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Author: James Shaffer

Which Companies Sell Non-Standard Car Insurance?

“Non-standard” car insurance usually means an auto policy written for drivers (or vehicles) that fall outside a carrier’s “standard” underwriting guidelines. That often includes high-risk drivers — but it can also include specialty situations like SR-22 filings, rebuilt/salvage titles, or certain collectible and high-value vehicles. The good news: needing non-standard coverage doesn’t mean you’re out […]

What Should You Do if Someone Hits Your Parked Car?

If someone hits your parked car, the next steps depend on one big thing: do you know who hit you? If the driver left their info, it’s a standard claim. If they took off, it’s usually treated as a hit-and-run. Either way, you’ll want to document the damage, report the incident, and figure out which […]

What Is Full Glass Coverage? Is It Worth It?

Full glass coverage (sometimes called a $0 glass deductible or a glass deductible waiver) is an optional car insurance add-on that can pay to repair or replace your windshield and other auto glass without charging you a deductible. If you already carry comprehensive coverage, your policy likely covers glass damage—but you usually still have to […]

How Many Uninsured Motorists Are There? Which States Have the Most?

Driving without car insurance is more common than most people realize. The latest national estimate puts the uninsured motorist rate at 15.4% — which is more than 1 in 7 drivers. Even though nearly every state requires liability insurance, millions of motorists still drive uninsured. The exact risk depends heavily on where you live: some […]

Do I Have Enough Auto Insurance?

Having the right amount of car insurance is a balancing act. Too little coverage can put your savings, income, and assets at risk after a serious crash. Too much coverage can mean you’re paying for protections you’re unlikely to use. The good news: you can usually tell whether you’re underinsured or overinsured by doing a […]

Can an Insurer Cancel Your Car Insurance Policy?

You count on car insurance to be there when you need it. But in certain situations, an insurance company can cancel your policy (sometimes called being “dropped”), which can leave you scrambling to avoid a coverage lapse. Most cancellations happen for preventable reasons—like missed payments, incorrect information on your application, or a major change in […]

How Can I Check How Many Points Are On My License?

Most states track moving violations using a driver record system—often with “points” (sometimes called demerit points). Checking your points (or your driving record) helps you stay ahead of bigger penalties like license suspension, reinstatement fees, and mandatory driver improvement courses. In most states, the fastest way to check points is to request your driving record […]

How Much of an Insurance Discount Do You Get for Having a Car Alarm?

If your car has an alarm (or other anti-theft tech), you might qualify for an auto insurance discount. Many insurers offer discounts for anti-theft devices—especially systems that make your vehicle harder to steal or easier to recover. But the savings are often smaller than people expect because the discount usually applies only to the comprehensive […]

What to Do If Your Car Is Not Fixed Properly After an Insurance Claim

After a crash, you expect repairs to bring your vehicle back to normal. In many cases, that’s what happens. But sometimes a car comes back with paint issues, alignment problems, warning lights, or repairs that simply don’t match what was promised. If your car isn’t fixed properly after an insurance claim, you have options. The […]

What Are Some Cars That Have Low Repair Costs?

Car repairs can be a nasty surprise. A vehicle might seem affordable to buy and insure — then hit you with pricey parts, long labor times, or high-tech components that are expensive to calibrate after even minor damage. The good news: some cars are consistently cheaper to maintain and repair than others. And it’s not […]

What Is the New York Automobile Insurance Plan?

The New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP) is New York’s “assigned risk” auto insurance program for high-risk drivers who can’t get the coverage they need in the regular (voluntary) market. The program is established under New York law and administered with support from AIPSO. Instead of choosing a carrier yourself, you apply through a certified […]

Are There Special Car Insurance Coverage Options for New Cars?

If you’re buying or driving a new car, your insurance choices get a little more interesting—because a newer vehicle can qualify for add-ons like new car replacement insurance, gap coverage, and mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). The key is matching the coverage to how you bought the car (cash vs. loan/lease), how long you plan to […]

What Does Reddit Say Is the Cheapest Way to Get Car Insurance?

Reddit can be a surprisingly helpful place to learn how people actually shop for car insurance — especially in communities like r/personalfinance, r/frugal, and r/povertyfinance. That said, Reddit advice isn’t personalized to your state, your vehicle, your driving record, or your finances. Use it as a starting point, then confirm coverage details with your insurer […]

What to Do if You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver

Getting hit by an uninsured driver is stressful—especially when you realize there may be no insurance company on the other side to pay for your repairs or medical bills. Unfortunately, uninsured driving is still common in the U.S. (roughly one in seven drivers by recent estimates). That means it’s smart to know what to do […]

What Is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI)?

Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) is optional coverage that helps pay for certain expensive repairs when your vehicle breaks down due to a mechanical or electrical failure (not an accident). Think of it as “repair protection” that can work similarly to an extended warranty—usually with a deductible, exclusions, and eligibility rules. It’s typically offered as an […]

Will Auto Insurance Pay if You Hit an Animal With Your Car?

Hitting an animal can do more than dent a bumper—it can total a vehicle, trigger airbag deployment, and create a serious safety hazard on the roadway. In most cases, auto insurance will pay for damage from hitting a deer (or other animal) if you carry comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive is the part of your policy that […]

How to Make Your Auto Insurance More Expensive

Car insurance is expensive enough already — and one “small” mistake (like a ticket, an at-fault crash, or a coverage lapse) can trigger a big jump at renewal. This guide walks through the most common ways people accidentally make their car insurance more expensive, so you’ll know what not to do. From adding risky drivers […]

What Are Some Used Cars that Are Cheap to Insure?

When you’re buying a used car, the sticker price is only part of the cost. Insurance premiums have climbed in recent years, and two vehicles with the same purchase price can have very different auto insurance rates. The good news: picking a model that’s inexpensive to repair, performs well in crashes, and isn’t a top […]

What Is Other Than Collision (OTC) Coverage?

When shopping for car insurance, you may see the term “other than collision” (OTC) coverage. It sounds technical, but it’s usually just another name for comprehensive coverage. In plain English: other than collision coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle when it’s damaged by events that aren’t a crash with another car—like theft, […]

Can You Buy Cars From Insurance Companies?

You may have heard about “buying cars from insurance companies.” In a way, that’s true: when insurers declare vehicles a total loss, they often sell those vehicles through salvage auctions—sometimes at steep discounts compared to clean-title cars. Most of these vehicles were part of total loss insurance claims and may have salvage (or other branded) […]

What Documents Do You Need When Buying a Car from a Private Seller?

Buying a car from a private seller can be straightforward — but the paperwork matters. If you miss a key document (or sign something incorrectly), you can end up with registration delays, surprise fees, or even problems proving ownership. In most states, the two must-haves are the vehicle title and (often) a bill of sale. […]

What Is Drive Away Insurance? What Does It Cover?

“Drive away insurance” is a common name for short-term coverage that lets you legally drive a newly purchased vehicle off the lot—whether that coverage comes from your existing auto policy, a temporary policy you buy, or (less commonly) a dealership-arranged option. If you’re buying a car from a dealership, they typically require proof of insurance […]

Passive Restraint Discounts Explained

Many car insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles with certain safety equipment. One of the most common (and most misunderstood) is the passive restraint discount. Passive restraints are safety systems that protect you in a crash automatically—without you having to “turn them on” or take any special action. If your car qualifies, your insurer may […]

International Driver’s License Insurance: Can You Buy Insurance With an IDP?

An International Driving Permit (IDP)—sometimes casually called an “international driver’s license”—can make it easier to drive legally while traveling because it translates your home country license into multiple languages. But can you buy car insurance in the U.S. with an IDP? In many cases, yes—especially if you’re renting a car or working with an insurer […]

New Car Replacement Insurance Explained: Should You Buy It?

New car replacement insurance sounds simple — until you actually read what it does (and doesn’t) do after a total loss. In short, new car replacement insurance helps you replace a recently purchased vehicle with a brand-new one if it’s stolen or totaled in a covered claim. It’s designed to protect you from fast early […]