Monday, June 25, 2012

What Do You Know About Car Insurance

By Todd Holder


It has never been easier to shop for car insurance. A cursory internet search will yield a ton of different plans that each offer different terms. All these options makes it crucial that you fully understand your insurance needs and what you can afford. That's the only way to find the best coverage for your needs. When you shop for car insurance on the internet you can easily compare plans to find a policy that fits your lifestyle. Get your ducks in a row before you start though.

Different plans provide different levels of coverage. It only makes sense to buy as much car insurance as you can afford but you don't want to pay for coverage you'll never use either. If your dog goes everywhere with you it might make sense to buy a policy that covers pets. If you often need someone to drive your car for you look for a policy that covers other drivers. Likewise, if you have to drive a friend's car regularly then make sure your policy transfers to other vehicles. People with impeccable driving records should find a policy that offers good driver discounts. These are all little things that can make a big difference.

There are a lot of different factors that go into the final cost of your policy. One that you might not have considered and that you also can't control is your zip code. Insurance companies have programs that determine which neighborhoods cost them more and charge their customers accordingly. Other factors include your driving record, the car you own, how far and how often you drive each day and who else is named on the policy. Someone with a clean driving history will pay lower than someone who has a lot of accidents or moving violations in his past. A nicer car will cost more to insure than a lower-end model. If you work from home and rarely go out you will probably pay less than your friend in outside sales who logs a lot of highway miles. Putting your teenage son on the policy will certainly drive up the price.

Some insurance companies have standard plans that don't provide any customization. Others provide a more personalized approach. These differences make it important that you fully understand what is and is not included in your policy and how much you'll spend on it every month. Your costs include more than the monthly premium, however. You might pay less if you have a higher deductible. Find out whether your deductible is paid at each incident or once during the year. Does your premium or deductible go down after a certain period with no accidents or tickets? Call your insurer before you buy a new car to find out how your policy is affected. You might find a better deal for your new car if you shop around.

It is really easy to purchase car insurance online. You can do all the research necessary to find the best policy for your lifestyle and needs. It helps to know the different factors that affect the monthly premium so you can adjust your criteria, such as your deductible, to make it more affordable. When you understand your needs you'll know whether you can buy a standard plan or need something more customized. No matter what type of plan you need you'll find an affordable car insurance policy on the internet.




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