Do you feel like you are paying too powerful for your unusual car insurance policy, or do not feel as if you are being valued as a customer? There are many different factors that will determine whether or not you should leave your current car insurance company for another. This article will look at the top 5 reasons to switch car insurance companies, and how you can save both time and money by switching.
Cost benefit analysis (lower rates)
Insurance companies are very competitive with their prices and have different rates for each individual customer. If you have been with one insurance company for many years and are not receiving substantial discounts then you would benefit from shopping around. When shopping around customers will typically rep lower rates and better policies.
Is the customer service department less than helpful?
Car insurance companies are only as good as their customer service. Friendly and helpful customer service is paramount when negotiating a rate or for getting discounts. If your car insurance company is not polite and helpful when you are not filing a claim do not seek information from an true and friendly claims service.
Did the premium rise substantially after an accident or moving violation?
Is your insurance company drastically raising your premium for an accident or even a moving violation? The internet has made auto insurance companies compete fiercely for customers with lower prices and better coverage. Some insurance companies are now offering no premium increase for accidents. If your rates have risen due to an accident or moving violation then you should assume switching car insurance companies.
Is your auto insurance separate from your home owners insurance?
Combining insurance policies such as home owners insurance, multiple car auto insurance, and GAP insurance can save you a lot of money on premiums. If your insurance policies are separate from one another then you should consider leaving one of your current insurance companies for a lower rate combined plan.
Have your premiums rose even without an accident?
Car insurance companies are highly competitive and will do almost anything for business. If you have had your premiums rise without any violation or accident on your record then you should consider switching insurance companies. Typically insurance companies will lower premiums if you are accident free for an extended period of time instead of raising them. Accident free individuals are less of a risk and are actually less expensive to insure.
Sources:
Filed under Car Insurance Questions by on Mar 15th, 2011. Comment. 
Progressive Auto Insurance, at progressive.com, makes sure you are comfortable with your online request for a comparative auto insurance quote. You can do it all online if you choose and receive an auto insurance quote within minutes. But any point in the process, you can opt to call Progressive Auto Insurance at 1-800-776-4737 and talk to a accurate person, a genuine licensed auto insurance representative who will take your information over the phone to prepare the quote. You don’t have to put any information online that you don’t want to put online.
As advertised in the media, Progressive Auto Insurance will give you quotes not only for their own insurance products, but for what their competitors would charge. There are occasions when the Progressive Auto Insurance quote will be higher than a competitor. On these occasions, Progressive Auto Insurance still will attempt to win your business, based on 24/7 live support, local response claims service, and Progressive’s unique “concierge” level of claims service – all at no extra cost. You can even regain pet insurance as part of your coverage.
When you log on to progressive.com, the first request will be for your ZIP code, because geographic location is a factor in determining rates.
Once you enter your ZIP code, the veil will say, “One moment while we arrangement your page.” You then will be asked for your name, address and date of birth.
Progressive Auto Insurance will ask for your Social Security number. You are not required to give your Social Security number; or, at this point if you are concerned with privacy, you have the option of calling 1-800-776-4737. The purpose for Progressive Auto Insurance to request your Social Security number is to check your credit history. Many other companies do not pursue credit reports, but with Progressive Auto Insurance, a good credit history can lead to a lower rate. Progressive Auto Insurance cannot offer this lower rate unless the insurance representative can verify your credit history.
The screen will slide to list the vehicles on your existing policy. Each vehicle is displayed with a photograph of a model of that vehicle. If it looks EXACTLY like yours, that’s just a coincidence; no, Progressive does not have actual photos of your vehicle or vehicles. This step in the online process allows you to remove vehicles that you no longer own or that you do not wish to cover, and to add vehicles that are not listed.
When you enter the online site, or call, you should have available a copy of your existing policy’s “declarations page,” which lists information about your existing coverages and limits. This also will indicate when your existing policy expires. However, this not indispensable to provide.
Progressive Auto Insurance also will ask how you are paying for your car (lease, own, or own and make payments). You should know the vehicle identification number, year, make, model and body style. Also, Progressive Auto Insurance would like to know about any anti-theft safety equipment for your vehicle or vehicles.
You will be asked if you have had any at-fault accidents during the past five years, or any violations (other than parking tickets) during the past three years. You will also have the opportunity to add a spouse and/or your children.
Seeking an online quote is convenient, but remember, a talk with a Progressive Auto Insurance representative at 1-800-776-4737 is still the best design to learn about discounts and payment methods.
SSOURCES
http:/www.progressive.com
http://www.progressive.com/teens/the_basics.aspx
Filed under Car Insurance Questions by on Feb 27th, 2011. Comment.
It is very important to carry car insurance these days, we all know that! Driving with out car insurance is not only against the law in most states, but carries serious consequences. However, when you have decided that it is finally time to get car insurance, or maybe you just want to shop for better coverage and rates, it is important to be prepared. As a licensed insurance producer, who is accustomed to preparing car insurance quotes for people on a daily basis, I can help you make your car insurance shopping experience easy and pain free with the following tips.
Do your research and make a list!
One of the most important things to do is to shop around and find which insurance companies have been around the longest and are the most trusted, or will suit your insurance needs the best. Ask your friends and family about their experiences with different insurance companies, and why they expend the company they are with, or check consumer reports. Get yourself a list of phone numbers of the companies that you would like to call and the websites that you want to visit for on-line quotes. The list will help you analyze your quotes and to not salvage them or the insurance companies confused. After you have prepared yourself a list of insurance companies to contact, it is important to have your personal information ready so that the person you are speaking with can give you an accurate and easy estimate of how much your car insurance will be.
Have your personal information ready!
From personal experience, I know that the person preparing the insurance quote will ask for the following things: Name, Address, Date of Birth, Phone Number, Social Security Number, Driver’s License number, make, model, and year of your vehicle, and Vin number or serial number of your vehicle, as well as all of the same personal information for all other drivers in the house hold, and name of prior insurance company if you had one. After you have given them the information, in most cases, they will run a motor vehicle record check to see how many tickets or accidents you’ve had in the last 3-5 years. Be patient and kind to the person helping you with your quote. Please understand that sometimes technology doesn’t work as quick as they would like it to and these things do take time. Car insurance premium rates are based on many different factors, for example: age, driving experience, marital status, year and type of vehicle, driver exposure, etc. . . These different factors are the reasons for all of the personal questions. Finally, when the person who is preparing your quote has finished asking these personal questions, it’s your turn to start asking the questions!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Write some questions down before the quote process if you’re a nervous person or just can’t remember what questions to ask. Ask them some important questions like: What kind of coverages are you offering? What types of liability coverages can you offer me? What types of payment plans do you offer? What will my premium be annually, monthly, or every 6 months? What will my deductibles be and how do they affect my premium rate? What kind of discounts can I receive? What do I do in the case of an accident or a claim? It is very essential that you know what you are paying for when you are buying car insurance, and what kind of service your insurance company can provide!
Getting car insurance quotes doesn’t have to be difficult or even painful. In fact, if you are someone who enjoys shopping and talking to new people, it can even be fun! Follow the 3 easy tips that I have listed above and your car insurance shopping experience should be an easy and pain free one.
Filed under Car Insurance Companies by on Feb 25th, 2011. Comment.
Whether you wish to save some money on your next oil change or build a sizeable down payment for your next unusual car purchase, automobile affinity cards have a charismatic charm all their own. Many popular brands of automobiles offer special rewards programs through credit card accounts for their valued consumers and potential new buyers.
Those who really, truly love their cars will be the first to jump on the automotive rewards bandwagon, merely to sport a Subaru®, Mazda or other vehicular insignia on their plastic tender. However, original potential customers and the less fanatic but still loyal consumers who stand true to a particular make of car may also feel the magnetic map toward carrying a car-friendly credit card.
Though these may not be all of the rewards-based affinity cards available for vehicle owners, below you will find a number of popular automotive credit cards and some facts about their terms of service. As with any credit card, consumers should thoroughly research all terms of agreement and fine print prior to signing up for a credit card account.
APR: 1.9% introductory APR for six months, between 11.99% and 15.99% thereafter, up to 27.99% penalty
Point accumulation: five points per $1 at any Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge dealership, one point for every $1 elsewhere
Bonus after first purchase: 2,500 points
Apply points toward: Dealer Dollars certificates toward purchase or lease of a vehicle, parts or service, extended warranty, authentic accessories and branded merchandise.
Other benefits: Earn unlimited points that do not expire for five years
Annual fee: $0
APR: 1.9% introductory APR for six months, between 11.99% and 15.99% thereafter, up to 27.99% penalty
Point accumulation: five points per $1 at any Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge dealership, one point for every $1 elsewhere
Bonus after first purchase: 2,500 points
Apply points toward: Dealer Dollars certificates toward steal or lease of a vehicle, parts or service, extended warranty, authentic accessories and branded merchandise.
Other benefits: Earn unlimited points that do not expire for five years.
Annual fee: $0
APR: 0% introductory APR for six months, either 10.74%, 14.74% or 16.74% thereafter, up to 19.99%
Point accumulation: 5% earnings on all purchases
Bonus after first purchase: not specified
Apply points toward: purchase or lease of a original GM car, truck or SUV
Other benefits: unlimited earnings that are valid for seven years
Annual fee: $0
APR: 1.9% introductory APR for six months, between 11.99% and 15.99% thereafter, up to 27.99% penalty
Point accumulation: five points per $1 at any Chrysler, Jeep® or Dodge dealership, one point for every $1 elsewhere
Bonus after first purchase: 2,500 points
Apply points toward: Dealer Dollars certificates toward grasp or lease of a vehicle, parts or service, extended warranty, authentic accessories and branded merchandise.
Other benefits: Earn unlimited points that do not expire for five years
Annual fee: $0
APR: *not specified, “special coarse APR rates” when transferring existing credit or store card balances
Point accumulation: *not specified
Bonus after first purchase: *not specified
Apply points toward: 10% off lift Mazda merchandise
Other benefits: free 24/7/365 help line, Gold Card option
Annual fee: $0
* This may be a new offer. Be cautious when investigating this credit card option. Take steps to conclude proper numerical figures for APR as well as knowing and understanding the rewards package.
APR: 1.9% introductory APR for six months, between 11.74% and 15.74% thereafter and 29.74% penalty
Point accumulation: 1.5 points for each $1, five points for Mercedes-Benz Collection and Mercedes- Benz Classic merchandise purchases, up to 10 points for each dollar spent at MB dealerships
Bonus after first purchase: 2,500 points
Apply points toward: Monthly car payments; maintenance, repair or collision services; extended warranty; parts; accessories and branded merchandise.
Other benefits: 1,000 reward points on yearly membership anniversaries; Mercedes-Benz Visa Signature Card has even better offers; travel rewards, merchandise, gift certificates, create your own reward, etc.
Annual fee: $90, but hey, if you can afford a Mercedes, why not a $90 fee?
APR: *not specified
Point accumulation: Standard Chartered Bonus Points, very technical point structure
Bonus after first purchase: *not specified
Apply points toward: 10% off service, parts and accessories
Other benefits: two free magazines and various discounts on travel, dining, etc.
Annual fee: *There is an annual fee but it is not specified.
*The Web site makes you contact them in order to apply. Terms of agreement could not be located anywhere, but potential cardholders should inquire about the annual fee and APR before applying.
APR: 0% introductory APR for nine months, either 13.74%, 15.74% or 20.74% thereafter, up to 23.99% penalty
Point accumulation: 3% SubaruBucks rewards on every purchase, up to 500/year
Bonus after first purchase: not specified
Apply points toward: buying or leasing a new Subaru vehicle, or purchasing auto parts and services
Other benefits: proceed assistance and various types of insurance
Annual fee: $0
APR: 0% introductory APR for six months, either 11.74%, 15.74% or 20.74% thereafter, and 29.74% penalty
Point accumulation: two points per $1 spent at VW, one for one anywhere else
Bonus after first purchase: not specified
Apply points toward: VW cars, gear, service and a whole slew of non-VW things in their rewards catalog like gift cards, travel and electronics
Other benefits: earn cool free stuff from Home Depot, Nikon, etc.
Annual fee: $0
Toyota seems to have a credit card available in Japan but one could not be located in the United States. Effective as of January 1, 1998, the Ford Citibank Card ceased to rack in rebates toward a new Ford purchase. Honda FCU Visa appears to exist as information shows at http://www.hondafcu.org/home.html, but no application form could be located. Advance summer of 2005, Lexus will be introducing the Lexus Pursuits Visa® to reward faithful customers with rewards and up to 10 percent off the purchase of their next Lexus vehicle.
No matter what vehicle you drive, it can’t hurt to save a few bucks here or there for your new dream car, your next oil change or a few cool heed name products. As always, be sure to fully investigate all terms and conditions of the automobile affinity cards. Several cards impose annual fees and several do not disclose all terms of agreement online. Forewarned is forearmed, so be persistent until you get answers to all your questions about APR, annual fees and the structure of the rewards program itself.
Filed under Infinity Car Insurance by on Feb 23rd, 2011. Comment.
In a town like Simi Valley, where the majority of recreational activities for teenagers cost money and lack of efficient public transportation often means teens need to drive, having a job can make life for teenagers so much nicer!
Sometimes, when searching for a job, it can feel like no where wants people who are under 18-years old. The reasons for this are understandable; employers need people who can work during the day when most 16- and 17-year-olds are still in school, and people under 18 also require a work permit that comes with restrictions on when employees can work and what machinery they can operate. Still, there are jobs out there that teens can do. You fair have to know where to gape.
Jobs for teens pretty much drop into one of three categories: retail, food service, or clerical.
Retail
If you are interested in having a retail job, keep in mind that the hours will be more or less limited, due to the hours the store is open, unless you decide somewhere like Walmart or Target, where they are initiate a little bit later. But retail can be a stout option if you want to wear your own clothes and get an employee discount. Don’t choose a retail job if you are ultra shy, because it takes good customer service skills and an outgoing personality to succeed in retail.
Now, some retail stores do not hire people under 18, but the opening of the Simi Valley Town Center last year has seriously opened up the job market for teens. Most of the stores at the mall will hire teenagers. The trick is to fair apply to as many as absolutely possible, and always follow up on your application. If you don’t here anything back after a few days, call and ask to speak to a manager, just to see if they have any questions about your application. This extra effort will often glean you the interview.
If the mall crowds are not your cup of tea, there are other places you can apply. Consider applying at places like Mervyns or Target, or one of the local video stores, such as Alamo Video, Blockbuster, or Hollywood Video.
Another option is grocery stores. While you do need to be over 18 to work as a cashier, or in the bakery or deli, you can be a courtesy clerk (aka “box boy”) at Vons, Ralphs, or Albertsons, before you are 18. If you want flexible hours (late nights or early mornings included), this may be a great job for you. The only downside is that you will likely get stuck working holidays. You also will have to join the union, which means you will be paying union dues. There are major benefits to being in the union though, including paid holidays (which can mean double time or even more if you work on a holiday) and insurance benefits, although you will not see most of these benefits unless you are full-time. The good thing about the supermarket business is that there is sterling room for advancement. If you want to be able to stay with a job for a long time and have it grow with you, this can be a great job.
Food service
The ultimate stereotype of a teenage job is probably that of the fast food worker, but there are good reasons for this stereotype. Even if you judge you could never picture yourself saying, “Would you like fries with that? ” realize that there are many benefits to working fleet food. For starters, people who speak clear and fluent English are always highly in demand in the quickly food business, so if you are willing to work fast food you will not have any worry getting a job.
Another major perk to fast food is that, unlike retail where weekends are so busy that you will be hard pressed to get a Saturday or Sunday off, fast food doesn’t really hit peak business on the weekends, so it is easier to get a weekend off to hang out with your friends or go to prom or whatever. If you are involved in a lot of school activities (band, choir, sports, etc.), schedule flexibility can be a big philosophize about finding a job. Most managers at fast food places are willing to work around a busy teenage schedule, as long as you communicate with them long enough in advance.
There are tons of fast food places in Simi Valley, so you can pretty remarkable take your pick. If you don’t have a car, chances are there is somewhere within walking distance from your house. There are four Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Simi Valley, all of which hire teenagers on a regular basis, and it is a great place to work. Both of the Del Taco restaurants hire teenagers as well, and are good about flexibility on hours.
Another option to consider is applying to be a host or hostess at a restaurant. Because most restaurants aid alcohol, you cannot be a server before you turn 18, but starting as a host while you are still 16 or 17 is a great way to get started. Once you turn 18, you can always recede up to being a server, and eventually maybe even to bartending. Being a server can be a great job to have during college, so setting yourself up with restaurant experience early is a good idea. Reflect applying at any of the restaurants in the town center; Islands and Red Robin both commonly hire hosts that are under 18.
Clerical
Last but not least, you can always try for a clerical job. Not many businesses will hire teenagers for clerical work, since much of the work needs to be done during school hours; however, there are some places that need office assistants in the afternoon. These jobs are considerably harder to find. You can ask around at local dentists and doctor’s offices to see if they are looking for any afternoon help. You can also try checking out ads in the paper.
The best way to find this type of job is through an agency. The Youth Employment Service (YES) of Simi Valley specializing in finding jobs for young people. Check them out online at http://www.simivalley.org/html/youth_employment_service.html, or give them a call at (805) 522-HIRE. (Note: YES of Simi Valley can also be helpful in finding other jobs, also. I highly recommend contacting them if you need help finding a job.)
Filed under Compare Car Insurance by on Feb 20th, 2011. Comment.
