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Posts Tagged ‘car insurance’

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Oh, Deer: Vehicle Collisions On The Upswing

September 29th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 5 Comments | Filed in Autos Express, News

America’s deer population is out of control in some regions, forcing communities to take drastic steps to cull herds through hunting and other methods. One sure way to get rid of deer is to have a deer-automobile collision, almost always deadly for the deer and extremely dangerous for vehicle occupants. Don’t forget the damage done to these vehicles as well.

Tracking Cervid Accidents

deerState Farm Insurance Companies has been tracking cervid-car collisions for a number of years, noting that such accidents have increased by 18% over the past five years even though the number of vehicles taking to America’s highways and byways has only increased by 7% during that time.

The auto insurance giant, the largest issuer of car insurance policies in the U.S., reported 2.4 million accidents involving deer in a two-year period ending June 30, 2009. West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Montana are the top five states for vehicle accidents with Mountaineer state residents having a 1 in 39 chance that they will hit a deer within the next twelve months.

Thousands of Dollars in Damage

According to State Farm, the average property damage cost of these incidents was $3,050, up 3.4 percent from a year ago. And, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, deer-vehicle collisions in the U.S. cause more than 150 human fatalities each year.

The worst time of the year for deer-vehicle collision is now upon us, as deer migration and mating season from October through the end of the year increases the likelihood of accidents. To that end, State Farm offers the following tips to help drivers reduce the chances that they’ll have an accident:

  • Be aware of posted deer crossing signs. These are placed in active deer crossing areas.
  • Remember that deer are most active between 6 and 9 p.m.
  • Use high beam headlamps as much as possible at night to illuminate the areas from which deer will enter roadways.
  • Keep in mind that deer generally travel in herds – if you see one, there is a strong possibility others are nearby.
  • Do not rely on car-mounted deer whistles.
  • If a deer collision seems inevitable, attempting to swerve out of the way could cause you to lose control of your vehicle or place you in the path of an oncoming vehicle.

State Farm cites growing deer populations as well as urban sprawl as reasons why the number of “hits” are on the rise. Urban sprawl means that deer habitat areas are diminished, forcing deer to travel in search of food and a new home.

Photo Credit: SXU

Adv. — Visit the nBuy Shopping Plaza to find savings on all of your purchases. You can earn shopping rebates, find school supplies, and save on stuff for your car.


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Yours To Insure: Save Money On Car Insurance

June 3rd, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 6 Comments | Filed in Autos Express, Consumer Tips

The Nissan GT-R sportscar is a fantastic ride, but it also carries a premium to go with its expensive price: the GT-R is the most expensive car to insure according to a recently published survey by Insure.com.

The Nissan GT-R sportscar is a fantastic ride, but it also carries a premium to go with its expensive price: the GT-R is the most expensive car to insure according to a recently published survey by Insure.com.

Consumers who are considering making a new car purchase are likely to find some of the best buys this year. That is because auto sales are way down and car manufacturers are looking to move inventory and are willing to trim thousands of dollars off of the price of their vehicles. Clearly, it is a buyer’s market when it comes to purchasing a new car, something that will not last as inventory is adjusted to meet sales expectations.

One area that consumers should consider when making any new car purchase is car insurance. You may be able to save thousands of dollars off of the sticker price, but you could end up paying thousands of dollars extra over the next five years in elevated insurance premiums, effectively eating up what you saved initially.

Thanks to a survey recently conducted by Insure.com, you can find out how some of the top cars rated, a good measuring stick to find out what your insurance costs will be. In all cases, call your insurance agent first to get an estimate of what your new car insurance will cost you. You may be in for the surprise of your life, hopefully a good one at that!

                  The 20 most expensive 2009 vehicles to insure

                   Average   Vehicle                      Class
         Rank      Premium
           1       $2,533  Nissan GT-R                  Sports car
           2       $2,446  Dodge Viper                  Sports car
           3       $2,236  BMW M6                       Sports car
           4       $2,186  Ford Shelby GT500            Sports car
           5       $2,088  Mercedes-Benz G-Class        Large SUV
           6       $2,071  Audi S8                      Passenger car
           7       $2,020  BMW M5                       Sports car
           8       $1,912  Hummer H2                    Large SUV
           9       $1,881  Lexus ISF                    Sports car
          10       $1,819  Porsche 911                  Sports car
          11       $1,762  Chevrolet Cobalt SS          Sports car
          12       $1,717  Jaguar XK Series             Sports car
          13       $1,714  BMW M3                       Sports car
          14       $1,694  Cadillac XLR                 Sports car
          15       $1,637  Audi R8                      Sports car
          16       $1,603  Land Rover Range Rover       Large SUV
          17       $1,592  Cadillac Escalade EXT        Truck
          18       $1,587  Honda S2000                  Sports car
          19       $1,584  BMW X6                       Large SUV
          20       $1,577  Mercedes-Benz SL-Class       Passenger car

If low premiums are more your speed, the "least expensive" list
contains a good selection of SUVs, minivans and passenger cars. Low
insurance rates tend to reflect a vehicle's safety because drivers of
those models have submitted fewer and less-expensive insurance claims.
          The 20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure

                Average    Vehicle                    Class
     Rank      Premium
       1         $832  Hyundai Santa Fe             Midsize SUV
       2         $840  Kia Sportage                 Small SUV
       3         $848  Hyundai Entourage            Minivan
       4         $857  Kia Sedona                   Minivan
       5         $870  Kia Rio5                     Small wagon
       6         $871  Honda Odyssey                Minivan
       7         $881  Smart Fortwo                 Passenger car
       8         $911  Saturn Vue                   SUV
       9         $913  Mazda Tribute                SUV
      10         $915  Chrysler Town & Country      Minivan
      11         $921  Scion xB                     Small wagon
      12         $929  Mazda Mazda5                 Minivan
      13         $936  Volkswagen Passat            Passenger car
      14         $939  Jeep Wrangler                SUV
      15         $951  Honda Accord                 Passenger car
      16         $954  Suzuki Forenza               Passenger car
      17         $955  Lincoln Town Car             Passenger car
      18         $957  Mazda Truck                  Pickup
      19         $959  Chevrolet Impala             Passenger car
      20         $960  Dodge Grand Caravan          Minivan

“If you’re looking to get the lowest car insurance price possible, these rankings can point you in the direction of vehicles that can help you get there,” said Amy Danise, editor of Insure.com. “Maintaining a good driving history and good credit are also crucial to getting good rates. Your age and location also have a big impact. Shopping around is the No. 1 easiest way to lower your rate, even if you can’t change your other ‘risk’ factors.”

Source: Insure.com

Adv. — You’re planning to buy a new car, but should you accept dealer financing or shop around for the best deal? If it is a choice between getting a nice rebate or low interest financing, take the money and shop for an auto loan elsewhere. Visit SayLending.com for all of your lending needs including new and used car auto loans at rates you can afford.

Photo courtesy of Nissan Motors.


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Simple, Smart & Savvy Money Saving Tips, Part 2

May 28th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 1 Comment | Filed in Consumer Tips

Do you have the right insurance coverage for your home, car and family? Dont wait until you must submit a claim to find out what coverage you have. Save money by shopping around and get the insurance you need to keep everyone covered.

Do you have the right insurance coverage for your home, car and family? Don't wait until you must submit a claim to find out what coverage you have. Save money by shopping around and get the insurance you need to keep everyone covered.

This is one in an occasional series of articles discussing money saving tips.

Yesterday we looked at seven ways to save money, so today we’ll take a look at five additional ways you can keep more cash in your wallet all of which have to do with insurance.

Auto Insurance — Car insurance premiums continue to rise, although some would argue not as rapidly as in the past. Still, most consumers aren’t sure what coverage they have or need. Basically, all insured drivers need a minimal amount of coverage as outlined by the state. That amount can vary from state to state but it usually includes liability, property damage, comprehensive and uninsured motorist coverage. Newer cars also need collision coverage.

I’m not about to tell you what sort of coverage you should have for your vehicle, rather I will share with you what sort of discounts you should look for when seeking insurance. Discounts are available for people with spotless driving records, who are members of specific professional organizations, for certain safety features (anti-lock brakes, for example), senior drivers and for several other categories. Always ask your insurer to find those discounts you are entitled to receiving.

Health Insurance — Health insurance premiums continue to surge, making coverage unaffordable for millions of Americans. However, your state may allow you to join a group plan even if you are a sole proprietor with no employees. Visit your state’s insurance site to learn what options are available to you. Consider taking a higher deductible in order to save money; explore health co-ops as another way to preserve cash.

Dental Insurance — As someone who has been self-employed for nearly seven years, I must tell you that when it comes to dental coverage you’ll need a lot of luck to find insurance. Sure, there are “dental assurance” programs out there which supposedly offer discounts on dental work, but don’t expect your dentist to accept this sort of scheme. Instead, you may do better going to your university’s dental school to get your teeths cleaned and work done, not a bad option for those who simply have no other choice when it comes to dental coverage.

Homeowners Insurance — If you own a house, apartment, condominium, mobile home or any other property, you need insurance.  Right off the bat you can save money on your insurance by using the same company to cover both your home and your cars. In addition, you can cut your homeowners insurance costs by raising your deductible, declaring safety and security features such as deadbolts, stay with an insurer for the long haul to gain loyalty discounts, seek group coverage through your professional organization and only get enough insurance that you need, i.e. insure your home not your land.

Life Insurance — Some day you are going to die and when you do, will your loved ones have enough money to live on after you are gone? There are a number of different insurance policies out there but term-life is the most cost effective and probably all that you need. This coverage is reasonably priced and offers protection to your family for a certain number of years. Figure out what your family lives to need on in the event you should die and have that policy in effect until your youngest child is grown and able to fend for him or herself.

Buy from a financially strong company, compare prices online and be aware that some of the money you pay is in sales commissions. Keep up with your policy; these days some financial institutions are under duress. This means you could end up being insured by someone else later on, a minor detail but something you should be aware of.

Other Insurance

Naturally, your insurance coverage may need to be expanded to cover other needs including owning a boat, flood, earthquake, vision, pet and long term care insurance. Insurance is all about insuring risk, therefore if you think you have something that needs to be ensured, chances are someone will be willing to insure it. Just don’t pay any more for your coverage than necessary!

Photo Credit: Duchesssa

Adv. — Visit the nBuy Shopping Plaza to find savings on all of your purchases. You can earn shopping rebates, find school supplies, and save on stuff for your car.


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Smart Tips To Help You Lower Your Car Insurance Costs

May 18th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 1 Comment | Filed in Consumer Tips

When was the last time you checked your car insurance policy? Admittedly, I pay scant attention to my renewal notices as they typically go down every six months because my wife and I driver older cars. Still, there will come a time when I will drop collision coverage on one or both vehicles, but that time hasn’t arrived just yet.

Cadillac STSBy carefully examining your auto insurance policy you may be able to receive the same or better coverage for less. Let’s take a look at ten recommendations offered by Insurance.com, the online auto insurance company located in a Cleveland, Ohio suburb.

10 Tips to Help You Save on Auto Insurance

1. Drive less and earn a discount

If you drive less than 7,500 miles per year, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount on your auto insurance. And, some companies offer a commuter discount if you use public transportation during the week.

2. Don’t use your car for business purposes

Some insurance companies will add a “business use surcharge” or increase your auto insurance premium as your annual mileage increases. But, if you must use your car for business, be sure to tell your company, so that your daily business travel is covered.

3. Increase your deductible

You might save as much as 10 to 15% if you increase your deductible from $250 to $500. But, remember that you’ll be required to pay the larger deductible upfront if you have an accident.

4. Keep an eye on your credit report

Your credit history is one of many “risk factors” that most auto insurance companies evaluate when setting rates, in states where permissible by law. Paying your bills on time and maintaining a solid credit history will help keep your home and auto insurance rates lower.

5. Drive safely

You may be eligible for a price break on your car insurance policy if you have no accidents or traffic violations for a specified period, usually three years. Even a single speeding ticket can increase your auto insurance rates 5 to 10% depending on your state.

6. Buy a low-profile car

Cars are rated on a risk scale for auto insurance purposes. In general, sports cars and other high-performance vehicles are higher risk because they are common targets for thieves, and statistically, the people who own them tend to drive more recklessly.

7. Move

If you live in a rural community with little crime and traffic congestion, your auto insurance premium will generally be lower than if you live in an urban area where your car is more likely to be stolen, vandalized, or involved in an accident.

8. Keep your car in a garage

Cars parked in garages are less likely to be stolen, vandalized, or struck by other vehicles. And, you may get a slight premium reduction.

9. Install safety or anti-theft devices

Auto Insurance companies offer discounts for anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, airbags and more. Car alarms and tracking systems may also get you an insurance discount.

10. Shop around
OK, it might go without saying, but your current auto insurance company might not be the best one for you in the future! We recommend researching your options 30 to 45 days before your current policy is set to renew, especially if you have not shopped recently.

Savings Will Vary From Consumer To Consumer

Naturally, your savings will vary depending on a number of factors including coverage, gender, age, credit history and more. Still, it pays to spend some time looking at your auto insurance policy to see if it offers to you the coverage you need at price that you can afford.

Source: Insurance.com

Adv. — Besides saving money on auto insurance, you can save money on things you need around the house including bath faucets, sinks, decorative lighting, wall and vanity mirrors, and so much more. Shop online and save!


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