Car Insurance Today

Cheap Maryland Car Insurance

Best Syndication - Pinon Hills,CA,USA — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:47:04 +0000

In Maryland, like most other states; car insurance is required by all drivers. Getting car insurance does not have to be a complicated task, getting the basic or a cheap Maryland car insurance policy would be enough to satisfy the law. The first step in getting a policy would be to get as many cheap Maryland car insurance quotes as possible, and the best way to do this is to contact a local agent or you can just contact an insurance company directly. When contacting an agent or an insurance company request different coverage to see which cheap Maryland auto insurance policy is right for you. Getting cheap Maryland car insurance policy is easy but a consumer should always be careful, paying for insurance can be hard on the pockets. Consumers should always shop around and get as many cheap Maryland car insurance quotes as possible, ask how you can reduce your rates without reducing a lot of coverages. Everyone wants to have a cheap Maryland car insurance policy; all you have to do is ask. Even if you have a cheap Maryland auto insurance policy, you have coverage for accidents that ...

Insurance Impact from Costly Fees

The Editor — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:19:10 +0000

Senior citizen James Cole, Jr., decided he had had enough May 13. He could not afford car insurance, and received several tickets for driving without it. He could not afford to pay the tickets, which resulted in the suspension of his driver’s license and a ban on registering his cars. He could not afford thousands of dollars to pay the state driver responsibility fees to get his driver’s license back. But he still owned his cars, his only possessions. On May 13, his city-owned apartment building called Troy’s Towing to seize his cars from the building’s parking lot, citing lease regulations banning unregistered or inoperable cars. More fees loomed in the future for towing and storage at city-designated impound lots. Cole got inside one car and conducted a sit-in, preventing the tow truck driver from leaving with his property. “They were finally forced to take the car off the truck because they could not kidnap me,” said Cole. “I spent the next three hours inside until I could get it moved to a friend’s land. Poor folks all over Detroit are having their cars stolen; this is unjust and we must fight back.” Troy’s Towing did take Cole’s other car, but he said the one he sat in was worth more. Troy Ginyard, who owns the towing company, a Black-owned business, said, “Our policy is never under any means to take a vehicle with anyone inside. We’ve been in business for 12 years, and we pride ourselves in doing things the right way.” Cole is a student at Wayne State University, a legal researcher, and a prolific writer who has long assisted the grass-roots organization Call ‘em Out in their endeavors to obtain justice for poor and working people in Detroit. “In stressful economic times like this, that driver’s responsibility law is just devastating,” said Agnes Hitchcock, leader of Call ‘em Out. “First you start out with insurance redlining ...

More is Less When it Comes to Car Insurance

CarInsurance-News — Mon, 25 May 2009 07:38:35 +0000

Youi car insurance research has found that more is less when it comes to car insurance; especially when it comes to the questions asked when providing a quote. "Most car insurance companies ask very few questions with the aim of giving customers a fast online quote. The problem with this approach is that less questions means the insurer knows less about you and how you use your car," says Youi CEO, Hugo Schreuder. Most car insurance companies ask very few questions with the aim of giving customers a fast online quote. The problem with this approach is that less questions means the insurer knows less about you and how you use your car. At Youi car insurance we ask a few more questions that are specifically about where you park your car during the day and what you do each day. We don't assume that everyone drives to work every day and then parks in a dangerous place. This is what many other insurers assume when they ask only a few questions about your age, address and what you drive. Our research has found that if someone catches public transport to work, is a stay at home parent or they work from home, they don't fit these assumptions. And chances are they are paying too more for their car insurance because they are answering fewer questions. Why would you spend less time e getting a car insurance quote that makes assumptions that cost you money? Why not spend a little extra time to get a tailor made quote that may save you money? A few more questions may mean less to pay for your car insurance. "At Youi car insurance we ask a few more questions that are specifically about where you park your car during the day and what you do each day. We don't assume that everyone drives to work every day and then parks in a dangerous place. This is what many other insurers assume when they ask only a few questions about your age, address and what you drive," explains Mr Schreuder. "Our research has found that if someone catches public transport to work, is a stay at home parent or they work from home, they don't fit these assumptions. And chances are they are paying too more for their car insurance because they are answering fewer questions," says Mr Schreuder. "Why would you spend less time e getting a car insurance quote that makes assumptions that cost you money? Why not spend a little extra time to get a tailor made quote that may save you money? A few more questions may mean less to pay for your car insurance." Tailor made car insurance quotes ...

Save with NY online driving class

Newsday - Long Island,NY,USA — Sun, 24 May 2009 15:26:12 +0000

New Yorkers who pay about $50 to drive down a cartoon road on their computers can save hundreds of dollars off their car insurance. Under a program launched this month, New York joins 26 other states that offer on-line driving courses to cut insurance costs and erase points from drivers' licenses. The virtual driving courses can be a big help in a state with some of the highest car insurance rates in the country. The cost of car insurance premiums for New Yorkers vary based on a number of factors, including where the driver lives. Drivers who have points on their license ...

Do Your Research to Save on Car Insurance

CarInsurance-News — Sun, 24 May 2009 07:50:39 +0000

As well as being a legal requirement for all motorists, car insurance is a crucial investment. But in the current climate it is more important than ever to ensure that your car insurance offers value for money, as well as the right level of protection for you. With more consumers opting to stay with older models instead of buying new, it is clear the motor industry has been hit hard by the downturn. Car sales in April 2009 have fallen by almost a quarter compared to the same month last year , leaving large numbers of older models on the road. As fewer consumers can afford to replace their vehicle, ensuring it is covered for essential repairs could actually save money in the longer term. Car insurance is not only about claiming following an accident, but can also pay for essential maintenance needed for minor scrapes and problems caused by weather or road surfacing. Additional details such as excess waivers, handbag cover and courtesy cars can be excluded from cheaper car insurance and third party insurance policies, so consumers need to read the small print and make sure they are getting the best possible protection for their individual situation, as well as value for money. Due to market changes, the average premium ...

‘Black box’ idea travels to cars

The Editor — Sun, 24 May 2009 02:55:46 +0000

Does your newly licensed teenager drive too fast? Do you worry when he or she takes your car to hang with friends you haven't met? Are you spending a small fortune to insure your novice driver? You're not alone, and Mark Nowotarski sees a business opportunity in that. The Stamford resident says his patent-pending SoberTeen Driving Insurance product will let parents monitor their teenager's driving and may help them save 10 percent to 30 percent on the insurance. "When you look at the accident rates for young drivers (compared) to mature drivers, it's high and parents are bearing with high rates for car insurance," Nowotarski said. Nowotarski, president of Markets, Patents & Alliances LLC in Stamford, began his intellectual property consulting firm eight years ago and is a registered U.S. patent agent. He has 17 other patents to his credit. Nowotarski said he came up with the idea for SoberTeen ...

Slash Rates on Your Car Insurance

bankingMyway.com - Fort Atkinson,WI,USA — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:37:26 +0000

Car insurance is a mundane game, right up there with root canals and visits from the in-laws; they’re things people don’t want to experience, but have to. So as long as you’re stuck paying car insurance, at least you can find ways to cut the costs of buying it. Here are some of the best ways that BankingMyWay found to do just that: Order the “combo” platter – If you buy your home and car insurance from the same company, you save, as the commercial says, up to 15% off your car insurance. That’s the figure stated from the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. Shop online – If you value a local insurance company in town, or a short drive away, skip past this tip. But if you don’t care where your auto insurer’s office is, go online for a great deal. Online auto-insurers tend to be short on great, hands-on customer service, but they’re very good on getting you lower rates, since their administration and operating costs are so low. Leverage good credit – No doubt about it, the better your credit, the lower your auto insurance rates. Consumers with good credit scores of about 660 and above can expect good discounts at the auto insurance checkout counter. Avoid collision insurance – If your car is paid off, or you’re driving around town in an aging, beat-up junker, your need for collision insurance isn’t a big one. By removing collision insurance, you can take up to 20% off your auto insurance. A note: without collision insurance, you’ll need some money set aside for “crash” emergencies, the amount of which should be based on the current Kelly Bluebook value of your car. Raise your deductible – To lower your insurance rates, just raise your deductible. Raising your deductible from $150 to $500 ...

Car insurance savings with ‘Big Brother’

CNN - USA — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:00:49 +0000

Tim Goodwin doesn't spend much time behind the wheel of his 2004 Chevy Tahoe. Even though he only covers about 3,000 miles per year -- using it just for weekend trips -- he had, until recently, been getting no special deal on his insurance for driving so little. Six months ago, the Springfield, Missouri, property supervisor found a policy that gives him a break. So far he's saved about $48 -- or ten percent -- over six months compared to a traditional premium. There's a catch; his insurance company, Progressive, is monitoring every move he makes behind the wheel. Goodwin is fine with it, and says that just knowing that a small transceiver is reporting his driving behavior back to the insurance company helps him drive more carefully. "There's this 'Big Brothe'r thing, but it's good," Goodwin said. "Since I know I'm being watched, I'm on my best behavior." Goodwin noted that he's now less likely to speed. "You'll, in effect trade a degree of privacy for a lower rate" in such a pay-as-you-drive policy, explains Mike Barry, vice president of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute. "They know not only how many miles you drive but how and when you drive." For now, MyRate is the only widely available pay-as-you-go auto policy -- available now in nine states (Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, and Oregon), with at least three more expected by the end of the summer. There are "tens of thousands" of drivers already enrolled, according to Progressive, and one in four existing customers of the company who've become eligible for the program have opted in. Progressive says that MyRate may save up to 25 percent versus a traditional premium ...

Contact KY3 Tests New Car Insurance Program

KY3 - Springfield,MO,USA — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:55:46 +0000

We first introduced you to Progressive's My Rate program a few months ago. It's a device you plug into your car that monitors your driving habits. Progressive Insurance claims low-risk drivers could save as much as 30 percent on their car insurance rates. We decided to put it to the test. The device monitors when you drive, how much you drive and how well you drive. And we found, you might be surprised by the discount you receive. “Drivers that do best are low mileage drivers who don't use vehicle much or are safe drivers who are stead in patterns, don't accelerate or break, less aggressive and more cautious," said Progressive spokesman Richard Hutchinson. With the possibility of saving so much money, we decided to put it to the test. We first put one in KY3 Reporter Cara Restelli’s car, because she a less aggressive driver who drives about 12,000 miles a year at low-risk times of day. We put another device in the car of reporter David Catanese. He drives fewer miles per year, but often late at night, which is considered high risk. Plus, he admittedly is a more aggressive driver. “I'm probably more prone to sharp curves,” he said. “Going in and out of lanes, speeding here and there, so I was curious what this would find.” For 30 days, we monitored our progress online. A Progressive Web site lists when we drive, how much we drive and how ...

Average Teen Car Insurance Rates

The Editor — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:53:14 +0000

While average car insurance rates across the United States continue to come down from their record highs of last fall, there’s still one guaranteed way to increase your insurance bill – add a teen driver. According to Insurance.com’s RateWatch for car insurance, adding a teen driver to your policy can increase the annual rate anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year – or an average of $2,171 a year.

April’s RateWatch data found that on average, car insurance rates last month had returned to their year-ago price point of $1872, continuing a downward trend in rates that began at the first of the year. While this is a welcome break for cash-strapped consumers, those who are considering adding a teen driver to the family plan still need to do some budgeting – and homework – to get the best plan for their young drivers.

“Parents of teen drivers may be in for some sticker shock when they begin getting quotes to add a teen to their policy,” said Sam Belden, Vice President at Insurance.com. “Given the increased number of claims associated with drivers aged 16-19, those insurance premiums have always been high. But as rates overall begin to level off, now is a great time to shop for a new policy. By taking advantage of multi-car discounts and other savings features, you may be able to save money and keep your teen safely insured.”

Insurance.com offers these tips for parents of teen drivers:

Car Choice & Safety features are good for the pocketbook, too
Your teen may have his eye on a used Mustang, but insuring a Honda Civic will be easier on the budget. Rates can be almost $200 higher to insure a teen on a Mustang. Safety features can also help manage your insurance costs. Many carriers offer “Safe Car” discounts for air bags, antilock brakes, and antitheft devices such as alarms in the car. In some cases, these discounts can save 5% off your premium.

Look for “good student” discounts
Some auto insurance companies offer discounts to policies with teen drivers if they have a B or better grade average at school. Of course, proof of those good grades is required, but good students can sometimes help parents save as much as a 10-15% on car insurance.

Know the laws for teens …