Car Insurance: factors that affect your premium

Making sure that you have the correct car insurance can be a complex business because you are asked all kinds of questions and don't always know whether your answers are 'good' or 'bad'. Of course, honesty is the best policy, but it is reassuring to know what factors you will actually be judged on and whether you can do anything to improve your chances of a good quote.

Insurers may of course differ slightly in their views, based on which statistics they consult, but there are at least some guidelines. It is generally agreed that young men are the highest risk group for insurers. It doesn't take a flight of fancy to work out why - all you need to do is look around on a Friday night and spot all the young men driving too fast and showing off. Young women, in contrast, do not usually drive as far or, more controversially, as recklessly. That is why it is usually cheaper to get insurance if you are under 25 and a woman, rather than under 25 and a man. This may seem unfair if you are a sensible, young male driver, but there you are - statistics are not on your side. Young men - and women - can reduce their car insurance by taking an advanced driving course.

Older women continue to be offered 'a better deal' by certain insurance companies that target women. However, there is considerable debate about whether these quotes are better value for money than unisex rates. Is it just a triumph of marketing or a genuinely good deal based on statistics? As more women take up driving and cover greater distances for work, it seems likely that trends will change and women will no longer be considered 'safer drivers'.

Where you live also makes a difference - even if you don't think your 'new' area is any more or less safe than your last. Some areas simply have a higher rate of vehicle thefts, and in some cases, your premium may actually rise because it is a 'nicer' area. This is because the total value of crime in the area might be higher - because there are quality goods to vandalise/steal. If you are considering moving, it is worth checking how this will affect your car insurance People living in rural areas generally pay less than people living in congested cities.

A cheaper car predictably costs less to insure than a status symbol motor. It is a little mean to suggest that you shouldn't buy the car of your dreams, but if you do, at least consider whether you can lock it up safely in a garage at night - with an anti-theft device attached. These precautions will help to offset the higher cost of the premium.

Understanding factors that affect your car insurance is a good way to work towards a cheaper quote, so it's not so complex after all.

Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.

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Cheap Car Insurance : A Cost-Effective Protection

People in all ages have aspired to lead a comfortable life. A life with some luxuries. A feeling which always existed but fulfilling which was not always easy. Modern times, however, has changed all that. People now can spend on luxury items. Talking about luxury items, one item that must be included in the list is car. A feat people found it difficult to achieve earlier but thanks to several financial services getting a loan for purchasing a car is very easy now a days. What makes this offer even more attractive is the fact that the rate of interest is slashed considerably making it truly a friendly offer.

However, if after purchasing a car one thinks that one's trouble is over then one is sadly mistaken, for one has to now turn his attention towards protecting it. It is important, for repairing a car is very expensive and if one has not thought about it then one would end up paying exorbitant amount for the purpose. Car damage is a very viable threat simply because the rate of accidents are on constant rise. Even statistics attest this fact. The rate of accidents in UK in the last ten years have increased manifold. Cars are the biggest casualty and many times the damage inflicted is huge. It is here that car insurance comes into play and ensures that one is spared from the pains of arranging money for the repair of the car. Not only this the amount charge for this purpose is also so meager that it would only be right to term car insurance as cheap car insurance.

However, to gain from cheap car insurance one would do well to take care of a few things. First of all one must ensure that the policy comes to life as soon as it is signed, one must also see that what are the types of accidents that the car is protected from. Apart from it one must also see to it that no wrong information is provided to the insurance company as well as the fact that there is no default on monthly premiums.

If efforts like these are taken then one can be rest assured that cheap car insurance would go a long way in helping people out in the hour of crisis.

Allan Elvin is an MBA in Finance and has a rich experience of writing on topics related to finance. He professes special interest and expertise in cheap car insurance and in guiding you on its various details.

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Car Insurance: reducing the cost

Getting the correct car insurance without compromising on quality is important â€" if you do need to make a claim then you want to be able to rely on a reputable company, which will effectively deal with your stressful situation.

Many new cars already have an anti-theft device, but if your car is older or not fitted with one then it makes sense to purchase a device now and make a year-on-year saving on your car insurance. Also, such devices are designed to deter thieves so you will ensure that your car is a less likely target for theft or vandalism. Either an alarm or immobiliser that functions automatically or starts by the touch of a button will do the job.

To be even safer, try and make sure that your car is parked in a drive or a private car park. Better still, and if you can, lock it up in a garage. If your car is safely under lock and key at night you drastically reduce the chance of it being damaged and therefore increase your chance of getting cheaper car insurance. Cars that are parked outside on public roads are most at risk of being vandalised or stolen. It is frustratingly common to have your wing mirror knocked off, even if you do not claim for this; it is much more frustrating to watch from an upper window as thieves take your car for a joy ride and smash it up. However, insurers work on cold facts, not frustration. If a car is statistically more ‘at risk’ â€" particularly if your area has a high incidence of high-value crime â€" then your premium will reflect this.

Other ways to make sure that you get the correct car insurance include investigating multiple car discounts. You might get a better deal for insuring two cars than you might think â€" simply ask your insurer. Equally, if your insurer offers other policies you might wish to take a few if a discount (as well as a good service) is offered.

Another issue to think about is whether you really need to modify your car. Although ‘go faster’ additions may look and sound cool, they will probably increase the price of your car insurance. Be sure, too, to declare any aesthetic changes you might make as in the event of a claim, you might find your policy is invalid if you haven't made your insurance company aware of them.

Paul McIndoe is an online, freelance journalist and keen hillwalker. He lives in Edinburgh with his two dogs.

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How to Get Cheap Car Insurance Quote Comparisons Online

Looking to compare car insurance quotes? Here's how to get cheap car insurance quote comparisons online with top companies.

How to Get the Cheapest Car Insurance Quote

It's a sad fact that millions of Americans don't take the time to comparison shop for auto insurance and are paying hundreds of dollars more than they should. All it takes is a few minutes of your time to save big bucks on your insurance.

Getting a cheap rate on your car insurance consists of: 1. Comparing quotes from different auto insurance companies. 2. Getting the highest deductible you can afford. 3. Getting all the discounts you're eligible for.

Where can I get car insurance quote comparison quotes online?

You have two choices when it comes to comparing auto insurance quotes online. You can visit individual insurance company websites to get your quotes, or you can go to an insurance comparison website to get your quotes.

The advantages of using an insurance comparison site over a company site are:

* You can get quotes from a number of insurance companies in one place so you won't have to spend hours of your time going from site to site.

* You only have to fill out one simple form get quotes from different insurance companies instead of having to fill out a form for each company.

* The best sites have an insurance expert on call so you can get unbiased answers to you insurance questions instead of a sales pitch. (See link below.)

How can I get the cheapest car insurance rate?

First, you need to get the highest deductible you can afford. Increasing your deductible (the amount of money you pay toward an auto insurance claim before your insurer will pay), can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your premium. For instance, increasing it from $250 to $1,000 can cut your premium by 30 to 50 percent.

Next, you need to get all the discounts that you're eligible to receive. Some of these discounts include:

* A discount for having a car alarm or other anti-theft device installed in your car.

* A discount for having safety features on your car such as anti-lock brakes and air bags.

* A discount for driving less than the average number of miles.

* A discount for having taken a driver's education course.

* A discount for maintaining a clean driving record.

Ask the insurance representative with the company you choose to tell you about all the discounts you're eligible for and include them in your insurance policy.

Where can I get cheapest car insurance quote comparisons online?

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com or click on the following link to get car insurance quote comparisons online from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more insurance tips in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

The author, Brian Stevens, is a former insurance agent and financial consultant who has written extensively on how to get car insurance quote comparisons online.

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Tips On Buying Car Insurance With Bad Credit

If you have bad credit, you may be finding that getting a good deal on your car insurance is not an overly easy task. In the world today, more and more people are finding themselves in serious financial trouble and bad credit is dramatically on the increase. It is restricting people’s lives and it often causes them to get into deeper financial trouble, as the cost of things such as their car insurance goes up.

Finding Good Car Insurance Deals With Bad Credit

While it may be slightly more difficult finding a good deal on your car insurance when you have bad credit, it is certainly not impossible. There are some companies that deal specifically with people who have a bad credit history and they offer special deals to suit your needs. Even if you cannot find a good deal, there are also other ways in which you can improve your situation to get a good deal.

Some of the main things that you can do to purchase good deal car insurance with bad credit include:

- Improve your credit rating - Compare different companies - Take out a bad credit loan - Purchase a cheaper car - Don’t accept any extras on a loan - Make sure you have a full time job

All of the above will really help you to get a good deal on your car insurance. The main thing that you should aim to do ideally would be to improve your credit rating. Paying off most of the debt that you have will help to improve your rating and insurance companies will be more willing to give you a better deal. You could also apply for a credit card that you could use specifically to get your credit rating up. By making small purchases and paying off the full balance at the end of the month, you will help to improve your rating. Just remember not to use the card for anything else.

Most people with bad credit have to rely on another loan to help them to purchase their car insurance. Now, while there is nothing wrong with this if you can comfortably afford the repayments, you should be extremely careful where you get the loan and what you use it for. For example, many people use the loan to get a new car before they get their car insurance. This can be a big mistake as you need to know what the insurance will be on the car that you choose. Different cars attract different insurance rates and so if you do have bad credit, it would be advisable to choose a car that has as low an insurance rate as possible.

Car insurance can be expensive and it is unfortunately something that every driver needs. The main tip for you to follow is to purchase a car only after you have researched different car insurance rates. Also try to improve your credit rating as much as possible beforehand and get as many auto insurance quotes as possible before you you’re your decision.

If you are looking for more FREE information on buying car insurance with bad credit, please visit our website: http://www.htquotes.com

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Car Insurance - Driver's Education Now Turbocharged

Driver's education is advantageous when looking to lower rates for car insurance. Today's driver's education is very different. Originally taught in schools in the 1950s- it was a result of the great highway building boom.

Originally driver's education was just to teach kids how to pass a driver's test, now there is a whole new generation of driver's education classes that stress safety and real life practice. The old classes that consisted mostly of safety videos from the 1970s that put students to sleep combined with a few lectures on drinking and driving are gone. In some of those classes students only spent six hours behind the wheel.

However states are reconsidering the education of teenage drivers. Urged by an increasing partnership of public school instructors and safety groups, new forms of driver's safety classes are coming into being. Some are experimenting with extended training. A pilot program combines initial driver's ed courses, six months behind the wheel under certain licensing restrictions and a second round of driver training.

The marketplace has also jumped in to rapidly fill the empty space. Safe Smart Women, a non-profit group in Silver Spring, MD.,has classes for women drivers in 12 cities. Florida-based New Driver Car Control Clinics located in 10 states has half-day seminars which situate teen drivers and one parent inside an auto while experts radio over directions on how to brake at the car's limit and veer while retaining control. Even the AARP has an 8-hour classroom refresher Driver Safety Program to teach the effects of aging on driving and how you can adjust your driving.

At the Skip Barber School's $600+, one-day program for teenagers, drivers speed through an obstacle course -- the champagne slalom -- as fast as they can while trying to balance a tennis ball in an oversized cup on the hood of the car, an exercise designed to demonstrate the relationship of braking,cornering and acceleration.

Other classes have a radical new approach to traditional driver's education: using hip young instructors to guide teens through hair-raising maneuvers on a track so they can survive the unexpected on the road. Students learn safe driving techniques and get plenty of behind-the-wheel training.

Drivers Education has a green side too- By training in hybrids, students complete thousands of miles of training but use less fuel and create fewer carbon emissions. More and more programs are using these vehicles with great success. High school students in Leon County , Florida's driver education programs are using hybrid vehicles to practice their skills behind the wheel. Six Toyota Prius' were bought by the Leon County Board of Commissioners for the programs; funded in part by traffic fines.

There is even fun driving class. Comedy Guys Entertainment combining a bunch of professional comedians and a defensive driving school. Approved by Texas Department of Public Safety, instruction is in-class work, done in fine restaurants with meals and refreshments included.

Meanwhile, many car insurance companies charge lower rates for teen drivers who have taken driver's education. That's one more reason it matters to make driver's education a significant part of a teen's coming of age.

Receive a free online auto insurance quote that will save you money by visiting http://www.your-car-insurance.biz/Site_Map.html, a reliable auto insurance website that provides information and resources to include information on optional coverage.

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Car Insurance... What a Caveman Needs to Know

"It's so easy even a caveman can do it", the announcer proclaims, alluding to how easy it is to save money with their car insurance company. While the advertisement has been hugely successful, even leading to a television series, the reality is neither a caveman, talking lizards, scantily clad models or anything else will make your car insurance any cheaper. Your insurance premium is primarily based on such things as your driving record, age, gender, location, the vehicle that you're insuring, and not on what insurance company you are with. If you really want to see how easy it is to save money with any insurance company, try getting cheap auto insurance with a less than perfect driving record including such indiscretions as speeding, accidents, or the dreaded D.U.I. You'll quickly find that 'easy' is a relative term; perhaps easier than Chinese Arithmetic, but not as easy as the ubiquitous commercials would lead you to believe.

Even a caveman will find it hard to get cheap car insurance in some places. The place that I call home; referred to by many as the People's Republic of Maryland, has a 'point' system in place where you get nailed twice for the same violation. Commit a driving violation here, and you will receive a gift that keeps on giving because not only will you pay when you go to court, but you will also be rewarded with higher insurance premiums when the auto insurance company finds that you've scored some points. If you are a really high achiever and score enough points, you can even get your license revoked or suspended. The 'point' is, your driving record is the major determinant as to how much you pay. If you want to keep your car insurance low..er, avoid tickets, and if you live in Maryland, take the bus.

When it comes to car insurance, it is definitely better to be a cavewoman than a caveman. It's an established fact that all things being equal, you will pay more for auto insurance if you happened to born with the XY chromosome.The reasoning behind this is that since men have the testosterone thing going on, they are more likely to drive fast and reckless and therefore are a higher risk than the fairer sex. Having many years of experience behind the wheel, I would have to add that it's not so much whether or not you are a caveman or woman that matters, but whether or not you are a 'young' cave person. I could not begin to tell you how many times I have seen young Cro-Magnon women driving up on another cars bumper at 70 miles an hour. While this gender discrimination may seem a little Neanderthal to many of us, nobody said that life was fair; even for a caveman.

It also matters where you cave is located. When I was living out in Washington State, I paid less than half for car insurance than what I pay here in Maryland. In Baltimore, you can even pay higher rates just by living in the wrong zip code. I have a brother who lives just two miles from where I reside yet his auto insurance is much cheaper because he lives in a different zip code. You can be the safest driver on the roads but if you happen to live in the wrong area, you might just get penalized for it. Like real estate, when it comes to car insurance, location matters.

Lastly, the type of vehicle that you're insuring also plays a large part in how much you pay for auto insurance. For instance, certain vehicles are more popular with car thieves than others. According to the 'National Insurance Crime Bureau(NICB), the Honda Civic and Accord were among the most reported stolen vehicles in 2006'. 'The report also mentioned that thieves tend to target the most popular vehicles because they offer the best market for stolen vehicle parts and illegal export to other countries'. Insurance companies are aware of this as well, and most will charge a premium for the privilege of owning one of these thief happy cars.

While it may be true that you can save some money by insuring your auto with an insurance company that has a caveman as a spokesperson, the truth is that what you pay for insurance is based on numerous factors such as driving history, age, sex and location. Slick advertising aside, that should be so obvious that even a cave man can see it.

Bill Thomas is actively engaged in Internet Marketing. He also contributes articles on business, life and othe topics. His current website is..Create Income from Home With Your Own... Home Business

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