Tips From An Insurance Agent: Getting A Lower Rate On Your Auto Policy

Are you one of those drivers who picks an insurance agent, chooses a policy, and never changes it? If so, you could be losing out on a lot of potential savings. Taking the following steps will help you negotiate lower auto insurance rates for you and your family.

Make Sure You Have Enough Coverage

When you first purchased your vehicle, you very likely insured that vehicle with your local insurance agent. One mistake many drivers make is not knowing what their policy covers when the car is actually in an accident. Before you try to have your rates lowered, you need to make sure you are paying for enough coverage in the event of an accident. Determining whether you have enough coverage can be tricky, but taking a look over your driving history can help you decide If you have an appropriate level of coverage for your personal driving habits.

Make Sure to Ask the Right Questions

Next, prepare a list of questions to ask the insurance agent. You first need to be honest about why you are getting in touch with them. Tell them what you are currently paying on your auto policy and that you are interested in switching to a new company with better rates.

Next, ask about how much you could save if you were to insure both your vehicle and your home. If you can get a significant discount, you may want to consider moving your homeowner's coverage there as well. Other things you need to ask about are whether or not there is a pre-payment discount, employee discounts, student discounts, and discounts for certain safety features that your car may have.

You can also ask about the benefits you would receive with that company. Services like roadside assistance, for instance, may be something that you have to pay for separately. However, if a company offers you a single premium that covers these additional services, you may be able to benefit from extra convenience and savings.

Shop Around At Other Agencies

Once you know what type of coverage you have, it's time to shop around some of the different agencies that are available to you. There are many ways to go about this. If there are local offices in your area, you can simply stop by and ask for the information you need to make an informed decision. Most insurance agents also have websites you can look at to get their policies and rate information without volunteering any information. You can also call the office on the phone. Many people prefer this to visiting in person or using the websites for a few reasons.

First, they can have a list of questions, current policy information, and everything else right in front of them as they ask their questions. In addition, talking to a real person who works at the agency may lead to additional deals that aren't offered on the website.

Changing your auto insurance can be a pain, but it can also save you a significant amount of money in the long run. Be sure to speak to an insurance agent when you contact these companies in order to get the most accurate information possible.

Five Tricks To Keep Your Auto Insurance Rate Reasonable

Auto insurance is a necessity, but it doesn't have to bust your wallet. Several resources you can tap into will allow you to pay lower upfront rates and spend less in case of an accident. Though budget-friendly plans are your goal, providers who offer incredibly cheap premiums aren't always worth settling for. The following are five tricks to take into account when shopping for car insurance.

1: Bundle Your Services

If you've just relocated to another state or county, you might want to investigate bundling your renters' or home coverage with your auto insurance. Many companies offer policy bundles at a discount, which can save you money annually. This strategy also caters to your convenience; you'll always know who to contact in case of a crisis involving your property. There's no need to keep track of multiple policy guidelines if you choose to consolidate your coverage.

2: Let Companies Bid For You

It's worth shopping around for the best policy. An attractive premium at the first company you investigate, or the lack of familiarity with coverage in general, can make settling a tempting prospect. Shopping around and letting providers know you're doing so will earn you a better rate in the end. Let companies bid for your business rather than the other way around. If you feel apprehensive about negotiating for better rates, get an insurance agent to score a good deal on your behalf. It is within your right to tell one business that another is offering you a lower rate and to give them a chance to counter that offer.

3: Look Into Low-Income Opportunities

Some states offer insurance programs for people at or below the poverty income level. If you fit into this category, or if your credit score is so poor that you have little chance at a decent rate otherwise, this route is worth taking. Insurance programs geared toward low-income candidates offer premiums around only 400 dollars. Certain states even offer this type of program at no cost.

4: Buy Your Car Based On Insurance Rates

Most people shop around for coverage after they purchase their car. Auto insurance as an afterthought can hurt your wallet, however. If you're in the market for a new car, it's worth investigating what rates are offered for each make and model in which you are interested.

Choose an older model versus a brand-new car if you can; the rates are always lower on prior models. Make sure it still includes necessary features. Some policy providers will offer discounts for cars featuring anti-theft alarms, motorized seatbelts, and onboard emergency systems.

5: Consider A Pay-As-You-Drive Policy

If you don't drive long distances, consider a policy based on your monthly or annual mileage. These plans allow your premium to fluctuate based on how often you get behind the wheel. Your mileage is tracked through annual or monthly reports you must make to your policy provider.

Insuring your vehicle is necessary, but it doesn't have to be expensive. A willingness to do some research and inquire about resources can go a long way when trying to score a lower annual or monthly bill.

The Top 5 Myths About Car Insurance

There is a lot of misinformation about car insurance floating around. Here we bust five common car insurance myths.

Myth #1: Where You Live Has No Impact on Coverage

Unfortunately, this is false. While where you live may not necessarily be your choice, it does have an impact on your car insurance. People who live in rural areas are likely to pay less than those who live in the city, as city dwellers are at a higher risk for claims due to more people and increased likelihood of theft.

Myth #2: Older Drivers Have Higher Rates

For the most part, this is not true. The thing to keep in mind when it comes to car insurance is that every driver is different. Although rates for drivers older than the age of 25 are generally lower, that is entirely dependent upon driving history. For example, if a 55-year-old driver receives numerous moving violations over the course of several years then that driver may find their rates increase over time, as opposed to decreasing with each passing year.

Myth #3: You're Covered if Your Car is Stolen, Vandalized, Damaged by Hail, Wind, Fire or Flood

Unfortunately, this is also false. What most people don't realize is that basic coverage isn't comprehensive. As a result, if your car is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by the elements, you may be held responsible for out-of-pocket repair expenses for your vehicle. However, if you're leasing a vehicle, you may already be paying for comprehensive and collision coverage, as it is often a condition of leasing.

Myth #4: Your Credit Has No Impact on Your Rate

This is absolutely false. Your credit does impact your car insurance rate, but only in relation to your credit-based insurance score. This credit-based score, which is basically a snapshot of how you manage your financial affairs, gives insurers key insight into how much of a risk you are. Bear in mind that since most people have pretty good credit, the likelihood of having a credit-based insurance score negatively affect your rate is highly unlikely.

Myth #5: The Color of Your Car Makes a Difference

Contrary to popular belief, the color of your car does not have any impact on the price of your car insurance. For example, many drivers think that red cars or black cars will contribute to higher premiums, but the truth is that providers aren't concerned about the color of the car at all. Insurers are more interested in other things such as make and model, year and body style, engine style, the age of the vehicle, and the age and record of the driver. With respect to driving behavior, insurers factor in your accumulated points for moving violations when determining your rates, which is important to note.

What Are The Car Insurance Rules For Towing A Caravan?

Getting away from it all with a caravan is a very popular weekend and holiday activity in the UK.

But do you know the insurance rules for car insurance when towing a caravan?

There are a couple of issues that you need to be aware of if you are new to caravanning.

Firstly, tow bars (and roof racks) are classed as modifications by insurers and need to be declared when you are applying for insurance cover. You should not assume that your car insurance policy covers you for towing a caravan, and if it does you should check whether your cover imposes any size/weight restriction.

You should also check your driver's licence to see whether you are entitled to tow as the law was changed in 1997 and again in January 2013.

If you passed your test before 1997 you can tow any outfit where the combined MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) does not exceed 8,250kg. Maximum Authorised Mass means the maximum total weight that a vehicle or trailer is designed to carry. It is set by the vehicle's manufacturer and includes the vehicle weight and the maximum load it can carry.

If you passed your test after 1997 you are restricted to a combined MAM of 3,500kg and the trailer MAM must not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. Also you must pass an additional driving test in order to gain entitlement to category B+E (Car and Trailer combinations), and also for all larger vehicles.

From January 2013 drivers passing a category B (car and small vehicle) test can tow small trailers weighing no more than 750kg and a trailer over 750kg as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM).

Secondly, your car should be of a suitable size and weight for the caravan you wish to tow. Many people use Land rovers for the purpose, but you should still ensure that your Landover's insurance policy covers towing and therefore you should still declare modifications to the vehicle as describer earlier in this article.

Remember also that your car insurance does not cover any damage to or theft from your caravan; it will only cover third party claims in the event of an accident.

If you are new to caravanning the Camping and Caravanning Club website is a good source of information.

As UK house prices continue to rise, buying property to rent out is becoming an increasingly popular investment for people seeking an income and also to build up some pension security for the future.

But it is important for a new landlord to understand both what their obligations are and also how to protect themselves from the various potential problems that can arise from letting property to tenants.

Income may not be steady, as there may be periods between tenancies when houses or flats are unoccupied. Properties or their contents can also suffer damage that has to be repaired.

There are special types of let property insurance designed for landlords and these cover three main areas, two of them similar to those for owner-occupied properties.

They are Landlords building, Landlords Contents and Landlords Liability insurances.

The buildings insurance will cover for any damage to the structure of the property, such as from a fire or a flood, and will pay out to cover the cost of making repairs. It should also cover the cost of needing to rebuild the property in the event of extreme damage.

If the property is let partly or wholly furnished or with kitchen appliances fitted then Landlords Content insurance will be needed. It will cover the cost of replacing or repairing furniture and fixtures such as carpets, kitchenware or electrical items like TVs. It does not cover tenants'' own possessions.

Landlords Liability insurance is designed to cover for any harm or injury suffered by tenants or their visitors, for which the landlord may be held responsible.

In addition there are a number of extra items that landlords may wish to have covered by their insurance policies.

The most important is Rent guarantee insurance to protect against a loss of income from unreliable tenants, and when the property is empty between tenancies.

Legal expenses cover may also be needed to cover the landlord's costs if they are involved in a legal dispute with a tenant.

Home emergency cover can also be useful to help get a problem such as the property's supply of gas, electricity, heating or water fixed quickly if it is disrupted.

Do You Know How Van Insurances Are Calculated?

A van that is for personal rather than commercial use is likely to cost less to insure, but there are a number of factors that will affect the cost of premiums for commercially-used vans.

The type of van is the most obvious factor. The make and model will affect the price you pay to insure it, as will its engine size and value. Vehicle weight is also an important rating factor as the larger the vehicle is the more difficult it may be to drive and therefore the higher the risk of an accident.

Location is also a factor. If the van is located or used in a city, the van insurance cost will be higher. Again this is because the insurers assume an increased likelihood of accidents.

If you are using your van for both private and business purposes you must inform your insurer. The details you need to provide include the goods that you transport, the drivers to be covered and how long the use will be for.

Age of drivers is another factor.

For company vans the most economic cover for more than five vehicles may be fleet insurance cover for any driver. However, prices will be affected by the age and driving records of those who will be using the vans.

If possible, restrict the permitted drivers to those aged over 25 or if that is not an option to at least over 21. The younger the drivers the more expensive the insurance is likely to be.

Of course, it will also help if drivers have a clean record and if you have also arranged for them to have training in safe and economical driving and can prove it.

Other ways of keeping the costs down include ensuring that the van is fitted with security measures, such as alarms and immobile. Parking in a secure area and under cover overnight will also make a difference to the insurance costs.

If it is affordable, another option to consider is paying a large voluntary excess - the portion of any insurance claim you opt to pay yourself. This is in addition to the insurer's imposed mandatory excess.

Depending on the nature of the business the van's contents also need to be insured. The contents may be tools needed for work at locations off site or courier items being delivered. Both may be more vulnerable to theft, particularly in city areas.

The three most common types of travel insurance are business travel insurance, single trip insurance, and multi-trip insurance.

If you are going on holiday it is most likely that you will be looking for single trip insurance, whereas the business traveler may find annual or multi-trip insurance policies more cost effective if they are likely to be traveling several times in a year.

With all types of travel insurance it is important to know exactly what is covered and what might trigger a refusal of claim.

Most obviously, few if any insurers will cover travel to any of the countries listed by the Foreign Office as too dangerous to visit.

Also, there are likely to be restrictions and increased costs for anyone traveling who is aged over 65 because they are considered a higher risk for claims on medical cover, no matter how fit and active they might actually be.

How many consecutive days abroad is the cover for? Limits vary depending on the provider, and if you go over this limit, even if it's only by a day, you will invalidate your insurance.

Another point to check is when the policy actually starts. If insurance is to begin on the first day of their holiday, rather than the day the holiday is booked, there can be problems should the policyholder has to cancel the holiday in advance.

It is important to read the small print particularly when it comes to travel insurance for theft or loss of property.

The policy rules may insist that lost property should be reported to the local police, for example. This may also include a time limit, such as the reporting must be done within 24 or 48 hours of the theft or loss. If you don't have the correct documents as proof that this has been done, the company may reject your claim.

Also check whether there are maximum value limits on cover for individual items, such as jewellery or laptops. Single item limits are typically around £300 but some policies allow you to pay a fee to increase this.

Regular travelers, or those planning a long haul holiday, or anyone going on two or more trips a year may save money on their travel insurance if they choose an annual travel insurance policy.

A Safe Trip for Your Family

It is already in the nature of us, humans, to travel to different places whenever we want to. See its lovely site, visit historic sites, be on nature's hidden beautiful pieces. Exploring the world's mightiest creation is indeed already a part of our human nature.

Higher buildings, crowded places where people are always walking. As well as the sight of children running around. A typical scenario you could see when you're on a busy road. However, despite these realities people are never tired of exploring the hidden beauty of the world.

Renting cars and cab are the best options a family who lacks money can probably choose. It is their means of transportation just to experience this so-called vacation. However, for those who are fortunate enough to buy cars easily. Transportation is not their problem anymore.

Through this journey, you sure you and your family is safe? What if something happen? A terrible one. Can you rely on something? Or do you have something to rely on when unpredictable things occur?

Well, you must think twice now before you plan your next vacation. Why? It is because anything, whether it be disastrous or accidental, they can happen faster than you ever thought.

Plan right.

Planning ahead of time before deciding to go on your desired vacation site is a right thing to do. You have all the time to think about the pros and cons regarding this matter. You can get all the means to contemplate about the possible things that are bound to happen during your so-called vacation. Budgeting the money you need is important, right? So plan tightly about this. You know it is quite costly having this moment in life.

Choose the best place.

It doesn't mean 'expensive and luxurious places' when we talk about being at the best place. You must not worry about the place you plan to go through. Money is not the major problem here, although others think it is. Don't worry if you can't go on expensive places like other people.

Planning on finding a much cheaper place? That's okay! The place doesn't need to be extravagant. You know what the real amazing place is? It is the place where you can get all the peace of mind and relaxing sensation you can. With your happy and contented family at your side. Wherever you are, that place can be then called as the best place in the world.

Auto insurance is a must.

Don't hesitate to get this insurance. It is not only for you; it is also for your family. Before travelling get this one. Do not stress yourself thinking about the money you are about to spend when getting this. That amount is cheaper compared to the assurance of a safe trip you can get. When bad things happen, the auto insurance with its coverage can help you.

Do You Qualify For These Common Auto Insurance Discounts?

Everyone loves to save money, especially when it comes to monthly expenses like auto insurance. Although most people know about full payment and paperless billing or automatic payment discounts, there are quite a few discounts that providers offer to help you save money on your premiums. The only catch is that you won't know what you may qualify for and how much it will save you unless you ask.

Multi-Policy

Auto insurance providers love when customers are loyal, and to reward those customers, they offer special discounts for having multiple policies. Aside from already owning several policies with one provider, you may want to consider switching providers in order to qualify for this discount of up to 25% off of your policies. The good news with this particular discount is that most, if not all, providers offer it; you just have to find out which types of policies qualify.

Anti-Theft

Providers like to reward customers that take the protection of their vehicle from theft very seriously. If you've already invested in anti-theft equipment for your vehicle or your vehicle comes fully equipped with such features, then you're likely to qualify for this common discount. The good news is that as long as you keep the vehicle, you'll qualify without having to do anything extra. The same is true for other safety features like anti-lock brakes, passive restraint such as air bags, motorized seat belts, and daytime running lights.

Multi-Car

It is not uncommon for a family to have several drivers with multiple vehicles. Instead of having different policies for each driver from different providers, why not have everyone on the same policy? It could save you a bundle. Much like the multi-policy discount, the multi-car discount could save upwards of 25% off of your monthly premium. However, unlike the multi-policy discount, there are usually no circumstances that would void you from qualifying. As long as you have multiple cars, you should qualify.

Green Vehicle

Auto insurance providers are very much into preserving the environment. That's why some offer discounts for driving a green vehicle. What qualifies as green? A hybrid vehicle or one that operates on alternative fuel vehicle qualifies, but be sure to check with your provider to confirm. Your provider may also include electric cars and similar types as qualifiers for this particular discount.

Safe Driver/Accident-Free

One of the more common, if not the most common, discounts that auto insurance providers offer is the safe driver or accident-free discount, depending on the provider. Essentially, the only way to qualify for this discount is to have a clean driving record that is free of accidents, moving violations, and any other blemishes on your record. Your provider will be able to tell you the exact criteria that must be met in order to qualify, including how long your driving record must be blemish-free. Although the length of time can vary from provider to provider, it can be as short as a couple of years.

Car Insurance - Watch Out Before You Buy!

What to watch out for while choosing car insurance?

The most important criteria include the five "C"s. Here's a brief description of each:

• Claim settlement policy - The true test of an insurance company is at the time of an actual insurance claim. This is possible to check by looking at the company's past records of claim resolution. Now is the time to check if the existing insurance can be transferred to another insurance company without loss of benefits already paid for.

• Coverage - What is the right coverage for you? Usually, car insurance policies cover third party liability and own damage. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, it is mandatory to opt for third party liability insurance cover while own damage is optional. Opting for both is the standard procedure since they cover any damage due to accidents and loss from third party mishaps. Most insurance companies offer "add-ons" with the basic policy.

• Customer service - Thanks to technology, insurance policies are now issued instantly. Besides this, other issues such as changes in policy or cancellations are processed quickly. In the event of a claim, cashless settlement is also available so that post-repair delivery is quick without incurring bills at the workshop. It is therefore important to check the insurance company's network for this facility. The bigger the network, the better the claimant's options.

• Communication access - The insurance company's contact information must be easily accessible. If there is a problem the insured individual must know whom to get in touch with and the procedure to follow.

• Cost - Last but not least, is the price or premium. Car insurance premium is based on "insured declared value" or IDV and the rate multiplier and depends on the car model, the age of the car, daily mileage and the terrain of the location. It is important to declare the right IDV and select a policy that offers the maximum IDV even if you have to incur a slightly higher premium.

Besides the above, the following are the benefits to look for:

• No claim bonus - if no claim has been filed during the insurance period, a no-claim discount is offered on risk cover against own damage at the time of policy renewal. For each consecutive claim-free year, the discount increases progressively. The point to note is that the no claim bonus eligibility holds good even in the event of a new vehicle purchase or existing insurance renewal before the due date from a different insurance provider.

• Opting for deductible - Drivers with a good record can opt for "voluntary excess" or deductible to lower their premium payments, in addition to the compulsory excess. In the case of a compulsory excess, the insured is liable to pay a specific amount if a claim is filed.

• Premium based on car type - If your car has extra security features such as anti-theft alarms the chances of theft is lower and insurance can come at a lower premium.

• Timely insurance renewal - If car insurance is not renewed before the expiry date the renewal premium can result in loss of coverage especially if there is an accident and also mean no discount for the no-claim bonus.

• Choice of Add-ons- Besides the basic car insurance coverage, insurance providers offer several optional add-ons. It is important to select the right ones and only pay for those. For example, if there is a medical expense cover or hospital cash cover, check to see if you have a medical insurance policy that already covers these.

• To renew or not to renew - with the same insurance provider? When it is time to renew your car insurance, compare insurance providers to see what they are offering before making a decision. The car insurance industry is very competitive and for the same coverage, you can probably get a better price elsewhere.

Some final precautions to bear in mind are:

• Check that the insurance policy is genuine. Always buy your car insurance directly from the insurance company or from its authorized agent.

• Always get a premium payment receipt.

• When you receive your policy document, check the IDV, no claim bonus and deductible details to make sure it is what you opted for. Any discrepancies must be notified and rectified immediately.

• Make sure only you sign the proposal form and always read before signing

• Do not opt for monthly payments as this is more expensive than annual payments

Remember that car insurance protects you and the occupants of your car on two counts: from accidental damage and from third party claims when you are responsible for the accident. Therefore, choose with care.

Top Tips For Finding The Right Minicab Insurance

As you would expect, there are strict legal rules in place regarding minicab insurance. Anyone who charges a fare for driving passengers needs to have an insurance policy to cover them, be it a one man band or a whole fleet of cars. The exact type of cover you need can be complex, and this article will look at how to go about getting the right cover for the best price. In addition, you might also want to consider public liability cover, which isn't a legal requirement for minicab drivers, but would cover the cost of defending claims made against you, for example in a road traffic accident.

How should I find the right cover?

There are lots of things to consider. How many cars and drivers need cover? How old are those drivers. Have they had any previous accidents? Have you made any claims in recent years? Should you go for 'third party' or fully comprehensive cover? Do you want extras like public liability or breakdown cover? How do you want to pay? Annually, by direct debit, weekly, monthly? There are a lot of variables, so it's advisable to work out what's important to you and your business. It will definitely help to talk to an insurance specialist - there are loads out there to help you find the best insurance for your business, and at the best price.

How can costs be kept down?

    Minicab insurance is a specialist product, so it's advisable to talk to someone who is experienced in this type of insurance. They should be able to find you just what you need at a price that's right as they'll have access to deals you won't find elsewhere.

    It will also help you to build up your no claims. Some products work on a pay as you go basis and allow you to build up no claims benefits in as little as 6 months.

    Lastly, consider a forward facing camera. This will film any incidences when something bumps or if you break hard, meaning that any dispute can be settled quickly and straightforwardly. This will help keep premiums down, and insurance specialists have access to many policies that offer discounts if you have one fitted, some even fit them for you!

Minicab insurance is essential for your business, but it's complicated and can be costly if you don't get the best deal for your particular needs. Talking to a specialist and experienced minicab insurance company is the ideal way to access the right arrangement for you, at a price that works.

Three Ways to Avoid Costly Commercial Auto Insurance

If you are considering commercial auto insurance for your business, you may find the same expensive. However, you can still find ways to reduce the cost. You have many options to choose from, select the one that meet your budget.

Here are some of the ways or ideas if followed can help reduce insurance cost to the minimum.

1. Your Driving Experience

Almost all the insurance companies use the details about you to fix the policy costs for providing best accidental coverage. They would be asking about your vehicle's history, yours driving experience, history of claims, accident rate, etc.

Showing a driving record with very minimum or no accident rate is a great way to avail the policy at the minimum rate. In your business, you need to make sure your employees are following the local speed limit. This will help reduce the chance of paying higher rates and fines. Good drivers with the great driving record will pay less premium rate. One of the ways to assure your drivers are maintaining clean records is by making them go through Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs). You can take the help of insurance agent for this activity. A Commercial Drivers License is needed to cover the risks of the trucks. You can get discount offers on the basis of the experience of your driver.

2. Get Credit check

Many companies will also ask your credit history to fix the rate. You can ask them what kind of information they require. It would help you to gain better understanding of the factors that determines the premium rate.

Before buying any of the policy, you must have your credit history ready with you so that you will not be shocked when the rate is fixed. There are many websites that allow you for annual credit check free of cost. Further, you can also enroll for a program that can help you to keep in check changes that can have bearing on your credit score.

Raise the Deductibles and Avail the Discount Offers

If you have selected the higher deductibles, you will have to pay less on your insurance rate. You have a choice to opt for the deductible that you can pay from your pocket anytime in case you have faced any eventuality or met an accident.

If you pay the entire amount as premium in advance, you can save 15 percent as a discount offer.

If you still do not want to deposit your premium in full, your check processing fees can be waived. Your payments would be deducted straight from your account. This would help you concentrate on your business and reduce your tensions of not making the payment on time.

If you take care of these points, you can very well keep yourself informed about the insurance policies, save money and reduce your financial worries.