Edmunds Answers questions

Best insurance company for teen drivers?

glenwatkins — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:08:22 GMT

I need to get insurance for my teen. I'm sure my premiums will go through the roof. Do different insurance companies treat teen drivers better than others?

Car Rentals from Insurance Companies

andres3 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:20:07 GMT

I recall a few car rentals I received paid for my someone else's insurance company in my lifetime due to others' careless negligent driving. Since the accident was the other parties fault, of course their insurance company should provide you with a rental vehicle while your car is getting repaired/fixed/brought back to life.

I've noticed that it is always a hassle even with supposedly direct billing (it's not a true direct account), and getting them to pay for the rental seems to require a little assertiveness, pushing, shoving, and determination.

However, shouldn't an insurance company be obligated to loan you a "like-quality vehicle?" Everytime I've gotten a rental, it has been far less than equivalent quality, cost, comfort, and simply less car than I had before. For instance, the last time my car had to go in for repairs it was a 2003 Honda Accord LX V6 Coupe. First, they give me a 4 cylinder Malibu Classic, hardly comparable in any way, shape, or form, not even close. Second, I got a Buick LeSabre (hardly comparable, but at least it had a V6 engine like my Accord did). Secondly, even with that lesser car they didn't want to pay for the difference in cost from the Malibu switching to the LeSabre. I informed them that Enterprise claimed it was actually still 1 or 2 levels classified under my Accord V6. Still not equal, and I should get a like-vehicle. They backed-off of their request for me to partially pay the bill, and paid it themselves.

What is the rule on this?

Shady Dishonest Unethical Insurance Company's

andres3 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:46:53 GMT

Has anyone else out there dealt with truly dishonest, shady, deliberately unethical insurance companies? I was a bit young and unknowledgeable once upon a time and believed that Insurance companies existed to actually help people in times of crisis. Unfortunately, in my multiple (2 claims; yes, I should have learned my lesson after the first one) with Bristol West underwritten by Coast National Insurance and issued by agents at Eastwood Insurnace, I was unable to find a single employee that was competent, honest, straightforward, ethical, or helpful. Or if I did find such employee, they were instructed by management not to speak with me about my cases/claims. The employees chose the dispicable path and compromised their own ethics in order to listen to their bosses demands (and save their own hides and jobs I assume?).

The first claim was one where our vehicle purchased only 2 months earlier (used) was stolen. This means we had just joined this insurance company 2 months earlier (and the agent took photos of a perfectly in tact vehicle in good condition). It was recovered by a police stop/arrest about 2.5 weeks later but with significant body and paint damage. The slow appraisal process, the automatic pre-determined marking of "prior existing damage," so that you have to appeal the appraisal and then waste/stall 2 more weeks. So it was over 4 weeks (since the vehicle was recovered) until the vehicle was even approved properly and correctly for repair at their chosen body shop! Then the body shop did shady work.

Second claim was denied for uninsured property damage when an uninsured hit our car from the rear. They said we didn't have UMPD, but only UMBI. I stated that I had asked for the coverage of $3,500 on UMPD verbally in person twice, over the phone (3rd attempt), by fax (4th and final attempt) and they just had an admitted "examiner error" as they called it. So they claimed to have never added or charged me for UMPD, which is technically correct, but in CA they are required to provide it if it is asked for! I made 4 requests, and one of them was in writing with a fax confirmation (which of course I kept knowing how incompetent they were and something might happen in the future, which it did).

Are there other insurance companies out there like this, or did I just find the worst agents at Eastwood, the worst insurance company at Bristol West, and the worst underwrite in Coast National Insurance?

I was traveling straight on a green light, a car pulled out in front, i swerved and hit a curb, will i be covered

pratik0085 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:16:39 GMT

I was traveling straight on a green light, a car in the perpendicular lane (which had a red light) took the turn while i was half way in the intersection, i swerved left and hit a curb causing my left tires to go inward and i think my axel is broken. I was driving an 04' camry. Another driver behind me followed the red mini van that almost hit me and got the plate #. I filed a claim..but since the adjusters were gone for the weekend, i have to wait til monday...and this is driving me nuts. What are the chances that the insurance company will cover me? I either had the choice of being hit on the side of my car or running into a curb going 45mph on the street. I chose the curb.

Auto Insurance

sbeener8126 — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:02:01 GMT

Do you need insurance for a vehicle in storage? If so, what type of insurance is required? If not, why not?

Mandatory Auto Insurance

sbeener8126 — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:08:00 GMT

In what states is insurance mandatory?

Auto Theft

sbeener8126 — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:28:38 GMT

How will insurance help in case of auto theft? How can I go about getting insurance to ensure I will be covered in case of auto theft?

Salvaged Title

sbeener8126 — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:29:11 GMT

Are you able to insure a car if it has a salvaged title?

Rental Car Insurance

sbeener8126 — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:29:59 GMT

What is the deal with car insurance and rental cars?

Hit & Run Insurance

sbeener8126 — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:31:04 GMT

What can I do to insure myself if a hit and run was to occur? What type of insurance coverage can I get for these incidents before they might occur?

Safety Ratings

sbeener8126 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:22:34 GMT

How do auto insurance companies determine their safety ratings?

Body shop wants me to endorse the check over to them to pay for part on insurance claim. Should I?

noname8 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:42:03 GMT

Had a comprehensive claim. Hit a deer. The car is at the shop and they started pulling it apart and ordering parts. The shop wants me to endorse the check over to them to pay for the parts. $2300 in parts $4500 check from insurance company (which I and the body shop need to endorse to cash).

The work has barely been started and I can imagine MANY, MANY things that can go wrong with this scenario. Such as them taking 6 months to do the work. The shop going out of business. Not fixing the car to my satisfaction. The shop claims they'll just use the $2300 needed for parts and reimburse me the other $2200. I can see that check bouncing and i'll be out $4400, from my pocket.

The adjuster wasn't too helpful. He told me, 'you could do that, but I wouldn't.'

Is this something that comes up? I shouldn't give them anything at this point, should I?

which is a good insurance company ?

gman24 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:27:56 GMT

which companies are good ?

What is the cheapest insurance for a leased car

gman24 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:09:40 GMT

what is the cheapest insurance for a leased car?

Can I dispute with insurance company whether my vehicle is a total loss or not?

lucky1184 — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:08 GMT

Insurance company said they usually total at 70% damage. I have roughly a bit more than 75% and they still did not total it out. Is it possible for me to dispute it with the representative?

Liberty Mutual 50% cheaper than AAA?

manku — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:12:11 GMT

Long time AAA insurer (11 yrs), best rate IMO, 3300/yr for 2008 MBZ E350/2008 Audi A4 Cab 2.0...LM just offered me identical insurance for 50% less. 42yrs old.live in socal.

AAA great service, esp with claims (haven't had one in 5 yrs, knock on wood). I have no tickets either.

Is Liberty Mutual decent (seems to be OK, per Consumer Reports)? I'm having a difficult time figuring out why I shouldn't save 1600+ per year.

Thanks.

Is there a standard insurance rating system to compare & determine which of several cars would be the least expense to insure?

mitsugeo — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:34:26 GMT

Specifically, I am trying to determine the least expensive to insure of : 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 4cyl Sun & Sound (b02), 2009 Nissan Altima 2 door 4 cyl, or a 2008 Hyundai Tiburon.

Full converage

I have just changed my car insurance and saved £200. I have now recieved a demand for £130 from my last broker. Why?

bnavarro — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:49:03 GMT

can an insurance broker charge you for finding a better quote than them

I'm a medical liaison; part of my job is transporting clients to doctor's appointments. What type of insurance do I need?

odiewoof — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:31:58 GMT

My employer never told me I needed more insurance on my vehicle. Part of my responsibility is transporting clients to medical appointments in my personal car. I'm finding out several months later from individuals in other agencies that they pay a higher premium because they have to transport clients. Help!

Is insurance cheaper for convertibles?

nativetexan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:56:27 GMT

Is insurance really cheaper for convertibles?

I have researched insurance ratings on-line at State Farm and iihs.org. The Beetle, Solara, and Miata are rated very low in insurance LOSSES for all model years.

Do these ratings hold true and result in lower insurance premiums for actual owners?

Total Loss Settlement Question

bentonyue — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:43:03 GMT

I had an accident recently and my insurance company declared it as a total loss. It was a leased Mercedes, A week ago my insurance company, AAA sent me a written letter advising me of the settlement estimate. There is a significant shortfall between the estimate and the residual value of the vehicle. (About $7,000). My quesitions are:
1. Does Mercedes lease normally comes with a gap insurance paid by the dealer or by the lessee?
2. What is my recourse and actions I need to take to approach the insurance company?
What are my rights as the insured.
The policy clearly states the insurance company is reposible for the the replacement value of the vehicle.
3. Will the settlement in any way affects my policy with AAA. Will they have any rights to drop me?
I have been a member with AAA for over 32 years.

Should I be worried about my car insurance through AIG? Will it still be good if the company goes broke?

auhonda — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:11:06 GMT

We have two cars insured with AIG and I don't know what would happen if the Company goes Bankrupt. I don't want to dump them if I don't have to because of the good rates we get from them.
Thank You, Susan

Auto insurance. Moved from MA to KY. Driving record and policy conversion question.

markspinosa — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:15:10 GMT

I moved from MA to KY. My current auto policy was purchased / written in MA. I have been living in KY over 30 days. There was an incident that occurred in KY shortly after the move (not at fault) that has delayed my policy conversion / vehicle registration in KY.

Meanwhile, I've been receiving auto quotes from major companies. They're about 2x higher (or more) than what I currently pay for my MA policy. After talking to several people, here are the possible reasons:
1.) More auto insurance fraud in KY.
2.) Overall worse drivers in KY.
3.) Incident on my record from earler in 2008 being reported as AT FAULT in KY, when in reality, the decision was reversed after hearing, and I was found NOT AT FAULT.

My Questions:
1.) Do I really HAVE to convert my policy to an insurer in KY, or can I let it run out (about 6 more months)?
2.) Is it true that KY interprets my record (fault/no fault) differently than MA?
3.) If so, if I call the Dept. of Transportation in KY, will they fix my driving record to correctly reflect I am NOT at fault for the incident earlier this year if I provide documentation from MA?
4.) What should my next steps be? How long do I have to take them?

Buying a new car this week; have insurance on current car. What covers my new car while I wait for the policy change?

thyme31 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:57:22 GMT

My current insurance is for a 1998 Ford Escort, and I will be buying a 2009 Nissan Altima.

Do I need to purchase car insurance for a car rental of 2 days if I carry comprehensive and collision on my own car?

debjeff — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:32:09 GMT

My car is being repaired under a warranty. The dealership is allowing me to rent a car, free-of-charge. I will return the car within 2 days. I carry comprehensive and collision insurance on my car. I am aware that I will need to provide gas upon the return of the car. Do I need to purchase separate insurance as well?

My insurance company tells me it is law that anyone living in my home must be "rated" to my auto policy. True?

kate53 — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:32:23 GMT

Recently my car was totaled by another driver. They were ticketed and their ins co admitted fault. In WA state, you have to use the medical coverage on your own policy, no matter who is at fault. Since my roommate and I went to er and have had some expenses since then (which my ins. co. will recover), I've been told that my rates could go up as a result. (That in itself seems outrageous to me.) Also, they say my roommate must be rated to my policy & that the reason is she lives in my home...that anyone living in the household must be "rated" to the policy. Never heard of this in all my years...not until this claim. Is it true or are they harassing me? (Admittedly, my roommate was driving my car that day because I had taken a med for migraine earlier.) Could that be what's irritating them? Kate

Deciding between a new 2008, certified pre-owned 08 or 09 or new 09? How do these differ in insurance rates?

dor3 — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:29:06 GMT

I am in need of an AWD/4 WD for the Utah snow - I plan to purchase 1st week of April. I desire a compact SUV. I really want a Subaru Forester - but other manufacturers are offering better deals. I just wonder how the year and if CPO can affect insurance rates. I have been out of the country for 2+ years - so I have no recent insurance in US. My track record with State Farm in GA was clear (1 accident - not my fault) and All State in MI - no claims. Will a no claims letter from Dubai help? - help!

I'm 24, never had personal car insurance. When getting insurance quotes is it okay to exaggerate on some questions?

jrpoole — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:36:11 GMT

New car insurance, first time buyer.

When you buy a new car, how long do you have before it has to be on your insurance policy?

gilli — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:28:23 GMT

Just bought 2 new cars but can only add one more to insurance. One of the old cars is a lease that will be going back next month. Don't really want to start a new policy for a short time

Why are insurance companies charging more now for economy cars?

tmac724 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:00:47 GMT

My insurance company wants $900.00 more for a new Chevy Cobalt than my Blazer. What is going on now? There goes the gas savings, which is why I wanted the smaller car. We're screwed.

What is the most one would pay for high risk insurance on a $6000.00 car?

patann — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:10:31 GMT

Trying to set up a budget for a young man who wants to purchase a 6000.00 auto and will need high risk insurance. What is the highest high rate cost estimate? Thank you.

My car was stolen last night, and we can't find the keys. Will insurance cover it?

olliesmom5 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:13:42 GMT

Car was stolen last night, and we just realized we don't have the keys. We don't think we left them in the car, but they might have been on my table or outside the house. Will insurance cover it?

Can I insure a home van conversion, Fiat Scudo, now a 6 seat mini motorhome?

pamela18 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:30:14 GMT

We're trying to insure our van for ourselves (over 50) and our son and daughter in law from Australia. Today we've been told by 3 insurers that they don't insure Australians, and further that they won't touch our van because we converted it ourselves. Can anyone help?

How do I go about filing a Dimunitive value claim? The other party is in the wrong.

nana13 — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:47:01 GMT

My suv was wrecked and will be repaired. The other party is responsible for the accident. We both have State Farm. I want to be compensated for the loss in value when I go to sell the car in the next few years. I am afraid the car will lose more of its value since the front end will be repaired.

How is the diminished value determined in a newer automobile (2004) after damage, repairs for a trade-in, etc.,?

mikebuc — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:51:59 GMT

Progressive Ins. Co. wants documentation before it will reimburse me for diminished value. What's up with that? How do I find documentation? MJB

Mobile home hit by Lowe's truck, any advise?

jmez — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:48:02 GMT

I need advise, please
Our RV was parked on our cul-de-suc street near by our house, when Lowes truck had delivery and was trying to make turn and hit (twice) our mobilhome, wanted to leave without notice, but our neighbour saw and told him, that he better leave a note, which he did then. We notice it in the evening, so next day we tried to start a car, but wheel locked, betteries went down and generator dont work, and our right tire did a mark on the curb, which is explaines that car was moving pretty "good". Long story short, our agent from insurance saw only outside hit, which is very close to gas tank and wanted to just a fix and close the case, but we are afraid to stick with the same car, because who knows whats inside of this RV went wrong, I want to mention this car 1 yr old and we are paying good money for it. Does any body has advise for us what to do? should we call a lawer?

Auto accident medical claim.

danthompson179 — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:18:51 GMT

My friend he only buy liability (the cheapest/least coverages) insurance. I was his passenger at the time he/we involved a car accident. do i need to report to my own auto insurance for claimming medical expenses? or he should report to his auto insurance to cover my medical expenses? who should pay for my medical expenses?

Ps. He was the driver and car owner at the time the accident happened.

Hit while parked. Coverage?

DFarkas — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:14:05 GMT

My cousin lives in New York and has State Farm comprehensive coverage. This morning he came out to his car (which had been parked on the street) and discovered that it had been hit during the night. The car is totalled. Is the damage covered by his comprehensive policy? I know collisions aren't covered but in this case it happened when the car was parked. We're unsure of what to do...

Other driver hit my parked car.

Paricool — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:10:26 GMT

I have parked my car in from of the home .Other car driver hit my car while he was backing up his car.
Car had a huge dent on left side Door. We have called the police and officer asked us to exchange the information.Other driver did not provided the Insurance information as the car he was driving was not registered to his name. I have filled the claim with my Insurance and provided the information of other driver as I m at no fault so they will claim adjusted with other party. Other driver is not responding to phone calls neither to me not to my insurance company what options do I have now? Thanks

I was hit by my own car that my friend was driving while I was sitting in his garage (home). Who should pay for damages?

rawdogent — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:23:29 GMT

I'm a paraplegic. my friend was checking my car for a oil leak.he got in my car to move it. instead of going in reverse he hit the gas pedal.the car hit the sides of the garage in his home then the car struck me. my wheelchair was damaged beyond repair,my car had bumper & both fenders & both front door damage. i called 911 to get my legs checked out at the hospital. xrays were fine. my friend got a ticket because his license was suspended. now my friend & his wife tells me that they are not responsible for my car, my wheelchair or doctors bills, what should i do?

Will liability insurance cover a scratched bumper from my son backing into a fellow students car?

redbar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:21:50 GMT

My son has a big 4X4 truck. Was parked at school. Another student parked his car right behind the truck. When my son tried to leave, his hitch scratched the bumper of the car, about a 2 inch by 4 inch scratch. Rubber bumper. We only have liability insurance on the truck. Student who owns car is now getting ugly and wants to file a claim, will our liability only coverage pay for the bumper?

The same time bought a new car and then got an accident without insurance.

sophiazhang — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:38:55 GMT

Hi, when the day I paid my car, I got the accident when I back off from the parking space to leave. After I paid the owner, I started to back off to leave that plaza, when I almost done, I saw another car which is in my back was started. Then I completely stopped.

However, that car did not see me, and ran into my car. Then the police came there, but he said both of us had minor damage, so he just exchanged the information for us and left without report. I also told the police I did not have the insurance because I just bought it. Today the other car's insurance company called me and told me to pay 50% of her damage. I refused, because I think it was not my fault. Then they told me they will give the report to the DMV and my license would be suspended for one year. Will this happen? Thanks!

Friend's car was hit while parked. Totaled. Insurance offer?

buytheredcar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:05:20 GMT

I just had a question about a recent accident my friend had.

Her car was parked in front of her house and a lady rear ended it and tried to escape. I think
the cops arrested her..not positive though

My friends car was a 2009 Toyota, very low miles.
Her insurance deemed it "totaled"

My friend said shes only dealt with her insurance company regarding the matter, she wondering why the other insurance hasnt contacted her.

My friend's insurance company came back with an offer that was a little low.

She is wondering why she isn't dealing with the other insurance company since it wasn't her fault at all.

Her insurance company said they are going to pay her out first then go after the other insurance company to pay back them back.

Is this normal procedure?

Im not sure if my friend's insurance company is all that trustworthy.

Is there any way of getting more money from the other insurance company?

Is it normal not to talk to the other insurance company regarding this matter?

Sorry if these are stupid questions. I've never had to deal with this myself.

Thanks!

Should I answer the other driver's insurance company that wants to know about my life for the last ten years?

housebed — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:01:16 GMT

I had an auto accident two years ago, my attorney said we are going to trial. Recently, I been asked by my attorney for an interview in which the other driver's insurance wants to ask me questions about things like where did I work last ten years, place where I lived or what doctors I visited; that kind of questions.

I'm not happy with that because it was two years ago and after the accident, my wife and myself have been through a lot of things.

Does anyone have ideas about this, because I don't trust my attorney anymore.

Why does your car insurance increase when you remove a car from the policy?

hilversum — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:27:56 GMT

My car insurance premium increased when I dropped one car from the 3 cars that are insured on this policy. Shouldn't the premium be less, not more ?

Will a speeding ticket in PA increase my premiums with NY Geico insurance? 90 in a 65 zone.

marisohn — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:05:33 GMT

I have had geico for about 6 months. There is a prior ticket on my record for stopping in a crosswalk in NY. Geico raised my premium a bit for that. I am wondering if I should hire a traffic lawyer for the trial date. I would rather do that and not miss work for the day. A PA lawyer informed me that paying the ticket & pleading guilty would not add points to my NYS license, but he was unsure whether Geico will find it. He cited some kind of tri-state agreement with NY & 2 other states but that PA is not a part of. I am not sure I trust him on this. I have looked through my policy declarations but there is no specific info about whether Geico searches in other states for violations. The main question is: Will Geico raise my premiums for a PA violation?

What is the required insurance policy for bank owned car?

gman24 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:15:02 GMT

what is a required insurance policy for bank owned car?

What are my options? Car accident.

ksage — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:12:42 GMT

I was in an accident this week-end. A lady pulled out in front of me, I swerved to try to miss her. My front hit her right quarter panel/bumper and it catapulted me across the street, down an embankment and hit a tree. I have a 1991 Ford truck Custom. It's a very nice truck with only 68,000 miles on it. I want my truck fixed. it will need a new hood, front quarter panel, bumper, grill and drivers door, a new radiator and paint job. Will her insurance company fix it? They said she has insurance to pay for my damages up to $10,000 dollars? I do NOT want another truck I want mine fixed.

is it legal to move a car from seller to my property with no tax or mot

emski21 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:28:23 GMT

I want to move a car from approx 7 miles from seller to my home to repair and drive but it has no mot certificate or tax paid. I'd like to know if I can legally drive it to my property (fiat punto m reg)

Is there an insurance company that covers High Performance Driver Education track events?

aerojohn — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:31:42 GMT

Non-competitive, untimed High Performance Driver Education (HPDE)events are sponsored by clubs such as BMW Club, Porsche Club, Sports Car Drivers Assoc (SCDA) and Chin Motorsports. They are not racing events but are held at race tracks with instructors and supervision. Most typical insurance companies do not cover vehicle or property damage for these event, yet the HPDE activity is a growing and popular activity.