Posts Tagged ‘Car Insurance’

Why And How To Cancel Auto Insurance

Friday, April 13th, 2012

Auto insurance is a competitive market, so buyers definitely have the upper hand. If you’re not 100 percent satisfied with your provider’s customer service or rates, you are always entitled to cancel auto insurance coverage and sign with a new company. You do not have to wait until renewal time to switch either: you may cancel at any time and receive the unused portion of your policy back. Some companies may charge you a nominal early cancellation fee, so be sure to read the fine print so you’re not disappointed.

Common Reasons For Cancelling Auto Insurance

There are many reasons why you may want to outright cancel (or suspend) your policy. By law, you cannot drive uninsured, but if you won’t be driving for several months on end or if you had your driver’s license suspended or revoked, you may cancel your policy to avoid paying for a service you are not using. You can also opt to switch providers if you got a free auto insurance quote online that offered more favorable rates. You may particularly in the market for a new policy if your expenses have recently increased following a traffic ticket or accident.

 Cancelling Or Switching Car Insurance

Cancelling or switching car insurance is very easy! Nowadays, most people switch insurance by shopping for free insurance quotes online and selecting a provider to contact them. Typically, the new provider will handle the cancellation of your old policy. Yet, it is still a good idea to send a written letter requesting cancellation and asking for a confirmation that your policy has been terminated. Never rely on word-of-mouth! If you are cancelling your insurance and not getting a new policy, simply call your provider. They will usually have you fill out a form and mail it in to complete the cancellation. Depending on your state’s requirements, you may need to contact the DMV to let them know you’re cancelling too. They may ask you to surrender your plates or registration tags if you are not getting a new policy.

Get An Auto Insurance Quote Today!

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Why put up with grief? There are many auto insurance fish in the sea. Get your free, no-obligation online auto quote within minutes!

 

Most & Least Expensive Cars For Auto Insurance 2012

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

Your auto insurance premium depends upon many different factors, including the type of vehicle you choose to drive. It’s no surprise that a fast, flashy, expensive sports car would cost more to insure than a hand-me-down station wagon. However, there are other cars that people may not expect on the list too — like a BMW Hybrid.

According to Insure, these are the “10 Most Expensive Cars For Auto Insurance” in 2012:

auto insurance

You can drive that Spyder, but it'll cost ya in auto insurance!

 

Rank Vehicle Cyl. Nat’l annual avg. rate
1 Audi R8 Spyder Quattro Convertible 10 $3,384
2 Mercedes CL600 Coupe 12 $3,307
3 Mercedes S600 12 $2,948
4 Audi R8 4.2 Quattro Coupe 8 $2,903
5 Porsche Panamera Turbo 8 $2,738
6 BMW 750i Hybrid 8 $2,701
7 Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible 6 $2,674
8 Porsche 911 Turbo S Convertible 6 $2,674
9 Mercedes CL65 AMG Coupe 12 $2,669
10 BMW 750Li Hybrid 8 $2,641

On the other end of the spectrum, you can find the least expensive auto insurance with…

auto insurance

Want low auto insurance? Try the Toyota Sienna.

Rank Vehicle Cyl. Nat’l annual avg. rate
1 Toyota Sienna LE 4 $1,111
2 Toyota Sienna 4 $1,114
3 Jeep Patriot Sport 4 $1,116
4 Jeep Compass Sport 4 $1,118
5 GMC Sierra K1500 Regular Cab 6 $1,121
6 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab 6 $1,125
7 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 6 $1,129
8 Ford Escape XLS 4 $1,137
9 Toyota Sienna 6 $1,139
10 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Extended Cab 6 $1,143

Why Such A Difference?

Psychologists will tell you that buying a mini-van says “I’m happily married with kids and concerned about safety,” whereas a flashy sports car says “look at me: I’m reckless and cool!” Yet, from a more practical standpoint, the Toyota Sienna is mass-produced, whereas the Audi Spyder is made in limited numbers to increase the desirability and status of driving such a vehicle — which makes repairs and maintenance more costly. The cost of auto insurance also goes up if a vehicle is statistically more likely to be stolen or be involved in an accident.

Looking for lower auto insurance rates? Search auto insurance quotes right here!

 

How Long Does A DUI Affect My Auto Insurance Rates?

Monday, April 2nd, 2012
auto insurance after dui

The best Santa can do is plea bargain & shop around for lower auto insurance rates.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense, no matter what state you live in. Unfortunately, auto insurance rates tend to skyrocket once this offense goes onto your record. Anything that can be leveled against you probably will be, as you have now proven yourself to be a risky driver.

How Long Will A DUI Affect Insurance Rates?

The length of time a DUI stays on your record will depend upon your state’s laws. For instance, California requires a DUI to stay on one’s record for 7 years. New York auto insurance companies keep track of this conviction for 10 years. In Alaska, a DUI stays on a driving record forever. Generally, the car insurance premium rate hike takes place at your next renewal period.

Each Auto Insurance Company Is Different.

Some will increase your rate for just 3 years, while others will hold the offense against you for the full 7-10 years. According to Carole Walker of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, ”If you get a DUI conviction, it will likely affect your insurance rates for (at least) the next three to five years.” Even after that, she says you can expect at least five years of perfect driving before reaching preferred status with auto insurance providers again.

The best thing to do after a DUI is to search for a new auto insurance provider to access the most competitive rates.

 

How Can I Get a Copy of my Driving Record for an Auto Insurance Application?

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

For people who are looking for their first insurance policy or who want to change providers, the question, “How can I get a copy of my driving record for an auto insurance application?” is an important one. A driver who has been notified that his or her auto insurance rates will be increasing may also want to get a copy of the record to confirm that all the information it contains is correct.

Insurance companies ask for some basic information to provide a quote for coverage. One of the questions will be whether the applicant has received any tickets within the past three-five years. A driver who knows that he or she has one or more moving violations on his or her record but who isn’t sure of the date should make sure to check it to make sure that the information being provided on the application form is accurate.

Get a Copy of My Driving Record: US

Drivers who want to get a copy of their driving record can order one by mail or online. To get a paper copy of the driving record, contact the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Downloadable/printable forms may be available by visiting the state DMV website. The driver can fill out the form and mail it to the DMV, along with the required fee.

Another option for drivers who want to get a copy of their driving record is to order one online. This information may be offered from private companies as well as the state DMV. If looking at a website from a private company offering to provide records, make a point of checking out the site to make sure that the record provided will be an official document. Some private companies charge higher rates to provide a record than the DMV, and drivers will need to consider whether getting the information more quickly is worth makes paying the higher rates worthwhile.

Get a Copy of My Driving Record: Canada

Canadian drivers can get a copy of their driving record by visiting a driver licensing office. The information can also be ordered online or by sending a signed request to the provincial or territorial Ministry of Transportation office.

Before ordering a copy of a driving record, call or visit the Ministry of Transportation website to find out what types of records are available and how much a driver will have to pay to obtain this information. Fees will vary, depending on the province or territory. If a driver is going to the local driver’s licensing office to obtain his or her record, he or she should call first to find out about accepted payment methods.

Ordering a driving record when looking for auto insurance coverage is a good idea for everyone on the road. Insurance companies will pull an applicant’s driving record and use this information to help determine how much it will charge for coverage. For this reason, it’s important to confirm that the insurer is making the decision based on accurate information.