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WHEEL DEALS; SHOPPING AROUND PAYS OFF WHEN BUYING VEHICLE INSURANCE.


Byline: Ben Sullivan Daily News Staff Writer

If you own a car in California, you need auto insurance. It's the law and it makes sense.

Still, the fact that insurance is required has encouraged laziness among providers. Many companies survive with service and prices so lousy lous·y  
adj. lous·i·er, lous·i·est
1. Infested with lice.

2. Extremely contemptible; nasty: a lousy trick.

3.
 they would leave other businesses bereft of customers.

Here are some tips on how to get what you need, avoid what you don't and sidestep side·step  
v. side·stepped, side·step·ping, side·steps

v.intr.
1. To step aside: sidestepped to make way for the runner.

2.
 potentially catastrophic pitfalls:

Don't go without

Really. Depending on where it happens in California, the penalty can be as high as $1,000 if you get pulled over by police and can't prove you have insurance. That's more than some plans cost for a year's coverage.

Look before you leap Before You Leap is the autobiography and self-help guide written by Muppet Kermit the Frog. It was released in September 2006. External links
  • ABC News excerpt
 

The time to price auto insurance is before you buy a car. Auto insurance is based partly on where you live, your sex and age - things over which you have little control. But how costly it will be to repair or replace your car is also factored in. And that you can influence. For example, insurance is far higher for a $20,000 Mazda Miata than for a $20,000 Ford Escort Over the years, the name 'Ford Escort' has been used for several models.

For more information, see:
  • Ford Escort (Europe)
  • Ford Escort (North America)

Ford Motor Company
 station wagon wagon: see carriage.
wagon

Four-wheeled vehicle designed to be drawn by draft animals. Wagons have been used from the 1st century BC; early examples used spoked wheels with metal rims, pivoted front axles, and linchpins to secure the wheels.
.

Don't lie

Though an insurance company might suspect you've fudged a piece of personal data, it might not cop to it until you try to make a claim. Then, whamo!, the good hands turn into tight fists and your coverage is denied.

Strength in numbers in numbered parts; as, a book published in numbers.

See also: Number
 

If you have more than one car in your household, ask prospective insurers for a group discount. Also, if your homeowner's insurance company also sells auto coverage, ask for a discount for giving it both accounts.

Don't skimp skimp  
v. skimped, skimp·ing, skimps

v.tr.
1. To deal with hastily, carelessly, or with poor material: concentrated on reelection, skimping other matters.

2.
 on liability

This is what pays for any crash you cause, and is required by law. Insurance specialists recommend 100/300/50, meaning you have coverage for each injured in·jure  
tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures
1. To cause physical harm to; hurt.

2. To cause damage to; impair.

3.
 passenger up to $100,000, for a total of $300,000 per accident, and $50,000 in property damage.

Choose the highest deductible That which may be taken away or subtracted. In taxation, an item that may be subtracted from gross income or adjusted gross income in determining taxable income (e.g., interest expenses, charitable contributions, certain taxes).  you can afford for collision and comprehensive

Collision pays to repair your car if it's damaged in a crash. If your car is stolen or damaged by vandals, a thief or forces of nature, comprehensive pays for the repairs. Increasing your deductible on these from $250 to $500 can reduce this part of your premium by 15 percent to 30 percent.

If you've got good health insurance, consider dropping medical payments coverage

Often there's an overlap between your health coverage at work and your car insurance. The benefit of automobile-based medical coverage is that nonfamily members traveling in your car will be covered. But if that's rare, consider saving the extra money.

Shop around

Ask for quotes from three or four providers before picking one. Note: When seeking quotes, be sure to use the same coverage criteria with each firm to avoid comparing apples to oranges.

Discounts, Discounts

Be sure to ask your insurer for all discounts for which you might be eligible. Specifically, ask about the following categories:

Anti-theft devices

Car pooling

Driver-training course

Good student status

Out-of-town student status

Air bags

Anti-lock brakes

No accidents/moving violations

Driver over 50 status

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: Discounts, Discounts (see text)
COPYRIGHT 1997 Daily News
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 1997, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Title Annotation:BUSINESS
Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:Dec 27, 1997
Words:531
Previous Article:NEW FIRMS HIT '90S PEAK; INCREASE IN STATE'S INCORPORATIONS REFLECT ECONOMIC GROWTH, REPORT FINDS.(BUSINESS)(Statistical Data Included)
Next Article:BACK TO WORK WE GO, HO HO! FEWER RECEIVE 4-DAY HOLIDAY.(BUSINESS)(Statistical Data Included)



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