Witnessed a hit-and-run? Here's what to do to help victims: document the scene, assist police, and understand how insurance plays a role.
Showing posts with label Auto Insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Auto Insurance. Show all posts
Public Records Resistance in Iowa
Access to public records is a fundamental right in many parts of the world, essential for transparency and accountability. In Iowa, however, there are increasing concerns about resistance to releasing certain types of public data, especially regarding traffic enforcement records, such as those from speed cameras and red-light cameras. Understanding the challenges surrounding public records in Iowa can help residents, journalists, and advocates push for more transparent practices. This article explores the barriers to public records access in Iowa, why these records are crucial, and how the state compares with others on this issue.
Why Public Records Matter in Iowa
Public records are essential for government transparency, giving the public insight into how taxpayer money is used and providing accountability for government actions. In Iowa, traffic enforcement records—such as data from red-light and speed cameras—can help the public understand enforcement patterns, assess traffic safety programs, and hold institutions accountable for the use of automated traffic cameras.
Access to these records allows Iowans to:
- Verify enforcement accuracy: Errors in traffic citations can be challenged when records are accessible.
- Hold public agencies accountable: Review agencies’ spending on traffic enforcement, especially in areas where automated cameras are in use.
- Evaluate public safety effectiveness: Determine if red-light or speed cameras actually improve road safety or if they disproportionately generate revenue without substantial safety benefits.
Challenges to Public Records Access in Iowa
Despite these benefits, Iowa has seen resistance from some government agencies in releasing public records. Here are some key challenges to accessing this information:
-
Privacy Concerns
- Iowa agencies cite privacy as a primary reason for restricting access to traffic enforcement data. While privacy protection is essential, Iowa’s laws sometimes overly restrict information, leaving residents unable to assess how public resources are used.
-
Cost of Access
- In many cases, obtaining public records can incur high fees, often justified by the need to cover the time and labor required to produce the information. These costs can deter ordinary citizens from accessing data and reduce public scrutiny.
-
Lack of Transparency in Record-Keeping
- Record-keeping practices can sometimes be inconsistent or lack transparency, making it difficult to track down specific information. When agencies aren’t required to provide detailed reports, it leads to inconsistencies in data accessibility.
-
Limited Resources for Records Requests
- Agencies often claim limited resources to handle records requests in a timely manner. This results in delays that can take weeks, months, or even years, effectively rendering some data unusable for time-sensitive investigations or reports.
How Iowa’s Public Records Resistance Compares with Other States
Public records laws vary widely across the United States. Some states have robust systems in place to ensure data accessibility, while others, like Iowa, place significant hurdles before citizens. Here’s how Iowa compares with other states:
- Stricter Regulations: While states like California have relatively accessible public records laws, Iowa has stricter regulations that can hinder transparency, particularly around automated traffic enforcement data.
- Higher Fees for Access: States like Texas offer many public records at minimal costs, making it easy for residents to access data. In Iowa, however, fees can sometimes be prohibitively high.
- Lengthy Processing Times: States with better funding and streamlined procedures, like Washington, allow for quicker processing of public records requests. Iowa's process, however, can take significantly longer, adding frustration for those seeking timely data.
Potential Solutions for Improving Public Records Access in Iowa
-
Revisiting Privacy Laws: Updating laws to maintain a balance between privacy and transparency can ensure that the public gets access to essential information without compromising individual privacy rights.
-
Standardizing Record-Keeping Practices: By implementing standardized record-keeping practices across all agencies, Iowa can reduce discrepancies and improve data consistency, making it easier for residents to locate information.
-
Streamlining the Request Process: Simplifying the request process through online portals and efficient systems can speed up response times and reduce bureaucratic red tape.
-
Reducing Access Fees: Lowering or eliminating fees for public records requests, especially for journalists and researchers, would encourage transparency and public oversight.
-
Implementing a Digital Database: Iowa could establish a centralized digital repository where non-sensitive public records are available on demand, without needing to request them individually.
Why Public Records Matter to Iowa Residents
Ultimately, public records serve the public’s interest by promoting government accountability and transparency. For Iowans, having access to enforcement data can shed light on traffic safety initiatives, guide public opinion on automated enforcement, and influence local and state-level policy decisions.
Conclusion
While Iowa faces challenges in providing transparent access to public records, particularly in traffic enforcement, progress can be made with targeted reforms. Balancing privacy with transparency, reducing fees, and improving response times are all achievable goals that would bring Iowa closer to an open-access model. By addressing these issues, Iowa can ensure its citizens have the information they need to make informed decisions and hold government agencies accountable.
Auto Insurance: 8 Clever Ways Texans Can Bring Down Their Premiums
Car insurance premiums can be one of the most expensive parts of being a car owner. Auto insurance is required throughout most of the US, and Texas is no exception. In the event of an accident you cause, Texas law requires you to be able to pay for all of the damages incurred. For most Texans, taking out insurance is a simple and hassle-free way to ensure they meet this legal responsibility.
It is important not to prioritize cost over quality when
it comes to auto insurance. The best car insurance can protect you in a wide
range of scenarios and can provide you with invaluable aid if you get injured
in an accident yourself. Still, it makes good financial sense to do what you
can to bring down premiums when possible.
Buy The Right Vehicle
Some cars are cheaper to insure than others, so if
you’re due an upgrade for your vehicle, consider looking at options that will
cut back on your premiums. You can find plenty of lists online of the cars that
are cheapest to insure, or you could check the quotes you get from price
comparison sites to see the benefits yourself. Things that impact a
car’s insurance costs include the cost of the car, how
expensive it is to repair, and its safety record.
Avoid Unnecessary Driving
The more you drive, the higher your insurance premiums
will be. This is because the more time you spend on the roads, the higher the
likelihood of you experiencing an accident. While cutting back may not be
possible for many Texans, those based in major urban or suburban areas could
cut back on driving and take public transport instead. You could also try
walking or cycling more often and add a little health bonus to the money
saved.
Make Use Of Multi-Car Discounts
If you have multiple cars that need to be insured at
once, you could benefit from a multi-car discount from your insurer. This is
essentially bulk buying in insurance, and many providers offer it as a way to
entice larger families or people with multiple cars to their business. Check
out the quotes you get for insuring one car against insuring two or three to
see what kind of savings you could make.
Join The AARP
Some insurance providers offer discounts to members of
certain groups. One great example of this for Texans is The Hartford, which
provides car
insurance Austin TX at a 10% discount for AARP
members. Not only do The Hartford provide excellent value for money, but their
AARP insurance has a range of benefits in coverage that could benefit any
driver over 50.
Shop Around For The Right Provider
Shopping around should be a staple for any smart
financial choices you make. Many insurers will offer incentives for you to
bring your business to them, such as discounts or freebies that come with the
policy. Check regularly to see what kind of offers there are for the insurers
you’re considering but be careful to think it through and not give in to
impulse purchasing or pressure tactics. You could also talk to your current
provider to see if they can match quotes you’ve received elsewhere.
Pay In One Go
Paying your insurance premiums in one go is almost
always cheaper than paying monthly. Unfortunately, this is one of the catch-22s
of buying insurance, as people often opt for monthly payments because they
can’t afford to pay for the policy outright. It might help to start saving as
soon as you take out your new policy and try to pay in one go when the
insurance renews.
Increase Your Deductibles
The more you pay in deductibles, the lower your
insurance premiums will be. Of course, the higher your deductibles, the more
you will have to pay out of pocket if something does happen. You should think
carefully before using this option, as you’ll normally see the benefit if you
increase deductibles from $250 to $1,000. If you do this, it is vital that you
have sufficient savings to cover the $1,000 deductible so that you aren’t left
in debt or on the wrong side of Texan law.
Take A Defensive Driving Course
Defensive driving courses can help you to become a
better and safer driver, making you a lower risk in the eyes of your insurance
provider. There are plenty of defensive driving courses available to help you
manage emergency driving situations safely. You can even take these
courses online, though you should check with your
insurance provider to ensure that they accept the course you take.
Conclusion
There are plenty of options available for Texans who want
to bring down their car insurance premiums without sacrificing the quality of
their coverage. You’ll need to be strategic about your insurance and take steps
to make yourself a lower risk in the eyes of insurance providers. It is also
crucial to shop around until you find a provider with the right benefits and
value for money to make your insurance investment worthwhile.
Adulting 101: Understanding Car Insurance
Hi, just your fellow aging millennial checking in here to make sure you haven’t sped past learning car insurance on your adulting journey. Are you running smoothly, or is your insurance-education check engine light flashing?
Whether you’ve been driving for over a decade or just starting, understanding car insurance is necessary as you become
an adult. Knowing that you have to pay for it and using a car insurance comparison guide to
find the least expensive options isn’t enough if you have no idea how to use
it properly.
Life is expensive enough, so you don’t
need to pay for more than what you need or spend more than required.
Understanding car insurance will help you negotiate better deals and ensure
that you utilize whatever policy you have to its full potential.
What are the parts of an auto
insurance policy?
Every basic policy will include a variation of
six features that outline your coverage. A list of each feature you need to
ensure a well-rounded policy that will give you the most protection and savings
is:
Liability Coverage
We all make mistakes, which is why liability coverage is probably most crucial when designing a policy. Having liability insurance ensures you and anyone you allow to operate your vehicle in case of an accident.
Since this is fault protection, how much liability coverage drivers have to purchase to be insured on the road can be set by your state law. Liability coverage is made of two parts to help protect you from needing to come out of pocket for another driver’s injuries or damage vehicle.
Bodily injury liability is designed to cover costs related to a person's injuries. In contrast, property damage liability helps protect the financial need to fix any damage you’ve caused to someone’s vehicle. This coverage is mandatory in almost all states.
Bonus Insurance Tip — Always know what your liability limit is before agreeing to a policy. This limit will tell you the value of the maximum amount your insurer will pay if you are at fault for an accident.
The most basic coverage most use to compare
the quality of their deal is called "25/50/25" coverage. This means
that your policy will pay up to $25,000 per injured person, up to $50,000 per
accident, and at least $25,000 in property damage.
Uninsured and Underinsured
Motorist Coverage (UIM)
Serves as financial protection if you are hit by a driver who doesn't have insurance, whom you cannot identify (hit-and-run), or whose insurance has lapsed.
In some states, UIM coverage will pay for your medical bills as well as the cost of vehicle repairs, which is vital when you can’t hold another insurer responsible.
This coverage also comes into effect if you
are hit by a driver whose liability limits aren't enough to cover bills caused
by the accident. UIM is required in some states but optional in others.
Collision Coverage
Car accidents are common, and the last thing you’ll want to stress about is how you’ll pay for damages. After being involved in an accident with either another vehicle or an object, collision coverage will guarantee you financial help that will recover or repair your car.
This kind of coverage is ideal to have
included in your policy because it covers you regardless of who is at fault.
Collision coverage is not required and is optional in most states.
Comprehensive Coverage
Those funny sketches show moments where a tree branch or something crazy ruins a character’s car isn’t so amusing when it happens to you. For those unpredictable and unavoidable moments, there is comprehensive coverage.
With this, if you experience non-collision damage from an external non-fault factor such as natural elements, vandalism, flood, fire, or theft, your car is covered. Comprehensive coverage is valuable because it can aid in paying for repair costs or even replace your entire vehicle up to its full cash value.
Please note that this coverage typically has a
deductible, which is the dollar amount you'll have to pay before your insurer
reimburses you the claim. Comprehensive coverage is optional but may be
required to lease a vehicle.
Medical Payments Coverage
Protects you if you, a family member, or a passenger need to file injury claims after an accident. Medical
payment coverage is necessary coverage to help cover any costs associated with
injuries you or your passenger gets while in your vehicle.
A few examples of what medical payments are covered include hospital visits, surgery, X-rays, and more. Though Medical coverage is wise to have it is only required in some states and is optional in others.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
or No-Fault Insurance
Both personal Injury protection (PIP) and medical payment coverage pay for most medical and funeral expenses.
This policy is used to help cover any bills that accumulate because of injuries obtained during driving. This policy is a preferred coverage option because it will cover expenses other auto insurance policies don’t.
PIP will help cover expenses such as child care, household expenses, and physical therapy. Though the policy’s title is “personal injury,” this protection also ensures coverage for passengers that may become harmed or killed while traveling in your vehicle.
Another PIP benefit is that it will help recover lost income due to an accident. PIP coverage is required in some states and optional in others.
You can decide which policies you need, more
or less depending on what you need, what you can afford, and for how long you
need your policy.
What to Know About Applying for
Car Insurance
The easiest thing about car insurance is finding it. Companies want your business and are dying to tell you, in detail, about all, they can offer.
Before looking at a price and signing an agreement, shop around and vet your agent just as much as you are your deal. Stay mindful about what deals are currently available to you as well as the realities of your application.
Advertisements may be intriguing with cheap rates, but go over the details with a fine-tooth comb to make sure you’re not sacrificing pennies now for thousands of dollars later on. If you have poor credit, accumulated tickets that affect car insurance, or live in a city that requires high liability, expect higher premium quotes.
Understanding insurance can be intimidating, but it is simply an agreement between you and a provider for financial protection for unexpected expenses for whatever accidents may come your way.
Car insurance is one adulting responsibility
of many, but if used correctly it can help you maintain and gain more control
over your life.
How Where You Live Affects Your Auto Insurance Rates
Just like in real estate, location especially matters when renewing your insurance plans. If you’ve ever had to update your car insurance because of a move, you likely noticed a change in your monthly premium.
The way location affects car insurance is
not as simple as avoiding the country’s deadliest cities for drivers. To
keep from being surprised by rising insurance rates, continue reading to find
out what changes to look for in your town that could make you pay more for auto
coverage.
What factors influence your auto
insurance rates?
Driving is a risky activity, but many drivers go years without receiving a ticket or being involved in an accident by practicing safe driving. It is expected that drivers with a clean record are given the lowest insurance quotes possible, but elements outside of a driver’s control are just as influential.
Finding quotes for insurance coverage is a lot like adding and subtracting weights on a balance scale. A list of elements that are in little to no control of a driver is:
● Age: Unlike dating apps, you can’t lie about your age to insurance companies. Drivers under 25 and over 65 tend to have higher premiums due to inexperience and decreasing physical abilities.
● Gender and sex: This topic is somewhat taboo because most insurers ask for gender when data for comparing male and female drivers is done by sex.
For all drivers, insurers are likely to formulate insurance quotes based on an insuree’s license despite the way any initial forms have been filled. Because males tend to display riskier behavior behind the wheel, they tend to experience higher insurance rates.
● Credit score: Although you have some control, in most cases, a driver will always need insurance, making building a credit score before applying not always an option. When applying, insurers will pull a credit report, but you can request new rates from your insurer as your score improves.
● State regulations: States have different requirements for driving insurance minimums that influence base prices for premiums. Only two states (New Hampshire and Virginia) don’t require car insurance, but drivers are always held responsible for their driving and vehicles they operate or cause damage to.
● Where you park: Accidents can happen even when you’re not driving, which is why insurers consider what’s called your garaging address. Having covered private parking makes your vehicle less likely to be damaged or stolen.
For insurers, this means that having to cover damages due to weather, vandalism, or theft is at a lower risk. Those who live in cities usually utilize street parking, increasing their likelihood of filing a claim as opposed to drivers with private parking.
●
ZIP code: In addition to what state you’re in,
the ZIP codes of where you travel matters as well. If you live or work in
cities with heavy traffic or experience high crime rates, your premium will
increase due to the environment being considered high-risk.
What is the average rate for car
insurance?
The national average annual cost of car insurance is upwards of $1,400. Going by the average, most drivers with fair credit and driving records should expect to receive insurance quotes around $120 for a monthly premium.
Whether you pay more or less than the national average is mostly dependent on external factors like the ones listed above. Although not every aspect that affects auto insurance quotes is within your control, knowing how your location influences yours may help you negotiate a cheaper auto insurance rate.
Why Your Address Affects Auto
Insurance
If you’re looking for ways to conduct a quick move that save time and money, you should research the locational details before applying for new coverage. The most prominent factors in determining whether a location will raise a premium depend on these four things:
●
Traffic flow: Living in a big city comes with
price tags just about everywhere. Being in a heavily populated city provides
more chances for drivers to get into accidents, making every other driver
around you an additional liability.
●
Commuting mileage: Working in closer proximity
to where you live reduces your likelihood of getting into an accident. The
shorter your daily commute, the lower your monthly premium can be.
●
Harsh weather conditions: Those who reside in
states with harsh weather conditions tend to have higher base premiums than
those who live in areas with less dramatic seasonal changes. Experiencing harsh
weather conditions such as frequent rain, tornadoes, hurricanes, or snowstorms
affects a driver’s abilities and can threaten a vehicle’s condition.
●
Local crime rates: Crime rates don’t always
reflect the city’s size, which gets reflected in insurance rates. If your zip
code experiences high levels of auto theft, vandalism, or hit-and-runs, your
quotes are likely to be high despite your city’s population size.
What states pay the highest for
auto insurance?
If your mind is racing as to what cities do or don’t check these boxes, you’re not alone. Hopefully, that list hasn’t discouraged you from any plans to move, but the states that continuously have the highest rates include:
●
Florida: $2,587
●
New York: $2,498
●
Louisiana: $2,351
●
Michigan: $2,105
●
Texas: $2,050
● Rhode Island: $2,066
Where there’s high market competition between insurers and insufficient data for unregistered drivers, annual premiums tend to be cheaper. The states with the lowest annual auto insurance rates include:
●
Maine: $831
●
New Hampshire: $985
●
Ohio: $998
●
Wisconsin: $1,049
●
Idaho: $1,055
●
Iowa: $1,122
How You Can Get the Best Auto
Insurance Rates
Finding the best moving company should be at the top of your moving concerns, not needing new coverage. Doing your research can help you negotiate the best plan and keep you from paying for coverage you don’t need.
State regulations are designed to target the issues experienced in the area, but it can be frustrating to know that you’re paying more than someone else for the same service.
Every location has its pros and cons, but a few steps you can take to help you get the most affordable rates are:
●
Pick a car with high safety
ratings.
●
Practice safe driving habits.
●
Improve your credit score.
●
Take an advanced driving course.
●
Don’t take the first offer.
● Pay annually instead of monthly.
Danielle Beck-Hunter writes and researches
about auto insurance for the insurance comparison site, USInsuranceAgents.com. She is
passionate about helping people understand their options and save money on
their auto insurance.
Damages You Can Claim For After Being Involved In A Car Accident
While recovering from your physical injuries and even emotional distress after being involved in a car accident, one of the most daunting impacts for victims of vehicle collisions is the financial aftermath. Some of your financial considerations in a crash will include diminished value as your vehicle will likely be worth quite a bit less at the time of the accident compared to its original purchase price.
What's more, if you are purchased your vehicle with the help of vehicle finance or a personal loan, you will also have to consider the loan's interest. Recovering your damages from your insurance can be daunting, so to help you best list your costs, we have listed all the things you can legally claim after being involved in a car accident.
Diminished Value
Car insurance is undoubtedly essential, although policyholders almost always find themselves frustrated when in a position to claim from an insurer. Your insurer will likely attempt to settle for a low initial offer in most cases. However, it is vital to understand your policy and how to claim correctly to get the most out of your policy when you need it. A diminished value claim is a separate claim from your car accident claim. It is best to rely on legal representation when claiming from your insurer to solidify your case.
Property Damages
Property damages could be included in your car accident claim if you had any personal belongings in your vehicle that were damaged due to the accident. Property damages can also include property that was damaged as a result of the collision. This type of claim is handled separately from bodily harm claims.
Lost Wages
Suppose the impacts of the accident left you unable to earn an income for some time. In this case, you will be able to claim lost wages as damages that resulted from the car accident. However, you will need to provide valid evidence that you have lost income due to the accident, including a letter from your employer. Lost wages are usually quite straightforward to prove in a car accident claim, granted you have evidence from your employer as well as bank statements to solidify your missing income claim.
Medical Bills
One of the most common claims from victims of car accidents is medical expenses. However, if you have medical insurance that is covering your bills for you, you might not be able to recover medical costs. On the other hand, all you will need to prove this expense is the physical receipts from healthcare practitioners and any treatment recommendations for ongoing bills, and your diagnosis reports.
Emotional Distress
Claiming for emotional distress damages in a car accident claim is significantly more challenging than most other types of relevant damages. However, this is because it can be challenging to prove that emotional turmoil impacts the accident. Although you can claim for pain and suffering with the right medical professionals behind you and the correct legal representation caused the accident. Obtaining diagnoses such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and others will be necessary to prove your experience was genuinely damaging to your mental health.
Top 3 Ways to Save on Auto Insurance
Are you paying too much for car insurance? I’m sure you’ve seen or heard ads from car insurance companies promising to help you save big. Often, they’ll mention bundling which is a great way to get a discount and save money. But there are so many other ways to save, too.
Did you realize that sometimes even your occupation qualifies you for a discount? Almost every car insurance company offers a military discount, and some even offer discounted car insurance for firefighters, EMS workers, and teachers.
Discounts are one of the best ways to save, but you can also pay less for car insurance by comparing quotes and switching to a company that offers your lower premiums. You can also tweak your coverage to appropriately cover your needs, which may help you save money.
Read on for some of the top ways for you to
save money on car insurance.
#1 – Discounts for Save on Your
Car Insurance
Almost every driver is eligible for at least one discount and many can earn several discounts. Each car insurance company sets up its own discount system, and the discounts listed below aren’t recognized universally.
Still, these are some of the most common car
insurance discounts.
Bundling Discount
If you purchase a homeowners, renters, boat,
or motorcycle policy from the same provider as your car insurance policy, you
will probably be able to get a discount. This discount is one of the most
common, and nearly every provider offers a percentage off of your premiums for
bundling.
Good Driver Discount
Good drivers tend to continue being good drivers. If you haven’t gotten into an accident in three years, you may be able to get a good driver discount. Insurance premiums are based on the risk you present to an insurance provider. Good drivers are low risk, so they usually get a discount.
Getting into accidents will affect your
eligibility for a good driver discount, and so will filing claims and getting
traffic tickets for things like speeding or running red lights.
Automatic Payments Discount
When you set up your payments to leave your
account automatically each month, you’re less likely to miss a payment and more
likely to stick with your current insurer, so they reward you with a discount.
Paperless Billing Discount
Paperless billing saves time and money for the
insurance company because they don’t have to physically mail bills to your
address, so they usually offer a small discount in return.
Low Mileage Discount
It makes sense that you’d pay less for car insurance if you drive fewer miles annually. The less time you spend on the road, the lower the risk that you’ll get in a crash and file a claim.
Obviously, insurance companies like that and
will incentivize that behavior.
Good Student Discount
Teen drivers pay the highest car insurance
rates of any age group. Most car insurance companies will offer a significant
discount for students who earn a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Driver’s Education Discount
A driver’s education discount is vital for teens because their car insurance rates are incredibly high, and they don’t usually qualify for many discounts. Find out which driver’s ed courses your car insurance company recognizes before investing in a class.
If you’re going to take a class, you might as
well get rewarded for it with a discount. You want a good driving instructor and program
that will help your teen drive safely, but you’ll want it to be recognized by
your insurance company so that you can get a discount for it.
Occupational Discounts
Military members can almost always earn a
discount. Some car insurance companies offer reduced rates for first responders
like firefighters, law enforcement, and EMTs. Teachers can sometimes find
insurers who provide a discount for their occupation, as well.
#2 – Comparing Rates to Save
Every six months, you should make a quote comparison. As your personal factors change with time, your current car insurer may not be the best. Some car insurance companies are a better fit with specific demographics.
You must realize that you may not be a good
fit with your current provider anymore as your demographics change.
Switching Car Insurance Companies
It doesn’t take much time to compare rates, and if you find a reputable insurance company where you can save significantly, you should take advantage and switch providers.
It’s crucial to compare identical coverage,
though. Don’t compare different coverage levels between companies because you
won’t get an accurate comparison. Make sure your deductibles and level of
coverage are identical, otherwise you may leave yourself open to unnecessary
financial trouble later.
Talking with Your Car Insurance
Company
Car insurance companies don’t negotiate
premiums. You won’t be able to talk them down to a lower rate, but what they
can do is help you evaluate your coverage, find discounts you may have missed,
or adjust your coverage levels to get your premiums more manageable.
#3 – Tweaking Your Policy to Save
Changing your policy can help you save a lot
of money. Just remember that you’ll pay less when you lower your coverage, but
you’ll also be eligible for fewer benefits.
Reducing Your Coverage
Reducing coverage will definitely help you save money on car insurance, but it’s vitally important not to leave yourself underinsured.
Suppose your car is over 10 years old, and you’re paying more than 10 percent of your vehicle’s value annually for full coverage. In that case, you’ll be better off dropping full coverage and carrying a liability-only policy.
Evaluate all the different types of coverage
you have. If you have coverage that will pay for a rental car should your car
be damaged, you could drop that option if you have a second vehicle or
transportation option.
Increasing Your Deductible
A reasonably standard deductible is $500.
If you raise that to a $1000 deductible, your monthly premiums will lower
significantly. Just remember that you’ll need to be prepared to pay that
deductible if you file a claim.
Switching to a Usage-Based Plan
Your car insurance provider may offer a different type of plan than standard insurance. If they don’t, you may want to consider switching insurers to one that does, especially if you don’t drive much annually.
A usage-based insurance plan charges you based on your driving. Some plans are by-the-mile where you pay a base monthly fee, and then you pay a set amount per mile that you drive.
Other usage-based plans use telematics devices
to monitor your driving habits, and the price is based on that information.
Be Proactive to Save the Most
There are many different ways that you can save on car insurance. None of them take much time, but you do have to be proactive. Your insurance company isn’t likely to call you up and offer you a discount.
It’s your responsibility to review your coverage and make sure you’re taking advantage of any available savings. Set aside an hour this weekend to look over your options. It shouldn’t take much longer than that, and the savings you can find are well worth the time.
What is your garaging address?
Many factors play a role in the insurance premium you are quoted when looking for the best car insurance. Plus, all the information you have to provide for a single application can be overwhelming.
Even an experienced driver who has paid
for auto insurance for years can find the process daunting. Providing your
insurance representative with the wrong information during the application can
affect your quote or can lead to legal issues down the road should you accept
the quote and start a policy with incorrect information.
Asking questions like “Can I insure my car at a different address?”
while applying for insurance with a provider can save you a lot of trouble down
the line since your garaging address plays a major role in the insurance rate
they give you.
Understanding what a garaging address
means for insurance companies and how it can affect you as a consumer can help
you find better car insurance rates and prevent you from unintentionally
providing incorrect information on your policy.
What exactly is a garaging address?
The concept of a garaging address can actually be pretty simple depending on your lifestyle factors. Your garaging address is the location where your car is parked most of the time.
If you have an apartment downtown near your job but have a permanent home in the country, you would put your garaging address where your car spends the majority of the time at.
So if you work and sleep at your downtown apartment Monday to Friday and go to your permanent home in the country on the weekends, your garaging address would be at your apartment because your car is parked there more.
For most people, their garage address is where
they live, but like the example mentioned above, it is not so simple for
everyone. Older individuals who are retired may travel a lot, so they may live
in more places than one. Their garaging address may change whenever they
relocate.
Why a Garaging Address Is
Important
Some may figure that as long as they are paying their insurance on time, then what does it matter what address they give their insurance company? Well, your insurance rate is directly affected by your garaging address.
Also, say you follow all the important steps to take after a car accident and your insurance provider sends a check for your claim in the mail to your garaging address. If they have the wrong address for where your car is parked most of the time, you may have to wait longer to receive funds to fix your car.
This type of situation can be extremely
frustrating if you moved to another city or state. This is why you should
always update your garaging address whenever it changes.
ZIP Codes Impact Insurance Rates
Your garaging address and the ZIP code connected to it are important because they determine your car insurance rate. Car insurance rates are based on where your car is located the most.
If your car is in an area that has high crime rates, your premium rate will be higher compared to if you live somewhere that is an urban or rural area with low crime rates.
Even having a garaging address in a city that has a higher population can increase your rates because it increases the chances of having a car accident.
It also increases the chances of your car being stolen or broken into because a higher populated area includes a wider range of different individuals with varied lifestyles.
Some other factors that impact your insurance rates are your date of birth, occupation, marital status, education level, driving history, and insurance history. Out of all of these factors, the most significant ones to auto insurance underwriters are your driving history, your age, and your car’s location.
Those are the most impactful factors because they directly affect the well-being of your vehicle. If you drive poorly, are young with little driving experience, or are regularly parking in a busy or crime-ridden area, insurance underwriters view you and your vehicle as a liability.
The extra money you pay for parking your car where it is most of the time makes up for the financial risk you pose to your insurance provider. Parking in a safer or less populated area can save you money with your insurance rate.
Another factor to consider with the higher premium rate for certain locations is the fact that red-light cameras are located in busier cities more often than rural and less populated areas. You are more likely to be caught doing something illegal while driving, whether or not intentional, in a crowded city than in a less busy area.
Too many traffic tickets display you as a
liability and more likely to get into an accident because you break the laws of
the road.
What is garaging
misrepresentation?
Garaging misrepresentation happens when you give the wrong garaging address on your car insurance policy. People partake in garaging misrepresentation unintentionally or intentionally, but no matter the reason, insurance providers take the misrepresentation seriously.
Unless you can prove the misrepresentation was a mistake, your provider could cancel your coverage, you could end up paying significant penalty fees, or you could face legal consequences.
Auto insurance companies in the United States lose around $3 billion every year because of garaging misrepresentation. So after you have started a policy, underwriters are usually required to double-check your address through various sources from time to time.
Misrepresenting your location can lower your
premium by around 35 percent, which makes doing it understandably appealing.
However, the consequences down the road can outweigh the immediate benefits.
How to Avoid Garaging
Misrepresentation
The best way to avoid garage misrepresentation is by merely being honest about where you park your car most of the time and always updating your address whenever you relocate.
If you drive a fuel-efficient, smart car, there are even ways that you can connect your car’s location to your insurance provider’s web system or your account with them. This is a great way to avoid unintentionally being dishonest about your garaging address and can be used in case of an emergency where you cannot tell emergency personnel your location.
Your insurance representative can give you more information on how to connect your car’s location to them or let you know if this is an option with the company. At the very least, they can give you tips on how to best keep them updated with your garaging address.
Tickets that Have the Biggest Effect on Car Insurance
Most drivers have been caught speeding, and probably a good chunk of those individuals were lucky enough to only get a speeding warning ticket. Other tickets that people get while driving are for forgetting to use their turn signal or for breaking other rules of the road.
The violations may vary, but you can end up facing a variety of costly penalties, especially with your car insurance provider. Those who have received driving tickets may have noticed an increase in their insurance policy rate without completely understanding why they were charged that rate.
Well, an increase in car insurance rates is because those who have recent tickets or car accidents on their driving record are considered high-risk drivers. Insurance providers charge these types of drivers more as a way to protect themselves financially if the driver ends up in an accident.
However, knowing which tickets have the biggest effect on your car insurance can help you make wiser decisions on the road in order to prevent a policy rate increase.
Violations that Increase Your Car Insurance Rates
A traffic violation can raise car insurance rates by as much as 82 percent per year. Almost every type of violation can negatively affect your insurance policy, even if the ticket was not given specifically for dangerous behavior behind the wheel.
You can get a ticket for driving too slow and receive the same rate increase as much as someone who was speeding. Many believe that driving dangerously is the only cause for a rate spike, but that is not always the case.
Take a look at some of the lowest and highest costing violations that you can receive while driving on the road and how much that violation can cause your insurance rate to increase per year:
|
The Violation |
How Much Insurance Rate Can Increase Per Year |
|
|
Driving without lights |
2.4% ($51) |
|
|
Not wearing a seat belt |
4.0% ($59) |
|
|
The Cheapest Violations |
Not-at-fault accident |
6.7% ($98) |
|
Failure to show documents |
8.7% ($128) |
|
|
Driving with expired registration |
10.9% ($161) |
|
|
Hit and run |
82.2% ($1,209) |
|
|
Refusal of breathalyzer/chemical test |
74.1% ($1,089) |
|
|
The Costliest Violations |
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) |
73.9% ($1,086) |
|
Racing |
73.7% ($1,084) |
|
|
Reckless driving |
70.4% ($1,034) |
Though these are not all the violations that you can be ticketed for on the road, you can see that even the lowest costing offense can have a costly effect on your car insurance. Even if you are not at fault for the accident, your insurance rate can increase by at least 6 percent, and filing a claim for damage raises your premium as well.
The size of the claim, who was at fault, and the terms of the insurance policy plays a role in how much the rate will increase per year. A single medical or personal injury claim or a single comprehensive claim can raise your rate anywhere between 0.5 and 5 percent.
Two medical or personal injury claims or two comprehensive claims can raise your rate anywhere between 6 and 11 percent.
For those who are unaware, a comprehensive policy claim covers damage to a car that is not caused by an accident such as vandalism, weather damage, or theft. A personal injury or medical claim pays for treatment and recovery costs for those who were injured because of a car accident.
Why Speeding Tickets Affect Your Insurance Rates
Insurance providers make money by taking on clients who are less likely to get into an accident. Doing this means they will not have to pay out large chunks of money to cover any damages filed by a claim. If you take too many risks while driving on the road, your provider may opt to not renew your policy altogether.
The exact percentage that your rate can spike various by the provider, but here is a list of factors that are commonly considered when determining the rate increase after a moving violation:
● Amount of time since your last moving violation
● Your prior driving record
● Whether the ticket was the first offense
● How many miles per hour you were going over the speed limit
● The location where the violation occurred
How to Reduce Your Insurance Premium After a Ticket
If you have received a ticket that caused your premium to spike, there are ways to help lower the cost of your auto insurance policy.
For starters, you can try fighting the ticket if you feel you did not legally deserve to be ticketed. Situations like this will often require a lawyer and solid proof. An example of this may be receiving a red-light camera ticket even though you were not the driver of the car.
Changing your policy coverage could also lower your premium, but this depends on your personal needs. If you are a driver that absolutely needs the amount of coverage you currently have, then it can be risky to lose that.
Speaking with an insurance representative about such a decision would be wise before making the next steps.
Last, taking a safety driving course can give you a discount that knocks your rate back down. In some states and with some insurance providers, taking a defensive driving or accident prevention course can grant you a hefty discount.
How to Avoid Getting a Speeding Ticket
Though the likelihood of receiving an insurance rate increase is high after getting a ticket, especially a speeding ticket, your insurance provider may not do so if you have not had a violation in the last three years and if you’re over the age of 25.
The best way to avoid getting a speeding ticket and risk a premium spike is by driving safely and legally at all times. You should also avoid using your phone while driving because cameras may enforce texting while driving laws without you realizing it, and that will definitely increase your insurance rates.
As a general tip, taking a driving course every couple of years is also a great way to remain a skilled driver.
Imani Francies writes and researches for the car insurance comparison site, CarInsurance101.com. She earned a bachelor of arts in film and media and specializes in various forms of media marketing.