Many senior citizens have been loyal to their auto insurance companies for years, often decades. Having the same reliable insurance agent and company is comforting. But the auto insurance industry has become more competitive, actively vying for the senior citizen market. It makes sense for senior citizens to gather information to compare their current rates, especially at the time of auto insurance renewal.
Getting quotes for auto insurance is an easy process. With honest a few clicks on the computer or toll-free telephone calls, anyone can earn a list that compares auto insurance by services and rates. For senior citizens, who often are on fixed incomes, this can be a very cost-effective exercise, possibly saving them hundreds of dollars during an insured period.
Finding Comparable Rates
Buying auto insurance is like any other vital, long-term purchase. The key is to take time to research and shop for the best deal with reliable auto insurance companies.
The following is a sample of insurance companies and insurance brokers offering auto insurance quotes on the Internet. Many have specific marketing programs targeting senior citizens.
AARP: www.aarp.thehartford.com.
AARP is an advocacy organization for seniors that promotes the interests of people over 50 years old. They offer auto insurance to members through The Hartford.
Allstate: www.allstate.com.
Allstate is a well known insurance company. Quotes can be gathered at the above website or local agents can be found in the telephone book and are available to assist in preparing a free quote.
Farmers Insurance Group: http://www.farmersinsurance.com.
Online or in person, a Farmers insurance agent can review auto insurance coverage, aid identify potential gaps, and include any qualifying Farmers Auto insurance discounts.
Progressive Insurance: www.progressive.com.
Progressive will provide a quote for their company along with comparables of other auto insurance companies for easy comparisons.
Geico Insurance: www.geico.com.
This company can be accessed online or at one of their many offices. It is easy to get a quote; they offer flexible payment options and competitive rates.
Costco: www.costco.com.
Costco offers membership insurance through Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance.
Autoinsure: www.autoinsure.org.
Autoinsure has a page with helpful insurance information for senior citizens. They can provide quotes from all the major auto insurance companies.
Esurance: www.esurance.com.
A rising star among insurance companies that take pride in stating: “Esurance doesn’t just offer profitable insurance coverage, we also believe in educating consumers.” Their online quote process is easy to navigate.
US Insurance: www.usinsuranceonline.com
They will provide multiple auto insurance quotes tailored to specific needs within minutes of filling out their simple short form. It’s easy then to compare them side by side to find the best prices and coverage.
Car Insurance Rates: www.carinsurancerates.com
Their network of companies and brokers offer a variety of car insurances: Farmers, Allstate, AIG, Nationwide, AARP, Safeco Insurance, Liberty Mutual, MetLife and Mercury.
Every insurance rate: www.everyinsurancerate.com
EveryInsuranceCompany.com is a handy Internet directory to salvage local insurance companies, insurance quotes and discount insurance rates.
Quote Scout: www.quotescout.com.
This website will provide quotes from a long list of auto insurance companies – literally from “A” to “Z”.
Insurance.com: http://www.insurance.com.
Insurance.com works directly with 15 highly rated car insurance companies in 46 states: 21st Century, Electric Insurance, Esurance Auto Insurance, The Hartford, Infinity, Liberty Mutual, Meritplan Insurance, MetLife Auto Insurance, Newport Insurance, Permanent General Assurance Corporation (The General), Progressive, QBE Insurance, Safeco, Travelers Insurance, and Unitrin Direct.
Keeping Auto Insurance Rates Down
There are ways that senior citizens can take responsibility to control their auto insurance rates. Here are a few suggestions.
According to seniorjournal.com, most of the major auto insurance agencies provide a 5% – 10% discount to drivers beginning at the ages of 50 or 55. However, as a group, drivers 75 and older have one of the highest rates of fatal daytime accidents. Because of this, it’s important that senior drivers cease proactive and involved in keeping their driving skills sharp.
Many states offer an auto insurance discount for mature drivers if a person meets a given age criteria and has taken an approved mature driver safety course. Local colleges and senior centers are good resources to learn about the classes. AARP has local and on-line access to the course. Costco offers its members an online drivers’ safety training course through FirstNet: www.firstnetlearning.com.
Another way to keep auto insurance rates down is to drive a low-profile car, one that as part of a group has a lower rate due to minimum repair costs, considered safer and less likely to be stolen. Check the Highway Loss Data Institute, www.iihs.org, for the latest related data.
Examine current auto insurance needs and requirements. Changing to higher deductibles or dropping collision or comprehensive coverage for older cars may make sense.
Always ask about discounts when purchasing or renewing auto insurance.
And finally, the best long-term advice: Always drive defensively, stay alert and follow the driving laws. Maintaining a suited driving characterize is the best way to keep auto insurance rates down.
Filed under Auto Insurance Quotes by on Feb 22nd, 2011. Comment. 
While the threat of identity theft insurance is no doubt real, the issue has arguably become sensationalized beyond reality, thanks to overly enthusiastic reports on the fear-based evening news and the subversive advertising propagated by credit card companies themselves. Most victims of identity theft do not have their entire identities appropriated. The criminal party rarely opens recent accounts, steals thousands of dollars, or wreaks irreparable havoc on the victim’s credit record. Usually, just a single credit card number is co-opted – an annoying and serious situation, but an entirely manageable one. Still, to cash in on the American public’s paranoid hoo-hah about identity theft, insurance companies are selling identity theft insurance policies.
This coverage may be included in homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or even a credit card’s terms and conditions. It’s possible that you may even have a policy without knowing it. However, thousands of folks who are frightened at the prospect of identity theft buy stand-alone policies directly from insurance companies. Are these identity theft insurance policies really worthwhile? My answer is: “almost never.”
Let’s look at them in depth. What do identity theft insurance policies actually cover?
One tall misconception is that identity theft insurance will shroud any direct economic losses you incur. That’s simply fallacious. All that most identity theft insurance policies do is reimburse victims for the expenses incurred in “righting” the situation with banks, merchants, and other parties. In other words, the policy will make the process of reclaiming your identity less expensive. Coverage may include:
- phone calls and faxes
- postage
- photocopies
- notary public fees
- credit report orders
- lost wages for time spent handling the identity theft
- legal fees (for the few and far-between cases where an attorney is needed)
- cost of reapplying for loans that you were denied (as many people don’t find out their identity was stolen until they are denied credit)
While it sounds worthwhile to have these expenses covered, how much time do you realistically put a question to you’ll need to straighten things out? I had my identity stolen three years ago (through my own lack of attentiveness) and spent a grand total of about two hours resolving the situation – with no time lost from work. And the financial cost to me? A few postage stamps and some phone calls that were already included in my cell plan.
Even if your identity theft situation is more complicated than mine was, are these benefits worth paying for? First, consider the premiums, which usually range from $50 to $100 per year (for most basic plans offered by major companies like Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, etc.). Then, remember there’s a deductible alive to. Before identity theft insurance policies ever pay out, you may need to front $100, $250, or even $500. Most people’s identity reclamation expenses won’t ever get that high. It’s like carrying collision insurance on your ’85 Toyota that’s worth $487. Furthermore, identity theft insurance policies have limits. Even if you do have an extremely unique identity theft case that necessitates a lawyer and involves more than a day away from your job, there are caps to legal fees and lost wages compensation.
Remember that insurance companies aren’t selling identity theft coverage because they’re personally concerned about your well-being. They’re out to sock you for a few extra bucks each year, as it lines their already deep pockets. Even if your identity is stolen and you milk the coverage, it is extremely unlikely that the investment will expose wise. My advice is, unless it’s already inextricably included for “free” along with another policy, don’t occupy identity theft insurance.
Filed under Auto Insurance Quotes by on Dec 15th, 2010. Comment.
