Factors that influence insurance rates

Posted by | Posted in Financial | Posted on 13-11-2011-05-2008

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When it comes to owning a car one of the most annoying things is of course insurance. The necessity of having a valid insurance policy just to be able to drive legally in most states of the US is definitely something that irritates a lot of drivers. Of course, we all understand that having your car insured is very important since simple coverage can save you a lot of money in case something happens on the road. Still, a lot of people feel that their insurance providers are ripping them off simply because they don’t know how insurance rates are calculated. If you want to be prepared for the debate with your insurer knowing what influences car insurance rates might help you a lot.

How to reduce your rates

Posted by | Posted in Financial | Posted on 12-11-2011-05-2008

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Every driver wants to strike a balance when it comes to insuring their vehicles. We all want to pay as little as possible. Indeed, some may be resentful there’s a mandate for liability insurance when unemployment remains so high and the pay offered by employers is low. The problem is cheap insurance usually means poor value. Yes, you get some cover, but there are likely to be problems in the small print of the policies and the claims process is often difficult to get through. Insurers prefer to take your money and not pay out. The more difficult it is to make a profit, the more difficult it is to get full value on a claim. So it’s better to pay a little more. This buys better terms in the policy and a more sympathetic welcome when you make a claim. That said, how do you get the most affordable rates?

Premium rates rising fast

Posted by | Posted in Financial | Posted on 10-11-2011-05-2008

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There’s an increasing disconnect between what the TV ads are saying about the rates for insuring your vehicle and the quotes floating into your inbox. The marketers would have you believe there’s no problem in finding really cheap insurance (but only with their company, of course). Yet the insurance industry itself funds the Insurance Information Institute as a research body. It regularly publishes studies. Mostly, they are uncontroversial. So it came as a surprise when it revealed a steady rise of some 10% in the premium rates between 2008 and 2010. The latest straws in the wind are also suggesting a further rise of some 4% this year. When you consider the rate of inflation has been zero – there has been a recession, after all, and many prices actually fell – it’s a disgrace the insurance industry has been pushing up its prices.

Michigan Legislature At Odds Over Insurance

Posted by | Posted in Financial | Posted on 17-10-2011-05-2008

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Michigan’s system of insurance for motor vehicles has been either praised or decried for years, depending on how you feel about government involvement in insurance. While always among the highest average premiums in the country, Michigan also has the best-protected drivers of any state. Now, however, it looks set to change, as new legislation comes up for debate in Lansing’s legislative bodies.

Cars, Insurance, and Natural Disasters

Will there be a new system? If so, what will it be like?

The Current Law: Benefits and Problems

Currently, the state of Michigan is the only state in the US to require all drivers buy unlimited medical and rehabilitation benefit coverage if they want to drive legally. This means that, if someone is injured in a crash, the insurance company covers all of their medical needs up to a point, from where the state assumes responsibility.

Cheaper Car Insurance: Data-Tracking Devices

Posted by | Posted in Financial | Posted on 15-10-2011-05-2008

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Insurance agencies use many factors to determine your rates. Credit, driving record, and age range help to estimate your potential risk as a client. But with today’s technology, companies can get an actual sample of your driving via electronic data-tracking devices, ultimately saving you money for responsible driving.

With the development of on-board computers in automobiles, every car now has a sort of “black box” that can record driving information and, with the right equipment, transfer information like top speeds and mileage. Several programs now exist in various parts of the United States, and they get you big discounts on your monthly premiums.

Device Tracking Programs

Allstate’s Drive Wise

This program offers discounts based on information collected from a device that you plug into your car’s onboard computer-available in all cars made since 1996. It measures mileage, hard braking, acceleration rates, time of day driven, and speed (when you exceed 80mph). This information is then automatically transmitted to Allstate. You can even check your performance online.

5 Tips to Stretch Your Budget

Posted by | Posted in Financial, Strategic planning | Posted on 13-10-2011-05-2008

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It’s not always easy to pay insurance premiums. There are always more expenses and never enough money. Use these hints to squeeze extra cash from your budget and afford premiums. Even if one tip alone doesn’t generate the savings, several combined will.

#1 Carpool to work and to do shopping

Gasoline costs most households nearly $1500 a year. Monthly, there is a national average of $368 spent on gas. If you reduce your gas use by even a third, you will have saved a big portion of your premiums.

The easiest way to do that is to share the commute to work and/or do your grocery shopping with a friend or neighbor. Two commuters halves the price you pay for a ride to work. Three commuters means you only pay a third. Load up those vehicles to really save on money.