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By now you’ve probably discovered why you need auto insurance. It’s required by law, it offers great financial protection, and will ensure you are taken care of if involved in an accident.

Almost everybody is involved in an accident at least once in their time on the road. Sometimes you will be found at fault, some times not. While almost everyone carries auto insurance, few people know how to handle the situation the first time it occurs.

If you are the parent of a new driver, make sure you discuss the appropriate actions to take should an accident occur.

If the collision didn’t cause any serious damage to you, your vehicle, or the other party, there usually isn’t a reason to get the police department involved. However, if medical attention is required, or if you aren’t sure who is to blame, you may need the authorities there to mediate the situation.

Exchange Info:
There are a few vital pieces of information that all involved parties should exchange. These details will make it easy to file a claim when you get home. You will need their name and phone number as far as personal information goes. For extra measure, you may write down their driver license number.

You will also need their vehicle and insurance information. Their license plate number, year, make, and model of the vehicle should also be noted.

Unfortunately not everybody has auto insurance. And unless you chose to have comprehensive coverage or un/underinsured motorist property damage coverage when opening your policy, you are likely going to have to pay out of pocket if at fault.

If the other party is at fault, then they will have to pay for the damages without the aid of auto insurance as well.

Filing a Claim
At the first available time you will have to file a claim with your insurance company. Make sure you have all your details on hand. If you got the police involved also have the case number close at hand.

You will be asked to describe the scenario as best you can. If you think you may forget specific details, keep a pen and paper at hand to jot down any miscellaneous details such as street names, what lane you were in, etc. These are all important bits of information that may be critical to filing a claim.

The will probably ask for the other driver’s information. After this point it’s largely out of your hands. The 2 auto insurance companies will talk and you’ll have to wait for a response back.

Being the not-at-fault driver actually requires a little more work. You will have to drive to one of their claim centers to appraise the damage, or they may be able to come to you. Usually within a few days you will have a check in hand to repair any damage.

Determining if your are covered in rare situations can be a fuzzy situation unless you read through the terms and conditions of your policy.

We’d like to remind you that every auto insurance company is different and has their own quirks and set of terms. This guide simply covers the norm, which actually isn’t all the common.

What applies to Insurance Company A, won’t necessarily apply to Insurance Company B. To get the best information regarding your policy, it is always best to contact your auto insurance provider directly. Most companies have fairly informative websites that can help answer your questions as well.

When I’m Outside the United States?

It all depends on your particular policy. Most insurance companies will only cover you in the continental US. Sometimes they will extend coverage to Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Some auto insurance providers to offer international policies. If you are planning on driving outside the US frequently you should either get an auto insurance policy in the appropriate country or get extended coverage from your current provider.

When My Friend is Driving?

This is kind of a complicated situation. If your friend wasn’t at fault, and the other party does in fact have auto coverage, the other party will be responsible for paying.

If your friend is at fault, your friends auto insurance should cover the damages. Unfortunately the chances of them having auto insurance are less likely if they are borrowing your car. If this is the case they will have to pay damages out of pocket.

So to summarize the answer to the question, no it doesn’t cover your friend, but you aren’t responsible.

The same goes for if you are borrowing a friends car. Even though it is not your car, you are still responsible for any damage done.

When a Tree Falls On My Car?

In the case that a tree falls on your car, flooding causes water damage, or if your car gets swept up in a tornado, you better hope you have comprehensive auto coverage.

Basic policies come only with collision coverage which only covers costs in the case of a collision, hence the name.

If a situation occurs where your car is damaged, but not involved in a collision with another vehicle or other property, the damages will only be covered if you have comprehensive coverage.

The remarkable growth of online auto insurance services has streamlined the entire process of shopping for auto insurance. What used to eat up an entire day can now be managed in just under an hour.

It also means that we now have access to thousands more auto insurance companies than before. This can make choosing the right auto insurance company rather difficult.

We’ve compiled a list of, what we believe to be, the best criteria to judge an auto insurance provider by. We suggest you narrow down your choices by going through our list, cutting companies as you go.

1.Coverage – Your primary concern should be obtaining adequate coverage for any situation. Not everyone can afford the bells and whistles that are available with some policies, but collision and comprehensive coverage should be top priority.

Don’t underestimate the amount of coverage you need. Take a deep analytical look at your needs and decide what you need.

2.Price – This is the determining facto for almost everybody, and it should be yours too. If you can’t afford it, turn to another company. There is literally an auto insurance policy for every person and budget.

Don’t forget, you can easily offset the premium costs by selecting a higher deductible.

3.Reputation – The influx of new auto insurance providers also caused a surge in the number of fly-by-night insurance providers. You can check insurance complaints in your state to determine if the company you choose is one you will want to do business with.

Don’t hesitate to ask friends and family if they are familiar with the company in question. This is usually one of your best sources for information. You can also ask for suggestions, you may discover a company you didn’t know about previously.

I’ve personally come across the best deals in auto insurance and other purchases through my friends and family. I highly recommend this tactic.

4.Claims Service – How an auto insurance company performs when filing a claim can make or break a company. The amount of money you are paying for coverage warrants the best of service.

When the day comes that you have to file a claim, a slow or unresponsive claims agent is the last thing you want to deal with.

Again, asking friends and family for recommendations is the best way to gauge this characteristic.

5.Bonuses – To set themselves apart from the competition many companies are offering free bonuses to entice potential costumers. Bonuses such as “accident forgiveness” can really help you out in your time of need.

The recent global interest in reducing our imprint on our plant has garnered the interest and support of individuals, non-profit organizations, the government, and even many large companies. It seems that everyone is doing their part, or at least trying to.

Below are the best ways to do your part being environmentally-friendly, and save some money on your auto insurance in the mean time:

*Hybrids – Not only will driving a hybrid save you money on gas, it will now score you additional discounts on your auto insurance coverage with many insurance providers. Not all states offer this incentive so ask your auto insurance provider, it could save you up to 10% off your premium. There’s also a possibility you’ll be eligible for a tax deduction as well.

Some insurance companies are now using hybrids as lender and claims vehicles.

*Paperless Billing – Opting to receive billing via the web rather than through the postal service greatly reduces the paper used by these companies. It is also far more convenient for many people to get their bills sent to their email inbox, and to have the ability to pay your balance from nearly anywhere in the world.

Esurance, a big supporter of paperless billing in the insurance industry claims to have saved nearly three thousand trees since the program started in 2000.

*Carpool/Drive Less – Carpooling is an effective way of saving money, gas, and the environment well before going green hit the mainstream. By carpooling, you may qualify for low mileage auto insurance, which could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

We’re also big believers in driving less all together. We understand that not everyone can walk, bike, or take the bus to work. But driving less when you can makes a huge difference.

These are just a few of the ways you can help reduce the negative impact previous generations have caused. These are also the most reliable ways to save money on your car and your auto insurance. It is a win-win situation for everybody.

Again, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to helping the environment. The above bits of information lean towards the defensive green efforts. Spreading the word, planting trees, and volunteering can make an immense impact on the health of the planet we call home.

Watching their sons and daughters drive for the first time on their own is one of the scariest moments in a parent’s life, but is something they all must come to grips with at one point or another.

You will no longer be able to control how and when your kids drive, and you won’t be able to always be there when the worst occurs. All you can do is equip your children with ample coverage for the worst of scenarios.

Proper education for you and your son or daughter regarding auto insurance is necessary to choosing a policy and reducing the chances of collision.

Before They Get Their Driver License
Before your kid hits the road alone, you need to confirm that they have strong safe driving practices. The driving habits you instill in them now are their best defense against finding themselves in a collision.

Ensuring they have proper driving abilities will also save you a lot of money in the long run. An accident early into a young driver’s record can cost you thousands of dollars over the years.

Getting Auto Insurance for Teens
Don’t forget that holding auto coverage is required by state law. The day your son/daughter receive their driver license, you need to have an auto insurance company in mind before they even put the keys in the ignition.

Once they graduate from the learner’s permit, you’re coverage is not likely to cover them anymore.

Take your time when narrowing down your choices of possible auto insurance providers. If you aren’t familiar with auto insurance you may be caught off guard by all the confusing terms a jargon.

Don’t worry, there are many resources available to us today to make the process as easy as possible. We’ve compiled a vast collection of information to help you make sense of everything.

We’ve even made the auto insurance quote process simple. All you need is your zip code and some basic information to get started.

There are many auto insurance providers now offering insurance policies geared towards teens and other young drivers.

Cheap Auto Insurance for Teens
Finding auto insurance for your young driver isn’t rocket science. Many of the same money saving techniques can also be applied to obtaining auto insurance in other age groups. And they all include some very common sense stuff.

Slow, Safe Cars: Putting your kid behind the wheel of a sports car isn’t the best idea for safety’s sake, and the auto insurance companies agree!

Add Them To Your Policy: Adding an additional policy to the coverage you already receive can save a lot of money when compared to getting an entirely new policy.
Choose High Deductibles: Choosing a high deductible shows the auto insurance provider that you have confidence in your child’s driving and are willing to back it up with money. A high deductible will reduce a lot of the risk put on the shoulders of the insurance provider, yielding you lower premiums.

Shopping for a new auto insurance policy is an intimidating task. Especially for someone that isn’t familiar with getting policies online. But it is something we will all have to do eventually. Of course you can still shop for auto insurance by other means.

However, we strongly urge you to shop and compare auto insurance policies and premiums online. Getting auto insurance online is easier and less time consuming than traditional methods, and the ability to find deals is only a few clicks away.

No matter how you compare your auto insurance quotes, the following tips should help you find the best deal on your auto insurance.

The process of getting auto insurance online can be broken down into 3 steps:

Step 1: Search
Step 2: Compare your quotes
Step 3: Enroll

Step 1: Search
To start your search for an auto insurance quote, all you have to do is enter your zip code above. You will then be asked to provide critical information required to calculate your quote. This step usually doesn’t take more than 10 minutes.

Step 2: Compare Your Quotes
You will instantly get a large selection of auto quotes. Depending on your qualifications and needs, you will receive anywhere from five to a couple dozen quotes.

Properly comparing your quotes will give you the best chance of getting the best deal. Make sure the policy you choose will provide ample coverage. If a quote comes back with a suspiciously low price, chances are it provides significantly less coverage.

Pay special attention to deductible costs. The deductible you choose will have an immense impact on the cost of your premium. It’s best practice to set your deductible at an amount you will be able to afford at all times. Doing so will greatly reduce your rate.

After you’ve narrowed down your selection to a few prospects its time to take a deeper look. If you are unfamiliar with a company, Google the company name or read the provided information to determine if they are a reputable company.

Step 3: Enroll
Once you are comfortable making a decision, you can enroll in just a few minutes. We’ve made the process as simple as possible to save you time and stress.

When enrolling you will have to choose a payment structure. Auto insurance companies will typically allow you to pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually. The more of your premium you pay upfront the more you can save.

There you have it. A way to get auto insurance in 3 easy steps. Pretty nice when compared to a day full of waiting on the phone. If you are still unsure about obtaining an auto insurance policy online, remember, there’s only one way to learn. You’ve just gotta do it.

With the current state of the economy everybody is trying to pinch pennies everywhere they can. In 2009, we will have to pay close attention to areas of our finances that we once used to glance over in the past.

A lot of people try to cut insurance costs by reducing their coverage. Unless you have exorbitant coverage, chances are you shouldn’t be putting yourself at risk. The most common exception to this rule is reducing coverage on older cars, which we will cover more in point 3.

1.Auto Insurance Education
There is a great deal of money to be saved when it comes to auto insurance. Many people jump right in and choose a policy that appeals to them without much research. But now when money is tight, this is no longer a viable option.

Over the span of a few years you could be throwing away hundreds of dollars, if not more. Make it your goal to gain a better understanding of auto insurance. Being well informed is your best tool for finding good, affordable coverage.

2.Hybrids
Hybrid vehicles can open up an array of discounts you can receive. Traveler’s recently announced a 10% discount available to hybrid drivers in 44 states. I wouldn’t be surprised to see other auto insurance providers to follow suite.

With President Obama’s new focus on green platforms, the discounts available to hybrid drivers, and the selection of hybrid cars will likely grow. Expect to see more incentives from the government to encourage people to drive hybrids.

And don’t forget about saving on gas! Better mileage can save you thousands of dollars over the years.

3.Reduce Coverage on Older Cars
Older cars, and cars that remain garaged don’t necessarily need all that coverage. The most important vehicles to cover are the daily drivers, the cars you spend the most time in.

4.Combine Coverage
If you have home owner’s insurance, health, or life insurance; working with the same company to receive all your coverage can save you a lot in bundle discounts. Insuring multiple cars under the same policy can help save too.

5.Use the Web
In our digital age, many of life’s most mundane tasks can now be taken care of in a fraction of the time. A new auto insurance policy can now be chosen in less than 30 minutes, and you can get a much larger selection of offers from dozens of more companies.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions, and don’t settle until you are 100% satisfied with the quote. Educating yourself  (step 1) and shopping for auto insurance online can effectively cut insurance costs.