Reader’s Question:

I had always wanted to own a sports utility vehicle but I’m afraid insurance costs can be high. What can I do to at least lower my SUV insurance policy cost?

Brad

Topeka KS

The most common features of sports utility vehicles are bigger engines, luxurious look and fast speed. These are features that will definitely soar your vehicle insurance rates very high. Additionally, SUV insurance policies are more expensive than ordinary cars because they are costlier to replace when they get lost and SUVs are very expensive to replace even at market price. Furthermore, SUVs are more expensive to repair because vehicle parts are also expensive. If you really have to purchase an SUV, there are certain things you can do in order to lower your SUV insurance cost.

Prior to purchasing your desired SUV, you may have to consult your vehicle insurance agent to quote you for it. If the quote exceeds your budget, then you can look for another type of SUV.

If you currently have an SUV insurance policy for your old sports utility vehicle, then you might want to assess it. See if you have SUV insurance coverage that you don’t seem to need anymore. For example, since old SUV have already depreciated their glitter and value, you could decide to reduce or remove your comprehensive and your collision insurance coverages.

Create a long term relationship with your vehicle insurance provider by maintaining your insurance policy under it as long as possible. You could qualify for loyalty discounts in the renewal of your insurance policies the longer you create goodwill and maintain excellent record of paying on time.

You can also save on costs for all your insurance needs including the one for your SUV if you buy all your insurances under one insurance provider. There are some insurance companies that will offer you packaged deals in where at a single price, you will have more than one insurance coverage, whether it’s going to be a combination of your life insurance, health insurance, auto insurance and homeowners insurance.

If you are a member of an automobile association, inquire about any available group insurance rates that you can join to get lower rates. Also, your association may have an automobile insurance company where members can buy policies at a discount.

Reader’s Question:

I am planning to purchase a car insurance policy and it is going to be my first time to maintain one. How much is the usual car insurance cost?

Roger

Indianapolis IN

Your car insurance cost that you’ll incur each month actually depends on a lot of factors and there’s definitely no single answer to this matter. In reality, the range of costs for maintaining a car insurance is very high, from the lowest price to the most expensive one. In this matter, one has to do his own research in order to find ways in getting the best possible deal of car insurance policy depending on the type of car insurance that you will be having.

Generally, your car insurance cost will be based on your condition and situation which includes a few of your personal details, your driving history and the kind of car you will be providing insurance coverage.

For example, someone who is a new driver will definitely see his car insurance expenses to be a bit higher than those who are experienced in driving. Another sample would be a driver with a driving record full of traffic offenses and accidents will definitely see their car insurance cost to be extremely high. It all depends on how much risk the insurance companies will have in providing insurance coverage to you.

As mentioned earlier, insurance rates paid by people vary greatly. Some people might be paying their car insurance policies for about lesser than $100 each month. On the other hand, sometimes with the same policy as those paying $100 each month, other people will be paying a lot more than $200 per month for such policy. Not only will it depend to the personal situation and condition of the owner of the car to be insured, but it will also depend on the way car insurance companies put a price in their car insurance policies. If you think that you are paying too much for your car insurance policy and you are sure that you have done all the necessary tasks to help lower your car insurance rates, maybe it is time to change to another car insurance provider.

Reader’s Question:

It’s a big thing for my family to have a car because it’s a luxury for us already and would be very useful in an emergency. Right now, I want to have protection from liability that’s why I’m looking for low income car insurance in New Hampshire. Can you help me?

Cara

Concord NH

Here’s the good news for you. In your state, having a car insurance is not mandatory. You can drive your car and not get arrested for not carrying an insurance. The downside of this though is that you really need to be careful because there is no insurance to protect you.

Since you already know the importance of car insurance, I can give you some tips on how to get a low income car insurance. Insurance companies are very sensitive to the needs of their different market. They have all sorts of low income car insurance that can be customized to your needs. There are two ways of doing this. First, you ask an insurance agent to do the work for you. This is, of course, advisable if you have complete trust on the person. But if you barely know him, then, the alternative is for you to decide on what is best for you.

The first thing you can do is to determine what type of protection do you need. Do you only need to be protected from third-party liability or you need a comprehensive coverage? A third-party liability is a protection that only covers the other party in case of an accident wherein you will be at fault. The damage to your car and injuries you may suffer and your passengers will not be covered. Nevertheless, this will give you a low income car insurance. But if you want to be protected too, you should get a comprehensive insurance. Before deciding between the two, check out the different quotes first. Go to insurance brokers’ websites and even the insurers themselves. They have online calculators that will give you an idea of how much you will spend for different kinds of insurance protection. Usually, low income car insurance is about $67 per month.

Reader’s Question:

I got two tickets with just one month in New York but they are not in my driving record. Do I need to include this when I get car insurance quote?

Harry

New York City NY

If you paid the fine associated with the citations you received and it is not listed in your driving record then the convictions have not made their way from the one state agency database. The tickets will likely be on your driving record eventually.

When filling car insurance application in New York you need to provide the most accurate and correct information. If the insurer asks about your tickets that happened within a certain time period you will need to list the tickets that you received.

If you give incorrect information and the insurance provider runs your driving record then the quote that you receive will have to be adjusted so that you can be rated correctly.

It is considered car insurance fraud in most states if you intentionally provide wrong information just to get lower car insurance rate.

Reader’s Question:

I was just thinking how does type or model of car affect car insurance? Are there cars that guarantee low cost car insurance? I have a hybrid coupe. Will its model and make affect my insurance?

Gordon

Gary, IN

Before you buy a car, you should consider its make and model because it will define the cost of your insurance policy in no time. Just by knowing the model and type of your car gives insurance company enough data to compute for your annual or monthly premiums. These car insurance companies back up their computations by statistics. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, 4-door cars have 92% less chance of claims related to theft than 2-door cars whereas convertible cars have greater risk and chance of theft related claims than a coupe or sedan. Although luxury cars appear to be a more likely target for theft, statistically, you might be surprised that a Celica has higher probability of theft than that of a Camry.

Another considerable factor is safety. In this regard, price does not matter. It does not matter whether you have an expensive ride or a cheap ride as long as it can pass quality and safety checks, especially on track tests and crash tests. Although adding safety features such as airbags, and an anti-theft alarm system, anti-skid system, and an automated braking system will cost more, these will eventually increase your approval rate. The higher the approval rate as endorsed by the safety board, the higher your chance of getting discounts on your car insurance policy.

The next factor to consider is the model and make of your car as predetermined by cost. The more expensive your car, how hard it is to maintain, the rarity of replacement parts and availability of OEM parts has something to do with your car insurance premiums. If you maintain either a sports car, luxury car, an SUV, or simply a show/collectible car, then you might as well expect higher car insurance premiums. Not only are these vehicles hard to maintain, their value is beyond the common standard. The assumption would be they are costly to repair and maintain. Ultimately, the higher value of claims for these kinds of cars will result in higher rates.

Car insurance companies use these statistics to base their computations in setting car insurance policy rates. The higher the risk there is, in relation to the model and make of your car, the pricier it gets on your car insurance policy. There is no particular car that guarantees low cost car insurance, but it certainly helps to just buy a low profile car to save money on car insurance. Like your car for example, a hybrid car like yours could save you money by asking on discount for hybrids. Usually, car insurance companies, as mandated by some states, encourage and give incentives for green economic cars such as hybrids. You just have to make inquiries about this kind of discount from your car insurance carrier.

Reader’s Question:

Low cost car insurance for teen students is just so hard to come by. Can somebody help me find one for my daughter who is a student here in Michigan?

Eliza

Detroit, MI

It is quite frustrating, especially for us moms, to know that we have to pay a very high price for the ultimate protection of our kids. But I am sure that every mom in this country would be willing to pay whatever it takes in order to ensure the safety of their kids.

But, in any case, teen car insurance for your daughter should not spell impending doom to your household finances. It is excellent that you sought information here on this Web site. I tell you, nothing beats a wise mother.

So, without further ado, let me bring you to the topic of the things you can do in order to reduce your daughter’s car insurance premium.

Low cost car insurance rates for teen students are hard to come by, indeed. So, before buying car insurance, you might consider doing some things in preparation.

What are these?

First, since your daughter is a student, making sure she gets good grades in school would help in proving to the car insurance provider that she could be as good a driver as she is as a student and that the possibility of her getting into accidents and making claims often is close to nil. By doing this, companies are highly likely to insure your daughter for a lower price. Second, you could have her sign up on driving courses there in Michigan, such as a basic driving course or a defensive driving course. This shall develop her knowledge of traffic rules and regulations and at the same time enhance her driving skills.

Think: a responsible driver who is also a good driver is the preferred client of car insurance companies.

If you do these two important guidelines, it is sure that you would get low cost car insurance.

And one more thing – when you ask for quotes, you would find out that your daughter could have more discounts simply because she is a female driver. Female drivers are entitled to lower premiums.

Tags: car insurance cost, student, Student car insurance, teen, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

To achieve low cost car insurance, I am thinking of taking out my uninsured motorist insurance. Will this be allowed in Oregon?

Adriana

Portland, OR

Oregon is one of the more austere states when it comes to car insurance. Each motorist has to have adequate car insurance or may face a number of penalties for non-compliance. Sufficiently insured in this state means having property damage liability of $10,000 to pay for any ruined public property or the other party’s car at any one accident. Additionally, bodily injury coverage of $25,000 for one person, or up to a combined total of $50,000 for everyone in the vehicle will be shouldered by the insurer.

Also, each motorist has to have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) of $15,000 to pay for the insured’s hospital and rehabilitation bills after an accident. PIP also provides the insured with monetary assistance for not being able to attend employment. It may also provide for funeral expenses it necessary.

On top of all this, the uninsured motorist insurance has to be present in a driver’s car insurance policy. This will kick in if the insured sustained bodily injuries following a car crash with a driver that has no car insurance of any kind. This pays from $25,000 for one person or up to $50,000 for all individuals involved.

Needless to say, you will be considered insufficiently insured if you take out the uninsured motorist insurance from your policy. If you are found by the DMV to have no adequate coverage, you may face possible restrictions to your driving, sequestered vehicle and an exhausted bank account from paying fines, administrative fees, towing and vehicle storage fees. Removing your uninsured motorist coverage to achieve low cost car insurance is simply not allowed in Oregon.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, car insurance cost, DMV, liability insurance

Reader’s Question:

I am 16 and will soon have my car. Will I need to have my name listed under my parents’ insurance policy to have the car registered here in Illinois?

Michelle

Chicago, IL

There are a number of requirements before teenagers are finally allowed to legally drive in the public roads of Illinois. Since you are just 16 years old, you have to take the driver’s education program first. There are public and private high schools that offer this. Local colleges in your community may also be offering this course.

After successfully completing the program, you need to get a provisional permit, so that you can do the required 50 hours of supervised practice behind the wheel. 10 hours of driving in total darkness will be part of this practical exam. Once completed, you may now get your initial license.

In the meantime, your parents will have to inform their local insurance agent that a new driver will be added to their car insurance policy. Typically, adding you, their teenage daughter, in their policy will increase their car insurance premiums up to 50%. If you will buy your own car, then before it can be registered, it has to be insured. It can be insured under the current policy of your parents. It can also have a separate car insurance policy. This may be a little more expensive than just adding your car to their coverage; however, this way, your parents will most likely get multiple vehicle discounts from their insurer.

Tags: auto insurance policy, auto insurance premium, driving school, teen, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

I’m a single mother of two kids living here in Florida. I’m having so much trouble making the payment for all my insurance bills. How can I save money especially on my car insurance coverage?

Mary

Miami, FL

So many people have the same woes, Mary. Unfortunately, insurance is one of the things we can’t quite do without. But you should know how to keep your payments to the minimum.

Are you also paying for house insurance? One way to keep your insurance costs low is to get different types of insurance from the same company there in Florida. Combining car and home insurance have been known to save families some money.

If you’re more concerned about your car insurance policy, you should be driving a cheaper car. A car insurance company will naturally insure a car at greater costs if it is also costly to repair in case of accidents. Some insurance companies can even give you an estimate before you purchase the vehicle.

Another important thing is, of course, keeping your record as a driver spic-and-span. Bad drivers are viewed as great risks and are hence charged more for premium. Finishing an approved course on driving can create an impression to car insurance companies that you are a good driver, especially if you have good grades. Keep your car safe by purchasing alarms. Try not to file too many claims as much as possible especially if they are quite petty. Everybody wants to make the most of everything they pay for, but this really doesn’t help. Some people who do this too much find their car insurance companies unwilling to renew their car insurance coverage.

Tags: auto insurance claims, auto insurance coverage, auto insurance premium, Car Insurance Company, car insurance cost