Being Safe Equals a Happy Car Insurance Company

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We see that you are looking for car insurance quotes online. There are many factors to how much you will be paying for your car insurance. Driving safely is one of those known facts that can help you to possibly qualify for good car insurance quotes online. It is important to think about while searching for car insurance quotes online that you have taken the time to communicate with those in your family about what they can do to help you all get good car insurance quotes online. Encourage all the drivers in your household and especially the new drivers to be safe drivers. Texting while driving is becoming a bigger and bigger tragedy as more and more teens ignore the warnings of their parents. According to a recent study 86% of teens who drive can say that they do drive unsafely because they are being distracted. There are a list of things that can distract your teen but one of the worst is them actually taking their eyes off of the road to text. Some car insurance companies do offer discounts to teens who take a driver’s safety course. You might want to have your teen do that so that you all can get good results when looking for your car insurance quotes online.

Our site is a great place to find many car insurance quotes online at one time.

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Cutting your Car Insurance Costs

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When shopping for a car insurance policy, your goal is to get the most coverage for the lowest monthly premium.  It is recommended that you shop around and get more than one quote for a premium before making your decision on a company.  This can be confusing, especially for first-time car owners.  However, when comparing prices, there are some things you can keep in mind to get the best deal:

Bundle Your Policies

You can save up to 25% off your premiums by purchasing multiple policies.  In addition to your car, you can also purchase your homeowners insurance or life insurance with the same company.   It also helps if you are happy with the service from your homeowner’s or life insurance company agent, so purchasing your car insurance policy from them can give you added peace of mind you will have a good experience with your new policy as well.   You might want to start by calling your agent for your pre-existing policies and asking him or her how much it would cost to add your car onto your insurance and then compare that rate with other companies.

What You Drive matters

What type of car you drive can be a major factor in how much coverage you need and how much your premium rates will be.  Luxury cars will cost you more to insure. When thinking about buying a car, you might want to get quotes before you purchase so you will have a true picture of your monthly costs.  Also, don’t modify your car.  Making changes to your car can affect your premiums because car manufacturers work closely with insurance companies to insure car models to the standard.  When you modify your car, what your car insurance is based on will change and your premiums will increase. 

 Choose a Higher Deductible

You can save up to money on your premiums if you raise your deductible for your car insurance.  The majority of people will not bother to file a claim for repairs that might cost a small amount such as $250 or $500.  With the extra money you save on monthly premiums, you can probably afford to pay to fix damage for a smaller amount.  When shopping for insurance, you might want to really think about the amount of damage you would need to have to actually file a claim with your insurance company. 

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What is Term Life Insurance and Why Is It a Good Choice?

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Term life insurance, also known as term assurance, is a type of life insurance that provides coverage over a limited period of time (the relevant term) at a specified or fixed rate of pay.  Term life insurance is mainly a death benefit insurance, and its purpose is to provide coverage of financial responsibilities for the insured.  While no one likes to think about what could happen to their family in the event of a disaster, having the right type of insurance can really reduce stress and provide a sense of comfort for those who have invested in the right kind of insurance.

Depending on the plan, the financial responsibilities covered under term life insurance may include the following:

Dependent Care Costs – Young children are often the primary concern for those interested in insurance. With food, shelter, clothing, health care, education, and the many expenses surrounding raising a child, those seeking insurance usually start with the desire to protect their loved ones.

Funeral Expenses – With low cost funerals running at around $2,500, many consumers are not prepared for all the expenses associated with funerals. These expenses may include basic fees, transportation, flowers, clergy services, obituary notices, etc.

Mortgages – A mortgage loan is a loan that secures property. Most consumers will take a mortgage loan from a bank. Specifics of the loan depend on the size of the loan, the maturity of the loan, the interest rates, and the method of payment.  This tends to be one of the biggest concerns for those with insurance needs.

Consumer Debt – The type of debt that consumers use to fund consumption, rather than investments.  This is mostly associated with credit card purchases, and consumable items that do not appreciate over time.

College Education Costs  – From books to housing to tuition fees, college education costs have skyrocketed. In 2011 – 2012, public four- year colleges costs, on average, $8,250 in tuition and related fees.

Insurance industry experts may recommend term life insurance in place of permanent life insurance because of the cost benefit.  Term Life Insurance tends to be less expensive, and it provides coverage on expenses until the insured party amasses sufficient savings to protect those whom the insurance coverage was intended to protect.  As an example, the insured may choose his or her policy to expire when he or she retires; based on the assumption that he or she has saved enough funded to provide for his or her dependents.

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Americans Driving Less Can Save Them Money on Car Insurance and Cost

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Since March 2011, Americans have been driving fewer miles each month, according to a recent report in US Today.  This follows a trend of American driving less which started in 2008.  With spending less time in the car, Americans are saving money on the costs of driving and may be eligible for low mileage discounts.

The Trend

The economy is one factor.  More Americans are out of work leading to fewer commutes, less disposable income, and less shopping trips and vacations.  The price of gas has also been a factor.  Gas prices reached a record high of $4.11 in 2008 and stayed above $3.00 in 2011.  The fall of 2011 saw the lowest demand for gas since 2000. 

The demographics of today’s American population are also a factor.  Currently, there are 78 million baby boomers who are driving less because they no longer have children at home.   Most of the boomers live in the suburbs and spent years taking their children back and forth to activities.  Now that the children are out of the house and boomers are retiring, they are driving much less.   Teenager drivers are also a factor.  Teenagers are driving less due to low employment, lack of disposable income and teenager’s preference for smart phones and social media as an outlet for independence over driving.  The Department of Transportation reported 50% of 16 year olds got their first driver’s license in 1978 while only 30% of 16 year old got their first driver’s license in 2008.    

Saving Money on Car Insurance

With driving less, consumers are saving money on gas, car maintenance and repairs.  In addition, people who drive less will have better driving records and will pay less for car insurance premiums.  With some companies, people who drive less are eligible for low mileage discounts which can save them up to 10% to 20% on their policy.   Low mileage discounts are offered by car insurance companies who reason that if someone drives less, they will have less accidents and less claims.  Many companies use 7,500 miles as the number of miles allowed annually to qualify for this discount.  To prove your mileage, some companies have an honors system while others have an authorized auto repair shop record the mileage or rely on your records from a monitoring system like Onstar. 

If you are one of the millions of Americans who have found yourself driving less in recent years, contact your car insurance policy agent and asking if they offer a low mileage discount.  This might be a great way to maximize your savings on car insurance.  

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Holiday Safety Tips to Avoid a Homeowners Insurance Claim in the New Year

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Storm damage, burglaries and cooking fires are three big hazards to homeowners and the reasons for the vast majority of homeowner’s insurance claims.   Over the holidays, there are special circumstances that make these events all the more likely.  Here are some tips to avoid an unhappy new year as a homeowner:

Avoid Winter Weather Damage

In the last decade, winter storms have caused approximately $26 billion in losses.  It pays to be aware that cold, ice and snow can do a lot of damage to your home and are a leading cause of homeowner insurance claims.  To avoid tree damage due to snow and ice, look for low lying branches or old branches on trees that look unstable.  These branches may be brought down by heavy snow onto your roof, into your windows or onto your car.   Remove or trim branches yourself or have a tree service come out and do an assessment and remove branches for you.  Also, when you are up on the ladder installing holiday lights, clean out gutters and look at your roof to make sure it’s in good shape for the winter.  To avoid frozen pipes and water damage if pipes burst, install insulation onto pipes and, during frigid weather, let faucets drip to prevent freezing.

Avoid Cooking Fires

According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2010 there were 1.3 million house fires in the United States, resulting in over $11 million in direct property loss.   The leading cause of home fires in the United States is from cooking fires.  During the holidays, people cook large family meals and spend more time in the kitchen.  To avoid a cooking fire, play it safe in the kitchen.  Keep flammable materials, such as towels, curtains, oven mitts and food packaging away from heat sources.  Always keep an eye on the stove and use a timer.  The most dangerous piece of cooking equipment is a turkey fryer so use these with particular caution and closely follow directions.   

 

Avoid a Break-in

House burglaries have been on the rise in recent years.  Burglars know you are buying presents this time of year and these items will be new, possibly expensive and easy to steal in original packaging or wrapped as gifts.  To avoid being burglarized this holiday season and having to file a homeowners insurance claim for theft or damage to your home where a burglar gains access, keep wrapped presents away from windows, don’t leave gifts in your car unattended and don’t leave boxes outside for garbage pickup for expensive electronics or other items.  When getting rid of a box for an expensive item, take the box to a dumpster or break the box down and put it in a trash bag. 

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3 Myths About Long Term Care Insurance

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Many people have misconceptions about how much it will cost and who will take care of them when they are older.  Here are some straight facts to help you make a decision to protect yourself now and evaluate whether you should purchase long term care insurance.

With the first of the baby boomers turning 65 in 2011, the focus has shifted to how this generation will pay for their long term care.  According to one study, 70% of all Americans age 65 and older will probably need some form of long term care at the end of their lives.   On average, people need long term care for about three years but some need care for five years or more.  More than 20% of seniors need care in a nursing home.  Long term care not only includes caring for those in a nursing home but also includes assistance with daily living at home such as help with dressing, bathing, using the bathroom, eating and getting in and out of bed.  

Many people believe long-term care is costly, complicated and unnecessary.  However, much of the information they may rely on to make this decision is untrue.  Here are some misconceptions people have regarding their future need for care:

I Can Wait to See if I Really Need Long Term Care Insurance

Once you have a diagnosis of an illness, you cannot get coverage.  Once you apply for coverage, the insurance company will look at your most recent health history.  Only 17% of people in their 50s are denied coverage.  This figure increases to 45% by the time people are in their 70s, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.  Like life insurance, long term care insurance is cheapest and easiest to purchase when you are young and healthy.

I Will Want My Family Members to Help Me

Although family members will probably have to help you if you don’t have coverage, you might not want them to.  If you need help bathing, using the bathroom or eating, most people would prefer not to have their children help them with these needs.  With Long Term Care Insurance, you have fund to hire a licensed home health care agency to assist you in your home and keep your independence.

Medicare Pays for Long Term Care

Medicare does not pay for long term care for a period over 100 days.  Medicare will only pay for long term care for short periods of time, such as the time it would take you to rehabilitate from an illness or injury.  Medicare does not pay for any assistance in the home, which many ill seniors require to avoid a nursing home.  If you need long term care and are counting on Medicare, you will have to apply for Medicaid, a poverty based federal program, which will kick in when you reach a certain level of poverty and deplete your assets, leaving nothing for your legacy. 

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Here Are a Few Tips to Help You Choose The Right Car Insurance

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To choose the right car insurance means you must have sufficient coverage but still be able to afford your car insurance expenses.  Car insurance expenses include:  insurance premium payments, which is the cost of coverage under the insurance policy and your policy deductible, which is the amount you are required to pay before your car insurance company pays for damages or replacement of your car in the event of an accident.

 

Here are a few tips to guide you in choosing your car insurance company:

 

Amount of your premium

A car insurance premium is the cost to you of coverage through the insurance company.  Most policies bill you monthly, but you can often pay your premium in advance as well.  It is important to make sure you have a monthly premium that fits within your budget. 

Know how a car insurance deductible works
A car insurance deductible is the amount of money you are required to pay for repairs before your insurance company pays for repairs or replacement of your car, up to your coverage limit.  Your deductible is applied to comprehensive and collision coverage.  Collision insurance covers repairs if your car is damaged in an accident with another car or object.  Comprehensive insurance covers car repair bills for damage caused by an event other than a collision with a car or object such as a natural disaster, vandalism, theft or an accident involving an animal.

Choosing your car insurance deductible

Car Insurance companies have predetermined deductible levels for you to choose from.  Most car insurance deductible levels range from $250.00 to $1,500.00.  Deductible amounts impact the amount of car insurance premiums.  A higher deductible generally means your premium will be lower.  With a lower deductible, your premium may be higher since the insurance company will be paying more money to repair your car if it is damaged. 

Saving for your car insurance deductible

An important factor when choosing your car insurance is to make sure you can afford the deductible amount.  No matter which deductible you choose, it is smart to save the amount of your deductible to pay for any car repairs. If you are unable to pay your deductible immediately for car repairs, you may have to put the repairs on hold until you have the deductible amount.  You will feel more at ease knowing you can pay your insurance deductible at the time of an accident or damage to your car, allowing you to get back on the road as soon as possible. 

 

Getting more information:

To find out more information about car insurance, you can get an online insurance quote to compare rates and find the policy that works best for your budget.

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