Car insurance rate » Auto Insurance Companies

Getting Low Auto Insurance Rates – Cheap Car Insurance Policies

admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:22:01 +0000

First of all, avoid being in an accident. Having a clean accident-free driving record is a big plus for negotiating lower rates from your auto insurance company. That you are a good driver makes the risk level for the insurance company to be relatively low thereby giving you more power to make certain demands especially on lower rate considerations.

Also having a clean driving record will make you top choice and a better client to the insurance companies around.

You should endeavor to understand some of the value added services that auto insurance companies provide. Most times, these services help you save both time and money. A good insurance company will surely love to have smiling customers and one of the greatest means for achieving this is to increase service value while maintaining price points or even lowering the overall price.

You can save more if you have multiple policies running on the same account. For example you can have a life insurance policy, home renters insurance and your auto insurance policy all being active in the same account. This will normally prompt for a lower rate negotiation.

Insurance companies will cross check on some of your personal behaviors and habits. If you have a record of getting drunk on alcohol or excessive speeding with friends and over loading vehicles, then your record is that of a high risk for the insurance companies. Having a non-destructive record will surely give you more points for lower rates. The first step for you to get your lower rates is to get free auto insurance quotes from trusted agents online.

Where To Start?

By: Iyke Phelim

Your Occupation and Your Auto Insurance Rates – Why Do Some Occupations Pay More For Car Insurance?

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:02:15 +0000

Is it really true that some people can get a cheaper auto insurance rate simply based on their job? What is the relationship between your occupation and your car insurance rates? Is it fair for auto insurance companies to charge higher premiums to those people who work in certain “higher risk” occupations? These are all important questions for everyone to ask, especially those who are working (which is most of us!) as many people do not realize that their occupation is one of the factors that many insurance companies use to determine their car insurance rates.

The world of occupations is a very broad one. Not only do occupations label who you are and what you do for a living, but now they have a lot to do with how much you are going to pay in the insurance business. Life insurance is a major example of this type of occupational division. High risk occupations such as construction workers, miners and some other professions in which the person is at risk of death and injury result in more expensive premiums compared to those in which the person is sitting behind a desk the whole day. Many people do not think that this is the job of automobile insurance, but it is my job to let them know they are highly mistaken. There are certain occupations that draw a major degree of attention to automobile insurance companies, while some others do now really represent a high risk for car insurance companies. Below you will be able to see where your occupation ranks and whether it works in your advantage or against you at the time of trying to get automobile insurance.

Based on the 2006 occupation report given by comparisonmarket.com the following are the 63 occupations starting with the cheapest one to get car insurance for and ending with the most expensive one.

1 Scientist $870.20

2 Retired $917.63

3 Currently not working $934.10

4 Pilot/Navigator $965.94

5 Disabled $968.14

6 Actor/Performer/Artist $971.10

7 Librarian/Historian $1,008.86

8 Farmer $1,015.62

9 Student $1,028.96

10 Public Official $1,068.83

11 Design Services $1,070.87

12 Waiter/Bartender/Host $1,071.25

13 Engineer $1,087.56

14 Athlete $1,088.29

15 Homemaker $1,091.73

16 Instructor/Coach/TA $1,098.86

17 Breeder/Groomer/Trainer $1,102.83

18 Clerk/Cashier $1,105.93

19 Computer/Math/Research $1,110.15

20 Chef/Baker $1,114.89

21 Teacher/Dean/Educ Degree $1,121.15

22 Machine Operator $1,126.34

23 Architect $1,130.71

24 Machinist/Toolmaker $1,131.33

25 Marketing/Advertising $1,135.33

26 Cleaning/Janitorial $1,136.02

27 Mechanic $1,138.33

28 Repair/Maintenance $1,142.89

29 Null $1,146.46

30 Military Officer $1,147.96

31 Tradesman/Manufacturer $1,150.80

32 Customer Service $1,151.92

33 Other – Prof w/Coll Degree $1,156.33

34 Construction/Skilled Worker $1,159.93

35 Technician $1,160.09

36 Other – No College Degree $1,181.74

37 Bank/Clerical/Office Staff $1,190.75

38 Nanny/Caretaker $1,193.97

39 Military E5+ $1,196.27

40 Admin. Asst./Secretary $1,209.26

41 Clergy $1,209.72

42 Driver $1,209.94

43 Health Care Worker $1,212.75

44 Finance/Ins Prof w/Degree $1,213.17

45 Barber/Beautician $1,214.47

46 Sales/Real Estate $1,215.04

47 Government GS1-GS5 $1,215.50

48 Self Employed $1,217.59

49 Professional Worker $1,219.49

50 Security/Prison Worker $1,227.74

51 Administrator $1,229.80

52 Supervisor/Asst. Manager $1,231.67

53 Manager/Director $1,240.14

54 Government GS6 or higher $1,262.45

55 Police/Fire – other $1,264.62

56 Medical Doctor/Dentist $1,277.63

57 Military E1 to E4 $1,294.69

58 CPA/Comptroller $1,301.36

59 Police/Fire – Lt/Cptn/Chief $1,314.88

60 Nurse $1,316.40

61 Attorney/Lawyer/Judge $1,370.39

62 Executive $1,375.38

63 Business Owner $1,405.11

There is a good explanation for each of the following occupations and why they rank in the top or the bottom of the table. Let’s start with the top and why scientists, retired people and pilots or navigators rank up there. When you are a scientist your significant research is done in the home or at a company that pays you to be meticulous and find valuable information. This people often take those careful practices that they learn from work and use them on the road. Scientists are thought to be careful individuals that think things twice and always pay full attention at the actions that they are doing. For this reason they tend to be better drivers out there than many other occupations and because of these reasons they average premium is right at $870 a month.

After this comes the retired person with a premium of about $917 a month. Retired people don’t do much throughout the day and many of them stay at home watching TV or doing things to their house. Sometimes they decide to go out and drive to the grocery store and other places, the places they travel to however; are short distances, hence there is a lower probability that these people will get into an automobile accident when they do drive. It is good to note that many retired people do drive a lot, but these is an average of all the retired people and since there are a lot of what we call “baby boomers” in our population, the majority of retired people follow the pattern described above.

Pilots and Navigators are fourth on the list with an average premium of $965, which is relatively low in comparison to other professions. Automobile insurance companies see this people are responsible individuals that are good at what they do. These people usually have the lives of other human being in their hands and that usually translates to the road. When these people drive they are thought to do it cautiously and defensively and many of them usually take the same actions that they do at work, making them great at driving and very defensive behind the wheel.

On the other side of the table we see attorneys, lawyers and judges with an average monthly premium of $1,370. A big reason for the change can be due to the fact that these people purchase more expensive vehicles than the three occupations we have discussed above. Since most of these people are still making payments on the car or they are leasing it, they find themselves with a full coverage policy, which can be very expensive. Their cars are usually harder to fix and they require more expensive parts and labor, for this reason insurance companies try to make up for the “risk” by giving them more expensive policies.

Second to last we see executives who pay about $1,375 for automobile insurance a month. There people also purchase expensive cars that are harder and more expensive to fix, but you have to add another detail. Executives are constantly on the phone with people all around the country and the world. For this reason they are more likely to be paying attention to their cell phones while driving, which has been proven to be one of the major causes of accidents in the United States. Because of this little thing called cell phone, executives face one of the most expensive monthly premiums of any occupation.

Last but not least we find ourselves with the most expensive occupation to insure by an automobile insurance company, the business owners. With an average monthly premium of a staggering $1,405, the business owners have the highest rate out of any profession. The reason for this is that these people live a very stressful life. Trying to keep their main source of a job operating correctly can take a toll on this people and the more stress you drive under; the higher your chances of making mistakes out on the road. Add to this that they spend countless hours on the road and that some of them use their cars for business purposes; and you will be facing the most expensive premium out there.

As you can see your occupation has a lot to do with the way that you are perceived to an automobile company. Unfortunately for people that fall in one of the expensive categories and that are good drivers, they will always be seen as part of the group in which they work. Occupations have a lot to do with who you are and what you are seen like, and now you can see that your profession goes farther than that because is not being use to determine your automobile rates!

By: James J. Robinson

Affordable Car Insurance Rate For the First Timer

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 21:41:32 +0000

If you are a newbie to the world of auto insurance, fear not! If you follow certain steps, finding an affordable car insurance rate is perfectly feasible and less troublesome than you think. First, understanding insurance lingo is only the beginning toward an affordable auto insurance rate. There are great articles and sites that will offer definitions for common terms like deductible, liability, and other words that impact your affordable car insurance rate.

Once you get a grasp on the lingo, the next step toward finding an affordable auto insurance rate is to know what coverage options are available to you, and then determine what coverages you would like. Once you have that list, you can then compare it to what you need. As you look at different quotes, you will know what you have budgeted toward your auto insurance, and you can then find the quote that gives you an affordable car insurance rate along with the most coverage for that rate.

Also, asking about discounts is a great way to create a more affordable car insurance rate. Most auto insurance companies offer discounts for things like good grades, age, and having multiple insurance policies, so you may be able to get more coverage with discounts as you get a more affordable car insurance rate through those savings.

By: Joshua Miller

5 Common Myths About Auto Insurance Companies

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 07:04:17 +0000

Comparing auto insurance companies can be a little confusing, especially when you already have a false sense of what to expect. You might have some preconceived ideas about what car insurance is and how it works based on bits and pieces of information from friends, co-workers, relatives, television, etc. Let’s explore five common myths about auto insurance to ease your mind.

Myth #1: Car insurance rates are determined the same way by every auto insurance company.

This idea leaves the impression that all auto insurance companies think and operate alike, which is certainly not true. Each insurance agency determines rates based on a number of risk factors that affect their company the most. The risk factors vary based on what types of drivers the company normally accommodates. Some car insurance companies cater to high-risk drivers, such as drivers with a poor driving record or a history of DUI. Others cater to middle-aged, married consumers or young drivers. As you can see, auto insurance companies determine rates differently based on their own criteria.

Myth #2: Car insurance rates are not affected by my credit score.

Unfortunately, auto insurance companies can and will perform a credit check to find out how you fare in the financial realm. With many insurers, a better credit score means lower rates. Your credit score may be checked when you purchase new insurance, transfer your policy to another agency, and when it’s time to renew your policy.

Myth #3: If an accident occurs while someone else is driving my vehicle, their car insurance will automatically cover the accident.

No matter who’s driving your car, your insurer will have to pay if the accident is deemed their fault or in some cases, “no fault.” The driver’s own insurance might, however, act as back-up coverage and cover any excess needs should they arise. Remember, it’s your car and your responsibility no matter who’s driving.

Myth #4: The type of car I own does not affect my car insurance.

It would be nice if you could own that beautiful sports car you’ve always dreamed of without it affecting your insurance rates, but this usually isn’t the case. Many auto insurance companies do take into consideration what type of car you own, especially when insuring drivers under the age of 25. Sports cars usually render a much higher insurance rate because these cars tend to prompt “show-off” feats and/or speeding. So, buy your teenager a nice sedan for starters!

Myth #5: The government sets car insurance rates so there’s no need to shop around.

This is false. The state government regulates auto insurance companies and their rates to ensure fairness for companies and consumers; however, the government does not set the rates. Your rates are determined by the insurer based on your credit score, age, where you live, the type of car you drive, marital status, and other factors.

As you can see, there’s no reason to settle for one company’s rates without comparing auto insurance companies. You can compare insurers easily using online resources to find out which companies offer the best coverage at a premium you can afford.

By: Chris Robertson

Auto Insurance Theft Coverage – Your Car Insurance Policy’s Theft Coverage and Your Rights

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:02:41 +0000

Many American are unfortunately becoming aware of the increasing problem of auto theft, vandalism and how it affects your insurance rates. Every 27 seconds a car is stolen. It is estimated that at least 1 million cars will be stolen this year alone. Auto theft affects your insurance premiums so much so that there are instances where individuals living in certain locations are unable to even secure a regular auto insurance policy because of the risk of vehicle theft.

It’s bad enough that someone would vandalize or steal your car. To make matters worse, you will be the one who ends up paying increased policy rates. You should also know that if you own a car that is considered by auto insurance companies as being high risk for theft, you could pay higher rates as well.

What kind of theft coverage does most standard auto insurance policies cover anyway?

Comprehensive Coverage

Automobile theft is covered by your automobile insurance policy’s comprehensive coverage. If you are paying for comprehensive insurance coverage, you are paying rates determined by the likelihood of your car being stolen. Your auto insurance company will also review the car theft rates in your area, and whether your car’s make and model is frequently targeted by thieves.

Protect Yourself From Automobile Theft

In order to protect your car from thieves, and your wallet from rising auto insurance premiums, take immediate action to discourage theft. Some of the methods you use to thwart thieves could also result in discounts on your auto insurance policy that can further reduce your monthly payments. For starters, install an anti-theft device or alarm on your car. If you are in the market for a new car, ask the dealership to include this feature with your purchase. Check with your insurance company about a possible discount for having an alarm system.

Lock Your Doors

Always lock your car doors whenever you enter or exit your car. Don’t let the fact that you just need to make a quick run in and out of some place keep you from doing this. Also, never leave your car running with the keys inside of the ignition. Engaging in either of these acts can cost you your car. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to take off with your car.

Keep Items In Your Car Hidden From Sight

Avoid leaving items like your purse, packages, or envelopes in plain view. Once inside your car, a thief has immediate access not only to your vehicle, but anything else of value such as credit cards, cell phones or important documents. Consider tinting your windows to keep thieves from seeing what’s inside. Anyone looking to steal items from inside of a parked car in a parking lot would have to get very close against the window to be able to see what’s inside. That would look very suspicious.

Choose A Car With Low Auto Insurance Rates

If you plan to purchase a new car and are interested in getting the best rates, consider doing some research to find out which cars are most likely to be targeted by thieves. When you are ready to buy your car, avoid the cars on your list. Remember, auto insurance companies consider many different factors when calculating your rate. It’s important to shop around to make sure you get the best automotive deals available.

By: Robert McKnight

Inexpensive Car Insurance – Tricks From the Pro’s

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:23:34 +0000

Finding inexpensive car insurance is not nearly as difficult as you may have been led to believe. Everywhere you look, there are people complaining about the cost of auto coverage; however, unless you actually search for inexpensive car insurance for yourself, you cannot say for sure whether you are getting the best rates. Take a look at these recommendations for industry insiders on how to get great rates on your auto insurance policy.

Shop Around

There are some insider tips for getting inexpensive car insurance. For example, you should always compare quotes from a third-party website so that you can see the rates from multiple companies. While a company sponsored website can be very useful, it’s certainly not a source of unbiased data. A consumer rate quote tool can be your springboard to finding the best rates.

Reduce Your Rates

After you get your car insurance quotes, you should then consider things that could decrease your premiums. For example, you can lower your rates considerably by increasing your deductible. The deductible is the amount of money that you pay out of pocket when an accident occurs. This amount can be zero dollars if you don’t mind paying a larger premium, and can be up to $2,000. Just remember to keep the deductible in a range that is affordable for you.

Find Discounts

Another way to ensure that you get the least expensive car insurance is to make sure that you get all of the discounts available to you. These discounts will vary between auto insurance companies and the state that you live in, so if you have narrowed down your choices for an auto insurance company, then visit their individual sites and find out what discounts they offer. Make sure you go back to the third party site where you got your rate quote, so that you can take advantage of that low price you received.

By: James J. Robinson

Techniques to Obtain a Cheaper Car Insurance Rate

admin — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 18:56:42 +0000

Finding a low auto insurance quote for young drivers can be a big challenge in all probability, they are more likely to be involved in an accident than older drivers. Auto insurance companies know this and thus they charge higher insurance rates to young drivers. Fortunately, there are a few things you younger drivers can do to cut down on those higher premium rates.

Prior to you searching for lower rates, you should first comprehend why auto insurance rates are so high for younger drivers. As stated earlier, young drivers contribute to a majority of the accidents. Their experience has not yet reached the level where they can competently handle the car, and there judgment and personality does not make them good judges of situations. Young people think they’re invincible and therefore they are more predisposed to engaging in risky driving e.g. excessive speeding.

Today’s younger drivers have more distraction than ever. These distractions are a result of all the personal technology gadgets that we have today. They are capable of texting, updating their social networking pages and personal blogs, and talk on the phone while driving. These communication technological advances that have been made have also provided a lot of distractions to younger drivers who constantly want to be communicating or networking.

In conclusion, younger drivers are also not interested in safer cars or good driving records. They are more interested in fast cars and speed. A blend of new drivers, fast cars, and probably bad driving records tell the auto insurer one thing, high risk and that will in turn mean higher insurance rates to cover that risk.

By: William Benke

Bad Credit Auto Insurance – How to Get the Best Rate

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:45:52 +0000

Having bad credit doesn’t make you a bad driver, but it will raise your auto insurance rates. Here’s how to get a cheap rate on bad credit auto insurance.

Bad Credit Auto Insurance

As strange as it may sound, your credit rating directly affects your auto insurance rating with some companies. Auto insurance companies have figured out that people with bad credit file 40% more claims than people with good credit.

If you have bad credit your insurance could cost you 20% to 50% more in insurance premiums than someone with good credit.

The good news is not all insurance companies use your credit rating as a factor in determining your insurance rating, and some states won’t allow insurance companies to use it. So if you’ve been labeled as a bad credit risk, or suspect you may be, you should shop around for auto insurance with other companies.

There are websites where you can get auto insurance rates from a number of A-rated companies, and also get advice from insurance professionals, absoluelty free of charge. All you do is fill out a simple questionnaire about the type of car you own and the type of insurance you want, wait for your quotes, then choose the best one. (See link below.)

Lowering Your Auto Insurance Rate

In addition to comparison shopping, here are some other ways to lower your insurance rate:

Raise your deductible – Raising your deductible can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your insurance premium. After a while the money you save on your insurance premium will more than make up for your deductible.

Drop your collision and comprehensive coverage – If you drive an older car – particularly if your car is worth less than the total of your insurance premium plus your deductible – consider dropping your collision and comprehensive coverage as repairs may cost more than your car is worth.

Consolidate your insurance policies – Purchasing your homeowners insurance (or renters insurance) and auto insurance through the same company can get you a 5% to 15% discount on your premium.

Get all the discounts you can – Insurance companies offer discounts on their policies for all sorts of reasons. Ask your agent about all the discounts you’re eligible for and take advantage of them.

By: Brian Stevens

New Jersey Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements – How to Find the Best NJ Car Insurance

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:42:47 +0000

Finding the best New Jersey car insurance rates is often just a matter of doing your research. Read on to learn some of the New Jersey car insurance basics and find out a few things that maybe you didn’t know about auto insurance coverage in New Jersey and then put your newfound knowledge to good use shopping around and comparing NJ car insurance quotes. Read on and see how much you may be able to save!

In New Jersey you are also required to have a minimum bodily injury liability coverage in the amount of $15,000 per person up to a total of $30,000 per accident. Bodily injury liability protects you or another driver on your policy if you are found to be at fault in an accident that resulted in an injury or death, for such things as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and legal defense, if necessary.

You’re also required to have at least $5,000 of property damage liability in New Jersey. If you or another driver on your policy is found to be at fault in an accident, property liability damage will cover damage to another person’s property such as a fence, car, or home, and any legal costs associated with the accident.

In addition, you are required to have a minimum of $15,000 of personal injury protection. Personal injury protection may include all medical expenses, dental and optometric treatment, ambulance and nursing services, necessary medications, medical supplies, and prosthetic devices.

Be sure and shop around and compare NJ auto insurance companies side by side in order to find the best NJ car insurance coverage.

By: James J. Robinson

Cheap Car Insurance in Omaha, Nebraska

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:04:17 +0000

For people living in Omaha, it’s a great idea to call the Nebraska Department of Insurance before purchasing a new car insurance policy. The representatives of this office are authorized to tell consumers whether specific auto insurance companies can legally sell policies. Although this may seem an unnecessary step, it can actually be the difference between security and disaster in the event of an accident.

Once you know a company is on the up and up, it’s time to consider whether they are in a position to offer cheap car insurance in Omaha, Nebraska. There are many factors that go into calculating what an individual pays including:

o The driver’s age. Younger drivers and often older drivers face the highest premiums.

o The make and model of the car. Newer cars aren’t always more expensive to insure. Cars that are a high risk for theft or accidents usually cost the most and should be avoided.

o The driver’s history. Keeping a clean driving record is the best way to find cheap car insurance rates. Insurance companies frown on drivers who collect speeding citation and get in numerous fender benders.

o The number of cars insured. Many families have two or more cars and putting them both on the same policy can help reduce insurance costs for one or both. In this case it’s a good idea to inquire about a quote from more than one company beginning with both drivers’ current insurance companies.

o The area you live. Some neighborhoods in Omaha are deemed higher risk than others for theft or vandalism. Ask about this and also inquire about a discount if you do live in an unfavorable neighborhood but your car is stored in a locked garage.

It can take some time, insight and research to find a good car insurance rate. Most agents will work with prospective clients to find a policy that provides coverage at an acceptable rate.

By: Deborah Mills