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Free auto insurance quotes for seniors
Posted by in Uncategorized on July 31, 2012
There’s a simple unavoidable fact. We all grow older and, when you look around you, it’s obvious the boomers are all reaching retirement age, although for financial reasons, not all are actually retiring. Some years ago, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety suggested that, as the population aged, there would be a steady increase in claims. In fact, the number of claims by drivers aged 75 and over has been falling. This has come as a relief to the families of seniors. No one wants to play the heavy and take the keys of the vehicle away from a parent or grandparent. Indeed, as more local shops have gone out of business in the bad economic times, being able to drive to malls and shopping centers has become even more important.
So what can families do to protect their seniors and get the lowest possible insurance rates. The answer comes in several stages. The first is health. The more active seniors stay the better. Both in ordinary life and specifically for driving, there are a number of programs run by doctors and occupational therapists to modify vehicles to make them safer and easier to drive. There are also defensive driving courses approved by insurers. The combination of modifications to the vehicle and additional tuition offers discounts. Get as many free auto insurance quotes as possible to check the range of rates on conventional policies.
The next step is to explore the pay-as-you-go policies. This involves fitting technology to your vehicle or adapting the manufacturer’s onboard computers to communicate with the insurers. With proof of low milage at off-peak times, the premium rates are heavily discounted. With confirmation of safer driving practices, the rates come down even lower. Use the access to free auto insurance quotes to get as much information as possible as to what options are available in your state. Once you have the right policy in place, it’s just a case of driving safely and avoiding an accident. Even if this means driving more slowly and keeping to the routes you know the best, this is the best way to keep you insured at the lowest possible rates for as long as possible.
Five Reasons to Reevaluate Your Auto Insurance Quotes
Posted by in Uncategorized on July 13, 2012
Many people get into the habit of paying bills without really considering what they are paying for. For car insurance, this could result in costly charges. It doesn’t take much time to go over your policy at renewal time to ensure it is still the best policy for you, at the best price. Here are five reasons that you should reevaluate your auto insurance quotes annually:
Premium Adjustments
In general, car insurance companies change your premium on a regular basis. This differs depending on the company, but most do it every five months or once a year. The car insurance industry is allowed to make changes to your insurance premiums on a regular basis, usually every five months or annually. If you just blindly renew, you might not realize how much your premium has increased. What started out as the cheapest auto insurance quote, might not be as cost effective anymore. You do not need to be loyal to a company who is no longer getting you the bang for your buck.
Changes in your Information
At renewal time, it is a good idea to go over your information and see if anything has changed. This can include your address, marital status, if you’ve had any accidents or speeding tickets, or if you are done financing or leasing your vehicle or have refinanced. Some of these changes may increase your premium, but many will result in a lower auto insurance quote. You might also check to see if you are paying for more than your state’s minimum in car insurance coverage. If you can do without the extra coverage, you could save $100 dollars or more on your premium.
Vehicle Upgrades
If you have added safety features to your vehicle you might be eligible for discounts on your premium. This can range from a theft deterrent system, to anti-lock brakes, to an ESC (emergency stability control) system. Some of these things may have been included when you bought the car, but if you have added them since, your premium could go down as a result.
You Have an Improved Credit Score
Insurance companies usually use your credit score as a measure of risk, and this risk is shown in your premium. If your credit score has gone up since the last time you renewed, you could save money on your auto insurance quote. You can check AnnualCreditReport.com for free to check your credit report. If it has improved, give them a call. They monitor credit scores but may not have checked recently, or be aware that you have been trying to improve it.
Turning 55
Often times once you turn 55 you are eligible for different senior discounts. AARP is well known for providing huge auto insurance quote discounts for their members, but other companies do so as well. Turning 55 is a good time to do some comparison-shopping to make sure you are still getting the lowest auto insurance quote.
Different ideas for getting cheap car rentals
Posted by in Uncategorized on July 11, 2012
When you travel, cheap car rental is a must. Traveling is expensive enough without spending more money than necessary. Too often drivers pay more to rent a car than they should just because they do not want the hassle of dealing with the agency. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to pay the least amount of money on your rental.
Reserve Rental Car
You can save money by booking your rental in advance. It is nearly impossible to simply show up at the counter and expect to get a good deal without a reservation. Your costs can be particularly high during peak travel times including holidays and weekends. Not only will you pay more, you will probably have a long wait. When you are ready to book a rental, you have more time to shop around and compare rates from multiple rental agencies. If you absolutely must rent a car and are unable to make a reservation, consider smaller companies and those that are not located in prime spots such as airports. You will find those options to be less expensive in general.
Get Gas Locally
Ensuring that your rental vehicle has a full tank of gas when you pick it up is an option that many rental agencies provide with their rentals. That cost is passed on to you which can be 100% increase over the actual cost. You can save quite a bit of money if you fill up the tank yourself. There will be plenty of gas stations nearby so you will not have to worry about finding one. Just give yourself sufficient time to actually stop and fill up your tank. You always want to make sure the tank is full when you return it because if the agency has to fill it up in preparation for the next customer, they will pass that cost on to you as well.
Protect Yourself from Damage Claims
It is always worthwhile taking a photo of the car prior to leaving the rental agency, which should be easy considering that most drivers today have cellphones Make a note of any prior damage and make sure the agency is aware of it so they are not able to hold you responsible. It is frequently upon returning a rental that these types of “hidden” fees become apparent. Inspecting the rental thoroughly from the onset can save you money and the aggravation of fighting a damage claim. You will want to check the interior as well as the exterior. Document every flaw from door dents to upholstery stains. Cheap car rental is not a guarantee unless you do your part to get the lowest rates.