January 10, 2020
After a car accident, your insurance company (and the other driver’s insurer) will investigate what happened to decide who is at fault. That decision can impact how much money gets paid for vehicle repairs and injuries—and it can also affect what you pay for coverage at renewal. Determining fault isn’t always simple. Crashes happen fast, […]
January 9, 2020
Getting cheap car insurance as a teenager is tough. Teens pay higher rates than any other age group because they’re new to driving and statistically more likely to be in accidents. Still, “expensive” doesn’t have to mean “impossible to afford.” With the right setup, discounts, and car choice, you can significantly lower what you pay. […]
January 8, 2020
Can you have two car insurance policies on the same car? Technically, yes—but in practice it’s almost never a good idea. Below, we’ll explain when double coverage can happen, why insurers dislike it, how claims are handled if more than one policy applies, and better alternatives that usually save money and headaches. Is It Legal […]
December 31, 2019
Full coverage auto insurance gives drivers a higher level of protection – but at a higher cost. Deciding whether it’s “worth it” comes down to how much risk you’re willing (and able) to take on yourself. Is full coverage auto insurance a smart investment, or are you overinsured and overpaying? The right answer depends on […]
December 30, 2019
Young drivers almost always pay the highest car insurance rates because they have less experience and are statistically more likely to be in crashes. In many cases, drivers under 25 pay two to three times more than drivers in their 30s for the same coverage. The good news? Modern insurers now offer more flexible tools—like […]
December 20, 2019
You were involved in a small accident and now you’re debating whether to tell your insurer or just pay for the damage yourself. Does insurance really need to get involved if there were only minor damages and no obvious injuries? Do you really need to report every accident to your insurer? This guide explains when […]
December 17, 2019
Your credit can have a real impact on your car insurance premium. In most states, insurers use information from your credit report to help predict risk and set rates—so drivers with strong credit often pay less than drivers with poor (or thin) credit, all else equal. But “credit score and car insurance” is more complicated […]
December 16, 2019
America’s auto insurance laws fall into two broad categories: traditional “at-fault” (tort) systems and “no-fault” systems. Because of the way claims are handled, many people wonder whether car insurance in a no-fault state is more expensive than in a traditional liability state. Below, we explain how no-fault car insurance works, which states use it, and […]
December 11, 2019
We all want to pay less for car insurance. One of the easiest ways to cut your bill is to take advantage of “affinity” or organization-based discounts – deals tied to memberships, jobs, alumni groups, and more. How much can you save on car insurance through USAA, Costco, AAA, BJ’s, or the AARP? Do firefighters […]
December 5, 2019
If you finance or lease a car, your lender usually requires you to carry certain types of car insurance to protect the vehicle until it’s paid off. If the lender can’t verify that coverage (or your policy lapses), they may add Collateral Protection Insurance (CPI)—also called lender-placed or force-placed auto insurance—to your loan. Here’s the […]
December 2, 2019
Certain high-risk drivers are required to get assigned risk auto insurance. Just because you’re in the assigned risk pool, however, doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune. Below, we explain how assigned risk auto insurance works, who qualifies, what it typically costs, and the best ways to get the cheapest assigned risk coverage you […]
November 30, 2019
Insurance coverage is the protection you get through an insurance policy. It describes what the policy will pay for, who or what is protected, and how much the insurer will pay if you have a covered loss. For example, auto insurance provides coverage for your vehicle and/or your liability to other people. Homeowners insurance provides […]
November 26, 2019
Your car insurance score quietly plays a big role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Yet most drivers have never seen their score, don’t know how it’s calculated, and aren’t sure how to improve it. Below, we’ll break down what a car insurance score is, how it works, how it affects your premiums, […]
November 23, 2019
Some drivers don’t have enough auto insurance and are dangerously exposed. Others pay for way more coverage than they’re ever likely to use. If you’re wondering, “Do I have too much car insurance coverage?”, the real goal isn’t “more” or “less” — it’s the right-sized amount of protection for your situation. Below, we’ll walk through […]
November 21, 2019
A policyholder is the person (or business/entity) that owns an insurance policy. Their name appears on the policy documents (often on the declarations page), and they control the contract—meaning they can usually pay premiums, make changes, add or remove people/vehicles/property, renew, or cancel the policy. If you have car insurance, homeowners insurance, or renters insurance […]
November 20, 2019
Pre-loss condition is the condition your property (like a car or home) was in immediately before it was damaged. In an auto claim, that means what your vehicle looked like, how it ran, and what it was worth right before the crash, theft, fire, or other covered loss. You buy insurance—like car insurance—so you can […]
November 8, 2019
It’s usually very simple to temporarily add another driver to your car insurance policy. If you have a friend or family member who will be borrowing your car on a regular basis, you generally need to list them on your policy to be sure they’re covered in an accident. Most insurers don’t sell a true […]
November 6, 2019
When signing up for a car insurance policy, you’ll have a choice between several different types of coverage. It can be challenging to determine which protections are truly essential and which are unnecessary add-ons. One option you might see is “accidental death coverage” (sometimes listed as an accidental death benefit). It’s not required, and it […]
October 5, 2019
By now, everyone knows that texting while driving is dangerous. A quick glance at your phone can take your eyes off the road long enough to cause a serious crash. That’s why nearly every state in the U.S. has banned texting behind the wheel—many also restrict all handheld phone use. Still, the temptation to check […]
October 3, 2019
When you shop for car insurance, you’ll run into a lot of unfamiliar terms. One of the most confusing is stacked coverage (also called stacking). In the right situation, stacking can significantly increase how much protection you have if you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver—without you needing to change cars, move insurers, or […]
September 28, 2019
Auto insurance companies offer many different policy discounts, and it can be confusing for new customers to sort through them all. One of the most valuable—and most common—savings opportunities is the claims-free discount. If you’ve gone several years without filing a claim, your insurer may reward you with lower premiums. Here’s what the claims-free discount […]
August 29, 2019
Buying auto insurance isn’t just checking a box and picking a limit. Beyond the core coverages, most insurers offer optional add-ons (also called endorsements) that can help in very specific situations—like replacing a totaled new car, paying for a tow, or covering you if another driver has little (or no) insurance. Some add-ons are great […]
August 26, 2019
Yes—many cars qualify for insurance discounts based on safety equipment, especially airbags/passive restraints, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), anti-theft systems, and certain driver-assist features. The catch is that discounts vary by insurer and state, and they’re often applied to specific parts of your policy instead of your entire premium. Most drivers know they […]
August 24, 2019
Telematics has become one of the biggest trends in auto insurance. Instead of pricing your policy only on things like age, ZIP code, and credit, telematics programs use technology (usually an app or plug-in device) to track how, when, and how much you drive. In return, you may get a personalized discount—if your driving habits […]
August 23, 2019
Paperless billing is everywhere now. Banks, utilities, and streaming services all push customers to go digital—and auto insurers are no different. Going paperless saves companies money on printing and postage, reduces clutter for you, and is better for the environment. But the big question is: does paperless billing actually lower your car insurance bill? The […]