Smart Auto Insurance Blog

A recent press release from Business Wire announces that Progressive Auto Insurance has been recognized for excellence in online auto insurance assistance.  In today’s online environment, more and more consumers are turning to the Internet to compare auto insurance quotes and benefits.  ProgressiveAgent.com offers a wide variety of services making the user experience easier and more straight forward and this has been recognized through receipt of the Standard of Excellence award from the 2011 Web Marketing Association’s WebAwards competition.

Progressive’s Agency distribution business leader, Karen Barone, says this website was specifically designed to make it easier for consumers to use a local agent and also help agents grown their businesses.  They feel honored to receive this award and feel good that they are doing things right.  ProgressiveAgent.com helps consumers find quotes, find a local agent, and also research insurance options.  You can learn more about Progressive’s variety of insurance options including boat, commercial auto and motorcycle insurance.

The judges at the online awards competition say ProgressiveAgent.com is useful and easy to navigate.  Many websites are looked at and seven criteria are considered.  This includes design, copywriting, innovation, content, interactivity, technology, and ease of use.  Websites across the nation are considered and 96 industries were reviewed by judges.  This is a great opportunity for websites to compete and show off their best practices through the competition.  Overall, it should make user experience better for all consumers turning to the Internet for their shopping needs.

Written by Sara Smart

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SaraSmart55

Purchasing auto insurance coverage can be complicated and is not as straightforward and some might think.  There is a lot to consider when shopping around for a policy and knowing the facts upfront will help you make the best decision.  J. Edward Knight & Co helps to put some rumors to rest out there about auto insurance in the article “Fact vs Fiction: Uncovering Auto Insurance Myths” on Waldo.VillageSoup.com.

The first myth discussed is that full coverage will include everything if you happen to be in an accident.  In most states, only liability insurance is required so be sure to understand what is actually covered in your policy.  Next, many people think you are required to get three estimates when looking for someone to fix your wrecked car.  While some insurers require this, many don’t so it might be a perk to look out for when you compare auto insurance quotes.

The next myth is that your auto insurance rates will automatically increase if you are in an accident.  The truth is, more and more auto insurance companies are giving graces to good customers so their rates don’t automatically jump after just one accident.  Definitely worth looking into.  Also, do not assume your car is covered if you lend it to someone and they are involved in an accident.  Sometimes it involves having a specific addition to your policy.  And the last myth talked about in the article deals with purchasing a new car.  Most auto insurance companies require that you notify them with the purchase of a new vehicle and despite what many people think, the DMV does not automatically update vehicle information with insurance companies.

Written by Sara Smart

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JoannaCliff78

It’s becoming common knowledge that having a good credit score will save you money on your auto insurance rates, but it’s unclear exactly how much it will save you.  Based on a recent CarInsurance.com study, drivers with credit ratings over 750 save about $783 a year on their auto insurance quotes when compared with a typical driver in the same age group with average credit scores.  The study used 42,809 auto insurance quotes to determine this figure and the results are surprising.

If you calculate this out over a lifetime of driving, a person with excellent credit can save approximately $22,815 on their auto insurance premiums.  Credit is only one factor out of many that insurers use to calculate quotes but it’s becoming increasingly important.  Auto insurance companies strongly defend their use of the score despite many consumers finding it unfair.  Insurers have found a direct correlation between someone’s credit rating and the chances of them filing a claim.  Regardless of the reasoning behind this connection, there is a connection and it makes sense for insurers to use this information.

The good news is that you have control over your credit score.  Even if you have filed bankruptcy or charged off some accounts, you can repair your credit through time and bill management.  It’s important to keep your credit card debt down and make all of your payments on time.  It may take a few years, but once your credit score has improved you can start to compare auto insurance quotes and hopefully see a difference in the rates you receive.

It’s generally recommended that everyone should compare auto insurance quotes when shopping for a policy, but new research shows that it pays of big time for drivers under the age of 25.  According to the article “Price Comparisons Pay Off for Yonnger Drivers” by The News Tribune, average premiums vary from insurer to insurer but the difference is very large when you are a young driver.  Des Toups, senior managing editor at the CarInsurance website says the difference is massive.

As an example, a 55 year old man can save an average of $456 a year by shopping multiple auto insurance companies, whereas a driver under 25 can save about $1102.  This is an extremely large difference that young drivers should be aware of.  One reason premium quotes vary so much for young people is their driving record.  They often are a question mark and this can be a major driver of auto insurance quotes when shopping around.  Young drivers don’t have a track record yet to prove they are good drivers and each insurer has its own method of determining the risk of these drivers.

There doesn’t seem to be a consensus of what ultimately matters or not.  Some see good grades as a factor while other insurers do not.  There are many factors that go into determining an auto insurance quote and it’s hard to tell for a young driver what will drive the quote the most.  So shop around and compare quotes, especially if you are young with a limited driving record.

Many companies that offer auto insurance have brokers such as Bristol West Insurance.  When trying to decide if you are going to go through an auto insurance agent or broker it’s important to understand the differences.  There are a few differences between the two and it can make a difference in your overall experience.

Bristol West takes pride that both their agents and brokers are quality and can be trusted.  This may be true but not all companies may have this benefit.  The differences between brokers and agents differs from state to state, but in general, an auto insurance agent will write a policy for a customer on behalf of a broker or company and the broker will simply write the policy on behalf of the customer.

A broker is allowed to have agents under them and often times they own their own auto insurance company.  Brokers tend to be more heavily regulated since they carry more responsibility to this can be to your advantage.  They typically have a strong history of experience and are very knowledgeable in the field.  This can help you make the best decision as you shop around for auto insurance, but be sure you are comparison shopping.  Rates can vary greatly from broker to broker and insurance company to insurance company.  Some brokers will shop around for you, but it doesn’t hurt to do some additional work to ensure you are getting the very best deal you can.

As America becomes more and more environmentally aware, the sales of hybrid cars increase.  According to the press release “Top 10 Most Popular Hybrids Quoted for Auto Insurance in 2009″ found on PRWeb.com, quotes on auto insurance for hybrid cars is the information used in obtaining this list.

The top five most popular hybrid cars based on auto insurance quotes are the following:

1. Toyota Prius
2. Toyota Camry Hybrid
3. Honda Civic Hybrid
4. Ford Escape Hybrid
5. Lexus RX400h

Owning a hybrid may earn you discounts on your auto insurance in addition to saving you on gas costs and helping the environment.  Shop around when you are looking to cover your new hybrid car and ensure you are getting the best deal.

When comparing similar auto insurance companies such as Encompass Car Insurance and and Acceptance Insurance it’s important to be sure to understand exactly what you are comparing.  Bankrate recommends focusing in on four insurers to start off with.

Start off by picking four reputable auto insurance companies and visit their websites for detailed information.  Educate yourself on the companies and read through consumer reviews.  Although price is a very important part of an insurance policy, customer service is crucial and it’s helpful to know what you are getting into.

There is a lot of value to face-to-face business.  If this is something you think will bring you value in the long run, visit your local auto insurance offices and speak to an agent directly.  Developing a relationship with a local agent can help your chances of getting the best deal possible on your auto insurance rates.

Once you have locked into a new auto insurance policy, review it annually and ensure you are still getting the best rate possible.  Continue your search online to keep it simple and use comparison sites to help save you time.

In today’s economy more and more people are interested in saving money in unlikely places.  Many people don’t realize that it can be easy to save on your auto insurance quotes.  The article “Eight Tips for Saving on Your Car Insurance Rates” by Steve Cypher on autocreditexpress.com highlights the top 8 ways to save.

The first and easiest is to shop around and compare auto insurance.  This may seem obvious, but many don’t realize that they are paying too much for their auto insurance so don’t bother shopping around.  Another tip is to combine your policies for possible discounts.  Repair your credit before you shop around to get a lower quote.

Be sure to check and see if any professional associations you are part of earn you discounts.  AARP, certain university alums, and military groups are just a few examples.  Students often earn discounts as do certain cars and low mileage.  Another way to earn discounts that many don’t realize is to go paperless with your bill and payment options.

There has been some concern that the 8 million Toyota cars and trucks that have been recalled may affect auto insurance rates.  But industry experts are saying this is not the case.  The article “Factors Influencing Auto Insurance Rates” by The Associated Press on ABCNews.com discusses the specific factors that do affect auto insurance prices.

These factors include driving record, miles driven, where you live, the type of car you drive, credit history, and the type of coverage you choose.  The article points out that the larger the policy the more expensive your auto insurance quote will be.  Some auto insurance companies offer discounts if you have your homeowners insurance and auto insurance under one policy.

Auto insurance rates also vary greatly from company to company and it’s encouraged to compare auto insurance quotes.  You can use online programs to get many quotes at once to save you a lot of time and ultimately save you money.

More and more auto insurance companies are using social networking sites to promote their product and sell lower rates.  Facebook and Twitter are two of the most popular social sites and they are being used by many, which is a great tool for consumers shopping for lower auto insurance quotes.

The press release “Social Networking With Free Tools Help Shoppers Learn and Save on Auto Insurance” found on prweb.com points out that shoppers can quickly find auto insurance savings by using sites such as Twitter and Facebook to their advantage.

Auto insurance companies such as Infinity Auto Insurance have set up accounts on Facebook and Twitter with company information, job opportunities and valuable information for those looking for lower auto insurance quotes.  Infinity has what’s called a “fan page” where customers and employees can show their support for a company and share good experiences with the public.  It is still to be determined the impact these powerful social sites will have on companies’ bottom line, but it’s promising to be lucrative and worthwhile.