By author on December 10th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My car was rear-ended while driving in downtown Columbus. The other driver was issued a ticket. Will my car insurance premiums increase because of this?
Julia
Columbus, GA
Determining who is at fault in a rear-end accident is up to the authorities, and various factors are considered in their decisions. But in most rear-end accidents, the one who drove into another car is declared at fault. In your situation, since the other motorist was cited, it means that the police declared him or her as the one responsible for the mishap.
If you have a clean driving record, it is highly improbable that your premiums will increase following an accident that was not your fault. However, if you got into a related traffic accident before this no-fault one, you can expect an increase in your rates. The car insurer may consider you accident-prone if the two related incidents happened within two or three years.
Risk factor is the primary basis for insurance premiums, and car insurance companies calculate the possibility of a policyholder filing a claim. Citations can translate to higher premiums. The good news is that insurers only take note of moving violations. So, having parking tickets or any other non-moving violation would not be counted.
If you have a spotless record and have not been a liability to the car insurance company, then your premiums may not increase. If you are looking at lowering your premiums, consider taking a defensive driving course. Most insurers in Georgia offer discounts to drivers who have successfully finished the course. One ticket dismissal is also granted to drivers who complete the course. But this course can only be done once in a twelve-month period and cannot be repeated more than five times.Drivers need to pay, I think, less than $30 to take the course.
Tags: auto insurance premium, Car insurance discounts, traffic school
By author on December 2nd, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I live in Georgia and share a flat with friends. Some of them borrow my car once in a while for out of town trips. They are not in my insurance policy. Do I need to get them listed under my coverage even if they are not my relatives?
Tim
Atlanta, GA
Having others use your car without them in your motor vehicle insurance coverage may be a big problem for you in the future. It’s not that you don’t trust your friends to drive safely or that you have a poor opinion of their driving skills, but you never really know when a car accident can take place. And if such unfortunate incidents ever do occur, and one of your friends happens to be the one driving your car, you may have a hard time processing your claims. A worse headache could be that this may lead to denial of your motor vehicle insurance coverage.
It is always smart to ensure everyone in the household who uses your car, even if they just drive it occasionally. Anyone who has a driver’s license or learner’s permit in your household could be listed under your motor vehicle insurance policy. This may actually cost you a little extra. But it shouldn’t be inconvenient as it would seem only fair to ask your friends to contribute to the cost of having their names listed in your motor vehicle insurance policy. Check with your insurance agent on how to actually go about this and don’t forget to inquire about multi-driver discount. A lot of motor vehicle insurance providers in Georgia offer this to motorists to make their insurance coverage affordable.
Tags: affordable car insurance, auto insurance, auto insurance coverage, car insurance agent, car insurance law
By author on November 30th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
Would you know what discounts auto insurance companies in Georgia offer?
Kim
Albany, GA
It’s good to know that you want to be a well-informed consumer. Well, different auto insurance companies offer different types of discounts, so you will have to get on the phone with your auto agent in Georgia to find out what they offer.
To give you a few hints, here are the most common types of discounts that auto insurance companies offer as incentives to their customers. Some auto insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles with safety devices and anti-theft devices, so consider having some installed if you don’t already have them. Other auto insurance companies offer discounts for insuring more than one vehicle. An annual policy may also be more cost-effective. Your mileage may also affect the auto insurance rates that you get, so check the distances that you’re driving. Choosing to make your payments via credit card may also slash a bit off your auto insurance rates compared to mail payments. Some auto insurance companies will also give a discount for drivers that have taken defensive driving courses. You may also want to consider combining your auto insurance with your home insurance, as well, to get some more discounts.
I’m sure with all these tips you’ll see a whopping savings on your next auto insurance.
Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company, Car insurance discounts
By author on November 21st, 2008
Reader’s Question:
My car insurance agent here in Georgia is pressing me to get comprehensive insurance and collision insurance. I just want to get whatever insurance the state requires, but he says it will cost more in the long run. Is this true?
Norman,
Albany, GA
Hey there Norman. With the rising cost of car insurance premiums, who can blame you for cutting back on some costs? I think the best way to start would be to explain what this extra coverage is for.
Most states only require liability insurance. This will give you coverage in case of damage or death to other people and their possessions. This will not pay for repairs on damages to your vehicle.
This is where collision insurance comes in. Say a tree suddenly appeared on the side of the road, and you hit it. If you didn’t have collision insurance, you’d have to repair your car out of your own pocket. For comprehensive insurance, this would cover anything else that could happen, like if someone steals your car.
I guess that there is just no right or wrong answer to this question. If you drive carefully and no accidents occur, then the collision and comprehensive insurance costs you shell out for will just add to the insurance company’s riches. However, if something does happen and you need to file a claim on your collision or comprehensive insurance coverage, then your insurance payment premiums would have saved you oodles of dough compared to if you were paying out of your own bank account.
Why don’t you call your Georgia and ask him to help you weigh the benefits of the car insurance company’s offers and how it will affect your finances personally
Tags: auto insurance, collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage
By author on November 20th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I just bought my first car here in Georgia. Can you give me any tips or pointers on how to choose the best auto insurance company?
Angela
Columbus, GA
Hello, Angela. Choosing which auto insurance company to have is a very difficult task. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for one.
Be sure to check if the best auto insurance company has a license to operate here in Georgia. Not all auto insurance companies have the license to operate in all states. Contact the state insurance department to verify this. And then, of course, compare premium rates. Shop around for the best auto insurance company in Georgia. Different insurance companies offer different premium rates and discounts. You may even consider online auto insurance. Make sure that the auto insurance company you will consider is financially solid. You need to be sure that the company will be around for a long time to be able to cover you when you need coverage. Again, you can go online to research. There are independent websites that provide performance ratings for the best insurance companies. Check the insurance company’s service. You need to be sure that their agents or representatives are competent enough to provide you maximum assistance. The insurance company or the agent should be readily available to provide you with answers and benefits. Be comfortable with the auto insurance company you are going to choose. Make sure that the agent or company is easily accessible if you have a question or need to file a claim.
Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company
By author on November 9th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
There are just so many auto insurance companies out here in Atlanta Georgia. How can I tell if I choose the right one?
Eva
Atlanta, GA
Hi Eva, you’re right! It is quite a challenge to choose when there are so many to choose from. I can’t say which automotive insurance company is the right one, but I can give you some tips so you can choose which one is the best fit for you.
First of all, you may want to gather some quotes from different providers. There are quite a number of sites on the internet which will gladly give you free insurance quotes from various automobile insurance companies. You will most likely have to fill in a form with your details. Once you have your quotes, you will now be able to assess which companies are able to give you coverage within your budget. Choose the most affordable one which will give you ample coverage. Remember, cheaper is not necessarily always better. You may get an insurance with a cheaper premium but will leave you hanging once an accident happens giving you more out of pocket expenses. It would also be good to check their financial ratings as this will tell you their ability to shell out the cash in case something happens. Another tip is to head to your local automobile repair center in Atlanta, Georgia. These shops deal with insurers often and will be able to tell you which ones have the best customer service, and where it is easier to claim if the need arises.
Tags: auto insurance, Car Insurance Company
By author on November 7th, 2008
Reader’s Question:
I am required to obtain SR22 insurance and I was told by the car insurance company that I need to make a payment for six months up front and they said this is according to the Georgia Law. Is this correct?
Bryan
Augusta, GA
If you are required to get an SR22 then you will need to show proof an up front payment for a period of six months of SR22 insurance. The SR22 insurance must be carried for a period of 3 years
Future proof of insurance certificates (SR22/SR22A) are required in cases of:
- Habitual Violator with a probationary license (SR22)
- Unsatisfied judgment (SR22A).
The liability insurance policy does not provide absolute auto insurance coverage and you may be required to carry this for a period of six months, 1 year or 3 years and this depends on different circumstances. If an SR22 insurance is not premium finance the department considers the auto insurance policy to be in full payment. If the car insurance policy is terminated or canceled before normal lapse, the next SR22 filing must be issued on a policy full payment which carries a new policy number.
Tags: auto insurance, sr22 insurance
By fashun on March 3rd, 2008
Reader question:
I’m joining the army, so I’ve been looking for a Northeast Cobb GA auto insurance quote online, but haven’t been able to find anything that can really help. Can you point me in the right direction?
Juan
Well, Juan…
I don’t want to play favorites, but in my opinion, GEICO is the best bet for the new (and used) soldier. I don’t know how long you’ll be training before you ship out, or if you’ll ship out at all, but aside from a nice little military discount whatever you do in those boots, GEICO adds a little more to the stack when you need to be deployed.
Most of the rest of us have to pay for all of our coverage whether we’re using our car or not, but if you’re being deployed, then GEICO can give you a Northeast Cobb GA auto insurance quote online…just for comprehensive. No liability, no nothin’ for while you have your car in storage.
It gets better (if you want to think of it that way) if you’re deployed into a danger area, like Iraq or Afghanistan. You get another 25% discount on top of everything else.
take care and good luck,
Fashun.
By fashun on March 3rd, 2008
Reader question:
The cheapest Marietta GA auto insurance quote is best, yes/no? Just checking.
Gloria
HOLD UP, Gloria.
Don’t answer for me, yeesh. Yeah, the cheapest Marietta GA auto insurance quote is ideal, but best? Not always. You have to have some standards, Gloria! After all, I could have bought the cheapest car, but it would have had some suspicious dark stains in the trunk…But that’s another story.
There are more things than just the Marietta GA auto insurance quote that go into the purchase of a car insurance policy. See, a company may claim to give you a nice quote, but not have anything to back it up with, which is why you need to check sites like Standard and Poor’s to make sure that your car insurance company isn’t teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.
…keep reading. You also gotta swing by the GA department of insurance website (here) and look up how Cheap Marietta GA Auto Insurance Quote Company is doing on complaints. If it ain’t pretty, it ain’t worth it.
take care,
Fashun.
By fashun on March 3rd, 2008
Reader question:
What kind of car gets you the best Macon GA car insurance quote?
Albert
Hi, Albert.
No car? Okay, in a perfect world, we could all teleport to work. But in this dimension, there are a few qualities a car can have that can secure it a decent Macon Ga car insurance quote. Think about ‘em before you buy it.
- Safety: this has a thousand different variables, from how heavily packed on the safety features are, to the crash test results, to the rate at which your make, model, and year have at fault claims filed for them.
- Size: this kind of ties into safety. See, a big car is a monster because it’s going to crush the tiny little cars beneath it, thus causing more damage, injury, death, broken nails, and liability claims. On the flip side, the tiny car is a defenseless egg and if it crashes with anyone bigger, then you will be crushed, causing more collison claims. Ultimately, go for the car that’s juuuust riiiight.
- Popularity: not only does having a popular car take away from your cool factor (it’s like going to work and finding out someone else is wearing the same outfit–ew), but it also makes it more likely that someone is going to steal it, which makes your Macon GA car insurance quote go up.
take care,
Fashun.
