It’s an unpleasant experience when you can’t locate your parked car. It starts with wondering if you parked in some other place. Then you wonder if it has been stolen. And if neither of those are true, you may suddenly realize that it has been towed.

Do You Know Why Your Car Was Towed?

A towed car may be a surprise. For instance, if you look around and notice No Parking, Construction Zone, or Fire Lane signs that you just didn’t see when you parked. Or, maybe you inadvertently blocked someone’s driveway or parked on private property. These mistakes happen. Unfortunately, they turn into a real hassle if your car is towed.

A towed car may not be a surprise in some cases and may be even more painful because it means the law has caught up with you. Having driving license or registration violations, such as a suspension or expired registration, will mean a trip to the motor vehicle department. If your car is towed because of having excessive parking tickets, this will mean a trip to traffic court also.

Now What?

The first thing to do is to call the police to make sure your car was towed and not stolen. The police will likely have the towing information or will be able to point you in the right direction, such as to the impound lot.

Next, clear up any legal issues. If you have outstanding fines, pay them. If you need to reinstate your license, do it. You will not be able to remove your car from the impound lot until you are all clear on any outstanding tickets, fines or suspensions.

Once this is done, call or go to the impound lot. You’ll have to pay fees, which include the towing charge plus an amount per mile the vehicle is towed and perhaps a flatbed fee or boot removal fee. There will also be a charge for vehicle storage, and finally, a release fee to get your car out. It’s not cheap!

Auto Insurance and Towing

Unfortunately, your car insurance towing coverage does not cover towing that was not initiated by you. For instance, if your car breaks down and you call the towing service, you’ll likely be covered. But, if your car is towed because you have too many parking tickets, you likely won’t be covered.

Sometimes cars are damaged during the towing or storage. In this case, you can file a claim with your auto insurance company. If you have collision coverage on your car, this will likely help you pay for the damage. Of course, you will have to pay your deductible first.

While auto insurance may not help you get out of a legal jam that results in your car being towed, towing insurance can help you defray costs if you need a tow. Use the fast and easy InsuranceWins form to find out what coverage is right for you.

When you’re looking for ways to save money, lowering your monthly car insurance premium may be one of the first places you look. But, is it wise to drop your collision insurance coverage? How do you know when it’s a smart financial decision to do so?

First, remember that collision coverage protects your vehicle investment if you have an accident with another car or object, such as a guardrail or light pole. It also pays if you have a single-car accident, like a rollover.

It may make sense to drop this coverage, but the first thing to determine is whether you are allowed to drop this optional coverage. If you do not own your car outright, for example you have a loan or lease on the vehicle, you are most likely required to carry collision.

But, if you’ve paid off your car and own it, here are some thoughts about collision coverage and when you might want to consider dropping it.

The Pros of Dropping Collision Insurance Coverage

It’s pretty easy to make the case that being able to drop collision coverage will result in savings. In some cases, you may be able to cut your premium in half. The money you save in premiums could go straight into a savings account to either save up for a new car. Or if you do get into an accident, the money can be used to repair your car, since the insurance company will no longer be chipping in.

But, before you get too excited about saving some money let’s take a look at the flip side.

The Cons of Dropping Collision Insurance Coverage

Simply put, if you drop collision coverage, you will have to pay out-of-pocket if you hit something. Being unprotected by collision coverage may mean losing your car if it is totaled and you don’t have the money to replace it.

This might be an important reason to keep collision coverage, because if you drop it, the only way you will get money to fix or replace your car is if the accident is caused by someone else and they have auto insurance.

The Rule of Tens

The Rule of Tens is a common way to determine whether you should keep or drop collision insurance.

Essentially, it goes like this:

• Ten Percent – Figure out the book value of your car and add your collision deductible to it. Then take ten percent of that. If you are paying more than ten percent of the value of your car plus the deductible, you may want to consider dropping collision coverage, as long as you feel you can repair or replace your car if damaged or totaled.
• Ten Years – If your car is more than 10 years old, you should take a look at the numbers. The vehicle’s value probably fails the ten percent of value plus deductible rule above.
• Ten Times – If you don’t meet the ten percent or ten years rules, you may still save by dropping collision coverage if you have ten times your collision premium in savings to repair or replace your car.

If you want the real numbers, use the fast and easy InsuranceWins form to find out how much you might save by dropping collision coverage.

Comprehensive insurance is an optional coverage you can add to your car insurance policy to protect you from events that are out of your control. Also known as “other than collision” or OTC, comprehensive is often paired with collision coverage. Comprehensive insurance coverage is simply another layer of protection that will help protect your investment.

What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive covers a broad range of damages to your vehicle that are not the result of a collision with another vehicle or with an object. Some examples of damage covered by comprehensive include:

• Theft
• Vandalism
• Natural disasters
• Storms
• Fire
• Flood
• Hail
• Collision with an animal

Comprehensive covers unforeseen events, like tree limbs falling on your car or a broken windshield from a rock thrown up by a truck on the highway.

What is Not Covered Under Comprehensive Insurance?

Comprehensive coverage does not cover collisions, except with animals, which are considered out of your control. For example, if you swerve and hit a light pole because a dog ran out in front of your car, comprehensive will not cover your damage. Collision coverage will be used, and this is why it may be important to pair collision and comprehensive insurance coverage together.

Comprehensive insurance generally does not cover:

• Collisions with other vehicles
• Collisions with objects, such as poles or guardrails

Is Comprehensive Insurance Required?

Comprehensive is a supplementary, or optional, coverage. However, if you are leasing your vehicle of if you have a loan on your vehicle you will most likely be required to carry full insurance coverage. This includes comprehensive.

If your car is not under a loan or a lease, the decision to carry comprehensive insurance should be based on the value of your vehicle. The maximum payout for comprehensive insurance should your car be damaged will be the cash value of the car, minus your deductible. Therefore, if your car is worth $2000 and you have a $1000 deductible, the most you will receive is $1000. Compare that amount to your monthly premium payments to determine if your vehicle is worth protecting with comprehensive insurance.

How Much Does Comprehensive Insurance Coverage Cost?

Comprehensive coverage is based on your vehicle’s value and your own driving record. If you are in the high-risk category, you will pay more. But for most drivers, the cost of comprehensive insurance is reasonable and may be well worth it for the added protection.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of comprehensive insurance in the U.S. is about $136 per year. This includes a high of $266 a year in the District of Columbia, and a low of $97 a year in Oregon.

Comprehensive insurance is such a versatile type of coverage, it’s hard to make the case for not carrying it. To find out how much comprehensive coverage will cost you, take just two minutes with InsuranceWins to get your auto insurance quote online.

So, you’ve made a mistake. Your state is now requiring you to have an SR-22. While it may seem like a really bad situation, there are a few things you should know that will make it easier.

How You Got Here

State vehicle licensing and registration departments generally require you to file an SR-22 if you’ve had a serious motor vehicle violation. These can include things like:

• Being convicted of a DUI or DWI
• Being caught driving without insurance
• Having many violations that result in high points on your record
• Being involved in a serious accident with injuries

What is an SR-22?

An SR-22 isn’t insurance, it is proof of insurance that comes directly from your insurance company to the state. The state requires this official form to ensure that you are being responsible. The SR-22 is proof that you are carrying, and will continue to carry, the legally mandated amount of car insurance for your vehicle. Usually, if your license has been suspended for any of the above reasons, you will have to file an SR-22 before you can get your license back.

How Do I File an SR-22?

The only way to file an SR-22 is by contacting your insurance company. This will definitely cause your insurance to go up, as you will now be considered high risk. Since some companies do not cover high risk drivers, your regular insurance company may not offer to file an SR-22. You may have to find a new company. However, there are insurance companies that specialize in just this situation and will file your SR-22 with your state motor vehicle department.

How Much Does an SR-22 Cost?

The SR-22 itself is simply a form and does not cost much. What does cost a lot is the hike in your insurance premiums because you are now considered to be in the high risk category. There’s not too much you can do to get around this, but paying attention to available discounts, potential bundling options, and deductible options may help.

How Long Will I Have to File an SR-22?

Generally, in most states high risk drivers are required to file an SR-22 for three years. But, if you have another violation or are involved in another accident during that time, you may have to carry the SR-22 even longer.

If you have no violations or incidents in the period of your SR-22, then you will be released and will be free to purchase insurance as you normally would.

Be aware that you will have to contact your insurance company to have the SR-22 removed.

It’s no fun to have to purchase your auto insurance with an SR-22, but it’s not forever! And InsuranceWins can help you through the process. Just fill out our easy-to-use form and we’ll help you find the right insurance for you.

Collision coverage is an often misunderstood, but very important, type of auto insurance coverage. Collision insurance protects you if you are in a crash or accident with an object or another vehicle by covering the cost of repairs for damages to your car. Collision covers you even if you are found at fault. Essentially, it’s there to help you fix your car when you make a mistake.

What Does Collision Insurance Cover?

So, what does collision coverage actually cover? This very important insurance is there to help you repair your vehicle when it suffers physical damage. Some covered damages include:

• Damage to your car incurred by striking an object such as a pole or guardrail
• Damage caused by an accident involving no other cars, such as a rollover

What is Not Covered Under Collision Insurance?

Remember, collision insurance is for your car. It only reimburses you for the damage to your vehicle, not for personal injuries to you or anyone else, and not for damages to other vehicles, objects or property.  In addition, collision insurance generally does not cover:

• Theft
• Vandalism
• Hail Damage
• Collisions with animals (those are generally covered under comprehensive insurance)

Is Collision Insurance Required?

State laws do not require you to carry collision insurance. However, since collision covers so many potential damages to your vehicle, why do without it? There are so many hazards on the road, without collision you run the risk of having to pay thousands of dollars by yourself for damages to your vehicle.

Many people lease their primary vehicle these days, and many more have loans on their vehicle. If you are doing either, most likely your financing company requires that you carry collision insurance coverage. Be sure you know the rules of your lease or loan, so you don’t end up owing the company lots of money for a car you no longer have.

While not required, collision coverage is a great option for new drivers, like teenagers, who don’t have as much experience on the road and are more likely to make mistakes while driving.

How Much Does Collision Insurance Coverage Cost?

There are several important factors that determine the cost of your collision coverage.

• The value of your vehicle. Collision coverage costs increase as the value of the vehicle increases.
• Your driving history. Drivers with a good record will pay less for collision coverage.
• Your deductible amount. Lower deductibles mean higher premiums but increased payout.

For example, if your vehicle is worth $2000 and you have a $100 deductible, your insurance will pay $1900 for vehicle repair. This sounds great, but you may not want to pay the high monthly premium. Instead, you could opt for a $500 deductible, which will lower your monthly premium. The downside is that if you need to repair your vehicle, you will have to pay the first $500 and the insurance company will cover the rest, up to $1500.

InsuranceWins is here to help you protect your investment. Try our easy and fast quote form now to see how easy it is to purchase collision insurance coverage for your vehicle.

There are times in life when you’re faced with a lapse in your regular insurance coverage. Maybe you are going to be between policies or you don’t own a car. Maybe your college kid, who is not on your policy full time, is home for a couple of weeks and needs to drive. There are many reasons you may need temporary or short-term insurance.

Most regular insurance policies last from six months to one year. With a short-term auto insurance policy, you can get the same amount of coverage for a shorter time period. You’ll be able to purchase the same protection, including comprehensive, collision, uninsured or underinsured motorist, and medical payments for passengers.

These policies can have different names, depending on the situation they are used for. Here are a few.

Non-Owners Insurance

Lots of younger people simply don’t own a car, but sometimes they need one. Or, city-dwellers who don’t want the added expense of having a car in the city may have a short-term need to use a friend’s car. A non-owner’s policy will protect you with liability coverage for medical bills and property damages. It’s never a good idea to drive without coverage and these policies allow you to be protected when you’re driving.

Car Renter’s Insurance

If you’ve ever rented a car you’ve probably been given the option to buy their associated insurance. But, your own insurance company may be able to give you the exact same coverage while you rent a car. If something does happen, at least you are dealing with your own company, which is likely to reduce hassles.

GAP Coverage

GAP coverage, also known as guaranteed asset protection, is a type of short-term coverage that is a good option for the period after first purchasing a new car. We all know that as soon as you drive your new car off the lot, it has lost some value. If your car is totaled, you could be out thousands. GAP coverage will protect you, especially if you’ve put less than 20% down or have financed the car for five years or more.

Why Should I Get Short-Term Insurance?

Simple. To protect yourself. Accidents happen, and if you have an incident without car insurance protection you’ll be facing fines and issues with your driver’s license, as well as much higher rates down the road. When the time comes, and you really need auto insurance, you may find yourself paying exorbitant rates. Worse, if you cause an accident and you don’t have car insurance, you could be liable for ten of thousands in medical bills and damage expenses, you could even lose your home and assets. Be safe. Get a short-term policy for your own protection.

If you are expecting a lapse in your regular auto insurance, it pays to invest in a short-term car insurance policy. And, with InsuranceWins, it’s fast and easy.

Car insurance is a fact of life, but do you often feel like you’re paying too much? You might be. Here are some possible reasons for those high bills, followed by some strategies for reducing them.

Why Your Premium May Be High

Accidents and Tickets

Generally, if you are the cause of a car accident you’re going to pay more. The added cost can run anywhere from $80 to $1000 per year, depending on where you live. A speeding ticket or other moving violation on your record might make you considered a risky driver. Then, up go your rates.

Buying a New Car

New cars usually have higher auto insurance costs because their value is higher, and they can be more expensive to repair. And, if your new car is under lease or you have a loan on it, you’re going to have to carry the pricy comprehensive and collision coverage options.

Low Deductible

You may be seeing higher premiums because you have your deductible set too low. Only you know the risk you’re willing to take when it comes to the amount of money you have to spend should something happen. But, to save money on monthly premiums, you can set your deductible higher.

Not Using Discounts and Bundling Policies

There are so many options for discounts these days. Safe driving, good student, and membership-based discounts are common. Many people don’t take advantage of these because they don’t know about them. A little research will likely reveal some discounts you’re missing out on. And, if you have more than one insurance policy, but with different carriers, you may be missing out on bundle savings.

Strategies to Reduce Your Car Insurance Costs

Drive Safely

The best way to keep your auto insurance costs low is to avoid tickets and accidents. If you are a safe driver, your insurance company will be happy to have you and give you a good rate. And, fewer (or better yet, no) accidents or tickets means your rates won’t rise.

Join a Club, Bundle

Employers and membership groups are a great source for car insurance discounts. Check with your employer to see if one of your benefits is reduced car insurance rates. AAA, Costco and other organizations and clubs offer discounts too. Also, don’t miss out on bundle savings. If you have a home insurance or life insurance policy, bundle them together with one company for savings.

Research New Car Insurance Costs Before You Buy

Rather than being hit with a big surprise when you buy a new car, do a little research before you buy. Some safety options on new cars may even help you save some money.

Maintain Your Credit Rating

Your credit information is usually used to determine your price for auto insurance. So, keep your credit clean by paying on time, keep low balances and be sure to check your credit record regularly to fix any problems that might affect your insurance rates.

If you still feel you’re paying too much for your auto insurance, you probably are. It might be time shop around and compare quotes. InsuranceWins makes it easy. Fill out the form and in under two minutes you’ll see just how much you can save.

There’s a new game in town when it comes to auto insurance. It’s called pay-per-mile and it just might save you money on your car insurance. Before you jump on board, here are some basics about what it is, who offers it and if you can really save money.

What is Pay-Per-Mile Auto Insurance?

Pay-per-mile is a form of usage-based car insurance. While some insurance companies use your driving habits as a means of determining your rate, pay-per-mile looks strictly at your mileage. So, how much you pay is determined by how much you actually drive. If you don’t drive a lot, you might not pay a lot. The first thing you may notice here is that pay-per-mile may not be for everyone. But, for low mileage drivers, the idea is that if you are not in the car you are less likely to have an accident of file a claim.

The programs are designed for drivers who drive under 10,000 miles per year. And if you’re used to your regular monthly premium, know that you’ll have to get used to a car insurance bill that fluctuates based on how much you drive in a month.

Who Offers Pay-Per-Mile Insurance?

The bigger player right now in the pay-per-mile market is Metromile. Metromile currently offers pay-per-mile insurance in California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. But, they are expanding, so if you are interested keep a watch out for new states. Metromile charges a monthly base rate, plus a per mile rate. Your actual rate is calculated using a wireless GPS device that tracks your mileage.

Allstate also started offering a pay-per-mile program in the State of Oregon, through Esurance. However, other players have been slow to come to this market.

The Pros and Cons of Pay-Per-Mile Insurance

Pros	Cons
If you don’t drive much, you could save a lot If you mostly rely on public transport or if you have a short commute, pay-per-mile may be for you According to the Federal Highway Administration, the national average for annual miles driven per driver is just over 13,000 miles. Track your miles for a month and see how you fit in	The biggest con at the moment for pay-per-mile insurance is that it is only available in a handful of U.S. states Older cars are excluded from this type of program, since they don’t have the technology needed for the GPS device You have to understand your own driving habits before switching to a pay-per-mile coverage program to ensure you realize savings

If you are low mileage driver, pay-per-mile car insurance just may be the disruptor to the car insurance market you’ve been waiting for.

InsuranceWins’ fast and easy form can help you make the choice. Try it now!

Life changes and so do your car insurance needs. Maybe you’re travelling Asia for two months and the car is going to sit at your parents’ house. Or, you just bought a 1955 Chevy Bel Air and it’s going to be in the garage for a months-long restoration.

There are many reasons you might be looking to save some money by temporarily cancelling or suspending your car insurance. But think twice before you do. Weigh your car insurance options so that you don’t find yourself with higher rates down the road. Here are a few.

Go to State Minimums, Find Discounts

The best option is to keep your insurance active and find ways to lower your premiums. You can reduce your insurance costs and avoid a gap in coverage by dropping to the state minimums. Don’t underestimate the cost of having a gap in car insurance coverage. You may find yourself faced with higher premiums when it is time to reinsure your vehicle.

Each state is different, so be sure to find out what your state requires. Your vehicle will still be covered, but you may be able to drop specific coverages to lower your premium payments.

Also, be sure to see if your policy has a discount for low-mileage. If your car isn’t being driven, you have a lower risk and should be able to save a bit of money.

Suspend Coverage

Suspending your coverage also allows you to avoid a gap in coverage. However, suspending car insurance coverage is not commonly allowed by most insurance companies or states. Some do have special rules for military members, who may be deployed for months at a time, so it’s worth looking into.

Cancel Coverage

Be very careful when deciding to cancel your auto insurance. A coverage gap could mean you will be in a high-risk category when it’s time to reinstate your coverage. This means you may be faced with higher premiums than you’re used to and maybe loss of any cost savings you had by temporarily cancelling your auto insurance.

In addition, you’ll face costs to register your car again and you face the risk of loss from other unexpected hazards like flood, fire or theft while your vehicle is idle. These don’t go away just because you are not driving your car.

Special Considerations

Leased Vehicles or Vehicles with a Loan

You may not have any options for temporarily cancelling or suspending your car insurance if your vehicle is leased or on a loan. Lenders usually require certain coverage and dropping coverage violates your agreement. Make sure you check your agreement and meet the stated auto insurance requirements.

State Laws

There are many states that require your vehicle to be insured, even if you aren’t driving it. Some states allow you to suspend or cancel your car insurance, as long as you file an affidavit of non-use with the state. Check with your state for specific requirements to avoid hassles down the road.

Research Your Options

The best way to save money and have the appropriate coverage is to compare auto insurance quotes. InsuranceWins can get you a quote in less than 2 minutes. See what you can save!