Minggu, 17 Februari 2008

Seat Belts Make Auto Safety a Snap

What auto device is simple to use, takes just a second to snap into place, and saves thousands of lives each year? Seat belts of course – probably the single most important tool you have to keep safe while driving.

Seat belt stats at a glance
Accidents do happen, and chances are you`ll be involved with one or more in your lifetime. In fact, according to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 15,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in evening traffic crashes during 2005, and 59% of those occupants were not wearing seat belts at the time of the fatal crash. This is compared to the 44% of occupants who were not wearing seat belts and were killed during daytime hours in `05.

Sobering statistics, no doubt. The good news is the NHTSA reports 77% of passenger vehicle occupants who were in a serious crash and were wearing seat belts survived. Wearing seat belts has been proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% for front seat passenger car occupants and by 60% for those in pickup trucks, SUVs and mini-vans.

More good news: According to an `06 NHTSA report, seat belt use across the nation is pretty solid. The average rate was 81%, with seat belt use ranging from 63.5% in New Hampshire and Wyoming to 96.3% in Washington. And 11 states and territories have rates 90% or higher – including Washington, Michigan, Oregon, California, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Nevada, Maryland, Texas, Georgia and New Jersey.

While these rates are high, the only truly acceptable seat belt usage rate is 100%, 24/7, for all drivers.

Seat belts save more than lives
Interestingly, there`s a huge economic impact related to wearing seat belts. According to an '02 report by the NHTSA, between 1976 and 2002 seatbelts prevented 135,000 fatalities and 3.8 million injuries – saving an amazing $585 billion in medical and related costs. Their report states if everyone had used seat belts during this period, nearly 315,000 deaths and 5.2 million injuries could have been prevented, saving roughly $913 billion.

That's an incredible amount of savings and potential for more savings during a time when many driving-related costs can be high – from gasoline to insurance premiums.

Click It or Ticket in action
This year from May 21 until Memorial Day (May 28), the NHTSA is encouraging law enforcement agencies nationwide to take part in the Click It or Ticket campaign, aimed at enforcing seat belt use. Jurisdictions with stronger seat belt laws generally show higher seat belt usage rates than those with weaker laws. A good example is Mississippi, where the seat belt law was changed to a "primary" enforcement law in 2006 and seat belt use jumped from 60.8% to 73.6%.

The NHTSA hopes the Click It or Ticket campaign encourages drivers to consider the legal consequences of not wearing a seat belt, in addition to being aware of the enormous safety benefits seat belt use brings.

Quick tips on proper seat belt use and safety
Just a few quick reminders about the right way to wear your seat belt: First, the belt should be low and snug across the pelvis or lap, and never across the stomach.

The shoulder belt should be across the chest and collarbone, and be snug. It should never be in front of the face or behind the back. Remember, you still need to wear seat belts even if your car has air bags – in fact, air bags only work properly if you are belted in and they are not designed to replace seat belts.

All children under 12 should be buckled into an appropriate seat, such as a child safety seat in the back. To find out the best child safety seat for your child's weight and age, check with your local children's hospital. Newborns should be placed in rear-facing car seats in the back.

Wearing seat belts is a snap, saves lives daily, and saves billions of dollars. So keep in mind the link between car accidents and seat belts when you take to the roads. We'll all be safer for it.

Auto Insurance The Protection You Need

On average, a motor vehicle crash occurs every 5 seconds, a person is injured in an accident every 11 seconds, and a fatal injury occurs every 12 minutes. Those are scary thoughts as you head out the door to school, work or to the store and convincing evidence of why auto insurance coverage is so necessary.

However, you can rest a little easier knowing that the crash fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled is the lowest it has been since record keeping began 30 years ago, registering at 1.46, and remained below 1.50 for the second consecutive year in a row. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 2004 Early Edition Report, the number of police-reported motor vehicle crashes occurring on the highways dropped to under 6.2 million from more than 6.3 million in 2003, and persons injured in these crashes continues to steadily decline as well.

This reduction is due in part to the national campaigns aimed at increasing safety belt use and reducing impaired driving. Currently the seat belt law is mandated in all 50 states, which greatly helped reduce the number of persons killed in auto accidents in 2004. The countrywide campaign for drinking under the influence has also greatly helped reduce alcohol-related fatalities for the second consecutive year in a row.

Time plays a big part.
Even with all these new preventive measures, accidents are still happening. This is why the focus has turned to on which days and at what time accidents are occurring. According to the NHTSA, Saturday and Sundays nights between Midnight and 3 a.m. are the deadliest 3-hours on the road, with a total of 2,451 fatal crashes in 2004, seventy-six percent of these accidents involved alcohol.

So you now know what time of day to try and avoid, but do you know that time of year? The Early Edition Report indicates that August topped the charts with the most fatal crashes in one month and December had the most overall automobile accidents, totaling 601,000- something to keep in mind during your vacation and holiday travels!

Your car can affect your car accident.
The vehicle you drive can also play a large role in your car accident. Passenger cars and light trucks accounted for nearly 95 percent of the 11 million vehicles involved in motor vehicle crashes in 2004. Large trucks only accounted for 15 percent of the vehicle accidents. In addition, we saw an increase in vehicles rolling over during an accident. Of the vehicles that rolled over, utility vehicles presented the highest rate at 36.2 percent in fatal crashes, 9.6 percent in injury crashes and 2.4 in property-damage-only-crashes. Regardless of the crash severity, the majority of these accidents occurred during daylight, in normal weather conditions, while the vehicle was going straight.

Protect yourself with auto insurance.
Accidents do happen, but you can follow some simple safety measures while driving. These include wearing your seat belt at all times, obeying the speed limit, being cautious of your surroundings and having auto insurance. By having auto insurance, you are able to protect yourself, your family, passengers and other drivers from incurring additional heartache and financial burden.

Jumat, 08 Februari 2008

What to Look for in Auto Insurance Companies

There are tons of auto insurance companies to choose from out there, so how do we choose the right one? If we decide on a certain company, how do we make sure it’s going to be a good choice?

There a quite a few things one should look for when deciding whether or not to choose a certain company. One shouldn’t solely make a choice on one single factor, but a combination of multiple important factors, and if you’d like to, you can add extra consideration on whatever you feel is most important such as price, quality, coverage or stability.

The following is a summary of things one should look for in an insurance company in order to make an educated choice and ensure your satisfaction and security.

* One very important factor that we all automatically take into consideration is price. With good reason, we all want to pay as little as possible for the coverage we need. Instead of determining whether a carrier’s rates are competitive by comparing them to your current or prior rates, one should compare the rates of multiple companies. Many times, consumers obtain two to three quotes from different carriers and believe the lowest one of the three to be competitive. What one should realize is that the rates of auto insurance companies can widely vary for different drivers. If one company is cheapest for one driver, it’s not automatically going to be the cheapest for all drivers. It is recommended to compare the rate quotes of at least five companies in order to ensure a competitive rate. Among the simplest way of completing an auto insurance quote comparison is to visit OnlineAutoInsurance.com. By completing one simple form, you can compare the rates of multiple carriers instantly and quickly instead of contacting companies individually.
* Assessing your coverage needs can be based on what you need and what you can afford. If you have a vehicle with very low value, you may consider waiving comprehensive and collision coverage which is what covers your vehicle in case of damage or theft. Additionally, you can experiment with high deductibles to see price differences. Get quotes for all different types of coverage. Don’t be afraid to quote a certain coverage just out of curiosity and remember that quotes can be obtained online totally free with no obligations at OnlineAutoInsurance.com. You may be surprised to find out that some valuable coverage can be quite inexpensive.
* If a company is offering the coverage you need for a reasonable price, you can begin to look a bit further into other factors such as service. Customer service is a very important factor that should definitely be taken into consideration when choosing the right carrier. If one bases their choice only on price, it is pointless to pay for insurance if you’re not going to receive the service you deserve when it comes time. A good way of determining the service factor is to ask someone that you know has the company. Ask them if they’re satisfied with the carrier and if they recommend the company regardless of price. Also you can contact the customer service number and ask a simple question such as “Do you offer discounts for married drivers?” just to see what hold times you can expect and to see the friendliness of the representatives.
* The stability of a company is a very important factor. If you find a great price from a company having great customer service and they go out of bankrupt before they pay your claim, you’re on the same boat as not having insurance at all. The stability of a company is called financial strength. There are independent agencies that issue letter grades to companies based on their financial strength such as AMBest.com. Some companies are proud of their grade and display it as they provide you with rates. OnlineAutoInsurance.com also gives you company summaries with the AMBest’s the financial strength rating.
* Claims assistance is as important as any other factor. It’s the main reason you insure your vehicles; to help you get through a loss or liability claim. Making sure companies do provide good claims assistance can also be determined through anyone you know who’s had a claim with the company in question. You may also contact you state’s Department of Insurance to get a claims complain history. Obviously, if a company has tons of complaints, you’re likely to end up complaining upon a claim; Vise versa, low complaint records indicate satisfaction from large percentages which likely will be you as well.

Take your newly added knowledge and obtain you free online car insurance comparison from multiple companies by simply logging onto OnlineAutoInsurance.com and filling out a quick questionnaire. Don’t be hesitant, there’s absolutely no obligation to purchase a policy; however, in most states, you can choose to buy you policy online and receive instant proof.

Fast Auto Insurance Comparison

OnlineAutoInsurance.com allows consumers to complete one single form and instantly obtain the rates of top auto insurance carriers online. Fast auto insurance comparisons save you the hassle of repeating the process of calling a company, answer the questionnaire and getting quotes.

Comparing auto insurance allows consumers to broaden their choices which increase the chances of getting a competitive rate. The problem with many people is that they settle after only calling two or three companies which they might have been referred to by a friend of family member, then they make a limited choice. With all reason, if someone has to call around and repeatedly answer the same questions over and over, they’re likely to become frustrated and settle on a couple of choices.

What you should be aware of is that each carrier has specific guidelines on how they base their rates. For example, if you obtain a great price from a certain insurer and recommend them to a friend, the possibility exists that they may get an outrageously high rate quote.

You may wonder why the same company is offering cheap rates for you but not for someone else or vise versa. The reason behind this is because each company has a specific profitable market. If you happen to fit a category of drivers which has been profitable (meaning they did not pay out on too many claims) then they can offer you a low rate. However, this works both ways; even where one resides can be something an insurer is going to base their premium on. If a certain area is turning out a lot of traffic collisions, they’ll charge more for those in that area.

The trick to it all is to compare auto insurance from different companies until you can find the carrier which is offering you a low cost rate. In other words, you must find a company which happens to have a reasonable profit margin for whatever category you fall into.

Give it a shot, let OnlineAutoInsurance.com help you instantly complete your online auto insurance comparison from multiple companies such as Progressive, AIG, Unitrin and more. Additionally, if you choose to, you can purchase a policy online and receive instant proof.

And remember, you quote comparison is totally free with no obligations at all!

Compare Auto Insurance Quotes Online at a Fraction of the Time

Most people are tired of the long process associated with comparing auto insurance quotes from different companies. Consumers will normally do what ever process they need to take in order to compare quotes and find a rate that fits their budget. Who wouldn’t take a couple hours of their day to make sure they get competitive premium rates and avoid spending unnecessary money?

The great news in today’s age of technology is that you don’t have to take a couple hours of you day anymore. OnlineAutoInsurance.com allows consumers to immediately get at least four rates from fifteen leading companies. Instead of taking your valuable time calling around and completing a repetitive process, you can complete one single form and obtain the rates of carriers such as Progressive, AIG, Unitrin, Esurance and more.

We understand that making an online auto insurance comparison involves more than just considering price. That’s why OnlineAutoInsurance.com allows consumers to compare other quality factors such as financial strength, brand, and one can even get tips on how to recognize and take into consideration a company’s customer service, claims response and complaint history.

In other words, OnlineAutoInsurance.com is a tool for locating and analyzing an insurer and making an educated decision after receiving valuable information. One should be aware that even most state’s Department of Insurance suggests that one obtains multiple quotes since carrier’s rates can widely vary.

Comparing auto insurance quotes online at a fraction of the time saves one the labor normally associated in the task of calling around companies found in traditional methods of advertisement such as a newspaper or magazine. The popularity and function of the Internet has given endless possibilities to the consumer including the ability to buy a policy right from the comfort of their home.

In most of the United States, consumers can log onto OnlineAutoInsurance.com and purchase a policy online through its many partners and affiliates. Buying a policy online comes with many benefits as discussed in the article “The Benefits of Buying Car Insurance Online”. Reports show that the popularity of online auto insurance has increased year over year due to the efficiency the internet ties to insuring vehicles.

Do You Really Need Rental Car Insurance?

At the rental car counter, you will be offered several different types of coverages which will add money on to your base rental rate. What many people may not realize is that most of these are often already covered by your personal auto insurance policy. The best thing to do is to check with your insurance agent or carrier before you rent a car and find out exactly what is covered under your existing policy. This should help you avoid shelling out extra money for things that are already covered.

As discussed above, many of the coverages offered at the rental car counter are often already covered by your personal auto insurance policy. One exception to this is what is called Collision Damage Waiver, or CDW. This extra daily charge covers both the cost of damages to the rental car if you are involved in an accident and the “loss of use” that the rental company will charge you. “Loss of use” means the time and money the rental car company lost since the vehicle could not be rented. While the damage to the vehicle itself may be covered by your personal auto insurance policy, the “loss of use” very likely will not be.

Also, many rental car companies will expect payment right away, meaning if you did not purchase CDW you may have to pay out of your pocket and then wait to be reimbursed by your personal auto insurance company. For these reasons, it may make sense to pay the around $8-11 extra per day that most rental car companies charge you for CDW.

Note: When renting a car in another country, your personal insurance coverage probably will not extend to a car rental. In this case, your best option is to at least buy the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) from the rental agency.

Credit Card Car Rental Coverages
Some credit cards may offer coverage for damage or theft to your rental car if you use that card to rent the vehicle. This could replace the need to purchase CDW; if your credit card does offer this feature, this in addition to your personal auto insurance policy could mean you are covered and do not need to purchase any extra coverages through the rental car company. However, most credit cards that offer this feature only cover basic models of rental cars, and do not include upgrades such as SUVs and luxury cars. Check with your credit card company to see if they offer this feature, and if so, exactly what it covers. Make sure to ask if it provides for the “loss of use” that the rental car company will charge if you damage the car.

Rental Car Reimbursement On Your Existing Auto Insurance Policy
This optional coverage offered through your personal auto insurance company or agent will reimburse you for a rental car if your primary vehicle is disabled due to a covered loss. This coverage will pay all or part of your rental car costs. This is an add-on to your auto insurance policy, as opposed to the extra coverage you purchase from a rental car company to cover you when you are in a rental car, as discussed above.

Conclusion
If you have any questions about what is covered on your auto insurance policy, be sure and ask your carrier or agent before you drive off in your rental car. You may be surprised as to what is already covered in your auto insurance policy, or you may consider upping your coverage (which usually costs less than you may realize) well before your trip to make sure you have all your bases covered.

Rabu, 06 Februari 2008

Take These Steps After an Auto Accident

Most of us have little or no experience at the scene of a traffic accident - and yet knowing in advance the right steps to take is important for every driver.

Regardless if the collision is a small fender bender or a major accident, knowing what to do will make the experience a little less frightening and will help you avoid mistakes.

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the agency responsible for regulating insurance in Ontario, has created a brochure that provides a useful list of steps that you can follow, in case you're involved in an auto accident.

Below is a summary of the information found in the What To Do After An Auto Accident brochure, which can be downloaded online at www.fsco.gov.on.ca under the Publications section.

Step 1:

Stop your vehicle. If you don't, you may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Step 2:

If anyone is injured, or if the total damage to all the vehicles and property involved appears to be more than $1,000, call 911. If no one is injured and total damage to all the vehicles and property involved appears to be less than $1,000, call your local police for instructions.

If the police are not dispatched, you must report to a Collision Reporting Centre within 24 hours. To locate a Collision Reporting Centre in your area, check your local phone directory or the Internet.

Step 3:

Turn on your vehicle's hazard lights, and if it is safe to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road.

Step 4:

Record the names, addresses, telephone numbers, licence plates, driver's licence numbers, and insurance information of the drivers and the owners involved. (A downloadable accident worksheet is provided in the electronic brochure.)

Step 5:

Obtain contact information for all passengers and witnesses.

Step 6:

Record specific details about the scene of the accident.

Step 7:

Report the accident to your broker, agent, or insurance company as soon as possible. Information on filing an insurance claim is available online at www.fsco.gov.on.ca.

Another valuable source of information on this subject is the After An Auto Accident web page, located on the ServiceOntario website at www.serviceontario.ca/autoaccident.

This web page is a one-stop information centre on a wide range of topics, including: steps to take after an auto accident, making an insurance claim, avoiding insurance scams, auto repair tips and laws that pertain to auto accidents.

You Can Save Money on Your Car Insurance Policy

These days it's easy to spend a lot of money for an auto insurance policy. Car insurance has become more and more expensive for many people.

The rate you pay for your car insurance policy depends on many factors. Part of the formula the insurance company uses to work out your rate include a good driving record, your age and a good credit score.

You should not try to get by without car insurance for a couple of reasons:

1.) Car Insurance is mandatory. It is the law to have a car insurance policy with at least the minimum amount of coverage

2.) Today it is just too expensive to have an accident without car insurance.

The best way to save money on your car insurance is to shop around.

Don't approach the first insurance company that you come across. Do some research on the rates different insurance companies offer by asking for car insurance quotes. You can approach an insurance company directly for a quote or get a quote online at an insurance web site.

Even if you have an existing car insurance policy, you can save money by changing to a better policy at the time of renewal of the insurance policy. There are several ways to save money on your insurance policy.

One way to get a discount on your car insurance is by increasing your deductible. In fact, you could save as much as 10% on your annual premium if you increase your deductible by 100%. However if you decide to choose a higher deductible, make sure you understand the risks involved with doing so. If you have an accident you will end up paying more out of your own pocket, so be sure that you have financial resources that will help you payout a higher deductible if you should ever need to.

It is important to remember that your credit report is influential in determining your car insurance premiums. This is a rather new determining factor insurance companies have started to use.

Many people don't understand the connection between their credit scores and their driving ability, but insurance companies tell us there is research which has proven a correlation between your credit history and the risk to a car insurance company. So if you maintain a habit of paying bills on time, while maintaining a good credit history, you should be able to get lowered car insurance rates.

It just may be better for you not to use your car to commute back and forth to work. Driving that's related to work usually brings on higher premiums than does pleasure driving.

This is another source of contention for some drivers. If you don't drive to work, what do you need the car for. At any rate, even if you keep your commute driving within a fixed mileage in a year, you will get to take advantage of a discount in the rate of your car insurance policy.

So if your insurance company offers this option, it may be worth it for you to drive a little less to be able to save a little more. You may decide it is more practical to car-pool or use some form of public transportation.

Driving safely gives you a price break on your insurance policy. If you maintain a clean driving record for several years, that means there are no accidents, no drunken or careless driving citations and no moving violations on your driving record you should be able to get a discount on your car insurance rates.

If your car is sporty, fast or expensive, your car insurance will cost more. These cars have parts and bodies that are more expensive to fix. People who buy a car that can go very fast, most likely want to drive that car at a high rate of speed.

Is the true for everyone who owns a sports car, no, but it is for most! These "hot" cars are also the targets of thievery. So if it's a discount on your car insurance don't buy a Vette or a Viper, check out a Toyota or a mini van.

By adding up lots of little tips and you can save a lot of money on car insurance. It takes a little time and foot work, but if you compare a few different insurance companies and the rates for their car policies you will see some savings. The more you look, the more ways to save money you will find.

Of course, if it has always been your dream to get a red convertible Corvette, you are not going to decide to give up this dream to save a couple hundred dollars a year. But there is still room for some give and take when you look over the different car policies and price quotes, you may be able to save yourself enough money for a couple of free tanks of gas!

Motorbike Insurance guide

We have compiled a guide to aid your understanding of your motorbike insurance policy.

Whether it be understanding what all those funny little terms mean that you see in your insurance documents, or knowing what to do in the event of a claim this is the right place to come.

We know that motor bike insurance is tricky to understand, and if you don't know what an Act of God is, then maybe you should click on the Insurance Glossary button below to find out!!

We really want to provide you with the bike insurance policy that suits your needs most, and we hope that by providing you with this information about UK motorcycle insurance we can make your decision a little bit easier.

Caravan Insurance

If you are looking for uk caravan insurance, congratulations, you've found the right place. Brought to you by onequote direct, one of the fastest growing insurance brokers in the UK, you can now get a quote and insure your caravan 24 hours per day with our new caravan insurance internet quote system.

Whether you own a touring or static caravan we can provide you with a quick quote online right now. You can get a great range of benefits and excellent cover right now.

The pain of filling in lots of unnecessary questions has been taken away and we invite you to take our 2 minute challenge to find cheap caravan insurance online. See now if you can find uk caravan insurance at a price thats right for you now.

Dont forget, policies are available with the following benefits and you can mix and match benefits to find the caravan insurance policy that suits you best.
Touring Caravan

* Up to 45% No Claims Discount
* Protected No Claims Bonus
* Datatag Discount
* Awning Cover
* Up to 180 days European Cover
* Friends and Family Cover
* Up to 20 years New for Old Cover
* Up to 100,000 Legal Expenses Insurance Cover
* Car Insurance Discount for Caravan Owners

Static Caravan

* Up to 40% No Claims Discount
* Protected No Claims Bonus
* Freezer Contents Cover
* Awning Cover
* Loss of Keys
* Up to 10 years New for Old Cover
* Up to 50,000 Legal Expenses Insurance Cover
* Car Insurance Discount for Caravan Owners

Motorcycle Insurance

MotorCycle Direct is among the UK's biggest specialist motorcycle insurance providers, offering customers the chance to access quotes and information almost instantly. As part of a group with over 40 years experience, we have built a big business on the basis of small premiums and a personal touch. We have got the industry knowledge and technical expertise to find anyone the right motorcycle insurance quote for biking in the British Isles - whatever their interests.

Bike lovers can find coverage meeting the needs of enthusiasts or just casual riders, whether it is for top of the range models or for a quick run-around. One of the most attractive features of the site is the personalised service - so you can find what you want to suit your needs. And with MotorCycle Direct acting on behalf of all of the major bike insurers, we are well placed to do this.

One in every five riders have already taken the plunge and put us to the test - why don't you join them?

Whether you ride a scooter, a moped or a motorcycle, you can be sure that our bike insurance providers have a policy to suit you. If you are looking for cheap motorbike insurance, you've come to the right place as we've made sure we have provided a range of policies online for Comprehensive, Third Party Fire and Theft and Third Party Only bike insurance.

If you would prefer to speak to one of our specialist quotes team then please give them a call on 0844 800 0944 or alternatively click here for a competitive motorcycle insurance quotation now.

Motorcycle insurance quotes are available online 24 hours a day seven days a week.

How much car insurance should you buy?

Car insurance isn’t very exciting. Depending on which state you live in, it could be a smaller or larger piece of your budget than your neighbors across state lines.

How much insurance should you buy? Any insurance agent worthy of their salt will tell you that you should buy as much as you can afford. While this is a good rule of thumb, it's about as useful as a stock broker's tip to buy low and sell high. It might be sound logic but it doesn't get you any closer to an educated decision. There are a few filters that need consideration in order to make that educated decision. First, what is the state required minimum coverage where you live? Second, what does the minimum cover? Third, what other coverage is available and can you afford it? And fourthly, what are you protecting?

The first two figures refer to bodily injury liability limits(which are not required in all states) and the third figure refers to the property damage liability limit. For example, 20/40/10 means coverage up to$20,000 for each person injured in an accident, up to a maximum of $40,000 forth entire accident, and $10,000 worth of coverage for property damage. These state minimums are based on the most current information available. In addition, some states are "no-fault" states which additionally require Personal Injury Protection, a.k.a. PIP. You should check your specific state’s requirements to verify these figures.

What do the minimums cover?

Now that you know what your state requires, what are you actually covered for once you purchase the minimum? Using the coverage definitions that follow, find the types of coverage required and see what your state says is the accepted minimum.

Coverage Definitions

Bodily Injury Liability covers other people's bodily injuries or death for which you are responsible. It also provides for a legal defense if another party in the accident files a lawsuit against you. Claims for bodily injury may be for such things as medical bills, loss of income or pain and suffering. In the event of a serious accident, you want enough insurance to cover a judgment against you in a lawsuit, without jeopardizing your personal assets. Bodily injury liability covers injury to people, not your vehicle. Therefore, it's good idea to have the same level of coverage for all of your cars. Bodily Injury Liability does NOT cover you or other people on your policy. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.

Comprehensive Physical Damage Coverage Covers your vehicle, and sometimes other vehicles you maybe driving for losses resulting from incidents other than collision. For example, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car if it is stolen; or damaged by flood, fire, or animals. Pays to fix your vehicle less the deductible you choose. To keep your premiums low, select as high a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.

Collision Coverage covers damage to your car when your car hits, or is hit by, another vehicle, or other object. Pays to fix your vehicle less the deductible you choose. To keep your premiums low, select as large a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. For older cars, consider dropping this coverage, since coverage is normally limited to the cash value of your car. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.

Medical Payments covers medical expenses to you and your passengers injured in an accident. There may also be coverage if as a pedestrian a vehicle injures you. Does NOT matter who is at fault. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage covers bodily injuries to you and your passengers when the other person has no insurance or not enough insurance in a crash that is not your fault. In some states, there is also uninsured motorist coverage for damage to your vehicle. Given the large number of uninsured motorists, this is very important coverage to have, even in states with no-fault insurance. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy

Personal Injury Protection Coverage covers within the specified limits, the medical, hospital and funeral expenses of the insured, others in his vehicles and pedestrians struck by him. The basic coverage for the insured's own injuries on first-party basis, without regard to fault. It is only available in certain states.

Property Damage Liability covers you if your car damages someone else's property. Usually it is their car, but it could be a fence, a house or any other property damaged in an accident. It also provides you with legal defense if another party files a lawsuit against you. It is a good idea to purchase enough of this insurance to cover the amount of damage your car might do to another vehicle or object. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.

Rental Car Reimbursement covers renting a car if your car isn't drivable or while your car is being repaired because of a covered accident.

What else is available and can you afford it?

Did you come across a coverage and think, "I need that but it isn't required by state law" when you were reviewing the coverage definitions? Chances are you did. Can your budget afford the additional expense of these protections? Or maybe more to the point; can you afford NOT to have these additional protections? At CarInsurance.com it's easy to get multiple quotes all with a click of your mouse. And during the quoting process, it's simple to add or remove coverage to see how additional coverage will affect your budget.

You can learn more about Insurance Coverages by following this link.

What are you protecting?

What assets need to be protected from being plucked away if you cause injury or damage? A) Your car itself. If this is a significant asset, or at least the bank you owe money to thinks so, then you will need comprehensive and collision. B) Your net worth. Do you have an enormous net worth to protect. If so, either get it out of your name and into a trust or buy all the insurance you can. If you have little or nothing to protect, then you can get by with less and still be financially responsible.

However, after you determine how much protection to get, always ask how much more it is for the next level higher. Very often, you can get significantly more coverage for very little cost.

Car insurance isn't flashy. There is no "wow" factor and the opposite gender isn't going to be impressed by the size of your policy. But not having enough can be the difference between financial stability and financial ruin. For what its worth, CarInsurance.com finds financial stability incredibly appealing.