Bringing down your car insurance cost to a reasonable level is well within the scope of most people, providing you do your research and apply some simple tips when going after new coverage.

Every company possesses its own algorithms to decide which premium level you're going to have. You can save a great deal of money first, by going to one of the car insurance comparison sites available on the internet.

When going after very low-priced car insurance, you need to find possible policies as if looking at it from an insurers perspective. When an insurer looks at the details you have passed on to them, they weigh up the potential risk to themselves of having to pay out on a claim.

Beware of some insurers that are offering unusually cheap car insurance as many of these companies are actually registered overseas in countries such as Gibraltar. On top of that, some of these overseas registered cheaper insurers will only communicate with live chat or email and actually getting any kind of telephone support can prove difficult. It's all well and good to use these companies, until the time comes when you have to make a claim. If you have trouble getting a settlement then getting any redress can prove difficult. With UK-based insurers you don't face the same issues as you're usually covered by the FCA (financial conduct authority)as well as the UK Insurance Ombudsman Scheme.

Many insurance providers give discounts to people who drive below 7,500 miles in one year. This may mean cutting down your driving, which is a wonderful method to save money on your motor insurance policy. If you're unsure of your annual mileage, a great way of finding out how many miles you do would be to take a look at your MOT history from one year to another. MOT testers log down your odometer mileage on your certificates, so these give a good sign of the amount of miles you usually drive in a year.

Motor insurers will try to make more money from you if they can. Sometimes this is simply to cover the higher risk of insuring you, whether that's because of your age bracket, where you live, or the insurance class of the car you drive. It all adds up to more factors that make up your insurance premium.

If you make changes to your car, you will need to tell your insurer. This might result in an increase to your premium especially if it's a performance modification and they may also charge you an administration cost for the trouble of altering your policy to include these changes.

Some people attempt to get away with not informing their insurer of any changes in circumstance. This is a dangerous tactic that could backfire when you least expect it. You would have to contend with the insurance company potentially not paying up for the car you have hit, as well any damage to your own car because you failed to disclose the modification to them.

Don't get caught without auto insurance today! Having vehicle insurance will stop you from being responsible for a huge financial bill and keep you on the right side of the law.

For more information on where you can get very cheap car insurance throughout the UK just visit this website to find a fantastic resource, that has a variety of additional tips on getting fantastic value motor cover, together with a great car insurance web form that enables you to do a comparison of a large number of vehicle insurance quotes side by side.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8449195

The reason your car insurance company may ultimately raise your rates is because seatbelts are associated with safety. If you choose to not wear your seatbelt, you are placing yourself at risk unnecessarily. In their eyes, you may be considered a high risk and this may lead to higher premiums.

Failing to buckle up can cost you in other ways too. For example, if you are receiving an additional discount based on safety features, your auto insurance company may review your history and disqualify you for things like safe driver benefits.

Car insurance companies want to insure safe drivers who practice safe driving on a regular basis. This includes people who consistently use seatbelts. Utilizing a seatbelt can provide a sense of security and can also help reduce the number of serious accidents that occur as a result of not using safety restraints.

What causes car insurance companies to raise your rates?

Aside from the usual cost of doing business, which is generally minimal, you may receive an increase in your auto insurance rates if you are involved in any type of motor vehicle violation that adds points to your driver's license. Some insurance companies will start increases after as little as two points are added. The amount of points and type of violations vary. Some common offenses include:

• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• DUI or DWI

Your rates may also be increased if you have too many accidents that result in multiple claims. Each time you have a car accident, you cost your auto insurance provider thousands of dollars, this often results in a higher premium for you so they can try to recoup their losses from the payout.

Depending on the severity of the infraction, your car insurance company may raise your rates anywhere from 10 to 50%. You may also be subject to policy cancellation if your violation is serious and leads to a conviction.

Car insurance companies are well aware of your driving history; this includes your offenses and violations. If your rates are increased because of poor safety habits or other infractions, you will suffer the burden until your record is clean with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Do auto insurance companies lower their rates? If so, what is it based on?

Car insurance companies may lower their rates in various ways. Receiving a reduction in car insurance premiums is considered a reward for having an excellent driving history. This usually includes zero car accidents or moving violations resulting in points being added to your driver's license. You may also receive a reduction in your annual premium if you utilize safety devices such as:

• Alarms
• Ignition kill switches
• External security mechanisms like steering wheel locks

When you take the time to ensure that your vehicle is protected, your car insurance company may recognize your effort and reward you.

Another way your rates can be affected in a positive manner revolves around the way you pay your premium. Some insurance companies actually offer you a discount if you pay your bill in full rather than in monthly installments. You may also have the option of paying quarterly and still receive a break.

If my car insurance company raises my rates, should I stay or should I look for a new one?

Before you go looking for a new automobile insurance company, think about the benefits you have and if you are willing to trade one or more for something else. Most people have car insurance for years and unless you have a poor experience, you stay with them.

An increase in rates should not be the only reason you seek out a new car insurance agency. First, consider the actual increase and decide if it is justified. Next, review your benefits. Do you use them or are they just part of a package deal? If your needs have changed and you require an updated policy, can your current provider assist you?

Sometimes, it is easier to work with what you have. Maybe your auto insurance company can adjust your current policy to fit your changing lifestyle. Remember, they want to keep you as a customer, especially if you have been with them for a while.

Do not panic just because receive notice that your premiums are increasing. You should have enough time to review your options before you make any decisions. You do not want to sacrifice a long, stable history with a new company unless you know it has your best interest in mind.

Having car insurance is the responsibility of every vehicle owner. At times, it can be costly, but it is a necessity. To help ensure a consistent auto insurance premium, do your part to become a safe driver.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8465449

Purchasing a new car, truck, or van requires patience and research. You will want to take safety, features, and insurance into consideration. Most people look at a new insurance policy when they are considering purchasing a vehicle. So, what do you do if you already have an insurance policy?

Luckily, most auto insurance providers allow you to amend your policy. You can add a new car, remove a car you sold (or traded in), and even add or remove drivers. With some insurance companies, you will have to pay a fee to add or remove a vehicle. You will also see an increase in your premiums.

When to Change

Your new vehicle must be on your car insurance policy within 30 days of purchase for most states. You will want to talk to your insurance provider and look at the local laws to see if it is different for you. If you fail to notify the company, your vehicle will not have insurance and you could be facing large fines if pulled over. If you wait to cover your vehicle, the insurance provider can decide to limit the amount of coverage they will allow on the policy for a set period.

How to Change

When you are looking to purchase a new vehicle, call your insurance provider to let them know. You will want to ask what changes will need to be made, and how much it will cost to have your policy amended. You want to make sure that amount is placed in the policy's terms and conditions so you can have a copy of it. It is standard for companies to re-issue a terms and conditions policy document when you make changes to your plan.

Change or Cancel

Before you immediately make the jump to changing your policy, consider your other options. You will want to shop around again and look for the best price. If your car is your second vehicle, you will want a policy that offers multi-car discounts. When you are trading a car in, you will want to look for better deals that are available. Many companies are becoming more convenient with mobile apps and web pages to file claims.

Another factor to take into consideration is the amendment fee. It is usually less than a cancellation fee. However, it may give you the ability to find a company that does not charge for you to make changes to your policy. You may also find a company that you like and offers an incentive to make the switch. It is also possible not to have a cancellation fee because your policy is up for renewal.

Whether you choose to cancel or change, make sure there is no lapse between policies. The lapse will open the doors to the ability to raise rates for failure to have continual insurance. You want to make sure you keep the new and old policy on hand few a few weeks until you are certain the plan has completely switched to your new vehicle.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8477545

Many of you do not have medical coverage on your auto insurance policies. It only raises your monthly payment by a couple of dollars and it can bring you more peace of mind than you know.

Let me tell you a story about how medical coverage kept me from stressing about the well being of my unborn baby. My husband and I were traveling from Farmington, NM to Phoenix, AZ when we got hit by a drunk driver. Our car was totaled. Luckily, no one was seriously injured, but I was 8 weeks pregnant. The medical coverage on our insurance paid for me to get three more sonograms during my first two trimesters that my private insurance would not have paid for. Being a first time mom can be stressful enough without adding the worry about side effects from an accident. The medical coverage from the insurance allowed me to get a sonogram at 10 weeks pregnant. Being able to count my baby's fingers and toes gave me some relief, but I knew that the effects of a traumatic experience could have other effects on my baby that may not show up right away; so over the course of the next several weeks I got two more sonograms and was reassured by the healthy growth and positive feedback from my doctor.

Now, I realize that most of you will never be in the same situation I found myself in at that time, but medical coverage on your auto insurance can also help you pay for any co-pays that would otherwise be out-of-pocket. Co-pays can range anywhere from ten to fifty dollars per visit. Additionally, the medical payments coverage will also pay for the coinsurance limit. It is not uncommon to have a five thousand dollar coinsurance limit depending on the private insurance company. The injuries that you have, and the doctors that you see can also affect your total out of pocket expenses. While medical insurance may limit the doctor that you can see and the procedures that are paid for there is no such limitation on your Medical Payment coverage.

So before you decide to save a few dollars every month by not adding medical to your policy, take a look at your private insurance co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses and make sure that you can afford, at any given time, to pay the max amount you would need for serious injuries.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8483670

Fleet insurance is a great idea if you have a number of vehicles that run on a day-to-day basis in order to keep your business running. This kind of insurance is ideal for car rental agencies or delivery businesses. Saying this, it can also be useful for a local authority that utilises vehicles regularly to pick up and drop off children or elderly residents.

Fleet insurance saves you the hassle of maintaining separate paperwork and cuts down on the time to keep a track of their renewal. It is also cost effective when compared to insuring each vehicle separately. Over the years, this type of cover has gone up considerably and at time businesses are keeping their overheads low, this insurance can eat up a sizable amount of your costs. It makes sense to focus on your fleet insurance and identify areas for improvement.

Although fleet insurance is a more economical and a sensible way of managing cover for your vehicles, there are still ways and means of keeping the premiums down.

Get your risk management in place: Work with your insurer to get the most out of the policy and have an action plan in case of accidents and retraining programmes for employees.

Keep track of young drivers: These drivers are twice more likely than anyone else to be involved in accidents causing severe injuries and making claims on the policy. It might be worth monitoring their use of your cars at night since records show that most accidents involving young drivers occur at night. Also having procedures in place for training young drivers can prove to be beneficial in the long run.

All in one: Often combining insurances such as liability insurance, employee insurance and fleet insurance can save you substantial amounts of money.

Review and then renew: If you don't keep an eye on your policy, you might end up having unnecessary add-ons. For instance you don't need windscreen cover if it works out cheaper to have this replaced privately in the event of an accident. Also renew in good time so that you know exactly what you are getting for your money and if you can get a better deal elsewhere.

Self-insure: Many companies have only third-party protection and raised excess on their policies; this can save you on your premium too.

Provide good vehicle security: For instance if you have trackers in your vehicles, it can be really useful to locate your vehicle in case of theft. This in turn can bring down your premium on your fleet insurance and get you a good quote.

Insurance Broker

Also, by using the services of a broker, they can advise you on how to keep your premiums low on your fleet insurance policy. This can help you to save substantial amounts of money in the long run, as a broker with years of experience and knowledge will know the 'tricks of the trade' and make sure that you are only paying out for the cover that you require.

Any information included in this article is the opinion of the writer and not affiliated with any third party.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8489649

Telematics car insurance is still not very well known and yet it is considered by many industry experts that within the next ten years it will have changed the face of the motor insurance landscape for ever.

How It Works

What is telematics insurance? It is essentially a type of mini computer in your car which tells the insurer all about your movements. It is a small device, the size of a cigarette packet and often a small plain black box - hence the common name for such policies being black box insurance. If you are familiar with sat navs, it is essentially the same thing but without the screen. Just like a sat nav, it sends a signal up onto a satellite but instead of bouncing back to plot your position on a map it simply stores the information on the Insurance company's central database.

Just like the sat nav technology it can plot your position, at any given time, amazingly accurately to five square metres or so. Since the signals are being beamed continuously, the computer can track not just your position but your speed too. This means it can actually calculate your road position, acceleration and braking as well and plot that on a road map, comparing it to the speed restrictions in place.

The Advantages of Telematics Insurance for the Motorist

One of the problems with motor insurance is that drivers tend to get lumped together in groups and labelled. This is fine if it is a 'positive' label such as middle-aged and experienced but annoying and, more to the point, expensive if you are a 'good' driver but bundled into a group which has a poor reputation. For example young drivers (18-21); night club doormen and comedians (who often drive late at night) or previously convicted drivers.

By choosing to have a telematics insurance policy you are immediately suggesting that you are a responsible driver because you are happy for your driving habits to be monitored. This is why black box insurance quotations tend to attract a discount against comparable policies. Direct Line recently stated that discounts of up to 40% can be earned.

Polices vary in how they work but all work on a similar principle in that they reward responsible driving habits. If you know you are a sensible or experienced driver why should you worry if a computer is tracking your movements? Likewise if you are a law abiding citizen do you really care if the computer tracks you to the staff or station car park, or the local supermarket? It may be different if you are a drug dealer or sleazy politician but most people are not.

One thing that also happens is that drivers ensure they drive more correctly because they know someone is watching them. It is a bit like drivers slowing down when they see speed cameras. If the driver is aware that their actions are being monitored they tend to act a little more judiciously which is a benefit to everyone.

An unrelated benefit is that the black box acts like a tracker device and can provide the insurance company and / or police the exact position of your vehicle should it be stolen.

The Disadvantages of Black Box Insurance

The main objection to such polices are that this is Big Brother personified. This means that 'The Man' can see where you are (well at least where your car is) at any given moment. Your privacy is invaded. Consumer action groups rightly protest about privacy concerns, particularly about who can access such personal data but they cannot hold back the proverbial approaching storm.

The other major problem is that should you breach the various driving parameters imposed by the insurer you will be penalised. This may be a simple as breaching a mileage limitation or it could be because the computer has calculated that you are regularly speeding. It is also fair to say the various telematics insurance providers have a different methodology for fines or penalties which can be very confusing when one is trying to compare policies.

Why Do The Motor Underwriters Love This Technology?

The dilemma for insurers is that insurance is based on the old fashioned concept of uberrima fides, or utmost good faith. The problem is that many policy holders are actually 'economical with the truth' when it comes to seeking quotations. Whilst this is clearly a breach of contract, not only will such an omission or error need to be spotted, but it will often result in an animated disagreement with the policyholder should their compensation monies be rejected or reduced in light of the fact.

For the motor underwriters, actually the bigger financial loss comes from the many policies issued that contain misrepresentations which reduced the drivers' premiums but do not come to light because there are no claims. These shortfalls often go undetected and add up to millions of pounds in lost revenue.

Whilst the motorist may consider these as 'little white lies' which are justified in reducing unnecessarily expensive premiums. The underwriters and usually the courts too will see them as misrepresentation and breach of contract. Is this a significant factor? A recent poll of nearly one thousand people by Consumer Intelligence on behalf of Lexis Nexis, found that roughly one quarter of them thought that omissions or adjustments of facts was acceptable behaviour when apply for a motor quote.

For the insurer, the little black box means that they can get a really good understanding of the driving habits of the motorist. It might not be able to tell them if the policyholder is 'fronting' the policy for their teenage son, who is named as an additional driver but it can prove that the car is being driven to a university car park five days a week, miles away from the office block where the policyholder works.

It can also tell where the car is parked. The declaration may state it is safely tucked away in a garage at night but the increasingly sophisticated and accurate satellites can plot the car as being parked on the street. Likewise the applicant might state they only drive 2,000 mile per year but they will quickly be highlighted should they reach that figure within the first three months.

The policyholder might suggest that the car was stolen and torched the night after a hit and run accident but the movements of the car might suggest otherwise.

The telematics insurance provider may impose limited motorway driving, a curfew on driving after twelve o'clock at night or parking in a particularly dodgy part of town. Now there is the proof when transgressions happen.

When a driver has a good record the insurer can reward them with reduced premiums because they are exactly the sort of policyholder they want. Conversely, 'bad' drivers can have their premiums increased and even see their policies cancelled. This transparency is a massive boon for the insurers.

The Future of Car Insurance

Many people in the insurance industry reckon that telematics policies will become the norm in the future, where you may still be able to buy a 'traditional' policy without the black box but you will have to pay more for the privilege. You will be opting out of the new standard way of doing things, rather than voluntarily opting in as is the current situation.

This is a bold statement as only about 1% of current British policies are telematics policies and it is only 3% in Italy which is at the forefront of European countries for this concept; but that is because it is new technology. This technology has been around for over ten years now and has been well and truly tried and tested. The cost of the little back boxes has reduced and may even be replaced by newer equipment or 'apps'. Not only that but the improved results are there to see for all the insurers.

Indeed 2014 has been a watershed with many more motor underwriters offering telematics insurance policies. Undoubtedly there will soon be a greater emphasis on such policies within the marketing and advertising by the providers.

Some commentators even see a future where certain insurers refuse to deal with anyone without a telematics device, a little like the insurers currently refusing to quote for drivers with drink driving records.

Telematics insurance may only be a fledgling concept at the moment but there is every indication that it is going to grow massively in the coming decade and could well become the standard British car insurance operating procedure.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8530049

Once customers decide which used car dealership they are heading to, they need to decide on the insurance that they will buy. Many buy here pay here dealers require proof of insurance to the vehicles before they give the keys to the cars. Understanding the different types of insurance is the first basic step.

Understanding Some Basics

Although not every driver is required to have his/her name on the insurance, the owner of the vehicle and his acquaintances that reside at the same address need to be on the insurance card. With this, we mean that if a friend uses a vehicle for a couple of errands, he is not required to have his name on the insurance but yet would be covered under the owner's insurance.

However, insurance companies try to not pay for accidents caused by such friends. They try to show that the friend has driven the vehicle for some time and not just a couple of times. If this was true, then the friend should have added their name on the insurance card and hence the insurance company would have grounds to refuse to pay for damages caused by such drivers. So if a friend uses the vehicle on a daily basis, although he is temporarily not registered in the same address as the owner of the vehicle, then that friend needs to be added to the insurance. This is to make sure that he would be covered if an accident does occur.

Type #1

The first type is what is called "liability" and it is the basic and common type. Most states require liability insurance for all vehicles, and charge a hefty fine for drivers that fail to show proof of insurance. With liability insurance, when an owner of a vehicle is at fault, his insurance is in charge of paying to fix the other vehicle and to pay for injury of passengers and driver of the other vehicle. The liability insurance would not cover the insured vehicle.

Type #2

On the other hand, the "full coverage" means that when the insured vehicle is at fault in an accident, both vehicles would be covered. Most insurance companies would require a deductible with full coverage. This deductible is often $500 and is meant to cover the initial cost required to fix the insured vehicle. So if the insured vehicle needs less than $500 then the insured driver would have to pay all the cost. However, when the damages need more than $500, then the insured person would pay the initial $500 and the insurance company would pay for the rest. This is why it is so important to ask ahead of time, what is the deductible as some companies offer low premiums only because they know that they can increase this deductible and not pay for some future costs.

Although this, more expensive, coverage is not required by state laws, some choose to pay for it to feel financially safer later on. Others do not have a choice and have to buy it. For example, new car dealerships require their customers, who finance their vehicles, to have full coverage to safeguard the vehicle till all the money owed is paid in full. But since buy here pay here dealers only sell used vehicles, this would not be the case.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8537375

Taxi operators face many risks daily, including passenger injuries and other accidents, like accidental damage, fire, theft, vandalism, third party liability, damage to property and personal injury. Therefore, it is important to have adequate insurance coverage for yourself, your passengers, and your business.

Furthermore, a policy that will provide coverage when you are unable to work, perhaps because your vehicle requires repairs or you are unwell is good. The relevant state authorities advise every vehicle used for hire to have appropriate insurance.

Whether you are working on a full-time basis or a part-time basis, a taxi hire cover is recommended. If you are keen at protecting the very asset that keeps your business running, the right insurance is important. Tips for getting cheap taxi insurance include:

· Consider your car type

If you are interested in cheap premiums, you can choose a vehicle in a lower insurance group. The car insurance groups often vary among different states or countries, with some states having up to 50 groups. Vehicles that fall in the highest group often attract expensive insurance premiums, while vehicles in the lowest group attract the least insurance premiums.

Cars are designated into different groups based on various factors, including repairs, price of spare parts, safety features, and vehicle value. Vehicles in the highest category are often high-performance models. Nevertheless, when choosing a vehicle you cannot base your decision sorely on the insurance category because you also need to consider the fuel consumption levels, depending on the nature of business.

· Drive safely

The importance of driving safely cannot be over emphasized. As a taxi operator it is important to adhere to the rules, such as driving within the speed limits, to avoid convictions. Generally, convictions attract higher premiums. In fact, it is not uncommon for insurance providers to deny taxi insurance to drivers who have been involved in an offense that has no bearing on a person's driving. Insurance providers argue persons who have committed a criminal offense, however minor, are likely to get involved in a car accident.

· Build a clean record

It is very easy to reduce your premiums by building a clean record. This can be achieved by driving responsibly and safely, and thereby building-up a no claims discount over the years. Many insurance carriers are ready to offer drivers attractive discounts of between 20% and 30% to those who stay claim-free for over a year. You could also benefit from up to 75% discount for staying claim-free for 5 consecutive years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8557175

As much as the internet is a blessing for finding all the information you could possibly want, sometimes there is so much information that you can't see the forest from the trees.

Car insurance company information on the internet

Not only is the internet the best place for finding information on car insurance companies, insurance quotes and packages, it also gives you access to other important information such as company reviews and product reviews as well as customer testimonials. Finding quality and factual information from credible sources, however, may not be that simple.

Car insurance websites and blogs and the credibility question

The internet is also where marketers find their playground and in their quest for the best search engine rankings, many vehicle insurance providers spend a large part of their marketing budget on website and blog content for search engine optimisation. These efforts can lead to increased numbers of website visitors, resulting in higher client conversion rates. Not all content on every car insurance company website is always factual, however, so it is important to do extensive research before entering into an agreement with a particular insurance provider to make sure they provide what they claim they provide.

Things to look out for

The fact that car insurance companies battle to outdo each other in online marketing raises the question of how they actually stack up when it comes to the real important aspects of insurance such as competitive pricing, excellent service and fairness in the settlement of claims? To make sure you're not dealing with a fly-by-night vehicle insurance company that is all talk and no action, things to look out for are:

Can you contact them by telephone?

Are their insurance packages clearly explained on their website?

Can they provide you with quick, free online insurance quotes?

Do they offer self-management insurance portfolios online?

Are their prices competitive?

Is the claims process uncomplicated?

Can claims be submitted via their website?

Does their website provide an 'In the news' section?

Has the insurance company won any awards?

Do they have a public customer review section?

Is the company transparent in their dealings?

Are they on Facebook or other social media platforms?

If the car insurance company you have in mind ticks all the above boxes or at least most of them, your chances at having found the right insurer are pretty good. If they have a social media presence it means that they are transparent in their dealings and are easily accessible to their clients.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8557118

When it comes to buying a car in Maryland, you should always make it a point to obtain comprehensive auto insurance for setting the priorities right. As per by the state law, it is essential to have proper coverage in place if you wish to drive around the state without any hassle or concern. However, it often gets tough to obtain insurance with the help of private carriers. This is where MAIF comes to help by offering proper coverage at affordable rates. Obtaining low cost MAIF Insurance gets easy and quick through the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. Through MAIF, you can always look forward to availing the best coverage at the best rate possible.

Lowering the Cost of Insurance - What you Need to Follow

The Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund is known to offer easy and quick hassle-free insurance solution to driver and car owners of all kinds. This is applicable even if you have a poor driving record. However, to ensure availing MAIF insurance at low cost, you should make it a point to follow the aspects mentioned below -

Maintain a Standard and Good Driving Record Throughout - This is a priority as maintaining a good driving record throughout allows you to keep the insurance costs low. The logic is simple; frequent accidents and violations will certainly lead to higher premiums. The catch to maintaining a good record throughout rests with driving defensively and obeying traffic laws diligently.

Go For Higher Deductibles Always - When it comes to opting for deductibles consider going for higher deductibles if you can. This allows you to eliminate coverage for small and minor losses easily. A higher deductible always paves the road to reduced premium on physical damage. This further allows you to easily obtain low cost MAIF insurance.

Be Aware of the Condition and Age of your Vehicle - When it comes to obtaining comprehensive auto insurance coverage, always take the condition and age of your car into consideration. This lets you determine what you should opt for and what you should not. For instance, obtaining physical damage coverage for an old car is never recommended as it would not simply be worth the cost. Alternatively, if you have an outstanding loan on the automobile, your loan holder might ask you to opt for a comprehensive and collision coverage. Take the call wisely.

Get MAIF insurance Online

Obtaining MAIF insurance online is an easy and quick process. All you need to do is find a reliable and trusted provider offering MAIF auto quote. Following this, you can easily apply for a quote online. All you need to do is provide some basic information like the zip code of your Maryland house (this should be your primary residence) and whether you presently own a Maryland driver's license or not.

Obtaining auto insurance in Maryland is mandatory and anybody not having one will be liable to facing penalty charges. To avoid falling prey to such situations, get in touch with a provider offering low cost MAIF insurance to the car owners in the state.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8574104

Getting ready for a road trip

Summer is an amazing time to go outside and do fun things. There are books, TV shows, magazines and endless blogs dedicated to getting in shape for the summer and making the most of sunny days. Summer often coincides with school holidays, which makes it an ideal time to travel with your family.

While most of us get away by taking a flight to another destination, there are a few adventurers' who take to the roads to explore nearby destinations and enjoy what the local culture has to offer. With the busy pace of life here in the UAE, we often forget to go beyond our cozy homes in the city to enjoy the beautiful unchartered territories in the Gulf.

Apart from making sure your motor insurance is up to date, here a few tips to getting you and your car ready for the road trip of a lifetime:

• Take your car for a quick check up and service before your mini vacation. Checking the oil, air-conditioning, coolant, wiper blades, tyres, and wheel alignment will ensure that you do not have to make an unnecessary stop due to a glitch in your car.

• Get a thorough wash and polish done. There is definitely some theory attached to the state of your car and the state of your mind being in sync (just kidding - there is no pop psychology quiz to prove this). But if your car is spick and span on the inside and shining bright on the outside, it will definitely ensure a good mood while being on the road.

• Get enough music and entertainment on board. Now this one's obviously not related to safety, but will definitely help in keeping the kids entertained during the journey. So make sure to bring your iPod with your favourite tracks and some games for your kids.

• Accessorise your car with essentials like foldable garbage bags, tissue boxes, car bins, hand sanitizers and a car purifier. A road trip means spending quite a bit of time snacking while driving and being prepared for spills and stains will help keep you car tidy during the journey.

• Lastly, don't forget to take your sunglasses, floppy hats and sun screen to protect you from the blazing summer sun. While we're on the topic, make sure you carry lots of drinking water to keep yourself hydrated at all times.

So there you have it, our top tips to ensuring a safe and fun road trip with the family. Wherever you decide to go and whatever you decide to do, we hope you have an amazing trip with your loved ones. Oh, and don't forget to carry those motor insurance papers with you on your trip!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8580131

Securing good van insurance is an important decision, especially when your business relies on your vehicle on a daily basis. Whether you're a plumber, electrician or you offer deliveries in your local area, having the right policy in place can reduce the risk of leaving you stranded without a vehicle and a hefty bill to pay.

There are a number of things you can take into consideration to help keep your premiums as low as possible while still enjoying all the benefits that the best van insurance can provide.

One of the considerations you may want to take is the vehicle that you drive. Each van has their own risk factor and insurance group associated with them. Finding a lower insurance group will mean a cheaper premium. If you don't have a lot of items that you transport at a time, it may be worthwhile opting for a smaller van that can provide you with the same functionality, but help lower you premium at the same time.

Once you've purchased a vehicle, pay close attention to the security that you have. Does it have an alarm system? What about an immobilizer? These are security items that can help you afford the best van insurance for less.

Pay careful attention to where you park your vehicle at night. You may keep tools and equipment in your vehicle when parked at home, so it's important you ensure you have a secure parking where access is limited. If you park your vehicle on the street filled with tools, you can expect to pay more as you increase the risk of the vehicle being broken into. If you can unload the van each evening, enabling you to eliminate any risk.

Whether you choose to be the only driver or you have one or two staff members you want to add to the policy, ensure you all have clean driving licenses without any endorsements and you are all over the age of twenty five. Younger drivers and those that have points deducted or unclean licenses are considered high risk and this will immediately increase your monthly or annual premiums, depending how you choose to pay.

A great way to secure the best van insurance for less is to ask if the company offers a voluntary excess option. This means that you can lower your monthly premiums, but should you ever need to claim, your excess will be higher. This is advantageous in situations where you haven't claimed for years, paying a higher excess enables you to get the best cover at the lowest possible price.

Take advantage of the fact that you have a no claims bonus on your private auto policy and ensure your insurer is aware of that. No claims bonuses are great negotiating tools and are often taken into consideration when looking for the best van insurance. This is proof that you are a low risk to the insurer and can help you lower your premium dramatically.

Never go for the first quote you receive, shop around and take a look at the different options available from various companies and their costs. While you don't want to pay too much for cover, you also don't want to end up using a company with a poor track record in the industry.

Pay close attention to their customer service, how they deal with your enquiry and ask them about their claims process. When it comes time to claiming, it's better to have your claim handled quickly and effectively and pay slightly more for the service than it is to have a poor service at a lower cost.

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Cherished car insurance often relates to classic cars and cars that are not used for normal daily use. These can be exceptionally expensive to cover and can leave you paying through your teeth for a vehicle you only use on Sundays and leave securely parked the rest of the time.

Collectors and those that are looking for a Sunday vehicle, will need to pay careful attention to a number of factors when buying cherished car insurance to ensure they are getting the best deal without breaking the bank.

There are a few ways you can ensure that the cost of cherished car insurance isn't more than you can manage. One of these solutions is to limit your mileage. If you only drive on a Sunday you can expect to pay less than someone who chooses to use their classic vehicle every day of the week. Ensure you make your insurer aware that you only drive a short distance each week to keep the engine going and that you keep it locked securely the rest of the time, maybe pulling it out on a nice sunny day for a good wash and polish.

Ensure you are honest with your insurer when it comes to modifications. In many cases older vehicles have been modified over the years, it's imperative that you disclose all modifications when buying a policy. While modifications can increase your premium amount, you want to know you are completely covered should the vehicle be damaged or stolen.

While comparison sites can appear to be advantageous, when it comes to covering a vehicle of this nature, it's advisable to stay as far away from them as you can and rely on your own research to find the best broker with the best products. These are not your average daily vehicle and therefore they require specialist cover. Choose a company that has experience with cherished car insurance to provide you with the best level of cover at the best possible price.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as any vehicle owner is to claim for every accident. In some cases backing down the driveway and meeting the pole at the end leaves a dent, but is it worth claiming? The answer is no, not even with a classic vehicle. Remember every time you claim it affects your no claims bonus, you should keep claims for expensive and serious accident damage or theft, the more no claims you earn, the lower your premiums will be.

Always shop around and don't choose the first quote you see. Shopping around gives you the ability to choose the best insurer that provides you with the best service, policy and prices. Do you research, learn as much as you can about the insurer and their claims process, ensuring that should you every need to claim, they will handle it quickly and effectively.

Monthly premiums are advantageous when you don't have a lump sum of cash available to pay the annual cost, but be aware that monthly premiums do cost more in the long run, because companies add administrative fees to provide you with this convenient service. If you need cherished car insurance you know it will be more than covering an average everyday vehicle, be sure to pay up front for the year to save yourself some cash.

The final decision you have to make when buying cherished car insurance is the type of cover you want. In most cases you will choose comprehensive cover which protects you and your vehicle in the event of an accident, it also covers you for any thirty party liability you may incur if you caused the accident.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8623198

So you're sitting in DUI Class wondering just what in the world has happened to you in the last few weeks. No one seems to know the answers, but everyone keeps handing you a bill to pay. Well, this little fact sheet should shed some light on some of the questions you have about insurance, your SR-22, and how to get your license back.

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 is documentation filed by your auto insurance company to the CA DMV to prove that you have active insurance. It is mandatory to have an SR-22 on file if you want to have an active driver's license while you are on probation.

How long do I have to have an SR-22 on file?

It is generally required for 3 continuous years (the length of your probation).

Is an SR-22 the same as insurance?

No. The SR-22 is filed in addition to your insurance. A vehicle on the road in CA is required to have insurance. A driver on the road (with a recent alcohol related violation) is required to have an active SR-22 filed with the DMV.

How do I get my license back?

1) Pay the court fees and fines for your DUI/Wet & Reckless (usually payment plans are available).
2) You have to enroll in some type of rehabilitation program (DUI School) in your county.
3) Pay the DMV reinstatement fee ($125).
4) Purchase or file an SR-22 certificate with your insurance company.

What happens if my insurance and SR-22 get canceled?

Your insurance company will have to notify the CA DMV and the DMV will suspend your driver's license again.

What if I don't own a vehicle?

You can get a Non-Owner's Insurance Policy, where you are covered to drive other people's vehicles on a temporary basis. With this policy your insurance company can file an SR-22 for you so you can get your license back.

Can I really get a free SR-22?

Some insurance companies don't charge to file an SR-22, and the ones that do charge a fee don't normally charge more than $50. The true cost of the consequence of having a DUI comes in the actual insurance rate, and the fees associated with writing a policy for that situation. Be skeptical of the "$15 a month" advertisements, remember that you couldn't get a policy for $15 per month before you received your DUI, so you're not going to be able to get that rate after such a violation. When shopping for insurance, it is best to insist that the agency reveal their fees to you before you purchase. If you don't, you could find yourself paying for a lot of fees that you did not know about.

So there you go. It is with my sincerest hope that this article helps give you some direction. Life after a DUI can be tough, but you can definitely recover.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8598684

Did your insurance company contact you with a lower rate recently? My guess is no, and to be honest, it rarely happens.

Most car insurance companies love your business, but would rather keep you unaware of any rate decreases. This is great news for consumers though, because new options exist that lets you find the best car insurance rates fast.

Before the internet became mainstream, the only option to compare car insurance rates, was to get on the phone and talk to a pushy sales agent for hours to get a single quote. Not a very efficient use of time in this fast paced society we currently live in.

Rate shopping for just 3 quotes used to be very time consuming, and if you are like most people, this would not fit your daily schedule.

Luckily, times have changed and dedicated websites help consumers compare multiple car insurance quotes online free of charge. These websites make it easy and fast for anyone to get car insurance quotes, and you don't even have to talk to a single sales agent. Let's face it, regardless of how polite an insurance agent might be, consumers like us don't want to talk to a pushy sales agent when we just want a single quote.

When talking about things that will affect the overall cost of your car insurance, these are worth a mention:

• Have a clean driving record
• Be a safe driver
• Stick to the speed limit
• Be at risk of other driving offenses
• Not having a car that is likely to get stolen
• Be willing to attend driver training courses

Other things to consider when looking at your car insurance cost is coverage.
Older cars generally require less coverage since they are worth less than a new car. If you have an accident, it will be more expensive to make a new car roadworthy than an older one. This translates into a higher cost for insuring a late model vehicle.

Also, be sure to ask for any factors that might lower your cost further.
Paying for 6 months at a time compared to paying monthly is one example of additional savings the insurance company can give you. Being a non smoker will also help, as well as any additional safety features on your car such as ABS brakes and anti theft devices.

My point is this: there is no need for you to be paying too much for your car insurance policy. When you can find the cheapest rate fast for the exact same policy you have today. With the way the economy is today, there is no need for you to be taken advantage of.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8569133