Smart Auto Insurance Blog

According to the article “New Jersey Association of REALTORS(R) Endorses High Point Auto Insurance” from news.prnewswire.com, High Point Auto Insurance announced a new partnership with NJAR(R) that will save thousands on New Jersey auto insurance quotes for members. 

NJAR(R) has endorsed High Point Auto Insurance as their official auto insurance partner so its members will have access to a discount with one of New Jersey’s most respected auto insurance companies in New Jersey.

Jim Tignanelli, the president of High Point Property and Casualty Insurance Company, says that since they are also focused only on New Jersey residents they can provide meaningful coverage and benefits that include the specific needs of New Jersey auto insurance policy holders.

According to the article “California’s Largest Auto Insurer Plans Layoffs” on insurancenewsnet.com, Farmers Insurance Group is planning to cut hundreds of jobs as reported on Friday. 

The Los Angeles based auto insurance company told their employees they would be eliminating 554 jobs by the end of 2009, and that the total would reach about 750 by the end of 2010.  The job losses will affect the newly acquired company, 21st Century Insurance at The Woodland Hills complex, which currently has 979 employees.  This information was found in the the LA Times. 

This decision was made after carefully evaluating 21st Century over two months.  Senior Vice President Mark Toohey said that they hope to streamline operations with this effort.  Some of the displaced workers may be offered positions at 21st Century’s executive offices in Delaware, or transferred to other Farmers operations in California.

The high Michigan auto insurance quotes in Detroit and other Michigan cities are driving residents out as more and more people cannot afford the high costs.  It’s also causing thousands of residents to commit fraud or drop their insurance altogether.  This is according to the article “Car insurance rate setting hits Detroiters unfairly” by Jeff Gerritt on freep.com. 

Detroit is the nation’s poorest big city yet residents pay the highest average auto insurance rates in the country.  About half of its motorists go without insurance because it’s so expensive.  Part of the reason for this problem is what’s called territorial ratings, which allow auto insurance companies to base their prices in part where people reside.  Regardless of a person’s driving record, if they live in Detroit they will pay more for auto insurance.  Insurers state the reason for doing so is because these areas have been deemed higher risk. 

Since many are unable to afford their auto insurance costs, schemes are on the rise.  Some drivers buy fake insurance certificates for as little as $50.  Some use false suburban addresses when purchasing their policy to obtain a lower quote.

Auto theft is down in Ohio for 2008 according to The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s recent report.  The article “Ohio’s most-stolen vehicle: 2000 Dodge Caravan” from the Chicago Tribune gives some details.  The 2000 Dodge Caravan minivan is the most often stolen car in Ohio for 2008.  This could end up affecting your Ohio auto insurance quotes if you have this car.

Ohio’s second most popular stolen car is the 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass.  The third is the 1996 Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.  This ranking is based on car theft data gathered in 2008.  According to The National Insurance Crime Bureau many older models of trucks and cars are being targeted because these cars carry valuable parts.  Parts stripped out from a chop shop can often sell for 2 times as much as the car itself would on the market.

Throughout the country, 2008’s most stolen car was the 1994 Honda Accord.  Auto insurance theft is down across the nation as well.

According to the article “Classic Car auto insurance is cheaper than enthusiasts may think” by Kathy M. Kristof on latimes.com, classic car auto insurance rates are often cheaper than traditional policies.  The reason being that collectibles are pampered by their owners.  They are driven less and driven much more carefully.

About half of classic car owners put their classic cars under a standard auto insurance policy without realizing there are specific policies out there created just for collectible cars.  Sometimes the traditional policy is too expensive and happens to be inadequate coverage according to Ford Heacock III, chief executive of Heacock Classic, an insurer of collectible cars in Florida. 

There are a number of reasons why it’s important to have your classic car insured appropriately.  One of the main reasons is because traditional insurance assumes your car’s value will decrease over time whereas classic cars usually appreciate, especially if the car is getting restored.  If the car is destroyed you want to get a payout that will replace the item at its increased value. 

Classic car auto insurance is offered by dozens of specialized insurance companies across the nation.

State Farm Insurance, which carries many different types of insurance including auto insurance and health insurance, is giving the nation a challenge.  It’s a challenge to lose 50 million pounds across the country according to the article “Insurance agency challenges Americans to lose weight” on wqow.com. 

State Farm agent Bob Johnson states that the healthier you are the less you see the doctor which will ultimately affect your insurance rates.  Not to mention if you are healthier and take good care of yourself you will live a longer, more quality life. 

Registration is online and participants can track their progress as well as get tips on how to lead a healthier life.  State Farm is offering a kit as well which includes a pedometer and an information booklet.  This is a great example of insurance companies supporting a greater cause.  pivemrg678

Carrying auto insurance is the law in most states, but according to the article “How To Cut Your Auto Insurance Bill” on bignews.biz drivers in record numbers are dropping their auto insurance policy because of unemployment and other financial issues.  The recession has taken a toll on us all.  But dropping your auto insurance can cause big problems and is not worth the risk.

Just one auto accident can ruin you financially if you are not insured, not to mention get you in big trouble with law enforcement.  If you are struggling to pay your bill, you are much better off in the long run to look for ways to decrease your auto insurance rate instead of dropping your policy altogether. 

One way to decrease your auto insurance rate is by raising your deductible to a higher level.  Another important step is to compare auto insurance quotes.  You can do so online, over the phone, or by visiting a nearby auto insurance agent.  Doing so can save you hundreds and the process is relatively painless.  Protect your assets and stay honest by keeping auto insurance policies in good standing if you are driving on the road.

According to the article “Auto Body Shop in Plano, Texas Provides Environmentally Safe Auto Paint Repair” found on emailwire.com, there is a company called Collision On Wheels in Texas which is a mobile auto repair shop which focuses on using green materials and efficient energy to fix autos. 

Collison on Wheels carries everything in their van needed to fix minor repairs in the owner’s driveway.  This lets them save on power in addition to the environmentally friendly products they use.  They typically finish work in one day and keep prices down.  In severe cases they will work with Texas auto insurance companies to cover the costs. 

Since Collision on Wheels does not have the typical expenses of other auto repair shops they can pass the savings onto their customers which is a much needed relief in today’s economy.

Below are some helpful tips for students heading off to college for the new school year, obtained from insurance.com’s press release on prnewswire.com.  College students are always looking for ways to save money and by following these tips you are sure to save.  With 18-22 year olds paying on average $1808 for auto insurance quotes, it’s important to find other ways to save money. 

If taking your car to school, be sure to purchase a parking permit.  This is usually much more convenient than dealing with the hassel of finding appropriate parking and avoiding tickets that can add up in the long run.  Choose a car that is less expensive to insure, including smaller, used cars.  Keep your driving record clean, which will have a huge effect on your auto insurance rates.  Do your best to earn a good student discount that many auto insurance companies offer.  Be sure to manage your new credit cards wisely.  As an 18 year old you are allowed to obtain credit in just your name, but it’s crucial to make payments on time and keep debt levels down because your credit rating affects your auto insurance rates as well. 

It may seem overwhelming to fully understand the world of owning a car, but by educating yourself you will no doubt save time and money over your four years at college.

According to the article “Car Insurance Providers Lower Rates for Back to School” by Trey Augusta on huliq.com, auto insurance companies are in price wars as they compete to win student auto insurance policies.

As high school and college students get ready to head back to school, parents are reviewing their auto insurance policies.  This is causing many auto insurance companies to lower their rates to win the business of these students.  Auto insurance rates are revised daily and with all of the variables that go into determining an auto insurance quote a new school year often brings changes to a particular auto insurance policy price. 

Shop around to see if your student is eligible for a cheaper auto insurance.  It may surprise you that your older, more experienced, good student driver qualifies for a better rate.