Reader’s Question:

Aside from having to compare the various insurance quotes that I received, I also got the chance to compare my quotes with what other people has received and found out that we have somewhat different offered rates. What can affect the computation of an auto insurance rate?

Phoebe

Philadelphia PA

Prior to getting your auto insurance quotes, you will have to fill out or you will have to be asked with a series of questions regarding some of your personal information, your driving history as well as some important details of your cars. These are not for documentation purposes but are important and valuable information that will serve as bases for automobile insurance companies to assess how much you will have to be charged in exchange for an auto insurance policy.

Let us discuss a few of the required information that you may have to disclose and that will have an effect on your auto insurance rate:

Personal information is definitely the basic things that will be asked from you. Generally, what you thought were for profiling purposes such as your age and gender will actually have an effect on your auto insurance rate. Young drivers tend to initially receive higher insurance rates due to the preconceived idea that they are more prone to accidents for having the lack of experience in driving.

Your driving history will give your auto insurance provider what kind of driver you are and the risks they will have in providing insurance to you. If you have a bad driving record due to constant road rules violations or accidents, you will definitely see your insurance costs very high. On the other hand, drivers with clean records can get bonuses and discounts for their insurance.

The greatest factor that determines you auto insurance rate is the make and model of your car. Each vehicle released in the automobile market has a corresponding value and thus, auto insurance companies put them into categories depending on how much each vehicle would cost to insure. If you own a compact or a mid-sized vehicle, usually categorized in the lower insurable bracket, you will be quoted with lower auto insurance cost. The opposite case goes to those who own sports cars and other fast cars.

These are just some of the factors affecting your insurance rates. There are also practical ways that you can do to further lower your vehicle insurance cost.

Reader’s Question:

My sister and I are comparing premium rates given that we almost have the same coverage. I live in the city and it seems that I’m paying more on my auto insurance policy than her. Does location greatly affects our premium rates?

Michelle

Los Angeles CA

Your car insurance premium rate is calculated based on the probability of risk associated to a specific event or accident happening. Location does affect your premium rate. Your area is being evaluated based on statistics as to whether it is a high risk and/or known to have higher incidence of car accidents or car being stolen. So from where you live right now, if there’s a notable higher incidence of accidents and vandalism, then your insurance rate will surely going to cost more than your sister.

Another factor could also be living in the urban which statistically shows higher rate of damaged cars as compared to rural areas.

You need to understand that there are other numerable factors to consider when estimating your auto premium rates. How often you drive your car would also be a factor. Drivers who work long commuting road and who drive during weekdays than weekends are most likely to pay more on insurance rates. Other than location, it could be your differences in age, sex, marital status, and driving record are contributing factors to differences in auto insurance rates.

Reader’s Question:

What you need to know about SUV and SUV car insurance rates in Pennsylvania?

Patricia

Pittsburgh PA

People will most likely purchase an SUV because of the security it brings due to its weight and size. However, these very same elements can increase the chances of your SUV to roll over other cars or cause more infliction to other vehicles and their passengers in the event of an accident. Car insurance companies consider these factors and more in determining you SUV car insurance rates in Pennsylvania.

Are SUVs safe to use?

Driving one has its pros and cons. One of the major disadvantages of SUVs is its size and weight which, as mentioned above, has greater chances of damage and rollovers to other cars and its occupants. It is prone to accidents especially during sharp turns and quick maneuvering. In the same note, an SUV’s bumper can tremendously cause greater damage on the weak areas of a car upon collision. Fortunately, many SUVs are being redesigned with lower bumpers. Automakers are considering lower heights and reduced weight to make them less dangerous to other vehicles. Several new safety features are also being added to minimize chances of rollovers and make the vehicle safer for its passengers.

Will you be spending more on your SUV car insurance?

With the massive impact than an SUV can inflict on smaller vehicles, its probability to causing accidents is high and damages are paired with larger claims. These tendencies can result to greater medical expenses to anyone injured during mishaps and can cause larger repairs on the vehicles. These are one of the many things that most insurers take into consideration. All of the abovementioned factors contribute to the additional 10 to 20 percent that SUV owners pay for their car insurance. Keeping one’s driving records clean and comparing multiple SUV car insurance quotes can help counterbalance any additional costs.

Reader’s Question:

Can I take defensive driving course to get cheap senior auto insurance rates in Alaska?

Gene

Anchorage AK

Yes. There are some things you can do to lower your senior auto insurance in Alaska. Taking defensive class is one of them.

Taking defensive course, regardless of age is recognized by insurers and is usually accompanied by a discount on car insurance rates. Because of this, you can get cheap car insurance rate on your policy.

Senior defensive driving programs address how elders can compensate for the effects of aging such as:

• Effects on sight, such as depth perception, low light vision, and peripheral vision can all extensive car needed when driving.
• Slow reaction time because as you age you tend to react on things slower than young drivers. This is the reason why seniors need more extra care when driving.
• Prescription medication has side effects thus it affects the ability to operate a car, especially in seniors.

This is the reason why taking defensive driving course is a good way to help get cheap car insurance rates for seniors. Grab this opportunity now. Ask your car insurance company for any approved driving school.

Reader’s Question:

I got a speeding ticket 3 months ago. Then, I got another speeding citation. How will this experience affect my auto insurance coverage rates?

Maria

Baton Rouge, LA

There are so many ways in which your auto insurance coverage rates may be affected. You just have to be aware of all these car insurance premiums. Below is a common list of how one’s auto insurance coverage rates get affected.

1. Here in Louisiana minor traffic convictions stay on a motorist’s driving record for 3 years from the date of conviction, your insurance company will see both speeding tickets the next time they pull your motor vehicle record (MVR).

Insurance premiums may increase due to having two moving violations, speeding tickets, on your driver’s history. This will depend on how your insurance company’s rating system works as to how much your rates will be affected.

Auto insurance coverage rates usually differ from state to state so in order to find out about their rating system, ask your insurance agent for information since insurance rates must be filed with them.

2. If your latest speeding ticket has not been taken care of, you may want to ask the LA court if you are qualified for traffic school. If permission is granted by the court to take a state authorized defensive driving class, complete successfully and submit proof of completion to the state, the violation and the points are then removed from your driving record.

This shows that attendance at traffic school in LA is permitted to take a violation from your driving record only once every 12-18 months, and only if it is a minor traffic violation.

Reader’s Question:

My younger brother, Billy, got arrested for drunk driving in Texas. He got off with a 24-hour community service as he was only a first-time offender. However, I want to know what he’ll have to face next if he gets arrested for the second time, and if it would affect my automobile insurance rates since he usually borrows my car.

Rex

Amarillo, TX

Well, Rex, your brother may not have a clear idea of the severity of what he did. If he gets arrested for a second time in six years, he will be facing a Class A Misdemeanor. A Class A Misdemeanor will translate to anywhere between 72 hours to one year jail time, depending on the recommendations of the assessor’s office. I suppose that will be pretty long for people spending time in jail for the first time. Rex, I’m just painting a picture for your brother here.

Apart from doing time, he will also be made to pay fines for drunk driving. For second time offenders, a fine not exceeding $4,000 is usually meted out. On top of the regular fines, the State of Texas will also impose an add-on charge of around $1,500 per year for a period of two years. If your BAC level is found to be double or more than double the legal limit, then the corresponding surcharge will be $2,000.

Your automobile insurance rates will significantly increase if your brother gets arrested for the same offense again. It will be your responsibility to control your brother because you own the car. If your brother accidentally injures someone while driving your car, your automobile insurance will have to shoulder the expenses. So Rex, if you don’t want to pay higher automobile insurance premiums, don’t let your brother borrow your car. If he can’t avoid drinking, then just ask him to have you pick him up instead.

Tags: auto insurance premium, car insurance rate, drunk driving insurance, DUI, DUI insurance

Reader’s Question:

I’m a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana. I just recently learned how to drive, and now I need help getting auto insurance. Can you give me more information, so I could get the best auto insurance rates?

Dean

New Orleans, LA

Hi there! I can sense your excitement on being a new driver. I remember sweating profusely back then, when I had to maneuver and park in a tight space. One thing’s certain, though: you’ll get better at it as you go along. For starters, never drive without an auto insurance coverage because you will never know what might happen when you’re on the road. To know more fully about how auto insurance works, and to help in getting the best auto insurance rates, you might also want to familiarize yourself with common insurance terms like deductibles, exclusions, costs above policy limits and premium.

When buying auto insurance, you will often hear the word deductibles. It is the amount the policy holder initially pays or shells out following an accident, before his auto insurance company assumes its part of the bargain. It is sometimes referred to as participating fee. This is important if, say, you got hit by another motor vehicle and you need to make insurance claims to have your car fixed. Before you can make the claim, your insurer will require you to pay out the amount you (and the insurer) initially agreed on when you entered into a contract.

Another term you’d certainly come across when getting auto insurance is exclusions. Exclusions are situations that your auto insurance policy coverage automatically leave out, like intentional damages to property and personal injury. These are mainly drawn up to protect auto insurance companies – or any insurance company, for that matter – from fraudulent claims.

You would also encounter a phrase like costs above policy limits, which is really just another name for cap. And of course, we have premium. This is the amount the policy holder regularly pays (monthly or annually) to get insurance coverage.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, auto insurance policy, auto insurance premium, car insurance rate, deductible

Reader’s Question:

Why are automobile insurance rates in Massachusetts higher than Rhode Island’s?

Brooke

Boston, Massachusetts

The State of Massachusetts strictly adheres to the no-fault act. Massachusetts’ financial responsibility laws require all its resident drivers to have no-fault insurance or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Beyond PIP, the state makes it compulsory for all its motorists to have minimum liability and uninsured motorist insurance, as well. Meanwhile, the State of Rhode Island only has the requirement of uninsured motorist and minimum liability insurance for its drivers. This may explain why automobile insurance rates in Massachusetts are slightly higher that its neighbor Rhode Island.

Most Massachusetts residents end up paying high insurance premiums even if they have had clean driving records because of lack of necessary information. Most think that they just need to accept these rates that their companies charge them. This should not be the case as there are other legitimate automobile insurance companies out there looking out for your best interest. Start visiting websites of accredited insurance companies in Massachusetts. The discounts that auto insurance companies are capable of offering are not usually advertised. It’s really up to you to inquire after them.

Having a good driving record is always a sure way to be eligible for discounts. Buying other policies such as homeowner’s or renter’s insurance from the same company you bought your car insurance from might qualify you to receive multiple policy discounts. Don’t hesitate to talk to your Massachusetts insurance agent about these things. You’ll be surprised at how much you may save in the future.

Tags: auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company, Car insurance discounts, no-fault

Reader’s Question:

My mom, who is a senior citizen living in my home state of Colorado, needs to purchase automobile insurance. What should I tell her about finding low automobile insurance rates?

Denny

Denver, CO

Denny, there are several ways on how to seek low automobile insurance rates. You just have to always bear in mind these two questions:

The first one is: How does one get automobile insurance?

There are two ways. You can go online and surf the Internet. You can ask for free instant quotes when you go to the Web sites of different nationally or regionally accredited automobile insurance companies. This saves you much time, effort and money because you can just do everything in front of a computer. Just ask for the list of accredited agents and brokers from Colorado’s Department of Insurance.

You can also make use of the traditional ways. You could get a hold of the Yellow Pages and call several automobile insurance companies one by one, or you could require the services of an independent automobile insurance agent, who sells different policies from different companies, that will guide you through the whole process of buying car insurance. The advantage of this is that you get a feel that you are actually transacting with people, something that you do not get when you’re on the Internet.

Now, the second question is: How does one get low automobile insurance rates?

You should maximize the presence of discounts. For senior citizens, up to 10% discounts are available. You can ask for this from the automobile insurance broker. And since the automobile insurance is for your mom, might as well get discounts for female drivers to further reduce her premium. You might be surprised, but automobile insurance rates for female drivers are generally cheaper than males because they are statistically less hazardous on the road.

I hope I answered your question, and I hope you find what you are looking for.

Tags: auto insurance online, car insurance rate, Female Car Insurance, senior car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I want to lower my auto insurance rates here in Florida. That’s why I’m shopping for a good anti-theft device. Can you give me some recommendations and tips on how to go about it?

Reggie

Miami, FL

Yes, Reggie, it’s good that you are aware that auto insurance providers give discounts to policy holders who make sure their cars are harder to steal. This is true in all states, including Florida. You see, mounting an anti-car theft device openly indicates that you are serious in protecting your car, and your auto insurance company will definitely be willing to give you discounts because of it.

Although it’s never foolproof and your car might still get stolen, it’ll surely hold off car thieves, since they’d know they will have a hard time breaking in. A kill switch is a device that will shut your car off automatically. It effectively shuts down the engine, thus marring car theft attempts. In fact, kill switches are used by NASCAR drivers when their accelerator pedals get stuck. You can actually install a kill switch (also called e-stop) by yourself for as low as ten dollars. However, if you’re not confident enough to install it yourself, you may have to shell out more than that. So, if the goal is to maximize savings, I recommend that you install it yourself.

You might also want to stay away from factory-installed anti-theft security systems, as these are easily disabled and may not really do much in terms of protecting your car. Well, so there, Reggie, I hope I was able to help you out.

Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, Car Insurance Company, Car insurance discounts