Car Insurance Gearing up to Drive Down Costs

For once finances seem to be going in favour of the UK motorist, with Esure announcing plans to double its share of the UK's car insurance market - a move which is likely to spark a price war, other internet-only direct insurers passing on to consumers savings based on their low overheads, and specialist insurers offering reduced rates for their particular target markets. A trial pay-as-you-go scheme from Norwich Union is also creating a lot of interest for money conscious motorists.

The pay-as-you-go scheme uses a small box costing an initial £199 which is fitted in the driver’s boot, to record when and for how long a driver actually uses their car. The box stays in contact with a satellite which is sent regular updates of the journey data stored on the box, tracking the vehicle and then delivering the information to the insurer. The driver is then charged based upon how far at what time they used their vehicle.

“We got a statement”, said one member of the trial, "which showed what mileage we had done, and on what days of the week, as well as if we had been driving in the evenings or peak hours."

For low mileage users, this system could present significant reductions in premiums, for higher mileage drivers searching about for the best deals at renewal time is an absolute must.

Unfortunately, last year five million motorists failed to shop around, missing out on an average premium saving of £180. Shopping around becomes especially important for anyone coming to the end of a free insurance offer on a dealership car and should not simply take the quote offered by the manufacturer's insurer, as significant savings can be made by shopping around. Comparisons sites such as Moneynet enable consumers to quickly look at hundreds of insurance providers in one go, making it easy to find the best deals that are available, and they often have their own extra discounts which are provided through their own sites.

While the government tries to work out new ways to extract more money from motorists, the competitiveness of the insurance industry is thankfully helping to drive down the cost of insurance premiums, making it one of the few rays of hope for UK drivers.

Six Ways to Cut the Cost of Your Auto Insurance

Is your auto insurance bill $12000 a year or even higher? It's not unusual for auto insurance to cost this much these days. But it doesn't necessarily have to cost this much. There are ways to reduce these costs. It might take a bit of work but it is possible to cut that insurance bill by a substantial amount.

Tip #1: Get at least three price quotes. You can call companies to get quotes or get them directly via the Internet. You can also call your state insurance department, as it may be able to provide you with a comparison of prices charged by the major carriers in your state. Also, get price quotes from different kinds of insurance companies. Some sell through their own agents. Others sell through independent agents who often represent several different companies. Other companies have no agents and sell direct to the consumer via the phone or Internet.

Tip #2: Check insurance costs before buying that next car. Did you know that insurance premiums are based on the car's cost, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record and the likelihood of its being stolen? You can often get a discount from insurers if the car you are buying has a great safety record or if it's designed to reduce the risk of death.

Tip #3: See what you could save with higher deductibles. Higher deductibles can lower your insurance costs substantially. For example, if you increase your deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage from, say, $300 to $500, you could reduce your costs by as much as 15 to 30 percent. Move up to a $1,000 deductible and you might save 40 percent or more.

Tip #4: Reduce the coverage on older cars. If you have one or more older cars, consider dropping the collision coverage entirely. If your car is worth ten times the premium, buying collision coverage just may not be worth it. You can find out what your car is worth by contacting your bank's auto loan department or you can look it up online at www.kbb.com (Kelly Blue Book).

Tip #5:Buy your auto insurance from the same company that has your homeowners insurance. All the major insurers offer both homeowners and auto insurance and will give you a nice discount if you buy both types of policies from them. You may also qualify for a discount if you insure several vehicles with the same company. Some companies even offer discounts for long-time customers.

Tip #6: Keep a good credit record. Auto insurance companies are using credit information more and more often to price their policies. Make sure you maintain a good credit history by paying bills on time, and by keeping your credit card balances as low as possible. Also, be sure to check your credit record regularly. That way, if errors occur, you can quickly correct them – to keep your credit record clean and accurate.

Auto Insurance Information Online - Compulsory Auto Insurance

In 47 of the 50 United States, it is illegal to take a car onto the road without auto insurance. Compulsory insurance laws protect the public from the expenses of injuries and property damage resulting from a car accident. The states that require auto insurance set minimum amounts of coverage that guarantee that medical costs and property damage caused by the insured in case an accident is judged to be the fault of the insured. Another name for compulsory insurance is liability insurance.

If you carry compulsory insurance and are judged to be at fault in an auto accident, your car insurance company will pay the medical bills and lost work time and other damages for the other driver and passengers in both his car and yours that are not immediate blood relatives. The minimum compulsory insurance varies from state to state, but your insurance agent will be able to tell you what minimum amount you must carry in order to drive you car on the public roads.

Besides personal injury insurance, you are also required in most states to carry property damage policies to repair or replace any damage caused by your car. Again, the amount varies from one state to another.

There are good reasons for carrying more than the minimum amount of compulsory insurance. If the damages exceed your coverage, for instance, you'll be liable for anything that your insurance company doesn't pay. More importantly, there are many gaps in compulsory insurance company.

1. You aren't covered for theft or a fire that's not related to an auto accident.

2. You won't recover the entire amount of the cost to repair damage to your car caused by an uninsured vehicle.

3. If you were judged to be at fault in the auto accident, there is no coverage for your injuries or damages.

4. Even if you're not at fault, there's no coverage for other expenses related to your auto accident like towing.

Most insurance agents recommend that you carry a greater amount of insurance and coverage other than what's strictly required by your state. Often referred to as 'comprehensive' coverage, it will include:

Personal Injury Protection, which will pay medical expenses and reasonable work and living expenses for lost job time due to an accident, no matter who was at fault.

Travel, towing and glass replacement that results from causes other than an auto accident.

Usually, if you take out a loan to purchase your car, the bank will require that you purchase and maintain comprehensive insurance on your vehicle until your loan is paid off.

Do You Pay Too Much For Your Automobile Insurance

It is amazing how many people just receive their insurance renewal when it is sent out each year and pay it off without a second thought!

But, at the back of their mind, is this niggling feeling of discontent about the amount they are paying. Unfortunately many feel there is nothing they can do about it, they are literally being held to ransom by the insurance companies.

If you drive then you need insurance, that is for sure. So what can you do if you feel you are being overcharged or you would just like to check that you are being charged a fair price?

The Internet has revolutionized the possibilities for finding more choice for things like car insurance. It is now possible to browse from the comfort of your own home and use some of the many sites available to help you select an insurance policy that is right for you and get the best price in the process.

For many the Internet is still somewhat a mystery, but most people can find a friendly person to help them on line. To get the best deal for you insurance it is vital to get on the web and search the many discount insurance providers that now exist.

Traditionally insurance was sold by agents who only dealt with one insurer, thus you had no choice when you renewed your policy. If you stayed with the same agent then you stayed with the same insurer and so had no chance of getting a better price.

Now on line there exist many discount brokers who deal with many different insurance companies, they offer you the chance to view all the different prices which are offered to you and your vehicle. You can also choose from many different options for the type of insurance and extra features you can get with your policy.

This choice is fantastic news for car owners and many people are still shocked when they realize just how easy it is to save hundreds even thousands each year on their premium.

The discount brokers are able to offer such a good deal because many only exist as an on line operation, thus no local office to run and less staff.

If you want to make your renewal cheaper this year then start today, get on line and search for a discount broker who services your county. There are many available so shop around until you find the very best price. You could save yourself enough cash to have a nice holiday or even buy a special gift for a loved one.

Discount Auto Insurance - Get Low Rates And Superior Coverage

Auto insurance rates can be quite expensive. If you are in shopping for auto insurance or just comparing rates between your current insurer and competing insurance companies, you may want to look at the rates offered by discount auto insurance providers. Discount auto insurance companies offer superior coverage at prices that could be significantly lower than your current insurance rates.

Most states require auto insurance. While the requirements in each state may vary, even purchasing the minimum amount of auto insurance that is required in your state may be quite expensive. A discount auto insurance company can help you significantly lower your premiums and still give you superior coverage and excellent customer service.

A discount car insurance provider can help you decide which coverage is right for you and how much coverage is necessary. Discounts for insuring more than one car, safe driver discounts, and discounts for good students are just a few of the additional savings that can be fully explained to you by your discount auto insurance company. Even if you have traffic violations, need an SR-22, or do not currently have auto insurance, there is a discount insurance provider than can give you the coverage you need and still save you money.

Discount auto insurance is available across the country. You can save money each and every month and you could even get better coverage than with your current insurance company. Protect yourself and your car with an auto insurance policy from a discount insurance provider. Discount auto insurance companies offer the same types of coverage as your current insurance company while giving you superior customer service. Friendly, knowledgeable insurance experts will handle your claim quickly and professionally.

If you are paying too much for auto insurance, take the time to shop for discount auto insurance. You could save hundreds of dollars each year and still receive the type of coverage and service you expect. Discount auto insurance companies offer the same coverage as the higher priced insurance companies, you will receive top-quality customer service, and prompt attention to any questions or claims you may have.

Contact a discount auto insurance company for all your insurance needs. Protect your car and yourself and save money at the same time.

Filing Auto Insurance Claims: The Basic Steps to Take

An automobile accident can be a terrifying event for anyone, even when there are no injuries sustained. However, it is still necessary to take proper action after the collision to make filing auto insurance claims as simple as possible. Filing auto insurance claims may seem demanding at first glance, but following the correct steps can ensure success.

Be sure to carry your insurance card with you at all times for easy access. This card contains the type of coverage you have and how long it spans, your vehicle's make, model and identification number, and emergency and after hours phone numbers. Call your auto insurance agent to inform the company of the occurrence as soon as possible.

Most insurance companies request some form of documentation to support your claim. Writing down names and addresses of those involved or possible witnesses may aid when filing auto insurance claims. Noting specific details such as the weather, or visibility also may be of assistance. And of course, a copy of the police report is required, along with a proof of claim form provided by the insurance company.

Once all the information has been provided to the insurance company, and the claim form has been filled out, you can basically just sit and wait to see what develops. If there happens to be a dispute between the participants in the accident, you may receive a call from the other driver's insurance company inquiring about your version of the collision. Support your case. Document the conversation and make note of the insurance agent you spoke with.

Your case will be designated a claims adjuster, regardless of the car's condition. The car will be taken to a body shop, and the shop will evaluate damage done to the automobile. They will then send a report to the insurance company with an estimate for repairs. The insurance company will determine retail value after assessment of the report. If the repairs transcend 70 to 80 percent of the car's retail value, it is deemed totaled by the insurance company.

Saving on Auto Insurance: The Road to Reduction

The road to saving on auto insurance is something that every consumer travels at one time or another. And the quest is really not as difficult as it may appear. Saving on auto insurance can be a snap if you know the right places to look, and the best avenues to shop around.

Here is a great way to save of auto insurance: driving safely. Driving with caution is one of the number one ways to keep those rates on the lower end. Insurance companies do not take too kindly to traffic tickets and auto accidents because they only increase their costs.

Keep your credit in good standing. Some auto insurance companies will use your credit rating score in calculating your rates. So, if youÕve got a less than stellar credit rating, watch out! You may be dishing out more for your auto insurance than is actually worth it.

Some insurance companies will give a price reduction in premium if your vehicle is equipped with the most current safety equipment such as air bags and automatic seat belts. By investing in car alarms or other various security devices such as a car tracking system, you may be eligible for a discount.

Unfortunately, saving on auto insurance does mean that you will have to make a few sacrifices. Cars that have more expensive parts, or are sportier are equipped with higher insurance rates. Buying a less expensive car will cut down on your insurance and liability coverage costs.

Auto insurance companies vary on their discounts and savings, so it is a good idea to check with your agent or customer service representative to verify what is applicable in your area. There are guides offered by each individual stateÕs insurance department that will supply you will all the information available about auto insurance savings in your vicinity.

What You Need to Know About Auto Insurance

Let's be realistic, everyone needs to have auto insurance. Aside from the fact that almost every state requires it, it is only logical for a driver to see that his vehicle is properly insured. Auto insurance offers property, liability and medical coverage. A full policy consists of six separate types of coverage. A majority of states will insist that you purchase all but a few of these kinds of coverages. Before making any major decisions about which auto insurance is right for you, it is best to educate yourself about insurance policies and terms.

The basic coverage that a driver can purchase is liability insurance. This type of auto insurance coverage pays for your legal responsibility to others for medical expenses and property damage. Most states require that every car is equipped with liability insurance. It is worth buying a bit extra than required to make sure your personal assets are secured in case of an accident.

Collision insurance pays for damage to your own car resulting from a crash with another car, object, or also the effects of turning over. This kind of auto insurance coverage even handles damage caused by potholes. This type of coverage is usually sold in two deductibles: $250 or $1,000. The higher that your deductible is, the lower your premium will be. Collision insurance is optional by most policy standards.

Comprehensive coverage is a third class offered on your auto policy, and this covers anything that could conceivably happen to your car. This type of coverage will reimburse you for loss due to theft or harm inflicted by something other than collision with a car or object. This includes acts of nature such as earthquake, windstorms, floods, and hail. It can also include vandalism, falling objects, and contact with animals such as deer.

Most auto insurance policies span for six months to one year. Before making a solid commitment to a provider, the driver should examine and compare several quotes, and see what fits their needs best.

The Car Insurance Calculation Explained

Different companies will apply different factors to the way they finally arrive at a price for your Car Insurance. Generally speaking though the concept is the same. This involves collecting various bits of information from you and feeding it through a computer system which adds or takes away money depending on the answers you give.

The value put on these answers is decided by the individual Car Insurance company.

For example, some Car Insurance companies may believe that having a speeding conviction increases your chance of having a personal injury accident in the future - therefore they may add money to your price if you have such a conviction.

Similarly, some Car Insurance companies may decide that because you have a lot of No Claims Bonus Years then you are less likely to claim - therefore they may discount your price. All in all there are around 30 different factors that may affect your final premium. Now you can see why you get such a difference in the price of your Car Insurance by going to various companies. Each company will have it's own view of what they believe should be assigned to each answer you give. The Car Insurance quote you get through the Accept Direct website will look at lots of different Car Insurance prices from lots of companies.

That way you can get the best possible price for your profile.