Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Taking a Look At Motorcycle Insurance

As with vehicles such as cars, wagons and trailers, your motorcycles and scooters also require insurance..... and getting motorcycle insurance is certainly compulsory if you want to ride your bike on the road.

Thus, it is not enough to have a motorcycle and the riding gear; you must have motorbike insurance before driving your motorcycle on the road. You will definitely be fined for not having a motorcycle insurance.

Many insurance companies offer motorcycle insurance. It can also be bought at the time of motorcycle purchase. Some motorcycle and scooter manufacturing companies also offer insurance facility. But if you didn't get motorcycle insurance from the company, you may get it through your auto agent.

The internet is helpful in getting motorcycle and scooter insurance advice, quotes and suggestions. Find out competitive quotes for your motorcycle insurance on the websites of insurance companies offering motorcycle insurance. Use Google and Yahoo to search for local companies in your area. If you just visit their websites, you will definitely get the insurance quote of your own choice. Note that the premium is decided in the backdrop of facilities you get with insurance. Usually the cheap quotes do not promise many benefits. Some of the insurance companies provide you online insurance facilities also to save your time.

The premium for motorcycle insurance is decided keeping in view certain factors about your age and the driving history. A bad driving record may result in a heavy insurance premium. Likewise, first time riders have also to pay high rates for their motorcycle and scooter insurance.

Among other significant factors affecting the insurance premium rates of your motorcycle is the area in which you reside. Moreover, the security arrangements on your part for your motorcycle and scooter can also influence the premium rates offered by the insurance company.

An area where crime rate is high proves a higher hurdle in getting cheap motorcycle insurance quotes and so is the case with insufficient security arrangements of motorcycle parking.

As the insurance company has to pay claim in case of theft or damage to your bike and scoters, the company also notices the condition of motorcycle and scooter before offering its quote. Just like other vehicles, brand new motorcycle insurance is available against high premium rates.

Your yearly use of your motorcycle and scooter also plays an important factor in getting good rates for motorcycle and scooter insurance. For instance, if you do not drive frequently, the insurance rates would surely be low.

Take some time out to onsider all the factors and options you have gathered and decide on the best motorcycle insurance package that will meets your personal preferences as well as safeguard your wellbeing. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

How Much Car Insurance Do you Actually Require ?

A growing number of people are dropping their auto insurance in other to try and save some money, according to a recent study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC).

If the current rate of unemployment continues, the IRC estimates that the national uninsured rate will climb from 13.8 percent in 2007 to 16.3 percent in 2010. With that many people driving without coverage, it is certainly very dangerous to go uninsured.

So the question is : How much car insurance do you really require ?

If you're like many people feeling the pinch, your inclination is to get the minimum insurance coverage required by the law in your state. That's a good place to start, though those minimums may not fully protect you -- or your assets -- if you are to file a claim.

We recommend getting more than the minimum coverage unless you are driving a beater and have no assets to protect.

Every state in the nation, except for New Hampshire and Wisconsin, requires that you have liability insurance, and that mandatory coverage varies according to state.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP), or Medical Payments (MedPay) in some states, pays for your own medical expenses, any lost wages and whatever other costs may arise when you're injured in an accident. It usually pays about 80 percent of your losses, and it also pays a death benefit.

PIP is required in: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Utah.

Some states also require you to purchase car insurance that will cover your own medical expenses, pain and suffering losses and, in some states, car damage in the event that the other motorist is at fault and is either uninsured or underinsured.

Even though each state has minimum (or no) requirements for bodily injury liability, it is probably in your best interest to purchase higher limits. If someone else is injured and you're at fault, the minimum liability coverage may not cover their medical expenses, in which case their attorney will most likely come after your assets.

It is generally recommended that you purchase 100/300 limits of bodily injury liability. On the other hand, if your personal assets do not amount to much, you don't have a whole lot for them to bother about, so the minimum requirements might actually suit you and will save you some much-needed cash.

Besides various forms of liability insurance, there is collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage to consider. Collision covers damage to the policyholder's car resulting from running into anything, be it another car, a fire hydrant, or a light post.

Comprehensive auto insurance coverage takes care of your car in the case of theft, fire, falling objects, explosions, or other unexpected problems.

Collision and comprehensive car insurance coverage are required in most lease contracts, and are essential if you own an expensive car. If you're driving an old rattletrap, on the other hand, and the sum of your premium and your deductible are close to or exceed the worth of your vehicle, you might want to consider doing without this coverage.

Before you purchase any type of auto insurance coverage, be sure to study your other insurance policies so you don't end up paying for something you don't need. If you have a decent health insurance plan, you might get away with purchasing the bare minimum personal injury protection coverage- or none at all if your state doesn?t require it. However, you might end up paying a co-pay and deductible that wouldn't apply if you have PIP or MedPay.

Uninsured or underinsured auto / motorist coverage might also be a wise buy, even if you have full medical coverage, as it can pay for your pain and suffering damages. If you belong to an organization that offers roadside assistance, you don't need to purchase that through your insurer. The same thing applies for mechanical breakdown insurance if you own a newly financed or leased vehicle which is still covered under warranty.

It's easy to be resentful of the money spent on car insurance. Keep in mind that auto insurance will most likely come to your rescue at some point, so it's imperative to purchase a worthwhile policy.

Know what auto insurance coverage you must have and know what additional coverage fits your lifestyle. Never take it for granted. Then if trouble strikes, you'll be ready.