Rich Schferren: I live in Massachusetts and was surcharged for an auto insurance accident ? I drive a Toyota. How do I get a low auto insurance rate if I compare auto insurance quotes?

Save $ Compare auto insurance
Response : You will definetly save $$ once you learn the why, how and when to compare auto insurance quotes. However,here is some great news for you. In case you were driving one of the Toyota which has been recalled than you can appeal against the surcharge. This is because the fault lies in the vehicle and you were not at fault.

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance will expand the appeal process for some drivers of Toyota vehicles who received an at-fault determination from their insurance company after an accident, and thus received a surcharge. The consumer alert issued by the insurance department said the decision was made in light of the recent recall of certain Toyota models due to unintended acceleration. At-fault appeals will be allowed if an owner of a Toyota received a recall notice and was involved in an accident, or if an owner has already appealed his or her at-fault determination and lost. A request for a re-hearing or initial appeal must be filed within 60 days from the notice of the recall or the date of the consumer alert, issued Jan. 29.

You will have to prove the vehicle involved in the accident is one of the models recalled by Toyota and that the accident was related to acceleration problems in the recall notice, the insurance department said. A $50 fee is required if an appeal has not been previously filed.

This is because Toyota said Jan. 21 it was recalling about 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific models. Several days later, Toyota suspended the sales of eight models. The Massachusetts DOI said the recall also covers several Lexus models and the Pontiac Vibe.

The top five writers of private passenger auto insurance in Massachusetts last year, according to BestLink, which provides online access to A.M. Best’s Global Insurance & Banking Database, were: Commerce Group, with a 31% market share; Safety Group, with 11.1%; Arbella Insurance Group, with 9.3%; Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., with 8.5%; and MetLife Auto & Home Group, with 6.5%.

Thus my advice to you or any of your friends who drives a Toyota and was surcharged if in an accident last year in a model that has been recalled, compare auto insurance quotes afterwards., first file your appeal and reduce your surcharge on the auto insurance.

Happy motoring

Compare auto insurance quote-California

Latest News
The Californians for Fair Auto Insurance rates, which is a collation of Insurance Rates, a coalition of consumer advocates, businesses, taxpayer advocates and insurers, has issued a statement in response to the opposition of the Continuous coverage auto discount act . This is a new act which is going to the ballots in June 2010.
As per the statement given by Kathy Fairbanks, a representative of the Fair Auto Insurance rates : Continuous Coverage Auto insurance discount act” will in fact encourage competition and choice in the auto insurance market. It is in favor of 80% of the drivers, who are buying continuous auto insurance coverage as mandated by the law. This law will reward these auto insurance drivers who have maintained their insurance. They would now be able to go online or to any agent and shop for lower auto insurance prices because they can get higher auto insurance discounts for having continuous auto insurance, once this is allowed and implemented.
“California’s regulatory and rate-setting environment is completely different from Nevada’s or any other state’s. In fact, current California law mandates that your driving safety record, miles driven annually and years of driving experience be the top three factors in determining auto insurance premiums. Nevada has no such requirements.
“Comparing California to Nevada is like comparing apples to oranges.
“The Continuous Coverage Auto Insurance Discount Act will mean more competitive auto insurance rates, more choice for consumers and lower auto insurance premiums. That’s why it’s endorsed by groups like Consumers First, Consumers Coalition of California, Citizens Against Regulatory Excess, California Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Action Committee, League of United Latin American Citizens, California Taxpayer Protection Committee and many more.
With the recession and especially since California’s economy has been affected with a slower recovery, any options to compare auto insurance quotes, online and to be able to get low car insurance rates would be a welcome move.

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Mark Ling : I like to compare auto insurance quotes online and do get good low auto insurance quotes. Are there any changes in the distracted driving regulations in USA for 2010.

Distracted driving and low auto insurance quotes :
Response : It is nice to know that you compare auto insurance quotes online and are able to obtain low auto insurance quotes. If you try here at compareautoinsurancequote411.com you will be able to get low auto insurance quotes. Yes, you are right about the new driving regulations in USA which will come into effect from Jan 1 2010. You should appreciate that the Insurance companies and the insurance institiute encourage and support the regulations since this will help in minimizing the claims.

Here are the latest news on distracted driving from the Insurance Institutute ” Illinois, Kansas, New Hampshire and Oregon will bring in the new year with new state laws aimed at cracking down on distracted driving, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI).

Of the four states with stronger laws regarding cell phone use and texting that take effect Jan. 1, 2010, Oregon goes the farthest by banning the use of hand held devices and texting for all drivers. The new law in Oregon also prohibits people under age 18 from using any type of cell phone while driving.

Illinois is placing new restrictions on hand held devices and bans their use in construction and school zones.

Kansas is implementing a ban on all cell phone use and texting for young drivers who have learner’s permits and intermediate licenses.

New Hampshire is banning texting for all drivers.

“These four states are joining a growing number states and localities that are implementing or strengthening restrictions on cell phone use and texting,” said Robert Passmore, senior director of personal lines for PCI. “In 2009, 17 states implemented or strengthened cell phone and texting laws.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured. Research also shows that the worst offenders are the youngest and least experienced drivers: men and women under 20 years of age.

As per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there are statewide bans on driving while talking on a hand-held cell phone seven states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) and the District of Columbia.

The use of all cell phones by novice drivers is restricted in 21 states and the District of Columbia.

Text messaging is banned for all drivers in 19 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, novice drivers are banned from texting in nine states (Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas, and West Virginia)

You will agree with me that these regulations will go a long way in reducing auto accidents and hence would give you low auto insurance rates.
Happy 2010.
Kamlesh

Ken White : Does the auto insurance rate increase inspite of road accidents due to weather conditions or road conditions?

Response : Ken, unfortunately the truth is that once you have an auto accident under your poolicy your auto insurance rate is going to increase and your auto insurance premium will increase. The weather and road conditions do play an important part in car accidents, however, the insurance company would fiannly attribute the auto accident to your driving skills.

If you want to have low auto insurance rate than you will have to develop great driving skills as per the requirement of the area in which you normally reside or leave. The insurance companies have conducted a number of studies which prove that your driving skills paly an important part in giving you a low auto insurance rate. if you a good driver, not aggressive, you follow the rules and take the precautions required as per the road or weather conditions, you will get a low auto insurance premium. Once you develop this skills like how to drive in a storm, on icy roads or in harsh winter condtions.

Fortunately now the state departments, media and weather departments offer a lot of help and imporvement in road conditions which has decreased the auto insurance fatality. As per the latest news for example from Alabama Gov. Bob Riley is crediting state efforts for driving down the number of highway deaths in Alabama.
Officials are anticipating a 35 percent decrease since 2006 in the number of state trooper-investigated highway deaths in the state.Riley says the decline represents about 300 people.

Beginning in 2006, several state agencies have focused on areas where there were a large number of fatal crashes. The result was a campaign that included a series of safety blitzes and road improvements.Alabama troopers have investigated 518 highway fatalities this year. Riley said that’s down from about 800 in 2006.

Hence you need not worry about this. Low auto insurance rates can be obtained once you drive safely, pay attention to the news on weather conditions and the state goverment plays its role in improving the raod conditions. You can also compare auto insurance rates for low auto insurance at this blog compareautoinsurancequote411.com for free. Read my other articles on this blog for a low car insurance rate.

Happy Motoring.
Kamlesh

Amit : What are the new changes in Michigan auto insurance. Would it make any difference in online auto insurance quotes for this state when one tries to get low auto insurance rates?

Response : Just recently as on the 17th December 2009, The House passed a portion of a bill package focused which according to the insurance industry will have disastrous consequences on auto insurance costs and the stability of the insurance market, including a prohibition on credit-based insurance scoring.

Now let me explain this to you in more details. As per the bill, the insurance companies will not be permitted to have a credit based rating. This would be an advantage for the customer since now they can go for online auto insurance quotes without anything to worry about and get multiple quotes since their credit score is not at all affected. Now to be very honest it is a myth that your credit score is affected and please see my post on credit rating and online auto insurance.

The insurance companies are not happy with this since now they will not be able to use the credit based rating system. As per the insurance companies the credit based rating helped them in giving low auto insurance to the clients. Credit-based insurance scoring has been shown to benefit consumers because it allows them to secure lower insurance costs. In Michigan, credit-based insurance scoring is used only to provide discounts for insurance customers. Credit-based insurance scores are not used in Michigan to apply a surcharge or to determine whether a person can be insured by the company. And despite the economy, credit scores are staying stable.

Auto and homeowner insurers doing business in Michigan have formed a coalition, Protecting Michigan’s Future, to defeat this misguided, anti-consumer legislation; promote comprehensive, cost-saving reform solutions; provide information to policymakers for making sound public policy decisions; and set the record straight on insurance practices.

My own recommondation to you is to go for online auto insurance quotes, you will get low car insurance rates for sure and find what suits you best with the online quotes without having to worry about any privacy information since this is free and the insurance companies should abide to the privacy acts.