Auto Insurance

Along with vehicle registration and a driver’s license, auto insurance is one of the requirements by law needed to operate a passenger vehicle. The minimum amounts of property damage and personal injury liability vary from state to state, but all states require auto insurance in one form or another. And although insurance can be fairly complicated when the details are involved, an explanation of its basic principles is simple.

Essentially, when you purchase auto insurance, you are hedging against any serious financial liability should you be found liable in an auto accident. You purchase what is known as a premium, which can be paid upfront or in installments, and that premium buys you an insurance policy. Basic insurance policies cover only the property damage and personal injury costs you inflict on another partynot your own–while more expensive coverage includes collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist insurance. Each added coverage adds a level of protection to your insurance. You can also choose to increase your liability limits. A basic limit, for example, would cover $25,000 worth of personal injury for another party, but it can be increased to $50,000 or to as much as you’d like it.

Auto insurance rates are determined by many factors including driving history, age and gender. Insurance is the business of calculating risk, and because, for example, women statistically get into fewer accidents than men, their rates are generally lower. It may seem unfair if you are a man, but the determination of rates involves an ever-changing list of factors and mathematical probabilities. 

What is for certain is that you need to have auto insurance if you are to drive legally. Not only can it protect your vehicle in case of an accident, it can keep you from being financially liable in the event that you are to blame for an accident.

  • The Necessity of Car Insurance

    Posted on December 16, 2013

    Getting auto insurance is a necessary part of buying a car in order to legally drive. Many different types of auto insurance coverage are available to make sure you’re protected in a wide range of circumstances. Once you have an idea of the kind of auto insurance you want, you can contact different providers to […]

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  • Lowering Your Auto Insurance Rate

    Posted on December 13, 2013

    As more vehicles are entering the roadways each year and the level of accidents continues to increase, your auto insurance rates can be affected. Your insurance rate is determined by various factors, such as your personal information, the type of vehicle you own, your driving record and the policies of the insurance company you choose. […]

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  • Know Your Options for Auto Insurance Payments

    Posted on December 13, 2013

    When you are in the market to get your car insured, there are a number of ways you can make your auto insurance payments. Most policies last for a period of six months. Some, if you inquire, will extend for 12 months. The price that you receive for that period is called the premium. Essentially, […]

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  • The Roles of Auto Insurance Brokers, Agents and Underwriters

    Posted on December 4, 2013

    Auto insurance brokers and agents are two very different professionals. Essentially, an auto insurance agent is a representative of an insurance company. They might be a franchise owner but nevertheless, they are authorized to sell the insurance offered by that particular company. An auto insurance broker, on the other hand, is in the business of […]

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  • Why You Should Consider Roadside Assistance

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    Roadside assistance costs vary between providers depending on the level and type of service that they offer. For the basic roadside assistance service, the cost can range from $45.00 to $65.00 for a single driver membership. $56.00 for a couple, and $76.00 for a family plan. For the premier level of service, you can expect […]

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  • What are the Requirements for Getting Umbrella Auto Insurance?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    The prerequisite requirement for purchasing umbrella auto insurance is that you already have a standard auto insurance policy in good standing and active. An umbrella insurance plan is liability coverage that comes into play once the liability coverage of your base policy has been exhausted. It effectively adds an additional amount, in $1,000,000 increments, to the […]

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  • Where can I Look Up Reviews on Progressive Auto Insurance?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    There are many websites that give reviews on Progressive auto insurance. Unfortunately, the general consensus is that Progressive is not a great insurance company. The largest numbers of complaints have to do with customer service and claim denial. Considering that Progressive is a large company, and insures a lot of autos, the reviews may not […]

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  • What are the Auto Insurance Limits of Liability Requirements in California?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    California is known to be a state that has very strict auto insurance limits of liability. It requires that your car should at least have bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. It requires you to have $15,000 insurance worth for injury or death, $30,000 for injury or death if it is more than one […]

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  • What is Combined Liability Insurance?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    Combined liability insurance is simply the bodily injury and property damage liability insurances rolled into one policy. You therefore don’t have to pay two separate policies for these types of liability insurances. This is much better and less of a hassle since you just have to pay one premium. This also turns out to be […]

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  • How Many Different Types of Liability Insurance are there for Autos?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    There are 2 basic types of liability insurance for your cars, and they are bodily injury and property damage. Both these liability insurances free you from any liability that you may have from third parties when you get into an accident. Bodily injury refers to people or individuals who are part of the accident. For […]

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  • What is a Deductible for Car Insurance?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    ‘What is a deductible for car insurance?’ is not a difficult question to answer. A car insurance deductible is a part of the insurance that the policy holder must pay in the event of an accident. It is the participation fee that you must pay, which is a portion of the total cost of the […]

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  • Can You Have Two Insurance Policies on One Car?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    No, you cannot have two insurance policies on one car. This is because the two insurance policies could get into conflict with each other on who will be burdened by the responsibility if ever you get into an accident. Also, you are not allowed to have two claims on one accident. There are some bizarre […]

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  • Are there any Car Insurance Company Rankings?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    No, there are no official car insurance company rankings. However, if you search the Internet, you will be able to find several reviews on most of the major insurance companies. These reviews usually offer a star rating. Several review websites will allow you to sort the companies from those with the most stars, down to […]

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  • Where can I Look Up Car Insurance Company Reviews?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    There are several websites on the internet that offer car insurance company reviews. Below is a list of a few of them: CarsDirect: The website provides a detailed preview and review of many car insurance companies. The reviews are written by experts. review centre: This website allows people to review car insurance companies, along with […]

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  • Factors That Affect Insurance Premiums

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    Insurance premiums fluctuate in price for a number of reasons; some of them at your discretion and some you cannot control. If you’ve ever wondered what actually goes into your insurance premium costs, look no further. At Fault Accidents Your accident insurance premiums are unlikely to increase, if the accident was not your fault, and […]

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  • Can I Get Car Insurance Coverage with an Overseas Drivers License?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    Although it may seem to be a hassle to get insurance coverage with an overseas drivers license, it is actually quite easy. You just have to know the proper steps. You should first get a Social Security Number and probably own a car. If you don’t have enough money to buy a car, you can […]

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  • Do Auto Insurance Providers Have Coverage Plans for Traveling to Foreign Countries?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    Yes, there are some insurance providers that can cover you even when traveling to foreign countries. When you travel a lot, be sure to choose an insurance plan that will cover you when you are abroad. This is usually in the fine print, so you have to be very thorough and precise. Let’s say, for […]

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  • Is Driving in the USA with a Foreign License Legal?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    It is not legal if you are driving in the USA with a foreign license, because the license is not valid in the US. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP), which translates the information on your driver’s license into ten different languages, so people from other countries will understand. However, the US does not issue international […]

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  • Which is the Best Company for Cheap International Car Insurance?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    One of the best and cheap international car insurance companies is Alexander Forbes. They have been operating since 1924, so these guys know what they are doing. This company has had so many experiences with international insurance coverage that they are able to lower their rates for their expertise and service. They are the ones […]

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  • Where can I Get an International Driving License Form?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    An international driving license form can be acquired from various companies or websites in your country that offer the processing and issuance of IDP’s (international driving permits). Before you even go to their offices and apply, make sure to visit their websites and get all the requirements. This will usually include the application form that […]

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  • What is the Best Car Insurance Company Based on Customer Satisfaction?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    After reading several reviews and looking through independent ranking lists, the answer to the question: “What is the best insurance company?” is Erie Insurance. This decision is based on the fact that this company has a lot of loyal customers, who renew insurance with them year after year. They have been rewarded five star ratings […]

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  • Who is the Most Popular Online Car Insurance Broker?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    There is a wide range to sort from concerning the online car insurance broker. You would be mistaken to assume that just because several brokers are comparing the same insurance companies, that they will all give you the same one as the cheapest. In order to get the best deal, you should use several online […]

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  • On Average, How Good are the Nationwide Insurance Ratings?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    Nationwide Insurance ratings are quite poor. Having researched several online review websites to find out what real people think of Nationwide and the insurance that they offer. Rather than going to the company website, which would just show the company in its best light with all glowing reviews. The “Free Advice” website claims that 52% […]

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  • How Accident Forgiveness Insurance Works and Which Companies Offer It?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    Accident Forgiveness Insurance ensures that if a driver has one accident on an otherwise clean driving record, they will not be penalized by their insurance premium increasing. Nationwide is a large American insurance company that philosophizes that accidents do happen, even to the safest of drivers. This coverage is only valid on the first at-fault […]

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  • Where is the Nationwide Insurance Headquarters Located?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    The Nationwide insurance headquarters are located in Columbus at the following address: Nationwide World Headquarters, One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH 43215–2220. This address can be found on the Nationwide website. The headquarters address can be used to send any correspondence via letter, but it is worth bearing in mind that mail is the slowest form […]

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  • What is Required to Make a Nationwide Insurance Claim?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    In order to make a Nationwide insurance claim, you will need the same information as you would to make a claim with any other car insurance company. All insurance companies require the same information from their policy holders. It is necessary to provide proof of your name, address, telephone number, date of birth and social […]

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  • What is Required to Submit a No Fault Claim?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    When submitting a no fault claim, it is necessary to provide proof of your name, address, telephone number, date of birth and social security number. The most commonly accepted proof of this information includes birth certificate, driving license and bills. In order to place a claim, you will have to provide information about the date, […]

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  • Can I Look Up Automobile Accident Reports Online?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    Yes, anyone can look up automobile accident reports online, providing they have the correct information to carry out the search. First, you will need to know the city/state of the accident, as this is the database in which you will carry out your search. This is important, since not every accident in the USA is […]

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  • Who is in Charge of Determining the Fault in a Car Accident?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    When it comes to determining fault in a car accident, it is up to the insurance company. The insurance companies of both parties will confer and come to a mutual agreement. Both insurance companies will collect a statement from their policyholder regarding what happened at the scene of the accident, as well as a statement […]

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  • Does Your Driving Record Factor into Rental Car Insurance Cost?

    Posted on October 7, 2013

    Yes, your previous driving record is taken into consideration when determining your rental car insurance cost. If you have a poor driving record scattered with several accidents and insurance claims, then your rental insurance will be higher, as the company will assume that you are more of a “high risk” driver than someone with a […]

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