Compare Car Insurance: JD Power Auto Insurance Rankings

When you decide it's time to compare car insurance quotes it's useful to have has many tools at your fingertips as possible. JD Power recently released their 2009 National Auto Insurance Study which ranks various auto insurance companies in a variety of categories.

The categories include overall satisfaction, contacting the insurer, policy offerings, billing and payment, and pricing. Amica Mutual auto insurance received the overall JD Power Award for ranking the best overall in the categories.

Each company receives a score based on the legend with 4 different rankings. The rankings include 'among the best', 'better than most', 'about average', and 'the rest'. The JD Power Consumer Center Ratings may not have all the information and data used to determine JD Power and Associates Award. Visit the JD Power website for more detailed information on various auto insurance companies and their rankings.

California DOI: Auto Insurance Changes Coming

The California DOI may need to update their records as a possible major change is coming to California auto insurance. California auto insurance agents are supporting Proposition 17 which is looking to extend a discount to millions of drivers who are currently forced to pay much more each year if they decide to switch auto insurance companies. This is according to the article on sfgate.com by Mike D'Arelli entitled "Insurance Changes Would Help 80% of Drivers".

Prop 17 wants to fix the current issue of rewarding those who keep continuous coverage, but not including those who have continuous coverage but switch insurance companies. By changing insurers, California drivers are no longer eligible for this discount, and supporters of Prop 17 see this as unfair.

With Prop 17 passing it will increase competition among auto insurance companies and provide drivers in California with more choices and more freedom to shop around for better rates. It looks to benefit about 80% of drivers who follow the law and keep continuous coverage.

There are also some other provisions in Prop 17 looking to protect consumers during tough, economic times. The proposition will also help to protect military men and women who have to halt auto insurance coverage because they are deployed. These changes, if implemented, will help keep the playing field fair and save many drivers a lot of money.

State Farm Insurance Quote: Asking Toyota to Pay Claims

According to the article "State Farm Asks Toyota to Repay Acceleration Claims" by Sharon Silke Carty on USAToday.com, State Farm Auto Insurance has asked Toyota to repay them for any accidents related to uncontrolled acceleration in Toyota recalled cars. They have already paid for these claims and want to be reimbursed.

Mark Bunim, an attorney with Case Closure, says that other auto insurance companies are expected to follow State Farm's lead and demand repayment of paid claims. This could end up costing Toyota between $20 million to $30 million. It may have also affected a State Farm Insurance quote received by individuals shopping around for auto insurance. State Farm intends to ensure Toyota is held accountable.

Toyota has recalled 7.7 million cars in two recalls related to sudden and uncontrolled acceleration, one causes by a floor mat getting stuck, and one caused by a sticking pedal. The US government has officially fined Toyota the maximum $16.4 million for going against the five day deadline of reporting the defective pedals. This situation just seems to be getting worse for Toyota as more issues are arising continuously.

Healthy Indiana Plan Affected By Health Care Reform

Many health insurance providers and special state programs will be affected by health care reform in some way. This includes two well known plans, Healthy Indiana Plan and Washington Basic. This does not need to be a cause for concern though. Health care reform is designed to help as many Americans as possible have affordable health insurance.

There are some important timelines that Americans should be aware of in regards to when health care reform will take place. Within one year the new bill will be offering a $250 rebate for Medicare prescription drug plans for those whose benefits have run out. 90 days after the bill goes into effect there will be immediate access to high risk pools for those previously declined for pre-existing conditions. After 6 months of enactment, insurance companies will not be allowed deny coverage for those who get sick and they cannot deny children with any pre-existing conditions. This is a huge change that many will benefit from.

By the year 2014 most employers will have to offer health insurance to their employees. People who do not carry health insurance will face certain penalties. And by 2018, a 40% tax will be placed on high end health insurance policies. It won't be until 2019 that health insurance is extended to the promised 32 million people.