Top three commonly asked questions about auto insurance

We have listed three of the most commonly asked questions inquired by customers concerning auto insurance. Read the list and be informed on how to choose the best auto insurance policy for your needs.

What should I do if I intend to switch car insurance company?

You are at liberty to change your car insurance provider anytime within the year, but to guarantee you won’t need to pay any penalty then you have to do this within thirty (30) days after your receipt of new invoice for the renewal of your policy. If you choose to make the switch beyond this time limit, then you may be deemed liable by the insurance provider to pay the declared penalty in your policy.

How Do I Process My Auto Insurance Claims?

The processing of auto insurance claims is typically completed within 15 days; however, you should be sure to present all the required details of the insurance provider which includes the vehicle, the driver, and the accident information. Expect a fair evaluation of your request, but if you are not satisfied then you can file your case in court with the assistance of a certified attorney.

How Much Will I Get from My Car Insurance Policy?

The maximum amount that you will receive rests on the limits of the policy coverage you have purchased. It is common for insurance companies to do a thorough investigation of the incident to guarantee appropriate assignment of responsibility concerning the vehicular accident.

Any additional inquiries about a particular car insurance policy can be directed with your insurance provider. It is always wiser to keep their contact details handy because it is hard to tell when you will need their assistance.

When is uninsured motorist coverage needed?

This may not be your first time to hear about uninsured motorist coverage; however, do you know the benefits it will bring you? Do you know if it is worth your money at all?

Uninsured motorist coverage

Uninsured motorist coverage is important in cases wherein the expense incurred by the incident against the other party is more than what is listed in his coverage. If you purchased uninsured motorist coverage then the remainder of the difference will be covered by your policy provider according to the limits set by your policy. It will also save you from financial trouble during hit-and-run incidents, which happens in every one out of eight vehicular accidents.

However it is worthy to note, that uninsured motorist coverage does not extend to collision or personal injury types of policy coverage. It will only protect you from negligent and irresponsible drivers who fail to comply to the state requirements.

The choice to purchase

The choice to purchase one for additional security rests in the hands of the customer. If you have any additional queries with regards to this coverage then you are free to inquire more with your chosen car insurance company.

Be secured. Choose the perfect type of coverage for your car insurance needs and drive safely on the road.

Top questions you should ask your car insurance agent

Making a switch from your current car insurance provider is a tough one. You have to be certain the new provider you chooses offers better services at an affordable rate; otherwise, it will be a complete waste of money, effort, and opportunity to create a harmonious relationship with your auto insurance company.

What is included in my car insurance coverage?

It is important that customers wishing to purchase car insurance policies are made aware of the coverage contained in it. It is your right to know what you are buying from them, so take time to understand the details of the services they will provide in exchange for the premium you will pay.

How much will I pay if I encounter an accident?

You do not wish to encounter any accident, but in case you do then it is better if you know how much you will be paying. As a rule, the more coverage you have purchased from them then the lesser bills you need to pay. However, you need to know how you will file for these claims and gain the financial assistance that they have promised during the pre-selling of the policy.

Do you offer any discounts?

You are looking for a more affordable policy that is why you are making the switch. Therefore, be straightforward and ask if they are offering discounts not offered by your previous provider so you can save more on your premium.

Are there restrictions on my policy?

You should know the extent and limitation of your policy. You should be aware of the limit of the coverage you have paid. See who is allowed to drive your vehicle during your absence. Make it certain that you have an additional driver in your list and it should be someone who is more likely to drive the car when you are not around.

Be mindful of these questions. Evaluate car insurance companies based on the response they will provide and shop for the best auto insurance policy for your needs today.

Are my pets covered by my car insurance policy?

We love our pets

We all love our pets and the idea of it not being covered by your car insurance policy is quite disturbing. We know how expensive pet treatment and care are in this world and if they are not part of the recipients of your auto insurance policy then you should think twice in bringing them with you in your leisure and business trips.

Personal Injury Protection Insurance

Pets will not be part of your general auto insurance coverage. For it to be included, it is important that you purchase a personal injury protection insurance coverage because it extends to all of your properties, including your pet. Do not try to argue with the insurance agent for classifying your pet as a property rather than a family member, because that is how insurance providers classify them. It is better if you will look for a perfect auto insurance deal with affordable premiums that includes this coverage, so you can still confidently bring your pets during your travel tips.

The best way to learn if pets are part of your existing auto insurance policies is to directly ask it from your provider. They will inform you if you need to purchase additional packages from them for this request, otherwise you may have to gamble their safety every time you bring them with you

Should I include all family members in my car insurance policy?

Unless all of your family members are licensed to drive a vehicle, then it is not necessary for you to include all of them in your car insurance policy. At times, it may even be unfavorable, especially if one of your teens have too many demerits because he or she may be the cause for you to suffer from higher premium rates. Moreover, auto insurance providers may not consider him or her liable to become part of the packaged policy you intend to purchase because he is a high-risk driver.

Multi-Car Insurance

If you are blessed with several vehicles to drive, then it would do you better if you will choose a multi-car insurance. This guarantees all of the cars will be insured without the need to process too much paperwork. Moreover, the insurance provider may find it worthy to provide you a few helpful discounts.

Single-Car Insurance

This is the opposite of multi-car insurance policies. You only have a single vehicle, but multiple drivers will be allowed to use it. It is more complicated because you will not be the sole individual responsible if it encounters an accident along the road. This type of policy is one of the reasons why premium rates increase, so it is best to reconsider other options rather than choosing this as your alternative choice.

Ask queries concerning different packages offered by car insurance policies. See the best quote they offer through free online insurance quotes and choose the perfect policy that will suit your financial needs.

Redlining in the auto insurance industry

Redlining

If you are a low-income individual with poor credit scores or no credit scores at all, then there is a higher chance that your application with the insurance company for auto insurance policies would be declined. The insurance agent will not tell you upfront that it is because of your low-income rate, but it is most probably the reason behind your rejection.

The law states that insurance companies cannot decline anyone who wishes to have a car insurance policy, especially when it comes to the poor members of society. How do they reject you? They will offer a grossly overpriced insurance that is enough to dismay you. As a result, you are the one who will reject the offer.

Up to the present, car insurance companies will claim that redlining does not exist. They will argue that the rate of their policies is not influenced by the annual income of the individual. Moreover, they will insist that higher rates charged to poor people are strictly coincidental.

There is no need to frown upon this discovery because not all insurance articles follow these unjust schemes. You are free to use free online insurance quotes to find the best deals that will be perfect for your needs without experiencing income discrimination. It does not use your income rate in the calculation of your possible premium rate; rather it determines the value of your policy based on relevant driving factors.

Get yourself insured through free auto insurance quote online. Take your pick and start driving safely on the road.

Seven factors used to determine car insurance rates

Complex insurance forms

Many are still baffled with the formula used in the calculation of car insurance rates. It is a long and complex system that is hard to crack. Nevertheless, analysis of the basic questions asked reveals seven factors, which helps determine the car insurance premium rate you need to pay.

  1. Age – Younger drivers and seniors are more prone to accidents. The former owing it to lack of experience and gullibility while the latter owing it to physical incapacities. Thus, expect higher auto insurance rates for applicants under this bracket.
  2. Gender – Women are generalized as safe drivers; therefore, given more leeway by auto insurance providers.
  3. Marital Status – Married couples are considered more stable drivers in comparison to single men and women; thus, the cheaper car insurance deals.
  4. Geographic Location – The denser the city is the more expensive your car insurance rate would be which is probably due to the higher risks of encountering an accident.
  5. Traffic Violations – As given, more traffic violations on your license will bring you higher insurance premiums. It speaks of itself. It is hard for companies to trust you on the road and the only guarantee they can have is to increase your premium rate.
  6. Vehicle Type – A safe car will be less likely stolen, but a leisure car would mean more expensive repairs if it meets an accident. Therefore, choose a functional vehicle with appropriate safety devices if you want to save on your car insurance bills.
  7. Credit Score – Insurance providers have seen a link between your credit score and your driving insurance security. Therefore, if you have high-risk history with credit agencies, then expect these insurance providers to charge you more.

It is wise to review these details and come clean before you approach an auto insurance provider for your policy needs. It will help you reduce your premiums; thus, provide you more savings in the future.

Things to avoind when purchasing auto insurance

First time purchase of auto insurance

First time purchase of auto insurance can be overwhelming. You wish to secure that your policy covers the minimum requirement of the state, yet you want to free yourself from future financial worries as well. If you are not properly guided with the elements you have to consider then you may end up buying unnecessary elements in your policy.

Never Purchase upon Receiving the First Quote

  • It is always better to shop around to have more choices. It may mean discussing your interested coverage rate over the phone a couple of times. Nevertheless, just consider this as part of the shopping experience because this is one of the ways you can shop for affordable policies.

Never Get Scammed by Your Insurance Agent

  • You may think it is best to stay with your current carrier because you have been with them for several years. That is probably true, but if your policy just keeps on increasing each year then there is a possibility your insurance agent is not honestly providing you with the discounts you can take advantage. Contact your car insurance provider and request for a free review of your policy as well as possible discounts they can provide to you because you are one of their loyal customers.

Never File the Small Claims

  • Your auto insurance provider may have strictly reminded you that you need to file all of the damages incurred by your vehicle. This is true but if the repair estimate is small then do not risk having this listed on your record because it is certain to affect your premium rate in the future.

Tips when buying auto insurance online

Buying auto insurance online is one of the best things the cyber community has offered to the present generation. However, there are still a couple of things you should consider before deciding which among the list of insurance providers you will close a deal with. Take note of this information because you will probably need this to inquire more about the details of a particular car insurance package offered by these companies.

  • Annual and monthly rate for variety of car insurance coverage
  • The 1-800 number you need to dial for additional queries
  • The payment policy of the company
  • The discounts offered by the company
  • The consumer complaint ratio of the company provided by the Department of Insurance Web site
  • The A.M. Best and Standard and Poor ratings

Look closely into the details contained in these notes. Narrow down your search for the perfect company into three. Ask your friend’s opinion and recommendations for additional insights. Close a deal with the company through secured and certified websites.

Note: Never make payments through a car insurance website that fails to show sufficient evidence of internet security because it will do you more harm than benefit.

Save money by buying your car insurance online

Saving online

There are many ways to save money, but if you wish to lower your car insurance premium rate then the best option is to go and purchase it online. It may sound new to many, but there are quite a number of drivers who are have been doing this for the past years and are highly satisfied by the convenience and savings it brings them.

Traditional Car Insurance Purchase

The traditional car insurance purchase will require you to buy auto insurance from the insurance agent, who commonly works for a single company. Another option is for you to listen to the sales talk given by an individual agent, who provides you with different quotes. Nevertheless, why do you still need to use this old method of buying auto insurance and pay the overhead built into your premium when it can be eliminated?

The Future and Online Car Insurance Package

The 21st Century way of purchasing auto insurance is through free auto insurance quotes online. It requires minimum amount of time and lesser worries. You are given all of the options, which make it easier for you to decide the best policy for your needs. You do not need to do a research on the various quotes offered by different insurance providers because everything can be shown to you after you input all the basic information related to your driving experience.

Buying auto insurance online is safe, convenient, and profitable. Get rid of the excess service fees given to insurance agent. Shop on your own and have a policy before the day is over.