4 Top Tips For Getting a Great Auto Insurance Deal

Auto insurance advertisements are everywhere, from the pages of the daily newspaper, to television and radio commercials. They each promise low rates, quick claims handling and personalized attention. But, how do you know that you are really getting the best deal? What does a smart driver need to know in order to find the best car insurance for their needs?

1. Consider Your Coverage Needs

Before diving headfirst into the murky waters of the auto insurance companies, you need to have a basic idea of the coverage you are looking for. At the very least, you need to be aware of the minimum limits each state imposes for various coverage options. For instance, liability insurance, which covers damage when you are at fault, is mandatory in almost every state. PIP or MedPay, which pays a percentage of your medical expenses and lost wages, is another coverage option that is required by most states. Also, keep in mind that if you are leasing or financing your car, comprehensive and collision coverage are mandatory.

Comprehensive coverage reimburses you for any damages other than those sustained by hitting another car (ex. theft and fire). Collision coverage protects you against any damages done as a result of impact from another vehicle, a curb, a telephone pole or any other object. If your car is old and/or already paid for, you can save a substantial amount of money by electing not to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. Just be sure to understand that if you are involved in an accident, these non-covered expenses will have to be paid for out of your own pocket.

One more consideration to think about when identifying your insurance needs is to examine your overall financial situation. If you have an excessive amount of assets, you would be better off going with a higher rate of coverage, as this will ensure that your assets are sufficiently covered should a lawsuit ensue.

2. Consider Your Driving Record

Do you have a history of fender-benders? If so, you may be better off getting more comprehensive coverage. Have you accumulated a heap of speeding tickets? Consider taking a defensive driving course. Remember that when you apply for car insurance, the company will contact the DMV for a copy of your driving record. Generally, car insurance companies look at the past 3-5 years of your driving history and base your premium on any previous accidents and infractions that occurred.

3. Start Shopping

After you have considered what kind of coverage you need and taken a look at your driving history, you can begin getting rate quotes. You can do this in person, on the phone or on the internet Be sure you are prepared with all the necessary paperwork. This includes your license, current insurance policy, your automobile's VIN, and registration. The idea is to get as many quotes as possible, so you can compare the coverage and rates side-by-side. Many websites will offer you their rates along with the rates of their competitors, which can save you time. Be sure to keep a detailed list of each company and their coverage limits, deductibles and rates. Print out a copy of quotes you get online and ask for a faxed/emailed/mailed copy of quotes you are given over the phone or in person.

Other things to consider when doing your research are: - any discounts that the company offers that would apply to you (student discounts, military discounts, good driving record, high credit score, optional safety equipment installed on your car, etc.) - the company's rating (by both consumers and ratings groups) - the company's payment policy (do they offer automatic deductions from your bank account? can you make payments online? are there late fees?)

One great way to ensure you get the best deal is to use a free online auto insurance quoting service. These services often compare quotes from hundreds of different suppliers and sometimes have the suppliers bidding against each other, so you can end up with an excellent deal.

4. Making Your Decision

After you've done all the necessary research, it's time to choose a company. While it may seem tempting, going with the cheapest is not automatically the best way to go. You should be certain the coverage you choose is adequate for your needs and the level of service is decent and reliable. When it comes down to it, getting the best deal in auto insurance has little to do with catchy jingles or funny commercials and everything to do with being a smart consumer. By taking a little time to do some research, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars a year and still maintain the level of coverage you need with a dependable company.

9 Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance

Premiums for Auto Insurance are never calculated on a flat rate basis. There are many variables that determine the amount of the premium payable by each individual. The final rate of auto insurance is made after knowing the following:

1.) Applicant's age. Typically drivers who are younger are determined to be high risk. On the opposite side, older drivers pay more for auto insurance due to aging eyesight and coordination may lessen as you get older which may affect driving.

2.) The make and model of your vehicle. The majority of insurance carriers group auto insurance rates based on the vehicle make. Vehicles that fall into the category of being a sedan or compact have lower insurance rates while SUVs, sports cars, and exotic cars, are given high insurance premiums.

3.) Gender plays a role. Females tend to get lower auto insurance rates that males. Male drivers are considered to high risk motorists. The statistics don't lie. More auto accidents are caused by males than female motorists.

4.) Financial stability. Automobile owners with excellent credit scores and credit reports typically pay lower insurance premiums than people who have low credit ratings and scores. Insurance companies offer lower insurance rates to people who demonstrate a solid credit history.

5. Driving history can raise or lower your premiums. Motorists who have a accident and ticket free driving record for the last three years will get lower rates.

6.) Where you live. Areas with lower crime rates such as outside the city and less populated can give you lower insurance rates.

7.) Number of insurance policies. If you get your auto insurance policy with the same insurance company which has your health, life or home then you can ask and should receive a group policy discount.

8.) The amount of miles driven per year. If you limit the miles driven then you will be eligible for lower auto insurance rates. Also, if you use a car only for personal use it will trigger a lower premium versus one used for work.

9.) If you own a hybrid or electric car and care for the environment then your auto insurance premiums could be lower. As an automobile owner you can find something that can lower your premium by knowing all the factors mentioned above. It cannot be stresses enough, always compare rates and premiums from various auto insurance companies.

What You Need to Know About Insuring Your Jewelry

Jewelry insurance is a step you can take to protect your valuable fine jewelry. Most wealthy people take time to insure their jewelry, but there are a substantial number of people who are not as wealthy but own jewelry that is worth insuring.

If you have homeowners or renters insurance it may not fully cover your jewelry. Your insurance policy may cover jewelry theft, but not loss that occurs for other reasons.

Renter's and homeowner's insurance policies also set limits for the loss of certain categories of personal property, including jewelry. Homeowner's policies typically pay a maximum of $1,5 00 for jewelry theft. A renter's insurance policy might have a lower limit for jewelry loss--$500-$1000 is common.

The following are some tips for insuring your valuable fine jewelry.

One of the first and most important steps is to have all of your fine jewelry appraised by an independent appraiser. Make sure each item is listed, described and valued on paper.

You may be able to choose coverage with or without a deductible. Rates for personal property insurance may vary depending on where you live.

Carefully read and understand your home owner's or renter's insurance policy to find out the amount of coverage it will provide for items such as jewelry. The best insurance will cover loss, theft and damage.

Ask your insurance agent about taking out a separate policy on your valuables or adding a rider to your home owner's policy to cover jewelry that goes beyond the value of personal property covered in the basic policy.

Take time to compare all insurance plans, as well as the reputation of each company. Choose the one that gives you the most coverage for your money and the most flexibility if you have to replace jewelry.

Other tips to protect your jewelry:

-You should store your jewelry in a personal safe or in a safety deposit box.

-You should inspect your jewelry on a regular basis to reassess its value. If your jewelry is not valued properly, you may not be able to recover what you need to replace it if is stolen or lost.

-It is a good idea to have photos of your jewelry. Sometimes photos can offer assistance in recovering or replacing your valuables.

You should make yourself familiar with how the insurance process works. Ask your insurance agent questions before you insure an item. Don't wait until you need to file a claim. Always read the fine print in any insurance contract to make sure your are receiving the coverage you expect.