James Shaffer
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.

Can You Drive Alone With a Learner’s Permit?

A learner’s permit is the first step toward becoming a fully licensed driver. Depending on your state, you may be able to drive alone with a learner’s permit. In most states, drivers with a learner’s permit must have a fully licensed driver (often a family Read More…

What Happens If You Don’t Return License Plates?

If you’re getting rid of an old car, then you may need to surrender your license plates. License plate rules vary by state. In some states, drivers face serious consequences for not surrendering their license plates. In other states, you’re free to keep the plates Read More…

Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage Explained

Your car insurance policy might mention custom parts and equipment coverage. Custom parts and equipment coverage, also known as CVE, covers unique parts and accessories added to your vehicle. CPE is an endorsement, which means it supplements existing coverage. By adding custom parts and equipment Read More…

Getting Insurance for Financed Vehicles

When financing a car, you need different car insurance. The lender partially owns your vehicle, and that means they can require you to carry a specific type of car insurance. Most lenders require you to carry full coverage car insurance on financed vehicles. Full coverage Read More…

What Is “Third-Party” Auto Insurance?

Third-party auto insurance is a type of car insurance that protects other people from damage you cause. You might buy car insurance to protect your own vehicle. Car insurance covers your own vehicle in a collision. However, third-party auto insurance protects third parties instead of Read More…

What Is an Independent Agent?

When shopping for car insurance, you’ll find people who call themselves independent gents. An independent agent is an insurance agent that sells policies from multiple companies. The agent reviews your needs, then recommends the best insurance. What does an independent agent do? What are the Read More…

What Is a Clean Title?

When shopping for used cars, you’ll find most vehicles advertised with a “clean title.” A clean title means the car has never been deemed a total loss. Most cars have clean titles. The term is slightly misleading: a car with a clean title means it Read More…

What Is a Named Insured Driver?

When dealing with car insurance, you will encounter terms like “named insured driver.” The named insured driver is typically the owner of the insurance policy. It’s the primary driver of the vehicle that is being insured. You can list other drivers on your policy, but Read More…

How to Get a Copy of Your Driving Record

Your driving record impacts your life in multiple ways. Many drivers find it useful to get a copy of their driving record. Getting a copy of your driving record is easy, and it explains important information. Your driving record includes accidents and tickets. After obtaining Read More…

What Is a Car Insurance Surcharge?

If you recently checked your car insurance paperwork, then you may have noticed a car insurance surcharge. Sometimes, insurers add a fee or penalty to your premium. This is called a surcharge. In most cases, insurers charge a surcharge because of a recent violation – Read More…

How to Get No Deductible / Zero Deductible Car Insurance

With standard car insurance, you pay a deductible when making a claim. You pay a deductible, and your insurer covers the rest. Some drivers, however, are curious about zero deductible car insurance. With zero deductible car insurance, you pay nothing when making a claim. You Read More…

Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance Explained

Non-owner SR-22 insurance is a unique type of car insurance required by certain drivers. Your state’s DMV may notify you about SR-22 requirements. The DMV may require you to provide SR-22 insurance to reinstate your driver’s license and vehicle registration, for example. If you don’t Read More…

How Do Insurance Companies Find Out About a DUI?

Getting a DUI will raise car insurance premiums. In most states, a DUI raises premiums by 40% to 100%, and you could pay higher premiums for up to 10 years. But how do insurance companies find out about DUI convictions? Typically, insurance companies discover a Read More…

What Is an NAIC Number? How Do You Find It?

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is a US organization that sets standards and regulations for the insurance industry. Each insurance company in the United States has an NAIC number. Some companies have multiple NAIC numbers – say, one number for each subsidiary organization Read More…

When Does My Car Insurance Policy Expire?

It’s important to know when your car insurance expires. If you don’t know when your car insurance policy expires, you could mistakenly let your car insurance lapse between policies, which could make you a high-risk driver. Insurance policies typically last 6 months to 12 months. Read More…

Why Is Car Insurance Mandatory?

Have you ever sat down and wondered, “why is car insurance mandatory?” The answer is a bit more complicated than you might expect. The truth is that there is no federal law that says all drivers are required to have auto insurance when driving. Instead, Read More…

How to Get Same Day Auto Insurance

There are some situations where you need same day car insurance. When buying a new vehicle or renting a car, for example, you may need to obtain car insurance the same day. Fortunately, you can find plenty of companies willing to provide same day car Read More…

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