Smart Auto Insurance Blog

According to the press release “Progressive Launches Industry’s First Android App for Car Insurance” from Business Wire, Progressive Auto Insurance has a phone application for the Google Android (TM) operating program.  Android happens to be the fastest growing smart phone out there according to data from comScore, Inc.

Matt Lehman, Progressive’s Web experience director says they have seen a 30% increase in visits to their Mobile Website by Android owners over the last 4 months.  They have aimed to simplify the mobile app experience for the Android customers.

Progressive is the first major US auto insurance company to offer an Android app for auto insurance.  They also have an iPhone Apple application as well as their Mobile Website.  You can download the free Progressive app for your Android at the Marketplace on Android phones.

Many companies are leaning towards mobile phone users since more and more consumers want to access their financial information through their phone.  Benefits of these various applications include getting car insurance quotes and purchasing a policy, making payments and updating policy information, and reporting ad tracking claims.  In is the wave of the future, and perhaps smaller auto insurance companies, such as Dairyland Insurance, will offer some sort of similar benefit for their customers.

Many people do not realize that you can rent a motorcycle for short periods of time.  You can enjoy the sublime feeling of riding on a beautiful day without the commitment of purchasing a motorcycle outright.  According to the article “Yes, Motorcycles Can Be Rented” by Dan Sorenson on azstarnet.com, rates for renting a motorcycle for a day can range from $99 to $200.

The more expensive ranges for renting a motorcycle usually include higher end models and insurance coverage.  If you owned a motorcycle you would purchase a separate policy through a company that offers motorcycle insurance, such as Dairyland Insurance, but through renting you can get that included.

Most rental companies have basic requirements for renting a motorcycle.  You must be 21 years old or older, have a valid driver’s license which includes a motorcycle endorsement, and a deposit with a credit card good with at least $1000 in available credit.

Dairyland Insurance, which specializes in covering motorcycles has agents in many states.  Like most auto insurance companies they determine your rate by a number of criteria, and when shopping around for motorcycle insurance particularly it’s important to know what factors are being used.

According to the article “Dairyland Motorcycle Insurance” on motorcycle-insurance-tips.com, your car insurance quotes are based on your age, how much experience you have driving a bike, your location, claims history and driving record.  They also considered if you have taken the important MSF training course on motorcycles.

They type of bike you drive is also factored in.  The newer and more expensive the bike, generally the more expensive it will be.  You can have some control over your monthly premium by adjusting your coverage levels for medical and liability protection.  Wealthy drivers with a lot of assets may want more protection then someone with little to no assets.

According to the article “Drunken Driving, and Motorcycle Deaths Decline” by Gary Richards on The Daily Democrat, fatal motorcycle crashes caused by drivers who are under the influence of alcohol are on the decline in California.  This may end up affecting California auto insurance rates.

There are many factors that contribute to this statistic, but the author says that stricter laws, better law enforcement, and better education have contributed to fewer deaths.  Also, the economic downturn is causing more people to drink at home and save money by not purchasing motorcycles. 

Dairyland Insurance, which specializes in motorcycle insurance, may see an impact to their rates as crashes decline.  If you receive a DUI, it can stay on your driving record for up to 10 years and some counties are requiring even first time offenders to blow into a breathalyzer before their car will start.  These are just a few examples of the stricter laws that may be causing fewer accidents and fewer claims being filed by drivers.  This ultimately saves insurance companies money and allows them to offer lower premiums.

Rates on your auto insurance quotes for your motorcycle have many determining factors.  Some of these include the type of motorcycle you drive, your experience with driving a motorcycle and your driving history.

Another thing insurance companies consider when calculating your quote is what type of training you have had in driving a motorcycle.  DMV’s and other safety classes offer classes that educate you on the particulars of driving a motorcycle.  Having this type of course under your belt may lower your auto insurance quotes.  It’s important to keep any certificates you may receive to prove your class registration.

Many auto insurance companies offer motorcycle insurance, including Dairyland Insurance, which is a subsidiary of Sentry Insurance, a parent company.  They specialize in motorcycle insurance as well as other forms of non-standard auto insurance protection.  They have been rated very strong by Standard and Poors for the last 5 years for their excellent business.  About 20% of their customers live in Florida but they are licensed in many states.

Are you in the market for a motorcycle?  One thing to consider when making your purchase is that you will need an insurance policy for your new bike.  You will want to shop around to find the policy that fits your lifestyle, much like you will look for a bike that fits your needs.  Most states require you to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage, but there are many other types of optional coverage choices.

Some companies specialize in motorcycle policies such as Dairyland Auto Insurance, a member of the Sentry Insurance Group, and can give you detailed information on what you may be looking for.  You can also use comparison sites such as smartautoinsurance.com to find the best rate if price is your number one concern.  It may be worth your while to take a training course such as the Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider course, since many companies will offer a 10-15% discount to graduates of similar courses.  There are also multi-bike discounts for those insuring more than one bike as well as organization discounts for members of certain motorcycle associations.

Many factors go into determining the rate of your motorcycle insurance.  Bike type, style, and age are just a few, so keep this in mind as you are shopping for your new motorcycle.  Just like you plan on choosing the right bike for you, it’s important to ensure the company who insures your bike is right as well.