April 8, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Car insurance isn’t cheap—even with an insurer like State Farm that’s often seen as competitive on price (see State Farm’s average cost). If you’re trying to lower your premium, discounts are one of the easiest levers you can pull—especially if you ask for every discount you qualify for instead […]
April 6, 2019
Last Updated on January 6, 2026 Root car insurance markets itself as “car insurance for good drivers.” Instead of relying mostly on broad averages (like age or ZIP code), Root is best known for using a smartphone app to measure driving behavior and set rates primarily based on how you actually drive. That app-first approach […]
April 2, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 When you shop for car insurance, it’s easy to get quotes from the big national brands and never notice the smaller companies competing in the background. Major insurers dominate search results and ads, but “bigger” doesn’t automatically mean “better” for your budget or your claims experience. The truth is […]
April 1, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Everyone has heard the commercials for GEICO saying that you can save 15 percent or more on your car insurance. The reason they can advertise savings like that is simple: GEICO offers a long list of discounts, and many drivers qualify for more than one. The catch is that […]
March 28, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Like most car insurance companies, Allstate offers several discounts—but the exact lineup (and how much you can save) varies by state, vehicle, and driver profile. The easiest way to make sure you’re getting every discount you qualify for is to review your options with an agent and be ready […]
March 26, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 After an auto accident, getting your car fixed fast (and fixed right) becomes priority #1. That’s why it can feel frustrating when an insurer strongly “encourages” you to use a specific body shop. Whether you’re filing through your own policy or dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance, the adjuster […]
March 20, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Getting sued after a car accident is stressful—but it’s more common than people think, especially when there are serious injuries, high medical bills, or a dispute about who caused the crash. And yes, you can still be sued by the other driver even if you have car insurance. The […]
March 19, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 You buy car insurance to protect you from surprises. But can your insurer cancel your policy without warning? Usually, no. In most states, insurers must give you advance notice (typically in writing) before a cancellation takes effect. The exact notice period depends on why you’re being canceled (nonpayment is […]
March 14, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Most states require you to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to legally drive. But do you need car insurance to register a car? In most states, the answer is yes—either you’ll show proof of insurance at registration, or the DMV will verify your coverage electronically. […]
March 12, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 With online quotes, it’s easy to assume you don’t need any paperwork to buy car insurance—everything is digital, right? Sometimes. But even if you buy a policy online in minutes, insurers may still request documents (or specific pieces of information) before they’ll start coverage, apply discounts, or finalize underwriting. […]
March 11, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Car insurance is pricey enough without paying extra in fees. So is it better to pay your premium in full—or split it into monthly installments? For many drivers, paying in full is cheaper overall. But paying monthly can still be the right move if cash flow is tight (which […]
March 8, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 GEICO and State Farm are two of the biggest names in U.S. auto insurance, and they’re both strong choices—just for different types of drivers. The “better” company usually comes down to how you like to buy insurance (online vs. agent), what discounts you qualify for, and how each insurer […]
March 7, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 An upgraded stereo can make even an older car feel brand-new. But it can also be a theft magnet—and a costly loss if you assume your insurance will “just cover it.” Car stereos and audio gear are common items stolen from inside cars, so if you’ve put real money […]
March 6, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Car insurance deductibles confuse a lot of people because they don’t work like health insurance. With auto insurance, your deductible is usually per incident, not per year. That means if you have two separate covered losses in the same year, you can end up paying two deductibles. Understanding how […]
March 4, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 You borrow your parents’ car for a quick run to the store—and end up in a minor crash. Nobody’s hurt, but now you’re wondering: are you covered if you’re not listed on their auto insurance? Usually, yes—if it’s truly occasional and you had permission. Most personal auto policies cover […]
March 2, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 We’ve all been there: you get pulled over, reach for your glove box, and realize you never put your newest insurance card in the car. You may know you have coverage, but if you can’t prove it on the spot, you could still end up with a citation for […]
February 26, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Auto insurance can pay for a lot of expensive damage after a crash or a covered event. But a transmission is tricky: insurance only covers transmission repair when the damage was caused by a covered loss—not because the transmission wore out or failed on its own. Here’s the rule […]
February 26, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Auto insurers use a lot of data to price your policy—things like your age, driving history, credit score, and past claims. So it’s natural to wonder: do insurance companies check police reports? Yes—auto insurance companies often review police reports, especially when a crash turns into a claim, there’s a […]
February 25, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 After an accident, an auto insurance claim can be stressful enough—then the check arrives and it’s made out to you, your lender, or both. That isn’t random. Insurers choose payees based on (1) who is paying the claim, (2) whether the car has a lien (loan/lease), and (3) whether […]
February 22, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Convertibles turn errands into joyrides—but they can also come with higher insurance costs. In many cases, yes: a convertible costs more to insure than comparable types of cars. That said, the “convertible surcharge” isn’t automatic for every driver or every model. Your price mostly comes down to the car’s […]
February 21, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Getting pulled over on a road trip is stressful enough. The bigger surprise usually comes later: when your renewal notice arrives and your premium is higher than you expected. So, will an out-of-state speeding ticket raise your auto insurance rates when you get back home? In most cases, yes—an […]
February 20, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 If your car is broken down and can’t be driven, you might be tempted to cancel insurance immediately. But whether you should depends on a few things: your state’s registration rules, whether the car still has plates/active registration, where it’s stored, and whether there’s a loan or lease. Below […]
February 19, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 You’re shopping for a practical compact SUV, and you’ve narrowed it down to two of America’s most popular choices: the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. Along with price, reliability, and features, it’s smart to ask one very real budget question: which one is cheaper to insure? The short […]
February 18, 2019
Last Updated on February 9, 2026 Side mirror damage is usually “small” compared to a major collision—but it can still be a headache (and surprisingly expensive if your mirror has blind-spot sensors, heating, power-fold motors, or a built-in camera). Whether insurance will pay depends on how the mirror was damaged, what coverage you carry, and […]
February 15, 2019
Last Updated on February 5, 2026 Turo can be a convenient alternative to a traditional rental car — but insurance is where things get confusing fast. The big reason: many insurers don’t treat Turo the same way they treat a standard rental company. That means your “rental car coverage” (and even some credit card benefits) […]