Soaring Car Insurance for Pensioners

Soaring Car Insurance for Pensioners

Supermarket comparison has become imperative after a research conducted by a consumer group revealed that the cost of car insurance increases when an owner crosses a certain age limit. In some cases, it is difficult to give them a policy. The research was conducted among hundreds of insurers and it was discovered that the cost of car insurance dramatically shoots up for the pensioners.

For example, the annual policy worldwide costs £383 when the insured person is seventy-four years old, whereas just after one year, the cost of car insurance of the same individual shot up to £707. Just because the person has fallen into the higher age criteria, the cost of insurance increased by £324.

After a comparison of 98 insurance policies provided worldwide, only five offered car insurance policy to the customers of over eighty years of age. There were other conclusions of the research that said that individuals above 81 years of age have to pay higher premiums for the car insurances and 60% of the insurers refuse to provide any cover for those customers. The chief executive of the research believes that the older customers do not get a much affordable deal for their car insurances.

However, the above conclusions may not be true in all cases. The customers should go through a supermarket comparison. There are different policies for every individual, which are provided based on the details provided by the customers. The customers should take quotes from various car insurance companies. It is only after a thorough comparison of all the quotes that a customer should choose a suitable quote.

A customer must always seek car insurance quotes with his true personal details. Any misguidance may give birth to hassles for the customer. The old people do not need to worry, as there are companies that provide a genuine risk cover at affordable rates.

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Arizona Insurance-Related Consumer Complaints Pay Off

When disputes arise between Arizona motorists and their coverage providers, policyholders aren’t alone. The Arizona Department of Insurance (ADOI) exists to ensure state insurance laws are executed in a manner that protects consumers and encourages economic development. In many situations, this involves overseeing discrepancies between producers and policyholders.

In February 2012, ADOI issued a press release stating that they were able to help consumers recover over $7 million in 2011. Over the course of a year, the ADOI was able to respond to over 9,000 consumer complaints, resulting in $7.47 million in claim settlements and refunds. Of the complaints that were received, 21 percent were for claim delays, 14 percent for claim processing delay, 10 percent for unsatisfactory settlement offers, and 7 percent for agent handling.

In addition to claim settlements, ADOI was also able to recover over $200,000 in additional consumer restitution and over $800,000 in civil penalties, collected from insurers who failed to pay claims properly, or did not comply with state insurance laws.

Taking Precautions to Avoid Having to Make Consumer Complaints

While ADOI oversees discrepancies in several different industries, auto insurance issues remain a major source of discontent among residents. Filing a claim after an automobile accident can be a complicated process, and often delays and unfavorable settlements can be avoided by taking certain precautions.

All drivers should thoroughly understand their Arizona auto insurance policies long before they make a single premium payment. The coverages that are provided should be explicitly stated in the policy, and if motorists have any questions, they are strongly encouraged to ask as many as possible. Residents are also encouraged to keep in touch with their insurer, periodically update their information, and check to make sure that there haven’t been any changes in their policy. After an accident, it also helps to file a claim as soon as possible. Taking accurate notes, pictures of the accident and any damages, and keeping detailed records of all correspondence is another great way to decrease discrepancies.

Vehicle owners can also avoid claim disagreements before they purchase an insurance policy by taking the time to research AZ complaint ratios while they shop for vehicle coverage. When the ADOI receives a justifiable grievance, the information is carefully logged and used to produce a rating based on the total number of policies sold in a 12-month period. This information is published annually, and can be viewed by residents searching for a reputable insurer.

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California: the Prime Spot for Car Thieves

There are few things worse for vehicle owners than suddenly discovering that their car has been stolen. According to a recent report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), California drivers get this feeling the most. Of the top 10 metropolitan areas listed on the latest NICB Hot Spots report for having the highest vehicle theft rate in 2011, seven of the listed cities are in the Golden State. Those geographic areas and their theft rates (the number of cars stolen per 100,000 people) include:

• Fresno: 808.25


• Modesto: 639.32


• Bakersfield-Delano: 615.23


• San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont: 528.87


• Stockton: 507.32


• Vallejo-Fairfield: 480.71


• Visalia-Porterville: 472.78

Unfortunately, each of these locations also appeared on the 2010 list of Hot Spots with similar standings. The only surprise for analysts this year was the theft rate coming from Anderson, S.C., which jumped from 33nd in 2010 to 8th in 2011.

The bad news for motorists living in these areas—apart from the danger of having one’s car stolen—is that insurance companies carefully examine theft statistics in a given area when rating drivers. When a person’s territory is notorious for vehicle theft, insurers are more likely to charge more for comprehensive coverage, which compensates car owners when their vehicles ares stolen. Producers don’t like paying out claims, so when someone lives in an area where the possibility of filing a claim is increased, insurers frequently respond by raising prices.

Taking Steps to Combat Theft

Thankfully, drivers can still get affordable car insurance by taking precautions to avoid becoming a victim of theft. Often, cars are stolen as the result of owner error, like leaving a door unlocked or keys in the ignition. While it’s true that there are prevention methods that are entirely foolproof, motorists can still take steps to make sure their car is as difficult as possible to steal.

The Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C.—where roughly 18 vehicles are stolen every day—is one of many agencies that encourage drivers to use common sense when parking their cars, and to outfit their automobiles with antitheft devices. Luckily, many of these devices can also lead to insurance discounts from companies.

The most basic antitheft devices that are likely to bring small savings include audible alarms, wheel locks, or window etchings. More extensive devices are often more effective and frequently result in more substantial savings. These include smart keys, GPS tracking devices, or kill switches. Taking the extra step to deter criminals can help drivers improve their chances of keeping their cars, and maintain adequately priced insurance despite the statistics.

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UK Motorists unaware of Actual Drink-Drive Alcohol Limit

UK Motorists unaware of Actual Drink-Drive Alcohol Limit

A leading car insurance company in the car insurance supermarket in a recent survey revealed that one motorist in five does not have enough knowledge about the legal alcohol limit of drink and drive.

The online survey conducted by the insurance company comprised of over one thousand customers. The survey revealed that 20 per cent of the UK motorists have a notion that the legal limit for drive-drive is 80mg alcohol every 100 millilitres of breath tested by the police officers. The actual legal limit for drink-drive is 80mg alcohol every 100 millilitres of blood.

There is some news going around about the government planning to reduce the legal limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100 millilitres of blood. If the government implants the proposed limit, UK will be in line on drink-drive legal limit with other European countries. People could go over the current limit as even one glass of red wine or one of beer can perhaps push a motorist over the current lower limit.

The Insurance Development Manager of the Insurance Company said that driving under the influence of alcohol has dangerous legal, financial and social consequences. There are high chances of an increase in the insurance premium of those motorists who are caught for drunk driving. An analysis of car insurance supermarket could help the drivers to judge the consequences and provisions for drunk driving.

Most of the companies offering car insurance check the driving records of the people who apply for insurance with the company. After the company insures the driver’s car, it will check the driving records every three years. If the company finds any conviction of drink-drive, it might increase the premium rates for the insurer or even drop the insurance coverage of the motorist.

If the insurance company, at the time of the driver applying for insurance, finds that the driver has been convicted for drunk driving, the company can reject the application for an insurance coverage of the driver’s car.

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Why You Should Get Pay-As-You-Go Car Insurance

Why You Should Get Pay-As-You-Go Car Insurance

An affordable car insurance quote is necessary to maintain the balance of your household budget. Whether you need pay as you go insurance or not, in this era of economic slowdown, getting car insurance can add to the trouble if you do not take rational decisions. You can get car insurance according to the distance you drive, which cuts that lump some amount you would pay every month. Pay as you go car insurance is always lighter on your pocket when your car has a lower mileage. It is also a great option for those who want to insure their second or third car, which is just for convenience and they do not want pay hefty amount of car insurance premiums.

An instrument is fitted in your car, which takes accurate measures of the distance you travel and sends this data to the insurers. The lower number of registered kilometers decreases the cost of your car insurance. Not only the mileage, the instrument acts as a GPS system that records the brakes and accelerator used while driving. If you drive less and you are a good driver, the insurers may offer you higher discounts.

Pay as you go car insurance is also beneficial to young drivers, who generally get expensive car insurance quote. Opting for this kind of insurance helps them to be judged on the traveled distance, and attract lower car insurance quotes.

When people want this type of insurance, they reduce the use of car to get better quotes. This improves the walking habits among people and encourages them for taking public transports, which in turn helps in reducing the vehicle congestion on the roads. You also save the cost of fuel required for the car. This implies that you cut the overall costs on your car insurance by taking some cautious driving styles on the roads of UK.

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Maine Vehicle Theft Rates on the Rise

The Pine Tree State is home to some of the Nation’s lowest insurance rates. When looking at Maine’s lower population density and minimal crime, it’s easy to see why motorists pay an average expenditure of only $600. But according to a report from The Portland Press Herald, the Maine Department of Public Safety announced on Tuesday that the amount of crime in virtually every category—including motor vehicle theft—went up between 2010 and 2011. What many residents may not know is that the number of vehicle-theft claims filed in their area can have a noticeable impact on the price of comprehensive car insurance.Public Safety Commissioner John Morris reported that crime in the Pine Tree State as a whole increased 5.4 percent between 2010 and 2011. These statistics include a 5.5 percent increase in motor vehicles thefts. Unfortunately for vehicle owners, these statistics could potentially translate into higher premiums. If property crime and auto theft in a specific area begins to climb, it typically leads to more comprehensive insurance claims.When a coverage provider pays out more claims, it means greater losses for them, which usually translates into higher premiums for drivers living in the same territory. The reason for this is auto insurance costs are based on the probability that a policyholder will file a claim. If a Maine resident lives in a territory with a higher number of motor vehicle thefts, insurers will compensate for this added risk by charging a higher premium for comprehensive coverage.Overall Maine Crime Statistics Are Getting BetterBut despite this recent report, residents should know that over the past ten years the rate of car thefts has actually decreased considerably. In 2001 there were over 1,600 reported thefts, but only 1,039 reported cases in 2011. Overall, this amounts to a 10-year crime trend showing a 37 percent decrease in vehicle thefts.While property crime and auto thefts in a surrounding area can lead to higher rates, there are steps that residents can take to help keep their Maine vehicle insurance rates affordable by properly securing their automobiles. Purchasing a car that is equipped with an active or passive security system is a great way to thwart criminals, and it can also amount to significant savings.Most insurers in the Pine Tree State reward policyholders who actively work to protect their cars with special discounts. Common features like car alarms or VIN etchings are considered passive security measures that can help deter potential thieves. More advanced systems, like GPS tracking and ignition-disabling devices can also help drivers qualify for insurance discounts that can drive down policy prices and counter any increasing crime trends like those in Maine.

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Legislation That May One Day Impact NJ Drivers

The New Jersey State Legislature works hard to improve the quality of life for all residents in the Garden State, and sometimes that includes making changes to how auto insurance is addressed by insurers and vehicle owners. Already residents are required to purchase a minimum amount of coverage to legally drive, but there are some legislators who feel there are adjustments and additions that can be made to NJ state law that could improve many different aspects of being an insured motorist. As a result, the current legislative sessions has seen the introduction of several potentially significant bills that may one day become law. Here are just a few that could have a noticeable impact on policyholders:

• As of June 2012 the at-fault accident threshold in the Garden State is $500, but Bill A902 backed by Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R) hopes to increase this threshold to $1,000. Because at-fault accidents often have a negative impact on the responsible party’s driving record, these blemishes frequently lead to higher insurance rates. By doubling the state threshold, Shepisi hopes to reduce the number of point violations that are assessed for fairly minor incidents, which may help many NJ residents avoid premium inflation.



 



• Residents who buy New Jersey auto insurance have the option of purchasing a standard policy that offers greater protection at a higher price, or a basic policy that offers minimal protection at a considerably lower price. Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan (D) would require all basic policies to include $10,000 for bodily injury liability, which is currently optional. For current policyholders, this could mean increased coverage that may also come with a slightly higher price tag.



 



• Currently being reviewed by the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee is Bill A327. Sponsored and co-sponsored by a handful of state legislators, this bill proposes that volunteer motorists be exempt from certain underwriting practices. If passed, insurance companies would be unable to consider negative driving events that were committed while the motorist was acting as a volunteer driver. For people that volunteer regularly to help transport fellow New Jersey residents, this change could significantly reduce the risk of an accident having a negative impact on their driving record or insurance rates.

Although several of these proposed bills may someday become law, they still have a long way to go. As of June 2012, each of the pieces of legislation described here have only been introduced. Before the bills can become law, they need to get passed out of committee, approved by the House, approved by the Senate, and then they need to receive final approval from the governor.

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Teen Drivers: When Rates Start Going Down

You got your license at an early age, and after months of driving you’re more confident than ever behind the wheel. The only problem is that your insurance rates are still higher than the average driver’s. A lot of people already know that teenagers are charged more for vehicle coverage because they lack experience and are involved in more accidents than any other age group. But when do teen drivers start to see more reasonable rates?

Although a young driver may feel that they are the most careful motorist on the road, insurance companies need to see proof in the form of a clean driving record. After going at least three years with no accidents, claims, or moving violations, younger motorists are likely to see a small drop in coverage costs. Rates should keep going down slightly as the driver gains more experience, as long as he or she keeps a clean record. And by the time drivers are 25, they’re likely to start seeing much more reasonable rates than when they first got behind the wheel.

Lower Rates Take Time

For most companies, three years of driving is a reasonable amount of experience behind the wheel. Because most insurers only look at the past three years of driving experience when setting rates, a complete record that is free of claims or moving violations is often favorable, and will likely lead to lower rates. In California, all drivers who have a completely clean record and have been driving for at least three years are entitled to a good-driver discount.

Information from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shows that car insurance losses drop as drivers age and that they file claims at a much lower rate by the time they’re 25. When the HLDI compared claim frequencies among different age groups, it found that the rate at which 20- to 24-year-olds filed property damage claims was 35 percent lower than that of 16- to 19-year-olds. And the rate for 25- to 29-year-olds was another 30 percent lower than the rate for 20- to 24-year-olds.

The exact amount that insurance costs may decrease over the years is dependent on the policyholder’s claims history, as well as the policy provider. While some companies are more than happy to hand out savings to responsible drivers, others may only make minor adjustments. If a younger driver manages to go years without a single rate reduction, they may want to consider switching insurers.

Although most young motorists try their best to avoid filing a claim, accidents happen. If a teenager is forced to file a claim, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll never be able to find affordable coverage ever again, it only means that they need to go a few more years without any driving-record blemishes.

Shop for Cheaper Options

Despite what many people may say, it is possible to find cheap insurance for young drivers, especially for teens that have gone at least three years without a single accident or moving violation. While younger motorists may not find the prices that many 30-year-olds may find, drivers can still shop around for the lowest-priced policy that is available.

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The Fundamentals of Accident Forgiveness

Car accidents and higher auto insurance premiums almost always go hand-in-hand. When drivers file an accident claim, their insurer will usually reassess the driver’s accident risk and may apply a surcharge. To make matters worse, these claims are likely to stay on a person’s driving record for at least three years, making it difficult to get cheaper coverage from another company. In response to customer anxiety, many insurers have started offering “accident forgiveness” to loyal customers who meet the necessary requirements. The only catch is that these programs aren’t always what they seem.

?Availability of Accident Forgiveness

Popular online car insurance companies like Progressive, Allstate, and Nationwide all claim to offer lower rates through a system that agrees to “forgive” an accident to prevent rates from climbing after filing a claim. The problem, however, is that coverage providers cannot permanently erase an automobile accident; they can only choose to ignore the incident when calculating the driver’s premium. This means that receiving forgiveness from your insurer won’t do anything for a blemished driving record.

People are Taking Notice of Potential Pitfalls

Writer Jessica Bosari of Forbes warns motorists that these special offers may seem appealing, but in reality they may not offer very much in savings. She urges vehicle owners to be wary of insurance companies that throw around the word “forgiveness.” Although a policyholder’s premium may not be as affected by a collision after filing a claim, the fact that the motorist was involved in a collision is still relevant. Drivers may end up losing their good driver discount or become ineligible for certain savings that are contingent on keeping a clean driving record. Motorists should remember that forgiven doesn’t necessarily mean forgotten.

As these special offers become more popular, some state governments have started encouraging drivers to fully research a potential insurance provider before completely giving in to the idea of claim absolution. The Massachusetts Department of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation reminds residents that not all programs are the same.

While some companies offer these savings freely without question, others may have fairly steep requirements that must be met before an incident can be ignored. Motorists with Nationwide, for example, need at least five years of driving experience without being involved an at-fault accident in order to become eligible for these savings.

One final point that drivers should remember is that these reduced rates may not carry over to another company. If a policyholder decides to switch insurance companies, they may be surprised to find that the previously forgotten accident on their record is suddenly the center of attention, potentially leading to higher rates.

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