Shay West asked:


In case you still do not know what full coverage auto insurance is, here is some information that will surely enlighten you. Having full coverage auto insurance means that you are fully protected against any incident that may happen to you and your car because you have more than just the minimum auto insurance policy required by your state.

But since you are covering everything, this means that your auto insurance will cost more than just the minimum requirements. And because of this, most drivers opt to just avail of the minimum auto insurance requirements than have their vehicles fully covered. For some, this works, but there are others who require full coverage auto insurance.

So, what is the best way to purchase cheap full coverage auto insurance?

There are actually several ways in going about finding full coverage auto insurance policies without having to spend a lot of money. First is to search and compare auto insurance companies’ offers. Exhaust your resources and do not limit your search through readily available ones such as the yellow pages. There are a variety of resources like advertisements on TV and the newspaper, billboards, word-of-mouth and the Internet.

The next thing you could do is to look for an auto insurance carrier that offers discounts for various reasons. Auto insurance companies may give different discounts depending on your good driving history, your age, the kind of vehicle that you drive, and on how many vehicles are under your auto insurance policy.

Other companies sell more than one type of insurance policy, and if you buy two or more insurance policies from them, they would give you more discounts. For example, they would offer you very high discount on full coverage auto insurance if you buy homeowner’s insurance policy from them, as well.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that to have more coverage equates to spending more money.

You only need to find the right auto insurance company offering the right discounts to get you full coverage auto insurance policy.

With all other things being equal, auto insurance rates for teen drivers may cost almost twice as much than that of an adult driver. Purchasing auto insurance policy for teen drivers usually raises a lot of household’s expenses by as much as 50 percent or even more.

The reasons behind this are as follows:

Remember that insuring a safe driver means that auto insurance companies won’t have to shell out much money. Thus, younger drivers are considered less experienced and more reckless compared to the older ones, making the probability of them involving themselves in a vehicular accident fairly high.

Also, according to statistics, there are more car crashes involving teenage drivers than the sum of car crashes involving all other age groups.

Now, what can a teen driver do to cut costs on auto insurance? Here are the things they can do:

Teen drivers can raise their deductibles, try to get good grades in school, be made the primary driver on the family’s oldest or cheapest car, finish a course on defensive driving and use a smaller and cheaper car with a high safety rating.

Andrew Daigle asked:


Are you searching for better auto insurance rates? Are you tired of feeling as though you’re overpaying despite your spotless driving record? If so, it’s about time you started shopping around for the best auto insurance rates from a new auto insurance company. Thanks to the web, motorists are no longer limited to dealing exclusively with local agents and hoping for the best deal. Instead, the internet has opened a new door for those who are looking to compare auto insurance rates and get the best value for their money.

When shopping for auto insurance online, the process of choosing a company is a bit more involved than simply asking your neighbor which local agent they work with. When shopping for auto isurance online, you may be required to do a bit more footwork while researching the auto insurance company, but in the end, it can pay off in a very big way. The best way to find a respectable auto insurance company is to research their history, learn about their policies and how long they have been in business, check their reputation with the Better Business Bureau and request a free auto insurance quote.

What is the most common way that an auto insurance company could compete for your business? By offering the lowest auto insurance rates, correct? If you said yes, then getting auto insurance online may be the way to go. Because there’s so much more competition online, companies must work harder to get your business. In most cases, you can complete a request for a free auto insurance quote online in a matter of minutes. Depending on the specific auto insurance company, the number of requests, the day of the week, and other factors, it may take many hours or even several days to receive a response. The best part, however, is that you can shop from a nation of auto insurance companies with the click of a button and never even have to step out your front door.

Free auto insurance quotes online are very valuable for any number of reasons, including the obvious fact that they cost you absolutely nothing. Not to mention, the option is very convenient for someone who lives in a rural location and perhaps isn’t close enough to visit several auto insurance companies or doesn’t have the access to a great number of companies because of the fact that they reside in a small town. Where there’s less competition, the prices are higher. But the internet has certainly changed the face of competition by bringing a multitude of options to those who either enjoy the convenience that the internet can offer or those who need the competitive pricing that simply can’t be found in their area. Whether you are shopping for Pennsylvania auto insurance, New York auto insurance, Florida auto insurance, Arizona auto insurance, California auto insurance or anywhere in between, you can search for discount auto insurance rates from the comfort of your favorite recliner.

The information in this article is provided for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional financial or insurance advice relating to auto insurance quotes, discount auto insurance or auto insurance rates. For additional information or to receive an auto insurance quote, contact a local auto insurance company.

Amy Danise asked:

Auto insurance is a contract that protects your financial security in case of an accident. Although it is not mandated by federal law, the purchase of auto insurance is usually a requirement in most states; every state (with the exception of New Hampshire and Wisconsin) have minimum insurance laws.

These two states, instead of having insurance requirements, have mandated financial responsibility laws, so that the owner of a car is required to show that he has sufficient funds to pay any necessary claims. If said owner cannot produce proof of satisfactory assets, then he must buy an auto insurance policy. Regardless of the law, having good auto insurance is practical for the driver who wishes to avoid lawsuits or immense repair bills.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), a basic auto insurance policy is comprised of six basic types of coverage. While some of these types of coverage are required by state law, some are considered optional.

These are: 1. Bodily injury liability 2. Property damage liability 3. Medical payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) 4. Collision 5. Comprehensive 6. Uninsured/Underinsured motorists coverage

Liability Insurance

Liability coverage is the foundation of any car insurance policy, and is required in most states. If you are at fault in an accident, your liability insurance will pay for the bodily injury and property damage expenses caused to others in the accident, including your legal bills. Bodily-injury coverage pays for medical bills and lost wages.

Property-damage coverage pays for the repair or replacement of things you wrecked other than your own car. The other party may also decide to sue you to collect “pain and suffering” damages.

Liability insurance (both bodily injury and property damage) is the foundation of most auto insurance policies and is ideal if you are seeking a low cost car insurance policy. Every state that requires auto insurance mandates the purchase of property damage liability, and Florida is the only state that requires auto insurance but does not call for bodily injury liability. If you are at fault in an auto accident, your liability coverage will pay all the expenses, bodily injury, property damage, and any legal bills. The bodily injury coverage would pay for medical bills and lost wages; the property damage coverage would pay for any auto repairs, or replacement. Property damage liability usually repairs damage to other vehicles, but can also cover damages to things such as lamp poles, fences, buildings, or anything else that your car may have struck.

Remember, although purchasing only the minimum can get you a cheap auto insurance rate, if you cause a serious accident, minimum insurance may not cover you adequately. That’s why it’s a good idea to buy more than what your state requires. If you own a home and have nest egg and a savings account, you should consider more liability insurance because, in most states, drivers are allowed to sue other drivers who injure them in car accidents. If you’re sued and your liability insurance doesn’t pay for all of the damages, your personal finances are on the hook, and it’s likely you’ll become a target.

Collision and Comprehensive Coverages

If you cause an accident, collision coverage will pay to repair your vehicle. You usually can’t collect any more than the actual cash value of your car, which is not the same as the car’s replacement cost. Collision coverage is normally the most expensive component of your car insurance rate. By choosing a higher deductible, say $500 or $1,000, you can keep your premium costs down. However, keep in mind that you must pay the amount of your deductible before the insurance company kicks in any money after an accident.

Insurance companies often will “total” your car if the repair costs exceed a certain percentage of the car’s worth. The critical damage point varies from company to company, from 55 percent to 90 percent.

Comprehensive coverage will pay for damages to your car that weren’t caused by an auto accident: Damages from theft, fire, vandalism, natural disasters, or hitting a deer all qualify. Comprehensive coverage also comes with a deductible and your insurer will only pay as much as the car was worth when it got wrecked.

Because insurance companies normally will not pay you more than your car’s book value, it’s helpful if you have a rough idea of this amount. Check the Kelley Blue Book or the National Automobile Dealers Association. If your car is worth less than what you’re paying for the coverage, you’re better off not having it.

Neither collision nor comprehension insurance is required by any of the states, but some lenders, when the owner finances the car, may require the purchase of collision and comprehensive in the loan agreement. Even when it is not required, collision and comprehensive coverage is highly recommended by the insurance industry, so that in the unforeseen event of damage or theft, the owner of the car can avoid heavy bills. Theft of cars is not as unusual as some people may think. In 2004, a car was stolen in the United States every 26 seconds, and a car had a 1 in 190 chance of being stolen.

Medical Payments, PIP, and No-fault coverages

Medical payments (MedPay) coverage will pay for your and your passengers’ medical expenses after an accident. These expenses can arise from accidents while you’re driving your car, someone else’s car (with their permission), and injuries you or your family members incur when you’re pedestrians. The coverage will pay regardless of who is at fault, but if someone else is liable, your insurer may seek to recoup the expenses from him or her.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage is an extended form of MedPay. PIP may cover expenses that are related to injury, but not necessarily medical, such as lost wages, childcare and funeral costs. PIP coverage is currently required by sixteen states. If you are already insured under a good health insurance policy, then fortunately, there is no need to buy more than the minimum required amount of PIP or MedPay insurance.

If you have a good health insurance plan, there might be little need to buy more than the minimum required PIP or MedPay coverages, if at all. And, if you already have disability insurance, there’s little reason to purchase higher-than-minimum amounts of PIP.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverages

Uninsured motorists (UM) coverage pays for your injuries if you’re struck by a hit-and-run driver or someone who doesn’t have auto insurance. It is required in many states.

Underinsured motorists (UIM) coverage will pay out if the driver who hit you causes more damage than his or her liability coverage can cover. In some states, UM or UIM coverage will also pay for property damages. Similarly, underinsured motorists insurance will cover any damage caused when you are struck by a driver who is not insured for a sufficient amount.

If you are hit, as a pedestrian, underinsured coverage will cover the expenses. Uninsured motorists insurance is currently required by twenty states, and Underinsured motorists coverage is required by only four: Connecticut, Minnesota, Maine, and Vermont.

You’ll probably want to have at least the minimal amount of UM/UIM because if you can’t find the other driver, you’ll at least have some coverage for pain-and-suffering damages.

Add-on Features

Several supplemental auto coverages are available, either as separate premium items or included in augmented policies. -Rental reimbursement, a common add-on, covers vehicle rentals required because your car is damaged or stolen. -Coverage for towing and labor charges in case of a road breakdown is also common. -Gap coverage for your new car will pay the difference between the actual cash value you receive for the car and the amount left on your car loan if your vehicle is totaled in an accident.

Basic auto insurance is required by virtually every state and is typically the cheapest auto insurance in the marketplace. Proof of insurance is required at different times throughout the life of a vehicle.

You may be asked for proof of insurance at any and all of these times: at vehicle registration, at the time of an accident, and any time when driving the vehicle. It is suggested that the owner of the car keeps proof of insurance in the car at all times, instead of on his or her person, so that it can be available at all times, no matter who is driving.

Any violations of state law regarding auto insurance could result in, at best, a hefty fine, and at worst, suspension of your driver’s license and/or time in jail. The dire consequences of driving while uninsured are not worth the neglect of paying for insurance. The chance that an uninsured driver will avoid detection is slim; he is likely to be caught and strictly punished.

Cliff Berman asked:


No one really wants to have their car stolen, but admit it-isn’t it comforting to know if your car does get ripped off, your auto insurance is going to pay for it? There’s a certain amount of security in knowing that. It’s the security we need to park on city streets at night and leave our doors unlocked while we run into the gas station “just for a second.”

It’s that security that helps thieves target our cars in the first place. We become complacent, we stop being aware, and before we know it we’ve become a victim. It’s as simple as that.

Car thieves, like all good thieves, like to hit easy marks. Whether they’re looking for a quick ride to the neighborhood chop shop or a hot GPS system to hawk on the black market, they don’t want to have to work any harder than they have to. Careless drivers are prime victims for theft, which is why auto insurance providers are encouraging drivers to take steps to protect their vehicles. Not only do these steps help prevent the chance that your car will be stolen, they also just might help lower the premiums on your auto insurance.

Simple Steps to Theft Prevention

1) Lock your doors. Most door locks can be jimmied with the right tools, but attempting to unlock a car door that way attracts attention (usually in the form of a helpful passerby) that car thieves really don’t want. Studies show that just by locking your car doors when you get out you can decrease the chances that you’ll become a victim by up to 60%.

2) Install a car alarm. Most people try to tune out car alarms, but most of them can’t help but look to see what’s going on-and just might catch a car thief in the process. Most auto insurance providers will offer you a reasonable discount if your car is protected by an alarm.

3) Roll up your windows. Again, an open window is an open invitation-especially when your doors are locked. You want to wrap your car up tighter than Ft. Knox.

4) Park in well lit areas. Thieves don’t like to be seen, and so they prey on vehicles out of sight of the public eye.

5) Install a fuel switch or engine switch. These nifty little devices make sure that your friendly neighborhood car thieves aren’t going very far. The fuel switch stops fuel from reaching the motor, and the engine switch stops electricity from traveling and starting the car properly. Either way, that car isn’t moving. Auto insurance providers love this one.

Lowering your auto insurance premiums shouldn’t be your only motivation when it comes to protecting your car from auto theft. As a matter of fact, chances are it doesn’t even make your top twenty. Your vehicle, and the people and items in it, are worth a lot more than you’ll ever save in auto insurance premiums-or pay for your auto insurance policy. Don’t you owe it to them to protect them to the best of your ability?

Amy Danise asked:


6 million auto accidents per year in the United States alone, there’s a good chance that you or someone close to you will be involved in an auto accident at some point. Having auto insurance is a great way to be prepared for an auto accident. When shopping for auto insurance, it’s important to look at auto insurance rates and quotes and do some comparing. Knowing how to proceed in the event of an auto accident can save you time, money, and headaches, especially if your car is damaged.

Q: What should I do if I’ve just had an auto accident?

A: Assuming there are no injuries, here’s a checklist of how to proceed:

1.Call 911 to report the auto accident. You’ll want a copy of a police report for any future claim, especially if the accident was not your fault. If the damage is minor and the other driver wants to negotiate a settlement on the spot, be wary: You could have unseen damage. 2.Don’t bother engaging the other driver in an argument about who was at fault – the police will handle that. 3.Write down the other driver’s name and insurance information. 4.If you have a camera in your car, get some shots of the damage and general accident scene. 5When you get home, call your auto insurance company to report the accident if there will be a claim on your policy. If the other driver was at fault and you don’t live in a “no-fault” state, contact their auto insurance company to start the claims process.

Whether the car damage is minor or extensive, your main goal is to get enough information in order to protect your best interests later. And remember that honesty is the best policy in reporting the circumstances of the auto accident.

Q: What coverage pays for damage to my car?

A: If you’re at fault in an auto accident (whether you’ve crashed into someone else or into a fence), you’ll need collision coverage if you want your repairs covered. If you don’t have collision coverage, you’ll need to pay for repairs out of your own pocket. Some drivers drop collision coverage when their cars get older because the potential cost of fixing them is more than the value of the cars.

If someone else crashes into you, their liability auto insurance must pay for repairs to your vehicle. This is called a “third-party” claim because you’re making a claim on their auto insurance company.

If you live in a “no-fault” state, you always make a claim on your own policy no matter who is at fault.

Q: Do I have to use my auto insurer’s body shop for repairs?

A: No, you can never be forced to use a repair shop that your auto insurance company designates. However, you may find it’s more convenient to do so. Many auto insurance companies have customer service programs that streamline your claim process by handling paperwork and your rental car from the repair shop and fully guaranteeing the work.

You can never be too prepared when it comes to an auto accident. Hopefully, these FAQ’s have given you some helpful advice and information if you or someone you know has to face this situation in the near future. Auto insurance companies are there to help you sort through the car damage and remove some of the headaches and worries for you. Auto accidents aren’t something that we like to think about, but thinking ahead will help you and your auto rates in the long run.