Auto Insurance Law » Insurance Coverage

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

Car Insurance Myths

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:09:27 +0000

Learning about insurance coverage can be confusing, even with the most comprehensive information and the most detailed accounts of policies. Regardless of how much information is out there, the bigger concern is how much misinformation exists regarding car insurance. As the result of this misinformation, there is a detailed mythology involving car insurance that may cause some potential consumers reservation when it comes to applying for appropriate coverage.

Colour Matters

One myth, believe it or not, is that the colour of the vehicle makes a different when applying for insurance coverage. A lot of people believe that coverage for the make, model, and especially the colour of the vehicle can make a difference in the overall quality and amount of coverage given. This is a myth, as it doesn’t matter what colour your car is. The coverage will be the same.

Parking Ticket Problems

Some people believe that getting a parking ticket can influence insurance rates. Surely if this were the case, we’d all be facing skyrocketing rates on a regular basis. Car insurance rates are not affected by parking tickets or other similar situations. These tickets by themselves do not count against any insurance record, but not paying tickets can impact your ability to renew your driver’s license which could, in turn, affect your overall rate. The lesson learned here is clear: pay your parking tickets!

Speeding

Speeding is a serious problem that can impact your driving record, but a single speeding ticket will likely not impact your insurance rates. Of course, if your single speeding ticket involves driving at a reckless speed several dozen miles over the limit, you can bet that your rates will be impacted. One or two minor convictions for speeding likely won’t have a say in your rates, but accumulate a few more of those and you can rest assured that you’ll be paying more when it comes time to renew your policy.

It’s Not My Fault!

One myth about accidents is that you don’t have to pay deductible if the police assert that an accident is not your fault. This is not necessarily the case. The police may not have deemed you criminally responsible as a driver in the accident, but it is your insurance company that holds the key as to whether or not you’ll be paying. If the insurance company investigates the accident and discovers that it wasn’t your fault, you’re in the clear and they will waive your deductible. If their findings differ, however, you’ll be paying.

Cheap is Best

Many people think that insuring cheaper cars is more affordable than insuring more expensive, luxury cars. This is not the case. The premium paid for automobile insurance is based on a combination of factors, including the original price of the car, any repair costs, theft frequency, and any claims history on the vehicle. If you’re older, cheaper car has a history of repairs and problems with other claims, it will likely not be cheap to insure. If a newer, luxury car lacks any history of repairs and has no claim history, it may be less expensive than your older car. Every rate is different.

By: Levi Quinn

NJ Auto Insurance Companies

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:26:55 +0000

A car owner looking for NJ auto insurance companies can easily get a list just by browsing through the Internet. No need to waste time and effort by personally going to each offices; anyone can just research on the Internet and get the desired list of NJ auto insurance companies.

Residents of New Jersey who are planning to renew their policies or get an entirely new car insurance policy should first get a list of NJ auto insurance companies before deciding on what company to get their car insurance from. Such list can be requested from the various online companies offering a list of NJ auto insurance companies and can be received in a matter of minutes.

Car insurance is a must for car owners and this should be the very first thing that should warrant their consideration. NJ auto insurance companies offer different insurance package that responds to the diversified needs of every car owner. It is important to know the different NJ auto insurance companies to enable a car owner to make an intelligent decision on his car insurance.

The first consideration one should look into when considering NJ auto insurance companies is the type of insurance coverage that is required by the car owner. Another important consideration that should be looked into when considering NJ auto insurance companies is of course the cost of the insurance policy.

While car insurance is a necessity a person should not just get insurance from the first NJ auto insurance companies that offer him a package. It is important to take note of the coverage of the insurance policy and match it to the needs of the owner.

It is also recommended that the car owner do some research on the type of insurance company he will be getting his car insurance from. He should talk to former or present clients of the car insurance company who can give him feedback as to how the company processes the various car insurance claims that are filed in their office.

The best thing about NJ auto insurance companies is that the car owner has an option to cancel the insurance policy within a pre-agreed period. He will then be entitled to a refund of a portion of the car insurance policy which he has already paid and which has been cancelled.

While NJ auto insurance companies offer a lot of benefits and insurance package, all insurance carry the basic coverage for any personal injury that may be suffered by the insured or the car passenger in case of an accident. There is a provision in which the insurance company agrees to pay for the medical and other bills of the injured passenger no matter whose fault the accident is.

There is also another type of insurance that pays for damages if the insured is at fault for the accident. This can be very helpful in case the driver is sued by the injured victim.

NJ auto insurance companies carry within their policy coverage for both physical injuries as well as damage to property. Such insurance policy may cost more but when a person is faced with a lot of people injured and property damaged as a result of an accident in which he is at fault then he will think that the money he paid for the car insurance policy is meager compared to what he has to pay if he was not covered.

It is understandable that every car owner would favor getting car insurance policies that are cheaper. However, do not be fooled by cheap car insurance offers because they may cost you more in the future.

The proper thing to do is to weigh all factors that should be considered when choosing an auto insurance agency. Price is of course an important consideration but a car owner should look more into the benefits and the coverage he can get from the insurance policy.

A car owner who is ready to face the task of getting the appropriate insurance coverage for his car should not hesitate to request for a list of NJ auto insurance companies and narrow down his choices from these list. Only then can he assure himself he has made the right choice.

By: Nathalie Fiset

The Stages in Filing an Auto Accident Insurance Claim

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:47:09 +0000

Many auto accident victims are experiencing difficulties in dealing with their insurance companies. This is very true especially when the accidents involve complicated matters that are still needed to be settled. These scenarios occur when the liability in doubtful, the insurance coverage is insufficient or if the claimants disagree with the insurance adjuster’s settlement offer. Because of these instances, the process of negotiation with the insurance companies takes more time.

The following are the standard procedures that have to be accomplished in pursuing a much complicated auto accident insurance claim:

Formal Investigation of the Claim

Normally, if an auto accident claim cannot be settled thru a simple means, the adjuster will have to perform an investigation to evaluate the scope of the insurance company’s liability. This may entail:

- verifying the claimant’s policy,

- interviewing accident witnesses,

- having a dialogue with the other parties involved in the accident,

- looking at the report furnished by the police authorities,

- taking some photos of the accident scene as well as the damages incurred, and

- inspecting the claimant’s medical records and expenses

Settlement Proposal

After concluding his investigation, the adjuster is now set to send his settlement offer to the claimant. This will tell the amount of compensation that the insurance company is offering and willing to pay based on the claimant’s demand. Usually, insurance companies begin with low offers – knowing that doing the other way will cost them huge expenses and lesser income. However, some adjusters devise tactics to speed up the resolution of the case. This is by allowing negotiation if ever the claimant does not agree with the offer.

Letter of Demand

If the claimant is confident enough with his own calculation regarding the compensation that he should receive, then he has the right to submit a demand letter to his insurance company. This may include his own analogy of fault; damages and the amount that he demands to resolve his case. This process may be done before or after the adjuster sent his settlement proposal.

Claims Negotiations

Once the adjuster has sent the opening offer to the claimant, it is now the time to negotiate, particularly if the said offer is not that reasonable. In this process, both parties propose and defend their offers with evidences and facts until they have finally agreed with the amount.

Denial of Claim

Not all auto accident claims reach in a negotiation procedure. The insurance companies for various reasons subsequently deny a great number of them. Hence, the claimants result in filing their cases in civil court wherein a judge is authorized by the law to sustain or reverse the decisions of the insurance companies.

Nevertheless, since almost all the insurance companies implement strategies to lessen their liabilities to the victims, it is therefore a wise option to consult an auto accident attorney from the very start of filing a claim. This will ensure the claimants that they will be properly compensated for the injuries, losses and expenses that the accident caused them.

Our trustworthy Auto Accident Attorney is your partner and ally in obtaining justice for your automobile or other motor vehicle accident cases. Please visit our website at http://www.personalinjurydefenders.com and fill up the Case Evaluation Form for a Free Case Analysis.

By: Rainier Policarpio

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

Finding Auto Insurance Comprehensive Coverage

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 19:43:35 +0000

You can go online to easily find and quote auto insurance comprehensive coverage.

The definition could include basically (2) trains of thought. Often the term comprehensive merely applies to thorough physical damage in the event of loss to the vehicle itself. That’s when auto insurance comprehensive coverage comes into play.

The other thought relates to overall benefits that include bodily injury, uninsured motorists, medical payments, under insured motorists, comprehensive and collision features. That essentially provides broad and pretty thorough coverage.

A broad range of coverage’s naturally determine the final premium to be paid. You can adjust by picking and choosing, then requiting and eventually come up with a tailored policy the suits you and hopefully your pocket book.

Laws require we at minimum carry liability insured and lenders that finance our vehicles insist on comprehensive and collision during the time they are financing your auto – that’s of course to protect their investment. Once the loan has been paid off you no longer are required to provide that coverage. Of all the elements available that portion of the coverage generally by far is the most expensive.

The costs of insurance are impacted by age, past driving experience, type of use, and what the vehicle is and its costs. It’s worth checking out some quotes online before you even purchase a vehicle because in some cases you could be in for a huge shock and may want to re-think your choices.

So when it comes to finding what you need it’s quite simple. You go online, type in auto insurance comprehensive coverage and you’ll have many resources to use in shopping for your coverage’s and do it for free as well. Easy, fast and very convenient.

By: Rolf Rasmusson

Auto Insurance Simple Basics

admin — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 19:32:38 +0000

Auto insurance helps cover expenses caused by an automobile accident. You sign a contract with the insurance company that describes what type of expenses are covered and how much money they will pay. The cost for auto insurance is a premium which you pay to the insurance company. So you pay the insurance company money to help relieve you of the expenses of an accident should you have one.

Car insurance provides multiple types of coverage. Property coverage covers the damage or theft of your automobile. Liability covers your legal costs for damage to other people or their property. Medical coverage pays for the cost of injuries and rehabilitation. These are just a few types of coverage that an auto insurance policy can cover. You can learn more by talking to a car insurance company.

Most states today require that you have some type of auto insurance before you can legally drive. If you are financing a car, the lender will also require you to have insurance so that they get the rest of the car paid off in case it is in an accident. Vehicle insurance policies last anywhere from six months to a year, and you will get notified via mail or e-mail whenever your next premium is due.

Automobile insurance policies cover all types of expenses, and the amount you payee for each premium will be determined by what coverages your policy covers. Here are the 3 basic types of coverages an automobile policy may have.

Bodily Injury Liability

This type of insurance coverage pays expenses that you cause to others in an accident. You and any family members listed on the policy are also covered if you are driving someone else’s car with their permission. You want to be sure to have plenty of liability insurance because if you cause a serious accident, you may be sued for quite a bit of money. This is one area of coverage that you do not want to skimp on when it comes to auto insurance.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

But get coverage pays for injuries to the driver or passenger of the ensured car. It can cover any thing from a medical payments to lost wages to funeral costs.

Property Damage Liability

This liability coverage will pay for damage that you cause to someone else’s property. This could be damage to another person’s car, house, fences, buildings, livestock, etc. Basically if you damage it in an accident, property damage liability should cover it.

These are 3 of the 6 types of auto insurance coverages you should have and make sure that you get with your policy.

By: Christopher M. Hall

The Requirements for New York Auto Insurance

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 07:27:55 +0000

To obtain New York auto insurance, it takes quite a number of requirements to be fulfilled. These requirements are in place to make sure that both the insured and insurer are fully covered for various practical aspects and scenarios that might result from owning a car, and having something happen to the insured in the process of using the car, whether driving or simply being a passenger. To enforce these requirements, the law in New York City demands that they are followed strictly by anyone who wishes to have a car in his or her name, and any ownership will be refused legally if the conditions are not met. It is advisable to consult an auto insurance specialist in New York while shopping for cheap online auto insurance in this state.

What are the important requirements that the law has in place for aspiring car owners in New York? These drivers will need to ensure that they have at least the five different coverage or policies in place to protect their own interests, which are for Property Damage, Bodily Injury liability and Death, Economic or Well-being Loss also known as No-fault Insurance coverage, Personal Injury Protection, and Uninsured Motorist Protection. If a driver does not meet these requirements by missing out on any one, their hopes of buying and owning a car will be dashed. While the sheer coverage required might seem over the top or plain preposterous, they were introduced for a reason, which is primarily to protect the car owner and his or her immediate family.

What is coverage of property damage? It is to protect any owner of a property or belonging that might be damaged as a result of the accident caused by the insured car owner’s automobile. While this might seem less relevant to the protection of the car owner, it might actually protect him or her from having to shell out more money in the event of being sued or having to pay over-assessed damages demanded by the property owner. In light of such possibilities, the state laws require that the minimum coverage for such a plan is not less than $10,000. Many car owners baulk at the amount, but on hindsight, it might be reasonable considering the potential of large scale property damage from a car accident.

It is common fact that car accidents normally cause human injuries or fatalities. Thus, it is common sense to include Bodily Injury liability and Death coverage in any insurance plans for car owners. These injuries or death caused to another party are often irreversible, and large amounts can be claimed by them in each event. Moreover, the traffic situation in New York City is also a hotbed for accidents with the dense car population and traffic flow. The coverage required for this category is therefore wide ranging and high in value. For example, a minimum coverage of $50,000 is mandatory for death of a person resulting from the accident, while the same amount if necessary in the case of two or more individuals who suffer injuries following the accident. Again, the numbers are huge and seem unnecessary, but hindsight can quickly reason the figures out.

A very important coverage required by New York auto insurance is that of Economic and Well Being Loss cover, also known as No-fault coverage, as this protects the car owner from potential financial oblivion as a result of claims from the injured party who demand compensation as a result of an inability to support him or herself due to the injuries sustained from the accident. The coverage can be quite substantial, as it extends to primary economic loss benefits of not more than $50,000 for the individual in question. Imagine having to compensate someone without an auto insurance plan to assist you in such a situation. You could face possible financial ruin as a result of having to support someone else’s livelihood for any amount demanded by a court ruling. Having coverage in place can soften the blow considerably, and is a well advised required by the New York State.

In the case of the car owner encountering injuries or any physical harm as a direct result of the accident, having a Personal Injury Protection plan will help to cover the medical cost required for treatment and any related procedures. The coverage also extends to any passenger present in the car during the course of the accident. The sum required is not less than $50,000 and is one of the most important requirements for any car owner. The final requirement for Uninsured Motorist Protection is an important coverage for the car owner in the situation whereby the other driver involved in the accident is at fault but unfortunately, uninsured. It is to protect yourself and can be extremely helpful in such situations whereby you will not be covered by the uninsured party for any injuries or other loss of income resulting from the accident. If this coverage is not in place, you will likely have to suffer financial loss without any possibility for compensation unless a complicated and tedious legal process is taken up.

By: Tim Cahill

Auto Insurance For High-Risk Drivers

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:44:33 +0000

If you find yourself unable to obtain auto insurance, then do no worry. There are many high risk car insurance options but do not delay in finding adequate coverage. What will you do if you are involved in an accident, or pulled over for a traffic violation with no insurance? It is illegal to drive without the minimum insurance coverage in this country, but some people find it difficult to get the coverage they need.

There are many reasons why an insurance company could refuse to offer you coverage:

- You live in a high crime area where vehicles are commonly vandalized and stolen.

- You have a special, high-performance vehicle.

- You have a poor driving record.

- You are not an experienced driver or you have no prior record of insurance coverage.

Risk Pool Auto Coverage

Luckily, you do have options if you can’t find a company to provide you with the minimum coverage required by law. Your first option is to join what is known as a state assigned risk pool. This system is made of insurance companies that participate voluntarily and must agree to accept the drivers they are assigned keeping any profit and absorbing any loss that comes with serving a particular driver. You will pay much higher premiums than you would if you had a policy with a traditional insurance company, but it’s a much better option to not having adequate coverage.

High Risk Car Insurance Policies

Another option drivers having difficulty finding insurance coverage may have is to contact a private insurance company that specializes in providing coverage to drivers considered high-risk. You could save money by searching for a private insurance company that offers non-standard policies instead of choosing risk pool coverage. Many of these companies will provide insurance policies for people with multiple accidents, traffic violations, or high-performance cars.

You can also obtain more comprehensive coverage by going through a traditional insurance company than you can through an assigned risk pool. A high-risk driver is the perfect candidate for an umbrella policy as additional coverage against any lawsuits that may result from a car accident. Most insurance companies advise that you have at least $250,000 on your basic auto policy before they allow you to purchase additional coverage such as an umbrella liability policy.

Insuring Your Teen Driver

Young drivers between the ages of 15 to 21 are considered high risk. If you have a teen in your home that is ready to start driving, make sure to contact your insurance agent or company immediately to have them added to your policy. In many states, teen drivers receive discounts for attending driver’s education or other safety driving classes. They may even be eligible to receive a discount for keeping a “B” or higher grades consistently.

Correct Your High Risk Driving Habits

It takes time to rebuild your driving reputation once you have been labeled high-risk. Here are a few tips that may help:

- Avoid driving when you don’t need to. Remember, the more you are on the road the more likely it becomes that you could be involved in an accident. Limit most of your driving to doing so only when necessary.

- Pay attention to the road. Avoid distractions while driving like talking on your cell phone, eating and drinking. Fender benders caused by distractions like these will wind up increasing your premiums significantly.

- Avoid drinking and driving at all times. A DUI can end your driving privileges and land you in a lot of legal hot water.

Compare High Risk Auto Insurance Quotes Online

By: Robert McKnight

How Much of Auto Insurance Should You Get?

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:40:20 +0000

Due to the current unemployment rate, there are many people who drop the idea of auto insurance in order to save money. However, with so many drivers on the roads these days, it could be very dangerous to not have insurance. But, it is also important to know how much of insurance do you really need?

If you are one of the people who are greatly affected by the growing inflation, you might be interested in getting the minimum possible insurance coverage as required by the state laws. Even though the amount might not be enough to provide full protection to you, this is still a good start. However, your are recommended to get more than the lowest coverage unless you do not have any assets to protect.

You can check on the internet the minimum coverage required by each state. For instance, if you are living in Alabama, the minimum requirement is $25,000 for a physical injury of one person. There are some states that demand you to purchase auto insurance that also covers your medical expenses.

Whatever the requirement of the state law is, it is in your best interest to purchase higher coverage. For instance, if you accidentally injure somebody else and it is your fault, your minimum coverage might not be able to cover all the medical expenses. In that case, you will have to call up your attorney to take care of your assets. It is easy not to spend so much money on the insurance. However, you should not forget that at some point, this insurance becomes a life saver because in the case of an accident, your insurance will be ready to cover up. However, if you do not have a policy, you can say goodbye to your assets.

By: Danny Carlson