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Online Auto Insurance Purchases Up 22 Percent Last Year

Posted in Auto Insurance , Auto Insurance Quotes , Compare Auto Insurance

April 29th, 2010
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A new report from comScore, Inc., a company that measures digital data, revealed that auto insurance purchases made by customers who shopped online increased 22 percent in 2009. The report, title 2010 U.S. Online Auto Insurance, found that the total number of online auto insurance purchases made was 2.8 million and the number of requests submitted was 38.8 million.

Consumers Sought to Save on Auto Insurance

According to the report, consumers spent more time online because they saw the Internet as a way to fulfill their need for cheaper auto insurance. The report noted that times have been especially tough since the recession, which has led many consumers to seek the web for ways to save. Undoubtedly, shopping around is a great way to lower coverage and the Internet offers great opportunities to comparison shop quickly and efficiently.

Ways You Can Save Too

It seems that the people in the report were able to have a good amount of success saving on auto insurance by shopping online. The good news is that you can too. Here are just a few ways to save:

• Look for discounts: Finding discounts is a great way to lower your rates or finding cheaper auto insurance quotes.
• Raise your deductible: By increasing your deductible amount, you can lower your initial quote and monthly premium.
• Consider paying as you go: Programs like Progressive’s MyRate allow you to pay for the number of miles you drive instead of being charged for your credit score, past driving record, location, education, etc.

There are other ways to lower your auto insurance rates, especially when purchasing online. So consider taking the route so many others have tried and shop for auto insurance the new and improved way.

U.S. Auto Insurance Averaged $1,570 Annually for March 2010

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April 12th, 2010
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New figures from the CarInsurance.com Premium Index show that the cost of car insurance in the U.S. averaged $1,570 annually in March 2010. While this number may seem a bit high for some, it actually reflects an average that shows a decrease in auto insurance premiums for most states as compared to the same time last year.

Premiums Varied from State to State

While the average auto insurance premium for the nation was around $1,500, statistics from state to state varied a bit. For instance, if you live in New Jersey, the average rate for the area in March was $2,475. On the other hand, Iowa residents got off easy for the month, only having to pay an average of $992. Of course, many factors contributed to the average rates, but overall, the above numbers are what the states paid for the month.

Rates Expected to Stay Steady

According to CarInsurance.com, the rates are expected to stay steady for some time as they have fallen into this range for several months. Having an idea of what you could expect to pay for your auto insurance rates helps you decide what you want to pay then do something about it.

What can you do? Well, you could look for discounts to help lower your rates. You could also consider increase your deductible amount to lower your monthly premium. If you’re really determined, you could choose a car that offer lower auto insurance rates. And of course, you could always shop around for cheaper rates.

There’s always something special about knowing you’re getting a good deal on auto insurance. So if you’re not happy with your current premiums, now’s the time to do something about it!

How a DUI Affects Insurance Rates

Posted in Auto Insurance , Compare Auto Insurance

April 9th, 2010
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You never think it’s going to happen to you. You have a few drinks with dinner, roll through a stop sign, and next thing you know you’re being pulled over for a minor offense. The officer suspects alcohol is involved and you realize you’re slightly over the legal limit.

All of the sudden you’re slapped with thousands of dollars in fines and a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) misdemeanor.

Will I Lose my Insurance After a DUI?

Your insurance rates won’t immediately change because of a DUI. If you’re locked into a year policy, you may be able to avoid having your premiums hiked up until renewal time. At that time your insurance company will probably ask you if there have been any changes in your driving record. There’s a good chance they are going to access your driving history and if the DUI has made its way onto your record, there’s no way to avoid a rate increase.

In some serious cases insurance companies may elect not renew your car insurance after a DUI conviction. Most companies won’t cancel your policy for one offense, but if you have other negatives on your record, like speeding tickets or at fault accidents, you may be considered too risky.

Ultimately, your fate will depend on which company you are insured with.

According to insure.com, if you’re with Progressive, you will not face cancellation because of a DUI, but you will have a rate increase.

State Farm Insurance, on the other hand, will re-classify those with DUIs into State Farm Fire & Casualty, a classification for high risk drivers. Essentially you’re being dropped from one policy and placed on a new one.

Insurance Loopholes

Occasionally, there are loopholes in the system.

If you can manage to have your DUI reduced in a plea bargain, or only have your license suspended for 30 days, it’s possible your insurer won’t change your rates.

How Do I Get New Insurance?

It is still possible to find affordable auto insurance with a DUI, but it’s going to take some shopping around. You can start by finding auto insurance quotes on Go Insurance Rates.

Like anyone else pursuing auto insurance, the quotes you receive are going to vary from each company. Take your time and evaluate each company’s policies. Often, it will help to speak with an actual customer service representative as well. They can help negotiate rates if you explain your situation.

All-Time Best Auto Insurance Commercials

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March 25th, 2010
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Auto insurance commercials are prime ways for companies to draw attention to their brand and lure in some interested customers. However, because there are so many out there, its often important for companies to be more creative than their competition, resulting in some pretty funny ads.

If youre a commercial lover and are on the prowl for some new auto insurance take a look at some of the all-time best auto insurance commercials out there. You may find that in the next few minutes youve gotten a few laughs and maybe even a new insurance provider.

Everyone knows there are little brats out there that can do a little damage knock over a plant or even put Ex-Lax in the doggie dish but you never think that youll need a new auto insurance policy simply because someone brought a child to the bank.

However, Nationwide Insurance shows you that coverage is crucial, even at the banks drive-up teller window.

CURE Auto Insurance is based in New Jersey and takes pride in offering alternative auto insurance options to drivers trying to avoid the states high premiums.

A cute little talking dot paves the way to the auto insurers door and in this funny commercial, the road requires a little bit of censorship.

You may accustomed to Allstate Insurance giving you serious commercials about the importance of insuring your family, but every now and then the company has to give you a laugh. In this one, the poor guy is lucky to be insured after some miscommunication results in the terrible fate for his new vehicle.

There have been studies that point to guys being worse drivers than women, which may be why the Australian company, 1st for Women Car Insurance, decided to cater to one gender only. If youre not sure whether this is fair or not, take a look at this commercial. In 33 seconds, youll be feeling the same way as the insurer.

Theres nothing wrong with fantasizing about your dream guy; well, that is unless youre behind the wheel at the time. These ladies on a girls day out learn this the hard way in this Allstate commercial.

Of course, auto insurance commercials alone wont convince you to shop around for a new auto insurance policy. But after seeing these commercials, maybe youre convinced that getting your hands on a policy is the best choice you can make for your car.

What Kind of Auto Insurance Do I Need? (Matrix)

Posted in Auto Insurance , Compare Auto Insurance

February 25th, 2010
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Choosing an auto insurance policy can be tricky business, especially when there are so many factors to consider within each policy besides car insurance rates. Whether you’re choosing the amount of liability coverage to purchase, deciding whether to add comprehensive and collision coverage, or contemplating extras like personal injury protection and gap coverage, there’s a lot to think about.

What’s interesting about selecting coverage is that personal circumstances almost always play a role in what is best for us. However, most of us consider price more than our circumstances when choosing our coverage.

If you’re interested in choosing the right coverage based on your life then it’s a good idea to take a look at the auto insurance matrix below. It could help you determine which type of coverage or rider could work for you based on specific preferences or circumstances.

Auto Insurance Matrix: Choosing the Right Coverage

	Bodily Injury & Property Damage Liability	Uninsured / Underinsured Motoritst Bodily Injury Liability	Personal Injury Protection (PIP)	Comprehensive	Collision	Gap Coverage
If insurance is required by your state
If you have an old car
If your car is new or financed
If you have no health insurance
If you have health insurance but a frequent driver or passenger does not
If you live in an area with wild animals
If your area is prone to natural disasters
If you owe more than your car is worth
If you ever park on a lot or street
If you have a teen driver
If you live in a high-crime neighborhood
Expect a deductible with

(The numbers represent the minimum coverage to purchase per scenario)

Note: Some states require uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury liability, as well as personal injury protection. Check with your state’s Department of Transportation for more information.

Top 5 Worthless Auto Insurance Add-Ons

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February 15th, 2010
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It’s no secret that car insurance companies sometimes come up with policy features/riders that are basically useless. While some features like roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, gap coverage and towing and labor can be very beneficial, some being offered just aren’t.

So in case you’re not sure of what features you want before buying an auto insurance policy, take a look at the top five features that you can pretty much do without.

Photo by brian cors

1. Customized Equipment

Customized equipment features can cover any variety of parts on your car, including the customized wheels, spoilers, and customized paint or decals. While this isn’t a bad option to have if you own a “Pimp My Ride” styled car, if you have a run-of-the-mill, point A to point B car, you don’t need to insure anymore than the car itself – and of course, the passengers in it.

Photo by thefatnick

2. Sound System

If an insurer tries to convince you to add on sound system coverage when you’re working with the standard manufacturer-installed system, you can feel free to throw any expletives you want their way as you tell them to remove the feature. This type of coverage protects your high-end sound system if it is stolen or damaged, but since warranties typically come with this type of purchase, you shouldn’t need this feature at all.

Photo by aramk

3. Vehicle Rental/Trip Interruption

While this feature isn’t entirely worthless, it’s really not necessary unless you are an avid traveler. Usually, you can take advantage of some decent features with your rental car, credit cards, etc., that will help reimburse you quite impressively. So paying every month for this type of feature is essentially a waste of your money.

Photo by nedrai

4. CD/DVDs

Do you carry that many CDs and DVDs that you feel the need to insure them – alone? Well, if the answer is yes then you can take advantage of CD/DVD coverage that will reimburse you for a certain amount of the loss of the digital media used with your car’s stereo as long as they were in the car at the time of loss. For most people, however, this is just throw-away coverage.

Photo by sea turtle

5. Auto Glass

If you already have a comprehensive auto insurance policy, it will cover broken glass. So paying for additional auto glass coverage is only beneficial if you carry only liability coverage and for some reason worry that your crazy ex-boyfriend/girlfriend will smash your car windows.

When obtaining your quote for auto insurance, whether online or in person with an insurer, you want to double check that you’re not about to pay for these or other worthless auto insurance features. Affording auto coverage can be tough enough without having to pay for features that you will never use.

Top 3 Things to Consider When Comparing Car Insurance Premiums

Posted in Auto Insurance , Compare Auto Insurance

February 5th, 2010
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When you think about auto insurance, the first thing that usually comes to mind is how expensive your car insurance premiums are. It is important to compare car insurance premiums, and there are some factors you may not be paying enough attention to when comparing rates.

Comparing Insurance Companies

Here are the top 3 things you should consider when comparing car insurance rates.

• 1. Customer service. Does the company you’re considering have a history of putting customers first? More often than not, people are willing to pay a little more for exceptional customer service over other companies. You only call on your insurance company when there’s an accident and you’re stressed. Make sure the company you choose will be supportive and understanding throughout the claims process. Saving a little more now could result in big headaches down the line if you’re not careful.
• 2. Insurance coverage options. Make sure your company has the options you need. If the insurer you choose has the lowest rates but only for liability insurance for example, and you need comprehensive, it may cost you more to get the full coverage option than at a comparable insurance company. See how rates can be tricky? Make sure you’re informed on the insurance options that the company offers when you’re looking to compare auto insurance premiums side by side.
• 3. Extras. Does your company offer discounted rental car service or concierge services? Does it offer free roadside assistance? If not, you should look into a company that will provide you with extra perks. Some insurance companies have great deals with other businesses and will pass on discounted savings to you, their customer.

Now that you know there are other things to consider when comparing auto insurance rates, you can shop smarter. Low rates are a great thing but there are some things worth paying for. To begin your search for the best insurance rates with quality insurance companies, fill out our form and you’ll be provided with free car insurance quotes in minutes. We’re here to help you save!

National Median Auto Insurance Cost $702 for 6-Month Policy, Study Says

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February 4th, 2010
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New data released by InsWeb revealed that the current median price for a six-month policy is $702, which indicates a decrease of approximately 0.5 percent over the last six months. The median price indicates the middle price of car insurance with roughly 50 percent of costs above and below this number, as opposed to the average cost, which totals the sum of costs, divides into the sum by the number of sums added then comes up with cost most people pay.

Specifics from the Survey

The survey was able to release median costs for not just the nation, but also specific demographic groups. Here are specifics from the survey:

• Men pay a median car insurance rate of $720 for a six-month policy
• Women pay a median car insurance rate of $683, which is 5 percent lower than men
• Drivers age 19 and younger pay a high median rate of nearly $1,300
• Drivers ages 60 to 74 have a median rate of $596

(Learn how your auto insurance is calculated)

Savings Tips from InsWeb

In addition to providing information on current median prices for auto insurance, InsWeb offered five tips for lowering auto insurance rates:

1. Take advantage of discounts: Most consumers are eligible for at least one of the following discounts: good driver, loyal customer, good student, safe vehicle, or some other type.
2. Increase your deductible: By adding a higher deductible to your policy, you can lower your auto insurance premium.
3. Insure car and home with same carrier: By choosing a multi-line insurance policy, the insurance company will usually cut you a deal on both premiums.
4. Pay your policy at one time: Instead of paying month-by-month, you could pay in one lump sum and lower your costs.
5. Shop around for rates: By looking around with different insurers, you’re destined to find different quotes, which is why your best bet is to shop around until you find best quote for you.

To find other great ways to save on auto insurance, visit Go Insurance Rates.

J.D. Power Study: Resale Value and Vehicle Quality Important to Car Owners

Posted in Auto Insurance , Compare Auto Insurance

December 14th, 2009
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A new report released by J.D. Power and Associates reveals that the resale value and quality of a vehicle are important reasons that new-vehicle buyers remain loyal to a particular brand. In its seventh year of measuring this concept, J.D. Powers found that the components have been important to car buyers for some time.

Car Ownership Study Findings

According to the study, owner loyalty had a great deal to do with a number of factors, including:

• Resale value: The study found that owner loyalty increased by 12 percentage points in 2009 for those owners who found that the resale value for their vehicle was high.
• Vehicle quality: The importance of vehicle quality for car owners saw an increase of six percentage points from 2008 for those who felt they were driving a high-quality car.

Some other factors the study found influenced loyalty were vehicle safety, fuel economy and deals/incentives.

What Cars Retain the Most Owners

The study also listed 2009 cars that maintained high owner loyalty. Some of the top ranking vehicles for their retention rates included:

• Mercedes-Benz – 67%
• Honda – 64%
• Toyota – 61%
• Lexus – 57%
• Subaru – 57%
• Ford – 56%
• Nissan – 55%
• Chevrolet – 52%

Some other high-ranking vehicles that landed above the industry average of 48% included BMW (52%) and Porsche (52%).

Vehicle Quality and Auto Insurance

As you may know, the vehicle quality is important to how much an insurance company may charge for coverage. If the vehicle offers high safety ratings, the insurance rates will likely be lower. So as you choose your vehicles in the new year, it’s good to keep in mind the quality of a vehicle before purchasing it.

If you already have some vehicles in mind, you could begin comparison shopping for auto insurance now at Go Insurance Rates. This way, when it’s time to choose your vehicle, you will have an idea of the costs insurance could add.

2 Ways to Get a Competitive Auto Insurance Quote

Posted in Auto Insurance , Auto Insurance Quotes , Compare Auto Insurance

September 18th, 2009
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Finding the most competitive auto insurance quote is a very challenging thing to do. There are literally thousands of auto insurance quotes floating around out there, and they all claim to be competitive. So how do you know if you got a competitive auto insurance quote?

There is no perfect way to determine whether you have found the most competitive auto insurance rate currently available, but there are plenty of common sense tactics you can employ to make sure you’ve done a thorough job. Auto insurance doesn’t have to cost a fortune to be effective and the right fit for your needs.

Method 1: Scour the Internet

One way to look for competitive auto insurance quotes is by scouring the Internet.

You’ll have to fill out a lot of information fields, and it may seem pretty boring, but rest assured that searching the Internet for competitive auto insurance quotes is definitely the easiest and fastest way to search for anything and everything, and that includes auto insurance quotes.

Method 2: Calling around

It also pays to contact as many auto insurance providers in your local area as you can.

Searching on the Internet may be comparatively easy, but there’s nothing like face-to-face contact to lead to possible deals. After all, how could you negotiate with a computer-generated quote? With a real, live, human auto insurance broker you’ve got a much better chance of fine-tuning a potential policy so that you get it to the right amount to suit your needs and budget.

By comparing as many auto insurance offers as possible, you will get a very good idea of what’s out there. Keep in mind that auto insurance offers are going to vary from individual to individual because everyone has different driving records, as well as the fact that auto insurance rates will vary according to such factors as where you live, and how much you drive. If you keep getting the same response from multiple auto insurance providers then it’s probably fair to say you’ve found the rate you’re going to get.