Top Ten Car Insurance Myths That will turn into expensive mistakes
By: Added: 31-01-12
1. "My friend told me that I can use my car at my second job delivering pizzas and that my insurance policy will cover an accident."
1. Age - according to studies, motorists that are 25 years of age and under have higher risk to be in incident compared to those that are over 25 years old. In order to pay reduce car insurance rates; ensure you reapply whenever you reach the age of 50 and 65.
Common frauds include staged accidents where more than often gangs are involved, bogus injury claims - whiplash being the most common and fronting, where parents cut costs by claiming they are the main driver on an insurance policy for their child's car.
There is no such thing as Full Coverage, meaning that everything is covered. Your car insurance policy is very specific about the limits and coverage afforded, there is no insurance policy that will cover everything. So if your lap top is stolen from your car, a claim must be filed through your Renters insurance or Homeowners insurance policy and you will have to pay the deductible.
Mr. Ward has also gone on to highlight that not only are young drivers facing quotes of more than 20,000 for their first policies, but people who have never claimed are also being refused insurance full stop. Many other responsible drivers are facing ridiculous increases - just because of their postcode.
The chief executive of Brake said, "The Government must do more to make drivers aware that their medication may make them unsafe behind the wheel. There needs to be clear warnings on all prescription and over-the-counter medicine. As we start the hayfever season drivers need to be aware that by taking what seems to be an innocent anti-allergy tablet they could be putting lives at risk. If you think your driving may be impaired as a result of taking medication then the message is simple; don't risk it."
The result of all of is that even law-abiding drivers without a claim to their name who live in these areas can struggle to find affordable insurance. Stories of drivers having their
Here at CoverGirl Car Insurance Services, we spoke to several people who had been involved in near misses after taking medication for their hayfever allergies. Here is what one of them had to say:
"For as along as I can remember I've suffered from hayfever, I even had to delay my driving test for about five minutes because I had a bout of sneezes. I decided to take over-the-counter medication to reduce my hayfever symptoms but one day, when I car insurance rates was driving on a country road, I began feeling really tired. I found it difficult to keep my eyes open my car started drifting off the road a little. I pulled over as soon as I found a lay-by. If I hadn't, I could have easily been involved in a road accident and needed to claim on my
Some insurance companies take car insurance rates a drivers' credit history into account when configuring the car insurance quote. If you have a low credit score, it is more likely that you will stop making payments on your insurance. However, once your credit score is factored in, most people end up with a lower rate
6. "I only need the minimum coverage."
Each state has set the required minimum level of insurance coverage, here in California it is $15,000 per person injured, a maximum of $30,000 per accident and $5,000 property damage liability. These limits are very low. Emergency medical services are very expensive and $5,000 worth of damage can be exhausted in a very minor fender bender between two relatively new vehicles. It is a serious mistake to maintain these low coverage levels. You could face a serious financial collapse if you find yourself paying out for medical bills and property damage as a result of being under-insured. Being under-insured could make you vulnerable if another driver decides to sue after an accident.
7. "Insurance companies make up their prices and charge whatever they want."
Insurance companies are required to describe how the rates are calculated and then the rates must be filed for review and for approval or rejection. Any increases or decreases must be filed through the state of California department of Insurance for a review and then the rate is accepted or rejected.
8. "My insurance covers any car I drive."
Some insurance polices, called broad coverage policies, transfer coverage to a vehicle that is made available to you on an incidental basis. Every policy is different. Some companies only transfer the minimum state liability requirements while others are a true broad coverage policy that transfers your specific liability limits. However, many insurance policies are restricted policies or named-operator insurance policies that only cover the named drivers, everyone else is automatically excluded and coverage is not afforded.
9. "If my car is stolen, my insurance company will pay off the loan."
If you bought GAP Insurance when you bought your vehicle, this is true. However, if you have comprehensive insurance and your car is stolen or totaled in an accident, the insurance company will establish the fair market value of your pre-accident vehicle and pay you the actual cash value. This estimation excludes finance charges, interest rates, licensing fees, taxes and other charges you may have accrued throughout the lifetime of your loan.
10. "My insurance company will pay for my car rental."
Your insurance company will not pay for your car rental unless you have purchased car rental expense. This coverage is typically car insurance rates sold only in conjunction with comprehensive and collision coverage.
It is important to read and understand your insurance policy. It is also important to ask questions and address your concerns to your agent.