What You Need to Know About Family Car Insurance

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Insurance Articles by A-1 Auto Insurance

What You Need to Know About Family Car Insurance

As your life changes, your insurance requirements will most likely also change. Younger individuals who are first learning to drive may be searching for very basic auto insurance that costs the least. However, as you grow older, you have additional responsibilities which mean you will also have additional insurance coverage needs. For example, you need to determine if your auto insurance policy will also cover your children and your spouse.
Selecting the Most Suitable Family Auto Insurance

It doesnā€™t matter in what stage of life you are in ā€“ every driver wants to find the best insurance policy at the lowest possible price. However, this goal is even more crucial when you decide to get married; you need to also consider the needs of your spouse and vice-versa when it comes to family auto insurance. Conducting research and learning more about family auto insurance is certainly a good place to start. Also be sure to compare rates from more than one insurance provider.

When your existing car insurance policy comes up for renewal, take the time to thoroughly read your entire policy. You want to ensure there are no changes to any of terms identified in the document. The rates for auto insurance can vary greatly, depending on the insurance company so it definitely pays to do a little comparison shopping. You can easily obtain the current rate for auto insurance premiums by contacting companies by telephone or by visiting their website.

Family Auto Insurance Discounts

If you and your partner decide to purchase a new vehicle, you may want to choose a make and model that will qualify you to receive a discount on your auto insurance. Certain types of vehicles cost more to insure than others so you consider this before you buy your new car. You can conduct an online search or talk to your insurance agent to determine the cost of insuring different types of vehicles.

The majority of insurance companies that sell family auto insurance provide discounts for motorists who drive less than 7500 miles annually. You will also pay a lower premium if you choose to carpool or use public transportation.

Make sure you ask your insurance company about any possible discounts that may be available to you. For example, you may be eligible to receive a lower rate on your auto insurance if your vehicle features certain safety features such as an alarm or airbags. Many companies also offer discounts to policy holders who insure both their home and their vehicle with the same insurance provider. You may even qualify to receive a discount if you donā€™t drink or smoke very often or enroll in a safe driving course.

Good Driver Discount

You can receive a discount on your auto insurance if you are a good driver with a clean driving record. Making sure you donā€™t receive any traffic violations and or get into any accidents should result in a good driver discount. Poor drivers who are not careful on the road often pay very high rates to maintain their auto insurance. The better your driving record, the lower your insurance premium.

Additional Ways to Lower Your Family Car Insurance Rate

If your vehicle is currently being repaired, you may want to temporarily discontinue insurance coverage for car rental and towing expenses. The warrant of new vehicles may also include coverage for roadside assistance at no additional charge. Another option is to drop medical coverage from your auto insurance policy if the group health insurance offered by your employer is sufficient. Last but certainly not least, you need to maintain a good credit rating. Many insurance companies will consider your credit score to help them determine the rate they will charge you for family car insurance.

Changing Auto Insurance Requirements
When you first begin to drive, you just have to be concerned about yourself when you purchase auto insurance. If you get married, you have another person to consider. If you both decide to have children, you have even more important decisions to make regarding family auto insurance. You need to remember that crying babies can distract you while you are driving. You may be exhausted from a lack of sleep which also makes it more difficult to focus on the road and what is happening around you. This is why you need to be aware of driving conditions and the road the entire time you are driving so you donā€™t endanger yourself, your family or others.
Eventually your small children will become teenagers and will want to learn how to drive. This period of your life will result in even more changes to your family auto insurance. For example, you need to decide whether you want your teenage driver to purchase his or her own vehicle or share the family vehicle.

Most teenagers experience a new sense of freedom when they first obtain their driverā€™s license. However, they may not understand how expensive an auto insurance policy is to purchase. One option is for parents to insure their teenage children under the same insurance policy. Regardless of your decision, you need to remember that the cost of insuring a driver who is younger than 25 will be very high. Insurance companies view younger drivers as a higher risk for accidents ā€“ a fact which is backed up by statistics. Talk to your insurance agent about your available options and methods you can use to lower your family auto insurance premium.

As parents, you want the very best for your entire family. That is why it is so important to ensure you purchase the most suitable family auto insurance policy to suit your needs. You should review your insurance coverage as you grow older and your life situation changes. Once your children are grown up and are living on their own, you can change your auto insurance again to reflect the current situation. You may also require a different family auto insurance policy after you retire. Just make sure to plan well in advance. This will help you prepare for the various stages in your life and ensure you and your family are protected every step of the way.

Teenage Drivers

If your son or daughter requests the use of your car to get back and forth from their part-time job, talk to your insurance company beforehand. You want to ensure everyone in your family is covered by your current family auto insurance policy in case of an accident. Your family auto insurance policy may not cover the expenses of a minor accident that occurs while your teenage driver is making a delivery on the job. Never assume you know the answer to such important questions. Talk to your insurance agent or insurance company before you agree to allow your son or daughter to borrow your vehicle. You will also need to decide when to purchase separate auto insurance for any children who are old enough to get their driverā€™s license.

It is best to contact your insurance company to advise them that you will be allowing your teenager to borrow the family vehicle to make deliveries ā€“ a necessary part of his/her job. Although you will probably have to pay slightly more for your family auto insurance, it is a small price to pay if your teenager ever ends up involved in a motor vehicle accident. Just imagine what would happen if your child has an on-the-job accident while driving your car and you have not notified your insurance company beforehand. You may end up without any insurance coverage when you attempt to file a claim. If your current insurance provider does not offer you sufficient auto insurance for your situation, you may need to switch to another company.

It may be difficult for insurance companies to assess the risk factor if you have a family vehicle that is driven at many different periods of the day and night. Make sure you compare coverage options and rates for different companies until you find one that offers the exact auto insurance coverage you require. You may have no choice but to purchase a costly commercial auto insurance policy. Although you will pay more than a family auto insurance policy, it will protect your teenagers if they are ever involved in a motor vehicle accident while they are working.

College Insurance Discounts

When children leave home to attend an educational institution, you will require different family auto insurance. Paying the expenses for your childā€™s education can add up very quickly. However, if you have any children who are attending college or have high enough grades to make the honor roll, be sure to notify your insurance agent. You may be eligible to receive a discount on your auto insurance. Make sure you frequently assess the status of every driver in your family and discuss the situation with your insurance agent or company.

Increase Your Deductible

The good news is that you can lower the rate of your family auto insurance premium by increasing the amount of your comprehensive and collision deductible. For example, you can save a lot of money by increasing your $100 deductible to $1000. This means that you may have to pay for any minor accidents out of your pocket, but you will still be paid for any expenses incurred in a serious motor vehicle accident. Filing a very small claim may not be a wise decision, because you will often pay a higher premium.

Drop Collision Coverage

Another way to lower your family auto insurance payments is not to purchase collision coverage for older vehicles. If your car is older than 7 years, you will most likely not receive a lot of money anyway; your claim is based on the book value of your vehicle. Once your annual premium equals ten percent of your vehicleā€™s value, you may want to drop collision coverage from your current auto insurance policy.

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