Do You Need Used Car Insurance?

It is required by law to carry auto insurance on any type of automobile whether it be new or used. Some people think some used cars are so old and cheap that they do not need to get it replaced if it's in an accident. But it's important to understand that auto insurance is not only to protect replacing the damaged car. It's also required to help cover health costs from injuries and to ensure you can fix the other person's car if the accident is deemed your fault.

The minimum amount of coverage a driver must carry varies from state to state and is known as the "Financial Responsibility Limit" for your particular state. This isn't necessarily the best way to gauge how much coverage you need, but it's helpful to know what the minimum amount is in case that's all you can afford. All states require that you have a certain level of liability insurance to pay for bodily injuries to yourself and other victims of the accident.

The good news is that used car insurance is often less expensive than car insurance for a newer car. Used cars are generally less expensive to repair and replace so this can translate to lower car insurance quotes from various insurers. If the car is too old though it can have the opposite effect if the car is deemed unsafe. As always, shop around to ensure you are getting the best deal on your used car insurance policy.

Auto Insurance Affected by Gas Prices

Rising gas prices may end up affecting auto insurance rates. According to the article "Will Rising Gas Prices Cause a Small-Car Book?" by Jonathan Welsh on The Wall Street Journal, people are looking to more fuel-efficient cars as gas prices creep up.

A similar trend happened in 2008 when demand increased so many for smaller cars and hybrids that used car prices were matching that of newer cars. Used car insurance and car insurance for smaller vehicles is typically cheaper so consumers who go this route are saving money on numerous fronts.

Americans in general associate smaller, more efficient cars with tougher economic times so overall car makers wait for higher gas prices or an economic downturn to push the sale of their smaller cars.

Kelley Blue Book, which keeps track of resale values and other industry data through a Market Intelligence survey, reports that economic struggles and the growing concern over gas prices pushes new and used-car owner to proactively change the type of car they are driving. In February, their survey showed that 81% of car shoppers were influenced by gas prices which shows the power of these prices in the market place.

Understanding a Used Car's History

It is critical in today's economic environment to ensure you are not getting scammed, and purchasing a car should be no different. Many consumers are looking to used cars for many reasons such as they are generally cheaper, used car insurance is often less expensive and with cars being made so well today, used cars can run great and for a long period of time. But there are sellers out there trying to sell lemons to do your homework.

Larry Gamache of CARFAX says there are millions of cars on the road today with open recalls that have not been attended to. According to the article "Learn A Used Car's History Before You Buy" by Stephanie Wilson on WUSA9.com, consumers should insist that a mechanical inspection be completed before purchasing a car. In addition, they should order a car report from a trusted company such as CARFAX and get information on the VIN number. If there is an open recall on a car, the manufacturer must repair it at no cost to you so it's definitely worth your time to ensure the car is safe.

Jack Gillis from Consumer Federation of America and the author of The Car Book, says the best way to find a deal on a used car and know for sure what it has been through is to buy it from a trusted friend. Since this isn't always an option following the few steps mentioned above will hopefully prevent you from buying a car that may be unsafe.

State Farm Car Insurance Quotes

If you are shopping around for State Farm car insurance quotes, it's helpful to understand what goes into determining the price they give you. Factors vary slightly from company to company but most car insurance companies consider the same factors when determining individual rates.

One factor is the type of coverage you purchase. The more comprehensive, usually the more expensive. What type of car you drive is also an important factor as well as where you drive. If you drive a lot your quote may be higher and along the same line, if you drive small amounts you will probably get a lower quote on your car insurance.

Age, gender and marital status are all considered when calculating a rate. Studies show these factors affect the riskiness of drivers. Driving record is obviously very important and more recently credit rating is used in the equation. Studies have shown that credit history is a strong predictor of future car insurance losses. For more information on what goes into a car insurance quote visit State Farm's website and get a State Farm car insurance quote to see if they may save you money.

Compare Car Insurance: Which Cars Are Cheapest to Insure

There is a new report found on MSN’s Money Central web page which lists the most and least expensive cars to insure for 2010. This information is helpful to have as you compare car insurance to use for comparison. Having an idea of where cars rank in insurance costs can prove very beneficial.

First on their list for the most expensive car to insure in the CAR category is the Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 2-door coupe with 6 cylinders which has an average premium of $2943.78. The next car on the list is the Mercedes S65 AMG 4-door sedan with 12 cylinders at $2863.03. The 3rd most expensive auto is the Porsche Panamera Turbo AWD 4-door sedan with 8 cylinders with an average rate of $2837.39.

The cheapest car to insure is the Dodge Caliber SXT 4-door hatchback with 4 cylinders with an average rate of $1192.85. Next on the list is the Dodge Caliber 4-door hatchback with 4 cylinders at $1196.21 and the 3rd least expensive auto is the Volkswagen Golf GLS 4-door hatchback with 4 cylinders at $1196.39 based on this report.

Keep this information handy as you shop around for car insurance. An educated consumer saves more money, so it's definitely worth your time to keep up on reports such as this.

State Farm Insurance Quote Lower from Safe Driving

State Farm has a press release on their website entitled "State Farm Offers Safe Driving Tips for the Holidays" which covers some basic steps for safety on the road.

According to the article, over 400 people died and 6400 were injured in car crashes during Thanksgiving in 2008. State Farm is looking to reduce this scary statistic. If you are a safer driver it may actually end up lowering your State Farm insurance quote. Some tips may seem obvious, but it's amazing how many people do not follow these guidelines. Always buckle your seat belt, avoid risky distractions such as texting while driving, get adequate amount of sleep before you hit the road and do not eat while you drive. These are all common causes of accidents.

State Farm car insurance quotes take into consideration your driving record and the less accidents and tickets you have on your record the better. It's also important to consider that when you are partaking in risk behavior on the road you are not only putting your life at risk, but the passengers and other people out on the road are at risk as well.

State Farm Insurance Keeping Us Healthy

State Farm Insurance, which carries different forms of insurance, including auto insurance and health insurance, is giving the nation a weight loss challenge. The challenge is to lose 50 million pounds collectively according to the article “Insurance agency challenges Americans to lose weight” on wqow.com.

State Farm Insurance agent Bob Johnson points out that the healthier you are the less likely you are to see a doctor which will eventually affect your insurance rates. Living a healthy lifestyle leads to a longer, higher quality life in addition to health insurance savings.

Registration can be completed online and participants are able to track their progress and obtain tips on how to start a healthier life. State Farm Insurance is offering a health kit which includes a pedometer and an information pamphlet. You can also obtain a State Farm insurance quote online.