Latest Car Insurance News

It is very important to equip yourself with knowledge about insurance accident scams to avoid being a victim. Here are a few tips on what to do to avoid car insurance scams:

• Make sure the tow truck has a municipal license number on its side before you use its services.

• See if the tow truck is affiliated with a reputable company such as an automotive roadside assistance group or automobile association.

• Ask if the tow truck has a police contract.

• Listen for obvious clues. Does the driver recommend a particular repair facility without being asked? If he/she does, this might be an indication that a referral fee arrangement exists.

• Carefully read everything the tow truck driver asks you to sign.

In New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark says that compulsory car insurance should be implemented. However it should be tested against the public views first. Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven said that there is a lot of extremely positive feedback over the idea, with a large number of people phoning in, writing in and commenting on the plan. However there needs to be a formal expression of the people’s ideas before actions are done. The cost of uninsured motorists was between $53 and $85 million a year, and under a compulsary scheme, young, novice and accident prone drivers paid higher costs on premiums.

Your safety is the first thing you should think about whenever you drive. After all, car insurance is only a back-up plan just in case something bad happens when you drive. In order to cut the cost of your premiums and stay away from danger, you must be careful in driving and know the tips and tricks of automobile safety. You could read GEICO’s auto safety library: they have articles for teen drivers, parent-teen contracts, everyday safe driving, auto theft, injury, collision and theft losses, and child safety. This is a must-read for everyone who drives a car. Keep safe!

Drivers for Savings, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, joined business, community and law enforcement leaders at the Detroit Urban League on April 28 this year. They aim to pass reforms to Michigan’s no-fault insurance law that enables drivers to choose the level of Personal Injury Protection coverage they are required to purchase. This is good news for those in Michigan since they are already feeling the burden of skyrocekting prices in food and gas. Under. the Drivers for Savings legislation, policy holders can choose between $50,000 up to $40,000 worth of PIP or retain their current unlimited coverage. If they don’t choose, they retain unlimited coverage.

Breaking news from Zurich Insurance: during the last 3 years, 10 million British people had faced abuse both physical and verbal while driving their vehicles. One in seven was pursued by another driver and one in ten got into a confrontation with an angry motorist. 34% was in the receiving end of such abuse while 64% showed aggressive behavior to other motorists while driving. 77% believed that what they did was okay. However these figures only point out tone thing: driving riskily is very common among motorists and this puts both car and life insurance premiums in danger. To prevent this, motorists are advised to keep their car doors locked, avoid making eye contact with angry drivers and maintain calm at all times.

By leaving behind sensitive personal documents in their vehicles, motorists are at risk of identity theft. According to a study conducted by Direct Line Car Insurance, a 10th of parked vehicles had personal papers on show, including bills and bank statements. Also there are 12% more cars that had valuables positioned in full view of passersby. Upon interviewing car owners, it was discovered that 7% had forgotten to store their items away from sight and 6% even admitted that they forgot to lock their car doors. Jennifer Culley, Direct Line Car Insurance spokesperson says that car owners must ensure they don’t leave valuables or sensitive documents on display to avoid indentity theft.

by: Christine Zafra

Safe Driving Institute, Inc., a well-known group whose primary aim is to make everyone aware of driving rules and regulations, posted in their website statistics that are rather disturbing:

1. About 77% of the drivers admitted that they use their mobile phones while driving
2. 60% admitted that they are oftentimes munching inside their cars while holding the steering wheel
3. Half of them said that they either do obscene acts to other drivers
4. Another half said that they almost reached dreamland while driving
5. About 53% pay unnecessary surcharges to their car insurance providers due to their existing traffic records.

If you have nodded your head even once while reading the posts above, then better change that road attitude of yours. First tip is for you to take up defense driving lessons. Yes, even if you say you’ve already been driving ever since you can remember, you might still want to take a lesson or two. Who knows? They might have developed new tactics as to how to bring your car to a full stop if you’re skidding on ice? Second is a matter of self-discipline and nobody can help yourself but you. It’s regarding your cellphone. If you’re really expecting a call, and the caller finally came through, you might want to park at the nearest curb first. There, you can talk your heart out—but NOT while driving!

Photo taken from http://www.sd36.bc.ca

by: Christine Zafra

The common problem encountered by these insurance policy holders is that of confusion — confusion if whether their insurance covers certain circumstances they are planning to partake. If for example, you’re planning on a trip to the Bahamas. That’s a good summer spot with family or friends. But what if, you and your friends hop in a car, do some joy ride and had a very minor accident. It’s not your turf so, you’re not really familiar with the turns and all. Your car had a little dent on it and hoped that your insurance company does reimburse or repair it for you.

When you called your insurance company, you found out that the only cover accidents that happened WITHIN the country. What will you do?

To tell you honestly, nothing. You might have prevented that from happening if you only checked your policy. You have to be a little attentive to the nitty gritty details of it to prevent this kind of scenario.

Photo taken from http://www.fhwa.dot.gov

Just a few quick reminders about the right way to wear your seat belt: First, the belt should be low and snug across the pelvis or lap, and never across the stomach.

The shoulder belt should be across the chest and collarbone, and be snug. It should never be in front of the face or behind the back. Remember, you still need to wear seat belts even if your car has air bags – in fact, air bags only work properly if you are belted in and they are not designed to replace seat belts.

All children under 12 should be buckled into an appropriate seat, such as a child safety seat in the back. To find out the best child safety seat for your child’s weight and age, check with your local children’s hospital. Newborns should be placed in rear-facing car seats in the back.

Wearing seat belts is a snap, saves lives daily, and saves billions of dollars. So keep in mind the link between car accidents and seat belts when you take to the roads. We’ll all be safer for it.

For more information on seat belt safety tips, statistics and use, or for more information on the Click It or Ticket campaign, please visit the NHTSA’s website

• Ask that your car be taken to a secure location where an adjuster or appraiser from your insurance company can have access to it. Some municipalities require that your vehicle be taken to a Collision Reporting Centre or police station before it goes anywhere else.

• Contact your insurance company, if possible, for information on towing and where to take your car to be repaired.

• Consider having your car towed to a preferred car repair shop. Some insurance companies use preferred repair shops where they have an agreement that guarantees your vehicle will be repaired to the highest possible standards. For more information, contact your insurance company.