The Insurance Panda blog explains auto insurance in plain English. We cover car insurance costs, discounts, coverage rules, state laws, and industry changes—so you can understand your policy, avoid common mistakes, and pay less without sacrificing coverage.
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 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 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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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” […]
December 13, 2020
With standard car insurance, you pay a deductible when making a claim. You pay your share first, and your insurer covers the rest (up to your policy limits). Some drivers, however, wonder about “zero deductible” car insurance. With truly $0 deductible coverage, you pay nothing out of pocket when a covered claim applies to a […]
December 12, 2020
Non-owner SR-22 insurance is a special type of auto policy for drivers who need an SR-22 filing but don’t own a car. Your state’s DMV (or similar agency) typically tells you when an SR-22 is required. You may need to provide SR-22 insurance to reinstate a suspended license, restore driving privileges after a serious violation, […]
December 10, 2020
A DUI (sometimes called DWI) almost always leads to higher car insurance premiums. The size of the increase depends on your state, insurer, and driving history—but it’s common to see a major jump for several years after a conviction. So how do insurance companies find out about a DUI? In most cases, insurers discover DUIs […]
November 25, 2020
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is the standard-setting organization that supports state insurance regulators across the U.S. It’s not a government agency, but it helps state departments of insurance coordinate oversight, share data, and create model rules and best practices. One of the most practical tools the NAIC maintains is the NAIC number […]
November 16, 2020
TL;DR: Often, no — a single not-at-fault accident may not raise your premium (especially if the other driver’s insurer pays). But your cost can still increase if you file on your own policy, lose a discount, have multiple recent incidents, or the claim is coded incorrectly. Accidents are expensive — and confusing. One of the […]
November 12, 2020
Knowing exactly when your car insurance ends helps you avoid an accidental lapse in coverage (and the higher rates and DMV headaches that can come with it). If you’re not sure when your policy expires, you could mistakenly let your car insurance lapse between policies—which can quickly flag you as a higher-risk driver. Most auto […]
November 2, 2020
You can cancel your car insurance policy—but what happens to the money you already paid? Do you get a refund for the unused portion of your premium, or does the insurer keep it? In most cases, you’ll get a refund for any “unearned” premium after you cancel car insurance (the part of your premium that […]
October 17, 2020
Have you ever wondered, “why is car insurance mandatory?” The short answer: states require it to make sure people who cause crashes can pay for the damage they cause. There’s no federal law that forces every driver to buy auto insurance. Instead, each state sets its own “financial responsibility” rules. As of today, car insurance […]
October 9, 2020
In every U.S. state, you need a valid driver’s license (or learner’s permit) to legally drive on public roads. If you get caught driving without one, you could face anything from a correctable ticket to criminal charges, towing/impoundment, and even jail time—especially if your license is suspended or revoked. If you’re dealing with licensing issues […]
September 22, 2020
Car insurance rates aren’t standardized—two companies can quote very different prices for the same driver with the same coverage. That’s why many people regularly compare quotes and consider switching. When done right, switching insurance companies can lower your premium, improve your customer service experience, and unlock better discounts or features. When done wrong (usually because […]
September 21, 2020
Property protection insurance (PPI) is a required type of no-fault liability coverage only for drivers in Michigan. Michigan requires PPI on every insured vehicle, and it can pay up to $1 million per accident for certain types of property damage your vehicle causes in Michigan. You can only buy PPI through car insurance companies in […]
August 31, 2020
Planning a road trip usually means thinking about hotels, snacks, and your playlist. But it’s also smart to think about car insurance. Long drives increase your exposure to road hazards, breakdowns, and accidents—and the last thing you want is to discover a coverage gap halfway across the country. Do you need to update your car […]