Senior Underwriter Salary By State

Car insurance in California can be very confusing. Understanding car insurance a little better can be your key to saving money on your policy. Below are answers to some commonly asked car insurance questions by California drivers.

How can I save on car insurance?

There are many ways you can save on car insurance. Keeping a clean driving history is an obvious one. Below are some tips to help you save on your car insurance.

• Talk to a car insurance specialists and talk to friends and family about who their California car insurance company is and how much they pay.
• Review your car insurance policy every six months with your car insurance company. See if there is any way to cut costs without comprising the coverage you need.
• Review car insurance discounts. Our list contains many of the discounts available on the market today. See if you are eligible for any that you aren’t already receiving.
• Self assess your life for any changes. Have you gotten married or divorced, purchased an additional car, moved, has your child moved away to college or out of the house, gotten a new job? Life changes can trigger a discount in your car insurance.
• Get 3 quotes when you shop for car insurance online or off. Get multiple quotes from different companies. You’ll be surprised at how rates can fluctuate across the industry. You know those ads that say “customer X saved $Y when they switched from company A to B? Those numbers are true. The car insurance industry is heavily regulated, those savings may not be typical, but they are true. With any luck you are that A-typical driver.
• Talk to a car insurance agent licensed to sell car insurance in California. It doesn’t cost a dime and you can ask as many questions that you want. In this highly competitive environment, car insurance agents are lucky if their phone rings with someone looking to save on their car insurance policy.

Take your time when you are looking for ways to save on car insurance. A few minutes of quality research can earn you hundreds in savings.

How many free car insurance quotes should I get?

You should get no less then 3 free car insurance quotes no matter if you get your California car insurance quotes online or from a car insurance agent. If you get fewer then 3 quotes when shopping for car insurance you run the risk of purchasing a policy that is too expensive due to the many variables that companies use to rate.

Insurance rates can vary dramatically from one insurance carrier to another due to the variables car insurance companies in California use to rate. Some companies consider your credit rating more important while other car insurance companies consider your age or driving record more important. These variables, and how they are weighted can result in a wide range of rates between car insurance companies.

I’ve already gotten a car insurance quote from GEICO, Progressive and Allstate. Should I get another quote from them?

You should absolutely get car insurance quote from GEICO, Progressive and Allstate and/or any other car insurance company you have gotten a quote from in the past 6 months.Why? Because car insurance rates from any given company can change in your favor because they made a rate change.

Also, changes in your life might warrant a change in rate. Have you moved, gotten married, had a child, has your young driver moved on to their own policy? Don’t not get a car insurance quote from a company that turned you off in the past. They just might turn out to be your best rate.

Why did my car insurance go up?

Many people find themselves asking, "Why did my car insurance go up?" There could be a few reasons why your car insurance increased. They can be broken down into a few areas.

• A car insurance company might increase their rates due to the cost of car repairs, lawsuits and/or medical care among other reasons.
• Something in your control has changed. Maybe you got into an accident, got a speeding ticket, or bought a new car. This is not a comprehensive list, but they are all reasons why your car insurance could go up.
• Something out of your control has changed. Your car is on the list of most cars stolen. You car is old and the parts are scarce and therefore it is more expensive to fix your car. You moved into a high-risk state, county and/or zip code. These too are all reasons why your car insurance rate could go up.

Rate increases are a matter of simple math. If your insurer isn’t making the money they need to keep their company in a financially stable condition, they may pass that cost onto you. California is expensive for everyone, include insurance companies.

Should I get car insurance when I rent a car on vacation (AKA, short term car insurance coverage)?

Generally, when you rent a car on vacation or you need to rent a car short term, it’s a good idea to get the temporary car insurance the rental agent offers. We say generally, because without reading every contract from every car rental company it’s impossible to give an absolute answer.

The benefit of the temporary car insurance is that it will cover any incident or accident during the time of your car rental. This means that if you get into an accident or if your car is damage in any other way while on your vacation your regular car insurance is not used to cover the damage. That is if you purchased the temporary car insurance offered to you when on vacation. The cost for this temporary car insurance is about $8 – $15 a day.

Should I buy car insurance online or from an agent?

Your car insurance policy will be the same price regardless if you buy your car insurance online or from an agent. Your comfort level with understanding California car insurance will most likely be the determining factor that will determine how you buy car insurance.

The benefit of getting a quote and buying car insurance online is that you can do it at any time of day or night. The benefit of getting a quote on car insurance and buying from an agent is that you have someone you can ask questions to. You might want to do your research online by getting 3 different quotes on car insurance. After you have compared the cost of 3 car insurance policies, pick up the phone and call an agent to ask questions you need answered that will help you make an informed purchase.

How much can I save on my car insurance by increasing my deductible?

This is a no-brainer way to save. Choose the highest deductible you can afford. Just one big word of caution. By choosing a higher deductible, you decided to pay less now in hopes of not getting into an accident later.

What is the accident and speeding forgiveness policy of my car insurance company?

Some car insurance companies in California raise rates at the first sign of a moving violation or accident. But not all companies. When choosing an insurance company, be mindful of their speeding and accident forgiveness policy. You don’t want your insurance going up after one mistake. Keep in mind that cheap car insurance isn’t cheap if your end up paying more in the long run.

How can I buy car insurance?

When you buy car insurance you have a few payment methods.

• You can pay up front, which might earn you a discount on your car insurance. or you can pay by the month
• You can pay by check, credit card or EFT (electronic funds transfer)
• You can buy 6 and 12 month policies

I don’t understand car insurance. What makes up a car insurance rate?

Generally speaking there are 3 major items that make up what car insurance companies call risk factors. They are:

• You: your age, your job, your marital status and where you live.
• Your car: SUVs, sports cars, minivans, luxury sedans, and trucks.
• Your driving habits: Any tickets, DUIs, accidents, how much you drive.

What states have the most expensive car insurance?

The list of the states that have the most expensive car insurance change a little every year. Below are states that have a place on the most expensive list very frequently. States are in alphabetical order. Note that California is on the list.

• Arizona
• Alaska
• California
• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Washington
• West Virginia

If you are looking for cheap car insurance in California, or any of the above states you should understand the factors that make up car insurance rates and how you can save on your car insurance by getting discounts on car insurance.

What is the best car insurance for young drivers?

When you are looking for the best car insurance rates for young drivers be sure to look around and get quotes from multiple car insurance companies. “Best” car insurance might mean cheap car insurance or going with a company that offers good student discounts for young drivers and other discounts such as drivers education, and defensive driver discounts that can lower the price for your young driver. Be sure to consider what the best car insurance means when it comes to your young driver.

What is new car replacement coverage?

New car replacement coverage allows you to get a completely new car if your car is totaled. Your car must be a within 3 model years old. This coverage is an optional feature on your California car insurance policy and there is typically a cost associated with it. Ask a car insurance agent about new car replacement insurance coverage.

What is accident forgiveness?

Accident forgiveness is an argument to not buy the cheapest car insurance policy you can find. Why? Because the cost of your insurance going up usually costs more than this optional coverage.

Accident forgiveness coverage might even cover you if the accident is your fault. This coverage is a great option for young drivers. Not all insurance companies forgive accidents equally. Take note of the differences when you get your 3 quotes on California car insurance and consider this coverage in the value of your policy.

Why should I get a car insurance quote online if I want to buy from an insurance agent?

According to one report, more than 70% of people who get a quote online never intend to buy their car insurance online. They intend to buy from an agent. They get a quote online simply for research.

For your own due diligence, get at least 3 quotes online. This should give you an idea if your quote is more or less the same across car insurance companies or if your coverage is going to vary significantly from one company to another. Car insurance companies weigh rating factors differently, so be sure you feel OK about how much you will be paying before you break out the credit card. When you have finished your research, then decide if you want to buy your policy online or from an agent.