August 18, 2020
If you have a long commute, you spend more time on the road than many drivers. More time behind the wheel usually means more exposure to risk—more traffic, more intersections, more bad weather days, and more chances for a crash. But does a long commute actually affect auto insurance premiums? Sometimes. Some insurers rate policies […]
August 13, 2020
So you want a fast car — but you don’t want to pay supercar-level insurance. The good news is that plenty of performance cars are genuinely fun (quick 0–60 times, strong power, sharp handling) without automatically being insurance nightmares. In general, the world’s fastest cars are usually the most expensive to insure because they’re expensive […]
August 12, 2020
You’re not supposed to drive without car insurance. But how long can you be without car insurance before it becomes a problem? If you’re driving (or even just parking) a vehicle on public roads, you generally need valid coverage that meets your state’s requirements. Driving uninsured is illegal in almost every situation—and even a short […]
August 12, 2020
Everyone likes free stuff. But can you really get your first month of car insurance for free? Do any insurers offer legitimate “first 30 days free” auto insurance with no upfront payment? In practice, true first-month-free car insurance is extremely rare. To start coverage, insurers almost always require an initial payment (either your first month’s […]
August 10, 2020
Drivers over 25 often pay less for car insurance than younger drivers—but if you’re a first-time driver (or you have little to no insurance history), you can still see surprisingly high premiums. Insurance companies price policies around risk and predictability. A new driver at any age has limited verifiable driving and insurance history, which can […]
August 6, 2020
Some car insurance companies offer discounts geared toward older drivers. Depending on your age, driving habits, and where you live, you may qualify for lower rates through “mature driver” discounts, defensive driving course discounts, low-mileage programs, and group/affinity savings. Do auto insurance discounts for senior citizens exist? Yes—sometimes. But they don’t always show up as […]
August 4, 2020
Standard auto insurance is a common (non-technical) way to describe the coverage most “average-risk” drivers buy to stay legal and protect themselves financially. In practice, it usually means: Standard auto insurance (simple definition): the baseline coverage most average-risk drivers carry—your state-required liability (plus any required add-ons like PIP or uninsured motorist) and, if needed, collision […]
August 3, 2020
A combined single limit (CSL) auto insurance policy is a way to structure your liability coverage using one dollar amount per accident instead of separate “buckets.” That single limit can be used to pay a mix of bodily injury claims and property damage liability claims, up to the policy limit. In plain English: with CSL, […]
July 28, 2020
If you don’t drive much, you spend less time on the road — which usually means fewer chances to crash. In many cases, that lower exposure can translate into lower car insurance costs. That said, insurers don’t automatically know you’re an infrequent driver. To get the best rate, you typically need to (1) report accurate […]
July 27, 2020
As a non-U.S. citizen, you can buy car insurance in the United States—whether you’re here as a tourist, international student, temporary worker, or new resident. The key is getting the right policy type for how you’ll drive (renting, borrowing, or owning) and having the documents an insurer can verify. This guide explains how auto insurance […]
July 24, 2020
Getting car insurance for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle can feel complicated—especially when your van includes ramps, lifts, lowered floors, or hand controls. The good news: you can usually insure a wheelchair-adapted vehicle through standard auto insurers, as long as you set up the policy correctly. In most cases, the key is making sure your policy includes […]
July 23, 2020
Grad school is expensive, and car insurance can feel like one more monthly bill that won’t quit. The good news: while there isn’t a universal “graduate student discount,” many insurers offer student-based and low-risk discounts that graduate students often qualify for. Below, we’ll cover the best ways to get cheap car insurance as a graduate […]
July 21, 2020
For most drivers, car insurance rates drop as you age. With more experience behind the wheel, you’re generally seen as a safer (and cheaper) driver to insure. But after a certain point, age can start working against you. Some drivers see car insurance rates creep up after about age 70 — not because insurers think […]
July 17, 2020
Life changes fast: a roommate moves out, a teen leaves for school, a spouse separates, or a family member stops driving. In any of these situations, it may make sense to remove a driver from your car insurance policy (or formally exclude them) so you’re not paying for risk you don’t actually have. For example, […]
July 11, 2020
Defensive driving courses can make you a better driver — and in many states, they can also help you qualify for an auto insurance discount. Insurers tend to reward drivers who invest in safer habits because they’re less likely to file claims over time. If you’re already focused on safer driving, a course discount can […]
July 10, 2020
Most major car insurance companies offer a good student discount (sometimes called a “good grades” or “smart student” discount). If you’re adding a teen driver or young adult to a policy, this is one of the easiest ways to cut the premium without lowering coverage. Rules vary by insurer and state, but most programs reward […]
July 8, 2020
Many auto insurers offer a distant student discount (sometimes called a student away at school discount). If a student is living at college without regular access to a household vehicle, insurers often consider them a lower day-to-day driving risk—which can lower your premium. This discount is most commonly used when the student stays on a […]
June 19, 2020
Choosing the right auto insurance company can be a challenge. Many insurers offer similar “core” coverages, but the details that matter—claims experience, discounts, customer service, and rate stability—can vary a lot from one company (and one state) to the next. The truth is there isn’t one “best” auto insurer for everyone. The best company for […]
June 18, 2020
In almost every state, you’re required to have (at minimum) liability coverage or meet your state’s “financial responsibility” rules. If an officer catches you driving without insurance (or without valid proof), you can face fines, registration or license suspension, and other penalties. So how do police know if a car is insured? It usually comes […]
June 13, 2020
When you buy a new auto insurance policy, you might hear the term car insurance binder. A binder is a temporary document (and temporary agreement) that shows you have coverage in place while your insurer finishes issuing your full policy paperwork. In many cases today, you’ll get proof of coverage instantly through an app or […]
June 10, 2020
The easiest way to keep your car insurance costs down is to avoid crashes in the first place. And the most reliable way to avoid crashes is to drive defensively—staying alert, anticipating mistakes, and leaving yourself enough time and space to react. Defensive driving isn’t about driving “slow” or being timid. It’s about reducing your […]
June 4, 2020
Teen drivers (especially ages 16–19) have the highest crash risk of any age group, largely because they’re new behind the wheel and more likely to take risks. The good news: most of the biggest dangers are predictable — and preventable. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. And when a […]
June 2, 2020
Bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage is the part of your car insurance that pays for other people’s injuries when you cause an accident. If you’re at fault and someone needs medical care, misses work, or sues you, BIL is what helps cover those costs—up to the limits you chose. BIL is required in most states […]
May 30, 2020
Property damage liability (PDL) is the part of your auto insurance that helps pay for repairs when you damage someone else’s car or property in an at-fault accident. Because car insurance is mandatory in nearly every state, most drivers carry some amount of property damage liability—even if they don’t realize it. In this guide, we’ll […]
May 27, 2020
If your car insurance company no longer wants to continue your policy, you may receive a car insurance nonrenewal notice. A nonrenewal means your insurer is choosing not to renew your policy when it ends upon expiration. Once the policy term ends, you’ll need to replace your coverage (or stop driving) to stay legal and […]