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Know Your Car Insurance Companies

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You may wonder why should you know your car insurance companies. One very good reason is that in the event of an accident you would be less likely to accept a false proof of insurance. How’s that possible?

A few months ago my car was hit while I was sitting at a stop sign waiting to turn left. The other driver coming from my right cut the corner before realizing there was a car there. Needless to say it was a head-on collision, but thankfully she was slowing to turn.When the time came to exchange insurance information, she handed me a letter on official letterhead that gave a policy number for auto insurance. The letterhead said DriveTime. I’d heard about DriveTime as being a place where one could easily get an auto loan. I never questioned the validity of the proof of insurance I was given.

I found out later, when I tried to file a claim for repairs with the other insurance company, that DriveTime insurance ONLY covers their car. It is a comprehensive coverage that protects DriveTime against any loss. However, it is up to the car buyer to obtain liability coverage from another source.

So before you get stuck with a proof of insurance that is no proof at all, glance at the list below just to get an idea of those real full-coverage auto insurance companies. These are American insurance companies with a strong regional and national presence.

* American National Insurance Company
* American Automobile Association
* AIG
* Allstate
* American Family Insurance
* American Farmers and Ranchers Mutual
* Amica
* Auto-Owners Insurance
* California Casualty Insurance
* CapitalOne
* Commerce Insurance Group
* COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services
* Cuna Mutual Group
* Electric Insurance Company
* Esurance
* Expatriate Insurance
* Farm Bureau Insurance
* Farmers Insurance
* Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company
* GAINSCO Auto Insurance
* GMAC Insurance
* Geico
* The General
* GuideOne
* Hanover Insurance
* The Hartford
* Hastings Mutual Insurance Company
* Haulers Insurance Company
* Infinity Auto Insurance Company
* Liberty Mutual
* Nationwide Insurance
* National Interstate
* Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
* Mutual of Enumclaw
* OneBeacon Insurance Group
* Pekin Insurance
* Pemco
* Progressive
* Safeco
* Safeway Insurance Group
* Standard Insurance Company
* State Auto Insurance Companies
* Shelter Insurance Companies
* Solid Insurance Group
* State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
* The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.
* Trustgard Insurance
* Unitrin Direct Auto Insurance
* USAA
* Wawanesa
* Westfield Insurance

Of course, there are a lot more insurance companies that this, but this is a list of the most common. So if someone gives you a proof of insurance that doesn’t sound like a company name that you are familiar with, make sure you get all of the contact information, including their driver’s license numberjust in case.

How Motor Trade Insurance Is Different From Car Insurance

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Despite the similarity of names, motor trade insurance is fairly different from the typical motor vehicle insurance. The differences stem from the nature of the policies; the former is principally a form of commercial insurance, the latter a private policy for individual motorists.

Like private motor insurance, motor trade policies come in a variety of levels of cover like third party, third party fire and theft and comprehensive insurance. Unlike car insurance though, motor trade policies cover the driver – not the driver and the vehicle.

Basically, car insurance protects a specific driver in a specific vehicle. Motor trade protects a driver for any vehicle he or she drives for the purposes of motor trade (not for just driving to the shops) that is also his property.

As you can imagine, this is extremely useful for people in the motor trade. It provides insurance when taking a demonstration drive, or for testing customer vehicles for part-exchange or second-hand purchase. It also provides cover for driving vehicles from storage depots to showrooms, or in the case of larger organisations, between separate showrooms.

If motor trade insurance operated exactly the same way as other forms of motor insurance, it would be a nightmarish procedure to just complete the day to day business of the motor trade. Not only because of the potential costs of driving uninsured – but because even if you’re in the motor trade, it’s illegal to drive a car on the UK’s public roads without insurance.

Of course, given that these vehicles represent a motor traders life and blood (as well as a significant initial financial investment. Third Party is the minimum legal requirement but it won’t offer peace of mind to anyone in the motor trade. more so than private vehicle owners, a motor trader needs to be able to at least recoup losses on theft or fire (a car park full of stationary vehicles presents more targets than a single vehicle in a driveway or garage).

For those in the second-hand trade, the more likely comprehensive insurance will come in useful. Not only because potential customers will likely insist on a test drive but also because if the trader is purchasing a car from a private individual, they will definitely take it for a drive before deciding. Any kind of accident that happens during that time could be massively damaging to the business.

Motor trade insurance also extends to other areas of liability than comprehensive private policies. Firstly, although its not compulsory for motor traders as a business with public premises it can be incredibly costly if the operator fails to provide a safe environment; just like supermarkets and high-street shops, motor traders have a duty of care obligation in the common law.

Additionally, the motor trader is likely to need employers liability insurance; it’s legally required if you want to employ anyone from a part-time car washer to a full-time salesman or mechanic.

Why Is My Car Insurance So Expensive, And What Can I Do

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Most drivers are on the prowl for cheaper auto insurance, and spend a lot of time looking at side-by-side comparisons on the Internet. They could save a lot of time by simply moving to Maine.

Insure.com recently released a list ranking states by average annual cost of car insurance.

Topping out the list was Louisiana, where the average premium is $2,510.87 (this compared to Maine’s $902.85).

Virginia came in at number 37, with an average of $1,233.36 (this is slightly under the national average of $1,429.26). Washington, DC ranked number 7, with typical costs of $1,753.19.

So aside from leaving the state, how do you keep your rates low? The formula for calculating your rate is only slightly more complicated than cracking the Da Vinci Code, but here is a typical breakdown: Tier I: Primary zip code, age, gender and marital status Tier II: Driving record, credit history, make and model of car

Let’s break it down. It’s hard to change the first-tier factors (and if you are willing to make those changes over car insurance rates, then… you must just have terrible coverage to begin with). Some may be wondering why zip code matters. To begin with, all states have different laws pertaining to vehicle insurance requirements. Additionally, remember the first rule of real estate: location, location, location! Factors such as urban vs. rural and number of uninsured drivers on the road with you will affect the overall “risk factor” of living in certain areas. As far as the others in this category, we’re all familiar with the magic birthday of 25, and know that only drastic measures can change gender or marital status.

Now let’s look at what you can change. Insurance companies assign a different risk rating to each individual make and model. Different insurance companies will have different systems in place to estimate this, though it’s possible to find good examples online (check company websites and services like MSN).

While it’s still being debated in most states, your credit history can weigh in on what you pay for insurance. Something like this will also vary from company to company.

Lastly, your driving record. In terms of factors you can impact, this is the big one. Speeding tickets, traffic tickets, reckless driving charges, DWI/DUI charges, are just SOME of the things that can increase your premiums, now or further down the road. Did you know that even no-fault accidents (accidents in which you were involved but did not cause directly) can cause your rates to increase?

The best thing to do if you receive a ticket or charge or are involved in an accident is to contact an experienced attorney in your state to discuss your options, and how best to deal with insurance companies. If you are involved in an accident, it is usually better to contact your attorney before you give a statement to your insurance company.

Copyright (c) 2010 James Parrish

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance Quotes and Save Up to $500!

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You could be spending $300, $400, even $500 too much for your auto insurance every year. Want to know how get cheap car insurance quotes in just a couple of minutes and put that money back in your pocket? Here’s how …

Examine Your Policy

Most of us never take the time to read our car insurance policies, much less understand them. Yet making a few changes in your coverage can save you hundreds of dollars on your insurance premium. Here are three things you can do to save a bundle your auto insurance premiums.

Increase Your Deductible Your deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before your insurance company pays a claim. Simply raising your deductible by a few hundred dollars can save you hundreds of dollars on your car insurance every year.

Install A Security System Most insurance companies will give you a discount if you install a security system on your car. Installing an alarm or an anti-theft device will not only save you money, it will give you peace of mind.

Decrease Your Mileage The number of miles you drive has a direct bearing on the amount of money you’ll pay for insurance. To cut down on the amount of miles you drive, try carpooling to work or even taking the bus a few times a week. You might also cut down on your weekly shopping trips.

Shop Online

The best way to get cheap car insurance quotes is to comparison shop online. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s free.

It only takes a few minutes online in the privacy of your home to get a number of quotes so you can compare rates from top-rated companies and get a cheap car insurance quote.

Visit or click on the following link to get free cheap car insurance quotes and see if you can save $500 or more on your car insurance. You can get more insurance tips by checking out their “Articles” section.

The author, Brian Stevens, is a former insurance agent and financial consultant who has written extensively on cheap car insurance quotes.

Finding the Best Car Insurance Harrisburg PA Plan

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If you have been looking for car insurance Harrisburg PA quotes, you’ll find it is a highly competitive field with a large number of insurance providers and pricing options. The first step is considering the kind of coverage needed. As an example, for those with less than perfect driving records, it might be beneficial to compare rates with companies offering coverage for high risk drivers. Additionally, there are a number of methods to obtaining further discounts. For instance, many insurance agents will provide cheaper vehicle insurance rates if the client allows the carrier to handle all their insurance policies including homeowners.

Save Driver Discounts ts

A number of car insurance Harrisburg PA providers reward their clients based on having a spotless driving record. That’s why it’s essential to find an insurance solution offering flexibility along with a number of incentives. Discounted policies are also frequently provided to clients having installed safety features and vehicle protection measures. Furthermore, having multiple cars on one policy might also involve a lower overall premium. Your insurance carrier will be able to advise you on the best coverage plan based on your individual requirements. Always inquire as to discounts available, as many providers might not volunteer this information unless asked.

Best Insurance Rates

It should be noted that automotive insurance rates can differ according to region. For instance, insurance in a major metropolitan area is often more costly than those living in a rural location. Additionally, the type of vehicle, its age and condition, and other factors will impact premium amounts. Because of the wide range of policies offered nowadays, it pays to carefully compare car insurance Harrisburg PA premium rates and policies. You’ll find many deductibles and coverage amounts regarding personal injury claims and property damage. It’s imperative to not only consider pricing, but having adequate insurance coverage in the event of accidents.

Online Insurance Quotes

These days, finding insurance quotations is easier than ever. Most major insurance providers will have websites for clients to get an instant estimation based on several factors. This includes age of the driver, vehicle model, past driving history, and current policy information. Additionally, it’s possible to obtain car insurance Harrisburg PA rates from a number of companies simultaneously utilizing the services from sites that represent hundreds of insurance carriers. Make certain you find a policy that’s reasonably priced, offers flexibility, and most importantly provides the coverage amount necessary to ensure adequate protection against any claims.

Car insurance Harrisburg PA – If you have been looking for car insurance in Harrisburg, PA, get in touch with Farnham Insurance Agency. They will offer the right insurance coverage.