Author: James Shaffer
How to Separate Auto Insurance After a Divorce
September 4, 2021
Divorce comes with a long to-do list, and car insurance is one item you don’t want to overlook. Once you and your spouse stop sharing a household (or once the divorce is finalized), a shared auto policy can create coverage gaps, billing issues, and claim disputes. The good news: separating auto insurance after a divorce […]
Does Your Car’s Year Affect Your Insurance Rates?
September 3, 2021
Your car’s model year matters because it affects what your vehicle is worth—and how expensive it is to repair or replace. And that can affect your auto insurance price (especially if you carry full coverage car insurance). All else equal, a newer vehicle is usually more expensive to insure than an older one because newer […]
Total Loss Thresholds by State
August 20, 2021
If your vehicle is involved in a serious crash (or even certain types of major damage), your insurer may declare it a total loss. A car is typically considered “totaled” when it’s not economical (or not safe) to repair—usually because the repair estimate meets a threshold set by state rules, your insurance policy terms, or […]
How to Become an Auto Insurance Agent
August 6, 2021
Becoming an auto insurance agent is more straightforward than most people expect. In nearly every state, you’ll need a license to sell auto insurance—and you may need to pass an exam, complete a background check, and (in some states) finish pre-licensing education. If you’re interested in selling car insurance, here’s a clear, up-to-date walkthrough of […]
Auto Insurance for Snowbirds: How Does It Work?
August 2, 2021
Heading south (or west) for the winter is a great escape—until you realize your car insurance was written assuming your vehicle is garaged where you live most of the year. Snowbird auto insurance is usually straightforward if you handle two things correctly: (1) keep your policy aligned with where the car is registered, and (2) […]
Can You Drive Alone With a Learner’s Permit?
July 27, 2021
A learner’s permit is usually the first step toward becoming a fully licensed driver. It lets you practice driving legally while you learn the rules of the road. In the U.S., a standard learner’s permit almost always comes with one big restriction: you must drive with a qualified supervising driver in the vehicle. Most states […]
What Happens If You Don’t Return License Plates?
July 10, 2021
If you’re selling a car, junking it, moving out of state, or canceling insurance, you might need to remove and surrender your license plates. But the rules vary widely by state. In some states, failing to turn in plates (or properly cancel registration) can lead to serious consequences—like registration suspension, fines, or even a driver’s […]
Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage Explained
May 15, 2021
If you’ve upgraded your vehicle with aftermarket wheels, a custom stereo, a lift kit, accessibility equipment, or a one-of-a-kind paint job, your auto policy may mention custom parts and equipment coverage—often shortened to CPE. CPE is an add-on (endorsement) that can help pay to repair or replace permanently installed modifications after a covered loss—like a […]
Getting Insurance for Financed Vehicles
May 1, 2021
Financing a car changes your insurance responsibilities because the lender has a financial interest in the vehicle until the loan is paid off. In most cases, your loan agreement requires you to carry more than the state minimum—usually what people call “full coverage.” Most lenders require full coverage on a financed car to protect the […]
How to Get an Auto Insurance Quote With No Credit Check
April 18, 2021
Your credit history can impact your car insurance rates. Fortunately, you can still shop for auto insurance quotes without a hard credit inquiry — and without hurting your credit score. Just keep in mind that “no credit check car insurance” can mean a few different things: Below, we’ll break down how credit affects car insurance, […]
Best Companies to Bundle Home and Auto Insurance (How to Compare Bundles)
March 9, 2021
Bundling home and auto insurance can be one of the easiest ways to lower your total insurance bill. A multi-policy discount is common, and bundling can also simplify your life by keeping more of your coverage under one roof. That said, not every “bundle” is a bargain. Some companies offer stronger home and auto insurance […]
What Is “Third-Party” Auto Insurance?
March 8, 2021
Third-party auto insurance is coverage that pays for injuries or property damage you cause to other people. In the U.S., it’s most commonly called liability insurance—because it protects you financially when you’re legally responsible for an accident. Many drivers think “car insurance” automatically covers their own vehicle. But that’s only true if you add coverages […]
What Is an Independent Agent?
March 7, 2021
When shopping for car insurance, you’ll often hear people recommend working with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent is an insurance professional who can quote and sell policies from multiple insurance companies. Instead of getting one set of rates from one carrier, an independent agent shops your information across their network and helps you […]
What Is a Clean Title?
March 1, 2021
When you’re shopping for a used car, you’ll see a lot of listings that say “clean title.” It’s a helpful shortcut—but it’s also easy to misunderstand. In most cases, a clean title simply means the vehicle’s title is not branded (for example: not salvage, rebuilt, flood, or lemon/buyback). It does not automatically mean the car […]
What Is a Named Insured Driver?
February 28, 2021
When you buy car insurance, you’ll see a field on your policy called the named insured (sometimes written as “named insured driver”). This is the person (or people) the policy is issued to—and the one who controls it. In many cases, the named insured is also the vehicle owner and the primary driver. But that’s […]
How to Get a Copy of Your Driving Record
February 17, 2021
Your driving record (often called a motor vehicle report or MVR) can impact your life in more ways than you might expect—from job applications to car insurance pricing. That’s why many drivers choose to pull a copy for themselves at least once in a while. Your MVR shows key details like tickets, accidents, and the […]
How Red Light Tickets and Speeding Camera Tickets Affect Insurance
February 12, 2021
Car insurance companies consider many factors when setting premiums — including your driving record and traffic violations. But red light camera tickets and speeding camera tickets are a little different than officer-issued tickets. In many jurisdictions, camera tickets are treated as civil/administrative penalties (often tied to the registered owner) and don’t add license points — […]
Wearing a Mask While Driving Leads to More Accidents, Higher Insurance Rates
December 31, 2020
Some drivers wear a face mask while driving—because they’re sick, they’re carpooling with people outside their household, they’re doing rideshare, or they just prefer the added protection during respiratory-virus season. Wearing a mask in the car is usually a personal choice, but there’s one important caveat: anything that distracts you or blocks your vision can […]
What Is a Car Insurance Surcharge?
December 28, 2020
If you recently reviewed your car insurance documents (like your declarations page or renewal bill), you may have noticed an extra line item called a surcharge. A surcharge is a temporary extra cost added to your premium after the insurer believes your risk went up — usually because of a recent accident, ticket, or other […]
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Insurance Discount: How It Works & What You Can Save
December 19, 2020
Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are one of the most common safety features on modern vehicles—and in some cases they can help you qualify for a small auto insurance discount. Quick answer: Sometimes. If your insurer discounts ABS separately, it’s usually small (often 1%–5%)—and many companies bundle it into a broader safety equipment discount. The biggest “win” […]
How to Get No Deductible / Zero Deductible Car Insurance
December 13, 2020
With standard car insurance, you pay a deductible when making a claim. You pay your share first, and your insurer covers the rest (up to your policy limits). Some drivers, however, wonder about “zero deductible” car insurance. With truly $0 deductible coverage, you pay nothing out of pocket when a covered claim applies to a […]
Non-Owner SR-22 Insurance Explained
December 12, 2020
Non-owner SR-22 insurance is a special type of auto policy for drivers who need an SR-22 filing but don’t own a car. Your state’s DMV (or similar agency) typically tells you when an SR-22 is required. You may need to provide SR-22 insurance to reinstate a suspended license, restore driving privileges after a serious violation, […]
How Do Insurance Companies Find Out About a DUI?
December 10, 2020
A DUI (sometimes called DWI) almost always leads to higher car insurance premiums. The size of the increase depends on your state, insurer, and driving history—but it’s common to see a major jump for several years after a conviction. So how do insurance companies find out about a DUI? In most cases, insurers discover DUIs […]
What Is an NAIC Number? How Do You Find It?
November 25, 2020
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is the standard-setting organization that supports state insurance regulators across the U.S. It’s not a government agency, but it helps state departments of insurance coordinate oversight, share data, and create model rules and best practices. One of the most practical tools the NAIC maintains is the NAIC number […]
Will My Car Insurance Go Up After a Not-At-Fault Accident?
November 16, 2020
TL;DR: Often, no — a single not-at-fault accident may not raise your premium (especially if the other driver’s insurer pays). But your cost can still increase if you file on your own policy, lose a discount, have multiple recent incidents, or the claim is coded incorrectly. Accidents are expensive — and confusing. One of the […]