5 Things You Need to Know About Cheap Motorcycle Insurance

There are so many reasons to get excited for warmer weather. Breaking out your motorcycle is probably #1. But wait. Do you have motorcycle insurance? If not, don’t worry. Getting cheap motorcycle insurance isn’t as hard as it seems. Read on to discover the 5 things you need to know.

1))Motorcycle insurance is just as important as auto insurance.

You need to protect yourself, your bike, and others. Motorcycle insurance is vital. If you ride without insurance, you will have to pay state penalties and fines. It’s not worth the risk.

2) Motorcycle insurance requirements vary by state.

The majority of states require a minimum of liability coverage, but other types of insurance are optional. It’s important to be aware of your state’s requirements. Liability insurance includes bodily injury and property damage caused by you to other people. Sometimes Guest Passenger Liability is covered in it, but not always.

Here’s a summary of other common types of motorcycle insurance. Collision insurance covers damage to your own motorcycle while comprehensive coverage includes problems like theft or vandalism. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage covers for damages to you and your motorcycle by another uninsured/underinsured driver.

3) Don’t ride your bike in the winter? Pay less for your motorcycle insurance.

Winter is definitely rough on motorcycle owners. You want to be out there riding your bike–but it’s below zero. Time to store your motorcycle until spring. But why pay full price for your insurance when your motorcycle is just collecting dust in the garage?

Many northern states offer a “lay-up” policy where all coverage (except comprehensive) is suspended during winter when you’re not riding your bike. Is there an easier way to get cheap motorcycle insurance? (Actually, yes there is. Read on.)

4) You could be eligible for motorcycle insurance discounts.

Some insurance companies give discounts to graduates of training courses like the Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses. You also could get cheap motorcycle insurance if you’re a member of a motorcycle club.

5) Finding cheap motorcycle insurance isn’t hard.

If you use SaveALot Auto Insurance, all you have to do is enter your zip code. Then you’ll get a free motorcycle insurance quote in seconds. We offer cheap motorcycle insurance to residents in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Missouri, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, Nevada, and New Mexico. What are you waiting for? Request a free motorcycle insurance quote now, then get back on your bike.

Once you get insured, it’s time to hit the road. Get going. Get your free motorcycle insurance quote now.

Any questions? Fill out a contact form or give us a call at 1-800-999-1034.

Accurate Auto Insurance Billboard

SaveALot Auto Insurance managed to ruffle some feathers a few years back with a billboard that you may still see to this day. It would appear that the suggestive billboard which featured our well known tagline ‘Love At 1st Quote’ was a bit much for some. All in good fun, though, right? Above is the offending billboard, while below is the article which was featured in the September 9, 2009 edition of The Beverly Review (click the image for a larger version).

How Do I Insure My Classic Car?

If you have a classic car that’s been restored, you probably want to get special insurance to make sure you are covered for the actual value of your car. An insurance company might give you an average sounding quote if you simply tell them you have a ’71 Mustang. But that’s because they only plan to pay you, in case of an accident, the cash value of a typical ’71 Mustang (which isn’t much!). If your Mustang is in mint condition, has restored everything, a new engine, show tires, etc… you definitely won’t be sufficiently covered by the average auto insurance policy.

Fortunately there are auto insurance companies that specialize in classic cars. Often the same companies insure classic boats, modified cars, and sometimes even priceless heirlooms. Since these companies specialize in antiques and collectibles, they will be better able to determine the insurance value of your car, ensuring that the loss of your vehicle, should it occur, will not be financially devastating.

Several qualifications must be met for classic auto insurance. Most importantly, these insurance companies will not insure daily use vehicles. Often a limit of 5,000 miles per year is imposed, to allow for pleasure driving and short trips to shows (for longer trips the vehicle should be towed). This is the same limit enforced by motor vehicle divisions when you apply for historic license plates. Next you must check with the insurance provider to make sure your car really is an antique or collectible car. Some 1970s and 1980s models will not qualify, but if your car was made before 1972, you’ve got an antique on your hands, no doubt. Finally you must make note of all modifications, updates, and restorations made to the car. A classic car insurance agent is an expert who will know the true value of your vehicle, and can ensure that any repair work done to it uses the appropriate parts.

If you choose to go with a classic car insurer rather than a typical auto insurance policy, you may be surprised by how affordable your premium quote is. This is mostly because of the low miles the car will clock on the road – it is out of harm’s way most of the time, and therefore a very low risk to insure, even if it is worth $30,000 or more. Inexpensive classic car insurance can also be obtained for vehicles completely off the road for restoration or storage, covering theft, fire, and other non-collision losses.

So if you are thinking of restoring a car, it is probably unwise to do so if you must use that car for everyday driving. Your insurance company won’t cover the true value of the car, and you could be out all of your work in the case of an accident. But if you have a beauty that you can afford to limit the miles on, it may be worth keeping her off the streets in order to qualify for classic car insurance. With a low premium and the peace of mind that you are insured for the full value of your investment, you can better focus on your hobby.

What is Auto Gap Insurance?

Auto gap insurance is insurance you can purchase to cover the “gap” between the cost of repaying your car loan and the amount the insurance company will actually give you for your totaled car. Since a new car depreciates as soon as it leaves the lot, it is already worth less than you owe on it. Even if you were to total your new car the same day you bought it, the money your insurance company will pay out for the car will not likely cover the balance of the loan. Gap insurance is the only way to make sure you will not be in debt after losing your new car.

Gap insurance can sometimes be purchased on newer used cars, where the dealer price of the car still may be significantly higher than an insurance payout would cover. Some insurance companies will only cover brand new cars, however.

So how do you get gap insurance? First ask your current or prospective insurance provider if they can give you gap coverage. Just like you would shop around for your basic auto insurance premium, you may want to shop around for your gap coverage. It is usually very affordable, and worth the extra cost to ensure that you do not end up carless and saddled with thousands of dollars in debt. Some dealers may try to sell you their own auto gap insurance as an add-on, but you can often get a better deal by purchasing this special coverage on your own.

Gap insurance is often required when leasing a car. It the coverage may be included in the lease price, but if not you will need to make sure you are covered. Since you didn’t purchase the car, the dealer will lose money if it is totaled. So they may want repayment from you immediately.

Finally, if you have an older car you are probably not eligible for gap coverage. If you still owe money on your older car, the best thing to do to protect your investment is to drive safely!

Whether or not to purchase gap insurance is a decision only you can make as a car owner, balancing the supplementary insurance premium cost against the potential risk of finding yourself with a totaled car in the future. Like all insurance, you never know when you might need it, but you sure are relieved that you are covered when an accident happens.

This article is brought to you by SaveALot Auto Insurance, where Chicago, Illinois and Indiana drivers get quick, free auto insurance quotes.

Top Ten Websites for Auto Insurance Laws

Top Ten Websites for Auto Insurance Laws

Searching all over the web to find out your state’s coverage minimums? Need to find out your rights as an auto insurance consumer? We’ve put together a list of some of the top websites for insurance law information.

1. Insurance Information Institute
http://www2.iii.org/individuals/autoinsurance/

At the Insurance Information Institute you can find out how auto insurance works, determine how much coverage you need, and learn the steps of filing a claim. You can also explore statistics for things like teen driving, driving and cell phones, etc, and watch videos of what to do after an accident.

2. Auto Insurance Remedy
http://www.autoinsuranceremedy.com/auto-insurance-state-by-state.php

At Auto Insurance Remedy you can review the lists of minimum coverage requirements by state, and read articles from some of the nation’s top insurance providers.

3. Consumer Action
http://www.consumeraction.gov/caw_insurance_auto.shtml

At this federal government site you can find links and contact information for your local insurance regulator, and read tips on finding insurance that complies with state laws. Consumer Action also helps you know your rights as a consumer, and provides advice on staying safe while researching auto insurance online.

4. About.com on Auto Insurance
http://personalinsure.about.com/cs/vehicleratings/a/blautominimum.htm

About.com has good articles on anything you want to know about insurance, by a real life auto insurance expert! This link is to a list of state minimums, with lots of in-article links to state law information, and an educational video.

5. Wikipedia on Auto Insurance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_insurance

While you should always visit your state’s official site for your specific insurance minimums and insurance consumer rights, Wikipedia has a comprehensive article covering auto insurance and auto insurance laws around the world. The article also contains good general information on coverage levels and insurance terms, and links to articles by reputable sources. If you are completely new to auto insurance, Wikipedia is an excellent place to start!

6. CyberDrive Illinois
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/mandatory_insurance.html

At the official website for the Illinois Secretary of State (Illinois’s DMV), you can review Illinois state minimums, find out where to purchase Illinois auto insurance, and read about vehicle codes and laws that affect Illinois drivers.

(Note: We’re based in the Chicago area, so we’re including these two Illinois government sites – #8 and #9. Every state has different laws and regulations, so we recommend that you go to your state’s specific website(s) to get the appropriate information.)

7. Illinois Department of Insurance
http://www.insurance.illinois.gov/

The Illinois Department of Insurance provides news and articles for consumers, businesses, and insurance providers. Stay up to date on the latest insurance laws in Illinois, and know your rights as a consumer of auto insurance.

8. SaveALot Auto Insurance
http://savealotautoinsurance.com/

SaveALot Auto Insurance provides definitions of insurance terms and descriptions of insurance laws via their helpful “Insurance Information” articles. A leading provider of Illinois auto insurance, SaveALot specializes in guiding the consumer who is new to auto insurance, or who has had past auto insurance troubles.

Hopefully this list helps you find the information you need about your state’s insurance laws, and provides you with the knowledge to help make purchasing auto insurance online a safe and painless process.

This list was compiled by SaveALot Auto Insurance.

My Car is “Totaled.” (What Does That Mean?)

The term “totaled” comes from the insurance term “total loss.” Put simply, when the cost of repairing a damaged vehicle exceeds the cost (or a set percentage of the cost) of repairing the vehicle, it makes little financial sense to spend the money for repairs. The insurance company calls the vehicle a total loss, and gives you cash for the vehicle.

Many drivers are upset when an insurance company tells them their car is totaled. When we think of a totaled car we think of a mangled pile of steel. However, since the decision to total the car is based on the amount of money it will cost to fix the car, and the damage may not always be apparent, a car that still looks fixable (especially to an owner who can’t bear to part with it!) may actually be totaled.

In some states drivers have some recourse, and can work with the insurance company on determining what will happen to the vehicle. For instance, shopping around for better estimates from trusted body shops, as well as finding shops that will use non-manufacturer parts, may lower the cost of fixing the vehicle. Check out state websites and know your rights. But keep in mind, the insurance company is not only considering the cost of the repairs, but also the cost of your rental vehicle, towing, storage, and any other incidental expenses associated with a lengthy and complicated repair. You may also choose to keep the totaled vehicle if you are hopelessly attached (is it your property), but the insurance company will not be able to get paid by the salvage yard, and this may affect your payout. Keeping a totaled vehicle, moreover, is not usually in your interest (unless you like the look of beehive and weed infested steel on your lawn).

If your vehicle ends up totaled, despite your efforts to work with your insurance company, you will be given the “actual cash value” of the vehicle, based on an appraiser’s estimate. The appraiser has to consider the condition of the car before the accident, so unfortunately the “actual cash value” is probably not going to buy you a new car.

Totaled vehicles are not good for the driver, and not good for the insurance company. So drive safe and avoid accidents!

This article is brought to you by SaveALot Auto Insurance, where even less-than-perfect drivers get the lowest auto insurance quotes every day.

Tips to Keep Your Insurance Rates Low

There are many factors that affect the cost of your particular auto insurance premium. It takes experienced agents and lots of computer power to calculate all the risks. However, for the sake of simplicity we can say that there are three general categories of factors that affect your insurance rates: your life situation, your vehicle, and your driving history.

While you probably wouldn’t want to change your life situation (i.e. marital status, home ownership) simply to lower your insurance rates, you could consider a safer, slightly older, or less valuable vehicle. You can also modify your vehicle to make it lower risk, for instance by adding an alarm. But chances are you already have a vehicle, and you want to keep the rates on it low without spending more money to do so. The easiest way to do this by maintaining your driving record – fortunately something you have a good bit of control over, and can work on doing every day.

Avoiding moving violations and infractions such as speeding and reckless driving is the easiest thing you can do to keep your insurance rates low. Moving violations happen when you break the law while the car is moving. Speeding, not using turn signals, running red lights, etc, are all preventable infractions that are completely up to you to prevent. Some states even consider a seat belt violation to be a moving violation. If you are not sure what is considered a moving violation in your state, you can get a free driver’s handbook from your local DMV. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it. Driving the speed limit, driving courteously, and buckling up will prevent you from getting ticketed for a moving violation, and leaving a mark on your record, which lasts three years in most states.

Avoiding a criminal violation while driving is a no-brainer. DUIs and criminally reckless driving will get your license suspended and could even get you jail time, not to mention the ticket fines. These violations can stay on your record for ten years or more, and usually increases your insurance rates, probably requiring you to carry an SR-22. Here are some common-sense driving habits that will help ensure that you don’t get involved in an accident or moving violation:

  • Don’t drink and drive.
  • Don’t drive under the influence of drugs that affect your physical or mental faculties.
  • Don’t drive when feeling high stress or extreme emotion.
  • Don’t drive when you are fatigued.
  • Drive according to the law.
  • Drive defensively, anticipating trouble before it happens.
  • Stay aware and alert behind the wheel.
  • Minimize distractions like music or other passengers.
  • Pull off the road and stop to attend to tasks, including talking on the phone, reading a map, having an intense conversation with a passenger, etc.
  • Use courtesy and respect in your interactions with other drivers and the driving environment.

Avoiding an accident is a great way to keep your rates low, but unfortunately even the safest drivers will likely be involved in an accident at some point. We can’t control everything that happens on the road, and we certainly can’t control other drivers. However, safe driving at safe speeds can greatly reduce your chances of causing an accident. Tickets for causing an accident take many forms, but they will usually stay on your record for three years. If you find yourself the victim of someone else’s negligent driving, you may still see an accident (“not at fault accident”) show up on your record, though it won’t affect your rates as much as if you had caused an accident yourself. The only way to prevent this from happening is to always be vigilant and pay attention while driving. Your own safe driving could keep you out of harm’s way.

Finally, if you have been in an accident or received a ticket for a minor infraction such as speeding, you can still keep your rates low if you choose to go to traffic school. You may arrange this with the authority that issued the ticket, and upon completion of the course the infraction will be removed from your driving record. Traffic school usually costs about the same as a ticket (which you still have to pay), however your savings on insurance over the next three years will probably make it worthwhile. But be careful! Most states only allow one traffic school exemption every 18 months.

Following these simple safety suggestions will greatly reduce your risk of being involved in an accident or bring ticketed for a moving violation. Your clean driving record will reflect that reduced risk, bringing you lower rates and a more affordable premium payment.

This information is courtesy of SaveALot Auto Insurance, providing low auto insurance rates to safe drivers and drivers with not-so-spotless records throughout Illinois.

Buying Auto Insurance for Seniors

While we may think of older drivers as being in the way on the road, the fact is that as a group they are at much lower risk for a major accident than the rest of us. Seniors typically drive lower speeds, and those who are retired do not even drive every day. Seniors do not often drive themselves on long road trips, and they are also likely to avoid highways. All of this low speed driving and staying off the road most days makes for much less exposure to any chance of being involved in an accident. While there are some very real concerns about seniors’ safety behind the wheel – aging can slow reflexes and impair vision – seniors with clean driving records deserve the same auto coverage as a younger driver.

Finding auto insurance discounts is important for seniors on a fixed income, and fortunately there are many discounts that they can take advantage of. A senior’s clean driving record will get them started with a good driver discount, and their older vehicle often needs less coverage than a new car would require. Depending on how vital the car is to their daily routine, they could even remove collision coverage at this point, keeping liability insurance only (keeping in mind that if the car were damaged, insurance would not pay to repair it). This would make their insurance payments much lower. Some insurance companies also offer discounts if a senior driver takes a “refresher” driving instruction course, or if a senior has an AARP membership. Finally, be sure to ask the insurance agent about any other discounts that may apply.

For those of us who use the internet to find the best rates on everything from car insurance to hotels, we know how easy it makes finding discounts. If you know a senior who needs car insurance, or who may be paying too much for car insurance, see that they shop online before making a final decision on a new policy. An elderly person may be paying high premiums just because they can’t conceive of buying insurance from anyone but the same insurance company they have used for decades. But that insurance company may no longer meet their needs. Just like seniors deserve the same coverage as younger drivers, they also deserve to benefit from the savings that are out there. They just may not know how to find the discounts on their own.

This information is courtesy of SaveALot Auto Insurance, providing discount auto insurance for drivers young and old.

What Are the Most Expensive Cars to Insure, and Why?

Insurance companies use many factors to determine premiums – how much you pay for your auto insurance. Some of these factors reflect the relative risk of your personal situation, such as age, gender, and location. But what about the car you’re insuring? Yes, the car brand, model and age are very important factors. Insurance companies are meticulous about calculating the possible payouts for claims from their insured customers, and they base their calculations on huge amounts of data about drivers, the cars they drive, and the accidents that occur.

Believe it or not, companies actually create psychological profiles about the drivers and the cars they drive. When you think of how emotionally connected people can be to their cars, this makes a lot of sense. Do you ever feel that your car is a kind of projection of your own personality? Of course. The things we buy and show to the world often reflect our own images of self, and the way we want others to see us. So, it only follows that excessive horsepower could be correlated with the driver’s own aggressive tendencies. Conversely, low horsepower may signal a more practical, less risky personality.

Are colors also important predictors of accident risk? You might think so. For one thing, colors could vary in their visibility to other drivers and pedestrians. Colors might also match up to personality types like “red equals bold and aggressive”. But the truth is that, as far as we can tell, insurance companies do not explicitly factor your car’s color into rate calculations. There is some debate as to whether your car’s color can be determined by its VIN number, which the insurer could use even if you didn’t state the color; but we couldn’t find any conclusive evidence that this routinely used in evaluating insurance rates.

Insurance companies base some of their rate decisions on historical data about accident frequency, injuries, property damage and repair costs related to specific vehicle models. A particular model that consistently shows more collision, liability and medical costs than any other mid-size sedan will reflect those costs in relatively higher premiums for that model.

Body styles enter into rate calculations as well. Of the top-20 2010 car models with the highest premiums, four are 2-door convertibles (“ragtop” sports cars), and nine are 2-door coupes (“hardtop” sports cars). Nearly all of the top 20 have either 8-cylinder or 12-cylinder engines. And bearing names like Porsche, Mercedes and BMW, you know they carry high price tags and hefty repair costs. Conversely, the models with lowest premiums tend to be small, practical SUVs and minivans.

So let’s get to it (drum roll please). With credit to a recent study by Quadrant Information Services, the ten car models with the highest average premiums are:

  1. Porsche 911 Carrera GT2: $2944
  2. Mercedes S65 AMG: $2863
  3. Porsche Panamera TurboAWD: $2837
  4. Mercedes CL600: $2755
  5. Audi R8: $2752
  6. Porsche Panamera S: $2745
  7. Mercedes SL600: $2716
  8. Porsche 911 Carrera Turbo: $2706
  9. Mercedes CL65 AMG: $2700
  10. BMW M6: $2689

What Is SR22 Insurance?

So what is this mysterious SR-22 insurance?

SR-22 insurance, sometimes called “financial responsibility insurance,” is a state program to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the road by requiring SR-22 certificates from drivers who have repeatedly violated mandatory insurance laws. SR-22 laws and processes vary from state to state, but in Illinois anyone who has three insurance violations (i.e. ticketed for driving without insurance) can be required to carry SR-22 insurance.

The SR-22 insurance itself is a certificate that is kept on file with the state, rather than just between you and the insurance company like your typical insurance would be documented. An insurance company who is authorized to write SR-22 policies will set up your auto insurance and accept your premium payments, but will then send your SR-22 certificate directly to your state’s motor vehicle division (or the office of the Secretary of State in Illinois). The certificate will show that you are maintaining at least the state minimum coverage on your auto insurance.

Typical insurance coverage can be started or renewed instantly, but SR-22 insurance requires a little more work on your part. It must be renewed early to avoid suspension of your driving privileges. Since you carry this special insurance because you do not have a good track record with maintaining coverage, the state will start to suspend your privileges once your expiration date is fifteen days away. Renewing early is important since your insurance paperwork, including the renewed certificate, must be received and processed by the appropriate office of the state — and we all know that takes time!

Anyone who requires SR-22 must cover all the vehicles they own as well as all the vehicles they drive with this insurance. You can be insured as only owner, if you don’t plan to drive the car; as only operator, if you drive your parents’ or someone else’s car; or you can be insured as both owner and operator of your own car. These three options may change the cost of your SR-22 insurance.

If you have been required by the state to carry SR-22 insurance, the only way out of this predicament is to have a bond for at least $55,000 (varies by state) showing you have the cash to pay for an accident. There are some special circumstances where drivers go this route. But since you lapsed on your coverage in the first place, it is not likely that you have the funds to buy a bond.

You must keep your SR-22 insurance current for the length of the penalty term you were given. Minor infractions can disappear from your record in as little as three years, but major violations such as a DUI can cause you to carry SR-22 for ten years or more, and may never disappear from your driving record.

The best way to prevent having to deal with the expense, inconvenience, and future fallout from carrying SR-22 insurance is to keep your insurance current and avoid criminal driving infractions such as DUIs.

This information has been brought to you by SaveALot Auto Insurance, offering affordable Illinois auto insurance and SR-22 coverage.



Bookmark and Share