Author: James Shaffer

Do Insurance Companies Go After Uninsured Drivers?

If you’re hit by an uninsured driver, you can still get paid — but your own policy often pays first (UM/UIM, PIP/MedPay, and/or collision). After paying, your insurer may try to recover what it spent from the at-fault driver through subrogation (demand letters, repayment plans, or a lawsuit). Recovery depends on whether the driver has […]

How Can You Get Your Car Towed for Free?

Need a tow but don’t want to get hit with a huge bill? The good news: a “free” tow is often already hiding in benefits you pay for—your car insurance, new-car warranty, roadside membership, credit card, or even certain phone-plan perks. The key is knowing where to look and what limits apply (miles, dollar caps, […]

How to See if a Car Has Been in an Accident

Some vehicles have a clean history, while others do not. Fortunately, there are a few reliable ways to check whether a car has been in a serious accident — and you can do most of them in under 10 minutes. Today, you can look up a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to check for red […]

Do Car Dealerships Offer Temporary Insurance?

Some car dealerships can help you arrange temporary coverage so you can drive off the lot the same day. But in many cases, you don’t actually need the dealership’s temporary insurance. Your personal auto policy may already cover newly purchased vehicles for a short window (often called a “newly acquired vehicle” grace period), as long […]

How to Transfer Your Driver’s License After Moving to a New State

Most states require new residents to switch an out-of-state driver’s license within 30–90 days (sometimes sooner). Use the checklist below to prep your DMV visit, bring the right documents, and avoid a second trip. If you move to a new state, you’ll usually need to update your driver’s license (and often your vehicle registration) within […]

What Are the Best Auto Insurance Companies for Seniors?

Seniors have plenty of options for car insurance — from household-name brands to regional companies with excellent service. Some seniors want the cheapest possible auto insurance. Others want the best overall value, better claims service, or extra perks (like accident forgiveness or disappearing deductibles). The “best” company depends on where you live, how much you […]

What’s the Minimum Insurance Coverage for a Financed Car?

If you are financing a car, your lender will require you to carry certain minimum insurance coverages. That’s because your car is the collateral for the loan. Until it’s paid off, the lienholder (the bank, credit union, or finance company) wants proof the vehicle is protected if it’s stolen, totaled, or seriously damaged. In most […]

What Are the Odds of Getting in a Car Accident?

When shopping for car insurance, it helps to think about risk — including the risk of being involved in a crash. There’s no single “odds of a car accident” number that applies to everyone. Your risk changes based on how much you drive, where you drive, when you drive, your driving habits, and even the […]

How to Find Cheap Auto Insurance for Your Small Business

Cheap auto insurance for your small business isn’t always “easy” — but it is doable when you shop the right way. The key is getting the right type of policy (so claims don’t get denied), choosing coverage that matches your real risk, and comparing quotes from multiple commercial insurers and agents. Here’s what to know […]

Does AAA Change Flat Tires?

AAA is the largest and best-known roadside assistance provider in the United States. If you have AAA, you can request a AAA technician to help with a flat tire. In most cases, AAA will put air in the tire first. If that doesn’t solve the problem, the technician can install your inflated spare tire. If […]

Allstate Motor Club Review

Allstate Motor Club (often marketed as Allstate Roadside) is a standalone roadside assistance service you can buy even if you don’t have an Allstate auto insurance policy. It’s a popular alternative to AAA for drivers who want on-demand help for towing, lockouts, jumpstarts, flat tires, and fuel delivery—plus extra perks depending on the plan. Is […]

What Are Some Luxury Cars That Are Cheap to Insure?

Luxury cars are expensive to buy and expensive to repair — and that often makes them expensive to insure. But “luxury” doesn’t automatically mean “sky-high premiums.” Some luxury brands and models are surprisingly affordable to insure, especially entry-level sedans and small SUVs with strong safety tech and widely available replacement parts. Below you’ll find (1) […]

Allstate Rewards Review

Allstate Rewards was a points-based program that rewarded some drivers for participating in Allstate’s telematics programs (like Drivewise) and redeeming points for things like gift cards, discounts, and sweepstakes. But here’s the important update: Allstate discontinued the separate “Allstate Rewards” points program in October 2023. That means you generally can’t earn new Allstate Rewards points […]

What Are the Cheapest SUVs to Insure?

Want to buy an SUV without paying sky-high insurance premiums? Some SUVs are consistently affordable to insure, while others can cost hundreds (or even thousands) more per year because they’re expensive to repair, expensive to replace, or more likely to generate large claims. Keep reading to discover some of the cheapest SUVs to insure in […]

Allstate Milewise Review: How Much Can You Save?

Allstate offers a pay-per-mile car insurance plan called Milewise. Instead of paying a flat monthly premium no matter how much you drive, Milewise ties part of your bill to your mileage. Milewise can be a strong fit for low-mileage drivers (work-from-home, retirees, households with a “second car,” etc.). But it’s not a guaranteed win — […]

How Do I Know If I Have Gap Insurance?

Gap insurance (also called loan/lease payoff coverage) helps pay the difference between your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV) and what you still owe on your auto loan or lease if the car is totaled or stolen. If you’re wondering, “Do I have gap insurance?” the fastest way to confirm is to check your auto policy […]

Safelite and Insurance: Is Safelite Covered by Insurance?

Safelite is one of the biggest and best-known auto glass repair and replacement companies in the U.S. Whether insurance covers Safelite depends on (1) what caused the glass damage and (2) what coverage you carry. In many cases, Safelite can verify your coverage and help handle the claim paperwork. Below is what you need to […]

Best Insurance Companies for Cars with Salvage Titles

Finding insurance can be tricky when a vehicle has a salvage or rebuilt title. Many carriers won’t insure a salvage-branded vehicle for on-road use, and some will limit coverage once it’s rebuilt. The good news: once your vehicle is properly repaired and retitled as rebuilt (sometimes called “reconstructed” or “prior salvage,” depending on the state), […]

Car Insurance Deductibles Explained

A car insurance deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurer helps cover a covered claim. Pick a deductible that fits your budget, because it applies when you file a claim—not when you pay your monthly bill. While $500 is still a very common choice, deductibles have been trending higher in […]

How Can You Find Budget Auto Insurance?

Auto insurance prices vary wildly — and many drivers pay more than they need to for the same level of protection. In 2025, national “average” premiums are well into the thousands per year for many drivers, but your price depends on your state, vehicle, driving record, credit (where allowed), and the coverages you choose. The […]

When Do You Need Commercial Auto Insurance?

If you use your car, pickup, van, or truck for work, you might need commercial auto insurance (or a business-use endorsement). The right coverage depends on how you use the vehicle—not just what you drive. This matters because many personal auto policies exclude “business use.” If you have the wrong policy for the way you […]

How Can You Get Free Roadside Assistance?

Roadside assistance pays for help when your car can’t (or shouldn’t) keep going—think towing, fuel delivery, jump-starts, flat tire changes, lockouts, and winching. Cost depends on where you buy it. As a rough guide, an add-on through your auto insurer is often the cheapest option, while auto club memberships (like AAA) and wireless add-ons typically […]

What Are the Cheapest Cars to Insure for a Teenager?

Teenagers generally pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the United States — mostly because they’re new drivers, not because they’re “bad” drivers. That said, the car you choose still matters. Vehicles that are cheaper to repair, less likely to be stolen, and packed with safety tech tend to cost less to insure. […]

Am I Covered If My Car Breaks Down?

Auto insurance is designed for sudden, unexpected events — not the predictable costs of owning a car. So if your vehicle breaks down because of age, wear and tear, or skipped maintenance, a standard car insurance policy won’t pay for the repair. That said, there are situations where insurance can help with repairs (when damage […]

When Should You Pay for Vehicle Repairs Out of Pocket?

If your car needs repairs after an accident or other damage, you usually have two options: file an insurance claim or pay for repairs out of pocket. A simple rule of thumb: if the repair bill is less than your deductible, paying out of pocket is typically the cheaper move. If it’s only a little […]