October 2, 2021
Buying a car from a private seller can be straightforward — but the paperwork matters. If you miss a key document (or sign something incorrectly), you can end up with registration delays, surprise fees, or even problems proving ownership. In most states, the two must-haves are the vehicle title and (often) a bill of sale. […]
September 30, 2021
“Drive away insurance” is a common name for short-term coverage that lets you legally drive a newly purchased vehicle off the lot—whether that coverage comes from your existing auto policy, a temporary policy you buy, or (less commonly) a dealership-arranged option. If you’re buying a car from a dealership, they typically require proof of insurance […]
September 29, 2021
Many car insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles with certain safety equipment. One of the most common (and most misunderstood) is the passive restraint discount. Passive restraints are safety systems that protect you in a crash automatically—without you having to “turn them on” or take any special action. If your car qualifies, your insurer may […]
September 9, 2021
An International Driving Permit (IDP)—sometimes casually called an “international driver’s license”—can make it easier to drive legally while traveling because it translates your home country license into multiple languages. But can you buy car insurance in the U.S. with an IDP? In many cases, yes—especially if you’re renting a car or working with an insurer […]
September 8, 2021
New car replacement insurance sounds simple — until you actually read what it does (and doesn’t) do after a total loss. In short, new car replacement insurance helps you replace a recently purchased vehicle with a brand-new one if it’s stolen or totaled in a covered claim. It’s designed to protect you from fast early […]
September 4, 2021
Divorce comes with a long to-do list, and car insurance is one item you don’t want to overlook. Once you and your spouse stop sharing a household (or once the divorce is finalized), a shared auto policy can create coverage gaps, billing issues, and claim disputes. The good news: separating auto insurance after a divorce […]
September 3, 2021
Your car’s model year matters because it affects what your vehicle is worth—and how expensive it is to repair or replace. And that can affect your auto insurance price (especially if you carry full coverage car insurance). All else equal, a newer vehicle is usually more expensive to insure than an older one because newer […]
August 20, 2021
If your vehicle is involved in a serious crash (or even certain types of major damage), your insurer may declare it a total loss. A car is typically considered “totaled” when it’s not economical (or not safe) to repair—usually because the repair estimate meets a threshold set by state rules, your insurance policy terms, or […]
August 6, 2021
Becoming an auto insurance agent is more straightforward than most people expect. In nearly every state, you’ll need a license to sell auto insurance—and you may need to pass an exam, complete a background check, and (in some states) finish pre-licensing education. If you’re interested in selling car insurance, here’s a clear, up-to-date walkthrough of […]
August 2, 2021
Heading south (or west) for the winter is a great escape—until you realize your car insurance was written assuming your vehicle is garaged where you live most of the year. Snowbird auto insurance is usually straightforward if you handle two things correctly: (1) keep your policy aligned with where the car is registered, and (2) […]
July 27, 2021
A learner’s permit is usually the first step toward becoming a fully licensed driver. It lets you practice driving legally while you learn the rules of the road. In the U.S., a standard learner’s permit almost always comes with one big restriction: you must drive with a qualified supervising driver in the vehicle. Most states […]
July 10, 2021
If you’re selling a car, junking it, moving out of state, or canceling insurance, you might need to remove and surrender your license plates. But the rules vary widely by state. In some states, failing to turn in plates (or properly cancel registration) can lead to serious consequences—like registration suspension, fines, or even a driver’s […]
May 15, 2021
If you’ve upgraded your vehicle with aftermarket wheels, a custom stereo, a lift kit, accessibility equipment, or a one-of-a-kind paint job, your auto policy may mention custom parts and equipment coverage—often shortened to CPE. CPE is an add-on (endorsement) that can help pay to repair or replace permanently installed modifications after a covered loss—like a […]
May 1, 2021
Financing a car changes your insurance responsibilities because the lender has a financial interest in the vehicle until the loan is paid off. In most cases, your loan agreement requires you to carry more than the state minimum—usually what people call “full coverage.” Most lenders require full coverage on a financed car to protect the […]
April 18, 2021
Your credit history can impact your car insurance rates. Fortunately, you can still shop for auto insurance quotes without a hard credit inquiry — and without hurting your credit score. Just keep in mind that “no credit check car insurance” can mean a few different things: Below, we’ll break down how credit affects car insurance, […]
March 9, 2021
Bundling home and auto insurance can be one of the easiest ways to lower your total insurance bill. A multi-policy discount is common, and bundling can also simplify your life by keeping more of your coverage under one roof. That said, not every “bundle” is a bargain. Some companies offer stronger home and auto insurance […]
March 8, 2021
Third-party auto insurance is coverage that pays for injuries or property damage you cause to other people. In the U.S., it’s most commonly called liability insurance—because it protects you financially when you’re legally responsible for an accident. Many drivers think “car insurance” automatically covers their own vehicle. But that’s only true if you add coverages […]
March 7, 2021
When shopping for car insurance, you’ll often hear people recommend working with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent is an insurance professional who can quote and sell policies from multiple insurance companies. Instead of getting one set of rates from one carrier, an independent agent shops your information across their network and helps you […]
March 1, 2021
When you’re shopping for a used car, you’ll see a lot of listings that say “clean title.” It’s a helpful shortcut—but it’s also easy to misunderstand. In most cases, a clean title simply means the vehicle’s title is not branded (for example: not salvage, rebuilt, flood, or lemon/buyback). It does not automatically mean the car […]
February 28, 2021
When you buy car insurance, you’ll see a field on your policy called the named insured (sometimes written as “named insured driver”). This is the person (or people) the policy is issued to—and the one who controls it. In many cases, the named insured is also the vehicle owner and the primary driver. But that’s […]
February 17, 2021
Your driving record (often called a motor vehicle report or MVR) can impact your life in more ways than you might expect—from job applications to car insurance pricing. That’s why many drivers choose to pull a copy for themselves at least once in a while. Your MVR shows key details like tickets, accidents, and the […]
February 12, 2021
Car insurance companies consider many factors when setting premiums — including your driving record and traffic violations. But red light camera tickets and speeding camera tickets are a little different than officer-issued tickets. In many jurisdictions, camera tickets are treated as civil/administrative penalties (often tied to the registered owner) and don’t add license points — […]
December 31, 2020
Some drivers wear a face mask while driving—because they’re sick, they’re carpooling with people outside their household, they’re doing rideshare, or they just prefer the added protection during respiratory-virus season. Wearing a mask in the car is usually a personal choice, but there’s one important caveat: anything that distracts you or blocks your vision can […]
December 28, 2020
If you recently reviewed your car insurance documents (like your declarations page or renewal bill), you may have noticed an extra line item called a surcharge. A surcharge is a temporary extra cost added to your premium after the insurer believes your risk went up — usually because of a recent accident, ticket, or other […]
December 19, 2020
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are one of the most common safety features on modern vehicles—and in some cases they can help you qualify for a small auto insurance discount. Quick answer: Sometimes. If your insurer discounts ABS separately, it’s usually small (often 1%–5%)—and many companies bundle it into a broader safety equipment discount. The biggest “win” […]