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.
March 24, 2020
Gap insurance (also called “Guaranteed Asset Protection” or loan/lease payoff coverage) can protect you from owing money on a car you no longer have. Here’s the problem it solves: if your car is totaled or stolen, your insurer typically pays the actual cash value of your vehicle (ACV), minus your deductible. But your loan/lease balance […]
March 19, 2020
Car insurance premiums aren’t set in stone. Your rate can drop at renewal—or jump—based on your personal risk factors and broader trends in your state, city, or ZIP code. In fact, many drivers have seen insurer-wide increases lately even without tickets or claims. For example, Bankrate reports the national average cost of full coverage climbed […]
March 14, 2020
You may have heard that vehicle safety ratings impact car insurance rates. That’s true: the safer your vehicle is judged to be, the more comfortable insurers tend to feel about covering it—and that can affect what you pay. Cars with strong safety ratings are less likely to produce severe injuries in a crash. Because insurers […]
March 11, 2020
It’s important to have a clean driving record—but what does that actually mean? How do car insurance companies, employers, and other organizations define a “clean” record, and how much do old tickets and accidents matter? If you got a speeding ticket four years ago, or a DUI 10 years ago, do you have a clean […]
March 7, 2020
Auto insurance can be a major monthly expense. The good news? With the right discounts and smart habits, you can often cut your bill by hundreds – sometimes even over a thousand – dollars per year. Below are 20 practical ways to save on auto insurance, from quick phone calls to longer-term strategies that reward […]
February 20, 2020
Auto insurance companies use dozens of data points to decide what you pay. Some are major—like your driving record and where you live—while others, like certain discounts or memberships, play a smaller supporting role. Understanding these factors helps you focus on what you can actually control. While you can’t change your age or past accidents, […]
February 11, 2020
When shopping for auto insurance, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is whether to carry liability-only coverage or pay more for full coverage. What’s the difference between liability and full coverage car insurance? Which one actually makes sense for your car, your budget, and your risk tolerance? Below, we break down how each option […]
February 10, 2020
There are plenty of situations where you might want to insure a car that isn’t technically yours. Maybe you regularly drive a family member’s car, share a vehicle with a roommate, or borrow a friend’s car for work. So, can you insure a car that’s not in your name? The short answer: sometimes. In most […]
February 1, 2020
You count on car insurance to help after a crash, hailstorm, or major damage. But what about everyday hiccups like a dead battery—will auto insurance pay to jumpstart your car, or are you on your own? In most cases, a standard car insurance policy will not pay to jumpstart your vehicle. A dead battery is […]
January 28, 2020
The aftermath of a car accident can get expensive fast. On top of medical treatment and repairs to your car, you may also face legal bills – especially if someone sues you, you’re thinking about suing the other driver, or you’re in a dispute with an insurance company. So will auto insurance pay your legal […]
January 17, 2020
Uninsured motorist coverage is designed to protect you if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance—or doesn’t have enough of it. With millions of uninsured and underinsured drivers on U.S. roads, this coverage can be the difference between a fully paid claim and a huge out-of-pocket bill. In some states, uninsured motorist (UM) […]
January 16, 2020
Many drivers are surprised (and sometimes annoyed) to learn that their ZIP code has a big impact on what they pay for auto insurance. It’s true: your ZIP code can significantly affect your car insurance premiums. Insurers don’t just look at you – they also look at the claim patterns, crime rates, and risk levels […]
January 13, 2020
You scraped your own bumper, tapped another car you own, or backed into your garage door. Fortunately, you have insurance. But will your auto policy actually pay if you hit your own car or your own property, or are you stuck paying out of pocket? Basic liability car insurance will not cover damage to your […]
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 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 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 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 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 […]