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 […]
April 16, 2023
If you’re sorting out rental car insurance, you’ll quickly run into two terms that sound complicated but are actually pretty simple: primary and secondary coverage. These aren’t separate “types” of insurance. They describe the order different coverages pay after a claim. Primary pays first (up to its limits). Secondary pays after that—often to cover leftovers […]
April 6, 2023
Need to confirm whether a car is insured? In the United States, it’s easy to verify your own coverage through your insurer. But if you’re trying to check someone else’s insurance, your options are limited—mostly to situations like an accident, a claim, or a legal matter. This guide covers the most reliable (and legal) ways […]
March 19, 2023
If you move to a new address, your car insurance rate can change—sometimes dramatically. Insurers price policies based partly on where your vehicle is garaged (where it’s usually parked overnight), so even a move across town can shift your premium. A new ZIP code can raise or lower rates by double digits, and moving to […]
March 11, 2023
Before you sign the paperwork and drive your new car home, you’ll need active auto insurance (or proof that your current policy already covers the newly purchased vehicle). In most cases, the dealership and/or your lender will ask for proof of insurance before they’ll finalize the sale. The good news: getting coverage set up is […]
March 9, 2023
You may have gap insurance (also called “GAP” or “guaranteed asset protection”) on a financed or leased vehicle. If you no longer need it—or you’re paying for it through the wrong place—you may be able to cancel your coverage and get money back. In most cases, canceling is straightforward: contact the company that sold you […]
March 1, 2023
If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, you can still get paid — but your own policy often pays first (UM/UIM, PIP/MedPay, and/or collision). After paying, your insurer may try to recover what it spent from the at-fault driver through subrogation (demand letters, repayment plans, or a lawsuit). Recovery depends on whether the driver has […]
February 27, 2023
Need a tow but don’t want to get hit with a huge bill? The good news: a “free” tow is often already hiding in benefits you pay for—your car insurance, new-car warranty, roadside membership, credit card, or even certain phone-plan perks. The key is knowing where to look and what limits apply (miles, dollar caps, […]
February 26, 2023
Some vehicles have a clean history, while others do not. Fortunately, there are a few reliable ways to check whether a car has been in a serious accident — and you can do most of them in under 10 minutes. Today, you can look up a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to check for red […]
February 19, 2023
Some car dealerships can help you arrange temporary coverage so you can drive off the lot the same day. But in many cases, you don’t actually need the dealership’s temporary insurance. Your personal auto policy may already cover newly purchased vehicles for a short window (often called a “newly acquired vehicle” grace period), as long […]
January 11, 2023
Most states require new residents to switch an out-of-state driver’s license within 30–90 days (sometimes sooner). Use the checklist below to prep your DMV visit, bring the right documents, and avoid a second trip. If you move to a new state, you’ll usually need to update your driver’s license (and often your vehicle registration) within […]
December 9, 2022
Seniors have plenty of options for car insurance — from household-name brands to regional companies with excellent service. Some seniors want the cheapest possible auto insurance. Others want the best overall value, better claims service, or extra perks (like accident forgiveness or disappearing deductibles). The “best” company depends on where you live, how much you […]
December 8, 2022
If you are financing a car, your lender will require you to carry certain minimum insurance coverages. That’s because your car is the collateral for the loan. Until it’s paid off, the lienholder (the bank, credit union, or finance company) wants proof the vehicle is protected if it’s stolen, totaled, or seriously damaged. In most […]
November 28, 2022
When shopping for car insurance, it helps to think about risk — including the risk of being involved in a crash. There’s no single “odds of a car accident” number that applies to everyone. Your risk changes based on how much you drive, where you drive, when you drive, your driving habits, and even the […]
November 12, 2022
Cheap auto insurance for your small business isn’t always “easy” — but it is doable when you shop the right way. The key is getting the right type of policy (so claims don’t get denied), choosing coverage that matches your real risk, and comparing quotes from multiple commercial insurers and agents. Here’s what to know […]
October 31, 2022
AAA is the largest and best-known roadside assistance provider in the United States. If you have AAA, you can request a AAA technician to help with a flat tire. In most cases, AAA will put air in the tire first. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the technician can install your inflated spare tire. If […]
October 27, 2022
Allstate Motor Club (often marketed as Allstate Roadside) is a standalone roadside assistance service you can buy even if you don’t have an Allstate auto insurance policy. It’s a popular alternative to AAA for drivers who want on-demand help for towing, lockouts, jumpstarts, flat tires, and fuel delivery—plus extra perks depending on the plan. Is […]
October 24, 2022
Luxury cars are expensive to buy and expensive to repair — and that often makes them expensive to insure. But “luxury” doesn’t automatically mean “sky-high premiums.” Some luxury brands and models are surprisingly affordable to insure, especially entry-level sedans and small SUVs with strong safety tech and widely available replacement parts. Below you’ll find (1) […]
October 21, 2022
Allstate Rewards was a points-based program that rewarded some drivers for participating in Allstate’s telematics programs (like Drivewise) and redeeming points for things like gift cards, discounts, and sweepstakes. But here’s the important update: Allstate discontinued the separate “Allstate Rewards” points program in October 2023. That means you generally can’t earn new Allstate Rewards points […]
October 17, 2022
Want to buy an SUV without paying sky-high insurance premiums? Some SUVs are consistently affordable to insure, while others can cost hundreds (or even thousands) more per year because they’re expensive to repair, expensive to replace, or more likely to generate large claims. Keep reading to discover some of the cheapest SUVs to insure in […]
October 16, 2022
Allstate offers a pay-per-mile car insurance plan called Milewise. Instead of paying a flat monthly premium no matter how much you drive, Milewise ties part of your bill to your mileage. Milewise can be a strong fit for low-mileage drivers (work-from-home, retirees, households with a “second car,” etc.). But it’s not a guaranteed win — […]
September 25, 2022
Gap insurance (also called loan/lease payoff coverage) helps pay 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. If you’re wondering, “Do I have gap insurance?” the fastest way to confirm is to check your auto policy […]
August 28, 2022
Safelite is one of the biggest and best-known auto glass repair and replacement companies in the U.S. Whether insurance covers Safelite depends on (1) what caused the glass damage and (2) what coverage you carry. In many cases, Safelite can verify your coverage and help handle the claim paperwork. Below is what you need to […]
July 30, 2022
Finding insurance can be tricky when a vehicle has a salvage or rebuilt title. Many carriers won’t insure a salvage-branded vehicle for on-road use, and some will limit coverage once it’s rebuilt. The good news: once your vehicle is properly repaired and retitled as rebuilt (sometimes called “reconstructed” or “prior salvage,” depending on the state), […]
July 1, 2022
A car insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurer helps cover a covered claim. Pick a deductible that fits your budget, because it applies when you file a claim—not when you pay your monthly bill. While $500 is still a very common choice, deductibles have been trending higher in […]