Auto insurance » Liability Insurance

Colorado Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:03:42 +0000

Are you aware of the Colorado auto insurance minimum coverage requirements? The minimum levels of auto insurance coverage requirements are set by CO lawmakers. Driving without the required insurance is a very serious matter and can result in penalties and unwanted hassle.

Bodily Injury Liability

As a Colorado driver, you must have at least $25,000 in individual bodily injury liability insurance in place. This type of insurance pays for the medical expenses of a person injured in an automobile accident where you are considered the at-fault driver. Your policy must also have a cap of at least $50,000 to pay the medical bills for two or more people injured in the same accident.

Property Damage Liability

The property damage liability portion of your policy pays for damage caused to objects, such as the other driver’s vehicle, a mailbox, a fence, or a shed. The minimum level of coverage required by law in CO is $15,000.

Please keep in mind that the minimum levels of insurance coverage set out here are just that. Drivers in Colorado do have the option of buying more coverage if they want to. Before you make a decision about what level of coverage to buy, you will need to keep in mind that if you at the at-fault driver in an accident, you will be responsible for paying for damages above your policy limits.

It makes more sense to insure your vehicle properly and not take the chance that you will have to consider tapping into your savings or liquidating your assets after an accident. Your insurance company or agent can help you to figure out how much coverage you should have in place.

Find Colorado Auto Insurance Coverage Today

Now that you know what the Colorado auto insurance minimum coverage requirements are, why don’t you get take the next step and make sure you have enough protection for your needs? Spend a few moments comparing rates from some of the top companies and you can be on your way to the best Colorado car insurance in a jiffy!

By: James J. Robinson

Get Cheap Car Insurance in Fort Worth, Texas

admin — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 09:29:29 +0000

In Fort Worth, Texas motorists have to hold a minimum about of liability insurance on their vehicle before they can register it. This law is in place to protect everyone and although this coverage may be great for someone with an older car, it’s not likely to be sufficient for someone driving a brand new SUV. The minimum that is required in Fort Worth, Texas includes $20,000 coverage per person for death and injuries as well as amounts for both victims and property damage. Don’t buy this type of cheap car insurance in Fort Worth, Texas unless you feel comfortable with bare minimums.

Adding more coverage to your policy doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to secure cheap car insurance. There are different types of insurance and some typically cost more than others. For example, if someone in Fort Worth, Texas opts to purchase towing and labor coverage they are going to pay more than someone who passes on that. Collision coverage also raises the price of car insurance premiums drastically and unless you are driving an older vehicle, this type of coverage is strongly suggested.

A good tip for finding cheap car insurance is to seek out quotes only from companies who cater to good drivers. Obviously this is only beneficial if you are a good driver yourself. Many individuals with stellar driving records make the mistake of obtaining quotes from companies that deal almost exclusively with high risk drivers. Typically premiums with companies like this are going to be higher than they would be with other insurers, so be aware of what type of company you are dealing with before asking for a quote.

Also ensure that as your car ages, your cover changes. There comes a time in the life of every car when coverage can be lowered. If you’ve had collision on your car for years and you’ve come to realize that the vehicle itself isn’t worth much, adjust your plan and you’ll see a drop in premiums.

By: Deborah Mills

What Type of Car Insurance Should I Have?

admin — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:32:52 +0000

“What type of car insurance should I have?” is a common question. Here’s a brief outline of what you should have and how to get it at the best rate possible.

What Type of Car Insurance Should I Have?

Most states require you to have a minimum amount of liability insurance, which includes:

* Bodily injury liability coverage which pays your legal fees and claims made against you when you, a family member, or someone driving your car with your permission, injures or kills other people.

* Property damage liability coverage which pays your legal fees and claims made against you when you, a family member, or someone driving your car with your permission, damages someone else’s property.

A few states also require you to have uninsured motorist coverage which pays for medical fees and property damage expenses for you, your family, and your passengers when you’re hit by an uninsured, underinsured, or hit-and-run driver.

These two types of insurance are all you’re required to carry. However, if you’re in one of the categories below you should consider purchasing the following coverages:

If you drive a late model car – you should carry collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays to repair your car when you’re involved in an accident no matter who was at fault, and comprehensive coverage pays to repair your car when it’s been damaged by fire, vandalism, theft, or acts of nature.

To save money on collision and comprehensive coverage, get the highest deductible that you can afford to pay. Raising your deductible from $250 to $1,000 can save you up to 50% on your insurance premium.

You may also want to purchase personal injury protection coverage which pays medical expenses for you and your passengers when you’re involved in an accident. It also pays medical expenses for you and your family when you’re injured in someone else’s car or when you’re walking or riding a bicycle.

If you drive and older car – consider dropping your collision and comprehensive coverage altogether, especially if your car is worth less than the cost of your insurance plus your deductible.

If you have more than one car – insure both cars with the same company. Doing this can save you 5% to 15% on your yearly premium.

If you’re shopping for a car – buy a safe, low maintenance, low profile car, like a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, to save big bucks on your auto insurance. Cars that cost a lot to repair or that are favorites of thieves cost a lot more to insure.

If you’re a teenager or a student – keep your grades up, take a driver’s education course, and keep a clean driving record to keep your rates low.

Comparison Shop to Get the Best Car Insurance Rate

Comparing rates from different companies is by far the best way to get the best rate on your car insurance.

By: Brian Stevens

NJ Auto Insurance Requirements

admin — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 03:45:40 +0000

When shopping for policies, residents of the Garden State have to keep NJ auto insurance requirements in mind. This heavily populated region is subject to more accidents than a rural area and the state has specific guidelines for drivers to follow if they plan to drive in New Jersey.

There are certain documents required by the state. These include a New Jersey Insurance Identification Card. The card is issued by your car insurance company and you have to one for each vehicle that is covered under the policy. This is a very important document for drivers to keep with them when they operate their vehicles.

The New Jersey Insurance Identification Card needs to be presented in order for a vehicle to be inspected. Police will ask for the card if you are ever stopped for a traffic violation or in a spot check. This card is also required if you are involved in an accident. Failing to present the card can lead to fines.

Driving without insurance can also lead to hefty fines as well. This is a serious infraction that should not be taken lightly. Operating an vehicle that is not insured is considered a crime and it has significant ramifications including possible community service, insurance surcharges and suspended license in addition to the fines.

Minimum NJ Auto Insurance

Many people simply want enough coverage to keep them driving legally. There are three types of mandatory coverage required by the state of New Jersey. Each one is designed to protect you as a driver. They also serve to protect other drivers who may be involved in an accident.

Liability insurance pays for damage is for property. Basically, you are covered for damage that you may cause in the event of an accident. Liability does not address medical expenses. This kind of coverage simply addresses damage to property and the costs of repairing or replacing the property.

Personal injury protection pays for medical expenses if you are injured in a car accident. This kind of coverage also pays for medical bills for other people covered on your policy. This coverage is often referred to as “no fault” insurance because it pays for medical expenses if you did not cause the accident.

Although everyone should have car insurance, many people brave the roads without it. The state of New Jersey requires drivers to keep uninsured motorist coverage. This protects drivers in the event of being in an accident with another party that does not have the proper NJ auto insurance coverage.

By: James Hyder

Are the Biggest Auto Insurance Companies Rip-Offs?

admin — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 07:40:32 +0000

The biggest auto insurance companies such as NAI (Nationwide Auto Insurance), Gieco, Allstate, MetLife and Travelers offer numerous plans in auto insurance. People can choose any of these companies if they are contemplating buying it.

The biggest advantage of buying insurance from these companies is that, they all offer six different types of coverage depending on people’s requirements.

These include liability, collision, rental reimbursements, medical auto coverage, and uninsured and comprehensive coverage. Liability coverage is the basic type of coverage offered by biggest insurance companies. Liability provides coverage for bodily injury. For instance, if a vehicle damages the gate of someone’s house, then the company provides charges to repair that gate.

The second type of coverage offered by the biggest companies is collision coverage. It provides coverage to an individual’s vehicle in case of collision. However, all major insurance companies offer to pay only a part of the claim.

Third is the Medical coverage that bears the entire medical cost irrespective of whether or not it was fault of policyholder.

Comprehensive coverage in auto insurance is fourth one applicable in case of vandalism, theft or destruction of car due to fire or flood.

Fifth that is Uninsured coverage refers to providing coverage, when the party who is at fault has inadequate liability insurance.

The sixth coverage includes rental reimbursement that offers rental compensation for rental costs of repair when the policyholder’s car gets damage in an accident.

Details Of The Biggest Companies:

Allstate: Allstate is among the biggest auto insurers in the US. Along with the coverage mentioned above, Allstate has come up with new policies. The policies offer extra features such as bonuses on safe driving, deductible rewards, accident rewards and car replacement. People can obtain free quotes online on Allstate auto plans by simply logging on to internet. The prime features of this company are that, it provides affordable premiums, suiting every individual’s needs.

NAI (National Auto Insurance): NAI is reportedly the biggest online auto insurer in the United States. NAI offers all six types of coverage under their policies. A policy from this company is expensive. If an individual already has medical insurance, then they need not go for an extra medical plan.

Traveler’s auto insurance policy: Traveler is another major name in the business. It is the first insurance company that introduced auto insurance in United States. Traveler is another major name in the business. It is the first insurance company that introduced it in United States. The insurance plan of this company provides complete protection to policyholder’s car.

Other Features:

These biggest auto insurers not only provide broad coverage programs, but also provide people with extra benefits. Some benefits include car repair programs, fast and proficient handling of claim 24/7.

People who cannot make to the companies offices can simply log on to specific company’s site, get free quotes that gives prospect about the cost of auto insurance.

Moreover, the company’s agents contact people and assist them in obtaining a perfect plan. Thus, acquiring it for vehicles from any of the renowned and rated companies can make sense. To find out how you can get coverage from these and other companies simply follow the links in the resource box bellow.

By: Ian E. Wright

Auto Insurance FAQs: Your Questions Answered

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:51:50 +0000

When it comes to auto insurance, most consumers have questions about the kind of coverage they buy, what they’re required to have and if there are options for high-risk drivers.

Learning the answers to these and other questions can help you make better purchasing decisions when it comes to car insurance. And now, finding answers is easier than ever!

Frequently Asked Questions about Auto Insurance

Can I drive without car insurance?

No! Almost every state requires its motorists to carry liability insurance, which covers damages to people and property resulting from an accident for which you are at fault.

All states also have financial responsibility laws, which require you show the state that you have the funds to pay claims if you have a bad accident. If you don’t have proof of sufficient funds (which varies by state), you’ll need to purchase at least the minimum state-required coverage.

What are the minimum insurance requirements?

While minimum coverage amounts vary by state, all state-required insurance will cover your liability for bodily injury and property damage.

For example, if the minimum auto insurance requirement in your state is listed as 25/40/15, this means that you’ll have coverage up to $40,000 for all motorists injured in an accident, up to a $25,000 for one person in an accident and $15,000 for damaged property.

While this may seem like a healthy amount of coverage, purchasing the state minimum is really purchasing a bare bones insurance policy. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) recommends carrying at least $300,000 liability coverage per accident and $100,000 per person–and your insurer will encourage you do to the same.

What happens if I can’t find car insurance?

If you’ve applied for car insurance and been turned down because of your driving record or other factors, fret not–you still have options available to you. According to the I.I.I., you have two options: join a state assigned risk pool or buy a policy from a non-standard insurer.

An assigned risk pool consists of insurers in your area, who under state law, are required to participate in proportion to the amount of voluntary business they accept. As a result, insurers must accept motorists assigned to them and write policies accordingly. But because insurers have to take a substantial risk on insuring high-risk drivers, premiums are significantly more expensive.

Non-standard insurers may also be able to write you an auto insurance policy. These types of private insurers typically write policies for motorists with a poor history of accidents, people who live in “high-risk” neighborhoods and those who drive high performance cars.

While both of these options may have you forking over some extra cash, they might be your only source of auto insurance until your circumstances improve. Just remember to keep shopping around so you can switch insurers once you find a better premium price.

What are the differences between nonrenewal and cancellation of a policy?

You or your insurer can choose not to renew your auto insurance policy after it expires for a variety of reasons. You might decide not to renew your policy if you find a better deal somewhere else or weren’t happy with the service you were receiving.

An insurer may not renew your policy if you did something to substantially increase their risk to cover you–or if the company decides to write fewer policies in your area.

Cancellation, on the other hand, is more serious. According to the I.I.I., insurers cannot cancel a policy that’s been in force for more than 60 days unless:
You fail to pay your premium You defraud the company Your driver’s license is suspended or revoked
Cancellation of your policy may also make it harder to find insurance in the future, thus forcing you to buy a high-risk policy for a more expensive premium.

What if I’m not satisfied with my insurer?

As a consumer, you have rights when it comes to your auto insurance. If you’re not satisfied with your agent, let him or her know. If your complaint still goes unchecked, see if the insurer has a consumer complaint department and file a complaint.

If your issues remain unsolved, contact your state department of insurance. The department of insurance exists for consumer education and protection, and they can provide you with help and resources to take your complaint to the next level, or find a new insurer. You can contact your department of insurance by phone or find them online for more information.

A knowledgeable consumer is a powerful consumer!

Finding questions to your auto insurance answers is the first step to becoming an educated consumer–allowing you to make wise purchasing decisions about affordable car insurance. Find more answers to your auto insurance questions by contacting your state department of insurance!

By: Megan Mahan

Rules for Insurance Coverage

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:13:56 +0000

Insurance is essentially a contract between the insurer and policy owner. Insurer agrees to pay an amount to the person insured or his nominee at any unfortunate event (according to the policy) or at the date or maturity or at death of the policy owner. Policy owner has to pay a fixed amount called premium in periodic intervals (monthly, quarterly, half yearly or yearly). Premium amount varies depends on many factors like age of the policy owner, scheme, type of the policy, sum assured etc.

The various types of insurances are:

Car Insurance

If you use an automobile for your business activities – for example, transporting supplies or products, visiting customers, or ferrying employees or customers – you need to make certain your automobile insurance will protect you from accidents that occur while on business. Car insurance takes care of all this.

Health & Disability Insurance

Health insurance is needed to cover the medical costs if you fall ill or hurt yourself and Disability insurance is needed if you are unable to work because of sickness or injury.
Insuring Workers

Once you hire an employee, it becomes your duty to compensate to cover what it costs if the employee is hurt on the job and needs medical treatment and income until he can return to work. Compensating injured workers insurance policy takes this load off your head.
Umbrella Policies

An umbrella policy offers you extra liability insurance that pays for a loss when the limits of your policy are reached. Suppose, if you’re responsible for someone’s injury that requires Rs.1, 50,000 of medical treatment and the liability limit in your underlying policy is Rs.1, 00,000, your umbrella policy will pay the additional Rs.50, 000.

Four key rules of insurance coverage:

1. Insure against the big catastrophes and disasters only. Differentiate what you can’t afford to pay for out of pocket and always remember that “the cheapest insurance is self-insurance”.

2. Carry the largest possible deductibles you can afford. The larger the deductible, the more you are self-insuring and the cheaper the premium will be.

3. Trust only the best-rated insurance companies. You need insurance companies you can depend on and no hidden costs and conditions.

4. Choose your agent carefully. He should not be a mere third party, rather he should be the first person you contact in case of an emergency knowing that he will take a prompt action on the insurance front while you take care of the damage.

5. Study your insurance plan very carefully and discuss every situation possible. Also study the feedback given by previous or existing customers of the company.

By: Tarang Bhargava

Auto Insurance In Texas

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:07:45 +0000

If you are looking for auto insurance in texas, you might want to check out golden rule insurance company who offers cheap auto insurance online. Of course there are plenty of other companies that also offer affordable rates, but first you should understand Texas auto insurance requirements.

Texas is a tort state, which means that the driver is financially responsible for any damage and injury they cause in an accident. Purchasing Texas Auto Insurance will fulfill this legal requirement.

Texas auto liability minimums are 20/40/15 which translates to $20,000 per person for injuries you cause to the other party to a total of $40,000 for all claims and up to $15,000 for damage you cause another persons property. These are the minimum requirements and it is recommended that you carry much higher levels of liability insurance.

In addition to required liability coverage, Texas drivers may choose to purchase coverage for some “first party benefits”. These include compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and loss of services. These benefits apply to every accident regardless of fault.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist policies also cover your expenses, but these apply in the event that you are struck by a driver with inadequate liability insurance. These policies are not required, but they’re relatively inexpensive, and can provide a lot of protection.

Texas auto insurance companies will also offer optional policies such as collision and comprehensive coverages.
Be warned the mandatory requirements are way too low for the average cost of serious injuries and financial loss from an automobile accident. All insurance agents recommend you purchase much higher levels of liability insurance.

Auto insurance companies also offer optional coverage such as medical payments, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured and underinsured motorist’s bodily injury coverage.

How your insurance rates are set in Texas is different than many other states. The rates are determined by the behavior and accident rates of all Texasn drivers. The cost of insuring Texas drivers’ including settlements and legal fees is totaled for the entire state and divide it up between everyone.

Of course these costs are not spread around evenly. The percentage of these costs that you are going to pay is determined by things like your driving record, your age, where you live, and the kind of car you drive.

Not all insurance companies compute their figures the same way so a driver with the same profile can land up with different rates depending on the insurance company. That’s why it is so important to get several quotes before purchasing insurance.

As mentioned previously liability is the most important element of your entire insurance policy. Make sure you purchase adequate liability insurance to protect your assets, because within a split second, the time it takes for an accident to occur, your life could be left in financial ruin if you are not adequately covered.

There are also other coverages you can buy such as collision, comprehensive, rental, and even towing and road side assistance. You will need to determine what your personal needs are.

When comparing insurance make sure you compare equal policies. Make sure the deductibles are the same, that the exemptions or fine print reads the same and that the liability is for the same amount. It is important to compare policies of equal quality to make sure your cheapest quote truly is your cheapest quote.

In less than a half hour you can have all the quotes you need and be on your way to buying cheap Texas auto insurance. Why waste time? Get busy!

By: Sher Matsen

Auto Insurance-What is Full Coverage?

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:20:24 +0000

I am a Houston Farmers auto insurance agent. I often talk to people that use the term “full coverage” to describe their auto coverage. I interpret this to mean that they have some level of liability insurance plus comprehensive coverage for their car. Sometimes customers think this means “Full coverage protects me from everything”. That is NOT correct!

The liability part of an auto policy covers injury to another person or damage to their vehicle. (See your policy or agent for complete terms) In my state of Texas the minimum required by law is 20/40/15 or $20,000 for an injured person, $40,000 for more than one person injured per accident, and $15,000 for damage to another persons auto. If you take this minimum coverage and add coverage for your vehicle, some would say they have full coverage. If there is a serious accident and the injuries and lost wages are $300,000, this policy would leave the customer responsible for paying about $260,000 from their assets to settle the claim. At that point the customer probably would not feel like they have full coverage! My opinion is that the liability part of a policy is VERY important. Talk to your agent for advice and consider getting the maximum coverage available and not the minimum required. You should also consider possibly getting an umbrella policy to increase your limit to a higher level that what is available on an auto policy.

It is important to have enough liability coverage to protect your current assets from lawsuits, and to protect your future assets from judgements that could result from an injury lawsuit. In addition it is important to be able to cover your moral responsibility to be able to “make it right” if you injure someone! How would you feel if someone you love is very seriously hurt and the driver only has $20,000 to offer as settlement. …You don’t want to be the one that only has the $20K if you hurt someone.

A so called “full coverage” policy could also be lacking uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection, towing/road service, rental car reimbursement, gap coverage, and more.

I suggest taking the time to understand your insurance options and get a good agents advice on what would be good coverage for your situation. Texas residents are welcome to call my Houston auto insurance agency for more information.

By: Glenn Lamb

Cheap Car Insurance in Texas

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:51:25 +0000

When done properly, buying a used car is economically responsible. If you are buying a used car in Texas, you undoubtedly want cheap car insurance in Texas. To get affordable car insurance for your “new” used car, start from the beginning.

Pay for the car upfront. Many people choose not to purchase brand new cars because auto insurance for new cars is notoriously more expensive than auto insurance for pre-owned cars. There are several reasons why car insurance is more expensive for new cars, and one of those reasons is that new cars usually have to be financed. When you finance a car, the finance company or lender most often requires you to purchase full coverage car insurance, which is more expensive than liability car insurance. By saving your money until you can afford to pay for your used car completely upfront, you will not need a financer or lender, and you will be able to purchase whatever amount of car insurance you want, as long as it meets the legal requirements in Texas.

Bring an automotive whiz with you. It is aggravating to search for and finally purchase your dream pre-owned vehicle, only to get home and find out there are many necessary repairs to be made. When you shop for your car, bring along someone knowledgeable about auto mechanics. Let him or her test drive the vehicle with you, take a look under the hood, and do any other inspection of the car. If your car insurance company knows that everything is working properly, you are more likely to get cheap car insurance in Texas.

Look for safety features. Safety features come with used cars just as they do new cars, so you want to look at cars with additional safety features, too. Anti-theft alarms, anti-lock brakes, child proof locks, and air bags are all excellent safety features to have and are impressive to your car insurance company.

By: Elizabeth Newberry