Author: James Shaffer
When Does My Car Insurance Policy Expire?
November 12, 2020
Knowing exactly when your car insurance ends helps you avoid an accidental lapse in coverage (and the higher rates and DMV headaches that can come with it). If you’re not sure when your policy expires, you could mistakenly let your car insurance lapse between policies—which can quickly flag you as a higher-risk driver. Most auto […]
Do You Get a Refund for Unused Premiums After You Cancel Your Car Insurance?
November 2, 2020
You can cancel your car insurance policy—but what happens to the money you already paid? Do you get a refund for the unused portion of your premium, or does the insurer keep it? In most cases, you’ll get a refund for any “unearned” premium after you cancel car insurance (the part of your premium that […]
How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Driving Record?
October 21, 2020
A DUI (driving under the influence) can raise your car insurance rates and affect your driving privileges for years. But the answer to “How long does a DUI stay on your record?” depends on which record you mean—and which rules your state uses. Some states use short “lookback” windows for repeat-offense penalties, while others can […]
Why Is Car Insurance Mandatory?
October 17, 2020
Have you ever wondered, “why is car insurance mandatory?” The short answer: states require it to make sure people who cause crashes can pay for the damage they cause. There’s no federal law that forces every driver to buy auto insurance. Instead, each state sets its own “financial responsibility” rules. As of today, car insurance […]
How to Get Same Day Auto Insurance
October 10, 2020
Sometimes you don’t have days to shop for a policy—you need coverage today. That’s what people mean by same-day car insurance: a policy that starts on the same date you apply (often within minutes), with proof of insurance you can show immediately. The good news: most major insurers can start a new policy the same […]
What Happens If You Get Caught Driving Without a License?
October 9, 2020
In every U.S. state, you need a valid driver’s license (or learner’s permit) to legally drive on public roads. If you get caught driving without one, you could face anything from a correctable ticket to criminal charges, towing/impoundment, and even jail time—especially if your license is suspended or revoked. If you’re dealing with licensing issues […]
Who Is the Primary Driver of an Auto Insurance Policy?
October 8, 2020
The primary driver on a car insurance policy matters more than most people realize. It affects your premium, how your policy is underwritten, and—sometimes—how smoothly a claim gets paid. In certain car insurance claims, insurers may review who actually drives the vehicle most often. If the information on the policy doesn’t match reality, the company […]
Is It Bad to Switch Car Insurance Companies?
September 22, 2020
Car insurance rates aren’t standardized—two companies can quote very different prices for the same driver with the same coverage. That’s why many people regularly compare quotes and consider switching. When done right, switching insurance companies can lower your premium, improve your customer service experience, and unlock better discounts or features. When done wrong (usually because […]
What is Property Protection Insurance (PPI) for Auto Insurance?
September 21, 2020
Property protection insurance (PPI) is a required type of no-fault liability coverage only for drivers in Michigan. Michigan requires PPI on every insured vehicle, and it can pay up to $1 million per accident for certain types of property damage your vehicle causes in Michigan. You can only buy PPI through car insurance companies in […]
What Does Non-Owner Car Insurance Cover?
September 17, 2020
Non-owner car insurance is a specialized policy designed for licensed drivers who don’t own a vehicle but still drive from time to time. It’s most commonly used by people who borrow cars, rent cars regularly, or need proof of insurance to keep their license valid. Unlike a standard auto policy (which is tied to a […]
Does Car Insurance Cover a Hit-and-Run?
September 15, 2020
Hit-and-run crashes are stressful and expensive—and they’re even worse when you’re left wondering whether your insurance will help. The truth is that hit-and-run coverage depends on what was damaged (your car vs. injuries) and what coverages you carry. In many states, a hit-and-run is handled similarly to an accident with an uninsured driver because the […]
Minimum Coverage Auto Insurance Explained
September 11, 2020
Minimum coverage auto insurance is the least amount of car insurance you can buy to meet your state’s legal requirements (and nothing more). It’s popular with budget-minded drivers because it’s usually the cheapest way to stay legal on the road. However, “minimum coverage” is not the same everywhere. Each state sets its own rules for […]
What Is a Collision Damage Waiver?
September 4, 2020
A collision damage waiver (CDW) (sometimes called a loss damage waiver or LDW) is one of the most common add-ons you’ll see at the rental counter. It can also be one of the most misunderstood. In simple terms, a CDW is the rental company’s agreement to waive (or limit) what you owe if the rental […]
Car Insurance for Road Trips: Coverage Checklist Before You Leave
August 31, 2020
Planning a road trip usually means thinking about hotels, snacks, and your playlist. But it’s also smart to think about car insurance. Long drives increase your exposure to road hazards, breakdowns, and accidents—and the last thing you want is to discover a coverage gap halfway across the country. Do you need to update your car […]
What’s the Difference Between a Car’s Registration and Title?
August 28, 2020
When you buy, sell, or insure a vehicle, two documents come up over and over: the title and the registration. They’re related, but they’re not the same thing. In plain English: a title proves who owns the vehicle, while registration shows the vehicle is approved to be driven on public roads (and that required state […]
Tips for Buying Car Insurance for the First Time
August 26, 2020
Buying car insurance for the first time can feel intimidating—especially if you’re not sure what coverage you need or what information insurers will ask for. The process is usually straightforward once you know what to gather and what decisions actually matter. As a first-time customer, you may pay more at first because you haven’t built […]
Active-Duty Military Auto Insurance Discounts Explained
August 25, 2020
As an active-duty member of the military, you may qualify for certain auto insurance discounts and benefits. Many insurers offer special savings for service members, and some carriers also provide deployment-friendly options—like reduced “storage” coverage when your vehicle won’t be driven. By stacking discounts the right way, active-duty military personnel can often save money on […]
What Is Permissive Use Auto Insurance Coverage?
August 22, 2020
Many drivers assume their auto insurance covers any accident involving their car. In reality, coverage depends on who was driving, whether you gave permission, how often that person drives your vehicle, and what your policy says about “regular use” and household drivers. Permissive use is the insurance concept that may extend coverage when you lend […]
What Does Your Credit Card Cover When Renting a Car?
August 19, 2020
Many credit cards include rental car insurance coverage — but that doesn’t mean your card gives you “full coverage” on a rental car. In most cases, credit card rental car coverage is a type of collision damage waiver (CDW) / loss damage waiver (LDW) benefit that helps pay for damage to the rental car (or […]
Does Your Long Commute Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates?
August 18, 2020
If you have a long commute, you spend more time on the road than many drivers. More time behind the wheel usually means more exposure to risk—more traffic, more intersections, more bad weather days, and more chances for a crash. But does a long commute actually affect auto insurance premiums? Sometimes. Some insurers rate policies […]
Fast Cars with Cheap Insurance: Top 10 List
August 13, 2020
So you want a fast car — but you don’t want to pay supercar-level insurance. The good news is that plenty of performance cars are genuinely fun (quick 0–60 times, strong power, sharp handling) without automatically being insurance nightmares. In general, the world’s fastest cars are usually the most expensive to insure because they’re expensive […]
How Long Can You Be Without Car Insurance?
August 12, 2020
You’re not supposed to drive without car insurance. But how long can you be without car insurance before it becomes a problem? If you’re driving (or even just parking) a vehicle on public roads, you generally need valid coverage that meets your state’s requirements. Driving uninsured is illegal in almost every situation—and even a short […]
First Month Free Car Insurance – Do Any Companies Offer 1 Month Free?
August 12, 2020
Everyone likes free stuff. But can you really get your first month of car insurance for free? Do any insurers offer legitimate “first 30 days free” auto insurance with no upfront payment? In practice, true first-month-free car insurance is extremely rare. To start coverage, insurers almost always require an initial payment (either your first month’s […]
Getting Insurance for First-Time Drivers Over 25
August 10, 2020
Drivers over 25 often pay less for car insurance than younger drivers—but if you’re a first-time driver (or you have little to no insurance history), you can still see surprisingly high premiums. Insurance companies price policies around risk and predictability. A new driver at any age has limited verifiable driving and insurance history, which can […]
Auto Insurance Discounts for Seniors
August 6, 2020
Some car insurance companies offer discounts geared toward older drivers. Depending on your age, driving habits, and where you live, you may qualify for lower rates through “mature driver” discounts, defensive driving course discounts, low-mileage programs, and group/affinity savings. Do auto insurance discounts for senior citizens exist? Yes—sometimes. But they don’t always show up as […]