March 3, 2026
In car insurance, a claimant is the person (or organization) asking an insurance company to pay for a covered loss—like vehicle damage, injuries, or other accident-related costs. Depending on the situation, the claimant could be you (under your own policy) or someone making a claim against the at-fault driver’s policy. Note: Exact definitions and claim-handling […]
February 28, 2026
Comparative negligence is a legal rule that reduces (or sometimes bars) your recovery after a car accident based on your share of fault. Instead of treating fault as “all or nothing,” it assigns each party a percentage of responsibility and adjusts damages accordingly. This concept shows up in two places: (1) insurance negotiations (adjusters often […]
February 15, 2026
A “new customer discount” (sometimes called a new business or welcome discount) is a pricing incentive some insurers use for first-time policyholders. In insurance, it’s rarely as simple as “switch carriers, save money.” Discounts are tied to underwriting, state-approved rating plans, and how the insurer prices risk. Below, we’ll break down how new customer discounts […]
February 9, 2026
In car insurance, an “act of God” usually means a natural event that’s outside human control—like hail, tornadoes, floods, lightning, or earthquakes. The important part: it’s not a special type of coverage. It’s a label insurers may use to describe why damage happened, which helps determine which part of your auto policy can pay. Because […]
February 9, 2026
A car insurance appraisal is a formal way to resolve a disagreement with an insurer about the amount of a covered vehicle loss—most commonly the repair cost or the actual cash value (ACV) used for a total-loss payout. It’s not the same thing as an adjuster’s estimate, and it doesn’t decide who was at fault. […]
January 30, 2026
Completing driver’s ed can help teen drivers qualify for an auto insurance discount—but it’s not automatic, and the rules vary by insurer and state. This guide explains what typically counts as “driver’s ed” for insurance, how to claim the discount, and which other savings often make the biggest difference for teen premiums. The Short Answer: […]
January 21, 2026
A rideshare endorsement (sometimes called a Transportation Network Company (TNC) endorsement) is an optional add-on you can attach to your personal auto insurance policy if you drive for rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft. The goal is simple: it helps reduce coverage gaps that can happen when you’re driving for pay, but you don’t carry […]
November 19, 2025
A car insurance declarations page—often called a “dec page”—is the quickest way to see what your auto policy covers (and what it costs) without digging through the full policy contract. Think of it as the “policy summary” that lists your vehicles, drivers, coverages, limits, deductibles, and premium for the current policy term. You’ll use your […]
November 19, 2025
Budget-conscious drivers are always searching for the cheapest possible car insurance — ideally with nothing due upfront. While many insurers advertise “$0 down” or “no deposit” options, the reality is that you’ll almost always need to pay something to start coverage (usually your first installment, plus any policy fees). In other words: true no-deposit car […]
November 18, 2025
If you’re injured in a car accident that is not your fault, the at-fault driver (through their insurance company) is ultimately responsible for many of your accident-related damages—including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. But here’s the part that surprises people: the at-fault driver’s insurer usually doesn’t pay your medical bills “as you […]
November 24, 2023
Collector cars have different insurance needs than ordinary vehicles — especially if you only drive yours on nice weekends, store it for months at a time, or have it mid-restoration. The biggest difference is how your car is valued. Most specialty “classic/collector” policies use agreed value (you and the insurer agree on a value up […]
October 10, 2023
You can sue your car insurance company—but only in certain situations, and the “right” lawsuit depends on who caused the problem: the at-fault driver, their insurer, or your insurer. Most accident-related lawsuits are filed against the at-fault driver (and handled by the at-fault driver’s insurance). But if your own insurer wrongfully denies, delays, or undervalues […]
October 5, 2023
Importing a car from Japan can get you something you can’t buy at a typical U.S. dealership—anything from a kei truck to a right-hand-drive performance car. The good news? Getting Japanese import car insurance is usually straightforward once the vehicle is legally titled and eligible for registration in your state. There’s no special “Japanese import […]
September 9, 2023
In Illinois, an SR-22 is proof to the state that you’re carrying the required auto insurance after certain serious violations. It’s often called “financial responsibility insurance,” but the SR-22 itself isn’t a special policy—it’s a certificate your insurance company files with the Illinois Secretary of State (SOS). If the SOS requires you to file an […]
September 8, 2023
Ohio, like most states, uses an SR-22 (also called a certificate of financial responsibility) to monitor certain higher-risk drivers after a suspension or serious violation. If you’re required to file one, the Ohio BMV will typically not reinstate your driving privileges until it receives proof that you carry at least Ohio’s minimum liability coverage. One […]
September 7, 2023
President Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election—and his return to the White House in January 2025—has a lot of drivers asking the same question: will auto insurance get cheaper or more expensive? Here’s the reality: the president doesn’t set your car insurance rate. Auto insurance is regulated primarily at the state level, and insurers […]
September 7, 2023
High-risk drivers in South Carolina are sometimes required to carry an SR-22 filing to get their license (or registration) reinstated after certain violations. Despite the name, SR-22 “insurance” isn’t a separate policy. An SR-22 is a state filing—submitted by your insurer—that proves you carry at least the required coverage. If you’re new to the concept, […]
August 24, 2023
If you’re leasing or financing a vehicle, you may need gap insurance even if you already carry “full coverage” car insurance. Gap insurance (Guaranteed Asset Protection) helps cover the difference between your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV) and what you still owe on your auto loan or lease if the car is totaled or stolen […]
August 16, 2023
When you’re shopping for car insurance, you’ll sometimes see the phrase insurable interest. It sounds technical, but it’s basically the insurer asking: Would you actually lose money or face a real risk if this car is damaged, stolen, or totaled? In most cases, proving insurable interest is simple—if your name is on the title or […]
July 15, 2023
If you were rear-ended, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries, vehicle damage, and related expenses. There’s no single “average” rear-end collision settlement that applies to everyone. Many claims resolve in the low thousands to low five figures, while serious injury cases can climb into six or seven figures (and sometimes more) depending on […]
June 26, 2023
Some insurance companies (or agents) ask for a signed, written request to cancel your policy. The good news: a car insurance cancellation letter is short, straightforward, and usually takes just a few minutes to write. In most cases, your letter only needs your name, policy number, the date you want coverage to end, and your […]
June 7, 2023
Everyone makes mistakes. If you lock your keys in your car, you usually have a few safe, fast ways to get back in—without damaging the door, window, or weather stripping. Start with the simplest fix (a spare key or remote unlock). If that doesn’t work, roadside assistance through your insurer or AAA can typically dispatch […]
May 21, 2023
In many cases, you can save money by staying on your parents’ car insurance—especially if you’re a young driver and you live at home. But unlike health insurance (which has a well-known age cutoff for dependents), auto insurance eligibility is usually based on things like where you live, who owns the vehicle, and where the […]
April 22, 2023
If you’re traveling abroad and planning to rent a car, don’t assume your U.S. auto policy (or your credit card) automatically covers everything. Coverage rules depend on where you’re driving, what you’re renting, and which insurance options you choose at the rental counter. This guide explains where U.S. car insurance typically applies, what coverage you […]
April 17, 2023
Some insurance experts recommend raising your deductible to save on car insurance. But does raising your deductible actually lower your premium? In most cases, yes. A higher deductible usually means a lower premium—because you’re agreeing to pay more out of pocket if you file a claim. Keep reading to learn how deductibles work, how much […]