car insurance

(NewsUSA) - With gas prices on the rise, more Americans are using public transportation, carpooling or consolidating their errands to reduce their time on the road.

And insurance companies are starting to take notice.

Driving doesn't just use gas, it also wears down vehicle components.

Heavily used vehicles need parts replaced more often. Extensive driving can reduce the number of years that a car or truck might last.

Some insurance companies now reward low-mileage drivers. For example, GMAC Insurance, one of the largest automobile insurers in the U.S., created its opt-in Low-Mileage Discount Program www.lowmileagediscount.com) to OnStar subscribers.

Customers who drive less than 15,000 miles a year can save up to 54 percent on their car insurance.

Drivers who choose the program allow GMAC Insurance to determine their mileage through their OnStar program, a communication technology available on GM vechicles. GMAC Insurance uses vehicles' odometer readings to determine customers' discounts.

The insurance company does not receive any information unrelated to mileage and does not penalize people who drive over 15,000 miles each year.

"Rising gas prices have become a serious issue in this country over the past year, and it is clear that drivers are cutting back," says John O'Donnell, vice president of business development at GMAC Insurance, "We want our customers to be aware of anything they can do to save money."

The company offers these tips to drivers hoping to cut back on gas:

1. Maintain your vehicle. Following your vehicle's maintenance schedule will help prevent damage and reduce the cost of future repairs.

2. Keep your engine tuned and you tires inflated. Running smoothly will increase your vehicle's miles per gallon.

3. Clean out your car. If you remove excess clutter from your vehicle, you can reduce weight and increase your vehicle's miles per gallon. But leave the essentials, like your emergency kit.

4. Easy on the gas pedal. Avoiding sharp stops and quick starts can increase your vehicle's gas mileage.

5. Plan your trips. If you consolidate errands into one trip, you can reduce your time on the road, and the amount of gas you use.


For more information on the Low-Mileage Discount Program, call (877) 469-5619 or visit www.gmacinsurance.com.

(ARA) – Tire pressure and blood pressure – Americans are equally concerned about both, according to a new survey that compares attitudes about personal health and vehicle maintenance.

“This first-of-its-kind research, commissioned by Shell, shows that Americans place nearly equal importance on vehicle health and personal health,” says ASE-certified mechanic and Shell spokesperson Sam Memmolo, also known as Dr. FuelGood. “For the most part, Americans tend to go out of the way to maintain their own health and the health of their vehicles.”

According to the survey of 1,000 licensed drivers across the country:

* Seventy-three percent of Americans go out of their way to make sure their cars are in top condition through regular maintenance;

* Regular exercise is the route 68 percent choose to keep physically fit;

* While 40 percent have their cars maintained at least once very 5,000 miles, 35 percent go to the doctor more than once a year.

The link, says Dr. FuelGood, seems to be that people understand prevention and realize that proactive efforts are the key to good personal health and good vehicular health. The majority (68 percent) understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including stocking up on fruits and vegetables, and 63 percent use only the best parts and accessories in their vehicle. They can feel the difference, too; 76 percent say eating well noticeably affects how healthy they feel, and 73 percent can feel the difference when their car’s engine is clean and responsive. However, while many notice the positive effects of eating right, American drivers often don’t realize the beneficial effects of using high-quality fuels and lubricants for protecting vehicle health.

“Just like choosing nutritional foods at the grocery store is a simple way to be healthy, filling up with high-quality gasoline is an easy change motorists can make to help protect their vehicles,” says Dr. FuelGood. “It’s important to take simple steps to protect the investment in your vehicle.”

Neglecting your personal health can lead to loss of energy and ongoing health issues the same way neglecting your vehicle health can impact engine performance and lead to long-term maintenance issues. The biggest maintenance issue for America’s vehicles according to 39 percent of respondents is the build-up of gunk in engines, which most (60 percent) described as similar to fat clogging blood vessels. But it doesn’t take a dramatic life change to make a difference – you can avoid vehicle health problems through regular maintenance and using a high-quality gasoline.

Top automakers – Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, and Volkswagen – agree fuel quality is important to help keep engines clean. They introduced the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline standard and recommend motorists use fuels that meet the standard, like Shell. All Shell gasolines stop gunky build-up on critical engine parts.

Dr. FuelGood and Shell have launched “Americans for a Gunk-Free Nation” (AGFN) to help protect the nation’s engines from gunk. AGFN hopes to educate American consumers about how to improve the state of vehicle health in the United States.

For additional information on gunk-free living, visit the Americans For a Gunk-Free Nation Web site at www.shell.us/livegunkfree where you can read Dr. FuelGood’s blog, participate in discussion boards and much more.

(NAPSI)-Each year, millions of Americans prepare their vehicles for winter's inclement weather and treacherous travel conditions. Unfortunately, many do so without a key element-the certainty of whether or not their auto insurance policy protects them for any unexpected accidents they might encounter along the way.

A survey commissioned by Allstate-in conjunction with the introduction of the Good Hands® Coverage Checkup, a checklist provided by Allstate agents to help review consumers' car insurance policy limits-indicated that approximately 60 percent of respondents are not confident they understand their car insurance coverage.

Confidence Gap

More than 40 percent of consumers first answered that they were not confident in their understanding of their auto insurance coverage. However, after being quizzed on specific incidents such as hitting a deer and crashing after a tire blowout, the number of respondents who admitted they weren't confident rose significantly-to nearly 60 percent.

"When the unexpected occurs, the difference between hoping you're protected and knowing you are is crucial," said Lisa Cochrane, vice president of marketing, Allstate. "That's where Allstate's network of more than 14,000 agencies can help consumers feel confident in their coverage."

Additional survey findings included:

• It's All in a Name

A higher percentage of respondents who know their insurance agent's name feel more confident in their knowledge of their auto insurance policies than those who don't have an agent or don't know the agent's name.

• The Great Equalizer

Prior to being polled on accident-specific questions, 70 percent of men were confident they understood what their insurance coverage includes, compared to just 50 percent of women. Following the questions, men dropped to a 50 percent level and women to a 33 percent mark.

Coverage Checkup

Allstate developed its Good Hands® Coverage Checkup to help consumers review their current auto insurance policy limits and identify where they may need more coverage or less. An invaluable checklist the company's agents can provide-the checkup is free for all consumers, regardless of their insurance carrier-takes just 15 minutes, can help uncover gaps in coverage limits that could expose a consumer to financial risk and points out available discounts and savings.

To learn more or to locate an Allstate agent near you to complete a Good Hands® Coverage Checkup, visit

www.allstate.com or call 800-ALLSTATE.



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It pays to play the field when it comes to auto insurance. You should know your auto insurance company rankings and always check several insurers to get the cheapest auto insurance rates around.


(NC)—Auto insurance is the expense that everybody loves to hate. Once you get a policy, most folks simply file it away, pay the premiums, and hope they don't have to look at it again.

That's not the way it should be. Auto insurance is one expense that could be very easy to reduce if you take the time to compare rates, review your coverage and delve into the details on a regular basis, says Andrew Wicken, general manager of InsuranceHotline.com, an unbiased comparative quoting service directing consumers to the insurance companies which offer the lowest rates.

“Rates can vary significantly from one insurance company to the next,” he explains. “That makes shopping around a very worthwhile exercise. The best part is you need not wait until your current policy is up for renewal, as the savings could outweigh any cancellation fees.”

People might think they are the victim of mandated rates that are out of their control, but the grid system in Alberta for basic coverage doesn't mean you can't do anything to reduce your car insurance costs. Consumers looking to keep their auto insurance costs in line should consider the following tips:

1. Cast A Wider Net.

Insurance brokers can help you shop for the best rate, but they will only provide quotes from the limited number of companies they represent (usually no more than four or five). “But with over 20 insurance providers in Alberta, the odds that you are getting the lowest rate available right now are pretty slim,” says Wicken. Fortunately, free online comparison services like InsuranceHotline.com give you a quick and easy way to compare rates from multiple insurance providers.

2. Don't Assume Loyalty Discounts Are The Answer.

People mistakenly think if they stay with the same broker or insurance company they're getting the best rate. But if you are not with the lowest cost insurer in the first place, loyalty discounts might obscure the fact that you could get a better rate elsewhere.

3. Ask Your Insurer About All Available Discounts.

Providers offer all sorts of discounts that could help reduce rates – from multi-vehicle/multi-line and retiree discounts to anti-theft, winter tire, student away from home and eco-friendly car discounts.

4. Review Before You Renew.

Come renewal time, a lot of drivers simply pay the premium and move on. However, a regular review of your policy with a licensed insurance professional to check your coverage and ensure your information is up to date can sometimes pay big dividends.

5. Keep A Clean Driving Record.

Building a good driving history that is free of tickets and convictions will help to reduce your rate over time.

“After your mortgage and car payments, your car insurance premiums are one of your biggest expenditures, so taking the time to shop around is worth the investment,” Wicken says. “And if you do go shopping, using online tools to quickly find

the lowest rate available from the entire field of insurance companies can save you money and peace of mind.”

Finding cheap car insurance can be a lot like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s long and frustrating and can lead to fits of uncontrollable swearing and temper tantrums. However, unlike the endless quest for that needle, finding the least expensive car insurance has a point. The more coverage you can get at the lowest price means more money in your wallet and a lot less stress about paying your other bills.

But which companies offer the cheapest insurance? That really depends on what you’re looking for. The amount of coverage you want will determine the price, along with your age, driving record and where you live.

Take for example, Geico. Everyone knows the little green gecko ads. They are extremely effective. But how much would they charge a 21-year-old male living in the suburbs outside of Boston, MA? Let’s say that 21-year-old is looking only for liability coverage, forgoing comprehensive, collision and medical coverage for a 1995 Chevy Cavalier. Let’s assume he has a clean driving record with no accidents or speeding tickets reported. If he selects all the minimum liability amounts for bodily injury, property damage and personal injury, his premium will be $83.30 a month, or $999.60 per year. That same 21-year-old living in Carmel-By-The-Sea in California would pay $56.32 a month or $675.84 a year for insurance, under the same conditions, searching for the same amount of coverage.

As any smart shopper would, it pays to check out Geico’s competition. A quick visit to Amica Mutual’s web site, using the same criteria with the same 21-year-old male, shows he would be paying an annual rate of $799 in suburban Massachusetts and $695.54 in sunny California. So the 21-year-old in Massachusetts would be smart to choose Amica Mutual for his car insurance, while the 21-year-old in California would more than likely choose Geico.

Why the discrepancy? Different states demand different minimums for liability coverage. Massachusetts sets minimum bodily injury liability coverage at $20,000 with a maximum payout of $40,000 per accident, along with a $5,000 limit for property damage. There is also a mandatory minimum for any uninsured drivers who might get behind the wheel of your car, also set at $20,000 with a max payout of $40,000. In California, the minimums are lower, with bodily injury set at $15,000 with a max payout of $30,000 and a minimum $5,000 property damage liability coverage. California does not require drivers to carry coverage for any uninsured or casual drivers who might get behind the wheel.

One good indicator of where to start looking for cost-effective car insurance is consumer surveys. Survey giant J.D. Power & Associates rank customer satisfaction with insurance companies annually. In their latest ranking, Amica Mutual topped the list, with State Farm and Shelter taking the second and third spots. Some other big names, like Geico and Progressive ranked further down the list, coming in at nine and 14, respectively.

One thing cannot be stressed enough: where you live plays a large role in determining how much you pay. Keep in mind, our 21-year-old in Massachusetts was living within 25 miles of a major urban centre, with a higher population density than picturesque Carmel-By-The-Sea. In fact, Massachusetts is one of the more expensive states where one can obtain insurance. In a nationwide survey done in 2005 (the latest figures available), five Northeastern states (New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Delaware) ranked in the top 10 most expensive states for car insurance. Connecticut comes in at number 11. Drivers in New Jersey drivers pay an average of $1336.20 in premiums a year. Only Maine, with its sparse population, ranked in the top ten for lowest car insurance rates. The Midwest makes up the rest of the list with Iowa being ranked the cheapest place to obtain car insurance. Drivers in Iowa drive easy knowing they’re paying an average of $664.20 in premiums every year.

When you do start looking for insurance, be sure to prepare. Remember that no one company offers across-the-board cheap rates, and be sure to compare quotes. Take advantage of any discounts you might be eligible for, including multiple car options and group rates. The best thing to do is find a rate that you can afford that covers everything you

want. Don’t let a cheap quote that cuts corners entice you, because in the end, you get what you pay for.



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nsuranceRates.com offers three easy ways to save on your car insurance policy.

(NAPSI)-While looking for ways to save money, many Americans may overlook their car insurance premiums.

That could be a costly mistake. Taking a few minutes to review and adjust your auto insurance policy could save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Saving on your car insurance is easier than you might imagine. Here are three ways to reduce your costs, as well as an estimate of potential savings based on the national median rate of about $1,400 per year reported by InsuranceRates.com. If you pay more than the median rate, you could save even more.

1) Take a hard look at your deductible. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), raising your deductible from $250 to $1,000 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage costs by up to 40 percent. You'll incur higher costs should you need to file a claim, but the amount you'll save on your premiums may be well worth it.

Estimated Savings: $170 per year

2) Combine your auto insurance policy and either home or renters insurance policy with a single insurer. According to the III, converting to a multiline policy could save you as much as 15 percent on your auto premium. Plus, you'll have one fewer bill to pay each month.

Estimated Savings: $210 per year

3) If you can afford to, pay your auto insurance premium in one lump sum. Many insurers charge a fee to break up your premium into monthly payments, and even a few dollars a month could amount to a hefty surcharge.

Estimated Savings: $60 per year

In addition, make sure you shop around and speak with agents from several different companies. Insurance providers often specialize in different types of drivers, and depending on your personal circumstances, it's probably worth your while to compare quotes.


To learn more ways to save and to compare rates online, visit www.InsuranceRates.com.

Car insurance and how to find the best policy for you (and the cheapest!). Find the best deal

Car insurance is something every car owner needs (it is required by law), but car insurance can be an expensive proposition. Depending on your age, driving record, the area you live in, the distance you drive in a given year, and type of car you drive, you could be paying thousands of dollars a year.

As with any purchase, it is smart to shop around, compare quotes and see what best suits your needs. The internet has simplified this process, with insurance companies offering online quote questionnaires that are simple to fill out and usually generate a quote amount quickly. These questionnaires are generally the same, asking for age, driving experience, accident history, whether you have been insured before, distance you drive in a year, distance you drive to work, and whether the vehicle is used for business or pleasure.

These questions give companies a basic profile of your driving record, but the questionnaire will ask other things you should not ignore. Be sure to note if you have any anti-theft devices, how many, and what they are specifically. This is less a problem with modern cars, since most come with at least an alarm pre-installed. However, the more anti-theft devices in the car, such as a kill switch, boomerang, even glass etching, can significantly reduce the amount you pay, especially if you live in an area insurance companies consider “high-risk”.

If you happen to have two or more vehicles, be sure note you’d like a multiple car discount. Generally, this won’t reduce your rate, but it won’t increase it much (if at all) either. If you’re planning on selling your other vehicle, one trick is to cover that vehicle for liability only, so you can get the discount.

If you’re part of any groups or organizations, see if you qualify for a discount. Many insurance companies will knock off a few dollars for people who are affiliated with professional organizations, alumni groups, even fraternities and sororities. Check with your credit card company, too. Credit card holders can also qualify for group discounts, depending on the card.

Consider combining your home insurance policy with your car insurance. Most companies will offer a deep discount if you do this, ranging from 5 to 20 %. This is usually an option you’ll find at the beginning of the online questionnaire.

Also be sure to check and see if the questionnaire enquires about any drivers education or defensive driving courses. The more you can show the insurance company you’re a safe driver, the more you will benefit.

One thing you should watch out for is redundant or unnecessary coverage. If you have a health insurance policy, you might want to avoid or reduce the medical coverage included in your car insurance policy. Consider getting only liability coverage on a car worth $1000 or less. You can also raise your deductible. Carrying a $500 deductible as opposed to a $250 or $0 deductible will lower your quote substantially.

Remember, you want to find the company that offers YOU the best rate. Be sure to compare multiple quotes from several

different companies. What is the cheapest for one person is not always the cheapest for another.



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