April 27, 2018
Last Updated on October 18, 2026 Your driving history has a huge effect on the price of your auto insurance. In general, the more recent (and more serious) your violations, the more you can expect to pay—especially at renewal. But do all traffic violations raise insurance rates? Will your premium go up after a single […]
April 22, 2018
Last Updated on October 12, 2026 Car insurance can be painfully expensive—especially if you’re already stretched thin. In some places, even basic liability car insurance can feel out of reach. And if you’ve had tickets, accidents, lapses in coverage, or other risk factors, you can get stuck with higher monthly insurance premiums. If you’re thinking, […]
April 21, 2018
Last Updated on October 7, 2026 The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) is a leading financial services company built around serving the U.S. military community—active-duty service members, veterans, and eligible family members. In rate studies, USAA auto insurance often comes in below the national average, but membership isn’t open to everyone. If you’re comparing options […]
April 18, 2018
Last Updated on October 20, 2026 Late on your car insurance payment? It happens—whether you forgot, your bank transfer is still pending, or you’re waiting on a paycheck. The good news is most insurers don’t cancel your policy the second you miss a due date. The bad news is that waiting too long can lead […]
April 15, 2018
Last Updated on October 19, 2026 So you want your insurance company to pay for vehicle repairs. What’s the right way to go through your insurer so the claim moves quickly and the work gets done correctly? Below is a clear, step-by-step guide to the process of filing an insurance claim and getting your car […]
April 12, 2018
Last Updated on October 8, 2026 The Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado are two of the most popular trucks in the United States. They are often priced similarly in base trims, but real-world insurance costs can vary based on trim level, engine, drivetrain, safety tech, theft rates, and repair costs. So is it cheaper […]
April 10, 2018
Last Updated on October 7, 2026 You need car insurance today. Maybe you’re at the dealership about to buy a car. Maybe you’re meeting a private seller and driving home right after you hand over the check. Or maybe you just realized your policy lapsed and you need coverage immediately. The good news: in most […]
April 7, 2018
Last Updated on October 18, 2026 It’s natural to wonder whether you need to report every accident to your insurance company. After all, not every incident is a major crash. Maybe somebody hit your bumper. Maybe you scraped a post pulling into your garage. Does your insurer really need to know? Here’s the practical answer: […]
April 6, 2018
Last Updated on October 8, 2026 You are comparing the costs of owning two of America’s most popular midsize sedans: the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. So which one is cheaper to insure? In most national comparisons, the difference is small. Depending on the model year, trim, and where you live, either car can […]
March 31, 2018
Last Updated on October 12, 2026 Getting car insurance as a new driver can feel overwhelming—mostly because the price can be shockingly high. Insurance companies don’t have much personal driving data on you yet, so they lean heavily on statistics and “risk signals” (age, location, vehicle, mileage, and more) to set your rate. That’s why […]
March 17, 2018
Last Updated on October 12, 2026 If you want to drive legally on public roads in the U.S., you usually need car insurance (or another form of “financial responsibility”). Most states require at least a minimum amount of coverage, while a small handful have special rules—like New Hampshire, where insurance isn’t mandatory for every driver […]
March 2, 2018
Last Updated on October 8, 2026 So you need a pickup truck, but you do not want to pay a lot for insurance. The good news: many pickups (especially smaller trucks and basic trims) can be reasonably priced to insure. The bad news: move up to heavy-duty models, high-performance trims, EV trucks, or fully loaded […]
February 22, 2018
Last Updated on October 12, 2026 You’re a careful driver. You haven’t caused a crash. You may have never even filed a claim on your car insurance policy. So why does your premium still feel outrageously high? Because car insurance pricing is based on risk and cost to repair/replace—not just your accident history. Insurers look […]
April 20, 2017
Last Updated on October 12, 2026 Shopping for a car isn’t just about the sticker price. To figure out which vehicle gives you the best value, you’ll want to look at the “true cost to own” over several years: depreciation, financing, fuel, maintenance and repairs, taxes and fees, and car insurance. To estimate the true […]
April 13, 2017
Last Updated on October 18, 2026 Driving without a valid driver’s license is illegal in every state – and it can get expensive fast. Even if your license “just” expired, getting pulled over can lead to a citation, towing or impound fees in some situations, and a ticket that can appear on your driving record. […]
December 10, 2016
Last Updated on October 12, 2026 In most cases, auto insurance is not tax-deductible for personal driving. The IRS generally allows a deduction only when your vehicle costs are tied to business use (including self-employment and many gig jobs). If you use the same car for business and personal trips, you usually deduct only the […]
February 17, 2016
Last Updated on October 12, 2026 Car insurance only stays active if your premiums are paid on time. Many people pay by bank draft (ACH) or debit, but paying with a credit card is also common—and in most cases, it’s allowed. Yes, you can usually pay for car insurance with a credit card. Most major […]
February 5, 2016
Last Updated on October 20, 2026 Yes—some auto insurers consider your occupation and education when they’re determining your auto insurance rates. Not every company does this, and some states restrict it, but it’s common enough that you may see questions about your job title and highest completed education level when you get quotes. Insurers that […]
January 21, 2016
Last Updated on October 20, 2026 If you borrow a friend’s car, you might assume your own insurance follows you. But in most cases, car insurance follows the car, not the driver. That means your friend’s policy is usually the first one in line to cover a claim—as long as you’re driving with permission and […]
August 12, 2014
Last Updated on October 12, 2026 Getting cheap auto insurance after a DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) is possible—but it usually takes more shopping around and a little strategy. A DUI is one of the most expensive violations insurers price, so you should expect higher premiums when you start driving […]
March 12, 2014
Last Updated on October 12, 2026 It’s common to hear that men pay more for car insurance than women. Sometimes that’s true (especially for younger drivers), but it’s not universal — and in many places, gender can’t legally be used to set auto insurance rates. What’s consistent is this: car insurance is priced using expected […]
September 3, 2013
Last Updated on October 18, 2026 Yes—pay-as-you-go (also called usage-based or pay-per-mile) car insurance is available in the U.S., though which programs you can actually buy depends on your state. It can be a smart way to save money if you don’t drive often. The tradeoff is that your insurer may collect driving data through […]
August 25, 2013
Last Updated on October 18, 2026 Your insurance company usually doesn’t learn about a traffic ticket the moment you get pulled over. In most cases, nothing happens on the insurance side until your ticket has a final outcome—like you pay the fine, plead guilty/no contest, complete a court-approved diversion program, or a judge enters a […]
August 22, 2013
Last Updated on October 19, 2026 Nearly every state requires drivers to carry at least minimum liability insurance. New Hampshire is the main exception because it doesn’t mandate car insurance for all drivers—though you can still be required to prove you can pay for damages if you cause a crash. (Historically, Virginia was also an […]
August 15, 2013
Last Updated on October 13, 2026 Drivers are always looking for ways to lower auto costs — and for many households, driving less is one of the easiest levers to pull. When you factor in how much you pay for auto insurance, routine maintenance, unexpected repairs, and gas, transportation can easily cost thousands of dollars […]