Every teenager who reaches the driving age dreams of roaring up to school in a shiny new sports car. Unfortunately, those same teens rarely think of the costs associated with making that dream a reality. Buying such a car is only the beginning, too. Insuring a new driver is a big financial burden, and the choice of car has a major impact on how much you will pay.
As a simple rule of thumb, if a car can be described as "high performance," you want to stay away from it. That is if you are concerned with actually finding cheap car insurance for new drivers. The reason you want to avoid such vehicles is because car insurance companies know they are more likely to be driven in a reckless manner, and therefore involved in more traffic accidents. These types of cars are also stolen far more often.
If you want to pay less for insurance, consider an older or heavier car with good safety ratings. But beware, just because a car model is older or has good safety ratings doesn't mean you willpay less on insurance. You really need to check car theft statistics for your area and make sure you are not buying a car that is targeted often. And even when you do find a model that is not stolen very often, still make sure it comes with anti-theft features.
Don't get carried away with size or age. A lot of parents will buy their teenage driver large cars, believing they are safer and incur lower insurance costs. But it's actually the weight of the car that matters. You will pay more for a car with a fiberglass body, regardless of size, than for even a smaller car with a metal body.
Also beware of getting too old of a vehicle. Going used is a good idea, as the car will be less likely to be stolen, but going too old will lower safety ratings. Older cars were less likely to have airbags and other safety features that today are standard.
In short, if you want cheap car insurance for your new driver, don't just buy any car and then look for deals. You need to be deliberate in your selection of vehicle. Too new means it is a theft risk. Too fast means it is an accident risk. Too old means it is a safety risk. Find that middle ground and buy accordingly, and you will be rewarded with significantly cheaper insurance premiums.
Cheap Car Insurance For New Drivers - What NOT to Do
How to Buy Classic Car Insurance
Collector Car Insurance and Classic Car Insurance
If you are fortunate enough to own a classic car - or any collectible automobile - then you want to ensure that your luck does not run out because of having inadequate insurance coverage. Call it covering your butt - or covering your "asset" - but by all means, call one of the major providers such as American Collectors, Haggerty, or Parish Heacock insurance companies and let them put you in the driver's seat in terms of professional protection of your cherished automotive investment.
How to Kick the Tires on Classic Car Insurance
The whole idea of insurance is that it needs to do what you expect of it in an emergency, when the rubber really hits the road. And classic car insurance is as different from conventional auto insurance as,well, a classic car is from your run of the mill generic vehicle.
When you buy a classic car insurance policy, you are essentially purchasing protection for those times when - God forbid and knock on wood it doesn't happen - disaster strikes in the form of a fire, a collision, or an act of theft or vandalism. Just as we now have modern airbags to save us in the event of a crash, we also have collector's car insurance, to protect us with adequate moneybags when calamity throws a wrench in the works.
The time you invest in choosing the right classic car insurance coverage is well worth the value and peace of mind that a quality collector's insurance policy delivers for owners of classic motor cars.
The Nuts and Bolts of Classic Car Insurance Coverage
Collector car insurance is not the same as the insurance you buy for normal coverage of your daily transportation. Collector car insurance, or classic car insurance, is made especially for the needs of the car collector. And while ordinary insurance does offer some protection, no matter what you drive, it can leave you high and dry in the event of a loss that it not effectively covered by the terms of the insurance contract.
For example, you may have a garage-kept Cadillac Sedan DeVille with swooping fins your grandparents bought for $7,000 brand new back in the 1960s. But dealers have offered you three times that much, and you saw another one sell at an auto show for $35,000. If you don't have special collector car insurance or classic car insurance, and the car is totaled, you will be lucky to get $7,000 for it. With depreciation calculated in, the insurance statisticians may decide that it is worth only half that much, or less, and you could wind up with two or three grand in exchange for your dream machine.
Stipulations or requirements normally encountered while shopping for collector car insurance or classic car insurance:
* A decent driving record.
* At least 10 years driving experience
* No teen drivers on the policy or drivers with poor driving records
* Secure and out of the weather garage
* Proof that you have another car for daily transportation
* Collector vehicle insurance is sometimes limited by the age of your car, and if your car is too young it may not qualify for a particular policy.
* Limited mileage. You probably don't want to drive your creampuff car all the time, and your insurance company doesn't want you to either. Mileage limits have increased recently, though, so if you can live with 250 miles a month you're probably okay.
Coverage with collector car insurance or classic car insurance: Three kinds of value are important to understand when buying your policy. 1) Actual cash value: This is what you usually get with ordinary insurance, and is based on replacement cost minus depreciation.
2) Stated value:
The insurance company pays up to the stated value of the car, but may not guarantee the full stated value. And deductibles of up to $1,000 usually apply.
3) Agreed value:
In most jurisdictions, those who provide collector car insurance or classic car insurance are allowed to insure for a value that you and your insurer agree upon. And for most autos, there is no deductible. If your $100,000 vintage Rolls get trashed, you get a check for 100 grand, plain and simple - which is exactly why collectors use special classic car insurance coverage.
Do a periodic review of your coverage limits, because classic car prices are rising. What you insured your cherry classic for ten years ago may be a fraction of what it's worth today. And if you are restoring a vehicle, ask your agent to give you appropriate insurance. There is no need to pay extra based on mileage statistics, if your car is up on blocks with no engine inside it. And as the car's value increases thanks to your hard work of restoring it, you should raise the coverage to keep up with the added value of the restoration.
Keep all your receipts and paperwork - for everything from parts and labor to expenses incurred to take it to a classic car show - so that you can document the total investment your collector's car represents. And take photos and keep them updated, for the same reason. And Last But Not Least: Special Savings Opportunities
As long as you meet the criteria in terms of how you use and take care of the car, you can usually buy a policy.
Traditional insurers will either refuse coverage, offer only a replacement value based on the nuts and bolts (minus heavy depreciation) of the car, or will charge you a prohibitive amount for the premium. But many collectors find that special collector's coverage saves them money - as much as half - while insuring them for higher limits, sometime three or four times what a traditional company gave them.
Yes, it's possible to get collector's insurance coverage for full market value for your car, and save up to 50 percent off of the premium you'd pay with ordinary insurance. That makes classic car insurance a must-have for any serious car buff.
Below is information about three of the most reputable and dependable collectors and classic car insurance companies in the USA (All information listed below subject to change, please contact the insurance companies listed to be sure.):
Hagerty Insurance P.O. Box 1303 Traverse City, MI 49685-1303
Email: auto@hagerty.com Toll Free: 800-922-4050
Qualifications:
* Similar to the others listed below, but please contact Haggerty for details.
American Collectors Insurance P.O. Box 8343 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 Email: info@americancollectors.com Toll Free: (800) 360-2277 Qualifications (subject to change or regional laws so check with the company for specific up-to-date information).
* At least 15 years old
* Garage-kept
* Driven on a limited, pleasure-only basis (up to 5,000 annual miles - available in most states)
You may also qualify by:
* Having at least 10 years driving experience
* Having a good driving record
* Having at least one "regular" vehicle for every licensed driver in the household You may request a policy application either directly from American Collectors Insurance or through your local insurance agent (rates are the same either way).
Parish Heacock Classic Car Insurance P.O. Box 24807 Lakeland, FL 33802-4807 Email: info@parishheacock.com Toll free: (800) 678-5173 Qualifications (subject to change or regional laws so check with the company for specific up-to-date information).
* Each household member of driving age must have at least 10 years driving experience or be excluded.
* Each household member must have a regular use vehicle less than 15 years old that is insured with liability limits equal to or higher than the limits being applied for on the collectible vehicle.
* All licensed members of household and any other drivers of the vehicle must be listed on the application.
* Maximum of two accidents or violations in the household, maximum of one per licensed household member in past 3 years. No major violations permitted in past 5 years.
* A Driver Health Questionnaire must be completed for all drivers over 70 years old.
* Auto must be stored in a locked permanent garage facility when not driven.
* Auto may not be used for commuting to or from work or school, used for business purposes or as a substitute for another auto.
* Autos not covered while on a racetrack or when being used for: racing, speed, driver's education, or timed events.
* Must display pride of ownership: well maintained, in restored or well-preserved condition.
* Vehicles under restoration must be stored at residence or a restoration shop, with a target date for completion. Agreed value coverage is not available on cars under restoration. Eligibility subject to company review.
* Replica Vehicles and Pro Street vehicles are subject to company review.
* Trucks and Jeeps must be over 25 years old, and not be used for towing, hauling, off-road or utility use.
* Generally do not require appraisals, but may ask for one if vehicle value is difficult to determine.
