Car Insurance -- Explaining Things

Car insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company. Under the contract, if your car meets with an accident, the insurance company must pay for the losses. Paying the premium is your obligation under the contract.

Property, liability and medical coverage are all covered by car insurance. Damages or theft to your car are paid by property coverage. If you car causes bodily injury or property damage, the liability coverage pays for your legal responsibility.

The cost of treating injuries, rehabilitation and sometimes lost wages and funeral expenses are paid by the medical coverage.

Most car insurance policies are valid for six month to a year. You must renew the policy once it expires.

All states require you to have some form of car insurance if you own or operate a car.

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The penalty for driving a car without insurance is different in different states. Some states impound your car. Some states impose heavy fines. If your car is involved in an accident without insurance, the consequences can be serious. You will have to pay out of your own pocket for any injuries or damages.

Your credit history, the age and type of your car will play an important role in determining the rate you have to pay for car insurance.

You are responsible for providing insurance for any car you own regardless of who is operating the car. It is illegal for cars to be operated without insurance.

Finally, a few savings tips...

1. Although this may sound funny, you can bring down your rates by getting married. I know you won't get married just for this but when you do, it will save you a bit in auto insurance. There is evidence to show that married people are a lot more stable than their unmarried counterparts. This makes them more careful on the road and, therefore, a better risk to insurers. Insurers will tell you that their records show that married people make fewer claims. Furthermore, when they do make those claims, they usually cost less on the average than those married by their unmarried counterparts.

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2. If you want to keep your rates down, do NOT "pimp your ride." Doing such reduces your car's safety and, therefore, warrants higher rates as far as the insurer is concerned. Any changes to your vehicle takes your rates up.

3. Before you get carried away with the few hundreds you will save on a house, check if it will not cost you much more in auto insurance. Do you know also know that homes within the same neighbor might actually fall into different risk zones according to the insurance industry's mapping?

So, as part of your home shopping activities, check how this neighborhood will affect your auto insurance rate. This doesn't come readily to mind when you're shopping for a new home. Does it?

Remember, you might live in this home for up to 20 years or more. If its location makes you pay up to $200 more in premium, that will add up to $4,000 within that time frame.

4. If you must quickly get something inside, turn your car off, lock up and pocket your keys. Don't leave your car unlocked and running. The only easier thing for a thief would be if you handed over your keys as a gift. Car thieves are known to go for easy targets. An unlocked car with the engine running? What could be easier?

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5. As an under 25, you can pay lower car insurance premiums if you use your parents' policy. If you're of driving age, then your parents certainly are far above twenty five years which means they are lower risk drivers.

You have to bear in mind, though, that the car must be registered in their name and you must be living with them if you want to use this option. If you want to be the owner of your vehicle, then be the big boy or girl and also own the higher premiums. Sorry, you cannot have both with this option. However, you can still make massive savings by clicking the link at the end of this piece.

6. You will save a lot if you only have between 25-30 minutes. Visit, obtain and compare California auto insurance quotes from several insurance quotes sites. The cheapest quote should be what you go for easily.

But, you have to look beyond just the cheapest price to the best price to value ratio. The lowest priced may not offer the best price/value for you as a person.
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