How to Submit a Claim to Cover the Costs of a Car Accident

Filing a car insurance claim is understandably a daunting task to take on, especially if you have never gone through the process yourself. The pressure of getting things right the first time can take a toll on just about anyone. 

That is why the following includes a list of the steps you must take in order to successfully submit a claim and get our car fixed as soon as possible.

Gather Essential Documents

Gathering the documents you need begins right after your accident occurs. One of the most important of those and one that is going to be requested by your insurance company is the police report. 

Often times this means asking the officer on-site for a copy of the report, which is likely going to be emailed to you. If it has not arrived for some reason, visiting your local police department must be your next step.

Contact Your Insurance Company Immediately

One of the most common mistakes car owners make with car accident claims is waiting too long to report their accident. Instead, it is highly recommended for you to contact your insurance company and provide your agent with all the details. 

Everything must be shared, from who was driving to the types of injuries you or someone has received. It is this quick action that may help you get your expenses covered that much faster. That is why unless you have been admitted into the hospital, there is no reason why you should wait.

Working with Adjusters

After you have reported your claim to your agent, they will assign you to a person called an adjuster. This is the person that is assigned to investigate your claim. The process often includes the question of how much the insurance company is willing to pay for your damages. 

This step of your claim may be a little intimidating as most people want to have their damages covered 100%. However, it is important that you stick to your original story and not attempt to embellish it to receive a bigger check. 

This is both illegal and may cost you much more in terms of paying out of pocket. However, once this step has concluded, your adjuster will provide you with a check for the amount needed to repair your car and or medical bills depending on your plan.

Although most insurance companies have the same process for submitting a car accident claim, contacting your specific insurance agent is the best way to understanding the process for your particular situation.

Tips for Dealing with the Aftermath of a Car Accident as a New Driver

One thing you may have to deal with as a first time driver is getting in an accident. It can be scary to be involved in a car accident. 

If you know what to do, then it will be a lot easier for you to cope with the aftermath of it. You should take the following steps after an accident.

Make Sure Everyone Is Okay

The most important thing that you can do after an accident is to make sure that everyone is okay. Call an ambulance if you suspect that someone is hurt. 

Turn on your hazard lights to let other people know that there is an accident. If it is safe for you to do so, then you should move your vehicle to help prevent another collision.

File a Police Report

Even if the accident wasn’t serious, it is still a good idea for you to contact the police. Filing a police report is a really important step in the aftermath of an accident. 

Your insurance company will likely ask to see a copy of your police report before they give you any type of compensation.

Exchange Contact Information with the Other Party

If there was another person involved, then you should get their contact information. This includes their name, address, driver’s license, phone number, and insurance information. 

Additionally, you need to get their car information, such as the make and model of the car as well as the license plate number.

Contact an Attorney

Negligence is a common factor in many accidents. That is why it is important for you to contact a truck accident lawyer. Your lawyer can help you get compensated. This is an important step, especially if you have sustained any type of long term damage from the accident. 

Getting your medical bills paid for is an important step in filing an accident claim and can really help if you are unable to pay your medical bills yourself.

Take Care of Your Emotional Health

A car accident can take an emotional toll on you. Many people experience post-traumatic stress disorder after an accident. You can take care of your emotional health by talking to a loved one or counselor. 

You will also need to stay active. Additionally, you should follow up with your primary care physician. They can help you recover emotionally and physically.

The thought of getting into a car accident scares many new drivers. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can deal with the aftermath of an accident. You need to make sure that everyone is okay and contact the police. 

You and the other driver should also exchange contact information. Furthermore, it is important to call an attorney and take care of your emotional health.

4 Things to Do Before You Buy Your Next Car

Buying a car can be exciting. However, it can also be stressful. You want to make sure to plan carefully so that you know you will be getting a reliable car and one that you can afford. 

Here are four things that you want to make sure to do before you purchase your next car.

Check Your Credit Report

If you plan on getting a loan to pay for your car, then you will need to check your credit before doing so. A good credit score will not only help you get approved, but it can also help you get a loan with a lower interest rate. 

Take action if your credit score is under 700. Pay off any outstanding debts you have and keep your credit card bill low to help boost your score if needed.

Research the Car that You Want

You should do your homework on your car before you decide to buy it. There are plenty of websites that you can use to look up how reliable a car is and what its average value is. 

You want to make sure to read reviews written by actual people to make sure that you are getting accurate information about the car you want.

Find the Right Dealership

It is important for you to choose the right car dealership. Find out about the reviews and ratings of past customers online before visiting the dealer in person. 

You will also need to visit the dealership’s website. By checking on them and making sure they are reliable, you ensure that you are going to get a good car for your budget. 

Finding a dealership that is well reviewed also probably means you will find someone who is reliable and will provide you with good customer service.

Decide Whether You Want to Buy a New Car or Used Car

When you are looking for a car, you want to decide between a new and a used car. New cars can be nice because you know they won’t come with any problems and you can usually get a better warranty that will protect your car for longer. 

However, they are more expensive than used cars and depreciate in value much more as soon as you drive them off the lot.

By comparison, used cars are cheaper. Since they’re already used, they won’t depreciate in value as quickly from their base price, making it easier to resell them. 

You can also often find a better value for insurance on a car that is used, as you probably won’t need as many protections. However, you have to be careful and make sure to research the car’s history to ensure that it hasn’t been in any accidents before.

There is a lot more to buying a car than just going to the dealership and selecting one. You will have to check your credit report and research the car that you want. 

You will also have to research the dealership. Furthermore, you should decide whether you want a used car or a new car to find the one that is the right fit for you.

Is Insurance Cheaper if You Bundle with One Company?

Everyone knows that insurance is essential for your car, your home, and your other vital items. This can get extremely expensive. If you want to lower your payments, you may consider bundling your policies. Here is a look at the potential benefits of bundling with one company.

What is Bundling?

When you purchase different insurance policies from the same provider, you are bundling your plans. This can include home, auto, and life policies. This makes it simpler to pay premiums each month. Most companies provide discounts to customers who have multiple policies with them as well.

Benefits of Bundling Insurance

When you bundle your policies, it is definitely possible to save money, especially with your car insurance. You may be able to save up to 20 percent on your premiums. 

Thanks to these savings, you may be able to increase your coverage. Also, bundling makes it less likely that your carrier will drop you for filing a high number of claims.




It is convenient to work with one company as well. Bundling policies saves you time paying your bills, and a single representative can take care of all of your insurance needs. 

Also, when you establish customer loyalty with your provider, your overall experience is better. For instance, your insurance representative may be able to make valuable coverage suggestions that suit your needs and that help to save you money.

Receive an Insurance Quote

Most insurance providers will offer competitive rates, especially when you are planning to bundle your policies. It is wise to gather insurance quotes so that you find the best deal for your individual circumstances. 

After you receive a bundled insurance quote from each of your current providers, you can compare each one to the individual rates that you are presently paying. You can receive bundled quotes from other companies as well.

Who Shouldn’t Bundle Insurance?

Although it is often cheaper for a person to bundle multiple insurance policies with one company, it may not always be the least expensive option. 

If you have a high amount of traffic violations or live in a state with high rates, it may be less costly to keep separate policies. It is always best to speak with your existing insurance providers and to obtain a bundled insurance quote from each one.

Insurance is a costly proposition, but it is necessary in times of accidents. It may be beneficial to bundle your policies with one company. Besides saving you money, you may enjoy other perks and fewer hassles. It is always best to obtain various quotes and to discuss options with your current providers.

Your Financial Options When Insurance Won’t Cover Auto Repair Costs

If your vehicle has squeaky brakes, a dented side panel, or a broken windshield, it is important to have the problem fixed quickly. However, there is a chance that your auto insurance policy won’t cover the cost to have vehicle damage fixed. Let’s look at some ways to pay a repair bill when your insurance company won’t help you.

Look Into Getting a Personal Loan

Personal loans are designed for individuals of all credit scores and histories. Unsecured personal loans generally have lower interest rates than credit cards, which can make it easier to afford the monthly payment. 

One of the key benefits to this option is that you know ahead of time when the balance will be repaid in full and how much interest the lender will receive.

Credit Cards Can Help in an Emergency

Typically, chipped windscreen replacement services are covered by your insurance policy. However, it may be necessary to pay a deductible of $200 or more to have the work done. There may also be a deductible to have other types of repairs made to your vehicle. 



If you have good credit, it may be possible to get a new credit card with 0% interest for up to 18 months. This will allow you to pay for the repair over several months without putting yourself too far into debt.

Payday Loans Can Help for Small Repair Bills

If you don’t have great credit, payday loans may be an option to help pay for emergency repairs that are less than $1,000. There is no credit check required for loan approval, and you can get the money in a matter of hours or days. 

However, it is worth pointing out that the interest rate for such a loan can be extremely high. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a plan to repay the balance before applying for emergency financing.

Get Money from a Friend or Family Member

As with any other financial emergency, you could try asking a friend or family member for help. These individuals may be able to loan you the hundreds or thousands of dollars that you need in a short period of time. Furthermore, they may be more lenient when it comes to paying the money back.

A car that is properly maintained is generally safer to drive, and cars that are properly maintained generally last longer. Therefore, it is important that you have a plan to pay for any repairs that your insurance policy won’t cover regardless of how expensive they may be.

4 Tips to Lower Your Car Insurance Before Your Next Payment

Car insurance can be a major monthly expense, and many drivers spend way too much on their premiums. Luckily, with a few simple tips and tricks, you might be able to lower your insurance rates by hundreds of dollars a year.

Increase Your Deductible

One of the quickest and easiest ways to reduce your monthly premiums is to ask for a higher deductible. The deductible is the amount that you pay before your insurance coverage kicks in, and many drivers increase that amount when they haven’t been involved in a collision in a few years. 

You might also want to increase your deductible if you don’t drive very much and your risk of getting into an accident is relatively low.

Shop for a New Provider

If your current insurance provider refuses to alter your premiums, then you should consider shopping around for a new policy. Switching over to a new insurance company could end up saving you quite a bit of money every month, and those types of providers sometimes offer huge discounts to safe drivers. 




Before you choose a new provider, you should try to get quotes from at least three or four companies. Some providers might even match other quotes in order to get you to switch.

Negotiate a Better Rate

At least once or twice a year, you need to call your insurance provider to see if you can negotiate your premiums. As long as you are a safe driver and have a relatively clean record, you might be able to bring your premiums down with nothing more than a phone call. 

You can also call your provider and ask for a discount if your credit score has recently gone up. One of the biggest factors that insurance providers consider is a driver’s credit score, and bringing your score up by a few points could impact your rates.

Bundle Your Policies

Many large insurance companies offer a wide variety of policies, and you should see if your current provider gives discounts to those who bundle their insurance. Instead of insuring your home and car separately, you can lower the premiums by combining the two policies. 

You might also want to bundle your insurance if there are multiple drivers in your home who all have separate policies.

In addition to these few tips, you must also make sure that you purchase vehicles that are safe and secure. Your premiums might plummet if you invest in a reliable vehicle that is filled with modern security features.

3 Ways Bundling Saves Money on What You Already Use

The thought of having to make another phone call and haggle another price might seem overwhelming to you. However, bundling your packages isn’t really haggling. Providers already exist who are ready to make your life easier and your budget more flexible. You aren’t even adding new services or products into your life. Instead, you are taking what you already use and getting a better price.

Cell Phones

If everyone in your household has a separate cell phone plan, you are almost definitely paying too much money. The first step is to agree upon one provider to use. Of course, what you’ll probably want to do is call around or visit the stores to see which entity will provide you with the best deal. 

Providers have all different types of family plans that you can pursue at lower costs. Keep in mind that this option is not necessarily limited only to those individuals with whom you live. A number of people have these types of cell phone plans with extended family members.

Car and Home

When you own a car or a home, you need insurance; if you own both of these entities, you need insurance for both. Having separate plans is likely costing you money. Instead, speak with your car or home insurance provider to see what the price would be if you switch both of the plans to be on the same plan. 



These types of insurance policies often come with their own set of discounts, so ask about any other reductions that apply to. For example, car insurance prices are often lowered for students with good grades or for drivers who are willing to have their driving habits tracked by a device in their cars.

Cable, Internet and Home Phone

These three items practically go together as many people have already taken the step to bundle them. In these modern times, you may wonder what the point of the home phone is. Do keep in mind that in an emergency situation, you may want to have an additional line to use. 

Also, when you’re already bundling the cable and internet together, you’ll likely find that the phone is a truly marginal cost, especially for extra peace of mind at home. Ultimately, however, you could opt for a package that includes cable and internet-only and skips out on the phone element.

As you can see, you aren’t adding new products and services to your life. Instead, you are saving money on items that you are going to use anyway.

Knowing Aflac and the Insurance Plans Covered - Auto, Disability Insurance and Health Care

There is virtually no way to avoid being bombarded by commercials and advertising aimed at selling you the latest and greatest car, truck or SUV. Whether you choose what you drive for “status” or if it is merely a transportation necessity, the automobile is a part of daily life in North America.

And for every automobile ad you see or hear, there is likely to be an auto insurance ad nearby. After all, if you have a car, there is a very good chance that you have car insurance. But do you have enough? And do you have the right insurance? Far too often we discover the deficiencies in our insurance coverage after it is too late.

For a family living on a fixed budget, with little or no savings, a major automobile accident can be a significant setback. Even if your auto insurance covers damages to property and your liabilities, there are often collateral expenses that are not covered and can be a significant financial burden. 

Fortunately, Aflac, an insurance carrier, has an insurance product which helps policyholders in time of need when their primary auto insurance is not enough. Aflac car insurance, however, is not your typical auto insurance policy, which can create confusion for those trying to understand exactly what insurance options they have with Aflac.




To help you better understand, Aflac is a known as a supplemental insurance company, meaning, Aflac covers what typical insurance coverage exempts. These exemptions might include lost wages. Therefore, the Aflac auto insurance policy supplements disability insurance policies. 

As such, an Aflac auto policy may only be purchased as an addition to insurance from a typical carrier. Such a safeguard may be a wise investment for those unforeseen extra liabilities that you may encounter after an accident.

Understanding Aflac Car Insurance

Vehicular accidents are unpredictable and sometimes fatal. The bills that come thereafter can be financially crippling, affecting your family’s economic stability. You may require time off work to recover, during which you still need to pay your bills. 

In the long run, if not well prepared, the stress of juggling between paying hospital bills and meeting your family’s everyday needs can make your present and future financial stability. In extreme circumstances, bankruptcy may be the end result.

To help reduce that stress and burden, Aflac provides a lifeline by providing disability insurance policies, including an auto insurance supplement - that is why there is no Aflac auto insurance, per se. The Aflac car insurance policy is like an insurance for your insurance. 

It kicks in when the policyholder is incapacitated after an accident and unable to return to work in a timely manner. The Aflac policy provides additional financial resources to keep the bills paid and the bank account balanced when income stops as a result of an accident.

Aflac has become a globally popular supplemental insurance provider and there are several reasons customers are finding Aflac auto insurance worth the investment.

To start with, several Aflac car insurance plans include rider insurance

A rider insurance option comes in handy as it addresses any extra medical costs resulting from the accident and gives the victims a recurring income. The accident victim still receives an income while recuperating. The rider insurance is very expensive not offered by most insurance companies that alone should help you see why Aflac’s plan is so popular.

Since the rider insurance is not affordable to all, Aflac has a supplemental insurance provision which extends to what other auto insurers will not cover. That is, the Aflac car insurance takes care of dental care, daily income expenses, intensive care, short-term lost wages, ambulance services, emergency room costs and extended hospital stays. With all these being included in the insurance plan, why would a policyholder opt out of Aflac?

Aflac Claims - Car Insurance

With a better understanding of the Aflac car insurance policy, one can’t help but wonder how effective Aflac is in terms of paying out a victim’s claim. Some insurance providers manage their policyholder claims through third party companies, which can be a great inconvenience to the policyholder. 

Aflac does things a little differently. Once an Aflac car insurance claim is made, Aflac makes payment directly to the customer with no third parties involved. This reduces delays in payment and frustration on the part of the insured party. Additionally, Aflac has a great deal of care for its customers, demonstrating this through offering immediate benefits to a victim’s spouse in case of serious bodily harm.

Aflac’s ability to pay claims quickly and efficiently not only saves the victim and family members a great deal financially but also provides them peace of mind while the afflicted receive necessary medical attention.

Disability Insurance

Notwithstanding the unique Aflac car insurance, this insurer differentiates itself from other insurers particularly in its mode of operation. Instead of your typical insurance coverage, Aflac treats companies, non-profit organizations and individual clients to the disability insurance coverage. Their product ensures that the policyholder does not endure financial struggles after being injured while on the job or if they fall ill which leads to an inability to work.




Aflac’s medical and disability plans protect companies as well. Aflac offers plans that can be purchased in terms of group coverage. The group policy covers all employees in circumstances of illness or injury. The coverage comes into effect if they are incapacitated while on the job. All an employer has to do is to file a claim and will be ensured that their employee will be handed a financial lifeline.

The Aflac disability insurance plan is everything you will need, not only for your vehicle. Whether you are an individual or a group, this coverage will be your solution in times of accidents.

Healthcare

One might assume that since Aflac’s services are aimed at helping people meet their medical needs, there must also be an Aflac health insurance plan. Sadly, there is none. Aflac has, however, designed the disability insurance to work together with a policyholder’s health insurance coverage. Thus, there is no Aflac healthcare coverage.

A policyholder may only be eligible for Aflac’s insurance with an existing health insurance plan. In fact, many insurance providers will present their own policyholders with Aflac’s policy option as a way to supplement the purchased health insurance plan. The wide range of medical costs covered by Aflac is definitely worth supplementing the standard health plan.

About Aflac

There is no argument that the Aflac duck is the best corporate mascot ever. But the duck alone is not the star of the show. Founded in 1955, Aflac has gained worldwide popularity as a result of consistently meeting their customer’s needs and keeping their promises. Aflac has millions of satisfied customers with policies that include vision, dental, accident, cancer, life, short-term disability, hospital indemnity and hospital intensive care covers.

Aflac’s claim-handling procedures set them apart from their competitors. Policyholders can file their claims on their website or over the phone. Claims are typically paid within a few days and, in some instances, on the same day, reducing stress and financial burdens for their customers. 

Aflac’s world-class customer service has made it a trusted name in the insurance industry. This is, after all, what defines a good insurance company and customer relationship. Although Aflac is not the only option for supplemental insurance, it has built itself a name through exemplary service.

Through the decades Aflac has extended its services across the United States, Canada, Japan, and other nations, proving that supplemental insurance can ease people’s financial struggles in times of accidents and illnesses.

Aflac’s excellent customer service and unique delivery of insurance plans makes it a top option for your supplemental insurance needs. Do yourself a favor by insuring yourself against unexpected accidents and financial stress with Aflac automobile insurance or disability insurance.

Everything to Know About Third Party Car Insurance & Its Benefits

Are you planning to buy a car of your dreams? Congratulations that you will be able to cherish and fulfil your one of the dreams! However, while most of the car buyers go in the details of car size, facilities and beyond, many few care about car insurance.

Yes, if you plan to purchase a car in India, you need to know that there are two types of car insurance plans such as third party and comprehensive car insurance. One is legally bound to at least avail a third party car insurance if not the comprehensive car insurance.

Let’s talk about the concept and benefits of the third party car insurance in this short post.

What is third party car insurance?

A third party car insurance is a mandatory car insurance policy that one needs to avail as it’s a must as per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. A third party car insurance is a scheme which shields the driver or the car. It protects against any legal liability, property, and financial loss, medical expense cover due to an injury or death of any third party due to the impact of your vehicle.

Thus, if your car hits any third party, property, or injures someone even leading to his/her death, the third party car insurance company offers compensation to them. In short, you need not provide anything out of your pocket and hit loss.

The beneficiary of the policy is none other than the third party and not you

What are the benefits of the third party car insurance?

Offers financial assistance and legal cover – As discussed earlier , since a third party car insurance offers legal cover and financial assistance to any damage to self or property of a third party, it helps you take care of the burden.

Provides you peace of mind – When you are aware that the legal and financial burden of anything happening to the third party is taken care of by the insurance company, you can take a sigh of relief. 

Thus, you can just focus on relief from stress due to an accident rather than worrying about the unexpected expenses.

The dead easy process to avail a third party car insurance – You can easily procure or renew a third party car insurance as you can also do that online without issues. You can also compare many policies online and then decide one matching your needs and affordability.

Comes affordable – The third party car insurance comes affordable and does not pinch your pockets. What’s more, the benefits that it offers in the term of the legal and financial coverage is nothing in comparison to what you pay for it.

Round the clock availability – Compared to some conventional policies that are available only offline, the third party car insurance is accessible online and 24/7 on all days of the year from any location. Hence, the glitch-free mobility and accessibility of this scheme make it quite popular among car buyers.

The Bottom Line

There is no denying the fact that the kind of legal and financial assistance that it offers laced with the peace of mind makes it a must-have in today’s time. With the number of vehicles on the road increasing and accidents too, it’s smart to avail a third party car insurance. 

If you are not sure which third party car insurance will be good for you, you can compare all plans or take help from a known financial expert to help you!

3 Ways to Make the Most of Your Insurance without a Major Accident

Many drivers will unfortunately be involved in a couple of major accidents at various points throughout their lives, but these incidents may be spread out across many years or even decades in some cases. 

During this time in between major car accidents, you may pay your auto insurance premium regularly without getting substantial benefit from it. The reality is that you do not need to be involved in a major accident to take advantage of some of your coverage benefits. 

In fact, these are some of the car insurance perks that you may have access to and that you may not be using when the opportunity arises.

Towing Service

Most people think about using towing service reimbursement through their auto insurance policy when they are in an accident and their car can no longer be driven. 



However, towing service may be available through some policies for other needs as well. For example, depending o the wording in your coverage, you may be able to use towing service if your car breaks down and is no longer able to be driven because of a serious repair issue. 

The availability of this coverage varies, so you should read the fine print in your policy.

Roadside Assistance

Many auto insurance policies include roadside assistance service as well. You may not think about turning to your auto insurance coverage when you need help changing a tire or when you need a jump for a dead battery. 

However, roadside assistance may be available to you around the clock in any location. More than that, it may be free of additional cost through your coverage, and it may be an easy solution to stressful situations that may be overlooked by many drivers.

Personal Property Coverage

Some drivers have paid for optional personal property coverage. This is coverage that reimburses you if items inside the vehicle are damaged or stolen. For example, if someone breaks into your car and steals your laptop and other expensive items, you can file a personal property insurance claim to be reimbursed for your loss. 

Some insurers like Crowel Agency, Inc. offer these coverages for home in addition to auto.

Getting reimbursed for expenses associated with a major car accident is one of the most common reasons why drivers file an auto insurance claim, but this is not the only reason to file a claim. 

Each insurance policy may have different types of coverage as well as varying limits, deductible amounts and more. By reviewing and understanding your coverage now, you can take advantage of its many benefits when the ability arises to do so.

Auto Savings: How to Compare and Contrast Car Insurance Quotes

Today, it is easy to get a quick car insurance quote on an insurer's website or a collection of quotes from several different insurers on a comparison site. However, there are several important tips to remember when comparing auto coverage quotes.

Research the Company

If the company is offering an especially low rate, research it on third-party unbiased review sites. When you are researching a company that you never heard of, be wary of signing up for coverage. 

If there are more negative than positive reviews about the company's operating policies, it is worth your time and money to pay a little more to work with a reputable insurer. Damages and lost money from scams and fraud wind up costing all policyholders more money. 

According to the FBI, insurance fraud costs American families between $400 and $700 per year in higher premiums. Know what to look for to avoid scams.

Know the Deductible

When talking to an agent from one company and getting a lower price quote than another company, be sure that the deductible is the same. 

Some companies, like United Security Agency, know that you should ask how much the difference would be to switch to a lower deductible. With some companies, the price to choose the lower deductible is not much different than a higher one. 

However, this is not always true. Choosing a deductible is a matter of how much risk a person wants to take and can afford in the event of having to file a claim.

Research Discounts

Not all companies factor in every discount when they provide a quote. Some insurers offer telematics devices, which measure driving habits when people use their vehicles. 

If a person drives carefully at a safe speed and does not ride the brakes in a way that indicates frequent distractions, he or she can qualify for a premium discount after several months. Some companies also offer military, student, and other discounts.

Learn About Customer Service

Find out if the company has a good reputation for serving customers promptly and resolving issues. The company should be good at resolving issues such as emergency roadside assistance, general questions, and especially claims. 

If there are more complaints about the company not honoring legitimate claims, beware of the insurer.

Try to compare at least five to seven insurance companies before making a decision. There are hundreds of smaller and larger insurers to consider in the United States.

How To Be Smart About Car Insurance In A World Full Of Dumb Motorists

Buying a car is expensive, and the better the car, the more expensive it is going to be. After you buy a car, you may be reluctant to spend any more money on anything else. When the idea of insurance comes up, you may be wondering if this is something you can put off for a short time until you can rebalance your cash flow. 

While it’s natural to have this passing thought, acting on it can prove highly detrimental. Unfortunately, there are some people who try and get away with not buying car insurance.

The thought of going without car insurance is completely unnecessary. You can get the lowest possible rates from companies like www.acceptanceinsurance.com. So it’s not an unreasonable expense. What’s more important to consider is that car insurance helps protect you from all kinds of financial disasters.

You need insurance for three primary reasons: it satisfies a legal requirement; it offers personal liability protection, and it covers expensive car repairs after an accident.

A Legal Requirement

When it comes to car insurance, you really don’t have a choice. You have to carry it by law. Your state will require you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance on your vehicle. How much depends from one state to another. 

Naturally, if you want to be smart about it, you should buy more than the minimum. You should buy as much insurance as you can afford to get the maximum amount of protection. There are some things that it is not wise to skimp on, and insurance is one of those things.

What happens if you don’t carry car insurance?

If you get pulled over for any reason at all by the police, the first thing they ask you is for your car insurance papers.

If you don’t have insurance, you will be in a lot of trouble. For one thing, you may not even be allowed to drive away once the police know that you are driving without car insurance. For another thing, you may have your car impounded.

However, it gets even worse. You will be forced to go to court and pay heavy fines. Then, on top of all this, your license may either be suspended or revoked for a particular period of time.

Liability Protection

Even if there were no laws requiring car owners to get car insurance, it would still be a good idea to have it.

If you are involved in an accident, your car insurance gives you liability protection.

If you cause an accident, you can be held responsible for all the costs associated with it. You must pay the medical expenses of those who were injured. If the accident results in a fatality, you have to pay the family a monetary award.

These are extremely high costs, and can literally ruin your life for years to come. You may have to sell everything you own, including liquidating your financial investments and selling your home.

If you don’t have enough assets to liquidate, then you could spend the rest of your working life paying off the expenses caused by the car accident.

If you did not cause the accident, but were hit by a car driven by someone who did not have insurance, you may have high medical expenses.

While you might be able to sue the other person, the chances of them having enough money to pay you are slim, especially if they cannot even afford to buy car insurance.

However, in a case like this, your car insurance company will pay for your medical expenses.

In addition, your insurer may also pay for repair or replacement for your damaged car.

How much your insurance company will pay for your medical costs and car repair or replacement costs depends on the type of insurance you are carrying.

Vehicle Repairs

Another expense associated with causing an accident is repairing the other person’s car. This can be very expensive.

As the at fault driver in the accident, you may either have to pay for car repairs or if the cost of repair exceeds the value of the car, you may have to buy them a new car. Without insurance, you would have to pay for this out of your own pocket.

You are also liable to pay even if you don’t hit another person. If, for example, you drive into a wall, a store, a house, an electric pole, or a street sign, you have to pay for the property. 

Insurance Protects You

When people think of insurance, they view their premiums as a waste of money. This is an entirely wrong way of thinking about insurance. Your small premiums are protecting you from all sorts of exorbitant costs—medical costs, monetary awards, property damage—that you might not be able to pay for out of your own pocket. In fact, a single accident could force you to go into bankruptcy.

There is a reason the law is so strict about car insurance. It protects everyone from costs that they might find unaffordable. Despite this, one in seven drivers don't have car insurance. So you even need car insurance to protect yourself from people too dumb to buy it.

4 Tips to Keep Your Premiums Down and Keep You On the Road Through Your Golden Years

Just because you are getting older does not mean that you have to give up the freedom of driving. That being said, there are some important tips that you should keep in mind. As you get older, if you’re prone to getting in accidents, or are not aware of the rules and regulations out of on the road, your insurance premiums are bound to increase. These tips will keep not only you and others safe, but will end up saving you money in the long run through having lower insurance premiums. 

Being Physically Active

Nothing is better for you as you get older than being physically active. Believe it or not, staying physically active keeps you healthy and helps you drive safely. This is because physical activities help improve your flexibility and strength, making it easier for you to look over your shoulder and steer the wheel. It can also keep you more alert. Let's face it, driving requires a lot more than just sitting there. You need to be able to move and be flexible to check your blind spots and to park safely. Walking is a great activity to keep you active. You should also stretch your muscles, particularly the muscles that you use while driving.

Vision and Hearing Tests

Two important senses that you need when driving are vision and hearing, but these senses tend to diminish with age. This is why it's so important that you stay up to date on all of your hearing and vision tests. Vision is important because you have to be able to see what you are doing when you are on the road. Having poor vision can also affect your ability to drive at night. Hearing is just as important because drivers with hearing problems are unable to hear approaching trains or even emergency vehicles.

Taking a Driving Course

One of the best ways to keep your driving skills sharp is to take a driving course. Taking a driving course for seniors is a fantastic way to keep your skills fresh and learn new ways to help reduce the risk of getting into an accident. Many of these courses are offered in both a classroom and online. North Shore Driving School Ltd has a more of a classroom or live format up in Burnaby in Canada. There are lots of options to choose from. This makes it easy to find a course that fits your schedule. These types of courses will cover everything from how to use the latest technology in vehicles properly to the most common causes of crashes in which seniors are involved. Sometimes seniors can even receive insurance discounts for taking these kinds of courses.

Drive Under the Best Conditions

You can dramatically increase your driving safety if you drive under the best conditions. This includes driving only in good weather, which doesn't include rain. You should also avoid driving when visibility is not clear, which could mean not driving at night if you have problems seeing.

Following these few simple tips can keep you safe on the road. Remember that it's not just your life you are trying to protect; you are also trying to protect the lives of other road users. There is no reason to put yourself or anyone else in harm's way. If you get to the age where you no longer feel safe behind the wheel, then it's just as important to know when to quit driving.

Also, remember that these tips will help your wallet as well.

Why Geography Matters When Buying Car Insurance

You probably don't give it much thought, but where you live plays an important role in your auto insurance premium. The Consumers' Association of Canada recently conducted an extensive study of insurance rates in five major Canadian cities and found that rates were largely driven by factors unique to the geography of those cities. 

Busy Cities vs Rural Areas

In general, busy cities cost more than rural areas. Why? Because There's more traffic. That seems to make sense even without any research, but the fact is that there's more incoming and outgoing traffic in a city. With more cars per minute travelling through a defined area, the risk for an auto accident increases across the board. This includes everything from small "fender benders" to major accidents.

The CAC also found that vehicle theft, vandalism, and glass breakage all increase as one gets closer to urban areas. This is, again, due to the increased concentration of vehicles on the road. However, within urban areas, theft rates vary. Public parking lots and apartment garages are notorious for break-ins and vandalism, while residential areas don't see as much action.

In more rural areas, glass breakage seems to increase, but this isn't because of vandalism. Rather, the damage is a result of weather-related activity, mostly ice and storm damage.

Climate

Climate can also drive insurance premiums. Areas more prone to heavy wet weather conditions experience more accidents. Likewise, areas that are prone to more extreme weather in general are also positively correlated with increased accidents.

If you're travelling through an unfamiliar area that is known to have higher incidents of inclement weather (i.e. you're on a holiday), it might be wise to temporarily increase your insurance cover during the trip. If you move to a new location for a job or some other reason, check out the weather trends.

If you get higher than average snowfall, rain, or other weather than the rest of Canada, it might be time to consider more insurance cover to protect yourself and your family. 

Age

Age discrimination is common, according to the CAC. Young people driving in Calgary and Toronto pay more than older drivers, even when the younger drivers have perfect driving records and the older drivers have at least one at-fault crash. Under BC's public auto insurance program, a driver with an at-fault collision is charged more, regardless of his or her age.

This compensates the insurers for the added risk posed by the driver. It also relieves other motorists from having to subsidise risky drivers. However, under the private insurance system that operates in Alberta and Ontario, the CAC found that insurers operated in virtually the opposite manner. 

Gender

The CAC found gender discrimination in cities and areas with open competition. For example, Toronto charges younger male drivers a higher premium than those living in Vancouver. What's more, young males pay more than even young female drivers. This means that the younger drivers are subsidising the older individuals living in these areas.

That's an important consideration if you're thinking of moving. It may benefit you to look to Vancouver, for example, for a job instead of a place like Toronto.

Adam Becker is a serial blogger, writing upon a number of topics from science fiction critique to insurance tips. He eventually finds time away from his writing when prompted by his wife and dog. For information about insurance in Calgary, visit the link.