Jason Gadayan asked:


Many people buy their own cars because it makes life easier. However, many also struggle with the costs that come with maintaining a car especially when it comes to making car insurance payments. Many car owners are continuously in search for better ways to lower their car insurance premiums. What most do is simply search for companies that provide cheap car insurance. However, what many do not know is that they can save so much more just by following a few simple tips.

For those who aim to save on car insurance payments, the first thing to do is make sure to shop around every so often. In fact, the reason why six-month car insurance polices are most preferred is that it allows car owners to switch and buy car insurance from other providers at the soonest possible time. This means that it is important to continuously survey the insurance market to search for the cheapest car insurance around. Some people find that it is most effective to check out rates for car insurance online while others learn about the cheapest services from their friends and family. No matter what your preferred method for getting car insurance quotes may be, the bottom line is to find the best car insurance to not only suit your lifestyle but your budget as well. Many people who make this a practice report savings of over $300 on policies valid for six months. This would translate to so much more in a span of one year.

Another thing to consider when trying lowering your car insurance payments is to take the option for higher deductibles. Many car owners feel afraid to do this because choosing higher deductibles means shelling out so much more money in case they get into a huge accident. However, the logic behind choosing higher deductibles is pretty sound. Obviously, higher deductibles mean lower premiums. Therefore, lower car insurance payments. Car owners should not worry too much about higher payments when a major accident happens because minor accidents happen more often than major ones and when it comes to minor damages, car owners will still pay the same amount.

Many motorists prefer paying for their premiums in monthly installments because it allows them to shell out a relatively smaller amount at a given time and budget their car insurance payments along with the rest of their monthly expenses. However, what they do not realize is that even the cheapest car insurance providers add on administrative fees for each payment. Even if the additional amount is only $7 or so, for people paying their premiums at monthly installments, this could easily add up to $84 which they could have saved over the period of that one year

Another useful tip to help you lower your car insurance payments is to also look around for companies providing multi-line insurance. This means that you purchase all your insurance from the same company. Most insurers offer huge discounts for this. However, many people still try to look for cheap providers for each type of insurance they need. What they do not realize is that getting their car insurance and home insurance from just one provider can easily translate to about 15% savings.

Furthermore, if you think of yourself as a good driver and no evidence to prove otherwise can be gathered, here’s a good tip for you: look for car insurance providers that can reward you with big discounts simply because of your driving. In fact, some states such as California have made it illegal for car insurance providers to disregard good driving discounts. So, if you have not gotten yourself into any car accidents or received tickets for at least the past three years, do some research or ask around. You may qualify for lower premiums.

Nowadays, a lot of insurance companies will base the prices of their car insurance policies on your credit history. If you have been diligent in building a solid credit standing, then you stand a good chance on getting lower car insurance quotes when you buy car insurance. Aside from making sure unpaid bills don’t pile up, keep your credit balance as low as possible and don’t acquire more credit than you need. Keep your records updated and make sure to correct any errors so your credit history remains accurate.

Many car insurance companies also offer discounts to people whose cars have safety features. Airbags, seatbelts, anti-lock braking systems and other factory-installed safety features on your car may help you find the cheapest car insurance you can get. Make sure you tell your insurer that you have such features installed on your vehicle when you get car insurance quotes.

Sometimes it pays to be diligent to the point of being ****. If you want the cheapest car insurance you can get, you should review your car insurance coverage to check for unnecessary expenses in it. If you’re not thorough you may be spending on additional coverage that you don’t need or already have. A perfect example would be towing services. Most, if not all, auto clubs provide such services yet this is part of most car insurance policies as well. So before you buy car insurance review the car insurance quotes you’ve gotten and eliminate all the unneeded expenses.

If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, look for insurers that give discounts to students and senior citizens. Some car insurance companies will offer discounts for students with good academic records and for drivers over the age of 50. Ask around or research on car insurance online, as well, if you have a college student in your family. Some insurers give discounts to parents with college-age children who go to school a certain distance away from home and don’t bring a car to their campus.

One last great tip to lower you car insurance payments is to use your car less. There are a lot of car insurance companies that will give you discounts if you keep the annual mileage on your vehicle low. So, evaluate how you use your car. If you make frequent short trips around town you might consider planning ahead and organizing all your errands so you can check all of it off your list in as few trips as possible.

One thing to remember though is that car insurance companies may differ in what they consider to be low annual mileage, so do your research. If you think you might be able to lower your mileage then get updated car insurance quotes.

Following just a few of these recommendations will surely help you lower your car insurance payments. Remember, it is not always about finding the cheapest car insurance provider. Most of the time, it is simply about knowing your options and weighing them to find the perfect car insurance strategy for you.

The Internet Car Guy asked:


Ideally, you should start comparing insurance policies before your current policy expires. Once you have allowed a lapse in coverage, there may be additional difficulty getting new coverage at a fair price. Remember, insurers look at many factors to figure premium, and these include: age, gender, occupation, credit history and current insurance. A gap in coverage will raise questions that will need to be answered. Did you simply forget to pay a bill, or is there something more serious?  Do you frequently allow insurance coverage to expire, and what is the length of the gaps? Longer gaps may indicate that you drive without insurance, which makes you a higher risk person.

If you can plan a change, there are some good times to change auto insurance providers which should net you a reduced premium. For instance, your rates will go down at age 25, so if your insurance is set to expire the month of, or after your birthday, start shopping with your new age in mind. If you know that you are about to move or change jobs, consider changing your insurance provider before hand. It might be harder to get insurance if your move was over a long distance; you will now be an un-established person in a new town, which equals higher rates. Your new occupation can change your rates as well, especially if you begin work in a high risk category, or if you will use your vehicle more than you did before.

But, if your driving record is spotless, you are 25 or older, there have been no major changes, and your rates have either stayed the same or gotten higher, than you might consider now the time to shop for a discount. Some companies will match a policy and its price if you tell them upfront that you are doing this. Smart research and some basic knowledge will assure that you are getting the best insurance coverage for the best price.

Simon Christopher asked:


Many people find car insurance confusing – and as a result end up paying more than they should in a very competitive market. The monthly payments – or premiums – depend on several things – your level of cover, the company insuring you and how much of a risk the insurance company deems you to be.

The popularity of the internet has made it easier than ever to find, compare and choose car insurance on line. Most companies can give you a quote fairly quickly – in general, it will take from between ten to twenty minutes to enter the required information into one of the online application forms. There’s also usually a free number to ring if you want to talk to a person.

Comparing car insurance quotes online

Obtaining car insurance quotes online is fairly straightforward – although there are some things you should keep in mind. Not all insurance companies will provide an instant quote on the screen in front of you; some companies may email the quote to you or ring you at a later date.

Some car owners don’t realise that even if their current policy isn’t up for renewal just yet, most insurance companies will allow a customer to cancel the policy, if they decide to switch insurance companies. In this case, you are generally entitled to a proportionate amount as a refund.

One way to easily compare car insurance rates and products is to use one of several web sites which offer comparison shopping. Two of the better sites are the aptly named

confused.com and moneysupermarket.com. Most sites compare the UK’s top insurance companies, including AA, Norwich Union and First Direct.

How to keep your premiums down

There are several ways you can reduce the cost of car insurance. Premiums are lower if you keep your car locked up in a garage overnight – over 50% of cars are stolen at night. Otherwise, try to park in your driveway, rather than on the street – this will also decrease the chance of vandalism.

Make sure you accurately report the mileage that you drive in a year – don’t pay for too much mileage. A change in employment or lifestyle may mean less mileage – many people don’t bother to change their car insurance details when this happens.

Having a car alarm or immobiliser installed in your car will also usually result in lower payments. An additional driver using the car may mean increased premiums. And of course, your past driving record also has a significant effect on the cost of your car insurance.

Basic car insurance policies

A recent – and welcome – innovation in car insurance is the concept of so-called basic coverage, as offered by both Tesco and Norwich Union, in an effort to simplify the often confusing process. Basic coverage also allows car owners to take out adequate insurance without paying more than they need to.

Norwich Union’s product is appropriately named Simple Cover and is available online only. The product also eliminates some of the unnecessary extras that customers tend to unknowingly pay for. Another big difference is that the premium is payable in a yearly lump sum, rather than monthly.

Tesco value car insurance is also available online only – even the application form is simpler – and Tesco has taken some of the unnecessary extras out, which can increase the cost of premiums. For example, Tesco value car insurance doesn’t offer a replacement car for use during repairs, or cover a broken windscreen.

Shopping for car insurance online shouldn’t be difficult. With a little bit of research and the right list of web addresses, choosing the right car insurance can be easy and stress-free.

Jim Grayson asked:


Car insurance protects you against any financial loss that may happen due to an accident or theft of your car. It is a car insurance company that issues car insurance to you. A car insurance company will work up a car insurance policy for you after evaluating the various options like the make of your car, the premium that you are willing to pay, your insurance risk, etc. A yearly premium has to be paid by you to the car insurance company so that the company can pay for your loses that you may bear in the future. All the terms and conditions are mentioned in the contract and it is your duty as a car owner to look over all the points and ask the insurance agent any questions that you have in mind. It is only after all the terms and conditions are clear to you that you should sign on the dotted line and pay the premium.

Normally all car insurance companies have the same insurance policies. The premium to be paid and the percentage of losses to be covered in case of any accident may vary slightly. Since the car insurance market is very competitive, the premium rates and other terms and conditions almost remain the same.

A car insurance policy may provide property, liability and coverage depending on the type of policy. The property coverage covers losses for damage of the car or the theft of the car. Liability coverage pays for any legal liabilities to other people for bodily harm or property damage. And medical coverage covers expenses for treating injuries, medicine expenses and funeral expenses in case of a car accident. You may buy the different types of coverage depending on how much you want to spend on your policy.

A car insurance policy usually consists of 6 types of coverage. As mentioned before a customer can select from the different types of coverage. Most of the car policies last from 6 months to a year. Your car insurance company will bill you when it is time to renew your policy and be prepared for a rate hike.

The different types of coverage are :-

1) Bodily Injury Liability

This type of liability covers the expenses of injuries that you may cause to someone else while driving your car. Also the coverage includes injuries caused to a person while driving other person’s car.

2) Medical Payments and Personal Injury Protection

This type of liability covers the expenses for the treatment of injuries to drivers and other passengers. The liability also covers medical expenses and funeral expenses in the case of death.

3) Property Damage Liability

This type of liability covers for damage to the other person’s car and your car. It may also include damage to lamp posts, telephone poles, fences and other public property.

4) Collision

This type of liability covers expenses for damage to your car or the other person’s car. Even if you are at fault, then also you will be reimbursed for the expenses of repairing the car.

5) Comprehensive

This liability covers loses due to theft or damage to the car by something other than collision with another object or damage to the car due to fire, falling objects, explosion, earthquake, etc.

6) Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This liability covers damages to your car by another driver who is uninsured.

The coverages mentioned above are offered by all car insurance companies. In almost all states, car insurance is mandatory. Therefore, it is your responsibility as a car driver to have a policy.

David Faulkner asked:


Besides their needs, certain people reinstate antiques car as a leisure Pursuit. These antiques car also require insurance cover on them. Your work is to find out the insurance company which provides Car Insurance for an Antique Car. There are a number of reasons such owners can provide to support their neglect for acquiring proper car insurance for an antique car, but to be so neglectful is borderline irresponsible. If one is going to invest a great deal of money in purchasing an Antique car, then a proper Car Insurance for an Antique Car policy will properly compliment the investment of the antique car.

Insurance Companies Providing Car Insurance for an Antique Car:

Not all insurance providers insure all types of cars. There are a multitude of different antique cars and the totality of antique cars includes exotic cars, military vehicles, motorcycles, tractors and trucks. As such, different antique car insurance policies will be needed to cover the various different makes and models of cars that are out there on the market. Keep in mind Car Insurance for an Antique Car policy take into consideration the equity value of the cars and vehicles.

A person looking for insurance for their vehicle has Car Insurance for an Antique Car from which to choose, and sometimes information can be conflicting and difficult to understand. Contractual language in most insurance policies is difficult to understand without an interpreter and even then, the meanings of some language may seem to be contradicted in other areas of the contract.

Self Governing Car Insurance for an Antique Car:

There are many self-determining assurance companies available to buy car insurance for an antique car. While the basic premise of obtaining Car Insurance for an Antique Car is the same for all car insurance companies, how they sell the policies, price the coverage and react to customer claims is what separates them. Car Insurance for an Antique Car must be licensed to sell insurance in the state in which they do business and not all will be available in every state. Depending on an area’s history of claims due to theft, weather-related losses and driving reputation a company may decide not to do business in a particular part of a state. Although there is some regulation concerning a company’s ability to only service certain areas. These companies lean to focus in antique car insurance and will not cover any other types of cars.

There are also many insurance companies presented to purchase car insurance for a classic car. These companies tend to specialize in Classic Car Insurance and will not insure any other types of cars. Some of these independent insurance companies will only insure a particular type of classic car, so if the car you are attempting to insure is a rare one, if may be difficult to find an insurance provider that will insure it. When choosing an independent insurance company to provide car insurance for a classic car, be sure that the company is a reputable one. You do not want to find that after months of paying the insurance premiums that the company will not or is unable to pay your insurance claim.

The Internet Car Guy asked:


Saving money on car insurance requires a combination of techniques that improve your insurability, decrease the rate of insurance for your vehicles, and provide you with a unique advantage when it comes to purchasing car insurance.

This article will outline seven techniques that will ensure that you receive the lowest possible car insurance rates.

1 – Choosing the Best Insurer

Cost is certainly one factor when considering car insurance, but your insurer selection should be weighted more heavily on reliability. You could easily call a number of insurance companies, ask for quotes, and simply select the lowest bidder. However, even if the lowest cost insurer saves you hundreds of dollars a year in premium payments, that savings does you no good if you find yourself in an accident, needing car repairs or medical attention, with an unreliable and unresponsive insurance company. A good company is crucial. It’s not just about car insurance best rates.

#2 – Customize Your Policy

Before you begin calling around, it’s important that you determine the level of insurance coverage you need. Not everyone’s insurance needs are the same. Some families own two or three very expensive vehicles, while other families own only older used cars. Some people are members of AAA, while others are not. The specific terms of a policy should be determined by your life situation and the value of the items being insured.

#3 – How to Become Highly Insurable

Whether you’ve already purchased car insurance, or you are getting ready to start looking, one of the best things you can do to obtain the lowest possible rates is to improve those things that car insurance companies look at when they calculate your insurance premium. There are several things you can do in the short term to improve your insurability standing, and there are also things you can do over the long term to improve it as well. This section will describe four major elements of this technique to save money on your car insurance.

#4 – Reduce Your Car’s Insurance Rate

Another extremely effective technique to obtain the lowest possible insurance rate is to improve those things about your car which car insurance companies value the most when they calculate your insurance premium. There are several things that you can do before buying a car that will dramatically decrease your insurance premium. If you’ve already bought a car, however, and are looking for ways to decrease your existing insurance costs, there are still methods you can use that will substantially cut your premium costs.

#5 – Gaming the System

In addition to all of the techniques already listed in this article, there are also additional ways that you can use the insurance industries rating rules and premium calculation system in ways that will reduce your costs. Again, use the industry’s rules to get car insurance best rates.

#6 – Constantly Update Your Policy

One of the most important things that you can do to keep your insurance premium at a minimum is to always remember to update your insurance provider of any changes in your life that can reduce your insurance costs. Forgetting to do this can be very costly.

#7 – Deciding on Liability Only

There comes a point in the life of a car when the decision needs to be made whether or not it is worthwhile to maintain collision and comprehensive insurance coverage.

Getting Rock Bottom Insurance Rates

If you carefully follow each of the sections outlined in this guide, you are guaranteed to receive the lowest possible insurance rates for anyone within your calculated risk bracket. No one should ever overpay for car insurance – especially given the fact that there are so many insurers in the industry competing for your business.

Most people overpay for car insurance out of sheer laziness. However the consumer that understands how car insurance works, and is clever enough to take advantage of all of its loopholes, will save significantly on their premium in the long run.

Before you step foot into another insurance office, or visit another insurance website, make sure to print this guide and follow it carefully in order to ensure that you get the best insurance deal possible. Remember, car insurance best rates are achievable.

Kim Chambers asked:


Insurance companies ask for an awful lot of information when it comes to getting car insurance quotes. The level of detail required by the companies is all used to judge the risk you and your vehicle pose, and how likely it is you will make a claim. There are a lot of myths and rumours surrounding car insurance quotes however, most of which are utter rubbish. Here we dispel the fiction and reveal the truth behind your car insurance quote.

Car Colour Makes a Difference

A common myth but utterly untrue; many people are led to believe that the colour of their car will have an effect on their car insurance quote. There are two schools of thought on colour affecting car insurance premiums. The first idea is that the popular car colours: silver, black and red are easier to sell on and hence hold their value much better. Higher value cars tend to have more expensive insurance quotes, and so the myth goes that if you want to get a cheap car insurance quote, buy a car in a lurid pink.

On the other hand, rumours would have you believe that unusual car colours by their rarity are much more expensive to repair if there is any body work damage, and hence insurance companies require a premium for buying a car in fluorescent yellow. Both explanations are completely false; car colour has no bearing whatsoever on your car insurance quote.

My Credit History Will Be Reviewed

Whilst this was certainly prevalent a few years ago, in most cases now car insurance companies will not check your credit rating. The advent of the internet has made car insurance a highly competitive market, and with so many companies out there, insurers are much less likely to take your credit history into account than they were in the past. Whilst it is true that you can receive a discount to your car insurance quote for paying upfront rather than in instalments, this is true for all customers and has nothing to do with credit rating.

Living in a Sunny Area Will Get Me a Cheaper Quote

The reasoning behind this perpetuated legend comes from the true fact that drivers are less likely to have an accident in clear and dry weather conditions. As the myth goes, if you live in an area which has historically better weather, you will on average have more days on the road with clear and dry driving conditions which means you should have fewer accidents as a result of your geographic location.  This myth arises from confusion about one of the criteria asked for from insurance companies. When getting a car insurance quote, companies require you to provide an address because they monitor the average crime levels in your neighbourhood. The weather is of no consequence to your car insurance quote.

Charles Barnes asked:


Many consumers are looking to cut household expenses any way they can in these uncertain economic times.  The first place most households often look is car insurance premiums.  To clarify, a car insurance premium is the amount you pay to the car insurance company on a regular basis (ie monthly) so the car insurance company will fix your car in the event of a car accident.  Car insurance can be considered a necessary evil.  No one likes paying for car insurance.  You have to pay for car insurance when you don’t use it and when you finally need it; car insurance companies make it a major hassle to obtain your money from them to fix your broken car. 

One of the most common ways to reduce your monthly car insurance premium is to increase your insurance deductible.  What is a deductible you ask?  A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of your own pocket in the event of a car insurance claim (i.e. a car accident that is your fault).

As tempting as it may seem to raise your car insurance deductible to reduce your monthly insurance payment, you need to evaluate your financial situation first.  For example, ask yourself, “If I raise my deductible from $1,000 to $2,000 do I have the $2,000 deductible set aside in the event I get into a car accident?”  If the answer is no, you may want to postpone raising your car insurance deductible until you save $2,000 and can comfortably put it aside.  If the answer is yes, you still need to consider your car driving habits and your risk of a car accident.

Your car driving habits can alter your car insurance expenses significantly.  If you are a safe driver and can go a long period of time without getting into a car accident, raising your deductible may be a smart move.  If you are not a safe driver and you frequently get into car accidents, raising your insurance deductible may not be worth it.  The longer you go without getting into a car accident, the more money you save on car insurance expenses.  If you get into a car accident shortly after raising your deductible, you may end up losing money.  Let’s look at an example.

If increasing your deductible from $1,000 to $2,000 decreases your monthly car insurance premium by $25, then it would take 40 months (starting from the date you raise your car insurance deductible) for your monthly savings to cover the $1,000 increase in deductible (40 x $25 = $1,000).  So that means if you have an accident during those 40 months, you are better off keeping your deductible at $1,000.  With your driving record, can you go 3 years and 4 months without a car accident?  If not, you may want to reconsider or change your driving habits.

So, you are a great driver and fully confident in your ability to go 3 years and 4 months without a car accident.  Too bad it’s not that easy and too bad we don’t drive on roads without other vehicles.  You also have to consider other drivers on the road.  We all know there are plenty of dumb drivers on the road.  Due to congestion and higher population, there are a larger number of morons on the road in the city than in the country.  Your chance of getting into an accident in an urban environment is a lot higher than in a rural environment.  So carefully take into consideration where you live, work and play before you raise your car insurance deductible.

Is raising your car insurance deductible right for you?

Car Insurance 

Adam Boulton asked:


Students do have many reasons to spend a lot of money and it is unfair to burden them with a high cost of insurance premiums but nevertheless, the insurance companies justify their stand by saying that students tend to travel more and hence are liable to incur high car insurance costs. But the fact remains that the student car insurance cost is quite high and there are many ways to minimize this cost.

Primarily, a student can opt for a small car instead of a sports car to reduce the premium amount to be paid. There are many online insurers, who trade online and the biggest savings on student car insurance can be made by comparing the various quotes on different sites offered by different companies. There are brokers too, who help in this regard but charge a fee for it.

There are certain sites that work especially for students and young drivers and offer discounts and incentives to buy from them. The type of car insurance that the student has to take, has to be decided first and it is a good choice to take third party insurance. Comprehensive coverage is not recommended for students as the insurance prices would be too high.

If security devices are installed in the car, like wheel and steering locks and windows having registration, anti braking systems, air bags, reinforced safety belts and so on, then, the cost of student car insurance can be reduced. In fact, the place where the car is kept also influences the cost of student car insurance and it is better to mention in the application if the car is to be kept in the campus with security.

Students who have passed an extended and advanced driving course are eligible for a reduced premium than those who have passed only their driving test. This would fetch them an added discount of five percent till they reach the age of twenty five. There are online driver education courses that would cost only half the amount of offline classes.

Though it is a  subject of argument , the fact remains that the student who does his or her academics well in school is less prone to get into a car accident and hence is offered a student discount -as much as twenty percent of the premium-depending upon the grades in school.

The insurance premium of car is priced according to what is known as risk profile of the geographic area, where the car will be driven. If the student possesses a good driving record, the chances are high that he gets a cheap car insurance.  Also, having a high deductible would save on the premium and the deductible that suits the budget can be chosen.

Adam Boulton asked:


To err is human and nobody can boast of not making a single mistake in life, including while driving in a car. Even if the person driving the car makes no mistake, chances are high that the person on the opposite side drives carelessly and accidents do happen. So, it is mandatory for every car owner to have a car insurance which would be beneficial for both the owner of the car and the car.

Car insurance is a type of insurance coverage for damage to the car including damage resulting from another vehicle. Car insurance covers a variety of things that depend upon the kind of car insurance that has been purchased. Car insurance carries a premium which is the amount a customer has to pay to obtain car insurance. The amount of premium depends on various factors and differs from one company to another.

In fact, there are different premium rates for males and females because it is a general fact that men are more likely to be involved in an accident than women. Likewise, the premium rates for teenagers are higher and have to pay more, since teenagers fall under the category of high risk. If the teenager takes a defensive driving course then, there is a chance of reducing the premium.

There is a deductible in car insurance for which the customer is responsible before the insurance provider offers insurance coverage for expenses and the deductibles also influence the coverage available. Car insurance also comes as collision auto insurance which covers the cost of repairs to a vehicle involved in an accident or the cash value of the vehicle, if it is beyond repair.

In the event of an accident happening, there may be a great deal of damage to the person as well as the car. Along with it, comes the financial liability. At least the later part can be reimbursed if the car is insured properly. If the car is uninsured, the person has to bear the mental agony, damage to the vehicle and the financial burden. So, it becomes utterly necessary and wise to take up car insurance.

Realizing the importance of car insurance, most of the countries around the globe have made car insurance mandatory. If a person drives without car insurance, he or she may have to face legal charges including suspension of driving privileges and also hefty fines and in some cases, jailing.

When car insurance is taken, it offers a peace of mind to the owner of the car and this fact would make him drive peacefully and safely and this factor itself would avoid many accidents. Every one owning a car has to possess a car insurance which is a way of protection, not only for the self but also for others on the road.