File Your Car Insurance Claim On Time

Drivers getting involved in any kind of road accident are shocked initially and it takes a moment or two for them to realise that they have actually bumped their car into somebody else's vehicle. And, one should not expect that immediately after the accident they would go to the insurance office and raise the claim.

On the contrary, if somebody takes the prompt action of reporting the incident to the police and then to the insurance office, he deserves to be applauded because that is the right sequence of doing the things in such kind of situation. But before doing that if somebody is injured, the victim should be taken to the hospital or as suitable. Now comes the question, at what time should you file for the car insurance claim.

Time to file car insurance claim

There can be so many consequences when the person gets involved in an accident. Sometimes, the person himself gets injured and he is unable to take any action. Sometimes his car is damaged at such a level that it takes time to estimate the repair cost and at other times there are so many legal formalities that there is merely no time left to contact motor car policy office to raise the claim. Insurers understand this, so they do not have stringent rules regarding the time frame. Since, car insurance policy is a contract and therefore it does have certain rules and regulations which also describe a reasonable time limit under which one should be able to raise the claim.

Understand your policy's terms and conditions

The time frame to raise the car policy claim varies from insurer to insurer. While buying the car insurance policy, one must read the documents carefully and understand each and every clause described in it. Even if you have acquired online car insurance, do not forget to read the fine print mentioned in the soft copy of your policy that mostly explains the exclusions and other vital elements relating to the contract. If you do not read it at the time of acquiring the policy, do take time to read it when you are thinking to raise the claim.

For insured's benefit

If you regularly pay your car policy premium on time, you may assume that you are in good books of your insurer. Of course, you will earn good name if you genuinely fulfil your responsibilities but it does not allow you to take unreasonably more time to file your car insurance claim.

It is always in the best interest of the insured to raise the claim as soon as possible. Though it does not have any extra benefits but it will also not cost you anything. However, if you file your claim at earliest possible time, your car insurer would be able to take less time in availing you the claim amount. Requirement of various other proof documents may come up while raising the claim. And you will easily be able to obtain that because it has not been long since you met with the accident. Added to this, you will not have to give explanations on being late comer to file for the claim.

Stay Safe on the Road, San Antonio

San Antonio is a fantastic city. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, SanAn is the seventh most populous city in the United States. It was the fastest growing of the top 10 largest cities in the United States from 2000-2010, and the population keeps climbing--for good reason!

Home to such famous attractions as the Alamo, the River Walk and the Tower of the Americas and host to great parks like Sea World and Fiesta Texas, it's no wonder the city is visited by approximately 26 million tourists per year. The popularity of this tourist destination helps keep its economy in blossom, meaning the river city is a fantastic place for entrepreneurs and passionate professionals. San Antonio is also the site of several prestigious colleges like UTSA, Trinity, Incarnate Word and St. Mary's, which means the population is vibrant, young and exciting.

But most of these tourists, college students and businesspeople have one thing in common: they are drivers. An intricate web of roads interconnects the busy pockets of the city, sprawling from A to B. These are nearly always busy with people hurrying from here to there. Unfortunately, more drivers means more potential accidents. Whether a simple fender-bender or a full-on car-totaling collision, wrecks are a hassle busy San Antonio drivers don't need.

In the aftermath of a wreck, a million worries flood the mind. Am I hurt? Are they hurt? Is my car totaled? Who's at fault? Can I afford this? If you have insurance, the answer to the last question is, "Yes." Unfortunately, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles estimates that 15-20 percent of Texas drivers are uninsured. Don't be part of this statistic! Driving uninsured in Texas can cost you big time.

A first conviction for driving without Texas car insurance ends in a fine ranging from $175 and $350, plus court costs. If you're a college student, even this sum is daunting. Between tuition and books, who has a few hundred bucks to spare? Subsequent convictions of driving uninsured mean fines ranging from $350 to $1,000, court costs, suspension of driving privileges for up to two years and impoundment of the vehicle at the owner's expense. After being convicted, a motorist must pay a $250 annual surcharge to keep his driver's license. This surcharge stays in effect for three years!

When we stay insured, we essentially put away emergency savings into a self-care fund for the accidents we just can't predict. When those inevitable disasters strike, we have a safety net, a cushion for the blow. Do yourself (and the drivers around you) the great favor of driving insured. Please, stay safe, SanAn.

What Is the Best Type of Gap Insurance for Bob, Freddy and Jimmy?

GAP Insurance is an acronym for Guaranteed Asset Protection Insurance. Gap Insurance is designed to protect you against financial worries, if your vehicle joins the estimated 600,000 vehicles written off in the UK each year. It in theory acts as a supplementary form of insurance and sits alongside your comprehensive insurer.

The three most popula Gap Insurance policy types are: Return to Invoice, Vehicle Replacement and Contract Hire/Finance Gap.

Every driver has different individual needs and that is why there are three different policy types made available to cater for those needs. Below are three examples of Bob, Freddy and Jimmy, all who were protected by one form of Gap Insurance.

• Bob purchases a Volkswagen Beetle for £20,000
• Three years later, it is written off as a result of a motoring accident
• Bob receives £10,000 from his comprehensive insurer, given that this was the market value of his Volkswagen Beetle at the time it was written off
• Bob now has a Shortfall/Gap of £10,000

What policy is best for Bob?

• Freddy purchases a Ford Focus for £10,000
• Three years later, Freddy awakes to find that it has been stolen
• Freddy receives £5,000 from his comprehensive insurer, given that this was the market value of his Volkswagen Beetle at the time it was written off
• Freddy now has a Shortfall/Gap of £5,000
• Freddy is later informed by the Ford dealership that the cost of his Ford Focus has increased by £2,500
• This means that Freddy now has a total Shortfall//Gap of £7,500

What policy is best for Freddy?

• Jimmy takes out a four year finance agreement in order to purchase a Vauxhall Corsa
• It involves set monthly payments of £200
• Two years later, it is written off as a result of a motoring accident
• Jimmy has already paid two years of the agreement, which totals £4,800
• This means that Jimmy may still be liable for the remaining two years of payments, which again totals £4,800
• Jimmy now has a Shortfall/Gap of £4,800

What policy is best for Jimmy?

The majority of UK drivers assume that their comprehensive insurance fully protects their vehicles. This is simply not true. As previously explained, 600,000 vehicles are written off each year in the UK. If this happens to your vehicle, you will only be paid the market value of your vehicle at the time it was written off. The average vehicle depreciate by up to 50%in the first three years. Again another fact UK drivers are simply not aware of.

Bob was protected by Return to Invoice (RTI) Gap Insurance. This means that Bob will be paid the outstanding £10,000 Shortfall/Gap and be returned to the invoice price he originally paid.

Freddy was protected by Vehicle Replacement Gap Insurance. This means that Freddy will be paid the outstanding £7,500 Shortfall/Gap, placing him in the position where he can purchase another Ford Focus if he wishes. The invoice price of a car can increase for a range of reasons, most notably if the car manufacturer introduced an upgraded version of the model.

Jimmy was protected by Contract Hire/Finance Gap Insurance. This means that Jimmy will be paid the remaining £4,800 and be allowed to walk away from the finance agreement a free man, without any financial liabilities.

Securing Cheap Car Insurance: Key Factors That Affect Insurance Costs

Every motorist wants to secure the lowest possible insurance cover, but the problem is how to do so without compromising the quality of the insurance coverage. But there are ways to secure cheap car insurance without necessarily affecting the extent of the protection provided.

The importance of securing low insurance premiumsrests on the fact that an automobile is not just an expensive item to buy, but to maintain and keep on the road too. Paying less for insurance is one way to keep the cost of having a car down, and ease the financial burden that can exist in other quarters.

But how can a motorist secure car insurance that is lower in cost and still excellent in coverage? Well, there are several things that can be done, from choosing your insurance company carefully to identifying the best discounts out there.

Choose Your Insurance Company Carefully

As is often the case with loans, many people think that the best deals are to be found with the largest companies. But the Internet has helped people realize that cheap car insurance - like low-cost loans - is available from some of the smaller insurance companies.

This is usually because the overheads smaller companies have to deal with are less so they can afford to offer better terms. What is more, since they are competing with major corporations, they must offer something better to attract customers. This means securing low insurance premiums is more likely when dealing with online companies.

However, the true value of their offers is reflected in the discounts available. A smaller insurance company is likely to offer larger premiums initially, but look at how their discount system can be of benefit. The car insurance can prove lower over 3 or 4 years.

Consider Policy Restrictions

Sometimes what seems like an excellent deal, turns out not to be. When it comes to getting cheap car insurance, the premium does not necessarily mean that the cost of maintaining and protecting your vehicle is lower. This is because a lower price brings with it certain restrictions that insurance companies say do not entitle the insured to a payout.

It is essential that the details of any insurance policy are examined, and any restrictions are considered carefully before deciding on the best insurance quote. It also means that securing low insurance premiums requires more than just looking at the overall price.

Elements to watch out for include what incidents are not covered by the policy, and how likely these incidents are to occur. For example, is it worth excluding theft from the car insurance policy to save $50 when the car is left at home, unguarded 3 or 4 days per week?

The Finer Details

There are a host of other smaller factors that need to be considered too, and which can help to secure a cheap car insurance policy. Some of the most obvious are the size and age of the vehicles in question, with older cars considered more likely to break down and potentially cause a traffic accident.

Another is your established driving record. Having a clean record immediately means the premium will be smaller, but securing low insurance premiums can also be helped by taking regular driving refresher courses, and avoiding getting a speeding or parking ticket.

Also, discounts are available to students with high grades, if the principal driver is female, and when extra security items are purchases, like an immobilizer for the steering wheel. When these factors are added, the car insurance premium can be adjusted downwards.

What Factors Define Your Auto Insurance Premiums?

In the modern over-saturated auto insurance market choosing the right auto insurance package could be very challenging. Some insurance carriers proudly offer the cheapest insurance packages, others try to overwhelm you with impressive array of services and features they offer. But it's not always the cheapest price nor the richest set of services that you should be concerned of - it's the ever moving right combination of best price AND the best coverage which you have to try to achieve.

Below are the main factors that will define your individual auto insurance premiums.

• Driver's Age.
Insurance rates for too young and too senior drivers are usually noticeably higher than for the average-age drivers. These two categories of drivers are considered to incur a higher risk of traffic accidents and therefore are more expensive for insurance providers.
• Driver's Gender
This factor would make the feminist movement very happy - male drivers usually pay higher insurance premiums than females! The reason - statistics shows that men are more likely to drive aggressively than females and hence they are more risky for insurers.
• The Age and Condition of Your Vehicle.
Brand new cars are more expensive to repair; this can drive the insurance package price up. Also, speedy sport cars are more accident-prone and therefore have higher insurance rates.
• Do You Legally Own the Car You Drive
If you drive your car regularly but don't legally own it - for example, the car you drive is from lease or the car was purchased by you but is not paid off yet - you might be requested to buy more than just liability coverage insurance. The more expensive package of Collision Coverage plus Comprehensive Coverage is often required in these cases.
• Average Miles You Drive Daily.
Cars used sparingly, say - only 5-10 miles a day - understandably introduce a lesser risk of traffic accidents and therefore are cheaper than the cars which make 150 miles every day.
• Deductible You are Willing to Pay.
A deductible is your co-pay in the case of an auto accident. The higher your deductible is - the more losses you are willing to share with the insurance company and the lower your insurance package price will be.
• Your Driving Record.
Drivers with no tickets or accidents always pay less.
• Years of Your Driving Experience.
The more driving experience you have - the better your chances are to get a low rate. But this is just a general rule. Many auto insurance carriers would ask a driver about the age when his first driver license was issued in the USA or Canada. For those auto insurance carriers only North American driving experience is counted. Note also, that if you moved to the USA from Great Britain, Japan or any other country with left-hand traffic (total of 76 countries, territories and dependencies) you will likely to pay a much higher premiums in USA.
• State of Your Residence.
You might be surprised but insurance rates for the same person and the same vehicle vary significantly from state to state. These differences reflect the increased risk and hence the increased operating cost for insurance companies. For example, insurance rates in hurricane- and tornado-prone areas are usually much higher than in regular places.
• Vehicle Safety Features.
Anti-theft protected vehicles decrease the risk of a loss. Also, cars with ABS, air bags, rear-view cameras and other safety gadgets are considered to be safer and therefore are cheaper for auto insurance carriers. That is the main factors which would affect ones auto insurance premiums in general.

Conclusion

Buying insurance policy for your vehicle could be a costly and challenging exercise. Age, gender, vehicle condition, average daily miles you drive, State where you live are the few factors that will define your monthly insurance premiums. Knowing that factors will help you to better understand insurance quotes coming from competing insurance carriers and will make you better prepared for making your purchase decision. Shop around and choose the best auto insurance package for you.

What Are the Main Reasons That I Need Car Insurance?

Why do you need car insurance?

Whether it is a bachelor's expensive car, the family automobile or an adolescent's hatchback people need insurance coverage. It actually is vitally important that we're protected in the instance of collision. When you are getting automobile insurance you aren't solely protecting yourself you're also safe guarding other people that could be inside your car. With the right insurance cover cost you will get every little thing covered and chill out, that's the reason a lot of people are checking out the internet to get a car insurance quote online.

If a car crash comes about, the most beneficial insurance policies include harm to you, your car, as well as any individuals which can happen to be a member of the incident Once you get a car insurance quote online you'll come to recognise that there are many varieties of policies that you could pick from. As an example, you could be shielded from accidental injury, fire and burglary. When you're getting your internet quote you'll be able to stipulate search phrases so you obtain a plan that fits your preferences whilst staying within your means.

When you finally get a car insurance quote online you'll certainly be met with a payment per month cost, best known as a premium. The monthly bills can be determined by various variables such as the kind of vehicle you wish to insure, how old you are, your gender plus your driving heritage (any criminal offenses etc.). An example of a large regular monthly insurance payment would be that of a 18 year old man getting insured on a Sports car.

The best way to obtain a quotation right now is just to go forward and find one online. It's rapid, it's easy and you'll find out right away the best prices for you personally.

This advisory report has to end by restating the importance of car insurance and just how important it is that you and your household are safe.

Mental comfort is often the key to a balanced lifestyle. That's what I believe. At the end of the day absolutely nothing is comparable to developing a suitable standard of certainty when talking about every one of the bigger issues in your lifestyle. Certainty in many aspects of our lives is necessary to have a well-balanced psychological perspective and first-rate auto insurance can definitely make a difference. Go ahead and get a car insurance quote online today and you will definitely not regret it. Best of luck and drive safely!

Auto Insurance - A Must Have During Wet Weather Season

With winter now behind us, as the weather begins to finally get warmer, more drivers may be encouraged to hit the road. With the likely threat of wet weather in the months ahead, the condition of the roads in the early spring may begin to affect driving. There are many aspects to improving safe driving that go beyond just having the right auto insurance plan. By paying attention to the road, and being aware of difficult driving conditions, motorists can keep themselves and their families safe when driving during the wet season.

1. Navigating wet roadways can be tricky

This is true, especially as the weather begins to warm up. If it has not rained in a while, use caution when driving. This is because the roads will almost certainly become more slippery. Difficult driving conditions don't necessarily require significant rain, as a light sprinkle after a dry spell can make the road difficult to navigate because oils and other residue will begin to reach the surface, reducing a car's ability to grip the road.

2. Always drive cautiously, keeping an eye out for hazards

Driving slow will prevent slipping and sliding because of the wet surface, and a driver may not be able to stop if they are going too fast, or traveling too close to the car in front of them. Paying attention, and knowing what the road offers will help a driver get to and from their destination safely, especially when driving on slick roads when it is extremely important to make good decisions.

3. Traffic poses many dangers

In difficult conditions, keeping an eye on the flow of traffic is very important. While drivers are taught to keep a safe distance from other cars at all times, it is important to follow this rule even more closely on wet roads. Not allowing enough space can greatly increase the chances of a crash.

4. Concerns about other drivers

While one driver may be paying attention to the conditions, as well as the traffic, not everyone does this at all times. It is important for those behind the wheel to ensure they are aware of what is going on around them. Doing this can prevent accidents. Make sure to be aware that other cars can hydroplane or lose control at any time.

5. Puddles can cause accidents as well

Water that collects on the roadway can make a car hydroplane and force the driver to lose control. If driving around the puddle is not possible, reduce speed in order to better maintain vehicle control.

One more way to improve the feeling of being safe on the road is getting the proper auto insurance coverage. This will certainly help when an accident does occur.