Author: James Shaffer
Do You Need Special Coverage for a High-End or Luxury Vehicle?
May 8, 2020
If you drive a high-end or luxury vehicle, your insurance needs can look different than someone insuring a basic commuter car. Repairs cost more, parts can be harder to source, theft risk can be higher, and even “minor” collisions can turn into expensive claims because of sensors, cameras, aluminum body panels, or specialty paint. Sometimes, […]
Using Fake Proof of Insurance – What Are the Penalties?
May 6, 2020
Most states require drivers to carry auto insurance (or another form of “financial responsibility”). If you’re pulled over, registering a vehicle, or involved in a crash, you’ll typically need to show proof of coverage. Because insurance is required, some drivers are tempted to use fake proof of insurance—like a counterfeit insurance card or altered documents. […]
How to Write a Demand Letter to Your Insurance Company
May 6, 2020
Auto insurance is designed to protect you financially after a crash. But even when you file a claim, you may run into delays, low settlement offers, or a denial you don’t agree with. If you believe your claim was denied unfairly (or your payout offer is unreasonably low), a demand letter can help you clearly […]
What Is a Loss of Use Claim? How Do You File One?
May 4, 2020
Car insurance claims can get confusing fast—especially because there are so many different types of claims. One that surprises many drivers is a loss of use claim, which is a request for compensation for the time you couldn’t use your vehicle after an accident. Loss of use is most commonly tied to paying for a […]
What Is a Captive Agent?
May 2, 2020
Buying car insurance through an agent is still a popular option—especially if you want help choosing coverage, applying discounts, or making changes later. If you shop this way, you’ll usually work with either a captive agent or an independent agent. A captive agent represents one insurance company, while an independent agent can quote multiple insurers. […]
Is Double-Dipping with Car Insurance Illegal?
April 30, 2020
You might hear someone say they “double-dipped” on a car insurance claim. In plain English, double-dipping means trying to get paid twice for the same damage or loss. Is double-dipping with car insurance illegal? If you’re attempting to collect two payouts for the same repairs, the same medical bills, or the same lost property, that’s […]
All About SR-50 Coverage in Indiana
April 28, 2020
If you’ve received a notice from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) asking for proof of insurance, you may see confusing terms like SR-50, SR-22, or Certificate of Compliance (COC). These are not different “types of car insurance” — they’re different ways the BMV verifies financial responsibility. This guide explains what the Indiana SR-50 […]
What Is Broad Form Car Insurance Coverage?
April 27, 2020
Broad form auto insurance (also called a named operator or named driver policy) is a driver-based policy that typically provides liability-only coverage for one specific driver. It’s often cheaper than a traditional policy, but it comes with major limitations that can leave you paying out of pocket after a loss. The big difference is what […]
Can Single Moms Get Discounted Auto Insurance Coverage?
April 24, 2020
Being a single parent is hard enough without surprise bill increases—especially when you’re juggling work, school pickups, and everything else. So, do single moms get discounted auto insurance coverage? Not exactly. Most insurers don’t offer a discount just for being a single parent. But single moms (and single dads) can still qualify for lots of […]
Will Auto Insurance Cover Emergency Travel Expenses?
April 23, 2020
You buy car insurance to cover unexpected costs — like repair bills after a crash. But what about hotels, meals, and other “stranded on a trip” expenses? If your car breaks down while you’re a long way from home, you may need a tow, a repair shop, and maybe even a hotel while you wait. […]
Can a Surety Bond Replace Actual Car Insurance?
April 21, 2020
Some drivers wonder if they can replace car insurance with a surety bond. In certain states, a surety bond (or another type of “financial responsibility” filing) can satisfy the legal requirement to drive—meaning you may be allowed to register and operate a vehicle without a traditional liability policy. That said, a surety bond is not […]
What Is a Loss Payee on a Car Insurance Policy?
April 13, 2020
When you read your car insurance declarations page, you might see unfamiliar terms—especially if you’re financing or leasing your vehicle. One of the most common is a loss payee (often shown as a lender or “lienholder” on an auto policy). A loss payee clause helps define whose name is on an auto insurance claim check […]
Continuous Coverage Auto Insurance Discount: What It Is & How to Keep It
April 13, 2020
A continuous coverage (or prior insurance) discount is a common way auto insurers reward drivers who have maintained uninterrupted car insurance. Even if your new carrier doesn’t show it as a line-item discount, having “no lapse” history can still mean a lower rate. Below is how the continuous coverage discount works, what counts as a […]
Driving Slow in the Left Lane: Laws, Exceptions & Tickets
April 10, 2020
Driving slow in the left lane (the “passing lane” on many highways) is a bad idea. It can trigger aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and risky right-side passing—making roads less safe for everyone. If you want to reduce crash risk, it’s one of the simplest habits to fix: keep right unless you’re actively passing. Many states […]
Top 25 Safe Driving Tips – Staying Safe on the Road
April 7, 2020
The best way to lower car insurance costs is to avoid a car accident. And the best way to avoid accidents is to build safe habits that reduce risk every time you drive. It’s no secret that defensive driving prevents accidents. Defensive driving is less about “driving slow” and more about creating space, staying predictable, […]
What Is Proof of Financial Responsibility? Can It Replace Insurance?
April 3, 2020
Most states require drivers to maintain “financial responsibility,” which is a legal way of saying you must be able to pay for injuries and property damage you cause in a crash. This is easy to confuse with insurance—because auto insurance is the most common way to prove you’re financially responsible. But “proof of financial responsibility” […]
How to Make Sure Your Insurance Company Is Financially Stable
March 30, 2020
When you buy auto insurance, you’re not just buying a price—you’re buying a promise to pay covered claims. Most drivers focus on premium and discounts, but it’s also smart to confirm your insurer is financially stable enough to handle claims during high-stress periods (like major storms, wildfires, or large spikes in litigation and repair costs). […]
Do You Need RV Insurance?
March 28, 2020
RV insurance can protect your motorhome or trailer from big, unexpected costs—everything from liability claims after an accident to theft, weather damage, and more. But do you actually need RV insurance? It depends on what you own and how you use it. In general: Below is a practical breakdown of when RV insurance is required, […]
The Top 5 Companies to Buy Gap Insurance From
March 24, 2020
Gap insurance (also called “Guaranteed Asset Protection” or loan/lease payoff coverage) can protect you from owing money on a car you no longer have. Here’s the problem it solves: if your car is totaled or stolen, your insurer typically pays the actual cash value of your vehicle (ACV), minus your deductible. But your loan/lease balance […]
Top 10 Causes of Car Insurance Rate Increases
March 19, 2020
Car insurance premiums aren’t set in stone. Your rate can drop at renewal—or jump—based on your personal risk factors and broader trends in your state, city, or ZIP code. In fact, many drivers have seen insurer-wide increases lately even without tickets or claims. For example, Bankrate reports the national average cost of full coverage climbed […]
How Do Vehicle Safety Ratings Impact Insurance Rates?
March 14, 2020
You may have heard that vehicle safety ratings impact car insurance rates. That’s true: the safer your vehicle is judged to be, the more comfortable insurers tend to feel about covering it—and that can affect what you pay. Cars with strong safety ratings are less likely to produce severe injuries in a crash. Because insurers […]
What Is an FR-44 Policy?
March 12, 2020
An FR-44 isn’t a special “type of car insurance.” It’s a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files with the state to prove you’re carrying higher-than-normal liability limits after a serious driving offense (most commonly a DUI). If the state requires an FR-44 and you don’t keep it active, your insurer can notify […]
What Does It Mean To Have a Clean Driving Record?
March 11, 2020
It’s important to have a clean driving record—but what does that actually mean? How do car insurance companies, employers, and other organizations define a “clean” record, and how much do old tickets and accidents matter? If you got a speeding ticket four years ago, or a DUI 10 years ago, do you have a clean […]
Agreed Value vs. Stated Value Car Insurance Policies
March 9, 2020
Agreed value and stated value auto insurance are often mentioned in the same breath—especially for classic, collector, exotic, or modified cars. But they can pay out very differently after a total loss. In most standard auto policies, your car is insured on an actual cash value (ACV) basis—meaning depreciation is baked in. Specialty policies use […]
Top 20 Ways to Save on Auto Insurance
March 7, 2020
Auto insurance can be a major monthly expense. The good news? With the right discounts and smart habits, you can often cut your bill by hundreds – sometimes even over a thousand – dollars per year. Below are 20 practical ways to save on auto insurance, from quick phone calls to longer-term strategies that reward […]