Archive for October, 2008
Reader’s Question:
What can I do to help my parents with our car insurance expenses? We have a car here in Decatur, Florida that almost everyone in our family use and I want to show my parents that I can also be responsible in paying bills.
Tamara
Decatur, IL
It is a joy to see young people like you showing concern and responsibility towards managing your finances at such an early age. It’s true what they say, the sooner the better. What you will need to realize though is that car insurance companies consider the teenage segment of drivers as posing a higher risk in getting involved in car accidents and many other type of moving violations. Your parents car insurance bill will already inflate as soon as they add you as a named driver. So return the favor, here are a few things you can do to help lower your family’s car insurance costs:
Keep your grades up!
A lot of car insurance companies provides good student discounts. If you are able to maintain at least an average or B+ or higher your parents will qualify for the said discounts through your provider.
Enroll in Defensive Driving classes
This is a great way to start learning how to be a safer driver! Have your parent talk to your car insurance provider about a list of accredited classes available in Decatur, Illinois. Even better, the drivers in the family can take classes together and you can expect you auto insurance bills to have discounts afterwards.
Follow driving rules
Leave crazy driving to daredevils and stunt drivers. They get paid for that. Follow the rules when driving. Stay within the limit and never drink and drive! Any points against your license will significantly increase your parents auto insurance bills.
Tags: auto insurance, auto warranty, car
October 31st, 2008
Reader’s Question:
We came from Hawaii and has now moved to Evanston, Illinois. We’re wondering, is it true that car insurance rates will go up during winter time?
Angeline & Bradston
Evanston, IL
Yes, winter conditions can definitely cause your car insurance costs to become higher. With the increased risks of getting into a car accident while driving on low-visibility, icy roads, the probability of your car getting stuck in snow or having frozen debris like tree limbs fall and hit your vehicle, and other events like hail or snow storms, you will want to make sure that your auto insurance coverage is adequate to protect you, your family, and your vehicle there in Evanston, Illinois, from loss or damages during this particular season.
Here’s a few tips on how to drive safely during winter and avoid a huge car insurance claim:
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Check your car. Check to make sure your tires have enough pressure. Fill up on gas. Make sure wipers and car heaters are in order. Stored food, water and flashlights come in handy in case you get stuck in snow. You should also check that your car has anti-freeze for the brakes for obvious reasons. It will be a good idea to visit your trusted mechanic at this time.
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Prepare yourself. If you need to go somewhere provide a bigger time allowance in advanced. You don’t know how conditions might become during winter so expect some things to cause you to get delayed. If visibility is poor, (and so is your eyesight), consider stopping somewhere safe or have someone else drive. Ply major roads and highways since their plowed regularly.
Tags: auto insurance
October 31st, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I’ve been paying too much on my car insurance and it’s way beyond what I can afford. Can you give me tips on how to lower my auto insurance premium in Arlington Heights, Illinois? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Isaac
Arlington Heights, IL
The easiest way to lower your insurance rate would be to shop online. This means comparing car insurance rates using websites. But you must be very careful in doing this. Make sure you are comparing the same car insurance policy from different auto insurance companies. Like for example, if you are looking for comprehensive policy, then get the quotes for that policy from different auto insurance companies.
Another very important factor that affects car insurance rate is your driving history. If you wanna keep an affordable auto insurance rate then maintaining a clean driving record is one sure way of doing this.
Also, make sure that you maintain a good credit history. Insurers deem that people with good credit history are responsible thus they are also safe to insure.
In addition, the kind of car you drive also has a bearing on your auto insurance rate. If you are driving an expensive and high performance car then you must expect a higher premium. If you think you can just have something to drive that’s not so expensive, then I would suggest it’s better to drive inexpensive cars, just for the sake of lowering down your car insurance premium.
Lastly, you can opt to request to pay for higher deductible. With this, you are sure of getting lower car insurance rates.
If you are looking for car insurance rates in Arlington Heights, Illinois I would suggest making use of websites is the best thing you can do now. All you need to do is to enter your zip code here and you’ll get so much auto insurance quotes. Enjoy shopping!
Tags: auto insurance quotes, car insurance discounts, good driver discount
October 31st, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I got involved in an accident and I was a passenger. It was my friend’s fault. We were taken to the hospital. My friend’s auto insurance provider in Cicero, Illinois said that they will only cover my friend’s medical bills and not mine. Can they do this?
Miranda
Cicero, IL
It seems that since your friend was found at fault in the accident it is possible that his car insurance is responsible for your medical payment. This will depend on what type of insurance coverage your friend has.
If your friend has bodily injury liability, this would typically cover your injuries caused from the accident. If your boyfriend had personal injury protection coverage (PIP) your medical payments will still be covered, within the limits that your friend bought.
I suggest that you contact the claims adjuster from your friend’s auto insurance carrier in Cicero, Illinois to know the specifics on what they will or will not cover and you can ask them why you will not be covered. You can always get legal advice if you are not satisfied with their response.
Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance
October 27th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Is it possible for someone with an expired license to obtain car insurance IN Arlington Heights, Illinois? Is there a difference between expired license and suspended license?
Erwin
Arlington Heights, IL
There are some insurance providers that will insure you even if you have an expired license. Typically these auto insurance carriers will require that you provide proof of getting a valid driver’s license within a certain period of time. Genially it is thirty to forty five days - after your car insurance policy’s inception date.
Yes, there is a difference between an expired driver’s license and a suspended driver’s license. A license suspension is usually a temporary loss of your driving privileges for a certain period of time or until you meet certain reinstatement requirements that a state or jurisdiction required. Generally an expired driver’s license is due to a person not renewing their drivers license.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance cost
October 27th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My dad and my uncle were discussing about auto insurance policy. My uncle was just recently involved in a vehicular accident and they were talking mainly about making his insurance claim. While they were talking I heard he said something about “non-waiver agreement”. What does non-waiver mean? He has auto insurance in Chicago, Illinois.
Edmund
Chicago, IL
Non-waiver is a general term which means its meanings depends on the context it is being used. But since you’ve mentioned that your dad and your uncle were talking about auto insurance claim then I would explain how non-waiver agreement works in auto insurance claim.
In an event that a vehicular accident happened and the policyholders make their claims, auto insurance companies would do a careful investigation regarding the accident. However, said investigation does not mean they are required to pay the claim. This is where the non-waiver agreement comes in. It states that auto insurance companies do not waive their rights under their policy and the policyholders do not waive their rights by cooperating in the investigation. Insurance companies would want their policyholders to sign this agreement.
If the insured declines to sign said agreement his/her auto insurance company would send him/her a letter of Reservation of Rights. Basically, this states what is written on the non-waiver agreement however this time the policyholder is not required to sign it.
To find more about non-waiver agreement you can ask your auto insurance agent. If you are looking for auto insurance rates in Chicago, IL, you can start by checking our website. It’s as simple as entering your zip code.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance online, car insurance rate
October 17th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Is it true that the newer the vehicle you buy, the higher you car insurance premium will be? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? I’m gonna be purchasing a brand new SUV here in Durham, North Carolina, and I want to know if I will end up with higher car insurance bills.
Suzanne
Durham, NC
This is a very interesting question. Generally, it would cost a car insurance provider more to insurance towards repairing, replacing loss, or reimbursement damages caused to an expensive, brand-new or performance-type vehicle, as compared to an older car. However, as more and more of the latest car models coming out have state-of-the-art, built in safety mechanisms already installed, your car insurance provider may actually be able to provide you discounts on the merits of additional passenger safety which can help augment the costs of a higher car insurance premium.
You also have to factor the type of vehicle you have, it’s tag price, if there will be additional people you’ll have to add to your policy when they use the newer vehicle, the increased likelihood of theft, and any other statistical factors involved in determining the risk of insuring a newer car on your car insurance provider. This is the reason why you will see your car insurance premiums increase with a new vehicle.
You could still shave off some amount from the insurance bill if you agree to a higher deductible on your policy, if you, and the people using the new car enroll on defensive or safe driving lessons and by leveraging on the additional passenger safety mechanisms stated above. Talk with your car insurance agent about other promos available which may not be aware of as well.
Tags: automobile, car, car insurance discounts, car insurance rate
October 16th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Do I really need to have everything that is currently included under my car insurance coverage here in Fayetteville, North Carolina? I want to have a better understanding of how car insurance works since I think I can save some money by trimming down on my coverage. Thanks!
Lourdes
Fayetteville, NC
The answer to your first question is probably no. You may have gotten a standard type of car insurance, meaning it has all the bells and whistles and many other fancy extras as advertised but it may not be something you will actually need, nor end up using at all in the future. The best way to pick a good car insurance policy is to understand on how you drive,the likelihood of you being involved in a car accident in your area in Fayetteville, car theft and loss due to natural disasters, and of course, your budget.
In North Carolina, as in most states, car owners are required to purchase a minimum amount of coverage, namely: Liability insurance, Bodily Injury insurance and Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Focus on getting the highest coverage you can afford here since this will protect you from having to pay the biggest sums of money from damages that may be incurred in the event you get sued in a car accident.
Take a look at your comprehensive coverage. Would you really need coverage for earthquakes or hurricanes for an older car? There are some unnecessary extras in your coverage that may sound really important, but might be the least likely to occur, much less cause damage or loss to your vehicle. If you really want savings on car insurance then prioritize your protection needs and be realistic about it.
Tags: advice, car, car insurance, car insurance quotes
October 16th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My teenager, recently getting his drivers license here in Islip, New York, is very excited to start driving and I am very much the proud parent, however, how can I keep my insurance costs to a minimum when I add my teenager to my insurance policy?
Janus
Islip, NY
It is, most of the time, a great source of pride for a parent to see their teenagers learning to drive on their own however it is a source of great anxiety as well, knowing how teenagers can get reckless at times. Unfortunately, Auto Insurance providers categorize teenage drivers under “High-risk’” and adding your teenager to your existing policy there in Islip, New York, could mean double, even triple or more increase in your car insurance premiums. There are still ways on how you minimize the costs of having sufficient car insurance coverage for yourself, your teenager and the rest of your family who will be driving.
You can opt t have your teenager drive an older car, requiring less insurance protection or consider upgrading the safety features on the insured vehicle to make the car safer and thus lowering your insurance costs. You can also enroll your family on accredited defensive driving courses to provide them the necessary skills and knowledge to drive safer, which can then lead to your car insurance provider offering you lower or better rates. If your children are doing very well in school then you can also take advantage of a good student car insurance discount to lower your insurance premium. Consult with your current provider and see if they also give discounts for adding additional insurance for your teenager under your existing policy.
Tags: car insurance, car insurance discounts, car insurance quotes, car insurance rate
October 15th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I’ve been caught driving and unfortunately I don’t have car insurance yet here in Joliet, Illinois. I’ve been instructed to file an SR22 form. What is it and how do I get one?
Thomas
Joliet, IL
An SR 22 is a form that proves you have financial responsibility, also known as insurance, for your vehicle and for driving. This is a requirement by the financial responsibility law of Illinois and is needed by people who have had driving violations or has been involved in vehicular accidents. This proves that in the event you do get involved in a car accident, you have enough financial coverage to pay for financial obligations due to the damages you may have caused on property and/or people. This also aims to make sure that you, as a motorist, is also protected from such damages and injuries. You can consult with any car insurance provider there in Joliet or your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on how to file for an SR22 as well as the associated fees. You will also need to know how long you’ll have to keep an SR22 (usually two or three years) after you get your license back from suspension.
It would be advisable to start looking for a car insurance provider since they will need to be the one to file this form for you. You will also need to know what the state minimum car insurance coverage requirement is so you know how much you need to get. This will mainly cover three important types of coverage: Bodily Liability Coverage, Personal Injury Protection and Property damage liability insurance. Once you have found a suitable car insurance provider, make sure you maintain a good driving record as penalties for repeat driving offenders gets significantly more severe.
Tags: car, car insurance, car insurance discounts, SR22 insurance
October 14th, 2008
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