Author: James Shaffer
What Auto Insurance Limits Should I Have?
September 29, 2018
Auto insurance limits can be confusing. Some people choose the lowest limits because they “never get into accidents,” while others buy far more coverage than they realistically need and end up overspending for years. So what auto insurance limits should you actually carry? Below, we break down what’s legally required, what experts recommend, and how […]
How Do Car Insurance Companies Make Money?
September 25, 2018
Car insurance is one of the smartest financial safety nets you can buy—and in most states, you need at least minimum coverage auto insurance to legally drive. But it’s still fair to ask: how do car insurance companies make money while paying for crashes, theft, and repairs? The short version: auto insurers earn revenue from […]
Do Car Insurance Companies Investigate Claims?
September 20, 2018
If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident that damaged a vehicle or caused injuries. One of the first things most people do afterward is contact their auto insurer to file a claim and hope the company will pay enough to cover the loss. But […]
How to Determine Fault in a Parking Lot Accident
August 31, 2018
Whether you’re running errands, heading to work, or parking at the mall, there’s always a risk of an accident in a parking lot. Low speeds often mean minor damage, but determining fault can be surprisingly complicated. Parking lots have cars traveling in multiple directions, drivers backing out of spaces, pedestrians walking around, and lanes that […]
Low-Income Auto Insurance Options in the US
August 14, 2018
If you’re on a tight budget, car insurance can feel like one of the hardest “must-pay” bills—especially as premiums rise in many states. And while some people assume there must be a national assistance program, that’s usually not how auto insurance works in the U.S. In most cases, public benefits don’t directly pay your car […]
Best Auto Insurance Companies for Uber and Lyft Drivers
August 11, 2018
Getting the right auto insurance is critical for Uber and Lyft drivers. Standard personal auto insurance won’t fully protect you while ridesharing—and relying only on Uber or Lyft’s protection may leave costly gaps. Below, we break down the best insurance options for rideshare drivers and explain why specialized coverage is essential. Today, we’re highlighting the […]
Why Did My Car Insurance Company Raise My Rates?
August 8, 2018
Have you been shocked by your latest auto insurance bill? You’re not alone. Millions of drivers see premium increases each year—sometimes for reasons that feel confusing or unfair. Why do car insurance companies raise rates? Is it inflation, underwriting adjustments, or something specific to you? Below, we break down the most common reasons car insurance […]
How Do Car Recalls Impact Car Insurance?
August 6, 2018
Got a recall notice for your car and wondering what it means for your insurance? In most cases, a recall won’t change your premium overnight—but it can affect your costs indirectly (and it can absolutely affect your safety). Below is how recalls work, whether you need to tell your insurer, what happens if you get […]
How Does Total Mileage Driven Impact My Car Insurance Rates?
July 31, 2018
Your annual mileage plays a major role in determining your car insurance rates. The more you drive, the more exposure you have to accidents. More accidents lead to more claims, which leads to higher risk for your insurer — and higher premiums for you. Because of this, insurance companies heavily factor your total yearly mileage […]
Does Car Insurance Cover Stolen Holiday Presents?
July 27, 2018
You load up your car with holiday presents, head into a store or restaurant, and return to find your window smashed and your gifts gone. It’s a terrible feeling—especially during the holidays. But will your car insurance pay to replace the stolen items? Below, we explain exactly what car insurance does and doesn’t cover when […]
How Long Do You Have to File an Insurance Claim After a Car Accident?
July 23, 2018
After a car accident, timing matters. The longer you wait to report the crash or start the claims process, the harder it can be to prove what happened—and the easier it is for an insurer to question parts of your claim. The tricky part is that there isn’t one universal “deadline.” Instead, you’re dealing with […]
Cheap Car Insurance: Why the Lowest Price Isn’t Best
July 17, 2018
Cheap car insurance looks great on your monthly budget—but it can backfire badly when you need it most. Bare-minimum policies and rock-bottom premiums often come with serious trade-offs in coverage, protection, and service. Before you buy the cheapest policy you can find, it’s important to understand what you’re giving up. Below, we’ll walk through the […]
How to File a Police Report After an Accident
July 16, 2018
A police report can be one of the most useful documents in the days and weeks following an accident. It creates an official record of what happened, who was involved, where the crash occurred, and what an officer observed at the scene. That information can help an adjuster verify details, sort out conflicting stories, and […]
Car Insurance for Drivers Over 60
July 10, 2018
Conventional wisdom says that drivers in their 50s pay the lowest auto insurance rates — and that’s generally true. But as you enter your 60s, premiums may begin to creep upward. While drivers in their early 60s still tend to pay reasonable rates, insurers consider mid-60s and older drivers part of a slightly higher-risk group. […]
Does Car Insurance Cover Lost Wages After an Accident?
July 5, 2018
If you were injured in a car accident and can’t work, the financial impact can be overwhelming. Lost income is one of the most stressful parts of recovering from an accident. Fortunately, depending on the type of auto insurance you carry (and who caused the crash), you may be eligible to receive compensation for lost […]
When to Hire an Auto Insurance Lawyer
June 30, 2018
Hiring an auto insurance lawyer can make a major difference in the outcome of your claim. A skilled attorney can help overturn an unfair denial, negotiate higher compensation, and protect your rights when an insurance company acts in bad faith. Whether you are dealing with a stalled or denied claim, serious injuries, or low settlement […]
What Are the Common Types of Car Insurance Fraud?
June 27, 2018
Car insurance fraud isn’t just “big criminal rings” staging crashes—everyday policyholders and shady repair operators can get involved too. And everyone ends up paying for it through higher premiums. The NAIC notes that fraud can be “hard” (intentional loss) or “soft” (exaggerating or misrepresenting facts), and it’s a major cost driver across the insurance industry. […]
How Much Does the Average American Spend Per Month on Car Insurance?
June 18, 2018
Auto insurance is one of the biggest recurring expenses for many Americans. After housing, utilities, and car payments, car insurance is often the next-largest monthly bill. But how much does the average American actually pay per month? And how does your rate compare? Key Takeaways How Much Does the Average American Pay for Car Insurance? […]
How to Insure a Classic or Collector Vehicle
June 16, 2018
If you own a classic or collector vehicle, you probably see it as more than transportation. It’s a hobby, a passion project, and often a serious investment. Protecting that investment includes proper maintenance, secure storage, and buying the right insurance policy for how the car is actually used and valued. Below is a practical guide […]
How Do You Insure a Driver with a Learner’s Permit?
June 9, 2018
If your teen just received a learner’s permit, you may be wondering whether you need to update your auto insurance policy. Do learner’s permit drivers require special coverage? Are they automatically insured under your policy, or do you need to notify your insurer first? Below, we explain everything you need to know about insuring a […]
Tort and No-Fault Auto Insurance Systems Explained
June 6, 2018
In the U.S., most drivers live in a traditional tort (at-fault) auto insurance system. A smaller group of states use a no-fault system (or a hybrid) where your own policy pays certain injury-related costs after a crash—regardless of who caused it. Both systems aim to get accident victims compensated. They just do it differently. Below, […]
Everything You Need to Know About Multi-Car Discounts
June 1, 2018
A multi-car discount (also called a multi-vehicle discount) is one of the easiest ways to lower your auto insurance bill: you insure two or more vehicles with the same company, usually on the same policy. If you’re wondering whether you can save money by insuring multiple vehicles on the same plan, this guide breaks down […]
What Happens With Insurance If You Are At-Fault in an Accident?
May 29, 2018
If you’ve been involved in an at-fault collision, you can expect several consequences—including higher insurance premiums. Insurance companies rely heavily on your driving record when calculating your rates, and accident history is one of the most important factors they consider. Even a single at-fault accident can significantly impact what you pay. Below, we explain what […]
How Long Is the Grace Period for Auto Insurance?
May 28, 2018
“Grace period” is one of those insurance terms that gets used loosely. Some insurers offer a true grace period (a short window after the due date when coverage stays active), while many states require a cancellation notice period before an insurer can end your policy for nonpayment. Either way, the big takeaway is the same: […]
How Does No-Fault Auto Insurance Work?
May 25, 2018
No-fault auto insurance can be confusing because it doesn’t mean “nobody is at fault.” It means that injury-related costs are typically paid by your own insurer first (through Personal Injury Protection, or PIP) after a crash—no matter who caused it. In this guide, we’ll break down what no-fault insurance really is, which states use a […]