially if your car is worth less than your insurance premium, can save you $450 or more.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance pays for non-collision damage to your car from such things as vandalism, break-ins, fire, natural disasters, and other causes.

Raising your deductible will lower your premium considerably. Dropping this coverage if you drive an older car will also save you money.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage pays for claims made against you for property damage and physical injury. It's really the most important coverage because it protects you from losing your assets.

Don't skimp on this one. If you don't own much, you can stick with the minimum coverage. But if you do have assets you want to protect, get as much coverage as you can to protect those assets. Increasing your liability coverage won't cost you that much more.

Medical Coverage

Medical coverage pays medical expenses when you or your passengers have an accident. It also pays expenses if you or your family are injured in someone else's car.

Consider dropping this coverage if you already have health insurance. And if you don't have health insurance consider getting it instead of carrying medical coverage on your car insurance policy.

You *MUST* choose the right insurance company for your car. Why? Because they are the ones who will -supposedly- be helping you in every problem you might have with your car.

But the insurance industry, as in every profitable market, has grown over-populated and there are millions of insurance firms out there to "Help You Out". Some of them are good, some of them are bad and some of them are pure EVIL. I will try to help you find the good ones.

All the car-insurance companies provide the same basic benefits to their policy holders. The only difference between the companies is the premiums they ask. Some companies offer inexplicably high insurance premiums while others offer more affordable, low-rate premiums. So... How will you know what's best for you?

Before starting to check on companies, you must know what you need. Every state has different sets of insurance laws and rules, and they require different things. Moreover, these rules are different for every type of car and almost every "person". So the first thing to do is, ask your state's insurance department (or better, check out their web site - as every single one of them has one nowadays) to find out the requirements. Voila! You have the first criteria to rule some insurance companies out --the ones which do not provide the requirements of your state.

Now, on to company selection.

First things first: "What do others think about this company?"

A good insurance company will settle your claims in very short time and pay you just the right amount. To make sure your company is one that keeps its promises and works well, just go to your state's insurance department's web site and check on that company's records. Yes, your state has one of those too and on this web site you will find "consumer complaint ratios" about every insurance company that operates in your region. These ratios will show you the number of complaints per 1000 claims.

This is one of the good systems to check on your insurance company. You can use the same list to find the company that offers the minimum quotes. What you need to do is to find a balance between the least complaint ratios and lowest quotes. Mind you, it's not very easy to do!

Next, find out the recommended car shops of your insurance company. If you'll need to cross the country for every little need, they won't be much help to you. Even if they have a recommended shop near you, be sure to check the shop to see if they have every part and equipment you might need for your car.

After you check on them and ask them what they think about the insurance company you're about to agree with, they will give you positive or negative information about the company. This is important: Nobody knows insurance companies better than the mechanics!

Just to be sure, check the company on google, J.D. Power & Associates (an organization collecting data from policy holders and measures their satisfaction with their insurance companies.) and user forums around the internet.

After you complete all these steps, you hopefully will have found an insurance company worth your dime and cheerfully crash your car into a wall!

Planning to go on a vacation? Making a long business trip overseas?

While traveling abroad on business or on holiday it is always a good practice to be covered with Travel insurance. However, travel insurance is usually confined to health insurance coverage only. If you plan to drive a car on your travel abroad, you will need to consider car insurance.

In some countries it is not necessary to have car insurance. Nevertheless, it is still recommended. You will need an international driver's license before you can rent a car or get insurance on it.

Check your existing car insurance policy for the coverage if you are a frequent flyer to other countries. Ask your insurance company if they can include exactly what you want in your existing policy. This is one of the best ways to get insured.

It is good to contact your credit card companies to See if you qualify for insurance for driving abroad. Some credit cards company like American Express and MasterCard cover you for car insurance when you are traveling abroad and driving a rented vehicle you charged on your credit card. Check if there is a fee involved and shop for rates with all your credit cards you have.

Adding car insurance for driving in a foreign country while buying your travel insurance. Check the difference in the premium and compare it with the fees you would pay if you got all your insurance needs through your credit card.

If renting a car from a rental car agency, check if the rental of the car includes car insurance if not buy a temporary car insurance from the rental car agency. Choose the option of getting insurance from the car rental company if you do not have the requisite coverage in your existing car insurance policy. With a well-known company, you will most likely be assured of better services and better car insurance coverage. This may be the most economical method, depending on the number of days you plan to rent the vehicle, and usually the easiest and most cost-effective method.

If you plan to use car of your friends, colleagues or company; ask if have car insurance coverage. It is likely that their insurance policy may cover protections for anyone driving their car. It is better to be safe than sorry later.

Best Auto Insurance Companies

There are a lot of auto insurance companies who claim to be the biggest, the best, the cheapest, the friendliest , and on and on. But what you really want to know is how a particular company will treat you when it comes to paying a claim? Will you be paid the full amount of the claim? Will you be paid on time? Will you be paid at all?

Here's how to find out:

1. Every state has a department of insurance, and most departments maintain websites that include a consumer complaint department. Here you can find out how many claims have been filed against a company and compare them to other companies.

If your state's insurance department doesn't have a website, you can go to California's website - www.insurance.ca.gov - click on "Consumers," then "Studies and Reports," and "Consumer Complaint Study" to see the numbers of justified complaints consumers have filed against a particular company.

2. Go to Epinions.com to find out what a company's customers have to say about them. Here you'll find ratings and reviews from real customers who've had dealings with insurance companies and you can get the inside scoop on how they handle their claims.

Best Auto Insurance Rates

The difference in insurance rates between insurance companies is amazing. Company "A" may charge you $2,000 for a policy, while company "B" will charge you $1,100 for the same policy. That's a $900 difference!

The best way to find the best rates is to go to an online insurance comparison website. Here you'll be able to get rates from a number of companies by filling out a simple questionnaire (see links below).

It only takes a few minutes and you get quotes from well-known, A-rated companies, not poorly rated companies you've never heard of.

During the questioning process you can tailor your car insurance policy to fit your needs, and get all the discounts you're entitled to. For tips on how to get the maximum amount of discounts on auto insurance click on the link below then go to the "Articles" section.

It never ceases to amaze me how people will shop around for savings of a few pounds or dollars on the latest high street gadgets, clothes, or groceries, but leave much greater savings on the table when it comes to insurance.

The motor insurance industry is extremely competitive and all of the companies want your business. Being competitive however, does not mean that they all charge the same or similar premiums for the various types of cover. There are huge differences in premium rates and therefore great scope for a bargain if you are prepared to shop around.

There are many reasons why insurance rates vary between companies. Each assesses the risks involved in every area of cover and will have different views of the level of risk associated with each activity. These risk assessments will be based on the experience of those companies in the past and the plans they have for the future but they will change over time to reflect changes in internal and external factors.

Some insurers for example regard younger drivers as too high risk and the premiums they charge will reflect this while others are prepared to accept a certain proportion of higher risk customers in the hope that they will stay with the company as they get older and become less of an accident risk.

Others will be actively targeting certain types of policy or drivers and will therefore discount the price for new customers but may not carry this on for later years. Yet others may continue these discounts but vary the amount from year to year depending on what proportion of their business they want to have in that particular sector.

No claim discounts will vary in amount and the length of time they take to be earned and motor insurance companies will have different loadings for age. Some companies even specialise in insuring older drivers allowing them to pass on the benefit of the lower claims record of this group, to all policy holders.

Limited time offers may be made by other insurance companies which were not available when you last renewed your car insurance or you may have become a better risk by not making a claim in the previous year or by falling into a higher age bracket.

Remember the insurance world is always changing because it has to reflect changes in how we live and behave and the cars we drive and because of the complexity of calculating risks and costs there will always be different views about the appropriate premium rates for any car insurance policy.

It is now really easy to check out the market using Internet insurance sites that a few minutes spent online can result in major savings in costs plus if you sign up online you will usually get an additional discount of 10% or more. Those few minutes online could turn out to be the most profitable few minutes of the year!

So go ahead and shop around for a bargain.

Amazingly, car insurance quotes can vary as much as 100% between companies. One company may charge you $1,200 for a policy, while another will charge you $2,400 for the exact same policy. So the first step in getting the lowest rate for your teenager is to shop for rates.

When it comes to rate shopping you have two choices: 1.Spend half your life calling agents on the phone, or, 2. Go online to get quotes from car insurance websites.

Here again you have two choices: Spend days on end going from website to website, or go to an online comparison site where you can get quotes from a number of different companies. (See links below.)

Shopping Online

The advantages of shopping for car insurance for your teenager online are:

* It's quick - It only takes a few minutes of your time.

* It's easy - You only have to fill out one simple questionnaire in order to get multiple quotes.

* It's flexible - You can see all the deductions you're entitled to on the questionnaire so you can include them and get the cheapest rate.

* It's free!

Checking the Company

After you find the cheapest car insurance for your teenager, you''ll want to make sure the company you deal with is reliable. Here again, the easiest way to do that is to go online.

I recommend going to the following sites:

1. Your state's department of insurance website - Most insurance departments maintain websites that list consumer complaints where you can find the number of claims filed against various companies.

If your state's insurance department doesn't have a website with this information, you can go to California's website (www.insurance.ca.gov) to get it.

2. Epinions.com. - Epinions is a site where consumers review and rate companies based on their experience with that company. Here you can get the inside dope on how insurance companies treat their customers and how they handle their claims.

After reviewing AutoInsuranceQuotes4free, my rating of this site is nothing less than excellent. The site was very informative, well organized, and best of all easy to use. Whether you’re searching for lower car insurance rates or just looking to learn the tricks of the trade, this site is your one-stop solution.

One topic I was particularly impressed with was their discount section. They have taken the time to list just about every single auto insurance discount that exists. Allowing you to print this auto discount list in PDF format, it’s a very useful tool to have handy when speaking with your insurance agent over the phone. You can go down the list and check off every discount that you are qualified for.

Even further, AutoInsuranceQuotes4free.com offers you a non-contractual online auto insurance quote that only takes about six minutes to complete. And if that’s not enough, keep in mind that it’s also free. In other words, within six minutes you can walk away with multiple car insurance quotes at you fingertips from different companies using only one website to do all of this.

Because auto insurance rates have so many variables, this website has found the way to use every variable to your advantage. Most drivers are paying high insurance rates simply because they don’t know what discounts they are qualified for! There’s extensive information you can read within this website that prepares you with knowledge of the tricks that insurance companies use against you and how you can overcome them to keep your rates cheap and low.

If you haven’t heard of AutoInsuranceQuotes4free.com or you haven’t used it yet, get on your browser now and check it out. Its well worth the time and you could end up saving hundreds per year. Most drivers can save money using www.AutoInsuranceQuotes4free.com Judging from my experience and use of the site, I’m giving a five-star review!

Most workers in the United States have many different bills automatically deducted from their paychecks. Health, dental and life insurance are the most common payroll deductions. Depending on your personal circumstances a number of other items may also be deducted, from child support to certain loan repayments. Many Americans are unaware, however, that in some cases auto insurance may also be paid through payroll deduction.

Payroll deduction of automobile insurance premiums is relatively new and is not offered by all insurers. Payroll deduction is most commonly available to employees who purchase employer-sponsored insurance. This method is becoming a trend however, making it now possible to find private auto insurance that may be paid via payroll deduction.

Payroll deduction offers a number of advantages over traditional billing methods. Busy families often have trouble keeping up with their bills whether due to a lack of funds or simply a lack of time. Utilizing payroll deduction for your auto insurance ensures that the monthly payment will never be forgotten. Many people also like that the money is deducted before it is ever in their bank account, making it easier to part with the funds.

Payroll deduction is not for everyone. This method works best for those who have stable and consistent paychecks. The premium will be the same each month and is usually deducted all in one payment. If your paychecks are unsteady from week to week, you may find that it is difficult to make ends meet during the week that your premium is deducted.

It is important to gather information prior to enrolling in payroll deduction. What happens if your paycheck is not enough one week to cover the payment? Most insurers will resubmit the deduction the next week then send a bill to your home if it does not go through the second time. This is not mandated however, and the company could theoretically decide to cancel your policy for nonpayment. Make sure you understand the company’s policy. Also find out the process of canceling payroll deduction in the event that you change jobs.

Payroll deduction works well for customers whose paychecks are stable from week to week. The process is simple and easy as well as safe. It may be difficult to find an insurer who offers this option but if you can, payroll deduction could be your best choice. Use caution if your paychecks vary widely however, as it may be difficult to meet the payments by this method.

So you just purchased the car of your dreams, or you're about to, and you want to get the best new car insurance at the best rate. Here's how to do it.

New Car Insurance

When you buy a new car your loan company will require a certain amount of new car insurance to protect itself in case your car is damaged or stolen.

If you don't get your own insurance, your loan company or dealer will get it for you and, believe me, it won't be cheap. The last time I purchased a car the difference between my loan company's insurance rate and the rate I got myself was more than $1,000.

So the first thing you need to do is go shopping for your own insurance and compare rates.

Comparing Rates

The easiest and fastest way to get cheap rates is to go to a car insurance comparison site (see links below). Here you can get multiple rate quotes from a number of car insurance companies so you can compare them and choose the best rate.

Once you're on the site you'll be asked to fill out a questionnaire so you can tailor your insurance to fit your specific needs. As you fill it out you'll be able to view a list of discounts and include them in your auto insurance policy.

Here are some new car insurance discounts worth considering:

* Raising your deductible by a couple of hundred dollars can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your premium.

* Installing an auto alarm and ant-theft device can get you a good-sized discount.

* Dropping unnecessary coverage like medical and towing coverage if you already have them will save you money.

Comparing Companies

After you choose a car insurance company you want to make sure that company will give you good service, especially when it comes to paying your claims.

A good way to see how well a company treats its customers is to go to Epinions.com. Here you'll find reviews of all the major insurance companies written by actual customers, plus testimonials on how they were treated and what their claims experiences were.

You can also go to your state's insurance department website to see what claims have been filed against a particular company. If your state doesn't provide this information, you can get it from the California Department of Insurance website - www.insurance.ca.gov.

The search for cheap auto insurance is at its close. I’ve been privileged to write a full review on a website called AutoInsuranceQuotes4free.com. Before visiting this site, I had no conception of what to do or where to look to find cheaper auto insurance rates. After reading through the site a bit, it became very apparent that it’s not as hard as it seems.

A site is only as good as it can portray information clearly to its visitors. It must be easy to use in this sense as visitors will try to get around the site to find the information they’re looking for. It is set up in a user-friendly format. It was very easy to navigate through different pages to find what I was looking for. Each section is clearly marked and structured so that it’s easy to read. It’s very easy to find information once you get to this site.

Explanations are vital to understanding the car insurance market and business. Most insurance websites don’t take the time to lay out the basics. But this site does! Clearly marked within the site are basic explanations of terms and programs that are common within the insurance industry. Once you master this knowledge, you can shop and compare auto insurance rates as if you know just as much as the agent who is selling it to you. The more you know, the better off you are when you’re shopping for those rates.

Aside from being very easy to use, and having more than enough useful information at your mercy, Auto insurance quotes for free has listed company reviews of major insurance companies. Choose the company that’s best for you and proceed to their online auto insurance quote. You can be in and out within minutes without having to pay for a thing! This site is not only helpful, but it is useful to saving money that you can otherwise spend on more important things.

I give AutoInsuranceQuotes4free.com a rating of excellent and hope to see them prosper in their future business ventures. It is a site that truly serves the public. Check it out at AutoInsuranceQuotes4free.com

The Tomtom satellite navigation system is ideal for those people who are always on the move into the unknown, providing nigh on pin point accuracy towards the destination. Its database holds routes and directions for over 16 countries, and comes in three different options suitable for all road users. Firstly, the navigation software can be linked up to PDA’s and Pocket PCs, which means people can make the best use of their existing hardware. Or there is an all in one portable device which can be mounted from car to car. Finally, Tomtom also offers mobile phone services, for those who wish to turn their mobiles into their very own navigational system.

Tomtom users can download a vast array of updates for their devices, which can be added as and when they are needed, and come as optional extras. These include traffic information, new maps, safety camera positioning, weather updates, scenic route finders, buddies (lets you know if your friends are in the vicinity), voices packages (want bugs bunny to tell you where to turn? Or simply a friendly voice with local dialect), and audio books readily available to listen to for long journeys. All of these options provide real value for money.

The Tomtom devices use GPS technology to pinpoint exactly where you are in the world, and by linking this to the appropriate section of road map from its huge on board database from maps around the world it shows you exactly where you are, in perfect 3D motion. Therefore not only does the Tomtom safely guide you to your destination, the fact that so many updates and ‘subs’ are available means you reach your target in the most fun and relaxed way possible. Tomtom id also one of the first satellite navigation systems to incorporate full postcodes, meaning it will take you right to the exact address, rather than simply the area you are looking for.

Tomtom provides a great advantage over other similar devices due to its touch screen properties, and the fact that it is a standalone piece of equipment, needing no wiring or permanent fixations to do its job. All in all, its relatively cheap price makes this product great value for money, and a great addition to any car

Auto insurance is something we do not think much about until we need it. Usually the only thing we consider is how much it is costing us. You should ask yourself one question though. Do I have the right auto insurance coverage? Keep reading this article and find out if you need to increase your coverage.

The first thing you need to consider is how much liability coverage to carry. This is an important factor and the minimum can vary from state to state. Most people only carry the minimum required by the state but this may be a bad idea. Additional coverage does not cost much more and could save you in the long run. With more and more vehicles on the road costing $50,000 or even $100,000 or more you should carry more liability coverage. If you hit one of these vehicles, they will come after you once your insurance is depleted. Protect yourself.

The next thing to consider is whether or not to carry underinsured or uninsured motorist protection. This will protect you in case you are in an accident with someone who does not carry insurance. The cost is minimum but you will be glad you have it if the worst happens.

Another insurance coverage you should consider is towing. This usually costs practically nothing but it will reimburse you for the costs of towing your vehicle. Check out how much they will reimburse you for towing though before you commit.

These are just a few factors to consider when you are getting coverage or checking your auto insurance coverage. You also have such things as personal injury protection, property damage coverage and many others. For this reason, you should call a qualified insurance agent in your area to discuss what coverage is best for you and your situation.

With the rising number of car accidents and the rising cost of car insurance these days you want to be sure you're getting the best insurance at the best rate. Here are three car insurance tips that will show you how to save the most amount of money.

Car Insurance Tips

Tip #1 - Shop for quotes. Shopping for quotes is by far the best way to save the most money on your insurance premium. There are a number of websites that will give you quotes from top insurance companies so you can compare them and get the cheapest rate. (See links below.)

I've known people who've saved $500 to $1,000 on their car insurance simply by switching companies.

Tip # 2 - Increase your deductibles. A deductible is the amount you pay on a claim before your insurance kicks in. Most of us never file claims for small amounts of damage because insurance companies can hike up your rates if you file too many claims, so it only makes sense to increase your deductible to an amount you feel comfortable with.

Increasing your collision deductible from $200 to $500 will cut your yearly premium by 15% to 30%. Increasing it to $1,000 can cut your premium in half.

Tip #3 - Drop collision coverage. Collision covers the cost of repairing damage to your car regardless of who was at fault. If you drive an older car, consider dropping collision coverage if your premium is equal to 10% or more of your car's value.

Dropping your collision coverage can save you $300 to $500 a year depending on the age and make of your car.

Houston auto insurance is more expensive than insurance in most cities. That is because of heavy traffic and a high theft rate. Here are some things you can do to keep your rate as low as possible:

* Keep your driving record clean. If you get a ticket you may be able to get it dismissed by taking defensive driving or hiring an attorney.
* You will usually have a lower rate if you get your auto policy from the same company as your homeowners or renters policy.
* Select a vehicle that is rated low for insurance. Car dealers can provide a guide for insurance ratings. Moderately priced 4 door sedans typically have good rates.
* A defensive driving course will lower your rate.
* Maintain continuous insurance. Most companies give a big discount for this.
* Make sure you are rated with every other possible discount. Ask your agent to run through the list of discounts so you don’t miss any. This could include a vehicle alarm, multiple cars on a policy, EFT payment option, safe driver, and more.
* If you have an older car consider only getting liability coverage.
* Consider a higher deductible on your collision coverage if you could afford the loss in the event of a claim.
* Shop several companies at renewal time to be sure your rate is good.

Cheap Home and Auto Insurance Quotes

In the good ol' days before the Internet made comparing prices for products as easy as clicking a mouse, getting cheap home and auto insurance quotes was a matter of calling insurance agents on the phone and answering a ton of questions. And many agents wouldn't give quotes over the phone.

With the advent of the Internet you could go to an insurance company's website to get home and auto insurance quotes. But the problem was you could only get one quote and you were never sure if you were getting the cheapest rate.

Enter insurance comparison websites where you can now get rate quotes from well-known companies, compare rates, and purchase cheap home and auto insurance all on one site.

It only takes a few minutes at one of these sites to get quotes and, believe me, the savings can be amazing. I know people who saved $500 to $1,000 on their insurance by simply switching companies.

To get your quotes you'll need to fill out a questionnaire so companies can tailor your insurance to your needs. As you complete the questionnaire you'll be able to see the all discounts you're entitled to and select the discounts you want.

Some of the better sites even have a live online chat feature where you can ask insurance experts questions about what kind of insurance you need and what discounts are available. (See links below.)

Bottom Line

If you're serious about purchasing cheap home and auto insurance, spending a few minutes at an insurance comparison site will be time well spent. It's quick, it's easy, and it's free!

Looking for a car, be it a brand new model or a pre-loved car with one or more previous owners, you do compare the many features of the vehicle. Yet when insuring your car, many times this is the last thing you would think of doing. Yes, you make sure you ask what is the cost of insuring the particular car you are about to buy. The savings on premiums offered for low-cost policies could also influence you.

Yet, you could be paying more in the long term.

When You Are Liable

How these low cost insurance policies work is, that they have low liability limits, some could be as low as $25,000, this could mean if you are involved in an accident and are liable then you could be responsible for paying for the other person, the hospital and medical expenses, loss of income and other damages. $25.000 doesn't go far these days so the amount over and above you would be personally responsible for.

Always make sure you have enough cover with your car insurance policy. Read your policy carefully and when you are not understanding something or are not sure, get advice from someone who does know.

Choosing Your Insurance Agent or Insurance Sales Representatives.

Choosing an insurance agent has its advantages. Assessing your needs is part of what the insurance agent will do and will also look into your risk profile so they have a good understanding of your insurance requirements and your car insurance coverage.

Don't get an insurance agent and an insurance sales representative confused. An insurance representative works for a particular insurance company, so they will be recommending that insurance company's policies. Whereas an insurance agent works independently and will source out the best car insurance policy from all the insurance companies, the one that will best fit your needs.

There are a some things you will want to discuss with your insurance agent for your car insurance and these are:

* What you feel about asset protection and insurance
* What you expect if you need to make a claim
* Your assets and your net worth

Your Car Needs Replacing After An Accident

This is an important area of car insurance. Many car insurance policies pay for total losses on the cash value of your car and not the replacement cost. Depending on the age of your car, you could be at a loss of quite some dollars, as you will have to come up with the difference if you wish to have the same car.

The age of your vehicle will determine the outcome of this clause in your car insurance policy. Many car insurance companies will cover full replacement if you car is bought brand new. They will do this for a specified time and then you should make sure you have a full understanding of what happens after that time. Often companies will do the full replacement for a year, there will also be special offers for special car promos.

If you see that teensy, weensy print at the bottom of an advert "Conditions Apply", make sure you determine exactly what the 'conditions' are.

The insurance policies that pay, after total loss during the first twelve months, the total purchase price plus all costs, will each year after, lock in the car valuation as set by the industry's standard 'retail' Blue Book.

Look After The Little things

You can find what is covered or not covered with your low-cost car insurance policy by reading the fine print. When you first sign your policy, these items may not seem so important. Many things with any insurance policy seem fine until you need to make a claim. This is where the so called savings will be eaten away. The savings of the low premiums you have been enjoying when you need to claim because of an accident, the costs start to come in.

If you are saving on your car insurance policy premiums, you may find you are required to use a certain repairer as nominated by your car insurance company, you will need to comply or pay for them yourself. Other policies may cost you more in premiums but could have a clause that enables you to have your own repairer without any penalty as far as the cost to you goes.

There is an area often overlooked with car insurance policies and that is your personal items that are in your car at the time of an accident. These items will also need to be replaced if your car is a total write-off.

How To Choose Your Car Insurance Coverage?

Take a look at the declaration page of your policy to find out your coverage. If you are unsure what it all means, then ask advice from an independent insurance agent, this is the one that doesn't work for any car insurance company and will have your needs as his client, as the first priority. It is the legal responsibility of the independent insurance agent to provide the proper coverage for their clients.

For you to understand an insurance policy be it a car insurance policy or a house contents insurance policy is very important, so make sure you get everything explained to you.

If you need a Michigan car insurance quote but you're not sure what to quote on, here are a few tips to get the right quotes and save money. This includes the minimum state requirements for auto insurance.

By law, Michigan requires that you purchase no-fault car insurance if you own a vehicle. According to Michigan's official state Web site, they have the most comprehensive no-fault auto insurance system in the country.

With this system, vehicle owners and their families are provided with unlimited medical and rehabilitation benefits, wage loss benefits and $20 per day for replacement services for up to three years if injured in an auto accident -- no matter who was at fault.

The minimum parts of a no-fault policy that must be carried on your vehicle are:

Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, which pays necessary medical costs if you are injured in an accident.

Property Protection, or PPI, which pays up to $1 million for damages your car does in Michigan to other property.

Residual Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance, also known as BI/PD. This pays for defense costs and damages if you are found liable in an accident. The minimum limits you must purchase are:

Bodily Injury -- $20,000 per person who is hurt or killed in an accident, and $40,000 per accident if several people are hurt or killed.

Property Damage -- $10,000 for property damage in another state.

You can also increase your limits to provide more financial protection, and add optional coverages such as Uninsured Motorist and Comprehensive.

Since car insurance companies in Michigan charge different rates from company to company, one of the best ways to save money is to get several quotes. Provide the same information and request the same coverages for each quote in order to get the most accurate comparison.

Auto insurance can be confusing. Most policies look like they were written in a foreign language. Here are simple explanations for the five basic types of auto insurance coverage so you can decide for yourself what you need and what you don't.

Collision Coverage - This pays for repairs made to your car no matter who was at fault. If you purchase or lease a car your dealer will require you to carry this coverage.

I recommend getting the highest deductible you can afford. Increasing your deductible from $100 to $500 will save you 10% to 20% on your insurance.

Comprehensive Coverage - This coverage pays for damages to your car from fire, theft, and vandalism. It also pays for damage from natural disasters like hailstorms and hurricanes.

You should carry comprehensive coverage, but again, get the highest deductible you can afford.

Liability Coverage - This coverage pays for your legal fees and any claims made against you if your car kills or injures someone, or damages someone else's property.

If you don't have a lot of assets you can go with the minimum your state requires. However, if you do have a lot of assets you should get the highest amount you feel will protect you from lawsuits.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage - This coverage pays for damages done to you, your passengers, and your car that are caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers and hit-and-run drivers.

With more than 15% of the population driving without insurance, and hit-and-run accidents on the rise, this is good coverage to have, especially if you live in states that have a high number of uninsured drivers like Mississippi (26%), Alabama (25%), California (25%), New Mexico (24%), and Arizona (22%).

Medical Coverage - This coverage, also known as personal injury protection, pays your medical expenses and your passenger's medical expenses if you're involved in an automobile accident.

Consider eliminating this coverage if you already have medical insurance that covers you.