May 3, 2018
So you’re thinking about driving for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft — and you’re wondering how car insurance works. Do you need special insurance to drive for Uber or Lyft? Will your personal insurer cover you? Should you notify your insurance company before you start driving? Below, we explain how rideshare insurance works […]
April 30, 2018
Drivers in Florida pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the United States. What makes Florida such an expensive place to insure a vehicle? Why are car insurance premiums so high in Florida? Below, we break down all the major factors driving Florida’s high insurance costs. Florida Is Consistently Among the Most Expensive […]
April 28, 2018
You did everything you were supposed to do: you paid your premiums, you filed a claim, and you expected the insurer to pay. Then you get the letter (or email): claim denied. A denial doesn’t always mean you’re out of options. Sometimes it’s a paperwork problem, a misunderstanding about coverage, or a dispute about fault […]
April 26, 2018
Drivers with certain jobs may qualify for special auto insurance discounts. Some professions statistically file fewer claims, which means insurers often reward them with lower premiums. Are there car insurance discounts for teachers? Can educators expect to pay less for auto insurance? Below, we explain how teaching can help you save—and which companies offer the […]
April 25, 2018
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may be wondering whether you qualify for special car insurance rates—or whether insurers will charge you more because of your disability or fixed income. Many SSI recipients live on tight budgets, so finding affordable coverage is important. The good news: your SSI status does not disqualify you […]
April 20, 2018
If you’ve had a few tickets, an at-fault accident, or something more serious on your record, you can still get insured. The tradeoff is that your driving history affects your insurance rates, so you’ll usually pay more—and some companies may decline to quote altogether. This guide breaks down what insurers consider a “bad driving record,” […]
April 18, 2018
College students have a lot of expenses—tuition, books, housing, fees, and everyday living costs. Paying for car insurance may feel like the final financial straw. Fortunately, students have access to many unique discounts and cost-saving opportunities that can significantly reduce premiums. Insurance companies know students are often on tight budgets, and many offer incentives or […]
April 17, 2018
Maybe you missed a payment, your card expired, or you forgot to renew on time. Whatever the reason, a car insurance lapse can create a gap in coverage—meaning you’re uninsured for a period of time. Even a short lapse can lead to legal trouble if you drive, and it can make your next policy more […]
April 16, 2018
You’re unemployed and you need car insurance—now what? Can you still get coverage? Does your employment status impact your rates? The good news: being unemployed does NOT prevent you from buying car insurance, and in some cases, you may even pay less. Below, we explain how employment status interacts with auto insurance pricing, why it’s […]
April 14, 2018
In almost every part of the U.S., you must have auto insurance (or a state-approved alternative) to legally drive a registered vehicle on public roads. Requirements are set by each state, but the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) notes that 49 states plus Washington, D.C., require drivers to carry auto liability insurance. New Hampshire […]
April 11, 2018
If your car gets stolen (or someone breaks into it), the big question is whether your auto insurance will pay. In most cases, theft is only covered if you carry comprehensive coverage—sometimes called “other than collision” coverage. Below is how theft coverage works, what a theft claim typically pays, and what to do step-by-step to […]
April 4, 2018
After a crash, filing an insurance claim can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re dealing with injuries, a damaged vehicle, and a flood of phone calls. The good news: once you know what your insurer needs, filing an insurance claim is usually a straightforward process. Below is the proper way to file a claim after a car […]
April 3, 2018
A car insurance claim is how you ask your insurer to pay for covered damage or injuries after something happens to your vehicle. In plain English: you’re using your car insurance policy the way it was designed to work. Some claims are straightforward (a crash, a stolen car, hail damage). Others are less obvious, like […]
April 2, 2018
So you’ve been in a car accident. Your first instinct might be to immediately file a claim with your insurer—but that isn’t always the best financial choice. In many situations, you may actually be better off paying out of pocket. Below, we break down when you should file a claim, when you shouldn’t, and why […]
April 1, 2018
You’ve just been in a car accident. Once everyone is safe, the next priority is protecting yourself financially by documenting what happened and starting the insurance process the right way. This guide walks you through exactly what to do at the scene, what information to collect, how (and when) to notify your insurer, and what […]
March 30, 2018
So you received a speeding ticket—but you still want to find cheap auto insurance. While a ticket will almost always raise your rates, there are still reliable ways to secure affordable coverage. Below, we break down how speeding tickets affect insurance and how you can still get cheap quotes afterward. How Do Speeding Tickets Affect […]
March 28, 2018
Personal injury protection (PIP) is part of an auto insurance policy that can help pay medical expenses after a car accident—often regardless of who caused the crash. Depending on your state and policy, PIP may also help with wage loss, replacement services (like childcare or housekeeping), funeral benefits, and rehabilitation costs. If you’re wondering whether […]
March 24, 2018
Usage-based car insurance (UBI) has become increasingly popular among drivers who want a more personalized—and potentially cheaper—insurance experience. Instead of relying only on traditional pricing factors like age, driving record, vehicle, location, and mileage estimates, UBI uses real driving data to help determine how much you pay. But is it right for you? Below, we […]
March 22, 2018
Personal umbrella insurance (often called a “personal umbrella policy” or PUP) is extra liability protection that sits on top of the liability limits on your existing insurance—usually your auto and homeowners (or renters) policies. If you’re sued after a serious accident and your underlying liability coverage runs out, an umbrella policy can help pay the […]
March 11, 2018
Rental reimbursement coverage (sometimes called transportation expense or replacement rental coverage) is an optional add-on that helps pay for a rental car or other temporary transportation while your vehicle is in the shop for a covered claim. Most auto insurance companies offer it, but it’s usually not included automatically—and no state requires it. If you […]
March 5, 2018
If you’ve ever looked at a list of the most expensive states for auto insurance, you may be surprised to see Louisiana consistently ranked near the top. For many years, Louisiana has been listed as the #1 or #2 most expensive state for car insurance in America. Why does Louisiana pay so much more than […]
February 24, 2018
Most car insurance policies renew every 6 or 12 months. But why are 6-month policies so common? Why have many major insurers moved away from 12-month terms? And which option is better for your wallet? Below, we break down why many insurers prefer 6-month auto insurance policies—and whether you should choose a 6-month or 12-month […]
January 10, 2017
Quick answer: Your premium can change because insurers re-score risk at renewal (your profile + people like you), and because the cost of claims changes (repairs, medical bills, theft, weather losses). Even with a perfect record, broader trends can move your rate up or down. If you’ve been driving for several years, you’ve probably noticed […]
December 13, 2016
If your car insurance premiums are getting too expensive, you may be wondering whether it’s time to drop comprehensive and collision coverage. For many drivers, liability coverage alone is enough—but not always. Some situations make dropping these coverages risky or even impossible. Below, we break down what collision and comprehensive insurance really cover, when you […]
November 26, 2016
Many drivers aren’t fully sure what their auto insurance actually covers—especially when it comes to vandalism. Policies can be written in dense, technical language, making it hard to remember what’s included and what’s not. Fortunately, figuring out whether vandalism is covered is easier than it seems. Once you understand the different types of auto insurance, […]