Automotive Blog

What Affects the Cost of Van Insurance?

Ultimately there are many factors which can affect the cost of insuring your van (or vans). Detailed below are a list of key factors which insurers will consider when pricing up your policy:

1. How many vans are to be covered in the policy
2. The weight of the van (s)
3. The make and model of the van (s)
4. Your geographical location
5. The age and experience of the van drivers
6. Whether or not the van drivers are named (or an ‘any driver’ van insurance policy is required)
7. The security of the van(s) – e.g. whether alarms, immobilisers or trackers are installed
8. Claim history
9. What the van will be used for
10. The excess

Continue reading ‘Van Insurance – A Guide’ »

Couriers are usually regarded as “high risk” for motor insurers. Van drivers statistically have a higher accident rate than private vehicles, their exposure on the roads is far greater than that of a private motor car, therefore dramatically increasing the chances of a road traffic incident. The vehicles are more often than not owned by a company or fleet and drivers are less likely to worry about the damage they may cause to the vehicle.

Courier van drivers, also referred to as the ‘White van man’ are notoriously known for being involved in road traffic accidents. Couriers can be up against tight pick up and delivery time slots, and some are even incentivized on the amount of collections and deliveries they make. This can encourage the drivers to race around town and hence are prone to more incidents. Insurers take this into consideration when quoting this type of risk and the premiums quoted are a reflection of the claim statistics.

Continue reading ‘Courier van drivers posing an insurance concern’ »

(NAPS)—To steer this riding season in the right direction, you’ll want to make sure your motorcycle—and your motorcycle insurance policy—are in good working order before hitting the open road.

While you should always check your owner’s manual for specific guidelines, here are some general tips for getting ready:

1. Change the oil and filter. Many manufacturers recommend changing the oil and filter before storing a bike for any extended period of time and again when you bring it back out for riding season. Be sure to first start up the motor-cycle to warm the engine and then shut it off before changing the oil and filter.

2. Check the belt or chain. Make sure it is set to the manufacturer’s recommended tension. And if you have a chain, lubricate it.

3. Check nuts and bolts. Start off the riding season with a solid bike. Make sure everything is tight. “A well-maintained motorcycle not only assures a fun time, it can save you money by avoiding accidents, which helps to keep your insurance rates down,” says Rick Stern, motorcycle product manager, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies.

Continue reading ‘Eight Tips To Gear Up To Motorcycle Season’ »

Emergency kits are an essential tool for any vehicle including your classic car. Whether you have a relaxed trip to the country or a longer trip to a classic car show, it is always best to be prepared ahead of time. Auto emergency kits often mean less time stranded and more time on the road. If you became stranded today, are you prepared? Be sure to equip your vehicle with everything you need to ensure a safe trip – and be sure every driver is familiar with the tools contained in your auto emergency kit and knows how to use them.

What should the kit include?

* Tools for minor car repairs including flat head and Phillips screwdrivers, vice grips, adjustable wrench, pliers, pocketknife, or a multipurpose tool containing many tools in one. Other items that can come in handy during a roadside emergency include oil, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, rags or paper towels, duct tape, and an ice scraper.
* First aid kit containing basics gauze, bandages, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, scissors, instant ice pack, instant heat compress, and aspirin or other pain reliever.
Continue reading ‘Emergency Kit Advice For Your Classic Car’ »

The number of teenage car owners and drivers is growing at an unprecedented pace with each passing day. Instead of looking at cars as luxury, teenagers are opting to purchase vehicles for various purposes and necessities. Hence, more and more teenagers are seen queuing up at car showrooms to buy the car of their choice. However, on multiple instances it has been found that teenage car drivers have resorted to what is known as reckless driving, resulting in fatal accidents. As a result of this trend, car insurance premium for this category of buyers is very high as compared to the rest. This however, does not mean that there are no options for teenage drivers looking for reasonable car insurance. There are several ways by which teenagers can acquire car insurance quotes at highly reasonable rates by taking care of a few things.

To begin with, car insurance companies lay utmost attention on ensuring that a drivers efficiency while staying behind the steering wheels is established before the insurance request is approved. This is especially true when it comes to teenage drivers who are often considered to be irresponsible drivers in most parts of the world. It is therefore important for such drivers to make sure that they have a clean record with no traffic rule violation history to maximize chances of obtaining car insurance in very little time.

Once the record is established before the insurance company, the teenager must focus on choosing the car that guarantees maximum safety. This becomes more important when statistics show that many teenage car drivers have been accused of reckless driving while driving a fancy car with no safety features. Hence, while looking for insurance quotes the emphasis should be on safety features more than any other thing.

While car insurance quotes for teenagers are offered by several insurance companies, people who are looking for the insurance at modest prices and discounts, one easy way to obtain these is by getting hold of a license. A proper license and complete documentation heightens chances of securing car insurance quotes on time and that too at highly affordable rates. This is largely because it has been seen and proven that experienced and licensed car drivers are far more mature and responsible drivers than those who have not undergone any formal training ever. It would thus be a good idea to enroll at a formal car training school and use the certificate as a weapon to get hold of cheap quotes.

Given the rising number of teenage drivers, many insurance companies have added car insurance to their portfolio and are offering attractive insurance quotes to prospective buyers. There are several insurance companies that are specializing in car insurance to attract new buyers.

Information on insurance companies specializing in this kind of loan can be easily found on the internet and other databases. It is also recommended to interact with fellow teenage drivers who may have either applied or secured the insurance.

Written by Ruther Bob, an internet savvy.Get the best car insurance quotes, working from the comforts of one’s own home, without having to visit different agencies in quest for the best options of car insurance quotes.

Would you like to know how to save some money on your car insurance? Read these guidelines for tips on how to save on your car insurance rates. 

Drive with care
If you don’t have a good driving record, you could pay much more for your car insurance premium. If you have no car insurance claims, no accidents and no traffic tickets, you could find yourself paying less for your car insurance.

Put all your cars on the same car insurance policy
If you insure two or more cars on one car insurance policy, you might qualify for a multi vehicle discount on your car insurance.

Insure your home and car with the same insurance company
Insurance companies may offer you a discount in order to get your home insurance onto the same policy as your car insurance, this is sometimes called a multi-line discount.

Other discounts on your car insurance policy
Other discounts which can save you money on your car insurance policy are occupation, age, anti theft devices and mileage; if you do qualify for these you could get a lower car insurance rate.

Increase your excess
You could lower your car insurance premium by increasing your excess amount. Make sure you can afford the excess though should you have a car insurance claim on your policy.

Get more car insurance quotes if you have moved home
When you move you should get car insurance quotes and compare them, because your current car insurer won’t necessarily give you a good rate for your car insurance at your new home. So always get new car insurance quotes and compare to ensure that you are getting the best and the lowest car insurance possible.

Car insurance premiums
It’s very rare that two car insurance quotes from two different car insurers will be alike. In fact car insurance premiums vary greatly across the board and it’s safe to say that no two car insurance premiums are ever exactly the same.

Shop around for car insurance quotes
Go on the internet to do some comparison car insurance shopping and get some online car insurance quotes. This is the best way to see how you can save money on your car insurance premium.

Compare pears to pears when shopping for car insurance
In order to be consistent when comparing car insurance quotes, make sure that you include the same coverage’s, deductibles and limitations when you give the information to the car insurance company. If you go online there are a few reliable companies who will do this for you, try www.liquidcover.co.za for reliable, accurate and comparative car insurance quotes.

The day you’ve been dreading is here. Your child has just turned 16 and for some unfathomable reason, the DMV has seen it fit to give him/her a driver’s permit. Not only do you have to buy him/her a car that s/he will now proceed to systematically demolish, but you also have to spring for car insurance. If the astronomical auto insurance quotes you’ve received are any indication, the insurance companies share your trepidation about his/her ability to navigate the roads without destroying everything in his/her path. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. This article will give you a few pointers on getting car insurance for your teenager.

The ‘New’ Car

It may seem like buying a cheap, old, Archie Comics style jalopy will save you money. Wrong. You would actually lose big bucks in the long run. A run-down car will need more repairs, more maintenance, and most likely will cost more to insure for specifically these reasons. At the same time, buying your little hoodlum a beautiful, growling sports car isn’t the solution either because the insurance company will slap on a premium that will leave your head reeling. The smartest decision is to buy a used car that doesn’t have too many years on it and is in good shape. Since the collision damage, the cost of repairs, and the likelihood of theft are significantly lower for used cars, you will be able to find cheap auto insurance quotes.

Auto Insurance Coverage

Teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 17 cause approximately $34 billion annually in damages, medical expenses, loss of life, and property, as asserted by the American Automobile Association. Now, while it may be tempting to skimp on auto insurance coverage and opt for the required minimum, you may want to keep this statistic in mind. Without adequate auto insurance coverage, you might find yourself stuck in a position where you have to pay obscene sums of money to pay for medical bills and damages to property.

To add or not to add

You’re probably wondering if you should add your teenage driver to your own insurance policy. Well, this is debatable. You’ll have to measure the benefits of each according to your specific situation and insurance company.
But here are a few pros and cons to help you make that call

• Pros: If your teen is added to your policy, s/he can avail of the discounts and privileges you enjoy. Also, compared to the premiums s/he would have to pay on his/her own, this might just work out to be cheaper.
• Cons: Your own premiums rise by having a teen driver on your policy. Also, any claims, accidents or misdemeanors s/he makes will reflect on your auto insurance record and influence future premiums. Also, if your teenager had his/her own policy and miraculously turns out to be a decent driver, s/he’ll be accumulating good driver’s credit.

Affordable auto insurance

We saved the best for last. Your teen can actually enjoy affordable car insurance without compromising on coverage or quality! Care to find out how? Read the tips below:

• Driver training credit
  Some auto insurance companies offer drivers below the age of 21 a discount for completing a driver’s training course. This course also leads to your child becoming a better driver, which leads to fewer accidents, transgressions and claims, which leads to a clean driving record which leads us right back to the best car insurance rates s/he can possibly get!
• Good student discount
  Need another reason to wish your child had inherited your intelligence? Here it is. Many auto insurance companies often offer discounts to students below the age of 25 who have an average of B+ or above. One way to turn this to your advantage is promising your teen that you give him the discount/money saved every time he qualifies for the good student discount on car insurance. Win-win, right?
• Safety first
  Who says insurance companies are soulless, uncaring corporations? Good car insurance companies will pay you to stay alive and stay safe. Installing air-bags or buying cars that fall into the safe-car category will get your teenager a discount from several auto insurance companies.
• Protect what’s yours
  A car with anti-theft devices will get you yet another discount! Well, from some auto insurance companies. Hopefully yours is one of them. If not maybe it’s time to start looking at car insurance quotes from companies that offer this service.

Undoubtedly there’s a lot to be stressed out about when raising teenagers. You have to worry about their college education, about the opposite sex, about the funny smell coming from their rooms-oh the list is endless. But hopefully this article has alleviated your fears and concerns about your teenager’s auto insurance, leaving you with one less thing to worry about!

How frustrating that your friend really needs an automobile and you have got one going spare, day by day protection may be the perfect remedy in this type of instances.

Kids visiting for a few weeks in the holidays? You’re his / her number one taxi service? You’ve had a difficult day at work and don’t have the energy to bring them somewhere and pick them up late at night, also in fact why should you. Why not put some day by day insurance in position and let them to use your motor vehicle any time you are not using it. You get to put your feet up and be secure in the knowledge that your car and your children driving it are protected. You have the car all day when they are typically struggling to get up and they can use the auto at night when you want to go to bed!

It may possibly manifest that you’re taken sick out of the blue or hurt yourself to the extent which forbids you against driving a motor vehicle. Your freedom and mobility is removed, and you are faced with prolonged days or weeks indoors, or are you. Day by day insurance could be the most appropriate remedy, your family and friends can be driving you around in your vehicle and still be entirely insured whilst they do it. You get to be chauffeured all over and they get your company (even if you’re whining about your illness or injury). Day by day cover makes great sense for countless occasions, and we all might require such coverage at some time in our driving life. Now you know it’s there it’s peace of mind for those awkward instances.

If you ever need all-inclusive vehicle insurance cover in the extremely short term then car insurance by day is the solution you have to search for. There are several providers which offer this type of protection as there is the demand for it to be utilised in many scenarios or occasions. Even if you are borrowing an automobile from a friend for half a day, you need to have in position some kind of insurance policy. What about lending your auto to one of the children when they’re home from university or college, it means you do not have to taxi them anywhere, yet the insurance is available for them to drive. Irrespective of the situation or how small a time, insurance cover is a necessity and this kind of every day cover offers excellent protective cover.

In case you do happen to loan your automobile out to a friend you certainly however need the secure feeling knowing they along with the car are protected. The day by day insurance delivers full comprehensive protection, nevertheless it’s available pretty much straight away. Virtually any manner of emergency motor vehicle cover you want is likely to be just on a really temporary period. Emergency scenarios require swift solutions and the day by day insurance coverage with many providers can be arranged in a really quick turnaround time frame of less than thirty minutes. When configuring this protection you need to answer a handful of questions and have your payment specifics available, and hey presto, you’re protected..

Firstly, always consider taking the Pass Plus exam. This test trains you to be a better driver as you get experience of adverse driving conditions and motorway driving. Consequently, your insurance cost can be decreased by around 35%. Even though the test will cost about 150 to take, you’ll save much more than this on your decreased car insurance under 25 policy.

Another great way to reduce the cost of insurance is to register yourself as a named driver on an older or more experienced driver’s policy (e.g. your parent’s). This tip can actually reduce your insurance premium by a significant 10%. However, if you want your own car, but don’t want to pay astronomical rates, then you may consider choosing a basic policy. For example, Third Party insurance in the least comprehensive form of insurance that legally allows you to drive on the road in the UK. This form of insurance only covers what damage you inflict on someone else or their property; you and your car are not covered by this type of policy, so you’re financially responsible to any costs you may incur for replacing or repairing your own car.

If you’d prefer a more inclusive form of insurance, you may choose the most popular car insurance under 25, which is Third Part Fire and Theft. In addition to Third Party insurance, your car is also covered in the event of a fire or if it gets stolen. Both of these options are cheaper than Fully Comprehensive insurance, but you have to be aware that if you’re in an accident you will have to pay for the damage caused. Fully Comprehensive insurance allows the driver to claim for any accident, vandalism, fire or theft that involves their car.

Also, make sure you take into account the security of the car and get yourself an approved car alarm. If you do, your car will not only be more secure, but many insurers also recognise the benefits of having an alarm fitted; so, in all likelihood, your insurance premium will reduce. Furthermore, if you want your car insurance under 25 policy to decrease, then park your car in a garage, or even in your driveway, as there’s less of a chance of it being stolen.

Lastly, even if you can’t benefit from lower car insurance under 25 policy from being born female, make sure you don’t just go with the first insurance company you come across. Shop around, particularly on the internet, as this is where lots of companies offer discounted prices. Use a price comparison site to make sure you’re not paying over the odds and to be reassured that you’re getting the best insurance deal for your money.

“A penny saved is a penny made” is a common saying and it is absolutely true. In these difficult times, it should be your endeavour to save every penny that you can, especially if it is essential to spend on certain items like car insurance. It is mandatory by law to have car insurance and as such you must save some money by doing a car insurance comparison. The best way of finding different car insurance quotes is to find a reliable car insurance comparison website. It will provide quotes from different insurance companies so that you can compare them and select the most economical one and get reasonably priced car insurance cover for your car.

A car insurance comparison web portal also provides a lot of car insurance information regarding various aspects of a car like news about car auctions, cars available for sale, and what a junk car might be worth. Moreover, this website also provides a platform where you can get information regarding buying new cars or used cars. This information will prove to be very useful if you wish to buy a new or used car because you will be able to compare different available options.

Using a Car Insurance Comparison Website

When you select a car insurance comparison website, you will need to enter certain details about the car like make and model, details of the person who will be the principal driver and of others who will be driving the car. You would also have to specify the level of coverage desired by you and the amount of deductibles that you require. Based on the information provided by you, the car insurance comparison website will provide insurance quotes from a large number of auto insurance companies. It will give you an opportunity to compare these quotes and select the one that will meet all your requirements and will save you a few hundred dollars on your yearly insurance premium in the bargain.

Look Out for Discounts

Many insurance companies offer discounts especially to new customers. You might even switch your current insurance provider to the one offering a discount. Discounts are also offered on the basis of age and profession.

Members of a professional association or union which have pre-agreed discounts with a particular insurance company can also avail of this facility.

A significant advantage of using a car insurance comparison website is that you can get the quotes within a matter of minutes and there is no wastage of time. Moreover, purchasing a car insurance coverage online will also entitle you to a discount in many cases.

When comparing the different quotes as provided by the comparison website, it is important to read the small print and all details of the policies. Also check whether the quoted deductible amounts and the degree of cover are the same in the quotes that you are comparing. You should not be swayed by a cheaper quote which might not be offering the same level of cover and deductibles.

When using the quotes provided by the car insurance comparison website, it is important not to compromise on the quality of the insurance cover merely to save some money. You should take a car insurance policy that meets all your requirements. It is also important to prune your requirements and cut out the superfluous covers like provision of a courtesy car, windshield cover, and other add-ons if you wish to bring down your insurance premium.