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Saturday, July 24, 2010

Auto Insurance and Leasing Agreements

There are two options when it comes to car ownership. A consumer may decide to purchase the vehicle, going through all the steps of down payments, loans, and having full control over the fate of the vehicle. On the other hand, a consumer may also elect to lease a vehicle. The consumer places him or herself under specific conditions determined in a lease agreement. These conditions can range from what the driver is allowed to do with the vehicle to what kind of insurance the consumer is required to purchase before driving.

As most states have made auto insurance a legal requirement to drive, dealerships naturally expect car insurance to be a part of the lease agreement. However, although not expected by some, a leasing agreement does not necessarily contain a standard car insurance policy. In most cases, the consumer will be asked to obtain the proper policy prior to being given the vehicle, and a third-party insurer must be contacted.

Although standard insurance is rarely, if ever, covered by a dealership in a lease agreement, the dealership will usually include a form of insurance that protects their best interests. Gap insurance, which covers the difference between what an insurer will pay for a totaled vehicle and the cost to replace the vehicle, is generally a part of a leasing agreement. On average, lease payments will include gap insurance already factored in.

Consumers need to have a basic understanding of how their leasing agreement works before signing on to make regular payments for a vehicle. To search for a third-party insurer to help you stay insured with a policy that meets legal requirements while matching your finances, try starting with a local car insurance company.

Worthwhile Discounts on Car Insurance

Nobody likes to pay for car insurance, but it's a necessary part of staying on the road and driving safely. All states have laws against driving uninsured, and most drivers buy a bit more than the bare minimum amounts of coverage that their states require. The cost of auto insurance can quickly add up over the course of a year, which is why many drivers look for special insurance discounts that can lead to lower premiums.

Most car insurance companies offer a variety of these special discounts, but they're all offered to drivers who are able to reduce their risks of making a car insurance claim. For instance, if a driver takes a special safe driving course, many car insurance companies will offer that driver a discounted rate. This is not always the case, and many insurance companies have very specific requirements that a driver must fulfill in order to qualify for this particular discount. Most insurers will also restrict this "safe driver" discount so that only certain driving courses count--in other words, a driver will need to check with his insurance company to find out which classes to take in order to get lower car insurance rates.

Another common type of discount is the anti-theft discount. This is designed for drivers that reduce the risk of theft, and it's usually only available to drivers who buy comprehensive coverage. This is because "comprehensive coverage" is what covers the cost of a stolen vehicle. To get an anti-theft discount, a driver may need to install a car alarm or a similar anti-theft device. The auto insurance company will often require proof that the anti-theft device has been installed. Drivers may also get discounts for parking in locked garages, as this further reduces the risk of claims against drivers' comprehensive coverage.

There are many other discounts, and they're always based on the driver's relative risks. Young drivers can get discounts for getting good grades in school, and in many states, drivers can reduce their rates by driving fewer miles. Some car insurance companies even offer customer loyalty discounts, although this specific type of discount has become illegal in several states.

The best way to find out about the discounts offered by your insurance company is to call your insurance agent. Ask what you can do to get a lower premium and reduce your rate, and be sure to check online for other insurance quotes from time to time. You'll lower your premiums quickly by keeping yourself and your car safe.

Introducing Women's Car Insurance

When it comes to car insurance for women, there is little doubt that insurers treat women differently than they do men, although this fact is not published openly. It's actually in the woman's favor however that this happens and they will typically pay less than the average man when it comes to the monthly insurance bill.

There are several reasons why this is so, but it basically boils down to the fact that a woman is much less likely to take a chance, or 'race' their cars than the average guy. While it is true that there are plenty of daredevil women out there who feel the need for speed and the thrills of pushing the bar, but by and large, a guy is much more likely to do so on average than a woman. It's statistically proven that women are much safer drivers than the men are.

It's not necessarily that one gender is better at driving than the other. It's just that it seems that most men are predisposed of taking risks. One way of looking at things is to take a look at the race car circuit. It's not that women are banned from the sport it's just that more men are willing to take the risk involved in being a race car driver than their female counterparts.

There is a difference between drivers that are skillful and those who are safe drivers. That's why you will typically find that car insurance for women will cost less money. Other reasons are the root cause of this fact as well.

For instance, men are typically more aggressive and prone to 'road rage' than women, and seem to take on the 'me first' attitude when driving, meaning they want to lead the pack in a line of traffic and will take chances at passing vehicles on the road in order to get in front.

Understand now, that there is no exclusive way to differentiate any one driver from another without looking at each person individually. This leaves the insurance companies to rely solely on traffic and accident statistics when setting their rates and taking risks on those that they insure. It doesn't appear that car insurance for women is going to cost more than that for men anytime soon.

The best way men can work to bring their car insurance premiums down is to drive safe and maintain a good driving record.

Ways to Decrease Your Rates After a Vehicle Accident

When you are involved in an car incident it can be typical that your particular premiums will rise. The amount of increase depends on your insurer and whether or not you caused the accident. Most often following an incident you will be labeled by your insurance plan provider as being a 'high risk'. This can be avoided. You've the power to keep your prices low. Enclosed in this article are the methods which you can use to keep your rates low after an accident.

You have the power to keep your rates from changing too much. All you have to do is to stand up to your insurance provider.

The accident wasn't your fault? Rates have increased anyways? Do this:

Letting your present provider know that you will not be punished mainly because the crash wasn't your fault. Don't be afraid to put your foot down. Make sure that your provider hears you loud and clear, and understands that if your rates are not lowered you will be more than capable of getting your requested rate elsewhere.

Another option available is to as about any new discounts that have recently become available.

When you are fault-less in an auto accident it is easier to have your rates returned to their pre-accident levels. Insurance companies are businesses who compete with one another. When you threaten to give your money to another company they usually are much more likely to re-evaluate their stance on your case.

Being at fault in an accident will make it more difficult to return to pre-wreck premium prices. You may be able to find some relief by speaking with your provider and re-negotiating your contract. If that fails to produce lower rates, there are other options. Possibilities for lowering your insurance policy prices after a car accident are reduced based upon conditions in which it developed. During the accident if you were found to have been intoxicated, it is going to be extremely difficult for you to return to the low premiums of your past. A case of DUI/DWI labels you automatically a 'high risk' and your rates will skyrocket, that is if your insurance provider doesn't decide to cancel your policy all together. If you only have a higher premium afterwards you are lucky.

If you have many traffic offenses and accidents you may also be classified as a 'high risk', and therefore your rates will be higher than average. After which, you will be required to not have an accident for a specific amount of time if you want a lower premium. Even when prices are re-lowered it still may not be enough and you might have to shop around in order for them to be lowered to where they once had been.

The most efficient method for keeping your insurance rates low is of course to keep a spotless record. If an crash does occur, it is essential that you are armed with the various tools and information that will get your costs lowered again. Changing indemnity suppliers is always a choice which will save you money as long as you shop around for your coverage needs.

What's the Best Way to Perform Auto Insurance Comparisons

If you're looking for car insurance then you know just how important it is to perform auto insurance comparisons properly. After all, you can't just grab the first policy you're quoted. If you do that you may end up spending hundreds of dollars more than you have to each and every year in insurance premiums. How can you perform insurance comparisons properly, ensuring an informed insurance purchasing decision? Here are some tips to help.

First and foremost, make sure you are getting comparable quotes when performing your auto insurance comparisons. If one company quotes you on $100,000 worth of liability and another quotes you on only $25,000 worth of coverage then you can't really tell which insurance company is offering the better deal. That is why all car insurance quotes should be based on the same coverage information when comparing quotes from one company to the next.

Once you have a number of car insurance quotes in hand it is time to start researching the companies that have provided you with those quotes. What are their auto insurance ratings? How is their record with the BBB and other consumer review organizations? Remember, you might have to file a claim with this company some day. A low premium is not all that matters. The company's service record and ability to pay out on claims is just as important as a good price, if not more so.

Fortunately shopping for auto insurance and comparing one auto insurance company to the next doesn't have to be a nightmare. Simply compare quotes online, making sure the policies you are quoted on are identical in coverage, and research the companies that offer you the best prices. From there it's simply a matter of signing with the company that has the best price and the best service.