5 Great ways to save and great coverage on your car insurance

1. Good drivers get a special discount known as the good driver discount. If you have stayed claims-free for more than three years, you are entitled to this discount...

What if your insurer refuses to give you this discount?

Then tell them you will move over to another insurer. Any driver with a history as good as yours shouldn't have any problems getting much lower rates -- You are every insurer's dream.

The mere threat of leaving should make them shift grounds. But if they don't, look for another insurer.

2. Where you leave is also very important if you want to get more affordable rates. That's why insurers will always ask for your zip code.

Accidents are far more likely in densely populated cities than rural areas. The same also applies to things like break ins and vandalism.

Different areas in the same city also have different risk threats: Car theft rate (especially for your particular vehicle), crash rate and so on.

Therefore, check things like these if you are shopping for a new home

3. Go for the minimum bodily injury liability coverage stipulated by your state's law if you want to get very cheap auto insurance rates. However, in addition, get an umbrella policy.

An umbrella policy gives you far more liability coverage per dollar spent than even the most extensive liability coverage within an auto insurance policy. An example will buttress this point...

Let's assume that a man of about 35 years (who lives in New York City) wants to increase his policy's bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000/$50,000 to $100,000/$300,000...

He'll have to spend about $300 extra in premium.

But compare this to the fact that he could get a $1 million umbrella policy for just less than $300.

It even gets better...

If he chooses to raise the coverage amount of his umbrella policy to $2 million dollars, he'll only have to pay only $75 more.

That's $375 for $2 million worth of liability coverage!

See? That's superior coverage at a much cheaper rate -- That's the advantage in adding an umbrella policy instead.

But why should you care about bodily in an auto insurance policy?

People get hurt in accidents. And you will be responsible for the claims awarded if you are found to be at fault. Claims awarded could get into the million dollar range and above in certain cases

And did you know that lawyers can go after your assets if you don't have enough liability coverage to take care of claims awarded against you? This means you could easily lose your life savings and even your home if you don't have the right protection.

But that's NOT all about the benefits associated with an umbrella policy...

...You also get liability coverage that extends beyond automobile related liability claims. An umbrella policy extends to your home and much more

4. Belonging to certain professions attracts a discount. An engineer, for example, attracts much cheaper car insurance rates than an engineer. The reason for such discounts is that some professions have been proven to be better risks

Your agent is in a good position to tell you if your occupation is eligible for certain discounts. Nevertheless, the discount you'll be given varies from company to company

5. Maintaining more than one policy with the same carrier also attracts remarkable savings. All you must do to qualify for this is to purchase your auto insurance policy from the same insurance carrier who is underwriting, say, your home insurance.

However, take note of the following...

Because an insurance provider gave you cheap rates for one policy doesn't mean they will for another. Do some research with quotes sites and then discuss with your agent. Thereafter, you'll be sure as you make your choice because you'll then know which is more beneficial

Driving Tips for the Older Drivers

Drivers come in almost all ages, young driver to the old. We can always refresh our memory on important tips that will help us be better drivers everyday. Getting older does mean you have much more experience driver then young drivers, but that doesn't mean one can become careless even with the great experience.

Here are great tips to look into.

Tips for Older Drivers:

Buckle up — Wearing a seatbelt lowers the risk of serious injury in an accident by 60%. When combined with airbags, the risk is lowered by 85%.1 Plus, in most states, not wearing a seatbelt can mean a ticket, which can lead to higher insurance rates.

Be alert — Avoid distractions including conversations with passengers, the car radio, and especially cell phones. Regardless of age, a driver talking on the phone is four times more likely to get into a serious accident.2

Know your limits — Get regular medical checkups, including vision and hearing. Recognize your changing capabilities: arthritis, stress, other conditions and medications can affect reaction times. Driving for extended periods will strain muscles, vision and concentration.

Know the road — Avoid driving on unfamiliar roads, at night, in bad weather and during rush hour. Although older drivers have fewer accidents than younger drivers, they tend to have significantly more accidents per mile driven,3 so it’s a good idea to make those miles safer.

A well-maintained car is a safe car — Reduce your worry - and your risk of accident - by keeping your car well maintained. That includes tire safety, watching out for curbs and potholes, regular oil and fluid checks, and making sure that emergency equipment, cell phone, and a first-aid kit are always in the car.

Take an older driver safety course — An older driver safety course may help reduce your premium, but more importantly can help you hone your skills as your driving style changes with age.

http://www.nationalgeneral.com/auto-insurance/lifes-highway/older-drivers.asp

It's important to drive carefully and safely because it's not always about saving money off insurance, but more about saving lives and being a great driver.

Hope you got value from this post and have a great day

Great Long Travel Tips For Drivers

Are you planning a long trip soon ? well these tips will certainly help you on that trip.

1. Before beginning a long drive, always get enough sleep and eat something before you go. Highly caffeinated beverages are not necessarily the best way to stay awake while driving. While initially you will feel more alert, the effects can recede with time, and your attention may wander although you remain awake.

2. Pull over and take breaks every couple of hours, even if you don't feel sleepy. Grab a snack, get some fresh air, and stretch your legs by walking around. If you need to, take a quick nap.

3. If you can, share the driving responsibilities with someone else. This will allow you to keep an eye on each other while driving and also enable you to nap without losing time. If you're driving alone, turn on the radio or put on some music, and keep your window cracked open. You may also want to refrain from using your cruise control if you're driving alone at night -- having to concentrate on maintaining your speed can help you stay awake.

4. If you do have to pull over, move your vehicle off the road. Never park on the shoulder or in the breakdown lane for any reason except an emergency.

The Eight Best U.S. Road Trips

5. Know the laws along your route concerning cell phone use while driving. While it may be legal in one place, it may be illegal in another, and ignorance is not typically an acceptable excuse for a violation. Here's a handy chart of cell phone laws by state (keep in mind that this information can change at any time). However, even if it's legal to talk on a cell phone where you're going, it's usually safest to use a hands-free device.

6. If you don't know this one, shame on you. Never drink any alcohol before your trip. While you may not become intoxicated from one beer, you will become sleepy.

Save on Your Next Car Rental

7. Keep an eye on the skies, and if you can, plan a route around inclement weather. A minor detour could actually wind up saving you major time.

8. Search the Web for traffic update sites and listen to radio traffic alerts, especially when approaching major cities. If you don't have a smartphone, all-news stations on the AM dial are often your best bet.

woman map road trip9. Not even a GPS unit is infallible, so we recommend bringing a detailed map or road atlas as a backup just in case. A mapping app on your smartphone is another must-have for long road trips.

10. If you are driving a rental vehicle, familiarize yourself with the car and all of its equipment (horn, brakes, hazard lights). For an amusing but true look at this issue, see The First 10 Minutes of Your Car Rental.

Plan Your Road Trip

11. Lock all of your valuables (especially items that are clearly gifts) in the trunk or glove compartment and stow all luggage in the trunk. For more ideas, see Nine Ways to Keep Your Car Safe on the Road.

12. Familiarize yourself with local traffic laws, which vary from state to state and especially overseas. Is it legal to make a right turn at a red light? What are the rules on yielding to pedestrians? For more on international car travel, see Renting a Car Abroad.

13. Before setting off on a long car trip, be sure your vehicle is in prime condition -- that tires are properly inflated, all fluids are at their proper levels and you have a full tank of gas. (For particularly long road trips, you may want to have your mechanic do a more thorough check.)

14. Consider becoming a member of AAA or signing up for your car insurer's roadside assistance program. You won't regret it when your car breaks down on a lonely back road.

15. Keep costs down by conserving gas as you drive. Minimize sudden starts and stops, empty your car of all unnecessary weight, and slow down -- it takes much less fuel to drive 55 miles an hour than it does to drive 70. For more ideas, see Save Gas and Money.

16. Don't wait until your gas gauge is sitting on E to refuel. On an unfamiliar road, you never know when the next gas station will appear. As soon as you hit a quarter of a tank, start looking for a place to fill up.

17. When traveling with kids, be sure to stop often -- not just for snacks and potty breaks, but also for fun. See a cool playground along the way? Pull over and throw a Frisbee around. You'll also want to pack toys, books and music for the car -- not to mention your motion sickness remedy of choice. For more ideas, see Family Car Travel.

18. Feeling munchy? Stock up on snacks and drinks at grocery stores rather than gas stations or convenience stores -- you'll get a wider and healthier selection, as well as better prices. For more advice, see Eating Well and Staying Active.

19. On longer trips, keep napkins, plasticware and a small cooler handy for meals on the go. You'll also want some spare change for tolls, as well as a first-aid kit, flashlight, pillow and blanket. Keep a set of jumper cables, a spare tire or donut, and extra fluids for the car (such as windshield wiper fluid) in your trunk.

20. This last tip should go without saying, but it's important enough that we'll say it anyway: Make sure everyone in the car buckles his or her seatbelt. Not only will it keep you safe, but in many places it's also the law.

Get the full post here http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/car-travel/top-20-safe-driving-tips

5 Tips to Get Cheaper Car Insurance

It's amazing how much you can save by knowing the right information and preparing yourself before getting car insurance.

I found this amazing article giving 25 different tips and ways to get cheaper car insurance and I Will share the first 5 with you and recommend you check their full post

1. Comparison Shop

Finding the most affordable car insurance isn’t as hard as it once was. With so many different car insurance agents located all around the country, and some available exclusively online, your options are now more plentiful than ever before. The hard part is sorting them out in order to make sure you are getting the most affordable rates while still maintaining the exact amount of coverage you need.

The first thing you should do when looking for cheap car insurance is comparison shop. Consult your area’s local phone book, call or visit agencies near you, and remember to take notes regarding prices.

Next you’ll want to do some online research to find out your online car insurance options. Again, take notes and compare these to the notes you have concerning local agents.

Finally, ask your friends and family members what insurer they use, and ask for any recommendations or warnings they may have about other agencies. You’re sure to receive an unbiased opinion every time.


2. Age-Based Discounts

Many younger drivers may not realize this, but your age is an important factor in setting the exact price of your auto insurance premium. You’ll typically see premiums lowered once you hit the age of 25, with discounts that can sometimes be as high as 20%, though other factors such as marital status and driving record are also taken into consideration.

The lowest premiums associated with cheap car insurance rates are typically given to drivers between the ages of 25 and 55. This age group is considered to be amongst the safest drivers on the road; certainly safer than teenagers and elderly drivers.

Depending on your insurance agent you may also see discounts as you age beyond 25. These discounts usually cease once a driver reaches their mid 50’s, though you may be eligible to receive other discounts on your car insurance at that time.

3. Move to a Lower-Crime Area.

The location of your home as well as your daily commute to the workplace is also taken into consideration by insurance agents when determining your car insurance premiums. This is a factor for a number of good reasons.

Individuals who live and park their car in wealthy neighborhoods are statistically less likely to have their car stolen, broken into, or damaged while it is parked overnight. Secondly, those who have shorter commutes to and from work are statistically less likely to be involved in an accident as they spend less time on the road than drivers with longer commutes.

This is why agents always make sure your home address and telephone number is correct. They use this information to determine if you live in a low-risk neighborhood or a high-risk area, and they compare with your employer’s information to determine how long of a commute you have back and forth each day. This will determine the exact rate of your cheap car insurance.

4. Consider Getting a Different Vehicle if Savings Warrant it

Did you know that insurance on a honda can be more expensive than insurance on a Jaguar?

The exact make and specific model of your vehicle is also used to determine how much you pay for cheap car insurance. This information is important to your insurance agent for a number of reasons.

The newer the car, the higher the repair/replacement cost.

On the other hand, First of all, some vehicles are simply more reliable than others. A used vehicle that’s been on the road for 20 years is not nearly as reliable as a brand new car. Though it may be more affordable to buy the older, used car, you may wind up paying higher insurance rates because of it.

Owners of sports cars and luxury vehicles can also expect higher premiums than most other drivers. These automobiles are usually capable of much greater speeds than other vehicles on the road, and some may even have upgrades or aftermarket parts added on. All of this increases the risk of an accident or breakdown, and your agent will charge you extra for the coverage.

5. Increasing Your Deductible Can Save You $100′s a Year

A deductible is the amount of money you are actually required to pay out in the event of an accident before your insurer will pay out on your claim. The amount of your deductible is also one of the biggest factors in determining your auto insurance premiums. In fact, the larger this deductible is, the less you’ll have to pay for coverage on a month-to-month basis.

Most drivers don’t realize this, but most agents will actually allow you to raise the deductible amount in order to lower your monthly rates. If you’re looking for cheap car insurance then this is a good deal for you; especially if you have a clean driving record as you may not ever have to actually pay this deductible. Ask your agent if they offer this service and, if they do, ask them how much you’ll be able to save by going with an increased deductible. The answer may surprise you. Full post http://www.cheapcarinsurance.net/three-great-ways-to-get-cheap-car-insurance/

Don't just get insurance based on what the agent tells you. It's better to prepare yourself and get the best coverage that suits you and your needs.

have a great day and subscribe

Tips On Becoming a Better Driver

Being on the road a lot it's important to be as safe as possible with your driving techniques and habits. It's very important for your safety, as well others that you take charge and stay focused to your surroundings.

I found a Great articles " 9 Tips to Better Driver"


Here are some of those Great Tips

1. Know Your Car

For a start, I’m very serious about all the points here. I’m laying them out because not every driver seems to be aware. Here: Get to know your car. Read the manual. Take the car out and do braking maneuvers (where allowed and safe). Take the car out and see how it reacts in rain or in snow. Few people know how their cars react in adverse conditions. That’s where we need to know them the most though, and where we learn the most.
2. Configure and Watch The Mirrors

A few months back I shared on Google+ how mirrors should be set up. It appeared to me that the few responses were coming from “oh, well I know how to set up mirrors on a car.” Maybe. That just stands in contrast to what we observe out there, where we rarely if ever see mirrors adjusted correctly. From Skip Barber:

Make sure the side view mirrors perform their intended function. They’re meant to view beside the car, not the side of the car. What do you really need to see; your rear bumper or the car in the next lane?

Adjust the side mirrors out just so you can no longer see the side of your own car. This should help reduce traditional blind spots.

I learned this the “hard” way, maybe ten years ago, when a good friend of mine teased me, to tears, because of my mirror setup. I now promise to give anyone here the same sort of tough love when I find them watching their own car in the mirrors.

Once set up right, mirrors become even more useful.
3. Use Turn Signals (When They Matter)

This just for the folks who simply never use their turn signals: Sometimes they’re actually important, so please learn to tell when that’s the case. They don’t matter as much when nobody’s around, or doing the same thing. But if there’s somebody around and not doing the same thing, use turn signals. It can actually be dangerous not to use them.
4. Look Ahead

Simply watching the car in front is not safe, and gets unsafer and unsafer the shorter the following distance is. Try to look ahead and see what’s coming up 200, 500, or 1,000 meters ahead. One does still, immediately notice if the person in front is doing something unexpected, like braking unnecessarily because they don’t keep a sufficient distance.

The habit of looking ahead led me to dislike trucks and SUVs in front because they block too much of the view. I either increase my following distance—or try to pass. The first option is the better one. The second option is the one that people sometimes confuse for… aggression. Well.
5. Keep a Safety Margin

I featured this in the aforementioned earlier post on driving but it’s worth repeating: Maintain a safe, comfy distance to the car in front.

The law and the experts are on the very defensive side (if in doubt, err on the side of following them). What I’ve always found interesting, to say it this way, is how law and experts ignore factors like probabilities. There is a difference between maintaining a distance x when there’s lots of traffic and one can’t look ahead, for example, and when there’s little traffic and clear view on the road ahead. Read the Full Post here http://meiert.com/en/blog/20130910/become-a-better-driver/

Being a very experienced driver I would have to agree with all the mentioned tips and recommend you go read the rest of the tips to truly become a much better Driver