Author: James Shaffer
How to Check If Your Auto Insurance Is Active
July 9, 2019
It happens more often than you’d think: drivers assume they’re insured, only to learn their coverage has lapsed, was canceled, or never renewed. Having an auto insurance policy on paper doesn’t always mean it’s currently active—you typically need to keep payments current, avoid cancellation triggers, and make sure the policy is still within its effective […]
Will Auto Insurance Pay for Lost Keys?
July 8, 2019
Just about every driver loses their keys at least once. If you end up in this unfortunate situation, getting back into your car is usually easier than it feels in the moment. If you have emergency roadside service coverage, your insurer may help unlock the vehicle or tow it somewhere safe. However, that’s very different […]
Is Auto Insurance Cheaper for Drivers in Their 40s?
June 11, 2019
Auto insurance is often cheapest for middle-aged drivers with clean records and stable lives. That usually means people in their 30s, 40s, and early 50s. But many drivers specifically wonder if insurance is cheaper in your 40s than in your 30s, 60s, or beyond. On the surface, it seems logical that someone with a couple […]
Insurance for Modified Cars
May 24, 2019
Upgrading your car can make it safer, more comfortable, or more fun to drive—but it can also change how your vehicle is insured. Most car insurance companies price and settle claims based on your vehicle’s factory configuration unless you tell them about changes and add the right coverage. If you want your custom parts to […]
What Is an Excluded Driver for Car Insurance?
May 21, 2019
Car insurance can be confusing, and excluded drivers are one of the most misunderstood parts of a policy. Most car insurance companies want to know who lives in your household and who has access to your vehicles—because it affects risk and pricing. If there’s someone in your home you don’t want covered (or a driver […]
Is Good2Go Auto Insurance Legit?
May 18, 2019
Yes—Good2Go Auto Insurance is legitimate. It’s best known for quick online quotes and low-cost, state-minimum liability policies, which can help drivers get legal fast. The tradeoff is that coverage options, service, and claims experiences can vary because policies may be issued through different underwriting companies, so it’s important to confirm what you’re actually buying before […]
Is It Possible to Find Cheap Car Insurance for High School Students?
May 18, 2019
There is no doubt that car insurance can be expensive—especially for high school students. Young drivers pay some of the highest premiums in the country because insurers see them as higher risk. The good news? There are many ways for high school students to lower their costs, especially when they remain on a parent’s policy. […]
Does Auto Insurance Pay for Damage from Natural Disasters?
May 9, 2019
Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, hailstorms, and other extreme weather events can damage vehicles anywhere in the U.S. Even if your area “doesn’t get hit often,” one bad storm can be enough to total a car—especially when strong wind, debris, and heavy rain are involved. (If you’re driving when conditions turn bad, these tips for driving […]
One Week Auto Insurance
April 29, 2019
Most drivers don’t realize you can buy auto insurance for as little as one week. While short-term car insurance isn’t available in every state and not all insurers offer it, there are legitimate situations where temporary coverage makes sense. Below is everything you need to know about getting legitimate one-week auto insurance, when you might […]
Can the Bank Take My Car If I Don’t Have Insurance?
April 26, 2019
You probably have a lot of people telling you that you need car insurance. Most states have minimum required coverage you must carry to drive legally. The car dealership will also likely tell you that you should have car insurance before driving the vehicle off the lot. And if you financed your vehicle, your lender […]
How Does Force Placed Insurance Work?
April 25, 2019
Force-placed insurance can be a nasty surprise for drivers with an auto loan or lease. Most people understand their state’s minimum insurance requirements and their lender’s insurance requirements, but they don’t realize the lender can buy its own policy if it believes you’re uninsured or underinsured—and then bill you for it. This coverage is often […]
How Much Does Insurance Go Up After an Accident for a Teenager?
April 19, 2019
It’s no secret that teenagers pay the most for car insurance. Even when you add a teen to a parent’s policy instead of giving them their own, premiums can still jump dramatically. Once your child turns 18 or older and moves out on their own, those costs can climb even higher. When a teen driver […]
What Is a Collision Deductible Waiver? Is It Worth It?
April 16, 2019
Most drivers know their collision deductible is what they pay out of pocket after an accident before insurance helps cover repairs. A collision deductible waiver (often shortened to CDW) is an optional add-on that can eliminate that deductible in a very specific situation: when an uninsured driver hits you and your own collision coverage has […]
Can Car Insurance Companies Check Phone Records?
April 15, 2019
When you file a car insurance claim, your insurer may ask for a lot of information – photos, repair estimates, medical bills, and sometimes even your phone records. Requests like this can feel invasive, so it’s important to know what your rights and obligations are. Can insurance companies check your phone records? Do you have […]
Is Car Insurance Cheaper for Commute or Pleasure?
April 9, 2019
Car insurance is a necessary expense, and your rate depends on several factors – including how you use your vehicle. One of the first questions insurers ask is whether your car is used primarily for commuting or for pleasure. In general, if everything else is the same, a car rated for pleasure use is often […]
Where Can I Make a Complaint About My Auto Insurance Company?
March 30, 2019
Because auto insurance is required by law in most states, it can feel like you have no leverage when an insurer is slow to respond, changes your bill unexpectedly, or doesn’t handle a claim the way you believe it should. And after an accident—when you’re already stressed—you may be trying to decide whether you should […]
When Should You Drop Full Coverage on Your Car?
March 15, 2019
When you finally pay off your car, it’s natural to look for ways to cut your monthly expenses. One of the first ideas many drivers have is to drop full coverage from their auto insurance. In some situations, that can be a smart financial move. In others, it can leave you without enough protection if […]
All About the Good Driver Discount
March 13, 2019
When it comes to car insurance, discounts matter—especially if your premium is already high because of where you live, your driving history, or the type of car you drive. One of the most common (and most valuable) savings opportunities is the good driver discount. The catch: “good driver discount” can mean different things depending on […]
Are There Car Insurance Discounts for Nurses?
March 9, 2019
Nurses are the unsung heroes of healthcare. You work long, demanding shifts taking care of others, often with irregular hours and high stress. It’s only fair that you get a few financial perks in return. One of the most underrated benefits you may qualify for as a nurse is special discounts on car insurance. Key […]
Does Car Insurance Cover Towing?
March 1, 2019
You count on your car insurance to help when something goes wrong, but does car insurance cover towing? The answer is: sometimes. Whether towing is covered depends on why you need the tow and what type of coverage you have. The circumstances surrounding your tow will determine if it’s covered at all, whether you have […]
How Do You Cancel Your Auto Insurance Coverage the Right Way?
February 28, 2019
Canceling car insurance is usually simple—but doing it the right way matters. The goal is to avoid a lapse in coverage (which can raise future rates) and to make sure you don’t accidentally owe premiums because your policy kept renewing or stayed active. You might cancel because you’re switching companies, selling your car, stopping driving, […]
How Do You Get Rid of Points on Your Driver’s License?
February 27, 2019
Points on your driver’s license can be a red flag for insurers—and they’re one reason your premium may jump after a ticket. If you’re trying to figure out what triggered a price increase, this guide explains why your car insurance company raised your rates. That said, the DMV “points” system and an insurance company’s pricing […]
How to Insure a Car With a Rebuilt or Salvage Title
February 23, 2019
Cars with salvage or rebuilt titles can be great bargains—but insuring them works differently than a typical clean-title vehicle. In most cases, you can’t get standard car insurance on a salvage-title vehicle because it isn’t street-legal. Once it’s repaired, inspected, and re-titled as rebuilt, many insurers will consider covering it (sometimes with limitations). If you’re […]
Does Car Insurance Renew Automatically?
February 20, 2019
Every state requires you to maintain valid car insurance to drive legally. To avoid gaps in coverage, many drivers rely on automatic renewal. Insurers also like auto-renewal because it helps them keep customers. But does car insurance always renew automatically? The answer depends on your coverage, your insurance company, and what claims or violations you’ve […]
How Do You Transfer Auto Insurance to a New Car?
February 16, 2019
Getting a new car is exciting—but you also want to make sure you’re insured the moment you drive it off the lot. Every state requires a minimum amount of liability insurance, some require uninsured motorist coverage, and if you finance the car, your lender will have its own coverage requirements as well. Key Takeaways Does […]