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Pay-In-Full Insurance Discount

By on February 22, 2012 in

Insurance shoppers may qualify for a lot of different discounts. Some of these discounts may include: good driver, good student, multi-car, multi-policy, and military discount. But drivers may be able to find some of their largest savings by going for the pay-in-full insurance discount.

What is Pay-In-Full?

Pay-in-full means that the policy is paid up front instead of in monthly installments. This means that the insured has to part with the full policy amount right away. In exchange, the insured could save up to $300 off the normal policy price.

Some companies allow you to pay a sizable amount of the policy and still qualify for the pay-in-full discount. However, subsequent payments typically are subject to a $2 processing or administrative fee.

Money - Savings
Creative Commons License photo credit: 401K

Different Pay-In-Full Options

For example, if the paid-in-full policy was $1,000 for a year, the company may allow the policyholder to pay $500 at the time of acquisition and then the policyholder would have to make installment payments on a scheduled basis to pay the remainder of the policy.

Paying the $1,000 up front for the one-year auto policy would allow the insured to pay the lowest amount possible. However, for many policyholders, they may prefer only make partial payments towards the full amount so they keep their money in their pockets longer.

Numerous providers offer the paid-in-full insurance discount. Progressive Commercial’s website currently says policyholders can save up to 15% on their rates by paying in full. Other discounts you may not have thought of include accident forgiveness, policy renewal, and e-payment.

money and savings
Creative Commons License photo credit: 401K

Get Your Lowest Rate

Auto insurance is a major expense for many drivers. But taking advantage of the pay-in-full discount may allow you to save significantly on your policy. It may also qualify you for the same discounted rate when you renew your policy and also guarantees you will not have a coverage lapse during the policy period. On the other side of the spectrum, there is no deposit auto insurance.

BestCarInsuranceCompanies.net offers several insurers that offer the pay-in-full insurance discount. Just enter your zip code to get free quotes from leading insurers and lock in your lowest rate!

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Family Car Insurance: Top 5 Tips for Getting the Right Policy

By on February 20, 2012 in

Finding the right amount of family car insurance can be a difficult balance to strike. You want the appropriate amount of coverage to protect your family, your vehicles, and your assets, but also want a great company at a price you can afford.

With this in mind, we provide our top 5 tips for finding the family car insurance policy to fit your family’s needs:

#1. Shop Around For Coverage. Getting the best deal on insurance can take some work but can be well worth the time spent. You could save hundreds of dollars off your current rates in even fifteen minutes of comparison-shopping. If your rates jump up considerably when adding a teen driver, compare teen insurance rates to see if you can get a better deal without compromising on service.

Buy 1 Get 2 Free
Creative Commons License photo credit: JasonDGreat

#2. Opt For Higher Limits. 49 of the 50 states require drivers to have auto insurance. But for families, minimum limits rarely offer enough coverage. Purchase optional higher limits for more complete protection.

#3. Make Sure Your Company Offers Multi-Policy Discounts. Families need different types of insurance. Since insurance is a significant expense, make sure your insurer provides a discount when you have multiple policies, whether it is home, renters, life, auto, or umbrella coverage.

#4. Purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP). In addition to medical bills, PIP pays for a portion of lost wages and in the event of a tragic accident, funeral expenses. In some states, PIP is mandatory, while in others it is not. Regardless, most companies offer optional higher PIP limits, which can provide a greater level of income replacement. This is important, especially if you do not have short-term or long-term disability coverage.

#5. Purchase Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Protection. UM/UIM may either be combined coverage or separate coverage. In some states it is required, in other it is not. Regardless, it is important as research shows that about 1 in 7 drivers do not have auto insurance, and many more are underinsured. This coverage is crucial in a serious impact accident.

Get Free Quotes for Family Car Insurance

BestCarInsuranceCompanies.net offers free, no obligation quotes from leading insurers in your state. Simply enter your zip code to compare insurance rates. You could get all the coverage you need from a great company and save hundreds in the process!

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Military Car Insurance

By on February 15, 2012 in

Like anyone else, military members want to get the most insurance coverage at the least amount of money. When shopping for auto coverage, it is advisable compare insurance quotes from multiple companies in order to get the best deal.

Insurance shopping may not be as enjoyable as some other activities, but it can result in hundreds of dollars of savings in a year. Military members are advise to compare rates regularly (every six months to one year) to be sure you are still getting the best military car insurance policy at the best price. Bookmark our site ease of reference to allow you to compare rates and lock in your lowest rate.

Military Discounts

As a military member, you are entitled to discounts on car insurance from companies that honor your service. Discounts are also offered because military members tend to be more responsible drivers than other groups. Whichever company you choose, inquire to see if they offer any military discounts you can take advantage of.

Another way to get a discount is to ask about multi-policy discounts. Many companies offer a discount when you purchase more than one policy from them (auto insurance and renter’s insurance, for example).

Lastly, don’t forget about USAA. It is a great insurance company that offers very competitive rates. In fact, USAA only sells insurance to active military, veterans, and their families. See our USAA Insurance review for more information.

Col. Sherrie McCandless promotion at 34,000 feet
Creative Commons License photo credit: The National Guard

Think About Your Coverage Needs

As a service member it is likely that you will be required to travel overseas at least once during your military career; whether you are deploying or heading overseas for a permanent change of station. If your car will be in storage, talk to your insurance company because you will probably be able to pay a special storage car insurance rate during the time you are overseas.

Consider inquiring about storage policies while you search for a Military car insurance company so you will know what to expect when this situation comes up for you. Many companies will allow you to cancel collision coverage while your vehicle is in storage, allowing you to save a significant amount during the time you are not driving your car. Also, see our winter vehicle storage tips article as there may be useful information for you to keep in mind while your car is being stowed.

Comply With State Laws

Many states have laws that require drivers to carry liability insurance, and if you owe money on your vehicle your lender most likely requires that you carry comprehensive and collision coverage keep in mind, though, that car insurance is there to protect you in case of an accident.

If you get into an accident and you are at fault, liability insurance is there to protect you financially. When you speak with car insurance companies to obtain quotes, be sure to ask them how much coverage is recommended for you. If you own a newer vehicle, adequate comprehensive and collision coverage is also important. This coverage will help cover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle in case of an accident.

MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters deliver supplies.
Creative Commons License photo credit: Official U.S. Navy Imagery

Get the Right Policy

When it comes to insurance, it’s not all about saving money. Some people make the mistake of focusing on getting the cheapest car insurance possible that complies with local laws and with lender rules.

Automatic payments from a bank account or credit card are convenient, help avoid late payments, and often come with a discount. Inquire about automatic payment options and any discounts that might be available when you take advantage of this option. The military lifestyle is a busy one; automating your payments as much as possible is the best way to ensure your bills continue to be paid on time, even when your schedule becomes hectic.

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Safest Trucks of 2012

By on February 13, 2012 in

Safety may not be on the forefront of pickup truck buyers but it should be. In the event of a collision, you want yourself, and your passengers to be well protected and having a safe model can help lower your pickup truck insurance. With that in mind, we look at the safest trucks of 2012 based on crash data tests.

Top Safety Trucks

The Insurance Institute for Highway (IIHS) Safety Top Safety Picks list currently contains three pickup trucks: Ford F-150 (crew cab), Honda Ridgeline, and the Toyota Tundra (crew cab models). All of these models had “Good” scores in front, side, rollover, and rear crash tests, and can be considered the safest trucks of 2012 according to the IIHS.

The three pickups on the IIS list are four-door models, with the F-150 and Tundra being full-size, while the Ridgeline is midsize. The Ridgeline has a lockable trunk set into the floor of the pickup bed. It was the Motor Trend 2006 Truck of the Year when it debuted.

The Ford F-150 was the 2012 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, while the Toyota Tundra won the award in 2008, when it was redesigned. So all of these models have won their share of accolades. To see how other models fared in the IIHS tests, see our Safest 2012 Cars and 2012 Car Safety Ratings articles.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Creative Commons License photo credit: sarahlarson

NHTSA Truck Crash Tests

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also conducts crash tests, which are front crash, side crash, and rollover. Among 2012 models tested, no pickup trucks have attained an overall 5-star safety rating. Many models, including the F-150 and Tundra have received 4-star overall ratings. The Ridgeline has yet not been rated.

In the NHTSA test, the 2012 Ford F-150 SuperCrew PU/CC scored a five-star rating in the side crash, but only a 3-star rating in the frontal crash test. The Toyota Tundra PU/CC had these same scores in the NHTSA tests.

There may be other safest SUVS of 2012 as additional crash tests are condition, but for now the Ford F-150 (crew cab), Honda Ridgeline, and the Toyota Tundra (crew cab models) are the winners.

Honda Ridgeline RTL 2010
Creative Commons License photo credit: order2422

Save on Pickup Truck Insurance

The good news for pickup truck owners is that they have also been scoring very well in insurance rate studies of late. As noted in our article Cheapest Cars to Insure, 6 pickup were in the top 20 cheapest models to insure.

How low can insurance rates be for your model? Enter your zip code on our site to get free quotes and see how much you can save!

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Cheapest Cars to Insure

By on February 9, 2012 in

Insure.com has released their annual list of national average auto insurance premiums for 2012 car models. The cheapest car to insure for 2012 was the Toyota Sienna LE, which had an average annual insurance rate of $1,111. This is a very low rate for a model with a starting MSRP of $26,145. The Dodge Grand Caravan SXT and Honda Odyssey were minivan models that were also in the top 12 of cheapest 2012 cars to insure.

What is striking about the list is that not a single car model appears in the top 20 on the list. Based on the survey, the cheapest cars to insure are really minivans, pick-ups, and SUVs. 5 minivan, 6 pick-up, and 9 SUV models were in the top 20 list. In 2011, the Mazda Tribute was the cheapest car to insure in the survey.

This is a bit surprising as typically car insurance rates follow the value of the vehicle. Also, since larger models such as pick-ups and SUVs have bigger parts, they tend to be more expensive to repair. Perhaps it is because these vehicles are larger, they usually provide greater safety for drivers and their passengers.

2011 Toyota Sienna
Creative Commons License photo credit: MSVG

Calculating Average Insurance Rates

For the survey, Insure.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to provide drivers with a view of how auto insurance rates more than 900 models (this includes different model trim lines) compare with one another. Rates were not available for all models.

Rate quotes were obtained from the six largest auto insurance (Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, Nationwide, Progressive, and State Farm) in ten zip codes from all 50 states based on the following factors:

- Single, 40-year old male
- Clean driving record and good credit
- Commute of 12 miles each day to work
- Bodily injury liability policy limits of $100,000/$300,00
- Property damage liability limits of $50,000
- Collision and comprehensive with a $500 deductible
- Uninsured motorist coverage

These rates were obtained for comparative purposes only and the amount of coverage was much higher than what most states require. Actual rates can vary greatly based on a variety of factors such as the driver’s location of residence, driving record, credit score, and insurance company.

Compare Insurance Rates For Your Vehicle(s)

Even if you don’t have one of the cheapest cars to insure, BestCarInsuranceCompanies.net is committed to helping you find low insurance rates for your vehicle(s). Simply enter your zip code to get free quotes, compare rates from leading providers, and see how much you can save!

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