November 26th, 2011  Posted at   Car Auto

In spite of the safety features built into modern cars there are still thousands of accidents that occur every day all around the world and unfortunately some of them cause bodily injury and in the worst cases death.

This can result in very expensive settlements and long running court battles. One way to mitigate the economical damage is by having the proper car insurance. The kind of car insurance available differs from country to country. Some countries make it mandatory to have a basic car insurance to cover damage costs both bodily and to property.

In some cases the maximum amount of money payable is fixed by law while in other countries the car owner can choose from certain levels of insurance that pay out different sums of money. The risk here is if someone chooses a low limit and is then involved in an accident which involves a much higher monetary compensation. To meet the rising costs some individuals have had to liquidate many of their assets almost to the point of bankruptcy. The answer is to take out an insurance which comes into play if the costs reach a certain level.

When it comes to insuring a car there are a few factors to take into consideration. If the car is fairly new and is in good condition then it might be wise to get a car insurance that covers most of the things that can happen like fire, theft or collision damage etc. Such insurances also cover the cost of towing and in some cases extra costs, incurred because of the accident, like having to rent a car or putting up at a hotel.

On the other hand if the car is tested and deemed safe to use but has a less than attractive appearance than at least a basic insurance should be bought so as to protect against bodily injury and damage to the other vehicle or to property. To drive an uninsured car is to invite a host of problems which could literally end in the driver spending time in jail.

Most insurance companies do not pay out the entire amount in the event of a claim. A small percentage is paid for by the owner of the vehicle and the rest is covered by the insurance company. The percentage that is a sort of self risk on the part of the car owner can be varied. A higher percentage means a larger premium for the insurance and a low percentage means the opposite that is a lower cost for the insurance. If you are a careful driver and are aware of the risks involved and try to avoid them such as not driving in a heavy storm or other adverse weather conditions then chose a low percentage self risk. Read more… »

November 15th, 2011  Posted at   Car Auto Insurance

There is only so much control a driving instructor has over a training vehicle – learner accidents are likely to occur and instructors need to protect themselves. More importantly, instructors need to select an accurate insurance policy that is applicable to their car and individual circumstances.

There are a lot of policies that are unique to driving instructor insurance. A qualified insurance broker will be alert to these and can help pinpoint the exact policies your specific driving school needs.

Dual Controls – All training vehicles should come with dual controlling pedals as standard. These pedals are difficult to replace should something happen to them. Insurance brokers can guarantee your policy includes dual pedal cover and that while your vehicle is in repair, the courtesy car provided comes equipped with dual controls too.

Learner Car Cover – Some learners prefer to use their own car for lessons and it is important for your policy to cover you for this – especially because the learner car probably won’t have the added safety of dual controls or mirrors.

Off Road Schooling – Instructors often choose to teach underage (15-year-old) learners off-road. If you want to do this then you need your policy to insure you for it. Just because there are no other cars to bump into, a lot can go wrong with a first time driver of that age.

Tuition of Banned Drivers – People retaking their test because they’ve accumulated too many points for driving felonies may be dangerous drivers. Some insurers don’t like to cover instructors for the tuition of these people. If you have pupils who have previously been banned for driving, a broker can make sure your policy protects you while you teach them.

Instructor Training Insurance – While you’re training to be an instructor you will also need insurance. Some driving instructors insurance policies cover you for the duration of your training also. Some policies do not and paying out for a busted dual control pedal before you have even started your instructor business is not ideal. Read more… »

November 14th, 2011  Posted at   Car Auto Insurance

Let’s face it, college is great for learning but college without a car is a lot less fun. What better dream does a senior in high-school have than to own a car? But with that car comes the hassle of insurance rates that are higher for the younger demographic of society because individuals under the age of 25 are statistically proven to be high-risk takers. Is there something that you as a college student can do to keep car insurance rates affordable? Here’s a list of five car insurance do’s and don’ts for all the college drivers out there.

Do’s:

1. Get good grades: Car Insurance companies think that students in general are prone to drive rashly because they are yet learning to drive. In fact, 61% of young drivers admit to having risky driving habits like not wearing a seat-belt. When it comes to making decisions while driving, they seem to be more prone to be distracted and impulsive. However, if a particular student can show that he is responsible, then the insurance company can offer a discount in his car insurance. One of the best ways to prove that you are a careful driver is by maintaining good grades. Some insurance companies offer the “Good Student Discount” for students that have a GPA above a 3.0.

2. Carpooling: A general tip for anyone who is looking to buy car insurance is that you will get a lower premium if you drive less. How much less do you have to drive for it to affect your premium? Most insurance companies reduce premiums if you drive less than 10,000 miles a year. Driving less means less time on the road and therefore a lower probability of getting into an accident. One of the best ways to not just lower the miles you drive but also make friends is by carpooling.

3. Install airbags and anti-theft devices: Any kind of security measure you install in your car will reduce the probability of it being stolen or severely damaged in an accident. Air bags and car alarms are some of the most practical ways you can make driving safer for yourself and save precious dollars off your monthly premium.

4. Maintenance and servicing: Just like buying life insurance is cheaper when you’re in the best of health, buying car insurance is also cheaper when you have a healthy car. Well-maintained cars will not break down easily and give you good mileage too!

5. Buy a used car: There are so many benefits you can enjoy by choosing to buy a used car as your first car. The pain of chipping and denting a brand new car should be reason enough to settle for a used car as your first one. You can save the great SUV or branded super car for later in life when you’ve already established yourself as a good driver with long clean driving record to prove it. However, when you’re starting out with your very first car, make sure it’s used.

According to insurance companies, used cars are less likely to be stolen. If it does break down, its parts are not as expensive as new car parts (even if it’s totaled). It gets even better if you buy a small car because smaller cars have a less powerful engine which makes it less likely to get into a really gruesome accident at a high speed. For all those reasons, insurance companies sell used car insurance at a lower rate. Read more… »