How To Get The Best Rates On Automobile Insurance In Maryland
How To Get The Best Rates On Automobile Insurance In Maryland
Everyone wants to get the best rate on automobile insurance in Maryland. And it’s no wonder since everyone who drives an automobile on any public road in Maryland is required by state law to carry liability insurance, uninsured motorist (UM) insurance as well as personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.
Failure to carry at least the minimum insurance required under Maryland state law carries severe penalties, including but not limited to the revocation of your car’s registration plus the confiscation of your car’s license plates. Additional penalties may be imposed by the courts.
Fortunately there are ways for you to keep the cost of your automobile insurance under control.
Start with your own driving habits. If you speed or drive when intoxicated or while under the influence of any illegal substances and you are caught you can expect your automobile insurance rates to go sky high and you will have no one to blame but yourself.
If you are under 25 years of age you can save money every month on your car insurance by staying in school and maintaining at least a “B” grade point average. “B” students are rewarded with a Good Student Discount on their automobile insurance.
Drivers who are 55 years and older may get some relief from high automobile insurance premiums by passing a driver’s refresher course. Check with your insurance agent to see if your insurance company has such a program. Many do.
If you only drive a few miles per week talk to your agent about a limited use discount. If you primarily use your vehicle only for shopping, doctor visits and similar local errands then you may be entitled to a considerable savings on your insurance.
If your vehicle is old or has little or no Kelly Blue Book value then you may be wise to cancel your collision and comprehensive coverage. Canceling these two coverages can save you considerably on your monthly premiums, although you need to be aware that if you should have a claim the cost for repairing your vehicle will come solely from your own pocket.
If it makes economic sense, increase your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money that you will be responsible for any time you have a claim. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly automobile insurance premiums will be.
Now that you have a good idea of the various factors which can contribute to a lower automobile insurance premium, it’s time for you to get online and start comparing different policies and prices at different insurance companies. Fortunately there are literally dozens of websites that make such comparisons a breeze.
If you truly want to get the best rates on automobile insurance in Maryland you really need to fill out the form on at least 2 and preferably 3 different comparison websites. In this way you can be more assured that you will be seeing the rates of all automobile insurance companies that are licensed in the state of Maryland.
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Ditch The Cell Phone And Lower Automotive Insurance Rates – It Will Save You Money
In today’s world, you can look just about anywhere and see at least one person talking on a cell phone; sadly, the road is no exception. More and more drivers are taking to the roads with cell phones to their ears; as a result these drivers are causing a greater risk for automobile accidents. Of course, we all know the consequence of increased automobile accidents ? increased automotive insurance.
Despite the statistics conveying the relationship between drivers using cell phones and a percentage of automobile accidents, many drivers continue to chat while driving, and many of those drivers will be involved with another driver who is using a cell phone will driving. When you’re involved in an automotive accident, regardless of the cause, your automotive insurance rates usually increase. If you are at fault and it’s determined you were using a cell phone at the time of the accident? Let’s just say your automotive insurance company won’t be happy.
If you are one of the drivers who likes to gossip using your cell phone while driving, stop. Nothing is so important that you must risk your life, and the lives of others, in order to tell your best friend, your significant other, or your sister or brother. Even if you’re a parent and, while on your way home from work, remember you must tell your spouse to pick up the kids from school ? pull over.
If you are a parent with teens who are driving, or almost ready to drive, instill the responsible habit of not using a cell phone while driving. They are even less experienced drivers than their elders, and don’t need the extra distraction.
Remember, practicing the safe driving habit of not using a cell phone will driving will not only help you lower, or keep low, your automotive insurance rates, but it will also help you keep yourself, and others, from being seriously injured and even killed.
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Deciding Whether To Buy Or Lease Your Next Automobile
Buying a car is a huge purchase, usually second only to buying a house. With most new cars and trucks costing $20,000 to $30,000, before you shop, you should definitely do a little homework. One of the most frequently asked questions by those interested in buying a new car is whether to buy or lease, here are some tips.
What is Leasing?
Before you decide whether or not to lease a new car, it is important to understand what the term “lease” means. Leasing is when one rents a new car (or sometimes a used car) for a long period of time. Most leases are offered for periods of 2 to 4 years. It should also be noted that in some cases (e.g. luxury vehicles) a six month lease can be available. Instead of buying a car, you in effect rent the vehicle, which at the end of the lease must be returned or in many instances you can purchase the vehicle at a special price from the dealer.
The Advantages of Leasing a Car
The biggest advantage of leasing a car is that in most cases your monthly payment for the vehicle will be less than buying it. When you buy a vehicle, your bank loan reflects the entire purchase price, plus tax. When you lease a vehicle, your monthly payments only reflect the amount or value of the vehicle that you use. For instance, if you lease a $20,000 car for three years, the dealership will charge you the value of the vehicle for those three years. Since most vehicles lose about 50% of their worth in the first three years, your monthly payments over three years will usually only reflect that $10,000 that you used of the vehicle, making your payments substantially lower than if you purchased the car with a three year loan- your payments for those three years would be twice as much.
Another advantage to leasing is that in many cases, your lease payments can be fully or partially tax deductible. For instance, if you use the vehicle for business you should be able to deduct some of the costs of owning the car each year when you file your taxes. It is important to note that you should talk to an accountant before leasing to see exactly what your tax deductions can be (if any).
Disadvantages to Leasing a Car
While leasing might sound like a great idea, it is definitely not for everyone. One of the biggest reasons most customers do not lease their car is that at the end of the lease, they do not own it. Leasing a car is temporary, after the leasing period is over, you will need to give back your vehicle. For many customers, paying large car payments month after month and having nothing to show for it at the end of the lease agreement is definitely not a good deal. If you are the type of person that likes to drive a new car every couple of years, then leasing might be attractive, but for those that want their own car for five years or more, forget about the leasing option.
Another disadvantage to leasing a car is that there can be many hidden fees involved with leasing, for instance, most leases have a small mileage allowance. For instance, if you lease a car, expect an allowance of about 12,000 miles per year, anything more and you will have to pay a penalty. If you drive 15,000 or 20,000 miles a year, you may have to pay $.10, $.15 or even $.25 extra per mile. In addition, when you return your vehicle, you may also have to pay fees for wear and tear, dents, any accessories such as radios you have installed in the vehicle, etc.
While leasing can be attractive for many car shoppers, it is not for everyone, make sure you do your homework to determine whether or not leasing is for you.
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