Posts Tagged Auto
About Declarations Pages in Auto Insurance
Posted by in Uncategorized on January 20, 2010
To break the declarations page down further, we’ll discuss each aspect presented on the page, and this is done in no particular order, meaning your declarations page may or may not have the same information in the same order listed here. First we’ll mention the auto insurance company’s information on the page. The declarations page will have the name of the insurance company, as well as their contact information including a phone number and address. If you need to contact the company, the information is readily available here and also on the insurance card that you should have somewhere in your car in case it is immediately needed.
Next, you should find your policy number. Your policy number is a way the auto insurance company can identify you without using your name. This lessens confusion as there is typically more than one client sharing the same first and last names. A policy number can include numbers and letters together, or just numbers. You will need to know your policy number any time you want to contact the insurance company. You can also find your policy number on the insurance card.
Information regarding the coverage you have purchased is also included in the declarations page. The coverage you purchased will include the minimal requirements provided by your state, as well as any additional coverage options you felt the need to purchase. Bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist bodily injury may be some of the coverage options you purchased that will be listed on the declarations page. Read more about automobile premiums and policies in Auto Car Insurance Premiums section of author’s site.
The cost of each coverage you purchase for your auto insurance policy will also be listed on this page. The price of your policy is determined by individual factors, including the cost of coverage you added to your policy. If you carry additional coverage options past the state’s requirements, you can look at these “extra” options and decide if they fit into your budget, or if you can add more coverage for added protection.
Your deductible amounts may also be listed in the declarations page. A deductible amount is the amount of money you are willing to pay, out-of-pocket, when you make a claim to the auto insurance company. Any time you file a claim and expect the insurer to cover an accident-related cost, the insurer requires you to pay upfront a deductible. This amount can range from $250, to $1,000 or higher. The lower deductible you choose for your policy, the more expensive your policy premium will be.
Look for the policy periods on the declarations page to find out when your coverage begins and when it ends. You should also be aware that you have the option with the insurer to automatically renew your policy when it expires. This helps to avoid any time period of not carrying auto insurance, known as a policy lapse. It is illegal to drive a vehicle without proper auto insurance so it is vital that the policy always be in effect.
You will also notice your information, or the policyholder’s information, listed on the declarations page. Your name, address, and phone number will be listed on the page. It will also have information regarding the vehicle(s) you have insured with the company, such as the year, make and model of each vehicle. Always keep this information up-to-date with the auto insurance company so they can contact you easily with any questions they have or information they need.
You may think the declarations page is just one more nagging piece of paperwork, but in actuality it is the most important piece of paper that you have for your auto insurance. You will need to review your declarations page every time your policy renews to make sure no coverage was accidentally dropped or so you know your information is correct. Don’t disregard your declarations page as it comes in the mail or think of it as worthless because you think you already know what coverage is on your auto insurance policy.
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Some Tips for Insured on Keeping Your Auto Insurance Premium Rates Down
Posted by in Uncategorized on January 18, 2010
There are so many ways that you can use to keep your auto insurance rates down and some of them you can use at the same time as other discounts to maximize your savings.
Here are some things that you can ask your auto insurance company for:
- Ask if you can receive a discount if you have more than one type of insurance with their company. For instance, you may find that you can have your auto insurance and your homeowner’s insurance with this company and they will provide you with a combined discount. Carry all of your insurance policies with them, such as auto, home, and life and you may find that you can get even more money off.
- If the driver of the car is a student or is listed as a driver on the car, you may find that you can get a good student discount. This is where the student maintains at least a B average on their report card. You may be required to take that report card to the automobile insurance company each time it comes out, but it really pays off. If grades go down, the discount may disappear until the grades go back up.
- See if there are any safe driver discounts available. When you haven’t had a ticket or an accident, you may find that there are discounts available for you.
- If you are a senior citizen and you’ve not had any accidents in a specific amount of time, there may be discounts available to you.
- You can always raise your deductible to cheaper car insurance premium online from auto insurer. However, you need to keep in mind that doing so will result in a higher out-of-pocket expense if an accident does occur. The standard deductible is $500, but some individuals will go as high as $2,000 to save some money on their premium. If you can pay $2,000 if an accident occurs, then that will work fine. Just make sure your deductible is not higher than what you can afford in case damage is done to your car and you need to pay it.
- You may wish to shop around. You may find a company that offers the same coverage for a lower price. You always want to compare before you make a commitment.
You want to use all of these tips so that you can save yourself quite a bit of money.
When finding the right company to do business with, it is very important that you compare. You can do this by calling companies and recording the different rates that they quote you. You can also do this by going to their websites and filling out the forms on their websites to receive quotes for the auto insurance you want. This allows you to compare in a much easier way. Take all of that information and make an informed decision.
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The Best Time to Switch Car Insurance Policies – How to Save Money on Auto Insruance
Posted by in Uncategorized on January 18, 2010
Ideally, you should start comparing insurance policies before your current policy expires. Once you have allowed a lapse in coverage, there may be additional difficulty getting new coverage at a fair price. Remember, insurers look at many factors to figure premium, and these include: age, gender, occupation, credit history and current insurance. A gap in coverage will raise questions that will need to be answered. Did you simply forget to pay a bill, or is there something more serious? Do you frequently allow insurance coverage to expire, and what is the length of the gaps? Longer gaps may indicate that you drive without insurance, which makes you a higher risk person.If you can plan a change, there are some good times to change auto insurance providers which should net you a reduced premium. For instance, your rates will go down at age 25, so if your insurance is set to expire the month of, or after your birthday, start shopping with your new age in mind. If you know that you are about to move or change jobs, consider changing your insurance provider before hand. It might be harder to get insurance if your move was over a long distance; you will now be an un-established person in a new town, which equals higher rates. Your new occupation can change your rates as well, especially if you begin work in a high risk category, or if you will use your vehicle more than you did before. But, if your driving record is spotless, you are 25 or older, there have been no major changes, and your rates have either stayed the same or gotten higher, than you might consider now the time to shop for a discount. Some companies will match a policy and its price if you tell them upfront that you are doing this. Smart research and some basic knowledge will assure that you are getting the best insurance coverage for the best price.
