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My dad used to say: “Car insurance is such a racket!”
He was talking about how good drivers pay into it for years and never get anything out of it except for this supposed peace of mind in knowing that its there for us just in case...
So when the opportunity comes up to save money on my auto insurance…without compromising my coverage...then I'm all over it!
Here are a few ways to slash your car insurance bill today…
Teenagers that live at home: restrict their usage of your car so they are considered to be an "occasional driver" by your car insurance company.
Raise your deductible: Raising your deductible from $100.00 to $500.00 could save you hundreds of dollars per year.
If you have a business and a teenage driver: Have your teenager drive the company car because many car insurance companies don't charge extra for teenage drivers.
Dump your collision coverage: If your car is worth $3000 or less, some auto insurance companies will still cover it for its full amount if totaled, which means you have no reason to pay extra for collision coverage.
If you're under 25: Unless you are a maniac behind the wheel, get your parents to put you on their auto insurance policy.
If you rent a car: Check to see if you are already covered by your auto insurance company before you waste $20.00 to $30.00 per day for the extra car insurance provided by the rental company.
Get multiple auto insurance quotes: Like any business, car insurance compete against each other and rates can vary greatly from one company to the next. You don’t need to wait until renewal time to change over because they will prorate and refund what is left over on your existing car insurance policy too

Auto insurance or car insurance protects you and your vehicle from any damage occurred due to an accident and acts as safety device from sustaining any loss. Not only accidents, your vehicle can also be covered from damages due to vandalism, adverse weather, theft, fire and other scenarios.
Auto insurance is a "necessary evil" which is necessary for all automobile owners. But it is not enough to have an insured vehicle; the main thing is to have an insured vehicle with best auto insurance. And you must know the "in and outs" of auto insurance policy.
Here we are giving some basics of coverage, which will help you greatly while selecting the best auto insurance policy for your vehicle.
Collision Coverage: This part of auto insurance policy provides you safe side when your car hits another car and you pay for the repairs, without making any difference who is at fault. Policy providing wider collision coverage can be considered as the best auto insurance policy.
Comprehensive Coverage: It covers each and every damages to your vehicle, whether it is accident or falling of a tree branch or what so ever on your car.
Deductible: This is the amount of money you pay at the time of filing a claim. Higher deductibles = lower premiums.
Effective date: This is the time period for which your auto insurance policy is valid. Don't let your policy lapsed.
Endorsements: The term endorsement includes all possible discounts and additional coverages, which can be offered to you on your car insurance. Discounts like multipolicy discount, student discount, and multifamily discount can change any normal auto insurance into best auto insurance.
Exclusions: This section includes things that are not covered by your policy. Small list of exclusions indicates toward best auto insurance policy.
Glass Coverage: You can go for free glass replacement after any accident, if your auto insurance policy includes glass coverage.
Some auto insurance policies provide other specific coverages like No-fault Coverage, Personal Injury Protection and property damage.

How can you tell if an insurance adjuster is lying? Answer: Look and see if his/her lips are moving!
Yes, I know that was a corny joke that may overstate the frequency of the problem to some degree. But, this fact can’t be disputed or denied: Insurance adjusters often lie to consumers, hoping their antics will cause them to become discouraged and accept a smaller settlement than they are rightfully owed. While it is true, mistakes occasionally happen and some adjusters pass untruths out of ignorance, many others are handsomely rewarded for routinely telling blatant and deliberate lies to claimants.
In this article you will learn nine of the most frequent lies auto insurance adjusters tell. Beneath each lie, you will learn the truth.
Lie #1 You must get your car repaired
Truth: It’s your car and no one can make you do something with it that you don’t want to do. If you choose not to repair damage that is covered by insurance, as a general rule, the insurer still owes you for the full value of necessary repairs that would be required to put your vehicle into its preloss condition. But, be forewarned. If you choose not to repair accident damage on your car, your insurance company would not be required to continue insuring the car for its full retail value. In fact, if you play hardball, your insurance company may decline to insure your car altogether forcing you to shop for other insurance coverage at a time when your driving record may be marked by an accident.
Lie #2 You must go to the insurer’s preferred shop
Truth: If you choose to have your car repaired, most state’s laws allow you to authorize work at the shop of your choice. However, if you encounter problems with a shop you selected, the insurance company will be quoting the old lyric, “I told you so,” and will be little help in procuring your satisfaction. If, on the other hand, you go to a shop selected by an insurer and get deceived, or don’t receive the level of repair you are entitled to, you will be in a much better position to negotiate with the insurer, especially if there is threat of a bad faith lawsuit against them.
Lie #3 You must turn the claim in to your own company if we disagree
Truth: If you are the victim of someone else’s negligence and their insurer is trying to get you to settle for less than you are entitled, you might consider sending a demand for payment to the person that caused the damage. The fact that the negligent party bought lousy insurance coverage does not relieve them of the responsibility and obligation they have to indemnify you of damage they caused. Therefore, if the third-party insurance company doesn’t want to make full restitution to you on their policyholders’ behalf, you are under no obligation to deal with them. Simply insist on payment directly from the negligent party or pay your deductible and file a claim under your own insurance policy.
Lie #4 Repairs will restore your vehicle to its preloss condition
Truth: There are many factors that prevent a car or truck from being restored to its preloss condition. The same would be true for anything that is damaged and reconstructed. Think for a moment about a valuable vase that gets broken. Although the vase could be glued back together, even to the point that the damage is unrecognizable, it could never be as sound or as valuable as it previously was because there is a potential for failure after the accident and repair that didn’t previously exist. Likewise, during auto repairs it is economically impractical to test every component and part on a car to guarantee that it’s performance and durability are unaltered. In addition, many of the tests that would be required in making this determination are destructive by nature making them unfeasible to perform. What if the crash affected sealed electronics in your car’s dash or clutches in your car’s transmission causing premature failure of these expensive parts? What if your car’s metal becomes fatigued from being beaten, stretched, hammered, and welded on causing it to fold easier in a subsequent accident and causing late deployment of airbags? What if…
Lie #5 You Don’t need a lawyer
Truth: Insurers, oftentimes, do not take consumers, without legal representation, seriously. Let’s face it; where there is no threat of danger, there is little motive for action. As an example, you could enthusiastically warn me by shouting, “beware of the dog” until you lose your voice. But until you take the chain off or open the gate to the pen I probably wouldn’t run. In fact, I might not run even then if you have a terrier or a poodle. If however, you are saying “sic-um” to a ferocious pit bull, I’ll have a much different attitude. Insurers are no different. They pick and choose their fights. If they think you can mount a good defense against them, they will usually pay you everything you are owed. If they think you can’t afford a lawyer or a proper defense, they will most often bully you and stall your claim, sometimes forever. As in the analogy of the dog, when you unleash a lawyer that commands insurer’s respect, you will get action. But even then, don’t expect results quickly. Often, deals are made on the courthouse steps just prior to a trial. The months and sometimes years leading up to that point can be very frustrating for claimants.
Lie #6 Your car will be just as valuable after the accident and repairs as before
Truth: Most people are alike in that given the choice between two cars identical in every way with the exception being that one has been involved in an accident and the other has not, most would prefer the car with no damage history. This is true even if repairs to the car not chosen are of such good quality that you can’t tell it apart from the undamaged one. With the number of used car certification programs growing and damage disclosure to potential buyers a legal requirement in many states, the only way wrecked cars sell is if the price is cut low enough to offset the risk car shoppers take when purchasing damaged goods. The loss in market value a car suffers after being wrecked and repaired is known as diminished value (DV).
Lie #7 We don’t pay Diminished Value (DV)
Truth: In third-party claims, insurance companies are obligated to pay diminished value to claimants who prove the amount of their losses. Proving a loss is not difficult. It will, however, require that you have a post-repair inspection performed on your repaired vehicle - unless, of course, you want to take the insurer’s word for the amount you are owed. Since one of the biggest factors lessening the value of repaired cars and trucks is poor quality workmanship, it is easy to understand why it is impossible to determine the amount of diminished value without a detailed and thorough examination of the property following completion of the repairs by a body shop.
It is usually more difficult to collect diminished value under your own policy than it is in third-party cases where another person’s insurance is paying. The reason for this is that many consumers, unbeknownst to them, purchase insurance policies that have diminished value exclusions written in them. By virtue of being bound to this contract that they purchased, these consumers will be forced to forgo this portion of their claim. But, even in these cases, consumers that have purchased a post-repair inspection will often have proof that repairs failed to restore a vehicle to its preloss condition. Faced with this proof and the obligation to indemnify the policyholder, insurers are often forced to make a monetary concession - though rarely will they call it a diminished value payment.
Lie #8 You must go back to the same dishonest and/or slothful shop for rerepairs
Truth: If you didn’t have to get your car repaired in the first place, why would you feel obligated to return a second, third or forth time to get the job done right? You don’t have to and you shouldn’t. You are under no more obligation to go back to an auto collision repair shop that butchered your car than you are to go back to a barber shop or beauty shop that butchered your haircut. Some courts have even taken the position that if you go back after knowing the limited capabilities of the shop or knowing that they might be less than honest, then you deserve whatever treatment you get the second time. You know the old saying, “Get me once, shame on you; Get me the second time, shame on ME!”
Lie #9 Insurance direct repair shops are the best places to get your car repaired
Truth: Direct repair shops (DRP) are not chosen for their ability to perform high quality work. Rather, insurers choose these shops to work with based on the amount of concessions and discounts they are willing to give them in exchange for referrals. In effect, DRP shops see insurers as their customers instead of vehicle owners. Given the choice, most will favor an insurer to keep work coming in the door, even if it means lying and cheating long-time customers. There are many ways DRP shops favor insurers. As an example, many DRP agreements and contacts mandate that repair shop estimators overlook certain damages that would not be blatantly obvious to a consumer's untrained eye. In addition, it would not be uncommon for them to try to talk you into accepting an appearance allowance that represents an amount less than the actual cost of repairs to forgo repair of some damaged panels or parts. This would often be presented to you in such a way as to convince you they are doing you a favor.
Reality is, whether or not you get your car repaired, you are entitled to full value for the cost of repairs necessary to restore your property to its preloss condition. You shouldn’t settle for less!
This information is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or insurance advice. Readers are encouraged to consult specialists in these fields who have an understanding of legal and insurance issues on a local, state, and national level.

Whilst many studies have shown that women deserve a lower car insurance premium, it is not because they are necessarily "better" drivers.
In fact, studies from around the world have shown that women crash more often! But, and this is the important point, because they tend to drive slower than the more aggressive male of the species, they do less damage to the cars and as a result cost the insurance companies less money as a result.
It has also been found that some women would not tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth when speaking to their insurance company. Whether this is the same with men or not it is difficult to say, but certainly there appears to be a bit of 'gamesmanship' or 'gameswomenship' going on when claims are made.
Insurer Liverpool Victoria in the UK has found that a good number of women do worry about other people they let drive their car - like their mum or their best friend!
The extra care that women take of their car can be seen by the number of cars that have names. Calling your car 'Henry' or 'Gerald' may seem a little silly to some but the extra care that this tendency reveals is a good indication of why insurance companies will offer lower prices to women who are seeking a competitive premium.
So much so, that there are specific companies (or separately branded divisions of much larger companies) that are set up to market to women exclusively, such as Sheilas' Wheels, Diva Car Insurance and Diamond Car Insurance that offer such specials as handbag insurance.
These companies then compete with each other as well as the mainstream insurance companies to give the best deal for women seeking car insurance. Of course, as with everything, the devil is in the detail and the policy differences may explain why you will be being charged a little more or a little less for this policy or that.
But they are not directed at the average man in the street, certainly!
None of the above implies support for or promotion of any company or product, and does not construe financial advice and should not be interpreted as such

In today’s world, you can look just about anywhere and see at least one person talking on a cell phone; sadly, the road is no exception. More and more drivers are taking to the roads with cell phones to their ears; as a result these drivers are causing a greater risk for automobile accidents. Of course, we all know the consequence of increased automobile accidents – increased automotive insurance.
Despite the statistics conveying the relationship between drivers using cell phones and a percentage of automobile accidents, many drivers continue to chat while driving, and many of those drivers will be involved with another driver who is using a cell phone will driving. When you’re involved in an automotive accident, regardless of the cause, your automotive insurance rates usually increase. If you are at fault and it’s determined you were using a cell phone at the time of the accident? Let’s just say your automotive insurance company won’t be happy.
If you are one of the drivers who likes to gossip using your cell phone while driving, stop. Nothing is so important that you must risk your life, and the lives of others, in order to tell your best friend, your significant other, or your sister or brother. Even if you’re a parent and, while on your way home from work, remember you must tell your spouse to pick up the kids from school – pull over.
If you are a parent with teens who are driving, or almost ready to drive, instill the responsible habit of not using a cell phone while driving. They are even less experienced drivers than their elders, and don’t need the extra distraction.
Remember, practicing the safe driving habit of not using a cell phone will driving will not only help you lower, or keep low, your automotive insurance rates, but it will also help you keep yourself, and others, from being seriously injured and even killed

There are many factors that help determine what your car insurance rates will be all over the country. By taking advantage of, or eventually altering, these factors, you can find cheap car insurance in New York.
Take a look at where you live. Car insurance companies determine the cost of a car insurance policy based on underlying costs. In other words, the car insurance company will look at the number of claims filed in a particular area, as well as how harsh the losses of each claim were. If you happen to live in an area with a high rate of claims and losses, you may pay more for your car insurance in New York.
Use every discount you can. It may sound desperate now, but since New York car insurance companies offer so many discounts it would be pointless not to take advantage of them. Just a few of the discounts offered by car insurance companies in New York include classes and programs such as accident prevention, driver training, and the Combat Auto Theft Program; vehicle components such as anti-lock brakes, air bags, automatic safety belts, and anti-theft systems; special company discounts for drivers who are accident free or considered “careful drivers;” and regular car insurance discounts such as those gained by purchasing more than one policy from the same New York insurance company or having more than one car on your car insurance policy.
Raise your deductible. This means you will pay more out-of-pocket in the event you have an accident, but if you’re considered “accident free” or a “careful driver” you aren’t at a high risk for accidents anyway.
Of course, you can always find cheap car insurance in New York by working on your driving record and waiting until you get a bit older and are considered less of a risk. These options for cheap car insurance in New York apply to the here and now

In Florida, the car insurance requirements are as follows: $10,000 for personal injury protection, also known as PIP, and $10,000 for property damage liability, also known as PDL.
Floridians are not alone when it comes to having state-imposed car insurance requirements. All states in America require minimum car insurance requirement. While some people choose to satisfy these car insurance requirements by purchasing their policy through an insurance company, other people choose to be “self-insured,” or to put down a bond that will cover the amount of the car insurance requirements. How you choose to show proof that you have met your state’s car insurance requirements is up to the state.
In Florida, these car insurance requirements must be met by every driver or vehicle owner who wishes to register and purchase tags for his vehicle. No one can opt not to purchase the car insurance requirements by rationalizing he just will not register and tag his vehicle. Vehicles must be registered and tagged in order for the car to operate legally on the roads. The minimum car insurance requirements also apply even if you are not driving your car in Florida, or if your car is not operative. If your car is registered and tagged in Florida, you must have the Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements.
Sometimes drivers are required to purchase bodily injury protection, too; these cases usually fall into the hands of drivers who have been in an accident or drivers who have been convicted of an offense such as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Before you begin your search for a policy that meets Florida’s car insurance requirements, make sure you are eligible to have that minimum coverage – not all drivers are. If you have borrowed money to purchase your new car, your lender will undoubtedly require you to purchase more than Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements until the debt is paid.

The easiest way to get a free, cheap car insurance quote is to get it online. There are seemingly thousands of Web sites today that offer free, cheap car insurance quotes. Not only does the abundance of Web sites make it easy to get a car insurance quote, but it makes it easy to get multiple car insurance quotes. In the time it would take you to visit a number of different car insurance agencies, you could get twice the number of car insurance quotes without leaving the comfort of your home!
Before you begin searching for your free, cheap car insurance quote, you should have some information prepared. Each car insurance Web site will ask you a variety of questions, and you do not want to have to leave the computer to search for long lost paperwork.
Be prepared to provide the following information to get your free, cheap car insurance quote online:
• Basic information about yourself (name, contact, address, whether all of your vehicles are located at this address)• Personal information about yourself (birth date, gender, marital status, the date you obtained your first driver’s license, employment status, etc.)• Your current insurance status• Basic information about your car (year, make, model, safety elements, where the car is driven, how often the car is driven, etc.)• The number of drivers who regularly drive your car, as well as basic information about them (age, gender, how long they have been driving, etc.)
Most of this information will be easy for you to provide; however, some car insurance Web sites that provide free, cheap car insurance quotes dig a bit deeper and ask more detailed questions about your car such as the exact mileage, while some as for the specific information about your current car insurance policy. Aside from collecting the above information, you may want to keep your current car insurance policy handy for reference.

If you are looking for a cheap car insurance quote for free, you are in luck! Most insurance companies that offer car insurance usually always offer car insurance quotes for free. So, the trick is not getting the cheap car insurance quote for free – the trick is getting the cheap car insurance quote!
Many times your car insurance quote is based on your answers to a series of questions the car insurance company will ask you. Most car insurance companies will want to know information about yourself, your vehicle, your driving history, and information about anyone else who will be driving the car and will thus be included on your car insurance policy.
Yourself
These questions usually pertain to your age, how long you’ve been driving, and any health conditions you may have that affect your driving.
Your Vehicle
The answers to questions regarding your vehicle will give the car insurance company an idea of how at risk your vehicle is for being vandalized or stolen, as well as how safe you and your passengers will be in the car.
Your Driving Record
Traffic violations and accidents do not impress car insurance companies, so keep them to a minimum, or nonexistent. If you have a few, talk with the car insurance company about ways to redeem yourself, such as defensive driving courses.
Other Drivers
These questions usually pertain to new drivers who will be driving your vehicle, though they may cover all other drivers; they most always pertain to the driving experience of the drivers.
The answers to some of these questions are unavoidable, such as your age and health, while others can be changed such as the type of vehicle you drive. Remember, you do not have to check out just one car insurance company – there are many out there, and you may find the same quality car insurance policy at another car insurance company for a cheaper price.

Diminished Value is the best-kept secret that your auto insurance company hopes you never learn. While the term, diminished value, may be a relatively new one to consumers, insurers are well aware of its existence, having paid claims to both insureds and claimants for more than eighty years.
What is Diminished Value?
Diminished Value is the term given to the loss in market value a vehicle suffers as a result of an accident and repair. It is a loss based on the beliefs of most people, that once goods become damaged, they are never as valuable as they would be had they never suffered injury.
Let’s say you are in the market to purchase a used car and run across two beautiful cars sitting side by side, both identical down to the last detail, offered for sale for $20,000 each. They are equipped the same, have equal mileage, and equivalent wear. The only exception, you are told, is that the car on the right has been involved in an accident at some point in its history. Considering that both cars are equally priced, would you rather purchase the damaged and repaired car or the one that has never been damaged?
If you are like most people who have answered that question on surveys, you will have chosen the car on the left - the undamaged one - unless, of course, you could negotiate a significant reduction off the selling price of the repaired car. How much of a reduction would it take to make you want the repaired car over the undamaged one? Figure that out and you will have determined the amount of diminished value that particular car suffered because of its damage history.
Causes of diminished value
There are many factors that cause repaired cars to become less desirable to buyers and lose market value, the most obvious being poor quality workmanship and use of inferior parts made by sources other than a vehicle’s original manufacturer. But there are a host of other, less obvious, factors that contribute to diminished value as well. Some of these are the loss of factory transferable warranty coverage on damaged and repaired parts, increased title and disclosure obligations, and the loss of eligibility for inclusion in manufacturer’s preowned certification programs.
Categories of diminished value
While an exhaustive list of causes would be too lengthy to include in this article, most fall into one of three categories.
Inherent Diminished Value:
The first is inherent diminished value, which considers factors beyond the power of shops and insurers to rectify. A perfect example of this is the perception that people carry in their minds that makes them distrustful of repaired cars. While these perceptions are the fault of no particular party, still they exist in people’s minds and are believed to be real, causing thousands of dollars in losses for consumers who wish to market their repaired automobiles. It should also be noted that inherent diminished value could occur even when cars are expertly repaired because in many cases it is simply not possible to talk some people into the purchase of a repaired car at any price when they are not open to taking a risk.
Insurers, too, understand diminished value and reluctantly admit to its existence when their backs are to the wall. During State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. v. Mabry, 274 Ga. 498, 501; 556 SE2d 114 (11/28/2001), a lawsuit that caused insurers to begin paying diminished value claims as a normal course of business in the state of Georgia, State Farm provided testimony under oath confirming that the potential for diminished value exists in every claim, even when cars appear properly repaired. Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham wrote the following November 28, 2001, recounting the testimony of State Farm's witnesses and documents it presented during discovery:
“... The first question, whether diminution in value occurs even when physical damage is properly repaired, is one of fact. The trial court found that there is a potential for a diminution in value loss in every event of loss, and that diminution in value can occur even when a vehicle is repaired properly. In support of those findings, the trial court relied primarily upon documents produced by State Farm during discovery and upon the testimony of State Farm’s witnesses. The documents from State Farm acknowledged that there is a common perception that a wrecked vehicle is worth less simply because it has been wrecked. Witnesses for State Farm testified that a potential for diminution in value exists in every automobile accident, and that the public perceives a loss of value in any wrecked vehicle and would choose an unwrecked vehicle over a wrecked one, assuming the vehicles are otherwise the same ...”
What was proven true in 2001 is still true today. Diminished value is a reality, even in cases where repairs eliminate all visual evidence of damage.
Shop Related Diminished Value:
Shop related diminished value is usually the result of poor quality workmanship on the part of repair shops. Mismatched paint, ill-fitting parts, rattles and wind leaks are example of shop related diminished value. If shops accept money from customers for performing particular labor functions, they have an obligation to perform the work correctly. When they don’t, evidence of their shoddy job is often visible for all to see, helping decrease the price a potential buyer would willingly pay for a repaired automobile.
Insurance Related Diminished Value:
Insurance related diminished value results when insurance company claims adjusters, either intentionally or unintentionally, omit needed repairs from an accident victim’s settlement. It may also occur when sufficient payment isn’t made to allow shops to perform repairs as a carmaker intended. As an example, poor-fitting aftermarket parts may cause insurance related diminished value when insurers specify their use instead of original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) parts.
Getting paid for diminished value
When it comes to getting paid for diminished value, three misconceptions abound.
First, many believe that a claim for diminished value is a claim separate and distinct from the one paying for actual physical damages like bent fenders and doors. This is not true. Rather, diminished value is an element of recoverable damage in the same claim that occurred at the same time, during the same event. An insurer that accepts liability and pays for any damage, must, where proof exists, pay for all the loss, except in cases where an exclusion in the policy exempts insurers from doing so.
Second, many believe one must sell his/her car to collect a diminished value claim from an insurer. This is another untruth. Insurers simply keep this myth alive to stall claims payouts for as long as possible, knowing the statute of limitations will eventually run out preventing a consumer from ever pursuing a recovery. Diminished value, like other elements of loss, is owed as of the date it actually occurred, not at some far-off unidentifiable point in the future.
Third, many believe that courts across the land have banned diminished value claims, labeling them as bogus. Again, this phony spin only benefits insurers who hope not to have to pay these claims. While it is true that some diminished value class action cases about a decade ago got tossed from courts by judges, it was because the lawyers could not show sufficient commonality to sustain a class of members, NOT because diminished value claims have no merit. Other cases have failed because claimants were unsuccessful at proving to the courts that their repaired cars were in some manner compromised despite best efforts to repair them correctly.
Conclusion
If you want to collect on a claim for diminished value, the burden of proof is on you to authenticate your loss. Sadly, the factor that most often prompts settlement of any claim, including that of diminished value, is the threat of litigation. Insurers pick and choose their fights. If they think you have the means to hire a lawyer and pursue a recovery, an insurer may consider you a threat and pay your claim for diminished value without too much resistance. However, if an insurer considers you to be a weak opponent, the claims adjuster will likely try confusing you with slick word tracks, ultimately stalling you for as long as possible.
For a quicker resolution, you can always forgo the diminished value claim with an insurer and take the loss against income taxes you owe. Still, you will have to substantiate your loss and will need the services of an expert to do that for you. Despite insurer’s obstinacy to the contrary, diminished value is owed where a loss can be proven, and those who are persistent stand the best chance of being paid.
This information is general in nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal or insurance advice. Readers are encouraged to consult specialists in these fields who have an understanding of legal and insurance issues on a local, state, and national level

In today’s world, you can look just about anywhere and see at least one person talking on a cell phone; sadly, the road is no exception. More and more drivers are taking to the roads with cell phones to their ears; as a result these drivers are causing a greater risk for automobile accidents. Of course, we all know the consequence of increased automobile accidents – increased automotive insurance.
Despite the statistics conveying the relationship between drivers using cell phones and a percentage of automobile accidents, many drivers continue to chat while driving, and many of those drivers will be involved with another driver who is using a cell phone will driving. When you’re involved in an automotive accident, regardless of the cause, your automotive insurance rates usually increase. If you are at fault and it’s determined you were using a cell phone at the time of the accident? Let’s just say your automotive insurance company won’t be happy.
If you are one of the drivers who likes to gossip using your cell phone while driving, stop. Nothing is so important that you must risk your life, and the lives of others, in order to tell your best friend, your significant other, or your sister or brother. Even if you’re a parent and, while on your way home from work, remember you must tell your spouse to pick up the kids from school – pull over.
If you are a parent with teens who are driving, or almost ready to drive, instill the responsible habit of not using a cell phone while driving. They are even less experienced drivers than their elders, and don’t need the extra distraction.
Remember, practicing the safe driving habit of not using a cell phone will driving will not only help you lower, or keep low, your automotive insurance rates, but it will also help you keep yourself, and others, from being seriously injured and even killed.

There are many factors that help determine what your car insurance rates will be all over the country. By taking advantage of, or eventually altering, these factors, you can find cheap car insurance in New York.
Take a look at where you live. Car insurance companies determine the cost of a car insurance policy based on underlying costs. In other words, the car insurance company will look at the number of claims filed in a particular area, as well as how harsh the losses of each claim were. If you happen to live in an area with a high rate of claims and losses, you may pay more for your car insurance in New York.
Use every discount you can. It may sound desperate now, but since New York car insurance companies offer so many discounts it would be pointless not to take advantage of them. Just a few of the discounts offered by car insurance companies in New York include classes and programs such as accident prevention, driver training, and the Combat Auto Theft Program; vehicle components such as anti-lock brakes, air bags, automatic safety belts, and anti-theft systems; special company discounts for drivers who are accident free or considered “careful drivers;” and regular car insurance discounts such as those gained by purchasing more than one policy from the same New York insurance company or having more than one car on your car insurance policy.
Raise your deductible. This means you will pay more out-of-pocket in the event you have an accident, but if you’re considered “accident free” or a “careful driver” you aren’t at a high risk for accidents anyway.
Of course, you can always find cheap car insurance in New York by working on your driving record and waiting until you get a bit older and are considered less of a risk. These options for cheap car insurance in New York apply to the here and now

In Florida, the car insurance requirements are as follows: $10,000 for personal injury protection, also known as PIP, and $10,000 for property damage liability, also known as PDL.
Floridians are not alone when it comes to having state-imposed car insurance requirements. All states in America require minimum car insurance requirement. While some people choose to satisfy these car insurance requirements by purchasing their policy through an insurance company, other people choose to be “self-insured,” or to put down a bond that will cover the amount of the car insurance requirements. How you choose to show proof that you have met your state’s car insurance requirements is up to the state.
In Florida, these car insurance requirements must be met by every driver or vehicle owner who wishes to register and purchase tags for his vehicle. No one can opt not to purchase the car insurance requirements by rationalizing he just will not register and tag his vehicle. Vehicles must be registered and tagged in order for the car to operate legally on the roads. The minimum car insurance requirements also apply even if you are not driving your car in Florida, or if your car is not operative. If your car is registered and tagged in Florida, you must have the Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements.
Sometimes drivers are required to purchase bodily injury protection, too; these cases usually fall into the hands of drivers who have been in an accident or drivers who have been convicted of an offense such as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Before you begin your search for a policy that meets Florida’s car insurance requirements, make sure you are eligible to have that minimum coverage – not all drivers are. If you have borrowed money to purchase your new car, your lender will undoubtedly require you to purchase more than Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements until the debt is paid.

The easiest way to get a free, cheap car insurance quote is to get it online. There are seemingly thousands of Web sites today that offer free, cheap car insurance quotes. Not only does the abundance of Web sites make it easy to get a car insurance quote, but it makes it easy to get multiple car insurance quotes. In the time it would take you to visit a number of different car insurance agencies, you could get twice the number of car insurance quotes without leaving the comfort of your home!
Before you begin searching for your free, cheap car insurance quote, you should have some information prepared. Each car insurance Web site will ask you a variety of questions, and you do not want to have to leave the computer to search for long lost paperwork.
Be prepared to provide the following information to get your free, cheap car insurance quote online:
• Basic information about yourself (name, contact, address, whether all of your vehicles are located at this address)• Personal information about yourself (birth date, gender, marital status, the date you obtained your first driver’s license, employment status, etc.)• Your current insurance status• Basic information about your car (year, make, model, safety elements, where the car is driven, how often the car is driven, etc.)• The number of drivers who regularly drive your car, as well as basic information about them (age, gender, how long they have been driving, etc.)
Most of this information will be easy for you to provide; however, some car insurance Web sites that provide free, cheap car insurance quotes dig a bit deeper and ask more detailed questions about your car such as the exact mileage, while some as for the specific information about your current car insurance policy. Aside from collecting the above information, you may want to keep your current car insurance policy handy for reference.

In Florida, the car insurance requirements are as follows: $10,000 for personal injury protection, also known as PIP, and $10,000 for property damage liability, also known as PDL.
Floridians are not alone when it comes to having state-imposed car insurance requirements. All states in America require minimum car insurance requirement. While some people choose to satisfy these car insurance requirements by purchasing their policy through an insurance company, other people choose to be “self-insured,” or to put down a bond that will cover the amount of the car insurance requirements. How you choose to show proof that you have met your state’s car insurance requirements is up to the state.
In Florida, these car insurance requirements must be met by every driver or vehicle owner who wishes to register and purchase tags for his vehicle. No one can opt not to purchase the car insurance requirements by rationalizing he just will not register and tag his vehicle. Vehicles must be registered and tagged in order for the car to operate legally on the roads. The minimum car insurance requirements also apply even if you are not driving your car in Florida, or if your car is not operative. If your car is registered and tagged in Florida, you must have the Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements.
Sometimes drivers are required to purchase bodily injury protection, too; these cases usually fall into the hands of drivers who have been in an accident or drivers who have been convicted of an offense such as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI).
Before you begin your search for a policy that meets Florida’s car insurance requirements, make sure you are eligible to have that minimum coverage – not all drivers are. If you have borrowed money to purchase your new car, your lender will undoubtedly require you to purchase more than Florida’s minimum car insurance requirements until the debt is paid.

The easiest way to get a free, cheap car insurance quote is to get it online. There are seemingly thousands of Web sites today that offer free, cheap car insurance quotes. Not only does the abundance of Web sites make it easy to get a car insurance quote, but it makes it easy to get multiple car insurance quotes. In the time it would take you to visit a number of different car insurance agencies, you could get twice the number of car insurance quotes without leaving the comfort of your home!
Before you begin searching for your free, cheap car insurance quote, you should have some information prepared. Each car insurance Web site will ask you a variety of questions, and you do not want to have to leave the computer to search for long lost paperwork.
Be prepared to provide the following information to get your free, cheap car insurance quote online:
• Basic information about yourself (name, contact, address, whether all of your vehicles are located at this address)• Personal information about yourself (birth date, gender, marital status, the date you obtained your first driver’s license, employment status, etc.)• Your current insurance status• Basic information about your car (year, make, model, safety elements, where the car is driven, how often the car is driven, etc.)• The number of drivers who regularly drive your car, as well as basic information about them (age, gender, how long they have been driving, etc.)
Most of this information will be easy for you to provide; however, some car insurance Web sites that provide free, cheap car insurance quotes dig a bit deeper and ask more detailed questions about your car such as the exact mileage, while some as for the specific information about your current car insurance policy. Aside from collecting the above information, you may want to keep your current car insurance policy handy for reference.

If you are looking for a cheap car insurance quote for free, you are in luck! Most insurance companies that offer car insurance usually always offer car insurance quotes for free. So, the trick is not getting the cheap car insurance quote for free – the trick is getting the cheap car insurance quote!
Many times your car insurance quote is based on your answers to a series of questions the car insurance company will ask you. Most car insurance companies will want to know information about yourself, your vehicle, your driving history, and information about anyone else who will be driving the car and will thus be included on your car insurance policy.
Yourself
These questions usually pertain to your age, how long you’ve been driving, and any health conditions you may have that affect your driving.
Your Vehicle
The answers to questions regarding your vehicle will give the car insurance company an idea of how at risk your vehicle is for being vandalized or stolen, as well as how safe you and your passengers will be in the car.
Your Driving Record
Traffic violations and accidents do not impress car insurance companies, so keep them to a minimum, or nonexistent. If you have a few, talk with the car insurance company about ways to redeem yourself, such as defensive driving courses.
Other Drivers
These questions usually pertain to new drivers who will be driving your vehicle, though they may cover all other drivers; they most always pertain to the driving experience of the drivers.
The answers to some of these questions are unavoidable, such as your age and health, while others can be changed such as the type of vehicle you drive. Remember, you do not have to check out just one car insurance company – there are many out there, and you may find the same quality car insurance policy at another car insurance company for a cheaper price.

Diminished Value is the best-kept secret that your auto insurance company hopes you never learn. While the term, diminished value, may be a relatively new one to consumers, insurers are well aware of its existence, having paid claims to both insureds and claimants for more than eighty years.
What is Diminished Value?
Diminished Value is the term given to the loss in market value a vehicle suffers as a result of an accident and repair. It is a loss based on the beliefs of most people, that once goods become damaged, they are never as valuable as they would be had they never suffered injury.
Let’s say you are in the market to purchase a used car and run across two beautiful cars sitting side by side, both identical down to the last detail, offered for sale for $20,000 each. They are equipped the same, have equal mileage, and equivalent wear. The only exception, you are told, is that the car on the right has been involved in an accident at some point in its history. Considering that both cars are equally priced, would you rather purchase the damaged and repaired car or the one that has never been damaged?
If you are like most people who have answered that question on surveys, you will have chosen the car on the left - the undamaged one - unless, of course, you could negotiate a significant reduction off the selling price of the repaired car. How much of a reduction would it take to make you want the repaired car over the undamaged one? Figure that out and you will have determined the amount of diminished value that particular car suffered because of its damage history.
Causes of diminished value
There are many factors that cause repaired cars to become less desirable to buyers and lose market value, the most obvious being poor quality workmanship and use of inferior parts made by sources other than a vehicle’s original manufacturer. But there are a host of other, less obvious, factors that contribute to diminished value as well. Some of these are the loss of factory transferable warranty coverage on damaged and repaired parts, increased title and disclosure obligations, and the loss of eligibility for inclusion in manufacturer’s preowned certification programs.
Categories of diminished value
While an exhaustive list of causes would be too lengthy to include in this article, most fall into one of three categories.
Inherent Diminished Value:
The first is inherent diminished value, which considers factors beyond the power of shops and insurers to rectify. A perfect example of this is the perception that people carry in their minds that makes them distrustful of repaired cars. While these perceptions are the fault of no particular party, still they exist in people’s minds and are believed to be real, causing thousands of dollars in losses for consumers who wish to market their repaired automobiles. It should also be noted that inherent diminished value could occur even when cars are expertly repaired because in many cases it is simply not possible to talk some people into the purchase of a repaired car at any price when they are not open to taking a risk.
Insurers, too, understand diminished value and reluctantly admit to its existence when their backs are to the wall. During State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. v. Mabry, 274 Ga. 498, 501; 556 SE2d 114 (11/28/2001), a lawsuit that caused insurers to begin paying diminished value claims as a normal course of business in the state of Georgia, State Farm provided testimony under oath confirming that the potential for diminished value exists in every claim, even when cars appear properly repaired. Georgia Supreme Court Justice Robert Benham wrote the following November 28, 2001, recounting the testimony of State Farm's witnesses and documents it presented during discovery:
“... The first question, whether diminution in value occurs even when physical damage is properly repaired, is one of fact. The trial court found that there is a potential for a diminution in value loss in every event of loss, and that diminution in value can occur even when a vehicle is repaired properly. In support of those findings, the trial court relied primarily upon documents produced by State Farm during discovery and upon the testimony of State Farm’s witnesses. The documents from State Farm acknowledged that there is a common perception that a wrecked vehicle is worth less simply because it has been wrecked. Witnesses for State Farm testified that a potential for diminution in value exists in every automobile accident, and that the public perceives a loss of value in any wrecked vehicle and would choose an unwrecked vehicle over a wrecked one, assuming the vehicles are otherwise the same ...”
What was proven true in 2001 is still true today. Diminished value is a reality, even in cases where repairs eliminate all visual evidence of damage.
Shop Related Diminished Value:
Shop related diminished value is usually the result of poor quality workmanship on the part of repair shops. Mismatched paint, ill-fitting parts, rattles and wind leaks are example of shop related diminished value. If shops accept money from customers for performing particular labor functions, they have an obligation to perform the work correctly. When they don’t, evidence of their shoddy job is often visible for all to see, helping decrease the price a potential buyer would willingly pay for a repaired automobile.
Insurance Related Diminished Value:
Insurance related diminished value results when insurance company claims adjusters, either intentionally or unintentionally, omit needed repairs from an accident victim’s settlement. It may also occur when sufficient payment isn’t made to allow shops to perform repairs as a carmaker intended. As an example, poor-fitting aftermarket parts may cause insurance related diminished value when insurers specify their use instead of original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) parts.
Getting paid for diminished value
When it comes to getting paid for diminished value, three misconceptions abound.
First, many believe that a claim for diminished value is a claim separate and distinct from the one paying for actual physical damages like bent fenders and doors. This is not true. Rather, diminished value is an element of recoverable damage in the same claim that occurred at the same time, during the same event. An insurer that accepts liability and pays for any damage, must, where proof exists, pay for all the loss, except in cases where an exclusion in the policy exempts insurers from doing so.
Second, many believe one must sell his/her car to collect a diminished value claim from an insurer. This is another untruth. Insurers simply keep this myth alive to stall claims payouts for as long as possible, knowing the statute of limitations will eventually run out preventing a consumer from ever pursuing a recovery. Diminished value, like other elements of loss, is owed as of the date it actually occurred, not at some far-off unidentifiable point in the future.
Third, many believe that courts across the land have banned diminished value claims, labeling them as bogus. Again, this phony spin only benefits insurers who hope not to have to pay these claims. While it is true that some diminished value class action cases about a decade ago got tossed from courts by judges, it was because the lawyers could not show sufficient commonality to sustain a class of members, NOT because diminished value claims have no merit. Other cases have failed because claimants were unsuccessful at proving to the courts that their repaired cars were in some manner compromised despite best efforts to repair them correctly.
Conclusion
If you want to collect on a claim for diminished value, the burden of proof is on you to authenticate your loss. Sadly, the factor that most often prompts settlement of any claim, including that of diminished value, is the threat of litigation. Insurers pick and choose their fights. If they think you have the means to hire a lawyer and pursue a recovery, an insurer may consider you a threat and pay your claim for diminished value without too much resistance. However, if an insurer considers you to be a weak opponent, the claims adjuster will likely try confusing you with slick word tracks, ultimately stalling you for as long as possible.
For a quicker resolution, you can always forgo the diminished value claim with an insurer and take the loss against income taxes you owe. Still, you will have to substantiate your loss and will need the services of an expert to do that for you. Despite insurer’s obstinacy to the contrary, diminished value is owed where a loss can be proven, and those who are persistent stand the best chance of being paid.

Car insurance is something we all need but it is probably not the kind of thing that we think of to shop around, like a stereo or new TV. But this is something that we all should do every now and then, like every couple of years, instead of just assuming that we are getting our best rate with the carrier we have now. We need to simply make sure that we are still getting the best car insurance value for the money. It goes without saying that there is always a new guy on the block offering even more competitive car insurance.
When you shop around for car insurance, be very cautious if you think you have discovered a better quote. You do not need to be an expert in insurance terminology to find out that you are not comparing apples to apples. For example, if everything looks the same on two policies, look again. Oh yes, one has a $300 deductible and the other one has a $1200 deductible. That is a major difference.
Should you shop for car insurance online? Absolutely, beyond a shadow of a doubt. But again, be careful. There are no guarantees that just because you found it online means that it is a competitive quote. You need to examine the fine print very carefully, because many times your local insurance agent can do better than what you see there. Although there are many considerations, one of the primary considerations is your driving record, and if you have had good luck with no tickets and no accidents in many years, then you should be a very good shape for getting an aggressive quote, either online or from your local insurance agent.
But if your driving history lacks a little luster, maybe you have an accident or two, maybe combined with a ticket or two, it is going to be tougher to find a good quote for car insurance. It will not be impossible, but you are going to end up paying much more than you would like to.
One of the hard facts of life is that you need to have car insurance if you are going to drive a car on public roads and highways, and almost all states have a requirement to that effect. So given that, do not forget to add the cost of the car insurance that you must carry to the cost of your car payment. Maybe you can afford the car payment, but after you add in the insurance, it’s just out of your league.
There are many factors that go into pricing car insurance, and one of the main ones is the type of car you want to insure. It does not require a rocket science degree to figure that the cost of insuring a late model Lincoln Town Car is going to be much more than a late model Kia. The overall value of the car is taken into consideration as well as the cost of repairing the car if it gets into an accident. In the same way, a car’s crash safety test records indicate how safe the driver is in an accident, and the cost of the car plus the cost of medical bills play into computing insurance costs also.
So shop around and get your best quote for car insurance. Check online pricing but do not assume that that is as good as it gets. The time you put into your shopping will be directly reflected as savings in your wallet

Whilst many studies have shown that women deserve a lower car insurance premium, it is not because they are necessarily "better" drivers.
In fact, studies from around the world have shown that women crash more often! But, and this is the important point, because they tend to drive slower than the more aggressive male of the species, they do less damage to the cars and as a result cost the insurance companies less money as a result.
It has also been found that some women would not tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth when speaking to their insurance company. Whether this is the same with men or not it is difficult to say, but certainly there appears to be a bit of 'gamesmanship' or 'gameswomenship' going on when claims are made.
Insurer Liverpool Victoria in the UK has found that a good number of women do worry about other people they let drive their car - like their mum or their best friend!
The extra care that women take of their car can be seen by the number of cars that have names. Calling your car 'Henry' or 'Gerald' may seem a little silly to some but the extra care that this tendency reveals is a good indication of why insurance companies will offer lower prices to women who are seeking a competitive premium.
So much so, that there are specific companies (or separately branded divisions of much larger companies) that are set up to market to women exclusively, such as Sheilas' Wheels, Diva Car Insurance and Diamond Car Insurance that offer such specials as handbag insurance.
These companies then compete with each other as well as the mainstream insurance companies to give the best deal for women seeking car insurance. Of course, as with everything, the devil is in the detail and the policy differences may explain why you will be being charged a little more or a little less for this policy or that.
But they are not directed at the average man in the street, certainly!
None of the above implies support for or promotion of any company or product, and does not construe financial advice and should not be interpreted as such.

How can you tell if an insurance adjuster is lying? Answer: Look and see if his/her lips are moving!
Yes, I know that was a corny joke that may overstate the frequency of the problem to some degree. But, this fact can’t be disputed or denied: Insurance adjusters often lie to consumers, hoping their antics will cause them to become discouraged and accept a smaller settlement than they are rightfully owed. While it is true, mistakes occasionally happen and some adjusters pass untruths out of ignorance, many others are handsomely rewarded for routinely telling blatant and deliberate lies to claimants.
In this article you will learn nine of the most frequent lies auto insurance adjusters tell. Beneath each lie, you will learn the truth.
Lie #1 You must get your car repaired
Truth: It’s your car and no one can make you do something with it that you don’t want to do. If you choose not to repair damage that is covered by insurance, as a general rule, the insurer still owes you for the full value of necessary repairs that would be required to put your vehicle into its preloss condition. But, be forewarned. If you choose not to repair accident damage on your car, your insurance company would not be required to continue insuring the car for its full retail value. In fact, if you play hardball, your insurance company may decline to insure your car altogether forcing you to shop for other insurance coverage at a time when your driving record may be marked by an accident.
Lie #2 You must go to the insurer’s preferred shop
Truth: If you choose to have your car repaired, most state’s laws allow you to authorize work at the shop of your choice. However, if you encounter problems with a shop you selected, the insurance company will be quoting the old lyric, “I told you so,” and will be little help in procuring your satisfaction. If, on the other hand, you go to a shop selected by an insurer and get deceived, or don’t receive the level of repair you are entitled to, you will be in a much better position to negotiate with the insurer, especially if there is threat of a bad faith lawsuit against them.
Lie #3 You must turn the claim in to your own company if we disagree
Truth: If you are the victim of someone else’s negligence and their insurer is trying to get you to settle for less than you are entitled, you might consider sending a demand for payment to the person that caused the damage. The fact that the negligent party bought lousy insurance coverage does not relieve them of the responsibility and obligation they have to indemnify you of damage they caused. Therefore, if the third-party insurance company doesn’t want to make full restitution to you on their policyholders’ behalf, you are under no obligation to deal with them. Simply insist on payment directly from the negligent party or pay your deductible and file a claim under your own insurance policy.
Lie #4 Repairs will restore your vehicle to its preloss condition
Truth: There are many factors that prevent a car or truck from being restored to its preloss condition. The same would be true for anything that is damaged and reconstructed. Think for a moment about a valuable vase that gets broken. Although the vase could be glued back together, even to the point that the damage is unrecognizable, it could never be as sound or as valuable as it previously was because there is a potential for failure after the accident and repair that didn’t previously exist. Likewise, during auto repairs it is economically impractical to test every component and part on a car to guarantee that it’s performance and durability are unaltered. In addition, many of the tests that would be required in making this determination are destructive by nature making them unfeasible to perform. What if the crash affected sealed electronics in your car’s dash or clutches in your car’s transmission causing premature failure of these expensive parts? What if your car’s metal becomes fatigued from being beaten, stretched, hammered, and welded on causing it to fold easier in a subsequent accident and causing late deployment of airbags? What if…
Lie #5 You Don’t need a lawyer
Truth: Insurers, oftentimes, do not take consumers, without legal representation, seriously. Let’s face it; where there is no threat of danger, there is little motive for action. As an example, you could enthusiastically warn me by shouting, “beware of the dog” until you lose your voice. But until you take the chain off or open the gate to the pen I probably wouldn’t run. In fact, I might not run even then if you have a terrier or a poodle. If however, you are saying “sic-um” to a ferocious pit bull, I’ll have a much different attitude. Insurers are no different. They pick and choose their fights. If they think you can mount a good defense against them, they will usually pay you everything you are owed. If they think you can’t afford a lawyer or a proper defense, they will most often bully you and stall your claim, sometimes forever. As in the analogy of the dog, when you unleash a lawyer that commands insurer’s respect, you will get action. But even then, don’t expect results quickly. Often, deals are made on the courthouse steps just prior to a trial. The months and sometimes years leading up to that point can be very frustrating for claimants.
Lie #6 Your car will be just as valuable after the accident and repairs as before
Truth: Most people are alike in that given the choice between two cars identical in every way with the exception being that one has been involved in an accident and the other has not, most would prefer the car with no damage history. This is true even if repairs to the car not chosen are of such good quality that you can’t tell it apart from the undamaged one. With the number of used car certification programs growing and damage disclosure to potential buyers a legal requirement in many states, the only way wrecked cars sell is if the price is cut low enough to offset the risk car shoppers take when purchasing damaged goods. The loss in market value a car suffers after being wrecked and repaired is known as diminished value (DV).
Lie #7 We don’t pay Diminished Value (DV)
Truth: In third-party claims, insurance companies are obligated to pay diminished value to claimants who prove the amount of their losses. Proving a loss is not difficult. It will, however, require that you have a post-repair inspection performed on your repaired vehicle - unless, of course, you want to take the insurer’s word for the amount you are owed. Since one of the biggest factors lessening the value of repaired cars and trucks is poor quality workmanship, it is easy to understand why it is impossible to determine the amount of diminished value without a detailed and thorough examination of the property following completion of the repairs by a body shop.
It is usually more difficult to collect diminished value under your own policy than it is in third-party cases where another person’s insurance is paying. The reason for this is that many consumers, unbeknownst to them, purchase insurance policies that have diminished value exclusions written in them. By virtue of being bound to this contract that they purchased, these consumers will be forced to forgo this portion of their claim. But, even in these cases, consumers that have purchased a post-repair inspection will often have proof that repairs failed to restore a vehicle to its preloss condition. Faced with this proof and the obligation to indemnify the policyholder, insurers are often forced to make a monetary concession - though rarely will they call it a diminished value payment.
Lie #8 You must go back to the same dishonest and/or slothful shop for rerepairs
Truth: If you didn’t have to get your car repaired in the first place, why would you feel obligated to return a second, third or forth time to get the job done right? You don’t have to and you shouldn’t. You are under no more obligation to go back to an auto collision repair shop that butchered your car than you are to go back to a barber shop or beauty shop that butchered your haircut. Some courts have even taken the position that if you go back after knowing the limited capabilities of the shop or knowing that they might be less than honest, then you deserve whatever treatment you get the second time. You know the old saying, “Get me once, shame on you; Get me the second time, shame on ME!”
Lie #9 Insurance direct repair shops are the best places to get your car repaired
Truth: Direct repair shops (DRP) are not chosen for their ability to perform high quality work. Rather, insurers choose these shops to work with based on the amount of concessions and discounts they are willing to give them in exchange for referrals. In effect, DRP shops see insurers as their customers instead of vehicle owners. Given the choice, most will favor an insurer to keep work coming in the door, even if it means lying and cheating long-time customers. There are many ways DRP shops favor insurers. As an example, many DRP agreements and contacts mandate that repair shop estimators overlook certain damages that would not be blatantly obvious to a consumer's untrained eye. In addition, it would not be uncommon for them to try to talk you into accepting an appearance allowance that represents an amount less than the actual cost of repairs to forgo repair of some damaged panels or parts. This would often be presented to you in such a way as to convince you they are doing you a favor

Auto insurance or car insurance protects you and your vehicle from any damage occurred due to an accident and acts as safety device from sustaining any loss. Not only accidents, your vehicle can also be covered from damages due to vandalism, adverse weather, theft, fire and other scenarios.
Auto insurance is a "necessary evil" which is necessary for all automobile owners. But it is not enough to have an insured vehicle; the main thing is to have an insured vehicle with best auto insurance. And you must know the "in and outs" of auto insurance policy.
Here we are giving some basics of coverage, which will help you greatly while selecting the best auto insurance policy for your vehicle.
Collision Coverage: This part of auto insurance policy provides you safe side when your car hits another car and you pay for the repairs, without making any difference who is at fault. Policy providing wider collision coverage can be considered as the best auto insurance policy.
Comprehensive Coverage: It covers each and every damages to your vehicle, whether it is accident or falling of a tree branch or what so ever on your car.
Deductible: This is the amount of money you pay at the time of filing a claim. Higher deductibles = lower premiums.
Effective date: This is the time period for which your auto insurance policy is valid. Don't let your policy lapsed.
Endorsements: The term endorsement includes all possible discounts and additional coverages, which can be offered to you on your car insurance. Discounts like multipolicy discount, student discount, and multifamily discount can change any normal auto insurance into best auto insurance.
Exclusions: This section includes things that are not covered by your policy. Small list of exclusions indicates toward best auto insurance policy.
Glass Coverage: You can go for free glass replacement after any accident, if your auto insurance policy includes glass coverage.
Some auto insurance policies provide other specific coverages like No-fault Coverage, Personal Injury Protection and property damage.
We hope that the provided information in this article will help you choosing best auto insurance policy.

My dad used to say: “Car insurance is such a racket!”
He was talking about how good drivers pay into it for years and never get anything out of it except for this supposed peace of mind in knowing that its there for us just in case...
So when the opportunity comes up to save money on my auto insurance…without compromising my coverage...then I'm all over it!
Here are a few ways to slash your car insurance bill today…
Teenagers that live at home: restrict their usage of your car so they are considered to be an "occasional driver" by your car insurance company.
Raise your deductible: Raising your deductible from $100.00 to $500.00 could save you hundreds of dollars per year.
If you have a business and a teenage driver: Have your teenager drive the company car because many car insurance companies don't charge extra for teenage drivers.
Dump your collision coverage: If your car is worth $3000 or less, some auto insurance companies will still cover it for its full amount if totaled, which means you have no reason to pay extra for collision coverage.
If you're under 25: Unless you are a maniac behind the wheel, get your parents to put you on their auto insurance policy.
If you rent a car: Check to see if you are already covered by your auto insurance company before you waste $20.00 to $30.00 per day for the extra car insurance provided by the rental company.
Get multiple auto insurance quotes: Like any business, car insurance compete against each other and rates can vary greatly from one company to the next. You don’t need to wait until renewal time to change over because they will prorate and refund what is left over on your existing car insurance policy too.

The answer to this question might seem obvious and well..it is! YES you absolutely need auto insurance and here are all the reasons why you do.
1. You need it for legal reasons
Almost every state does requires you to have insurance.In some states, you will be asked to have proof of insurance when you register or if you have an accident. And you might even have to carry it at all times in your car.
Again, depending on your state, the consequences of not having your car insured can be very large. Those include among other things:
-A fine as high as $1000-Licence and registration suspension-Up to 1 year in jail
2. Even basic coverage makes a very big difference
Depending on the company you choose to insure your car, the basic coverage plan might vary. It will however in most cases include these:
* Bodily Injury LiabilityThis is crucial. This covers injuries that you may cause to someone else in an accident. This involves very large amounts of money (medical bills), especially if the accident is followed by legal actions against you.(lawsuits)
* Property Damage LiabilityThis is the same, only applied to material damage, be it someone else's car or public property. This can get quite costly too
What usually isn't included in your basic, required by state, coverage is any coverage of your own vehicle's damage that might be caused by an accident.
The advantages to this type of coverage are obvious though; not everyone can afford to just replace a car after a serious accident.
So if you don’t have insurance, or dropped your insurance after getting the proof of insurance you needed, you should really really reconsider this. An accident can happen a lot faster than you think and you’ll be left in a difficult situation.

The answer to this question might seem obvious and well..it is! YES you absolutely need auto insurance and here are all the reasons why you do.
1. You need it for legal reasons
Almost every state does requires you to have insurance.In some states, you will be asked to have proof of insurance when you register or if you have an accident. And you might even have to carry it at all times in your car.
Again, depending on your state, the consequences of not having your car insured can be very large. Those include among other things:
-A fine as high as $1000-Licence and registration suspension-Up to 1 year in jail
2. Even basic coverage makes a very big difference
Depending on the company you choose to insure your car, the basic coverage plan might vary. It will however in most cases include these:
* Bodily Injury LiabilityThis is crucial. This covers injuries that you may cause to someone else in an accident. This involves very large amounts of money (medical bills), especially if the accident is followed by legal actions against you.(lawsuits)
* Property Damage LiabilityThis is the same, only applied to material damage, be it someone else's car or public property. This can get quite costly too
What usually isn't included in your basic, required by state, coverage is any coverage of your own vehicle's damage that might be caused by an accident.
The advantages to this type of coverage are obvious though; not everyone can afford to just replace a car after a serious accident.
So if you don’t have insurance, or dropped your insurance after getting the proof of insurance you needed, you should really really reconsider this. An accident can happen a lot faster than you think and you’ll be left in a difficult situation.

With so many choices currently available in the auto insurance market, it can be quite difficult to know which products to choose. Understanding some basic facts about the insurance market can help you to make informed decisions. Following are five facts that you need to know about the auto insurance market.
1) Premium Plan - Is it worthwhile? Many auto insurance companies now advertise deluxe packages that include such add-ons as “accident forgiveness” and “new car replacement.” These plans do indeed offer top notch services above and beyond standard insurance policies, but at a much higher price. Make sure you understand exactly what you are paying for and whether the benefit is worth the cost in your unique situation.
2) Shared Market versus Nonstandard Market - If your driving record is below average you will have to search for alternatives to standard auto insurance. Every jurisdiction offers what is known as a shared market, in which poor drivers are able to get car insurance from regular insurance companies. Naturally prices are much higher in this market than in the standard auto insurance market, as there is much more risk to the insurance companies. However, there is now a third option. The nonstandard market consists of a number of specialty companies whose only business is insuring nonstandard drivers. Look for a nonstandard as opposed to a shared or assigned risk company and you may save hundreds of dollars.
3) Most and Least Expensive Cities in America for Auto Insurance in 2006 - The most expensive city was Detroit, with an average annual premium of over $5,800. The least expensive was Roanoke, VA. There annual premiums averaged only $912. You may not be able to plan a move based solely around insurance rates but if you are trying to decide between two cities, auto insurance rates along with other cost of living concerns may help you choose.
4) Downtown is the most expensive - Many Americans are well aware that car insurance rates rise dramatically in large cities as compared to suburbs and small towns. It is not as well known, however, that even within the city limits zip code makes a great difference. Deciding to live in a more residential part of the city rather than downtown could net a significant savings on auto insurance rates.
5) Purchasing auto insurance is a numbers game - It is impossible to predict everything that could possibly happen to your vehicle. It is possible that you may pay for insurance for many years and never use your policy. It is equally possible that you will need to make a claim almost as soon as you drive off the lot. Therefore, it is crucial that you weigh the costs versus benefits of varying levels of coverage and deductibles. Consider what will happen if you have an accident and how much money you can afford to pay out of pocket. Also consider how much money you have available each month to pay your premium. Shop around in order to get the best possible insurance for the money you can afford to pay and be sure to consider various deductible amounts as well.
With so many options on the auto insurance market today, it would be difficult if not impossible to find the “perfect” insurance. Taking the time to learn the basics of the insurance market and the factors that affect your rate will assist you in making a good choice. Consider all of your options and you will find auto insurance that works for you.

Statistics show that teenage drivers are far more likely to be involved in vehicle crashes, and these statistics tend to raise car insurance rates for teenage drivers. Parents that have teenagers that are learning to drive can expect to pay rates that are a bit higher for their teen. However, there are a variety of ways that you can work together with your teenager to get lower rates on your car insurance.
Tip#1 - Teach Your Teen the LawsOne of the best ways that your teen can get low rate car insurance is by keeping their driving record totally clean. In order for teens to keep a clean driving record, they need to know and understand the traffic laws. As a parent, you need to make sure that your teen studies the laws and understands what they mean and how they apply to driving. Remember that some states have laws that only pertain to new drivers, so be sure that your teen is aware of those laws as well. Not only should you have them read and learn the laws for driving, but you also need to help teach the laws by your example. Follow the traffic laws yourself when you are driving and communicate to your teen how important the laws are for everyone's safety.
Tip#2 - Add Your Teenager to Your PolicyWhile some parents tend to set up separate insurance policies for their teenager, you can save a great deal of money if you add them to your current policy. It's possible that the discounts you're already getting on your policy could carry over to them as well and if you buy them a separate vehicle to drive, you can get an even better discount for adding another car to your policy.
Tip#3 - Encourage Good GradesMost car insurance companies will offer discounts for teenagers that have better than a "B" average in school. You can save up to 10% if your student keeps up the good grades, so encourage your teen by offering incentives to keep their grades up. Offering an incentive for good grades can also help to keep them working hard and applying themselves at school. You may even want to figure out how much money you're saving on insurance when they get good grades and then pay them the amount that you save. This is an excellent motivation for teens to keep their grades up and to teach them how they can save on their car insurance.
Tip#4 - Driver EducationHaving your teenager take a driver education class can be a great way to help teach them important laws and lessons about driving. If they take a certified course, you may also be eligible for discounts on your car insurance rates as well. If you are not sure which classes will qualify for a discount from your insurance company, then give them a call and find out before you pay for your teen to take the class.
Following these tips can help you get your teenager through those first years of being a driver without having to pay extreme amounts on car insurance. Remember, while car insurance rates for your teen driver will probably be a bit higher, you can help them achieve lower insurance rates with a little work.

Looking to purchase the minimum auto insurance coverage for your car? Want to know where to get the cheapest rate? Read on ...
What's the minimum auto insurance coverage I need to drive?
It varies from state to state. In most states you need to have liability insurance to legally drive your car. A few states also require you to have personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage.
Here's what those coverages mean:
Liability coverage pays claims made against you, your family, or someone driving with your permission, for property damage, physical injury, and death.
Liability coverage is expressed by three numbers. The first two numbers refer to bodily injury coverage while the third number refers to property damage coverage. So 15/30/10 means $15,000 coverage for one person injured in an accident, $30,000 coverage for all persons injured, and $10,000 coverage for property damage.
Personal injury protection coverage pays your medical expenses and your passenger's medical expenses when you have an accident. It also pays you and your family's medical expenses if you're involved in an accident in someone else's car.
Uninsured motorist coverage pays for injuries or property damage to you, or your family and passengers, caused by an uninsured driver, an underinsured driver, or a hit-and-run driver.
You can visit the Insurance Information Institute’s web site - III.org - to find the minimum auto insurance coverage required by your state.
Where can I get the cheapest rate?
The quickest and easiest way to get minimum auto insurance coverage at the cheapest rate is to go to an auto insurance comparison website. In just a couple of minutes you can get the cheapest quotes from top-rated companies. It's fast, it's easy, and it's free.

Auto insurance can be confusing. Most policies look like they were written in a foreign language. Here are simple explanations for the five basic types of auto insurance coverage so you can decide for yourself what you need and what you don't.
Collision Coverage - This pays for repairs made to your car no matter who was at fault. If you purchase or lease a car your dealer will require you to carry this coverage.
I recommend getting the highest deductible you can afford. Increasing your deductible from $100 to $500 will save you 10% to 20% on your insurance.
Comprehensive Coverage - This coverage pays for damages to your car from fire, theft, and vandalism. It also pays for damage from natural disasters like hailstorms and hurricanes.
You should carry comprehensive coverage, but again, get the highest deductible you can afford.
Liability Coverage - This coverage pays for your legal fees and any claims made against you if your car kills or injures someone, or damages someone else's property.
If you don't have a lot of assets you can go with the minimum your state requires. However, if you do have a lot of assets you should get the highest amount you feel will protect you from lawsuits.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage - This coverage pays for damages done to you, your passengers, and your car that are caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers and hit-and-run drivers.
With more than 15% of the population driving without insurance, and hit-and-run accidents on the rise, this is good coverage to have, especially if you live in states that have a high number of uninsured drivers like Mississippi (26%), Alabama (25%), California (25%), New Mexico (24%), and Arizona (22%).
Medical Coverage - This coverage, also known as personal injury protection, pays your medical expenses and your passenger's medical expenses if you're involved in an automobile accident.
Consider eliminating this coverage if you already have medical insurance that covers you.

If you need a Michigan car insurance quote but you're not sure what to quote on, here are a few tips to get the right quotes and save money. This includes the minimum state requirements for auto insurance.
By law, Michigan requires that you purchase no-fault car insurance if you own a vehicle. According to Michigan's official state Web site, they have the most comprehensive no-fault auto insurance system in the country.
With this system, vehicle owners and their families are provided with unlimited medical and rehabilitation benefits, wage loss benefits and $20 per day for replacement services for up to three years if injured in an auto accident -- no matter who was at fault.
The minimum parts of a no-fault policy that must be carried on your vehicle are:
Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, which pays necessary medical costs if you are injured in an accident.
Property Protection, or PPI, which pays up to $1 million for damages your car does in Michigan to other property.
Residual Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Insurance, also known as BI/PD. This pays for defense costs and damages if you are found liable in an accident. The minimum limits you must purchase are:
Bodily Injury -- $20,000 per person who is hurt or killed in an accident, and $40,000 per accident if several people are hurt or killed.
Property Damage -- $10,000 for property damage in another state.
You can also increase your limits to provide more financial protection, and add optional coverages such as Uninsured Motorist and Comprehensive.
Since car insurance companies in Michigan charge different rates from company to company, one of the best ways to save money is to get several quotes. Provide the same information and request the same coverages for each quote in order to get the most accurate comparison.

Looking for a car, be it a brand new model or a pre-loved car with one or more previous owners, you do compare the many features of the vehicle. Yet when insuring your car, many times this is the last thing you would think of doing. Yes, you make sure you ask what is the cost of insuring the particular car you are about to buy. The savings on premiums offered for low-cost policies could also influence you.
Yet, you could be paying more in the long term.
When You Are Liable
How these low cost insurance policies work is, that they have low liability limits, some could be as low as $25,000, this could mean if you are involved in an accident and are liable then you could be responsible for paying for the other person, the hospital and medical expenses, loss of income and other damages. $25.000 doesn't go far these days so the amount over and above you would be personally responsible for.
Always make sure you have enough cover with your car insurance policy. Read your policy carefully and when you are not understanding something or are not sure, get advice from someone who does know.
Choosing Your Insurance Agent or Insurance Sales Representatives.
Choosing an insurance agent has its advantages. Assessing your needs is part of what the insurance agent will do and will also look into your risk profile so they have a good understanding of your insurance requirements and your car insurance coverage.
Don't get an insurance agent and an insurance sales representative confused. An insurance representative works for a particular insurance company, so they will be recommending that insurance company's policies. Whereas an insurance agent works independently and will source out the best car insurance policy from all the insurance companies, the one that will best fit your needs.
There are a some things you will want to discuss with your insurance agent for your car insurance and these are:
What you feel about asset protection and insurance
What you expect if you need to make a claim
Your assets and your net worth
Your Car Needs Replacing After An Accident
This is an important area of car insurance. Many car insurance policies pay for total losses on the cash value of your car and not the replacement cost. Depending on the age of your car, you could be at a loss of quite some dollars, as you will have to come up with the difference if you wish to have the same car.
The age of your vehicle will determine the outcome of this clause in your car insurance policy. Many car insurance companies will cover full replacement if you car is bought brand new. They will do this for a specified time and then you should make sure you have a full understanding of what happens after that time. Often companies will do the full replacement for a year, there will also be special offers for special car promos.
If you see that teensy, weensy print at the bottom of an advert "Conditions Apply", make sure you determine exactly what the 'conditions' are.
The insurance policies that pay, after total loss during the first twelve months, the total purchase price plus all costs, will each year after, lock in the car valuation as set by the industry's standard 'retail' Blue Book.
Look After The Little things
You can find what is covered or not covered with your low-cost car insurance policy by reading the fine print. When you first sign your policy, these items may not seem so important. Many things with any insurance policy seem fine until you need to make a claim. This is where the so called savings will be eaten away. The savings of the low premiums you have been enjoying when you need to claim because of an accident, the costs start to come in.
If you are saving on your car insurance policy premiums, you may find you are required to use a certain repairer as nominated by your car insurance company, you will need to comply or pay for them yourself. Other policies may cost you more in premiums but could have a clause that enables you to have your own repairer without any penalty as far as the cost to you goes.
There is an area often overlooked with car insurance policies and that is your personal items that are in your car at the time of an accident. These items will also need to be replaced if your car is a total write-off.
How To Choose Your Car Insurance Coverage?
Take a look at the declaration page of your policy to find out your coverage. If you are unsure what it all means, then ask advice from an independent insurance agent, this is the one that doesn't work for any car insurance company and will have your needs as his client, as the first priority. It is the legal responsibility of the independent insurance agent to provide the proper coverage for their clients.
For you to understand an insurance policy be it a car insurance policy or a house contents insurance policy is very important, so make sure you get everything explained to you.

In the good ol' days before the Internet made comparing prices for products as easy as clicking a mouse, getting cheap home and auto insurance quotes was a matter of calling insurance agents on the phone and answering a ton of questions. And many agents wouldn't give quotes over the phone.
With the advent of the Internet you could go to an insurance company's website to get home and auto insurance quotes. But the problem was you could only get one quote and you were never sure if you were getting the cheapest rate.
Enter insurance comparison websites where you can now get rate quotes from well-known companies, compare rates, and purchase cheap home and auto insurance all on one site.
It only takes a few minutes at one of these sites to get quotes and, believe me, the savings can be amazing. I know people who saved $500 to $1,000 on their insurance by simply switching companies.
To get your quotes you'll need to fill out a questionnaire so companies can tailor your insurance to your needs. As you complete the questionnaire you'll be able to see the all discounts you're entitled to and select the discounts you want.

Looking for a car, be it a brand new model or a pre-loved car with one or more previous owners, you do compare the many features of the vehicle. Yet when insuring your car, many times this is the last thing you would think of doing. Yes, you make sure you ask what is the cost of insuring the particular car you are about to buy. The savings on premiums offered for low-cost policies could also influence you.
Yet, you could be paying more in the long term.
When You Are Liable
How these low cost insurance policies work is, that they have low liability limits, some could be as low as $25,000, this could mean if you are involved in an accident and are liable then you could be responsible for paying for the other person, the hospital and medical expenses, loss of income and other damages. $25.000 doesn't go far these days so the amount over and above you would be personally responsible for.
Always make sure you have enough cover with your car insurance policy. Read your policy carefully and when you are not understanding something or are not sure, get advice from someone who does know.
Choosing Your Insurance Agent or Insurance Sales Representatives.
Choosing an insurance agent has its advantages. Assessing your needs is part of what the insurance agent will do and will also look into your risk profile so they have a good understanding of your insurance requirements and your car insurance coverage.
Don't get an insurance agent and an insurance sales representative confused. An insurance representative works for a particular insurance company, so they will be recommending that insurance company's policies. Whereas an insurance agent works independently and will source out the best car insurance policy from all the insurance companies, the one that will best fit your needs.
There are a some things you will want to discuss with your insurance agent for your car insurance and these are:
What you feel about asset protection and insurance
What you expect if you need to make a claim
Your assets and your net worth
Your Car Needs Replacing After An Accident
This is an important area of car insurance. Many car insurance policies pay for total losses on the cash value of your car and not the replacement cost. Depending on the age of your car, you could be at a loss of quite some dollars, as you will have to come up with the difference if you wish to have the same car.
The age of your vehicle will determine the outcome of this clause in your car insurance policy. Many car insurance companies will cover full replacement if you car is bought brand new. They will do this for a specified time and then you should make sure you have a full understanding of what happens after that time. Often companies will do the full replacement for a year, there will also be special offers for special car promos.
If you see that teensy, weensy print at the bottom of an advert "Conditions Apply", make sure you determine exactly what the 'conditions' are.
The insurance policies that pay, after total loss during the first twelve months, the total purchase price plus all costs, will each year after, lock in the car valuation as set by the industry's standard 'retail' Blue Book.
Look After The Little things
You can find what is covered or not covered with your low-cost car insurance policy by reading the fine print. When you first sign your policy, these items may not seem so important. Many things with any insurance policy seem fine until you need to make a claim. This is where the so called savings will be eaten away. The savings of the low premiums you have been enjoying when you need to claim because of an accident, the costs start to come in.
If you are saving on your car insurance policy premiums, you may find you are required to use a certain repairer as nominated by your car insurance company, you will need to comply or pay for them yourself. Other policies may cost you more in premiums but could have a clause that enables you to have your own repairer without any penalty as far as the cost to you goes.
There is an area often overlooked with car insurance policies and that is your personal items that are in your car at the time of an accident. These items will also need to be replaced if your car is a total write-off.
How To Choose Your Car Insurance Coverage?
Take a look at the declaration page of your policy to find out your coverage. If you are unsure what it all means, then ask advice from an independent insurance agent, this is the one that doesn't work for any car insurance company and will have your needs as his client, as the first priority. It is the legal responsibility of the independent insurance agent to provide the proper coverage for their clients.
For you to understand an insurance policy be it a car insurance policy or a house contents insurance policy is very important, so make sure you get everything explained to you.