Reader’s Question:

I have a cousin whose financial situation is not that good. She’s barely making ends meet. The only consolation she has is that she still got her job. So were finding ways on how she can save on anything. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the luxury to get rid of her car insurance coverage because she needs to drive her own car for her job. I heard something about monthly car insurance. Can you tell me about this?

Maria

Central Coast, CA

I’m sorry to hear that Maria. I hope everything’s gonna be ok for your cousin.

Going back to your question, one of the things that you may consider to make paying for your car insurance be easier on your part is to have an installment payment. This could help you to manage your finances. There are car insurance companies that offer monthly car insurance. Depending on the car insurance companies guidelines and in the state where you live in – some may ask just for a down payment for one month and a monthly payment for the next six months or more.

As what the name suggests- monthly car insurance is available to policyholders who want to pay their car insurance on a monthly basis. Depending on your car insurance policy, you may be paying for three consecutive months, six consecutive months, or even for 12 consecutive months.

Car insurance rates differ among car insurance companies so does monthly car insurance rates. There are several factors that determine a person’s car insurance rates like their driving records, the place they live, their coverage, the vehicle they drive and so on.

To help you find good car insurance deal, I would say you shop for car insurance quotes. Use the Internet and find car insurance quotes. Then, select the best car insurance deal that you can find. It’s easy as that. Good luck and enjoy shopping!

Reader’s Question:

Hello! I’m a new driver and next month I’ll be getting car insurance. I’m just curious since I don’t know anything about car insurance, can you tell me what affects car insurance price quotes?

Trisha

Lincoln, NE

Sure Trisha!

One important thing that you should remember about car insurance price quotes is that they vary among car insurance carriers, among states, and even among policyholders.

The average monthly car insurance depends on a lot of factors like where you live and what is mandated by your state for your car insurance policy. If you are wondering how much the average car insurance premium is nationwide, that would be $939 in a year. So given this figure it would bring down to about $80 for each month.

There are a lot of factors that affect car insurance price quotes aside from where you live or what the mandatory car insurance limits in your state is. For one, the type of car you are driving has a say on how much you will be paying for your car insurance premiums. It’s safe to say that the higher the cost of your car the higher your car insurance premiums may be.

Moreover, if you are insuring a car that is new, then your car insurance premiums will be higher as compared to insuring a used car.

Also, not only does your car type affect your car insurance premiums, but also on how long you usually drive your car. The more you use your car, the higher the chance that you may encounter an accident hence the higher your car insurance premiums may also be.

In the past, car insurance companies consider safety features like airbags, automatic seatbelts and others as one way of giving lower car insurance premiums to drivers. However, since newer cars nowadays are equipped with safety feature like those, it’s no longer a big factor that could affect your car insurance premiums. But, there are still car insurance companies who offer discounts for drivers who own car with safety features so it would be ok to consider having those safety devices installed in your car most especially if you don’t have those yet.

To get cheap car insurance quotes you can use the Web and start shopping for car insurance quotes.

Reader’s Question:

I’m quite confused what coverages to include in my car ins urance, can you help me out?

David

San Antonio TX

Deciding on what coverages to include in your car ins urance can be quite confusing especially when you are not aware of how each type of coverage will protect you in case of an accident. For starters, every car ins urance policy should have a liability coverage as it is mandated by law. In Texas, the liability insurance minimum is for $50,000 for all bodily injuries. Make sure that you have at least a liability coverage as you could get fined for up to $350 for the first offense. Liability car ins urance protects you from liabilities if you injure a person or damage a structure or property when driving.

However, other types of liabilities need also protection. For example, it will help if you have a collision/comprehensive insurance coverage as it protects you from other forms of liabilities when you get into an accident. Comprehensive also protects you from other forms of damages that are not related to accidents like theft, vandalism, weather-related damages and others. If you want to be free from worries from all sorts of liabilities and money is not an object, then, it is better for you to be fully protected. To be able to get the best deals, you must solicit quotes from a lot of insurers and compare before finally deciding on one.

Reader’s Question:

I plan to buy my own car, but I am told to get car ins first. Since the car itself will cost me, is there a way for me to get free car ins?

Gatsby

Birmingham, AL

All the States in the Union require some form of liability car ins before they allow you to drive a car. Liability insurance is a form of obligation and proof that you, as driver and car owner, would be able to pay in case you or your car is involved in an accident. The liability insurance requirements for Alabama are bodily injury and property damage liability with a 20/40/10 limit. The numbers mean that when your insurance pays for body injury there is a maximum of $20,000 per person or up to $40, 000 for all injuries. There is also a $10,000 limit for property damage for the same accident. You are advised to extend your insurance coverage to protect yourself also.

I know it is very appealing to have free car ins. However, no such thing exists. Some car manufacturers are considering the matter. But to get the idea off the ground would require tremendous amount of resources. For example, would free car ins mean car manufacturers choose customers who could buy their cars? Would that entail more flexible car ins and a more stringent process of buying cars? The most car manufacturers can offer is to give you free benefits such as free gas, extended warranty for parts and repairs, or discounts when you pay it in full.

Reader’s Question:

I am a senior driver. I admit that being a senior driver has so many disadvantages and one of them is getting higher car insurance rates. I need help on how to get lower car insurance rates for a senior driver like me. I would greatly appreciate any information that you can give about senior car insurance. Thank you so much in advance!

Ronald

Edison, NJ

Hello there Ronald. That’s what exactly my grandpa’s problem before. He had been complaining about the high car insurance premium that he is paying just because he’s a senior driver. Honestly, in my opinion, you cannot really blame the auto insurance companies for that. I mean, let’s face it, scientifically speaking as we grow older, our motor skills and coordination (that we all need in driving by the way) also decreases. And auto insurance companies know that. Insuring a senior driver poses higher risk than insuring younger drivers.

However, the great news is that Ronald, there’s still hope to lower your car insurance rates. One thing that I’ve learned from my grandpa is that there are senior car insurance discounts available. In fact, senior car insurance discount is mandated in over 2/3 of the states. From what I know, there are driving education courses offered by auto insurance companies that you need to complete. Once completed, you may be eligible for a discount. But just to make sure if this is being offered by your car insurance company, I suggest you contact your auto insurance agent about that as soon as possible.

Always drive carefully and I’m wishing you good health!

Reader’s Question:

What is DUI insurance? Who needs it?

Jonathan

Bismarck, ND

DUI insurance is simply an auto insurance policy that is specifically designed to cater to people who are convicted of DUI (drinking under the influence) offense. Having convicted of such offense usually results in the cancellation of an existing auto insurance policy or nonrenewal of your policy. Also, being convicted of DUI automatically labels you as a high-risk driver.

However, there are still car insurance companies who are willing to insure a person with a DUI conviction and will offer you DUI insurance. But bear in mind that this kind of auto insurance is very pricey. In fact, if you will compare it from an ordinary auto insurance policy the price difference can be as high as 200% or even 300%.

If you are caught drinking while driving, your license will be suspended or revoked. Once you are convicted of DUI, you will be required to file proof that you have an existing auto insurance coverage in the form of SR22. For your license to be unsuspended, your own car insurance company needs to file the SR22 form to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Usually, you will be asked to carry SR22 form for a period of three years.

You may be wondering on how long auto insurance companies will charge you with DUI insurance. That depends on your state’s law and auto insurance company’s guidelines. But from what I know, as long as the DUI conviction is still on your driving record, it will still affect your auto insurance rates even if you switch to another auto insurance company.

Reader’s Question:

How do I find cheapest car insurance?

Miguel

Gilbert, AZ

Hello Miguel! One effective way on how you can find cheapest car insurance is to shop around. Ask for several auto insurance quotes from different carriers and learn to compare what they offer. So, the next big question is how do you shop around?

First, let me just tell you the information you will need for you to get auto insurance price quotations. In most cases, auto insurance companies will ask for:

• The description of your car, including the make, model and year;
• Your car usage, if its for commuting, business, pleasure, work etc;
• Your license number;
• How many drivers are there in your household;
• The auto insurance coverage that you need and the limits you would like to have

There are three ways on how you can get auto insurance policy:

1. Direct Marketing: These marketers sell car insurance policy through the Internet, letter, or by phone.
2. Independent Agents: These kinds of agents usually represent several companies. If you chose to get car insurance from them, make sure to ask on how many auto insurance companies they represent;
3. Exclusive Agents: As opposed to independent agents, these kinds of agent only represent one company.

To find cheapest car insurance, I would highly recommend using the Internet. It gives you so many choices for auto insurance quotes. From there, you can compare prices and get the best deal that you can find.

Reader’s Question:

I am a new driver. I’m having difficulty getting what I should know about car insurance. I guess, I’m just overwhelmed with too much information I see on the Internet. Can you help me with my car insurance new driver?

Kala

Minneapolis, MN

Being a new driver often involves confusion and I totally understand what you feel. When I was doing my research on how to get car insurance new driver, I was too overwhelmed with so much stuff about car insurance. It was an information overload I must say! Just remember these things and you’re good to go.

First, your driving history affects your car insurance rates. Since you are a new driver, then this is the best time to give all your efforts to maintain your driving record at its best level. Avoid getting into any kinds of traffic violations or accidents. The more violations you have, the higher your car insurance rates will be.

Second, enroll in a driver’s education program. Being a new driver means your driving skills is still not that good. Enrolling in driving classes will surely improve your driving skills and you may even get a discount from your car insurance company;

Third, if you are still studying then by all means study hard and get a 2.0 average or better. There’s what you call a good student discount offers by car insurance companies, who knows, you may qualify for one.

Fourth, if you are fond of exercising then try stretch those muscles, burn those fats, and walk instead of driving whenever you can. Decreasing your driving miles may qualify you to get low mileage discount.

For more information about car insurance new driver, you can always ask you car insurance agent.