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Archive for the ‘Car insurance’ Category

The world is a complicated place and, more often than not, it does not work well unless the right people hold the key positions. When it comes to insurance, you might think the key people are the legislators who sit on the relevant consumer or finance committees. In reality, the key person is always the Commissioner who heads the state’s Department of Insurance. Every state has such a person and the department is responsible for regulating the insurance market in the state. It licenses companies to write policies and, where appropriate, sets the terms for the conduct of business. This is where the role gets political because some commissioners see their role as being protective of the insurance companies, while other aim for consumer protection. The difference in political attitude shows up most clearly in the complaints process operated in each state. If a complaint is found valid after an investigation, the commissioner has sweeping powers to order the insurer to correct the situation. So the first sign comes in the number of complaints held valid. Then comes the pattern of responses in promoting fair trade practices. Finally, there is the degree of publicity given to the results. Some commissioners publish annual reports. The best name and shame the companies, showing how many complaints have been upheld against each. Others simply give overall statistics without naming the companies. If you live in one of the best states, you can get detailed help on identifying the safest insurers with whom to do business. It is never enough just to get online quotes. Always get some background on the main companies writing policies in your state. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you take the safety and insurance costs of the car when shopping for a new ride? If no, you definitely should consider it, because the costs associated with auto insurance can be a burden to your family budget if you choose the wrong car. And it could turn out that a relatively cheap car will cost you way more in auto insurance premiums over the years compared to a more expensive auto with low auto insurance quotes. The Highway Loss Data Institute compiles and analyzes the information regarding insurance costs of all car makes and models available on the market today and many insurance companies base their rates on the data provided with this institute’s reports.

But besides the HLDI reports every insurance company runs its own statistics regarding insurance costs of all autos on the road, which strongly influence the final car insurance quotes you will get when shopping around. Insurers analyze the costs of repair, theft, maintenance, damage, injuries and the overall claim history of a particular car model before giving our a rate. And sometimes these factors can make your premiums differ in times for two same-priced cars. Why is that? Because some cars are more likely to be stolen than others, some cars have better safety features and cost less to repair, and some cars just can’t leave the top spots of insurance claim ratings. Read the rest of this entry »

For many drivers out there having their car insured costs quite a lot of money every year, with car insurance making up a hefty part of the budget. Depending on the number of cars, their models and makes, your driving and credit records, and location auto insurance can cost thousands of dollars per year. And of course, people want to keep this number as low as possible, while still having the right amount of coverage. If you feel that your insurance costs are way too high and can be cut down, here are some helpful tips on how to do it right. Read the rest of this entry »