Auto Insurance Term » Liability Insurance

Short Term Car Insurance Tips

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:09:26 +0000

If you are thinking about short term car insurance, there’s a very good chance that you may not even need it. If you are renting your car, the rental company will offer you the following services, each of which you probably already have:

-Liability coverage: If you already own a car you have liability insurance, which transfers over to your car.

-Loss Damage Waiver: If you already have both collision and comprehensive coverage on your own car, you do not need this type of coverage.

-Personal effects coverage: If you have homeowners insurance, it will cover loss to property not just in your house, but in other cars as well. However, if the personal belonging you want to insure is very expensive, you have to fill out a separate floater to cover its value.

-Personal accident insurance: If you have your own health insurance, Personal Injury Protection, or Medical Payments Coverage, you do not need this rental company’s extra charge.

To be 100% sure that you are covered it’s a good idea to check your car insurance policy and to call them if you are not sure about anything. Your credit card company may also pay for your insured car, assuming you use this credit card to pay for the rental. Although this may all sound complicated you’ll end up saving boat loads of money off of rental place who just want to make some money off of you.

What happens if you borrow a car? If you own one yourself your car’s policy will carry over to the borrowed car. If you borrow a car and have no car insurance by yourself you’re going to want to purchase a non-owners auto insurance policy.

By: Nickolay Lamm

What is Short Term Car Insurance?

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:57:25 +0000

There are times when you simply don’t need a six month insurance policy, but you need some sort of short term car insurance. Luckily, there are companies out there that do provide such a service. This is great for people who only use cars every once in a while. Not only will it cover the cost of the repair of the car if something were to happen, but it also prevents the driver from receiving a heavy fine for driving uninsured. It is, after all, illegal to drive without car insurance, and for good reason. Things happen, people want their cars fixed, and the last thing you want is to go to court because of a simple mistake.

Short term car insurance can last anywhere from a day to six months, depending on how long you’re going to require it. This is much more economical than paying for a full six months of insurance on a car that you’re only going to use for a week. Depending on the company providing the service and the policy they issue, the premium may be collected monthly or in advance. Coverage can begin immediately upon receiving the policy, or on an established, agreed upon date, depending on exactly what the needs of the driver are. Just like a normal, long term, full coverage auto insurance policy, short term car insurance includes uninsured and under-insured motorist protection, physical damage, and of course the obligatory liability insurance that is required by law. Some policies even cover medical payments for passengers. Auto insurance companies generally charge a flat rate for short term car insurance, and this rate is often less expensive than normal car insurance. Extras such as roadside assistance may also be available, depending on the company and policy. There are no contracts, and the only thing needed to cancel the policy is generally a written request.

By: Luke Duncan

Utilizing Short Term Car Insurance Policies

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:09:04 +0000

Though insurance is a vital part of operating a vehicle, there are many instances in which a long-term insurance policy is just not practical. Fortunately, short-term car insurance exists for just such an occasion. It offers a short-term solution for providing desired coverage without a long-term commitment.

Typically lasting from one day to six months, short-term insurance provides temporary coverage of varying levels for a vehicle. Liability insurance is included, and the policyholder can opt for extra coverage as well as any additional services a provider may offer, such as roadside assistance at additional cost. Premiums are generally charged at a flat rate and are paid out either monthly, or as a down payment, depending on the length of the policy contract. Usually, the policyholder can end a short-term policy early with a written request, but additional charges might apply.

Short-term insurance is best suited to situations in which there is temporary ownership or short-term operation of a vehicle. Since adding people to a long-term insurance policy can be a hassle and results in additional costs between premium payments, short-term insurance provides a more convenient solution in cases where a friend or family member may be visiting and need to drive a vehicle they aren’t insured on. Additionally, short-term vehicle insurance may be useful for visiting foreigners or people taking an extended road trip in a rental car to provide coverage for the short period of time that they may be using the vehicle. Seasonal hazards such as hail and hurricanes, or risks of physical damage in storage may also warrant a short-term insurance policy to protect against unforeseen circumstances.

While long-term auto insurance provides a more permanent solution to insurance needs, short-term car insurance can help to fill in the gaps where a long-term solution may not be applicable.

By: Michael S S

Auto Insurance Breakdown

admin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:40:27 +0000

Auto insurance is an important, and, in most states, legally required protection for drivers. Auto insurance applies to vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles, but also applies to boats. It is primarily designed to protect motorists, but also protects individuals, such as pedestrians, who may be injured by an auto, or property owner’s whose property is damaged by an auto.

There are many different types of auto insurance, so I would like to give you a general overview of the available options. Fortunately, the different types of auto insurance can be easily broken down by the level of coverage that they provide. The levels range from the highest possible to the bare minimum required by law.

First of all, there are two basic categories of auto insurance: collision insurance and comprehensive insurance. Collision insurance covers damage to the vehicle if it is damaged in an accident. Comprehensive coverage offers more protection because it applies to a wider range of situations including theft of the automobile.

It is easiest to start with the minimum level, which is know as liability coverage. Liability insurance pays for injuries or damages sustained by other vehicles and people involved in an accident that is caused by the policyholder. For example, if the motorist causes an accident in which both party’s vehicles are damaged, liability coverage pays only for the damage to the vehicle of the driver who was not at fault in the accident, and not to the driver who was at fault.

Liability is required by law in many states because it also covers personal injury protection to people injured in accidents. Thus, it ensures that any person injured in an auto accident, through no fault of their own, is covered by the insurance of the responsible party.

Personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments (MP) are not included in liability. However, the next level of insurance, collision insurance does covers these two expenses.

Personal Injury Protection covers the policyholder for time and medical expenses required for the maintenance of a vehicle. This covers lost wages should a person need to bring a vehicle to a mechanic and must miss work as a result.

Insurance can also cover medical payments, which refers to the cost of treatment if the policyholder is injured in an accident and the cost of that treatment exceeds the limits of personal injury protection.

Collision coverage includes the liability of the driver to other parties, personal injury protection, and medical payments. It also covers damage to the policyholder’s own vehicle in the event that it is damaged in an accident, regardless of whether the insured is at fault in the accident or not. Therefore, even in a single car accident, the policy of the driver covers the damage that his or her car incurs. In a two car accident, all damage is covered by the person found to be at fault in the accident.

If the policyholder’s vehicle is damaged so badly in an accident that it must be replaced, collision insurance will pay for the value of the damaged vehicle towards the purchase of a new one. However, collision insurance does not cover the theft of the vehicle, damage from a fire, or damage due to weather, such as hail.

Comprehensive coverage offers a higher level of protection for the policyholder. It covers liability, PIP, MP, and damage to the vehicle if it is involved in an accident. Comprehensive coverage will also pay for a new vehicle if the vehicle of the policyholder is stolen or damaged in a fire.

Although both collision and comprehensive coverage can protect the policyholder from the cost of vehicle replacement, it is not perfect. This is due to the fact that the value of vehicles depreciates over time. These types of insurance will only pay for the value of a totaled (destroyed) vehicle, regardless of the cost of the vehicle when new.

However, there is a third type of insurance that can protect the policyholder from this kind of depreciation. GAP insurance protects the consumer from the depreciation in value of a vehicle.

It is obvious that auto insurance is complex, and it is important to understand all of the available options before making a choice. Different states have varying requirements, so it is important to ask question not only about the type of coverage you are purchasing, but about the requirements of your state, as well. Remember, accidents are called accidents because they are not deliberate, and always come as a surprise. Make sure that you have the appropriate coverage for you and your family in advance, to protect against unforeseen events, such as accidents.

By: Gena Woodard

Common Auto Insurance Terms – Car Insurance Terms That You Need to Know

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:53:14 +0000

Before you start shopping around for auto insurance, you should get a handle on some of the common car insurance terms. In all reality, the more you know about car insurance, the better chance you’ll have at finding the perfect coverage for your vehicle. Sure, you’d love to think that all companies would be upfront and honest with you about what you need and what you don’t need. But come on, what company doesn’t want to make some profit? This is why having the basic knowledge when it comes to car insurance can make all the difference when it comes to your auto coverage. Read on to learn some common auto insurance terms and then see how much money you can save!

Absolute Liability

This is liability without fault, also known as liability without regard to fault or strict liability. You may see this pop up when something considered contrary to public policy happens, even though the event wasn’t intentional.

Liability Insurance

In a nutshell, liability insurance is risk transference. Not only does give you protection against loss that arise from third parties, it covers your legal liability from injures to other people or their property.

Collision Insurance

This type of insurance is optional. Collision insurance provides coverage for the insured’s vehicle, subject to a deductible, that is involved in an accident. Basically, this covers you whether the accident was your fault or not.

Deductible

Also known as excess, this is the amount you agree to pay toward the total amount of an insured loss, whether it is per claim or per accident. Usually a fixed rate, the deductible must be paid before the policy benefits can be applied to a claim.

Uninsured and/or Underinsured Coverage

This type of insurance is great protection for you and your family if you happen to be hit by someone without insurance coverage. Having uninsured or underinsured coverage allows you and your family’s bodily injury to be paid for.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle in case of non-collision related incidents such as fire, theft, weather, impact with animals and vandalism.

Gap Insurance

This insurance is good for people who have just purchased a new vehicle. In a nutshell, new cars depreciate right after leaving the dealership lot. Gap insurance covers the difference between what an insurance company says your car’s worth and what you would actually owe on the vehicle.

Gap insurance usually only covers theft and accidents, but that can vary depending on the insurance policy. You can also purchase gap insurance from the dealership. However, you can expect to pay even higher premiums.

Property Damage Coverage

This covers any damage you may cause to another’s vehicle. Basically, if you cause it, you’re covered.

Claim

This is your request for reimbursement concerning a loss covered by your auto insurance policy.

Full Coverage

Actually, full coverage isn’t really what it sounds like. Technically, full coverage is a combination of collision and comprehensive coverage, meaning that your car’s physical damage is covered.

Secondary Driver

Also known as an occasional driver, this person is covered for driving the insured vehicle. However, this coverage does not mean that they’re the primary driver.

Shop Around To Find Cheap Auto Insurance

Familiarizing yourself with the above common car insurance terms will result in you making a wise decision when it comes to your auto coverage. Take your time and shop around before committing to a provider and you will be find the cheapest auto insurance company that will still meet your coverage needs.

The above terms are just the ones most frequently talked about or that affect the majority of drivers on the road. There are more common car insurance terms, but they are mainly state specific. The best way to find out what’s required in your state is by visiting your local DMV’s website.

By: James J. Robinson

Getting Temporary Or Short-Term Car Insurance Coverage

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:45:46 +0000

If you are looking for short term car insurance you should know that you may not even need it. If you are thinking about getting car insurance for a short time period you are probably about to rent a car or borrow a vehicle…

Renting a car:

The rental car service will offer you some form of accident protection, liability insurance, loss damage waiver, and/or personal effects coverage. You do not need any of these offered insurances as long as you have your own car insurance because the insurance coverage you have on your car transfers over to the rental vehicle. It, however, does not transfer over if you are using the auto for some sort of business trip (something that is not recreational). In the following list you will find each of the 4 rental auto insurance possibilities and why you should probably skip each one…

Liability Insurance: All car insurance comes with liability coverage, which will transfer over to any car you drive. Keep in mind that liability coverage does not protect you, your passengers or you car, but those around the car (pedestrians, property, and other cars on the road).

Loss Damage Waiver: This protects the rental car from damage or loss. Some LDW’s only cover damage to the car if you are found to be innocent in an accident. Regardless, getting an LDW is pretty pointless if you have collision coverage (which would pay for repairs to the car regardless of who is at fault) and comprehensive coverage (which pays for damage or done to the car from things such as theft and collisions with wild life).

Personal Accident Coverage: It is very likely that you do not need this type of coverage because you either have health insurance, Medical Payments Coverage, or Personal Injury Protection.

Personal Effects Insurance: Your renters or homeowners policy will pay for the loss of items not only in your residence, but outside of it as well. If you want to insure something expensive, however, be sure to fill out a floater for that specific item.

If you are not absolutely sure if you are covered by your own car insurer, read your policy and, if you don’t understand something, give your auto insurer a call. You should also know that if you pay for the rental car using a credit card, the credit card company may provide short term coverage for that automobile.

Borrowing a car:

A lot of folks wonder if they need short term or temporary auto insurance if they borrow someone else’s car. Generally, no you don’t. The borrowed person’s car insurance coverage will transfer over to you as long as he or she gave you consent to use that car, making getting any type of short term car insurance useless. However, there are some things to keep in mind…

The liability insurance of the person from whom you borrow the car may not be enough to pay for liability damage that you cause while driving their car. If you have your own car insurance, this probably isn’t an issue. If, however, you don’t have your own car insurance and are held responsible for property damage of bodily injury liability fees after an accident, the liability insurance that is transferred over to you may not be enough. Say you cause $25,000 in damage and the lender’s liability coverage only goes up to $20,000. You are responsible for the additional $5,000, unless you have liability coverage yourself, which is at least $25,000.

You can easily correct the aforementioned problem by getting a non-owners auto insurance policy.

By: Nickolay Lamm

Auto Insurance Definitions Simplified

admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:13:11 +0000

Auto insurance terms can be confusing, to say the least. Below are auto insurance definitions in layman’s terms.

Anti-Theft Device – Anything on your auto that reduces the chance that it will be stolen or that makes it easier to find if it is stolen. Examples include:

* Car alarms

* Keyless entry systems

* Starter disablers

* Vehicle identification number etchings

* Auto tracking systems

Bodily Injury Liability – The amount your insurance company will pay if you injure or kill someone else with your auto.

Collision Insurance – Coverage from your insurance company for repairing or replacing your auto if it collides with another vehicle or object.

Comprehensive Coverage – Coverage from your insurance company for repairing or replacing your auto if it is damaged by anything other than a collision or is overturned.

Claim – Any request for payment under the terms of your insurance policy.

Deductible – The amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance company begins to pay on a loss.

Good Student Discount – A discount that insurance companies give students who earn high grades in school.

Insurance Comparison Website – A website that allows you to quickly and easily get auto insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies (see link below).

Medical Payments – The amount your insurance company will pay for medical and funeral expenses caused by an auto accident.

Multi-car discount – A discount that insurance companies often give if you have more than one vehicle insured on the same policy.

Multi-policy discount – A discount that insurance companies often give if you have more than one policy with the same company.

Per Occurrence Limit – The maximum amount an insurance company will pay for all claims from a single incident.

Per Person Limit – The maximum amount an insurance company will pay for one person’s injuries caused by a single incident.

Property Damage Liability Insurance – The amount your insurance company will pay for damage you cause to someone else’s car or property.

Where to Get Cheap Auto Insurance Rates

By: Brian Stevens