An Intro To Auto Insurance

Although premiums, policies and prices vary widely, the mandate does not. Automobile insurance is an unavoidable expense of driving. Ideally, you will never have use for your auto insurance. In the event that you do; however, you will considerably improve your satisfaction with the claims process by doing thorough research before policy inception.

Begin with an understanding of auto insurance terms:

? Bodily injury (also called liability)

This coverage offsets costs related to the bodily harm and property damage of the other driver(s) when you are at fault in an accident. Insurance companies impose limits on the amounts that they will pay to the victim(s), and for each accident. Your premium amount is determined, in part, by the limits you select. Higher potential payouts by your insurance carrier translate to higher insurance premiums for you, the consumer.

? Collision

In the event that you have an accident, your medical expenses and property damage will be covered if you select collision protection as a part of your plan (again, there are limits).

? Comprehensive

This category covers costs related to damage, theft, vandalism, etc. For example: if someone breaks your car window, you would access your collision coverage to repair the damages. Again, higher payouts mean higher premiums. If cost is a concern, increase your deductible to decrease your premium. The deductible is the amount, usually between $250.00 and $1,000.00; you pay toward accident/theft related expenses before the insurance company contributes.

? Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

Although automobile insurance is legally required, some drivers do not comply. If you have an accident with such a driver this coverage will provide some compensation for medical expenses.

Auto insurance can be quite costly, but it is far more expensive to forgo. Many states arrest and/or fine drivers found to be uninsured. Additionally, accidents, theft and damage can create financial chaos for uninsured/underinsured motorists.

When choosing an insurance carrier, make sure that you have chosen a reputable firm that is accessible, responsive and financially solvent. The coverage is of no use to you if you can reach no one to file a claim, or if there is no money to pay it. Check with agencies such as Standard & Poor's and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to get the information you might not get from a slick brochure or salesperson hoping to close a deal.

Nicole Soltau
President and Founder
http://CreditUnionRate.com/
The Leading Online Credit Union Directory


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

In The News:


21st Century Holding Company's Subsidiary Federated National ...
MarketWatch - 21 hours ago
an insurance holding company, today announced that it received approval from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to take out (assume) up to ...
La. grand jury indicts former head of state-run insurance concern USA Today
Ex-La. Citizens CEO indicted on theft counts Forbes
Former chief of Citizens Insurance indicted WBXH
2TheAdvocate - The Times-Picayune - NOLA.comall 27 news articles

TVNZ

FACTBOX: Obama's ambitious healthcare plan
Reuters - 10 hours ago
(Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama has proposed an ambitious plan to reform US healthcare and get insurance for at least some of the 47 million ...
Insurers propose universal, centralized healthcare Los Angeles Times
Medicine for the Job Market New York Times
Health Insurance Trade Group Proposal Praised By Sen Kennedy CNNMoney.com
Fort Worth Star Telegram - MarketWatchall 247 news articles

Paying now for the right to buy health insurance in the future
Boston Globe, United States - 1 hour ago
Do you have health insurance currently but wonder about your ability to obtain or maintain coverage in the future? United Healthcare has recently announced ...
Alternative COBRA Health Coverage Information Provided by ... MarketWatch
all 9 news articles

Readers Speak Out on Insurance Fee Changes
Washington Post, United States - 10 hours ago
26 and subsequent columns on planned changes in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield standard option insurance plan for federal employees generated lots of comments. ...
Blue Cross Blue Shield Re-Examining Coverage Cuts For Surgeries ... Medical News Today (press release)
Clock Ticking for Millions of Federal Employees Hoping to Avoid ... MarketWatch
Seeking a Second Opinion on Change in Health Care Washington Post
all 10 news articles

"Number of headwinds" to hurt EPS of insurance brokers: JPM
Reuters - 4 hours ago
(Reuters) - A number of headwinds will dampen earnings per share prospects for US insurance brokers unless an improvement in insurance pricing takes place, ...

United National Insurance wins Aon case
Bizjournals.com, NC - 2 hours ago
A federal jury in Philadelphia Thursday returned a $24 million verdict for United National Insurance Co. in a lawsuit against Aon Corp., an insurance and ...

Kentuckians eligible for unemployment insurance extension
Bizjournals.com, NC - 52 minutes ago
More than 10500 Kentuckians who have exhausted their regular 26 weeks of unemployment insurance and 13 weeks of extended benefits might be eligible for ...

Deal-Seeking Travelers Should Not Overlook Need for Travel Insurance
MarketWatch - 22 hours ago
Although travelers are seeking deals and jumping on last-minute travel offers, Travel Guard reminds consumers that travel insurance remains essential no ...
Be prepared to deal with adverse events when you travel abroad Vancouver Sun
Deal-Seeking Travelers Should Not Overlook Need for Travel Insurance International Business Times
all 9 news articles

Harpreet Ubhi Joins Lockton Insurance Brokers in San Francisco
MarketWatch - 20 hours ago
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 04, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Lockton Companies, the world's largest independently owned insurance broker, has appointed Harpreet Ubhi to ...

Hartford Sees 2009 Growth In Most Life Insurance Lines
CNNMoney.com - 20 minutes ago
Other segments of its life insurance business are doing better, Walters said. He gave some selected guidance for 2009 in life insurance segments. ...
insurance - Google News
Your Ad Here

Games at Buy.com

Holiday Home Store at Buy.com

An Introduction to UK Home Insurance

Unlike motor cover, home insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. It is, however, a vital precaution against unforeseen bills caused by incidents such as... Read More

Discount Insurance - Get Affordable Coverage For All Your Insurance Needs

Insurance is an important part of our lives. If you are shopping for health, auto, life or home insurance you may be shocked by the dramatically rising... Read More

Term Life - Who Needs It?

If you've read any of the books or articles by popular personal finance gurus you've probably heard of the affordable life insurance alternative called Term life. Term... Read More

Independent Insurance Agents Unite! Insurance and Financial Discussion Forums are all the Rage

The online discussion forum has emerged as the medium of choice for many Americans. Most recently, forum platforms like vBulletin, Infopop, and Snitz have enabled the novice... Read More

Insurance Adjusters How They Work And How They Think

Here comes the insurance adjuster. Is he overly friendly? If so, watch out! It's OK to be hospitable. Be good-tempered and cordial - - but beware! Never... Read More

Cheap Health Insurance Rates and Personal Health Insurance

If you've been out of school for a couple of years or perhaps just graduated from college, you're probably a candidate for cheap health insurance. Once a... Read More

What is Car Insurance?

Car Insurance is compulsory in the UK. You are required by law to have a policy to cover your liability to other road users.The Road Traffic Act... Read More

Student Health Insurance - Is It Necessary?

As a young, healthy college student, it might be tempting to forgo the expense of health insurance. After all, you're young, you're careful and you're not sick.... Read More

Travel Insurance Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage - How It Works

What is a Pre-Existing Medical Condition?When a trip cancellation travel insurance company refers to a "Pre-Existing Condition", they are talking about medical conditions that exist in the... Read More

Photography Insurance-Insurance for the Photographer

Part and parcel of establishing your own photographic business is establishing your own legal entity. This means establishing yourself for taxes. This is broader than the scope... Read More

Term Life Insurance and Permanent Life Insurance

Term insurance and permanent insurance are two basic types of life insurance. Term life insurance is temporary, and it covers only a specific period of time called... Read More

How Do I Calculate How Much Life Insurance I Need?

Life insurance protects you and your family from economic hardship as a result of death. It is an insurance company's obligation to pay the recipient of your... Read More

The Life Insurance Quote Business is Booming, but is the Insurance Quote Accurate?

The life insurance quote business online is booming. Not only are life insurance agents quoting a more diverse portfolio of companies, but consumers are also now able... Read More

Sleep-At-Night Coverage With A Private Health Insurance ( Affordable Health Insurance )

Health Insurance: a sense of dissatisfactionThe three C's, customization, consumerization and customer-satisfaction, seem to be at the core of the business mantra for every service provider. The... Read More

Family Health Insurance Plans - How to Find The Best Provider Online

Family health insurance plans typically need to offer more coverage than plans for an individual. Regular check-ups and occasional emergencies need to be covered, especially if you... Read More

Car Insurance Discounts

Trying to save money wherever you can is important to us all. Insurance should be no different. Do not assume that your agent knows everything about you... Read More

A Free Term Life Insurance Quote Is Only Easy To Obtain

By searching online for life insurance, you can get a free term life insurance quote with no obligation to buy. In order to get the free term... Read More

Home Insurance: Premium Protection In Case Mishap Takes A Rain Check

My whinstone house my castle is, I have my own four walls.This is truth for every home owner. Your home, your castle, your prized possession, your territory... Read More

New Jersey Car Insurance - What Do You Need To Know About It?

When purchasing New Jersey car insurance there are many decisions you will have to make. You need to understand what kind of car insurance coverage you need... Read More

Types of Homeowner Insurance

There are 6 different types of homeowners insurance in general that are consistently utilized. Of these HO-3 is the most usual policy then it is followed by... Read More

How Do I Lower My Auto Insurance Premiums?

It seems as though the price of everything is on the rise. The amount a house may have cost in the early 70s is how much you... Read More

Tips For Lowering Your Auto Insurance Quote

Do you have many claims? If so, you should do all you can to reduce them or even endeavor to file no claims at all. Why do... Read More

5 Steps To Cheap Car Insurance Premiums

Although car insurance is compulsory, it's not necessary to pay more than you have to. A few simple steps combined with some time surfing for competitive car... Read More

Saving on Auto Insurance: The Road to Reduction

The road to saving on auto insurance is something that every consumer travels at one time or another. And the quest is really not as difficult as... Read More

Life Insurance: Who Needs It And How Much Do You Need?

Your friendly, neighborhood life insurance agent is most likely to answer this question with the word "everybody."The fact is, not everybody does need life insurance. If you... Read More

What Type of Doctor Should I See Under My HSA?

You can withdraw money from your Health Savings Account (HSA) to visit an MD, DO or a chiropractor.Since you will be writing a check or using your... Read More