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Most states now require car owners to
have auto insurance coverage. While
coverage amounts vary from state to state,
it is important to keep your coverage valid
and up to date. If you are a first time car
buyer searching for the best insurance
policy, or you are a long time car owner
reviewing your current auto insurance
policy, this guide will provide the best
advice on auto insurance. Learn how to
choose an auto insurance policy, learn how
to get the best auto insurance rates and
learn how to decide what coverage you
need. Moreover, find out how to file an auto
insurance claim in case you are in a car
accident.

When the first U.S. automobile insurance
policy was purchased in 1898, there were
barely 100 cars nationally. Horses and
carriages ruled the roads and the main
concern for both insurers and auto drivers
was any injury those noisy new machines
might do to horses.Today, auto insurance is
the most widely purchased of all property-
casualty insurance, yet few drivers are
familiar with the details of their particular
policy. Want to buy Car Auto Insurance ? .
Why do you  need to buy car auto
insurance? Your car is likely one of the
most expensive things you own. Insurance
protects your investment and guarantees
you a way of coping with the expense of
accidents, vandalism or theft. It also
secures your financial responsibility to the
institution lending you money to buy your
vehicle. Want to buy Car Auto Insurance ?
When you drive you are responsible for the
safety of your passengers, your fellow
drivers, other people's property,
pedestrians and yourself. Car Auto
Insurance helps ensure your ability to cover
the costs of potential damages or injuries.
You are also required to be financially
responsible by state laws, which are best
satisfied through your insurance coverage.
In most states insurance is a prerequisite
to registering your car. So if you want to
drive your own vehicle, you must be
insured. Want to buy Car Auto Insurance ?
Return to IndexWhat are the different types
of policies and what do they cover?Car
Auto insurance is divided into several types
of coverage:·        General liability covers
damage you cause to other people's
property and injuries to the people
themselves.·        Collision covers damage
to your own vehicle in an accident.·        
Comprehensive (i.e., fire, theft and other
non-collision damage) covers fire damage
to your vehicle, break-ins, vandalism or
theft, as well as natural disasters
(earthquake, hail, hurricane, flood, etc.--
unless the vehicle is overturned, then it is
considered a collision).·        Medical
payments insurance, usually in the range of
$5,000 to $10,000, covers medical
expenses for injuries. This "good-faith"
coverage guarantees immediate medical
payments for you, your passengers and
other parties, regardless of who is at fault.
It also covers you and members of your
household in any accident involving an
automobile, whether you are on foot, on a
bicycle, in a friend's car.·        Uninsured
motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist
(UIM) coverage protects you if you are
injured in an accident with others who
themselves carry insufficient or no liability
insurance.·        Extra coverages include
expenses for towing, labor, temporary
replacement vehicles, etc. These are
generally defined as add-ons or
“endorsements” to your policy. Why and
how are policies priced for different
drivers?Drivers are grouped according to
the level of risk each one poses—i.e., the
amount of loss incurred by insurers within
categories of policy holders. For various
reasons, drivers are categorized by:·        
Sex—Men have more accidents on the road
than women.·        Age—Drivers under 25
(and, for some insurers, under 30) are
considered at higher risk of having an
accident.·        Marital Status—Married
drivers tend to have fewer accidents than
single drivers.·        Personal Driving
Record—Years of driving experience,
accidents, speeding tickets and drunk-
driving offenses are all factors in
determining how much of a risk you pose
as a motorist.·        How You Use Your
Vehicle—If you commute by car during rush
hours, you're at greater risk of having an
accident than if you only drive for errands
and recreation on the weekends. Drivers
who use their own vehicles for business
also are considered to be at greater risk.
·        Type of Vehicle—The value, size,
weight, age of your vehicle, even the cost of
replacement parts, are essential to
determining the price of your insurance.
Larger, heavier vehicles are considered at
lower risk than smaller, lighter ones. Plus,
more expensive cars are costlier to have
repaired than economy models. Want to
buy Car Auto Insurance ?The cost of your
insurance policy is based on the average
cost of covering actual losses, spread out
over your particular "rating group" as a
whole. Of course, you may never have an
accident or have your car stolen, and
therefore will never need to be
compensated. But others in your category
may not be so lucky. Your premium will help
to pay for their losses, just as their
premiums would help to pay for yours.For
example, if you are a 23-year-old man and
you park your new sports car on a
downtown street in a large city, you will
likely pay more for insurance than a 37-
year-old woman who parks her four-wheel-
drive in the suburbs, simply because,
based on average losses, you have a
greater chance of having an accident or
being the victim of auto theft. Want to buy
Car Auto Insurance ?Where you live may
affect your Auto Insurance PremiumWhere
you live (or, more precisely, where you
keep your car) has a bearing on your
chances of having an accident or becoming
a victim of theft or vandalism. That's why a
vehicle owner in Brooklyn, New York, pays
a higher rate than the owner of an identical
vehicle in Casper, Wyoming. Want to buy
Car Auto Insu rance ? Other factors
affecting regional insurance rates include
time and efficiency of police response and
law enforcement, local road and traffic
conditions and the quality of local medical
services. Insurers even factor in the
litigation rates in a given area, that is, how
many lawsuits are filed, go to trial, are
settled out of court and for how much.Why
are rates different for different cars, even if
the cars cost the same?Vehicles are also
grouped into categories according to their
likelihood of being damaged, vandalized or
stolen. Insurers generally consider the size
and type of vehicle, as well as the value and
the cost of repairs (which can vary greatly,
even on vehicles that cost roughly the
same). Thus, a new station wagon is
expected to hold up better in an accident
than a sports car or a subcompact. Want to
buy Car Auto Insurance ? Putting insurance
aside, safety is key when buying an
automobile. Your life depends on it! Some
cars are considered safer than others
because of their performance record in
safety tests and real accidents.That's why
you should research insurance coverage
before you buy your car. It helps you to
understand the actual cost and indicates
those vehicles with good safety records.
Your insurer will ultimately reward you for
putting safety first. Want to buy Car Auto
Insurance ? What is "no-fault" insurance?
No-fault insurance is a system adopted in
some states that essentially bypasses the
conventional legal procedure which finds
fault in an accident. (This is the procedure
by which you hire a lawyer, file suit and
possibly go to court to prove the accident
was the other guy's fault.) No-fault simply
does away with the concept of one party or
the other being at fault. There are no
lawyers, no court, no judge, no jury, no
lengthy lawsuits against the other party.
This is considered beneficial to taxpayers,
because it eliminates costly legal
proceedings that the state must manage,
and to insurance policyholders, because it
helps keep rates down. Want to buy Car
Auto Insurance ?  If you are insured in a no-
fault state and have an accident, you don't
go after the other driver. You contact your
own insurer and file a claim. Your own
insurance policy guarantees you immediate
compensation for damages, medical
expenses, lost wages, etc.The type and
range of no-fault coverage varies by state.
What defines the limitations of no-fault
policies can differ in two critical areas:·        
Threshold—The type of damage/injury or
the cost of repair/recovery that triggers the
need for legal action.·        Mandated Benefit
Level—The package of benefits (medical,
wage loss, replacement services and other
expenses) your state requires you to carry.
The details of no-fault insurance can be
complicated. Want to buy Car Auto
Insurance ? Do all states require some kind
of liability insurance?No. Some states,
while not mandating auto insurance, have
"financial responsibility laws" that require
all drivers to be able to pay for any damage
or injury they may cause. However, carrying
liability insurance is still the best way for
you to meet your state's financial
responsibility requirements. Want to buy
Car Auto Insurance ? UM and UIM policies
are offered by law in all states, including no-
fault states. In fact, some states require all
motorists to carry this coverage to gain
protection from inadequate insurance
coverage of other drivers.What happens if I
have an accident with an uninsured driver?
First, call the police to the scene to be sure
all pertinent information is properly
recorded. Your nerves will be shaken right
after an accident, and it helps to have a
calm and knowledgeable person walking
you through the necessary details.Then,
contact your insurance agent immediately
and ask about filing a claim. If you followed
all the recommended guidelines when you
bought your policy, you should be covered
within the limitations of that policy.
Remember, your insurance policy is
designed to protect you. Want to buy Car
Auto Insurance ?If the cost of your
damages or injuries exceed the amount
your policy will pay out, it may be time to
take legal action against the other party.
Even if you have no-fault insurance,
sometimes the only way to be
compensated is to place blame and
responsibility where it belongs.Why would
my insurer cancel my policy?Technically, in
most states your insurer can cancel your
policy only if:·        you fail to pay your
premium;·        you lose your driver's license;
·        you are guilty of material
misrepresentation during the application
process (i.e., you fail to notify your insurer
of a recorded violation such as a drunk-
driving offense); or·        you fail to report a
substantial change of risk, such as buying
a high-powered sports car to replace a
family sedan.However, your insurer can
choose not to renew your policy for a
variety of reasons.Do you have a bad
driving record? Have you received a lot of
speeding tickets? Have you ever been
caught driving drunk? Not only are these
scenarios considered unsafe and illegal,
they are justifiable cause for your insurer to
label you a bad risk and refuse to renew
your policy. (Some insurers may feel
compelled to cancel policies after only one
accident.)Where do you live? Has the
neighborhood changed in the last few
years? Have the accident or crime rates
risen noticeably? As regions are
reassessed periodically, their status could
change and you could suddenly find
yourself living in a high-risk area where
your insurer's rates may not be adequate to
cover losses. Want to buy Car Auto
Insurance ? What do I do if my insurer
cancels or refuses to renew my policy?
Even "good" drivers can be dropped by
their carrier. Reasons range form a
"drinking while driving" violation or other
serious violations (that make you a high
risk) to situations outside your control,
such as when insurers in your state are
suffering severe business losses. Overall
rises in claims or losses can cause
insurers to become highly selective in
determining whom they can afford to insure.
If you are licensed to drive, by law, you are
eligible for insurance. However, your
options for new coverage may be limited.
Each state has created and regulates a
market of last resort for those who cannot
otherwise obtain coverage. These groups
have various names, depending on the
state you live in, such as “assigned risk”
plans or the “residual market.” Regardless
of the reason you were dropped, you need
to act immediately to get policy. Under no
circumstance should you drive your vehicle
without insurance. If you do find yourself in
the residual market, the price may be
higher but it may be your only alternative in
maintaining your freedom to drive. Want to
buy Car Auto Insurance ?   How do I keep
my insurance company from canceling my
policy?The most obvious way to maintain
your low-risk status is to keep a clean
driving record. If you've been in an accident,
consider taking a defensive driving course.
Even those of us who have been driving for
years rarely know the simple tricks to
preventing accidents through defensive
driving. Also, look into purchasing special
safety and security features for your car,
such as anti-lock brakes and an alarm
system. Want to buy Car Auto Insurance ?  
What steps can I take to reduce my rates?
Insurers often discount their rates for good
drivers and those who take of safety and
security precautions. Depending on the
insurer, you can often lower your rates
from 5 to 35 percent.Sometimes the
investment you make in your vehicle is
worth the discount, and sometimes it's
simply worth some peace of mind. For
example, the purchase of anti-lock brakes
merits a discount from nearly every
insurer, but the discount probably will not
pay for the brakes during the normal life of
your vehicle.Insurers generally offer
discounts for:·        Safety Features— Anti-
lock brakes, air bags and passive restraint
systems (i.e., automatic seat belts).·        
Defensive Driving— Clean violation record,
driver's education courses for teenagers
and defensive driving or accident
prevention courses for adults (insurance
discounts for the latter are required in
some states).·        Security Systems—
Alarms, electronic locks and disabling
devices.·        Changing Driving Habits—
Commuting by public transit, using a
company vehicle for work-related travel
and car-pooling.·        Formal Agreements
Not to Drink and Drive— The availability of a
discount for signing such an agreement
varies among insurers and states.·        
Buying Home Owners and Auto Policies
from the Same Company—If you own a
home and an automobile and you are
insured by two different companies, check
into the cost of carrying both policies by
one insurer. You can also lower your
insurance rates by requesting higher
deductibles (the amount of money you pay
before you make a claim). Increasing your
deductibles on collision and
comprehensive coverage from $100 to
$250, or even $500, will bring your rates
down. Moreover, you may not need collision
and comprehensive coverage if you drive
an older car. How does adding drivers to
my policy affect my rates?The more people
you allow to drive your vehicle on a regular
basis, the greater the chances of your
vehicle being in an accident. Teenagers are
especially expensive to insure because
they are the least experienced drivers.
Want to buy Car Auto Insurance ? A driver's
education course can help ease the burden
of insurance costs since it teaches your
teenager defensive driving techniques. If
your child's high school does not offer
driver's education, try to find one offered by
another school or a private firm in the area.
After all, the cost of driver's education
could be cheaper than the extra cost of
your insurance. (Many insurers offer "good
student" discounts as well.)An adult's
driving experience can also affect your
rates significantly. Don't assume that every
adult you know has been driving since age
16 or is a competent driver with a clean
record. Again, taking a defensive driving
course is a good way for adults to prove
they are responsible drivers, thus lowering
their risk and their insurance rates. (This is
a great solution for new couples who are
jointly insured but unmatched in their
driving skills or experience.) Want to buy
Car Auto Insurance ? Who's watching the
insurance companies?With few
exceptions, your insurance company does
not set its own rates (unless you live in
Illinois). It requests the right to charge
appropriate rates from your state's
insurance department, which responds
with legal approval and authorization,
provided the requested rates are fair. Want
to buy Car Auto Insurance ?Every state has
some sort of department, administration or
agency that regulates and monitors every
insurer operating within the state's
borders. In addition to approving rates, your
state's insurance department is involved in
all insurance matters on behalf of private
citizens and businesses. It also issues
operating licenses to insurance companies
and agents, based on their ability to meet
the state's requirements for conduct and
knowledge about insurance issues.Your
insurance company works closely with
your state's insurance department to make
sure you are getting the best and fairest
possible service within the state's
guidelines. Contact your state's insurance
department if you wish to know more about
how it serves your interests. Want to buy
Car Auto Insurance ? Do I always need to
buy insurance when I rent a car? Am I not
covered by my own policy?If you have fully
insured your own vehicle, including
collision and comprehensive coverage, and
rent a vehicle for pleasure only (while on
vacation, for example), you do not need to
buy extra insurance from the rental
company. In fact, in most states your basic
rental fee by law will include liability
coverage for damage or injury to others.
But different rules apply when you rent a
car for business purposes. If you do not
have your own insurance, be aware that
many car rental liability policies cover you
only at the state's required minimum. Also,
you should buy the collision and
comprehensive coverage offered by the
rental company for your own protection.
Plus, do not buy a collision damage waiver
(CDW) from the rental company assuming it
is insurance. A CDW simply releases you
from financial responsibility if you damage
the vehicle you are renting, provided you
comply with the terms of the rental
contract. But those terms can vary
considerably, and CDWs are not state-
regulated, which means they are
technically not insurance. Want to buy Car
Auto Insurance ? It's always a good idea to
review your policy before renting a vehicle.
What happens when I loan my car to
someone? Is that person covered by my
policy? Am I still covered?Yes. Liability and
coverage for physical damage (i.e.,
comprehensive and collision) always follow
your car. So, if a friend borrows your car
and has an accident, you're still protected
against the cost of damages or injuries.
Plus, if the driver of your car is insured,
his/her policy will als o be available to cover
the cost of damages and injuries.The same
rules apply when you borrow someone
else's vehicle. Your own insurance follows
you no matter whose car you are driving.
But the vehicle owner's policy is the key
coverage if you have an accident.Want to
buy Car Auto Insurance ? Am I covered for
natural disasters or "Acts of God?"
Comprehensive insurance, which covers
you for fire and theft, generally covers you
against damage by flood, earthquake, hail
and other natural perils, except when your
car is overturned (which is technically
considered a collision). If you have special
concerns about the safety of your vehicle in
the face of Mother Nature's wrath. What
should I make sure my policy includes? Do I
really need to read all the fine print?While
you don't need a law degree or an agent's
license to understand your policy, you
should read it thoroughly. After all, it is a
binding legal contract. If you wish
clarification beyond your agent's
explanation, or if you want to be certain that
the policy is completely valid, contact your
state's insurance department. Want to buy
Car Auto Insurance ? How can I challenge
my insurers if they refuse to cover a claim?
Usually, insurers that refuse to cover a
claim have a strong legal reason for doing
so—even if you disagree. But if it is a legal
problem, you may have to hire a lawyer.Talk
to your state insurance department if you
want more specific information on state
regulations and legal precedents.What
actually happens when I report an accident?
After an accident, you should call your
insurance agent as quickly as possible, to
help you complete a claim form, determine
what exactly happened and evaluate any
damages or injuries. Your insurance agent
then will contact your insurer's claims
adjuster—usually within an hour of your
report—whose job is to work with you to fix
the problem. While compensating you for
auto repairs or medical expenses is easy
and immediate, determining liability is more
complicated. The adjuster will begin the
settlement process, the length of which will
depend on the cooperation of the other
party. Want to buy Car Auto Insurance ?
The amount of compensation for your loss
can vary according to the adjuster's
analysis of the damage. You do not have to
accept the first amount of money you are
offered, if it is lower than the cost of your
repair or recovery. While you may have to
do some homework to prove your reported
loss is valid, it's worth it to be certain your
insurer lives up to the provisions of your
policy. Want to buy Car Auto Insurance ?
Remember, negotiating with an adjuster is
just business. Insurers simply want to
settle claims fairly in light of possible fraud.
While it is your insurer's responsibility to
root out false claims, you pay the price in
the end. In fact, you spend nearly a dime on
every dollar of your premium to cover the
false claims of others. So, try to keep an
open mind when working with your adjuster
to settle on a price that's fair to both you
and your insurer  Do I need special
insurance for a classic car?You should
always talk to your insurance agent about
coverage of rare and valuable property.
Since a classic car usually cannot be
replaced, you'll probably want ample
compensation if it is lost. A classic car,
because it is rare or unique, may indeed
require a special insurance policy.Under
what circumstance do I not need certain
types of auto insurance?While most drivers
today are generally insured for collision and
theft, this coverage may not be necessary
for every vehicle.Liability insurance, as
mentioned earlier, is essential and in many
states required. But if you drive a clunker—
an older car that isn't worth much money—
you may be able to do without collision
insurance. If you have an accident, repair
costs could easily be higher than the value
of your vehicle, thus "totaling" it. This
means your insurer will pay you the total
book value of your vehicle, and that could
be far less than the cost of your vehicle's
repair. So, collision insurance may not
cover your loss adequately. Want to
buy Car Auto Insurance ? Part 2
is on the right hand side of this
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