Tiger Kenedy : Why should one compare auto insurance quotes with differnet dedutibles?

Compare auto insurance quotes with different deductibles is a good idea.

Response : It is a very good idea to compare auto insurance quotes using different deductibles and this can be done really easily. Let me give you examples to make it absolutely clear as to what is the effect of different deductibles on the auto insurance quotes. First let us understand what a deductible is.

What is an Auto Insurance Deductible?
A deductible is the amount of money you are responsible for paying in the event of a physical damage claim on your vehicle. The insurance company pays for the cost greater than the deductible to repair your car. If the total cost to repair the damage to your car is less than the deductible, you are responsible for paying for all the repair costs.

Secondly, deductibles are only paid for physical damage claims for your vehicle, not liability claims. So if you are found liable (at fault) for damage to another person’s car or injury to another person in an accident, you DO NOT have to pay a deductible.

Likewise let me also clarify that comparing different deductibles is a good idea only if you are going to take the own damage coverage of the auto. Incase you are not opting for own damage or comprhensive coverage which is another name given to this, than there is no use comparing deductibles and this option would not be given online.

There are several deductible amounts you can choose when selecting an insurance policy. The amount generally ranges between $250 and $1,000. Generally, a higher deductible will lower your insurance rate. You should choose the highest deductible you can afford. Keep in mind that the deductible is paid each time a separate claim is filed. The deductible amount is the amonut that you will have to bear each time you report an auto insurance claim. If you report three damages or place three claims in a year, you will have to pay three deductibles.

Example 1: Frank has a $1000 deductible for the physical damage coverage for his car. Frank crashes his car with a neighbours fence causing $3,000 in damage to his car. Frank would be responsible for paying the first $1000 to repair his car. Frank’s insurance company would pay the additional $2,000. It’s important to note that the cost to repair the neighbor’s fence would be covered by Frank’s liability coverage.

Example 2: Allison has a $250 deductible for the physical damage coverage for her car. Allison accidentally backs into her neighbor’s mailbox at a slow rate of speed, causing only $100 damage to fer car and no damage to the neighbor’s mailbox. Since Allison’s deductible is $250, she is responsible for all the repair costs associated with the accident. Her insurance company would only pay for damage in excess of $250.

Remember, the number of claims you file is held against you in the form of additional cost for insurance in the future. Also, insurers may sometimes choose to non-renew your policy after the initial policy term is up based on your previous filing claims. Circumstances can vary greatly, but it is a good idea to pay for all small damages to your vehicle with your own money.

It would be smart to opt for a higher deductible if you are a good driver and so you can save on your auto insurance premium and would get a low auto insurance rate or premium.

Happy Motoring.
thanks.
Kamlesh

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Julie Perry : I am constantly hearing that you need to compare auto insurance quotes, can you tell me what collision insurance is and how to compare this between different insurance companies.

Response : Julie, yes, I know that every blog post or online article is screaming the headline “Compare auto insurance” or Compare car insurance” and so any person would naturally think that this is just a way for the marketer to make money or to get information of the client. Believe me, this information can be easily got in many other ways. However, this is a great tip which is over used, but a good one since it can save you money. What is more only the customer is most aware of what he or she wants and therefore you should be educated? I honestly believe that just like driving lessons, the basics of car insurance should be taught to each individual.

Well, let me explain collision insurance. Collision insurance is an important own damage coverage for auto insurance.This is for your car. Supposing you buy a new car, go for your business meeting and park your car in your client’s premises. Someone in the parking lot collides with your car and damages it. This is when collision coverage will pay you for the damages. In its simplest definition, collision auto insurance protects the driver financially in the event of an auto accident that causes damage to one’s auto. Auto insurance pays for damages incurred to the car in a collision, minus deductible. Collision would also pay if you collide with another car or auto. Remember that pothole damage to your car is also considered collision damage. For collision there will be a minimum deductible amount and if you want to waive this you will have to pay a higher premium.

Collision auto insurance can cover a wide range of circumstances. For example, damage to one’s car as the result of striking a telephone pole, driving into a cement pillar in an underground parking lot, or a hit and run accident while the car is parked in a parking lot.

Julie, all insurance companies will have the same coverage for collision auto insurance but the only thing that you need to compare for this coverage is the auto insurance rates and discounts for opting for higher deductible. The second important thing you need to pay attention is and compare auto insurance policy is for the condition of settlement of claim for collison since this might differ from each company. Some settle on actual cash loss basis while some settle on market value basis.

I am sure now you do not hate the words “compare auto insurance quote or compare auto insurance rates, or compare auto insurance coverage and fully understand what they mean.
Thanks.
Kamlesh.

Mark Ling : Thanks Kamlesh, that was a good explanation on rental car insurance. However, I have another question – what happens if there is a property damage?

Response : This is a very intersting question and a much debated issue even in our insurance world. The comparison of car rental insurance for physical damage is interesting, however I would like to talk about the present version of this coverage. Let is compare auto insurance coverage on rental car.
As per the prevaling car insurance regulations, if you have physical damage coverage or PAP coverage on one auto than when you rent a car it would cover the physical damages but you will have to pay the deductible amount on this which is as per your PAP – auto insurance policy. Presently the coverage for nonowned cars moved back to physical damage (where it still is today), thus requiring PAP insureds to carry such coverage on at least one car and to pay their own deductible in order to have physical damage coverage for a nonowned car. The insurance company is not happy with this since their exposure has doubled. They are liable for the car you own and also the non-owned car you drive. The rental companies no longer carry physical damage on their fleets, the PAP insurer is now responsible for the difference between the insured’s deductible and the amount of damage to the rental car—up to the value of the car.
In 1989, an exclusion regarding damage to rented cars was added to the PAP. That exclusion removes coverage (including coverage for loss of use) if the rental company is not allowed by state law or the rental agreement to collect for a loss. Under previous editions of the PAP, the rental company could collect under the named insured’s PAP even if the insured was not legally responsible for the loss, such as in the case of hail damage to the rented car. This exclusion was added to prevent the rental company from collecting under the named insured’s PAP in such situations.
The golden nugget for you here is that you should compare auto insurance coverage and see that you are covered under your auto insurance policy for the physical damage and this will follow you when you drive a rental car. So review car insurance coverage and as long as you have all the coverages, do not worry.

Happy holidays.

Thanks.
Kamlesh