Auto Insurance Law » Bodily Injury

New York Car Insurance Quote Basics

admin — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:05:18 +0000

Moving brings lots of new challenges, particularly if you’re moving to a new state. If you’re new to the state of New York, you need to know all the ins and outs on important laws and regulations, including finding out all about a New York car insurance quote. You might get a little sticker shock moving to New York as their rates are a bit higher than the national average. But, there are always ways to save money on your New York car insurance.

New York has a “no fault” law, which means that, in general, each party’s insurance pays for their injury claims in the event of an accident, regardless of who caused the accident. For this reason, all drivers in New York must carry Personal Injury Insurance (PIP) in the amount of at least $50,000. Your PIP insurance will cover medical expenses, loss of wages, loss of services, and offers a death benefit.

In addition, New York drivers must also carry liability insurance to pay for property damage and bodily injury to the other party in the event that you are at fault in an accident. The minimum on liability property damage insurance is $10,000. The minimum on bodily injury is $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident. In addition, New York car insurance laws require that you carry a minimum $25,000/$50,000 in uninsured motorist coverage, too.

Overall, New York car insurance typically costs the average driver about $400 per year more than the national average. This is due to the combination of higher limits being required by law and the fact that drivers are required to carry liability insurance to pay for the other party along with PIP insurance to pay for their own medical expenses.

In addition to carrying the New York car insurance required by law, you may also want to consider adding other coverage, such as collision insurance. Though your PIP insurance covers your injuries in an accident, without collision, you’ll have no insurance coverage for your vehicle in the event of an accident that you cause. Collision will cover your vehicle’s repair or replacement. In addition many drivers consider adding comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle for damage caused by fire, natural elements, vandalism and theft. You may also want to add items such as rental car coverage and roadside assistance to your policy.

Because rates on a New York car insurance quote are fairly high, it’s very important to shop around so that you can ensure the best deal. Take the time to gather several quotes before you choose an insurance policy. Asking each company to quote the exact same coverage will help you compare your quotes more easily.

Once you’ve gathered your quotes, be certain to ask around about the company’s customer service before you make your final decision. Great rates are always enticing, but it’s just as important to have a car insurance company that will be responsive when you have to file a claim.

By: Barry H Brenner

Massachusetts Car Insurance Requirements When Getting Quotes

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:05:28 +0000

It helps to have a few things ready when shopping for car insurance in Massachusetts, including your current policy information. Also you should know what the minimum requirements are for Massachusetts auto insurance. Here is some helpful information.

Massachusetts requires car insurance by law and is a state with a no-fault system, meaning you need to have Personal Injury Protection which will pay for your injury claims — up to a limit– no matter who’s at fault.

Massachusetts’ compulsory — or required — coverages are (keep in mind these are minimums and you may want higher limits for better financial protection):

Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, which pays necessary medical costs if you are injured in an accident. Minimum coverage of $8,000.

Bodily Injury — $20,000 per person who is hurt or killed in an accident, and $40,000 per accident if several people are hurt or killed.

Bodily Injury Caused By an Uninsured Auto — $20,000 per person who is hurt or killed in an accident, and $40,000 per accident if several people are hurt or killed.

Property Damage Liability — $5,000 for property damage caused by you in an accident.

Car insurance rates in Massachusetts are strictly regulated by the state. However, Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Nonnie Burnes is currently trying to pass a plan to deregulate the insurance industry in her state. This would bring in more car insurance companies and more competition which could bring down rates and costs to car owners.

However, you should always do some comparison shopping when looking for car insurance; you may be able to save on overall costs and you’ll certainly get a better idea of how each company’s service is going to be. Try to get at least three different comparison quotes. To get the most accurate comparison, make sure you provide the same information about deductibles and coverage limits to each company.

By: Justin Scott

~AUTO ACCIDENT INSURANCE CAIM~ Getting Reimbursed For Your "Pain and Suffering"

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:20:55 +0000

You’ve had a motor vehicle accident some time ago when a local character by the name of Fred Fuddle smashed into your rear end but now you’re in the home stretch with his Adjuster, I. M. Strong, and you’re going to be paid for your loss by Strong’s employer, Rock Solid Insurance. A good portion of it will be for your “Pain and Suffering”. That is, in the lingo of insurance claim settlements, your “Compensatory Damages”. Let’s talk about that:

BODILY INJURY PAIN: How much pain can an individual stand? The answer to that is: Reaction to pain not only differs with each of us, but often within each of us. While pain can usually be scientifically measured, the limits of human endurance cannot. We all have a different “Pain Threshold” – - that is, the point at which we begin to feel physical distress as we enter into, and then deal with, a period of suffering.

A lot depends on what’s going on in your life and how you experience it. Temperament and psychological factors are involved. Like, for example, your personal life is in a shambles (for any number of reasons) and that has hindered your ability to recover. Or, perhaps the company you work for is on the brink of bankruptcy!

The mechanism through which you feel an injury is so complicated that there are times when the same pain appears to be more (or less) than that of previous days. For example: one day you have a problem that causes you to complain endlessly. This makes you impossible to live with and your pain seems to be much stronger. Yet, a similar situation on a much better day, doesn’t upset you so profoundly and the pain is not nearly as bad.

YOUR “PAIN AND SUFFERING” (Your “Compensatory Damages“): The type of injury you suffered, as a result of Fred Fuddle crashing into you (plus the nature and length of your treatment) are two of the best indicators for both the adjuster and Rock Solid Insurance to consider regarding the “Pain and Suffering” you experienced. However, there are several other areas you should call to the attention of Adjuster Strong so as to make him aware of what you’ve been dealing with.

MEDICATION: The fact that you were prescribed either over-the-counter or prescription medication by Ole’ “Doc” Comfort, your family physician, to relieve pain, inflammation (and/or any other injury symptoms), will help to convince I. M. Strong that your injuries were serious and caused you to endure a great deal of “Pain and Suffering”. No matter which way you slice that cake, the more powerful the medication, and the longer it’s prescribed for, the greater the value your claim will be. That’s a fact of life in the business of insurance claims.

LENGTH OF RECOVERY: The longer your recovery period, the greater your “Pain and Suffering”- – therefore the higher the settlement value of your bodily injury. Make sure “Doc” Comfort clearly indicates this in his Final Medical Report. Tell him he must state in writing (via the weeks and months) how long it will be, before you were able to engage in your routine activities. Make sure he doesn’t send that report directly to Adjuster Strong. You get it first and then later on you’ll send it along to Strong. But, before you do, read it. If good Ole’ “Doc” Comfort hasn’t clearly stated this, hand it back to him and tell him he must. You have every right to insist that he does. You’re paying his bills, it’s your report, your insurance claim, and your big bucks he’s not being serious about!

As long as you continue to have physical problems you should keep going back to see your doctor, again and again, and again ! Other than the obvious “Pain and Suffering” it will help to convince Rock Solid Insurance you’ve endured, there are two other very good reasons for doing this. They are as follows:

(1) The fact that your records show visit’s to your doctor, four, six, eight (or even more) weeks after the accident, will convince Adjuster Strong and Rock Solid that your injury took a long time to deal and required continual attention. (Plus it clearly indicates each and every day you were unable to work and therefore it proves, beyond the shadow of any doubt, the income you lost). Never forget: Your attending physician’s Medical Report is the only way you can prove you were unable to work and in any court of law that will justify your claim for lost wages.

(2) When you visit “Doc” Comfort be sure to tell him there’s been little (if any!) decrease of your pain, discomfort, stiffness or immobility. Make sure, when he does execute that Final Medical Report, this is clearly stated in his written remarks. If it isn’t you have every right to go back, hand it to him and insist that it is.

SCARS: In many instances large and obvious scaring increase’s the value of your claim (big time!) – - especially if the scarred portion of your body is visible. If you’ve been sitting at a desk for 25 years, your chin is double, your hair is gone, and you own a bulging stomach, and that’s where the scar is, it’s not going to be worth much. But, if you’re a tall, dark and handsome, twenty year old and the scar is on your face, than it’s worth a ton. Take colored photographs of every scar and every scrape that causes swelling and/or discoloration to your skin plus every mark on your body! After you’ve handed a copy of those photographs to Adjuster I M. Strong he’ll be sending them to his boss in the Home Office. I’ve been in that seat so I can flat out guarantee you his immediate superior in the home office will stare at those photo’s and gulp. He’ll blanch, take a deep breath and send Strong a one liner that reads something like: “Do whatever it takes to get rid of this one. Se!

ttle it and let‘s move on.”

If the scar is bad enough insist that Dr. Comfort refer you to a Plastic Surgeon for an opinion as to whether your scar can be repaired and/or removed. Once you’ve been examined ask that Specialist to detail in writing (and insist that he send his report to you) how much it will cost to make it look right again. You may never get it repaired, and/or removed, but include that Plastic Surgeon’s report, plus copies of the bills you’ve accumulated because of your visits to him, and hand them to Adjuster Strong. This will absolutely, positively give your claim more value !

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS REGARDING OBTAINING THE SERVICES OF A LAWYER:

QUESTION: “Is it necessary to obtain the services of an attorney who will take a cut of 33 1/3% of the settlement (in some states up to 50%) he recovers from the insurance company of the individual who struck you“? ANSWER: “Yes, there are some situations where it makes sense to do so“. HOWEVER: Especially in a case where the impact is absolutely not your fault in any way, shape, manor or form – - you should be clear with the lawyer you choose that those out-of-pocket expenses you would have been paid (weather they represented you or not) should not be part of his settlement!

Let’s say, for example: You were at a dead stop while waiting for a light to change from red to green, when struck a tremendous blow in the rear by a distracted driver. It’s 100% clear to all concerned that the damages you received will be paid by the insurance company of the individual that struck you.

The property damage to your motor vehicle is $2,800, your lost wages are $450, your final Doctor’s bill (plus all your other Out-Of-Pocket “Medical Expenses”) comes to $750 for a total (Property Damages/Lost Wages/Medical Bills) of $4,000. you live in an area where the lawyers typical “Contingency Fee” is 33 1/3%. QUESTION: “Should that lawyer take 33/13% ($1,333.33) of that $4,000“? ANSWER: “No“! QUESTION: “Why not“? ANSWER: “Because you were going to get that $4,000 weather there was an attorney representing you or not“! In a situation where the liability is clear the attorney should take, as his fee, 33 1/3% of everything he gets above and beyond , that $4,000!

So, let’s say the attorney obtained a settlement of $4,800 for your “Pain and Suffering”. When that figure is added to the $4,000 of Out-Of-Pocket Expenses (as detailed above) the total would come to $8,800. To be fair he should not take 1/3 of $8,800 ($2,933.33 – - thus leaving you with $5,866.66) but 1/3 of the $4,800 ($1,600 – - thus leaving you with $7,200). QUESTION: “What has he done to earn that additional $1,333.34“? ANSWER: “Absolutely nothing”!

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this article ~ AUTO ACCIDENT INSURANCE CLAIM ~ Getting Reimbursed For Your “Pain And Suffering” is to help people understand the motor vehicle insurance claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga nor ARTICLE CITY make any kind of guarantee whatsoever; NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired IT IS THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY to obtain such services.

Dan Baldyga’s third and latest book, AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found on the internet at http://autoaccidentclaims.com or [http://wwwcaraccidentclaims.com]. This book reveals “How To” successfully handle your motor vehicle accident claim, so you won’t be taken advantage of. It also goes into detail regarding the revolutionary BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement Evaluation Formula). BASE explains how to determine the value of the ”Pain and Suffering” you endured – - because of your personal injury.

Copyright (c) 2003 by Daniel G. Baldyga All Rights Reserved

Dan Baldyga – Author

19 Winona Drive, West Springfield, MA 01089

Phone: (413) 733-0127 FAX: (413) 731-8358

Mail to: dbpaw@comcast.net

AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM

(How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss)

Found On Internet At: http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com

Or: http://www.caraccidentclaims.com

By: Dan Baldyga

About US Auto Insurance and the Quotes

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:16:51 +0000

US has a strict car insurance policy which is made mandatory in almost all states. According to their law, every person who owns a car needs to have insurance coverage. Not only that, the family members who are of age to obtain a drivers license must be covered by the insurance plan. Therefore, being a US citizen one can not but look for auto insurance quotes which suit their requirement the best.

About US Auto Insurance

In US, many types of insurance policies are available. One can go for a liability insurance plan which covers the insurance holder along with those in his family who have attained the age of holding a drivers license. However, if a member is not having his own automobile and is operating the vehicle of some one else, the coverage plan is not valid. One can also get insurance coverage from the party’s policy which covers a person when he is driving an automobile owned by that party. If someone does not have his own car, he can have non-owners policies, which are especially useful to those whose drivers’ license has been suspended.

Some car insurance companies give full coverage to rented cars which are established in advance. Other car insurance policies offered in the US states cover for the automobile’s bodily injury, property injury and other damages caused by an accident. Other forms of insurance policies available in US are loan/lease payoff coverage, car towing coverage or Roadside Assistance, auto policy and behavior based insurance coverage. With so many policies, one can also get a variety of auto insurance quotes to choose from.

How to get the best auto insurance quote

Getting the auto insurance quotes of various insurance companies is not a tough matter. Nowadays, automobile insurance quotes are easily available in websites on internet. All one need to do is click on the website and choose his state (only applicable to US citizens). He would be required to fill an online questionnaire which is nothing but a set of simple answers relating your requirements. This questionnaire will be sent to the respective companies of the state. They would receive it and send the auto insurance quotes available for those companies. A person can evaluate these automobile insurance quotes and compare them at the same time. If he is interested in any particular quote that satisfies his requirements then he can make a purchase. The steps are simple and hassle-free.

There are ample such websites which will offer you auto insurance quotes that range from very expensive to cheap rates. It is a common tendency of people to go for the cheapest auto insurance quotes available without considering the other factors. One should avoid this and go for that quote which is both affordable and ideally satisfies his requirements. These are common pitfalls that one should not fall in.

Auto insurance quotes depend on many factors which influence their rates. The factors include the driver’s history, make and model of the automobile and the location. It has been found that the auto insurance quotes offered in different states of US are different. Therefore, before settling down with a policy one must carefully do a research in the market and find out the latest trend.

By: John Moorish

Texas Car Insurance Requirements

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:29:38 +0000

In regards to car insurance requirements in Texas, you must have a minimum of $15,000 to cover damages an accident causes other property; $20,000 to cover any bodily injury or death of one person per accident; and $40,000 to cover any bodily injury or death of two or more persons per accident. You can meet the Texas car insurance requirements by purchasing a policy from a car insurance company licensed to do insurance business in Texas, or you may want to post a self-bond – set aside enough money to meet the car insurance requirements in Texas.

Self-bonding, or self-insuring, to meet the Texas car insurance requirements does have its advantages. First, you do not have to worry about whether or not it is going to be difficult to get insurance – if you are providing it, it is already there! You also do not have to concern yourself with premiums, making payments on time, or renewal and cancellation in the matter of being self-insured.

When you meet the Texas car insurance requirements with a self-bond or self-insurance, you are also free to purchase additional car insurance coverage from a traditional car insurance company. By keeping your self-insurance stash in mind, you can pick and choose what car insurance coverage you want to purchase.

Self-bonding, or self-insuring, is not actually the most efficient way to meet the car insurance requirements in Texas, but it is an option – an option that many people choose. The most common reason people choose the option of self-bonding to satisfy the Texas car insurance requirements is because they feel they are uninsurable. A bad driving record, a flawed credit report, and a sketchy history of making payments are all factors Texans believe make them uninsurable; however, these are factors that can and do improve in time, and the self-bonded individual may want to switch to a traditional car insurance policy in Texas once these factors have improved.

By: Elizabeth Newberry

Auto Insurance FAQs: Your Questions Answered

admin — Thu, 20 May 2010 04:56:02 +0000

When it comes to auto insurance, most consumers have questions about the kind of coverage they buy, what they’re required to have and if there are options for high-risk drivers.

Learning the answers to these and other questions can help you make better purchasing decisions when it comes to car insurance. And now, finding answers is easier than ever!

Frequently Asked Questions about Auto Insurance

Can I drive without car insurance?

No! Almost every state requires its motorists to carry liability insurance, which covers damages to people and property resulting from an accident for which you are at fault.

All states also have financial responsibility laws, which require you show the state that you have the funds to pay claims if you have a bad accident. If you don’t have proof of sufficient funds (which varies by state), you’ll need to purchase at least the minimum state-required coverage.

What are the minimum insurance requirements?

While minimum coverage amounts vary by state, all state-required insurance will cover your liability for bodily injury and property damage.

For example, if the minimum auto insurance requirement in your state is listed as 25/40/15, this means that you’ll have coverage up to $40,000 for all motorists injured in an accident, up to a $25,000 for one person in an accident and $15,000 for damaged property.

While this may seem like a healthy amount of coverage, purchasing the state minimum is really purchasing a bare bones insurance policy. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) recommends carrying at least $300,000 liability coverage per accident and $100,000 per person–and your insurer will encourage you do to the same.

What happens if I can’t find car insurance?

If you’ve applied for car insurance and been turned down because of your driving record or other factors, fret not–you still have options available to you. According to the I.I.I., you have two options: join a state assigned risk pool or buy a policy from a non-standard insurer.

An assigned risk pool consists of insurers in your area, who under state law, are required to participate in proportion to the amount of voluntary business they accept. As a result, insurers must accept motorists assigned to them and write policies accordingly. But because insurers have to take a substantial risk on insuring high-risk drivers, premiums are significantly more expensive.

Non-standard insurers may also be able to write you an auto insurance policy. These types of private insurers typically write policies for motorists with a poor history of accidents, people who live in “high-risk” neighborhoods and those who drive high performance cars.

While both of these options may have you forking over some extra cash, they might be your only source of auto insurance until your circumstances improve. Just remember to keep shopping around so you can switch insurers once you find a better premium price.

What are the differences between nonrenewal and cancellation of a policy?

You or your insurer can choose not to renew your auto insurance policy after it expires for a variety of reasons. You might decide not to renew your policy if you find a better deal somewhere else or weren’t happy with the service you were receiving.

An insurer may not renew your policy if you did something to substantially increase their risk to cover you–or if the company decides to write fewer policies in your area.

Cancellation, on the other hand, is more serious. According to the I.I.I., insurers cannot cancel a policy that’s been in force for more than 60 days unless:
You fail to pay your premium You defraud the company Your driver’s license is suspended or revoked
Cancellation of your policy may also make it harder to find insurance in the future, thus forcing you to buy a high-risk policy for a more expensive premium.

What if I’m not satisfied with my insurer?

As a consumer, you have rights when it comes to your auto insurance. If you’re not satisfied with your agent, let him or her know. If your complaint still goes unchecked, see if the insurer has a consumer complaint department and file a complaint.

If your issues remain unsolved, contact your state department of insurance. The department of insurance exists for consumer education and protection, and they can provide you with help and resources to take your complaint to the next level, or find a new insurer. You can contact your department of insurance by phone or find them online for more information.

A knowledgeable consumer is a powerful consumer!

Finding questions to your auto insurance answers is the first step to becoming an educated consumer–allowing you to make wise purchasing decisions about affordable car insurance. Find more answers to your auto insurance questions by contacting your state department of insurance!

By: Megan Mahan

Uninsured Auto Accident – Someone Hit Me and I Have No Insurance!

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:48:17 +0000

An uninsured auto accident can put in a very bad spot, even if you are not the person who caused the accident! If you are in California, the “don’t pay don’t play” law is in effect. If you do not carry liability
insurance, you cannot make a claim against the person that hit you. This includes bodily injury and property damage claims! You will be left at your own devices.

If you are not in California, then let me the first one to tell you: stop driving without insurance, go and get yourself a policy, please! You are increasing everyone’s premiums. However, this does not mean that insurance companies get a free pass. You need to learn how to protect yourself. You made a huge mistake, no question. Nevertheless, you need to learn how to protect yourself so you are not treated unfairly.

Insurance companies do not like people who do not have insurance (neither do judges, juries, lawyers, medical providers, nor the public in general). The insurance carrier will try to deny your claim and blame you for the accident. They will put “fault” on you! If the accident is clear (you were rear ended), then the insurance company will be more reasonable; however, if the persons that hit you denies or implies that they did not caused the accident, but you did. Then the insurance company has a duty (not optional) to believe their own client and send you a denial letter. Insurance companies are bound to believe their clients, so if the other driver does not admit fault, it will be up to you to fight back. Since you do not have insurance, you will have to learn the claim process and negotiate as if you were your own insurance adjuster. You need to be ready to settle your uninsured auto accident.

Remember that not having insurance does not mean you caused the accident. You need to separate the two issues and document your claim showing that you had no responsibility in the accident. The first step is to get a copy of the police report. You can go to the Police Records Office and request one. Some jurisdictions will give you a copy the same day. Some others will take up to two weeks. Once you get the police report, make sure you read it thoroughly. Make sure you ask the police records office for an overlay sheet or visit:http://www.auto-insurance-claim-advice.com/overlay-sheet.html to download one from your state.

You need to be looking at what contributory circumstances were attributed to you and the other driver. If there are no codes, or statements made by the officer citing you at fault, then you can point that out to the insurance company.

Read the police report and try to identify witnesses. You can contact them and see if they will be willing to give a statement. Many witnesses will help you if you were truly not at fault. Also look at the physical damages left on both vehicles. Is it even possible that the accident happened how the insurance company claims it did?

Write a letter to the insurance company and explain your position. How did the accident happen and what is your evidence. Give them a date line. If they do not answer, then proceed to file a small claims court
lawsuit. Most of the time, insurance companies will try to settle before you go to court. If they don’t want to settle, go in front of a judge and explain why you were not at fault. If your case is clear, then the insurance company must pay the judgment.

This is a difficult way to deal with your uninsured auto accident; it would be a lot easier if you had insurance in the first place. If you believe you are being “snowed” by the insurance company, consult with an attorney.

By: Hector Quiroga, J.D.

Cheap Car Insurance in Miami, Florida

admin — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:19:41 +0000

If you live and drive in Miami, Florida, you need “Florida Coverage” car insurance. All this really means is that you have to have auto coverage that was issued in the State. You’ll need to have this in place when you go to the DMV to pay for the registration.

Although it is relatively simple to find and secure a car insurance policy, most motorists who live in Miami want to find the cheapest rates possible. Although anyone can find a low rate by only buying minimum coverage, this isn’t going to be enough should you find yourself in an accident.

If you’ve already been in one collision in Florida you may actually have to purchase coverage for bodily injury. This is decided on a case by case basis, but it’s important that motorists shopping for coverage be aware of that fact.

When you do want more coverage than what the law suggests as minimal, consider using these money saving tips:

• If you only use the car for recreational purposes, tell the car insurance agent this. This often applies to stay-at-home parents as well as the elderly. It costs more to insure a vehicle that is driven back and forth to work each day.

• Elderly drivers can also take a defensive driving course. Miami is a haven for the retired and many Miami based insurance companies realize that more mature drivers may pose a risk. If those motorists take a defensive driving class to proof they are still competent behind the wheel, they may be eligible for a discount.

Although it can be tedious to call different agents to ask for car insurance quotes the savings you can enjoy will be worth the trouble. Many motorists are shocked when they realize that quotes for the exact same coverage can vary by hundreds and even thousands of dollars a year depending on the company. When you know this, it becomes much less of a task to gather those quotes.

By: Deborah Mills

The Nitty-Gritty About Auto Casualty Insurance

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:49:50 +0000

When you own a car – you own insurance. Like it or not. And as much as you try driving careful, accidents do happen. Sometimes it’s what we do; sometimes it’s what others do. In this sue happy world, auto casualty can get very expensive. Unless you live in Wisconsin or New Hampshire it is a state law you have to retain liability coverage. Knowing the “nuts and bolts” of car insurance allows you to comply with the law and minimize as much as possible, costly expenses due to the occurrence of an accident.

Liability Coverage

This covers medical in addition to property costs when you’re at fault in an automobile accident.

Collision Coverage

This is optional but if the accident is your fault, collision coverage helps pay for repair of your vehicle. You pay a pre-established deductible and your insurance company pays the remainder. If your vehicle is totaled, your insurance company will pay you the car’s cash value.

Comprehensive Coverage

This is optional as well. It is good to have as it covers items such as theft, damaged windshields and vandalism. It also includes falling trees, fire, flood and “acts of God” (other unexpected happenings).

PIP (Personal Injury Protection)

This will help cover medical and disability cost, as well as loss of incomes for driver and passengers. It does not matter who is at fault. Personal Injury Protection is optional in some states and a must in others.

Uninsured Motorist Protection

If the car accident is someone else’s fault and they are uninsured, this protection covers property damage and bodily injury. The breakdown above is accurate in most every insurance situation. You should also seek advice from your local insurance agent as he or she would be familiar with your individual state laws. Talk to your agent about how to handle a claim, obtain estimates for repairs when damage occurs and time-limitations for filing a claim. Also you might inquire how long you will wait for claim payments.

Remember that time spent to learn the basics of auto casualty insurance and set up your policy right is time well spent. When and if something does occur, you will be adequately protected from financial exposure that might otherwise be lurking in the shadows.

By: Joe Goodman

Phoenix Car Insurance – Getting Low Quotes Online

admin — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:28:04 +0000

If you live in Phoenix and want to save on car insurance there are a few things you can do. Here are some tips.

Car insurance rates for Phoenix drivers, and other drivers in Arizona may be a little higher than other parts of the country but are still competitive. The key to saving is to take some time and get some comparison quotes. This is because rates can vary from one company to the next. An easy way to do this is online.

First, gather some information about your desired coverages and deductibles. You want to provide the same information for each quote in order to get an apples-to-apples comparison. One way to do this is to get your existing Arizona auto insurance policy out. Or, write down on a piece of paper the limits of coverage, deductibles, car make and model information and drivers license numbers.

Also, keep in mind the minimum requirements for coverage by Arizona law:

Bodily Injury. Minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.

Property Damage. Minimum of $10,000 per accident.

These are the minimums and you may want to increase those for added peace of mind. Unfortunately, there are also quite a few underinsured and uninsured drivers in Phoenix so you might want to add those coverages.

Then go online and either visit individual insurance company Web sites and request quotes, or go to an insurance quote comparison Web site. These sites gather quotes from several different insurance agents or companies so you only have to enter your information once.

You can also save money by raising your deductibles. This can lower your premium quite a bit. And take advantage of discounts. For example, if you insure your home and auto with the same company you typically get a discount on your premium — up to five percent sometimes. If you a have a teen driver or college student driver, you may qualify for a good student discount. Senior drivers in Arizona may qualify for a senior driver discount with some companies. Make sure to check all the discounts available when you get your quotes.

By: Justin Scott