Anytime people begin talking about car insurance, the conversation inevitably finds its way to the topic of car insurance while driving another person’s car. What happens if someone is driving another person’s car and gets into an accident? Who is covered? Whose insurance is primary? secondary? It’s time to set the record straight and ameliorate the painful anxiety that has always surrounded this question.

Let it be known before hand that in the United States, laws applying to car insurance while driving another person’s car may vary slightly from state to state, so there is no universal answer to questions surrounding this issue. If you have questions about your policy, or about driving another person’s car, the best person to ask is your auto insurance agent. He or she knows your policy, knows the laws in your state about driving another person’s car, and will be able to provide you with the most accurate information. That being said, you are here, and there are a few nuggets worth knowing that apply across the board.

The only real problem you can run into is if you or the owner of the vehicle you are driving is uninsured. This is universal, and can get you into trouble more ways then one. It is never prudent to drive uninsured. So make sure all the paper work is in line both on your side, and on the side of the person whose vehicle you are going to operate.

If you do get into an accident while driving another person’s car, there is a general system that looks relatively similar in all U.S states. If the vehicle you are driving has insurance coverage, then that policy will kick in first if need be. The driver’s (that’s you) policy is secondary, and will kick in if for some reason the owner’s policy is absent or inadequate. Furthermore, your coverage will kick in to cover any damages or losses that exceed the vehicle owner’s coverage.

In many cases – like with Farmer’s policies – the policy coverage will follow you anywhere. Again, this is subject to the laws of whatever state you are in, and not all policies reflect this feature of Progressive. Generally, if you rear end someone in another person’s car, then the vehicle owner’s policy will cover the damage of the other vehicle.

Despite the sometimes confusing and varying language of state-by-state car insurance law, there are a few concrete universals that you can always count on. NONE of these concepts and laws apply if you don’t have permission to drive the vehicle in question. Stole a vehicle? Not old enough to drive a vehicle? Driving your friend’s vehicle while they are out of town without asking them? None of these are ever good ideas, and you should have no reason to assume that yours – or another person’s – insurance policy is going to cover the consequences of your poor decision.

The keyword here is clauses. Another one is exceptions. Clauses, exceptions, clauses, exceptions. These vary state-by-state, and it’s difficult to get a concrete understanding of laws regarding car insurance while driving another person’s car without speaking directly to an insurance agent. This is always good practice, and will usually yield the best results. As a rule of thumb, if the driver and vehicle owner are insured, and the driver is operating soberly and with caution, then no one will be hung out to dry in the event of an accident.

As a licensed driver it is important to understand Illinois car insurance laws. Car insurance regulations may vary from state to state, and police officers normally don’t accept ignorance as an excuse for noncompliance with state auto insurance laws. Luckily, educating yourself on Illinois car insurance laws is easy, and this article will provide you the basic information you need to know to ensure that you have legally adequate coverage.

Mandatory Illinois car insurance law is designed to protect – not penalize – consumers in the great Land of Lincoln. By requiring a minimum amount of coverage, the state of Illinois is making sure its drivers are not exposed to the otherwise exorbitant vehicle repair and medical costs that may accompany a car accident. You are legal if you have liability coverage with the following minimums:

• $20,000 – injury or death of one person in an accident
• $40,000 – injury or death of more than one person in an accident
• $15,000 – damage to property of another person

These numbers are specified in your policy and will be provided by your insurance agent if you are at all unclear. Whenever an Illinois car insurance policy is issued for the first time or renewed, the driver will receive an insurance card.  Illinois car insurance laws require that drivers have this card in their vehicle at all times, and that they surrender this card for review if asked for by law enforcement.

Just so you know, there are a number of ways that the state of Illinois enforces these auto insurance laws. First, the state runs an ongoing questionnaire process that randomly selects license plate numbers and requires drivers to provide insurance information. This information is sent to the insurance company in question, and if the information turns out to be invalid the license plates are automatically suspended. The other, more traditional method is the common traffic stop. If you are pulled over for any reason, police officers will always ask for your insurance card. Failure to provide a valid (unexpired) card is in violation of Illinois auto insurance laws, and will result in a fine and license suspension. Don’t be caught off guard and without coverage! Anyone who has been pulled over in Illinois knows that our police mean business and rarely make exceptions!

By the way, the penalty for first-time offenders is automatic license suspension until proof of valid insurance is presented and a $100 fine is paid. Repeat offenders can expect a mandatory four month suspension of their driver’s license. Harsh! All the more reason to be squared away when it comes to Illinois car insurance law, and to make sure your vehicle is properly insured.

So you are a conscientious driver and have taken the necessary steps to properly insure your vehicle.  Now you’ve been involved in an accident and it’s time to put your policy to work.  The auto insurance claim process can be confusing and time consuming for the people involved.  Dealing with another person, their insurance provider, and your own can present some problems if not handled correctly.  Fortunately for you, yours is not the first car insurance claim in history, and there is information out there that will help you work through the insurance claim process properly.

Avoid These Auto Insurance Claim Mistakes

• Make sure you have a lucid understanding of every part of your policy before giving any written statements to your or another person’s insurance officer.  If you are even remotely unclear on a certain policy, then shore up your knowledge of your policy and make sure you are not subjecting yourself to unwarranted liabilities.
• You are not responsible for determining blame or liability, so avoid admitting fault in the accident or expressing your opinions about the situation.  Remain objective.  Insurance officers from both parties will take care of investigating and assigning liability to the persons involved, and you don’t want to dig yourself a hole by making unnecessary statements.
• Apart from written statements it is important that you never sign a release or waiver during the auto insurance claim process.  Always consult an attorney or other credible resource if you are unsure what an insurance officer is asking you to put your John Hancock on.
• Insurance companies will often bank on consumer ignorance and estimate loss or settlement value at much lower than what it actually is.  Make sure you do your own research and assessment before accepting your insurance companies estimates as the bottom line.  Don’t accept these estimates and don’t accept a car insurance claim check until you are sure you are being properly compensated.

Finally, make your claims on time! Most insurance companies require policy holders to make claims on accidents or injuries within a specified period of time.  This time period varies from plan to plan, but most will invalidate insurance claims if they are submitted past the deadline.

Important Do’s for Car Insurance Claims

• Unless you need immediate medical attention, your insurance agent should be the first person you contact after a car accident.
• Be honest with law enforcement and claims officers.  As was mentioned before, extra details and opinions are not necessary, but answering questions in an honest fashion is.  Claims found to be fraudulent won’t be processed.
• Don’t leave before law enforcement arrives, and make sure to exchange information with the other person involved in the accident. This includes name, address, driver’s license, and insurance information.
• Read through your policy thoroughly and understand what claims you are entitled to.  Ideally, you will have done this before an accident or injury necessitates it.
• Gather as much information as you can about the accident.  Details can be extremely important during the claims process, so don’t hesitate to write down reports from proximate witnesses, take pictures of the vehicles involved and any injuries you may have suffered.
• Save receipts and bills! You must be able to prove any car repair or medical care you received as a result of the accident in question in order to receive adequate compensation.

Though many of these steps seem easy enough, executing them may become more complex when you become involved in an accident.  Taking the time to understand your car insurance policy and knowing what steps to take immediately after the accident can save you time and ultimately money when making a car insurance claim.

Though the notion of stacking car-insurance payments on top of your college loan and credit card payments may seem daunting, there are a few tangible steps that recent college graduates can take to increase their chances of getting quality coverage at a reasonable price.  This article will provide you with a couple of key approaches

Get Good Advice from a Good Agent!

Anyone can open up their laptop and find a quote from one of the many insurance agencies inhabiting the Internet.  The problem with this approach is that the common person seeking auto insurance for college graduates won’t know which of these policies leaves huge liability exposure.  You’ve all seen the funny new Progressive commercials with the “emotionally compromised” teenage girl (played by a man in a suit) driving off after crashing her SUV into a parked car while texting.  Don’t you want to be covered if something like this happens to you?  Not all budget-focused insurance plans offer you this benefit.  And not all of us have an insurance agent in our family willing to help find such a plan.  So what should you look for in an auto insurance agent?

Car insurance is a competitive industry, so it is important to find an agent that can provide you the most options drawn from the largest pool of insurers.  Agents for major carriers like All State or Progressive – though reputable and often dependable – are only going to provide you a company-approved list of insurers and their plans.  Independent agents, on the other hand, can shop from a larger pool of plans and find the most affordable plan with good coverage that best suits a college graduate. Whatever kind of agent you choose, make sure he or she considers and compares the most comprehensive list of auto insurance products for college graduates possible.

Finding Cheaper Auto Insurance for College Graduates

Your own research should follow the same guidelines that an insurance agent’s would.  Make your search comprehensive! There are many websites that take your information and provide you multiple quotes for your insurance needs.  If you choose to go this route, make sure you get quotes from as many of these resources as possible so you can compare the results and find the best policy for you.  Sites like this include Progressive, among others. Make sure you are specific as possible when filling in your information to receive a more accurate quote.  Also, make sure you pay attention to some of the key fundamentals of any auto insurance plan.  These include liability limitations, coverage exclusions, auto insurance endorsements, and comprehensive versus collision coverage.  Understanding the ins and outs of these characteristics will help you understand the full spectrum of your coverage, and make sure an emotionally distressed teenager doesn’t leave a huge dent in your wallet.

College Grads Can Receive Cheaper Auto Insurance Rates

By default, younger people are automatically subject to the highest insurance costs.  It is statistically proven that younger, more inexperienced drivers get into more accidents than their adult counterparts.  And for men the rates will be even steeper.  Though there is nothing college grads can do to avoid this reality, there are some concrete steps to taken that increase the odds of receiving a more affordable rate.

• For starters, study up!  Some auto insurance providers will offer a discount for good students.  Major providers like State Farm are known to offer this discount, and they aren’t alone in the industry.  A good report card could mean savings on car insurance.
• If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, try to find one with higher safety standards.  Rates are higher for sporty convertibles and gas-guzzling giants, so fight the urge to look good and buy a vehicle that you’ll be safer driving in.  Auto insurance providers will support your decision by offering you a cut rate.
• If you can afford to do it, increase your deductible.  This is the amount you will have to pay out-of-pocket – before your coverage kicks in – when something happens to your car.  Doing so will lower your monthly payment
• Here’s a no brainer: increase your vehicles security features!  Putting some money towards a security system is a good investment and helps to decrease rates, especially for college graduates.
• Remember that policy endorsements – though lucrative for the agents selling them – aren’t always necessary.  Collision coverage for rentals and roadside assistance are good ones to have, but most you don’t need and will only add to your monthly rate.

And here is a tip that will do more than just lower your car insurance payments:  monitor your credit and keep it in good standing.  Building good credit can be difficult for a recent college graduate, so simple things like making your credit card payments on time will translate into a better credit score and lower auto insurance payments.

Finally, drive safely! Maintaining a good driving record is always good practice, especially when keeping auto insurance rates low is a must.

As a recent college graduate, you are likely well-practiced in the art of thorough research.  Now, apply these newly-furnished skills to your auto insurance search, and you will be rewarded with quality, affordable rates if you look hard enough.

Its’ time to buy some automobile insurance coverage simply because the law makes you, right? So how much should you expect to pay for car insurance, and how do you know when your getting ripped off? There are many factors that go into determining how much your insurance rate will cost, such as your age, driving record and the type of car you’re driving, but that doesn’t mean you have to get stuck paying high prices.

There are many auto insurance companies to choose from, which means you have options, various packages to select, and different amounts to pay. By getting a free car insurance quote online, you can quickly compare automobile insurance coverage plans without making any commitments.

But just because the law requires automobile insurance coverage doesn’t mean you should just buy the cheapest coverage you can buy. The cheaper the insurance, the more likely you are not going to have a very good experience when you need to rely on the insurance.

Imagine someone backing into you new car while running into the grocery store, and its a hit and run. You have three options:

1. Pay for the damages out of pocket
2. Use your insurance to repair the costs from the hit and run
3. Or you can leave it be and drive an clunker

That’s why it pays to go with a well-known, national insurance company such as Allstate, State Farm or Geico. These insurers are so big that the process of getting your insurance to pay for any damages is about as painless as it can be. So while you don’t want to overpay for automobile insurance coverage when you don’t need to, there are benefits to paying a little more than you have to.

You can see how much rates are in your area right now and get a free, no obligation quote. If you like what you see, you can order your insurance right online, without ever having to speak to a sales person, though they’re always happy to talk to you if you have any questions.

By doing some quick research to find the cheapest cars to insure before you plunk down thousands of dollars on a new car is a good move. In the long run, lowering your auto insurance can save you several thousand dollars a year. There are many cars to choose from, and many that likely fit your desired automobile… whether it be sporty, economical, or safe for the entire family. In each category there are dozens of cars.

So why not find the car that fits your needs and is easy and cheap to insure.

It may surprise you that cheapest cars to insure may are not always the most obvious. There are a number of factors that come into play when determining how much you should pay for auto insurance, and the car you are driving is just a portion of that calculation… but a big portion.

Besides the actual make, model and year of the vehicle you’re driving, rates vary from person to person based on their driving history and record. But the list of the 9 cheapest cars to insure will give you a good baseline cost for insurance, as it compares to other vehicles in the same class.

9 Cheapest Cars to Insure

1. Nissan Cube
2. Honda Odyssey
3. Kia Soul
4. Volkswagen Beetle
5. Honda CR-V
6. Toyota Sienna
7. Mazda Tribute
8. Dodge Grand Caravan
9. Subaru Outback

So while you may be looking for the most economical car to drive by looking at the various insurance rates, be sure to also consider the purchase price, maintenance and repair costs, and fuel economy. Finding the cheapest car insure is a smart move and is one, rather big piece of the total package.

Instantly see how much your car should cost by entering your zip code below, and quickly view rates from the insurance providers in your area offering the very best deals. With thousands of makes and models of vehicles on the road, even if you purchase a car that is in the top 50 in terms of the best cars for insurance rates, you’re still going to get a good deal on your premium and pay rock bottom prices.

How much would ford F150 insurance cost? You would think to insure the #1, top selling truck in the US that insurance companies would want to charge a premium. But in actuality, there are so many Ford F-150 drivers that all the big insurers are competing for your business.

That means low, cheap insurance rates for the F150 model. When you compare rates from the leading providers, you can actually find deals that will put you in the category for the “Cheapest Car Insurance in the US,” when compared to the national average.

So Why is F-150 Insurance So Cheap?

Out of all the cars in the US that can be insured, the Ford F-150 ranked #17 on the list of cheapest cars to insure, and for good reason. As mentioned, this vehicle being the most popular truck makes it a huge opportunity for insurance companies, which leads to more competition. But the Ford F150 truck itself has some favorable characteristics that make it easy to insure.

For one, its very safe because its built to be rugged and take some pounding. In fact, it is so safe that the Ford F-150 was awarded 5 out of 5 stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is only going to mean positive things for your insurance rates and coverage.

On average, insuring an F-150 truck, whether for business or personal use, is going to cost less than most vehicles on the road today. The Ford Focus, for example, costs $1,000 more a year to insure than the F150 (on average). But that’s not just because the truck is safer to drive and likely to cause less injury, but it is also likely to have lower cost of repairs to the vehicle should an accident occur. That makes it more attractive to insurance agencies, who are taking less risk insuring a F-150 driver over someone driving a Mustang.

Here’s the even better news…

By comparing rates from leading insurance providers, Ford F-150 drivers can save as much as an additional 65% (or $1,200) over their already discounted insurance rates.

Vehicle Stats
June 2010 Sales: 46,502
Change vs. June 2009: Up 29.5%
MSRP: $21,820 – $39,675
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg Hwy/14 mpg City
The F-150 trims consist of the rugged and reliable XL, the sporty STX, the versatile and well-equipped XLT, the durable FX4 and the luxurious Lariat, while The King Ranch, the Harley-Davidson and the Platinum Edition packages add to the refinement and distinctiveness of this pickup truck.

Just because this truck typically has low premiums doesn’t mean you can’t find even better deals. Regardless if you’re buying a new truck, renewing your existing insurance, or looking to transfer to a different provider, there’s always great benefits to comparing quotes online without having to deal directly with an insurance salesman.

You can quickly compare motorcycle insurance rates online to find the very best deal out there, but there are a few things you want to look out for. Some insurance packages are not all what they are cracked up to be and signing the wrong agreement can end up costing your more money than you planned for.

First, you always want to compare motorcycle insurance rates from the big, reputable companies. You don’t want to go with some fly-by-night who will be out of business tomorrow – or more likely – will be bought out by the big company, who may then give you unfavorable rates and attention.

Motorcycle Insurance Rates

In general, rates for motorbikes vary a lot, and it really all depends on a few key things:

1. The bike you want to insure
2. The coverage you want
3. Your insurance and financial history

Based on these factors, insurance can be as low as $19/month and as high as $200 a month. Which would you prefer?

Here’s the good news… the packages most insurance companies try to sell you is probably more than you need. Unless you have an expensive bike, you can often get by without having to insure the actual property for a high value. If you’re not all that concerned, you can usually waive the collision part of the package, which would pay for repairs and restoration in the event that you were in a crash.

If you have health coverage through your employer, you may already have medical coverage in case of a motorcycle accident. Chances are you do, which means you could also waive that part of the insurance plan – helping you get an even lower rate.

How about some more ways to get lower motorcycle insurance rates?

Many of the big companies, like Allstate, offer many discounts. You just have to ask about them. Particularly if you already doing business with them by insuring other vehicles (or your home), you can get “volume” discounts.

Another way to reduce your motorcycle insurance rates and lower the cost is to try to eliminate the extra coverage for “guest passengers.” Some states require this coverage, but if your state doesn’t and you never plan to have a passenger riding with you, get rid of it. That could knock another 25% off your monthly payments.

Most importantly, shop around. There are a dozen or so big, reputable insurance companies that will fight for your business. Use the tool below to compare rates and request free quotes online, and you’ll instantly be able to shop around and see who’s offering the best deal without having to talk to a salesperson.

Parents looking to add their teenage son or daughter to their auto insurance policy may qualify for discount car insurance. Students and teenage drivers can often get discounted insurance rates by meeting specific criteria. These discounts vary from company to company, but they can include:

• Good Student Discount: Providing discount auto insurance for maintaining a high grade point average (Generally if you have a B or better average, so 3.0 or higher)
• Driver Training Discount: If your child obtained their driver’s license by taking a “on the road” driver training course, they can often be awarded discounts for receiving this certification
• Good Driver Car Insurance Discounts: If you complete “Smart Driver Goals” over a period of time, there are often additional discounts that can be obtained

These are just a few ways that students and teenagers can get discounts for their auto insurance, which can help parents reduce their overall rates for their family’s car insurance policy. Of course if your teenager is responsible for maintaining and paying for their own policy, they will be happy to save money on auto insurance.

And these discounts can often be quite significant, especially when the driver qualifies to receive multiple discounts on their auto insurance.

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to young drivers insurance is to maintain a good standing driving record. The best way to get cheap auto insurance for students is to prevent your rates from increasing. Minor traffic violations, car accidents, speeding tickets, and even parking tickets can all contribute to an increasing car insurance policy. In addition, you want to reduce the number of times you need to file a claim with your insurer. The more times you file a claim, the higher the risk you become. That, in turn, can lead to higher rates.

Why is it important to know the top 10 most stolen cars in 2010? For one, if you are shopping for a new car, you want to be sure you purchase something that is going to keep you safe. But secondly, vehicles that have a high theft ratio can cost you more, and not just from repairing broken windows.

Auto insurance companies may place a premium on cars that have a higher risk to being broken into or stolen. If you are driving a vehicle that has a higher risk to being stolen, your insurer (along with you) is carrying the risk of that car being stolen. That may mean higher insurance rates, and more money out of your pocket.

That said, there are often things you can do to reduce your auto insurance rate by making your car less attractive to thieves and vandals. By parking your car in a secure garage and using anti-theft protection to prevent and deter thieves, you can often reduce your auto insurance rate. But owning a car that is not on the list can also help.

So even if you live in a rural area where there is a very slim likelihood of your car being stolen because your closest neighbor is 32 miles away, you can still benefit from owning a vehicle that is safe and not as appealing to thieves.

Most Stolen Cars – 2010

The list of the top 10 most stolen cars in 2010 may not be that different than you’ve seen in the past, and that’s because much doesn’t change. Thieves like these cars because of their resale value on the “black market” and the valuable parts that can be stripped and sold from these vehicles. That said, the list for 2010 includes…

• Honda Accord/Honda Civic
• Toyota Camry
• Ford F-150
• Dodge Ram
• C/K 1500
• Dodge Caravan
• Toyota Corolla
• Nissan Sentra
• Acura Integra
• Jeep Cherokee

Regardless if your car is or is not on the most stolen cars for 2010 list, there are many ways to reduce your monthly insurance rate and save hundreds of dollars. Enter your zip code below to see and compare rates from providers in your area. You’d be shocked to learn how much you’re being overcharged now for your existing policy.