Insurance > The Top 8 Ways to Save a Ton of Money on Your Auto Insurance

The Top 8 Ways to Save a Ton of Money on Your Auto Insurance

by: Matthew Keith

We all hate doing it, but it's something that we all must do at one time or another... the wonderful task of shopping for car insurance quotes!

Since there's no avoiding it, you might as well learn a few ways you can save money in the process. Here is a compilation of the top tips you can use to make sure you never overpay for your car insurance premiums...

1. Search for quotes regularly - Many people inadvertantly pay the same premium for years without ever shopping around. As your vehicle ages, it depreciates in value. You shouldn't pay the same premium on an older vehicle as you would on a newer one... think about it! It's generally good practice to do a quote search on a yearly basis, but the more often you do it, the better chances you have of getting lower rates.

2. If you have an older vehicle, consider "liability only" insurance - When making a decision like this, you need to consider the value of your vehicle compared to what you're paying for your premium. If your vehicles wholesale value is, say $1000, why pay almost that much per year (give or take) when that is all you will get from your insurance agency... if you total your vehicle?

3. Take a defensive driving course - A simple 6 hour defensive driving course can save you up to 10% on your insurance premium. Contact your local department of motor vehicles for information on taking this course. Many times, you can also take this course by mail, by video, or even online!

4. If you have more than one vehicle in your household, insure them with the same agency - Most insurance agencies will knock a huge percentage off of your premium for multiple auto insurance policies.

5. If you also have life, home, fire, boat or any other type of insurance, use the same agency - As with having multiple auto policies, most agencies will knock a huge percentage off of your premium for multiple policies.

6. Increase your deductible - The higher the deductible you choose, the lower your premium will be, so set your deductible at the highest rate possible... just make sure that if you were to need the insurance you would be able to cover this deductible.

7. Maintain good credit - Insurance agencies, just like any other business, like to be paid... and on time. A good credit rating will lower your premium.

8. Think like an insurance agent - Insurance agencies base their rates foremost on one thing... risk. The more at risk you seem to be, the higher the premium will be, and vice versa.

When talking with an agent, give them reasons that you are at a lower risk, ie: you have a safe vehicle, you have a clean driving record, you don't use your vehicle for work purposes, you don't travel often, you're vehicle has anti-theft devices, you park in a garage, etc. A good idea would be to make a list of why you're at a lower risk before you even speak to an agent. Be creative!

About The Author

This article was written by Matthew Keith. Did you like it? Read more articles, tips and resources just like it at http://insuranceauto.bravehost.com - This article may be freely distributed or republished, as long as these bylines are included.

Homeowners Insurance: Lessons from Katrina and other gulf storms.

by: Matt McWilliams

Homeowners Insurance is supposed to protect us in case of disasters. That is what we have come to expect from our homeowners insurance over the years. But what if the disaster is the costliest in U.S. History? What if your insurance agent?s home and office were destroyed in the disaster also?

That is what happened to many customers and homeowners insurance agents and companies after Katrina hit the Gulf coast. Many agents' homes, offices and insurance Companies' claims centers were in the same situation as their clients due to the storms. So what did they do? They set up ?office? in tents and mobile trailers. Then Hurricane Rita blew away these temporary offices and the agents and companies set them up again. These temporary shelters acted as a communications center for all people in the surrounding areas. Local people would come by to ask questions, meet with...

Homeowners Insurance: Lessons from Katrina and other gulf storms.

Insurance > Homeowners Insurance: Lessons from Katrina and other gulf storms.

Credit Cards ? Other Benefits

by: Rudy Hadisentosa

Credit cards are here to stay for the multiple benefits associated with them. We already know that credit cards act as a convenient payment mode for shopping, they are safer to carry as compared to cash, they help build a credit rating which can be used for getting fast approval on loans etc, and they are there to help when you need credit. However, there are other benefits too which one should be aware of as well. Let?s check what these other benefits are:

1. Travel Insurance

A lot of credit cards have travel insurance built into them as an inherent feature. So if you are one of those who travel frequently, this benefit could be a real boon. However, you should always check if this travel insurance is enough for you. Also check the terms and conditions associated with such insurance. Loss of baggage is something which is almost invariably covered with such insurance.

2. Discounts...

Credit Cards ? Other Benefits

Insurance > Credit Cards ? Other Benefits

Loan Payment Protection Insurance ? Worth The Cost?

by: Joseph Kenny

Nowadays, every time you apply for a loan you will most likely be offered payment protection insurance. If you are taking out a particularly large loan, the idea may seem very attractive. These insurance policies will take over repayments on your loans in the event of losing your job or being involved in a medical emergency. But what are the true costs and benefits of this type of insurance? Given that over a billion pounds is spent in Britain on this kind of insurance annually, it is worth asking yourself.

The Cost Of Insurance

The fact of the matter is that the lending industry has become more and more competitive in recent years. With interest rates getting lower and lower, lenders have sought to find out ways of increasing their returns. One of the ways they have come up with is to offer various additional products that accompany the loan, such as payment protection...

Loan Payment Protection Insurance ? Worth The Cost?

Insurance > Loan Payment Protection Insurance ? Worth The Cost?

Car Insurance - How Can You Lower Your Premiums?

by: Michael Challiner

Many factors influence the premium for your Motor insurance policy. Your insurer will have asked you many questions whilst producing your quote - some of which will affect your premium and some will not. Below we discuss the key variables that are within the policyholder's control.

Consolidating policies

By insuring a number of vehicles with the same insurer, or by trying to take out home and life insurance through your car insurer, you may be able to secure a ?bulk buy? discount.

Location

A big influence on the cost of your car insurance is where you live. The chance of your car being broken into or stolen is a key concern for the insurer. More urban areas traditionally facing greater risk of theft and therefore tend to be more expensive than countryside locations.

Excess

By agreeing to pay a greater excess on each claim you can reduce your car...

Car Insurance - How Can You Lower Your Premiums?

Insurance > Car Insurance - How Can You Lower Your Premiums?

Before You Look for Health Insurance

Before You Look for Health Insurance

by: Richard Keir

Shopping around for medical insurance can be a confusing business.
You need to keep your wits about you and keep track of the benefits and costs of each policy and each type of policy.
Too often we tend to look at the price first and the rest of the policy becomes a blur of fine print. And we're off to check the next policy.

Slow down. There some important things you should do before you start chasing around to get a policy. Doing these few things will make the whole process simpler and clearer - and you're much more likely to make a good decision.

You need to carefully consider your situation.
Think about these questions and note your answers:

What's the general state of your health?

How old are you?

Do you have any serious medical problems currently or in your medical history?

Do you have any history of recurring or on-going medical...

Before You Look for Health Insurance

Insurance > Before You Look for Health Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance ? Critical Or Ridicule?

by: Rachel Lane

Critical illness cover (CIC) is a type of insurance which provides a significant one-off payment if you are diagnosed with a specified life-threatening condition ? specified being the important term, because if your illness isn?t in the terms and conditions ? you won?t get the payment.
Over recent years, critical illness cover has gained in popularity due to lower costs and apparent simplicity.

Critical illness insurance can be sold as part of a mortgage package or additionally as a stand-alone policy.
Critical illness cover can also be commonly associated with life insurance, with certain CIC policies paying out either on the diagnosis of a particular illness or on death, but not both, whilst other CIC policies pay out in both events.

When you first purchase the critical illness insurance policy, there might be an option for buy-back insurance, this would...

Critical Illness Insurance ? Critical Or Ridicule?

Insurance > Critical Illness Insurance ? Critical Or Ridicule?

DIY Plumbing Repairs - You Have Homeowners Insurance, Use It!

DIY Plumbing Repairs - You Have Homeowners Insurance, Use It!

by: Ray Breitenbach

Since most home owners insurance policies don't cover the cost of repairs few people think to check with them when plumbing problems
occur. Although they may not cover the repair, they will usually cover the value of damaged property including cleaning up after the repair. The scope of this type of project is typically not a diy plumbing repair project so you will want to find any way you can to help pay for it.

A few years ago I had the misfortune of finding water seeping through a wall in my basement one spring. First this was blamed on a very wet season. Next, when dry weather came around and the leak was still there a basement waterproofing contractor was called in. It was no suprise when this contractor informed me that I had ground water and needed their expensive services. Since the company had a vested interest in me believing this they did not...

DIY Plumbing Repairs - You Have Homeowners Insurance, Use It!

Insurance > DIY Plumbing Repairs - You Have Homeowners Insurance, Use It!

Car Insurance Pricing Plans

Car Insurance Pricing Plans

by: Joseph Kenny

The law requires liability insurance for all drivers and vehicles. This means that if you are involved in a serious accident, and it turns out that it was your fault, your insurance company will pay out any claims that are made against you. Extra coverage on your own vehicle, called comprehensive insurance, is optional.

Insurance companies based on a number of risk factors will calculate the price you pay for this insurance. Basically how it works is the more they feel you are at risk of crashing, and the more they think the resulting crash will cost them, the higher the premium you?ll pay.

Assessment

Common factors that will be used to assess the premium are the value of the car you?re driving, the safety of that vehicle, the coverage you want, will there be deductibles or limits etc.? How much you?ll drive the car, how your driving record stands, how long you?ve held your license...

Car Insurance Pricing Plans

Insurance > Car Insurance Pricing Plans