Archive for April, 2009
Compare Car Insurance
There is an abundance of insurance companies out there competing for our custom. The mere thought of trawling for a quote from various companies can be quite daunting. This is when choosing a specialist website which gives you access to the marketplace can resolve the headache of how to compare car insurance.
A great advantage of using a specialist website is that you only have to enter your details the once. It enables you to access the results in a matter of minutes, which saves you time and money. One can effortlessly compare car insurance allowing an instant review of the policy contents. To ensure those little extra items that may or may not be included in the quote. Things such as; the use of a free courtesy car if your car is damaged and being repaired, whether free repair and or replacement of a windscreen is included, free identity etching on all windows for increased car security and any related discounts given on breakdown and recovery services, to name just a few.
It also allows you to adjust the details entered so that you can instantly review how certain changes alter the quotes given by the car insurance companies. It is this ability to alter individual details like the excess amount or annual mileage, which makes being able to instantly compare car insurance, so straightforward and convenient.
In this current economic climate, individuals and organisations may wish to look at ways of reducing their expenditure regarding car insurance. It would be a simple procedure to vary certain criteria when inputting the details. As there seems to be a difference in price according to the postcode of the individual’s address applying for insurance and the make and model of the car, using a specialist website that gives access to the marketplace would prove an invaluable tool and help find them the best deal. A specialist website that can instantly allow you to compare car insurance, could be useful when reviewing or setting future budgets or simply considering relocating or buying a different car.
The website also allows you to change the way in which you view your quotes. You can list them in an order that best suits your needs. It is simple to save the information and retrieve it later at your convenience. Once you have decided upon the policy that best suits your needs, you can proceed with its purchase without having to enter your details again. This would save so much precious time and effort and prove invaluable in our modern lifestyle.
The knowledge that the specialist website is independent and not affiliated to one particular insurance company means that the information is impartial.
This unbiased service gives an extensive range of trusted insurance suppliers from which to choose. Thus enabling you to select the appropriate cover and help eliminate the possibility of unpleasant surprises in your policy. It is so efficient to be able to compare car insurance at a glance, using one specialist website. Essentially, it is the ease of use, which proves attractive, and the answers are immediately available allowing the individual to make a prompt and informed decision.
Auto Insurance Faqs: Accidents Happen
6 million auto accidents per year in the United States alone, there’s a good chance that you or someone close to you will be involved in an auto accident at some point. Having auto insurance is a great way to be prepared for an auto accident. When shopping for auto insurance, it’s important to look at auto insurance rates and quotes and do some comparing. Knowing how to proceed in the event of an auto accident can save you time, money, and headaches, especially if your car is damaged.
Q: What should I do if I’ve just had an auto accident?
A: Assuming there are no injuries, here’s a checklist of how to proceed:
1.Call 911 to report the auto accident. You’ll want a copy of a police report for any future claim, especially if the accident was not your fault. If the damage is minor and the other driver wants to negotiate a settlement on the spot, be wary: You could have unseen damage. 2.Don’t bother engaging the other driver in an argument about who was at fault – the police will handle that. 3.Write down the other driver’s name and insurance information. 4.If you have a camera in your car, get some shots of the damage and general accident scene. 5When you get home, call your auto insurance company to report the accident if there will be a claim on your policy. If the other driver was at fault and you don’t live in a “no-fault” state, contact their auto insurance company to start the claims process.
Whether the car damage is minor or extensive, your main goal is to get enough information in order to protect your best interests later. And remember that honesty is the best policy in reporting the circumstances of the auto accident.
Q: What coverage pays for damage to my car?
A: If you’re at fault in an auto accident (whether you’ve crashed into someone else or into a fence), you’ll need collision coverage if you want your repairs covered. If you don’t have collision coverage, you’ll need to pay for repairs out of your own pocket. Some drivers drop collision coverage when their cars get older because the potential cost of fixing them is more than the value of the cars.
If someone else crashes into you, their liability auto insurance must pay for repairs to your vehicle. This is called a “third-party” claim because you’re making a claim on their auto insurance company.
If you live in a “no-fault” state, you always make a claim on your own policy no matter who is at fault.
Q: Do I have to use my auto insurer’s body shop for repairs?
A: No, you can never be forced to use a repair shop that your auto insurance company designates. However, you may find it’s more convenient to do so. Many auto insurance companies have customer service programs that streamline your claim process by handling paperwork and your rental car from the repair shop and fully guaranteeing the work.
You can never be too prepared when it comes to an auto accident. Hopefully, these FAQ’s have given you some helpful advice and information if you or someone you know has to face this situation in the near future. Auto insurance companies are there to help you sort through the car damage and remove some of the headaches and worries for you. Auto accidents aren’t something that we like to think about, but thinking ahead will help you and your auto rates in the long run.
Shopping Around or Moving on With Your Car Insurance?
Jon Sellers, of More Than insurers, said: “Retention is the new battleground for insurers. The growth in online comparison sites means that more people shop around. But it is cheaper for insurers to retain customers than attract new ones.”
No claims bonus is an important feature of car insurance and helps to reduce the costs of the premium. Some insurers, including Direct Line, offer a protection of no claims so that if an accident occurs customers do not lose this feature when they renew their insurance.
The drawback is if the customer wants to move insurer to make a saving their new provider may not recognize the no claims protection. They may give a quote which reflects the fact that an accident happened.
Richard Mason, of Moneysupermarket.com, said: “Quotes offered will be up to 20% more expensive, thereby reducing the incentive to move.”
Additionally any named drivers on someone’s policy may find that even though they have built up a no claims history with their present insurer this is not carried over to another provider.
Some insurers offer discounts when the customer buys several policies with them for other vehicles. This may not always provide the most savings because a 10% discount could be offered with further vehicles but switching provider may give up to a 40% discount.
Jennifer Rose, of Confused.com, said: “The savings are worth the extra hassle of dealing with two companies.”
There are also warnings in the ease of using direct debits to pay for premiums and how this can prevent customers from looking at other offers.
Hayley Parsons, of GoCompare.com, said: “Most companies assume that you will continue after a year, and renewal letters include lines such as: ‘You do not have to take any further action’. Unless you keep a close eye on your calendar you can easily be locked into another contract.”
Figures from the AA reveal that in 2006 the average car insurance was £594 but those who shopped made a 33% saving and reduced their premiums to £400.
Those who are reinsuring their car with Third Party Fire and Theft cover were found to make savings of £225 per year if they decided to switch insurer.
Ms Rose agrees that changing insurer is best.
“Your insurer may offer free months, discounted or protected claims, but even that does not mean that it will be the cheapest. People who switch save the most,” she said.
Those drivers who are entering their second year with an insurer and have not had any claims should find they offered a reduction in their premiums. This is not always the case.
“If the driver sticks with the same insurer, the likelihood is that the premiums won’t drop,” said Ms Rose, “or will do so only marginally, but enough to fool the customer into thinking the saving is good.”