• Search for:
    8Oct, 2022
    Get the car insurance you need with these easy steps
    road trip
    These are important factors to consider when shopping for car insurance.

    kate monakhova/Getty Images


    Because car insurance is mandatory, you may not have considered why it is beneficial to have a policy. But while the monthly costs can be a pain, car insurance coverage can actually save you a lot of money in the long run.

    When you take out a car insurance policy, you’re essentially paying a monthly fee in order to be protected against certain types of expenses. If you rear-end someone at a stoplight and they have to get treated for whiplash, for instance, your policy may reimburse them for any associated medical and repair costs.

    The expenses that car insurance covers and does not cover depend on the policy. Accordingly, your policy can be cheap or expensive and your coverage can be extensive or minimal. That’s why it’s so important to find cost-effective but reliable car insurance.

    If you’re in the market for car insurance or are simply considering changing providers, start today by getting a quote. Multiple providers are standing by to help you.

    How to shop for car insurance

    Let’s take a look at the most important things to consider when shopping for car insurance, so you can find the best policy for you.

    Decide how much coverage you need

    The first step to picking car insurance is to decide what kind of coverage you need. Every state has insurance requirements that drivers must legally meet, but getting more than just the minimum coverage will provide additional protection and peace of mind.

    You can choose to buy extra coverage for the following:

    • Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
    • Collision (this will cover damage that occurs when you’re at fault)
    • Comprehensive (this will cover damage that occurs during an event that’s not a car
    … Read the rest
    20Sep, 2022
    What Impact Can Weather Have On Car Insurance After An Accident?

    The United States has become home to several extreme weather events in the past few years- black ice, high wind, flooding, hurricanes, wildfires, white-out conditions, and much more. These unpleasant weather conditions can cause great economic damage to entire local communities and habitats. Additionally, such bad weather can also result in vehicle collisions. So, what impact do weather conditions have on auto insurance premiums? Let’s have a look.

    Factors influencing the auto insurance premiums

    Many factors can influence your insurance policy’s premium, including those that were not even in your hands. These factors include-

    • Gender and age
    • Driving record history
    • Geography
    • Credit
    • Model of your vehicle
    • Weather

    These factors can vary state-wise, and the insurance companies will have different policies accordingly. For example- drivers in big cities have to pay higher premiums than the ones residing in small cities and towns.

    Weather-related claims

    The likeliness of bad weather in your area also affects the auto insurance premium rates. It is observed that such places have higher premium rates since your vehicle is more prone to damage in these places. Tornadoes, flooding, and heavy snowfall-prone areas are all vulnerable, and insurance companies charge a considerable premium to cover your costs. It is because vehicles in high-risk zones are more exposed to weather calamities. In a natural disaster, there is a spike in the number of claims, which can be too high for the insurance companies to bear all at once, and they can suffer huge losses.

    What is comprehensive insurance?

    As discussed, having the right insurance policy that covers weather-related damages is important. In the case of an automobile accident, a general insurance policy usually does not cover losses caused by weather extremities. If you have been injured in

    … Read the rest
    16Sep, 2022
    What is Non-Owner Car Insurance? (And How Much It Costs)

    If you often rent or borrow cars, you may need car insurance coverage even if you don’t own a car. This type of insurance is called non-owner car insurance, which provides you with some level of protection if you get into an accident.

    Non-owner car insurance is designed for licensed drivers who don’t own a car. In large cities like New York City or Chicago, people may depend on public transportation to get around on a day-to-day basis, but rent a car if they need to travel outside the city.

    Let’s explore the coverage you get with non-owner auto insurance and how much you may pay for it.

    6 Genius Hacks All Costco Shoppers Should Know

    What is non-owner car insurance?

    A non-owner car insurance policy is a form of liability insurance for licensed drivers who don’t own a car. This coverage is also known as non-drivers insurance.

    Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage for property damages or injuries you may cause to the other driver in an accident. It can also help protect you from the financial liability of an accident.

    In addition to bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, non-owner auto insurance policies can provide liability protection against underinsured or uninsured motorists, medical payments, and more.

    How much is non-owner car insurance?

    A non-owner car insurance policy is often cheaper than a full-coverage car insurance policy. This is because non-owner car insurance doesn’t include collision or comprehensive coverage that would pay for damages to a vehicle you own. Since you don’t own a car, you don’t need the additional collision and comprehensive coverage.

    The average cost of non-owner car insurance is $474 per year, but the actual price you pay depends on the state you live in and your insurance company. There are several other factors that

    … Read the rest
    7Sep, 2022
    When is One Better and Why

    As you review your auto insurance quotes, you may notice that some insurers offer six-month or 12-month durations. Each policy length may offer certain advantages and disadvantages.

    For example, six-month policies may give you more flexibility and discounts, but their premium may increase more often. 12-month policies may let you lock your premium for longer, but they aren’t as easy to find and may reduce your policy flexibility.

    So, which one should you choose? Let’s explore the main similarities and differences to help you decide.

    6 Genius Hacks All Costco Shoppers Should Know

    Six months vs. 12-month car insurance policies

    Six-month and 12-month policies have many things in common while allowing customers to choose payment terms that work best for them. Although there is likely no wrong answer to the policy term you pick, being strategic about the available options can help you make the most out of your insurance dollars.

    What is a six-month car insurance policy?

    A six-month car insurance policy is a policy that provides coverage for six months as long as you pay your premium. You can choose to renew or find other coverage without penalty six months after starting the policy.

    Having a six-month policy means that if you need to change your coverage, end your policy, or search for a better rate, you can do so twice a year. Because you can make changes twice a year, you have two opportunities to avoid cancellation or change fees for any coverage you need to add or remove from your policy.

    Keep in mind

    Six-month auto policies are standard for most insurance companies. You may find it challenging to find insurers that offer shorter or longer terms.

    Each time your auto insurance policy expires and renews, the insurance company reviews your policy premium

    … Read the rest
    4Aug, 2022
    How to save money on teen driver’s car insurance

    For many teens, a driver’s license represents freedom and greater independence. For parents, a newly licensed teen driver can cause not only significant anxiety but a shocking surge in car insurance costs.

    I almost fell to the floor when I opened the first auto insurance bill after adding my 16-year-old daughter to my policy. It was literally double the previous month. I was sure it was a mistake. Maybe I forgot to pay the previous month’s bill? I immediately called my agent, who couldn’t offer much comfort. It’s correct, he said. Add a teen to your policy and your premium will soar.

    “Insurance is all about risk, and rates are based on several factors, including who you are, where you are, what you drive, and how you drive,” says Allie Byers, spokesperson for insurance comparison website The Zebra.

    For most carriers, the “who you are” includes age, which is a significant factor in determining a car insurance rate.

    “Because teen drivers present a much higher risk than adult drivers, with higher chances of car accidents and fatalities on the road, their car insurance rates will be much higher,” says Byers.


    We all have to start somewhere, but given that lack of experience, drivers through age 25 (or their parents) can expect to pay 115 percent more per year than the average driver — $1,667 per six-month policy, versus the US average of $774 — according to research conducted by insurance comparison site, The Zebra.

    The good news is that parents and teens have options to save on teen car insurance rates, says Byers who suggests shopping around to start.

    “You may find that you could be paying a lot less for the exact same policy or an even better one,” says Byers.

    Also, ask your agent to

    … Read the rest
    4Jul, 2022
    Springfield rental car agency owner faces charge of insurance fraud
    Jordan Monroe, CEO of Urgent Rent-a-Car, at his office in Springfield on June 24.

    Jordan Monroe, CEO of Urgent Rent-a-Car, at his office in Springfield on June 24.

    The owner of a Springfield rental car agency has been accused of insurance fraud amid an investigation into the agency by the secretary of state’s office.

    Jordan J. Monroe, 31, of Chatham, faces one count of insurance fraud, a Class 3 felony. The charge, filed Wednesday in Sangamon County Circuit Court, involves a claim made on or about Feb. 13, 2021, to National Interstate Insurance Co. of Richfield, Ohio.

    Monroe could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon. Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright did not immediately return a request for comment.

    Monroe is scheduled to make an appearance on July 14 in court.

    ‘important moment for out nation’: State, local officials react to Roe vs. Wade decision

    The charge comes as Monroe’s business, Urgent Rent-a-Car, 2730 Stevenson Drive, was being investigated by the state regarding state insurance requirements on rental vehicles.

    The state requires rental car companies to have insurance from a company doing business in Illinois, with minimums ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for bodily injury and property damage.

    Henry Haupt, a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office, confirmed last week in a statement that Urgent was under investigation.

    “Illinois Secretary of State Police continues to investigate Urgent Rent-a-Car,” Haupt said. “The Illinois license plates on the company’s fleet rental vehicles (had) been revoked for failure to meet the state’s insurance requirements.”

    At the front desk of its shop last week, Urgent displayed a copy of an insurance policy from National General Auto Insurance. The policy was effective in February. The policy in question involves commercial fleet insurance, typically designed to cover large quantities of cars for companies.

    The company said an audit by the secretary of state’s office was

    … Read the rest