How much could you save on auto insurance?

Of all the monthly expenses we endure that have any chance of being reduced, auto insurance is right near the top of the list.

When it comes to auto insurance, a little comparison shopping could result in a savings of hundreds–and sometimes thousands–of dollars. 

Following these guidelines can help reduce your auto insurance bill.


First, it pays to shop around. Instead of settling for the first quote you receive, do some comparison shopping, inquiring with at least three different insurers to get the best price–keeping in mind that the company’s customer satisfaction ratings and its overall reputation also count for a lot.
If you increase your deductible, you could also save on your premiums. The more you increase your deductible, the greater the savings you could achieve on your premium.


If you have an older car, you may not need collision or comprehensive coverage. As a general rule, it doesn’t make sense to buy comprehensive and collision coverage for a car worth less than $1,000, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). If you don’t have an old car and, in fact, are buying a new vehicle, keep in mind that certain types of cars cost far more to insure than others. There’s big difference between the lofty insurance premiums you’re likely to face with a slick sports car as compared to the significantly lower rate that a small sport-utility vehicle (SUV) would command.


It also pays to shop around for different discounts, such as low-mileage discounts if you work at home or have a very short daily commute; car safety discounts if your vehicle has air bags, anti-lock brakes or a car alarm; good student discounts; marriage discounts; and more.

A clean driving record free of accidents, moving violations and claims; and a good credit history are other factors bound to work in your favor in your quest for a low auto insurance premium.

source: smarterlifestyles.com

Insurance market Lloyd's posts huge loss on catastrophes

LONDON — The Lloyd’s of London insurance market on Wednesday posted its second-biggest loss on record due to major natural catastrophes including Japan’s earthquake disaster and floods in Thailand.

The company made a pre-tax annual loss of £516 million ($822 million, 615 million euros) in 2011, Lloyd’s said in a results statement, as the group was hit by soaring claims. That compared with a profit of £2.195 billion in 2010.

“Lloyd’s incurred total net claims of £12.9 billion during 2011, including £4.6 billion of catastrophe claims, making it the largest catastrophe claims year on record for the 324-year-old insurance market,” the group said.

“This follows a series of major catastrophes including flooding in Australia in January, the second earthquake in New Zealand in February, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March and the floods in Thailand beginning in July.”

The group added that total claims for the entire insurance industry totalled $107 billion last year.

“Make no mistake, 2011 was a difficult year for the insurance industry,” added chief executive Richard Ward in the earnings release.

“Given the scale of the claims, a loss is unsurprising but it reflects what we’re here to do—help communities and businesses rebuild after disaster.

“It is also reassuring that, despite this loss, our financial strength has been maintained.”

Lloyd’s had suffered its worst losses in 2001, when it logged a record pre-tax loss of £3.1 billion following the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

source: japantoday.com

Auto Insurance in California

Having auto insurance in California is required by state law and can be very costly if caught without it. Many motorists today are seeking the best deal in town and living in a state where everything is known to be expensive there are so many options to choose from. Yet there are still folks driving around with no car insurance. Auto coverage helps protect against a financial loss in case of a car accident or other type of loss related to your vehicle. It covers damages and injuries that can be caused by a potential accident. It also can cover the costs of repairs to your car or replace it if it were completely damaged or stolen.

Living in California, one of the most expensive states in the country, can also bring about high insurance premiums. Typically, the longer one has been driving without tickets and/or accidents on their driving record, the better Auto Insurance rates they can get. Some other factors that can play a role include your experience (age), home zip code, and even your credit score. Keep in mind you may also qualify for discounts based on your vehicles safety features and other programs offered by carriers. In addition, select carriers offer deep discounts for having multiple policies in force.

There are many insurance carriers available and even more offering free California auto insurance quotes online. In some cases the state's imposed minimum liability may not be enough to cover the cost of damages that result from an accident. In these instances, the motorist responsible for the accident will be held liable for any excess charges not covered by the insurance policy. It is very important to consider what your needs are and putting together a policy that will suit both your needs and your budget.

Should I Have "Full Coverage"?

This question is all too common and deserves the proper attention. The term "full coverage" by definition means that you carry both liability coverage and collision coverage for your own vehicle. However, it does NOT mean that everything is covered no matter what! This is a common misconception and one should understand that you will usually have out of pocket expenses via a deductible or co-insurance. The fastest way to find out what type of coverage you currently have is to reference the Declarations page of your auto policy.

Can My Insurance Premiums Change?

Typically if you have a good driving record and no tickets or accidents, your initial auto insurance quotes in California should only get better as time goes on. However, if you do have tickets accidents or live in a high risk area, your premiums are subject to increase. It is best to evaluate your premiums at least once a year to make sure your rates coincide with the best rating factors.

You never know when an accident can occur. With traffic as bad as it is known to be in California, having the right car insurance solutions in place is very critical.

I have been providing Insurance services to individuals, families and businesses alike for nearly a decade. We are a leading online provider and source for all of your auto insurance quotes in california. Please visit us for all your Insurance Solutions needs to find out more.

Article Source:
http://www.articlebiz.com/article/1051528540-1-auto-insurance-in-california/