Owning a class or antique car is a real joy, but it poses challenges from restoration to preservation. Finding affordable auto insurance for these gems can also be difficult. As with any insurance, research is the key. Take the time to decide what kind of coverage you want, then get quotes from multiple companies.

Car insurance quotes for classics and antiques will depend on many factors. What is the value of the car? Has it been restored? What modifications have been made to the vehicle? Is the car garaged when not in use? How many miles will be put on the car annually? Who will be driving the car? Where will the car be driven to and from? Know the answers to these questions before shopping for auto insurance.

Insurers of classic and antique autos will want to know the specific value of an older car before insuring it. The auto insurance companies will ask numerous questions about the state of repair the vehicle is in. The Kelley Blue Book or other car value publications will be consulted for a retail and trade in value. You should do this yourself also so you know the general value range of your vehicle.

Auto insurance companies want to know the miles the car will be driven annually. It is one of the most important aspects of the car insurance policy for older cars. Will it be driven for shows and weekends only or will it be used for daily driving? Some car insurance companies restrict the driving to weekends only and will not allow for it’s use as transportation to work. Others will allow any type of use, but only allow say 3000 miles a year to be put on the vehicle. They may also want a picture of the car and a list of all the modifications. This information helps them give you the best policy price for your car.

In order to get the most joy and value out of your classic car, pick the insurance coverage that will fit your lifestyle. Picking an insurance policy with too little coverage, or inadequate coverage, will be disastrous if something should happen. You will want your vehicle to be restored up to it’s current value if minor damage occurs. Some insurance companies will not do this, stating it is unable to be fixed to it’s pre-event state due to the lack of original factory parts available. In the event of a crash or unavoidable damage, you will want to be assured they will do everything in their power to repair your vehicle. Call around or cruise the Internet to find the auto insurance company that is right for you.

By: Mary Duares

Whether you are on a business trip or on vacation, you may have heard the question that is normally asked by rental car companies; that is if you want additional insurance for your rental car. You could say yes and buy it out of fear or turn it down, believing that you are covered for rental car purchases. However, the reality is that unless you look up your current auto insurance policy and see if you are covered, you won’t truly know and may lose out on some savings. It’s always a good idea, then, for you to call your insurance agent to get the details about your policy.

Normally, there are two cases in which you are covered by car insurance for a rental car. Both of these ideas have their pros and cons.

Having an auto insurance policy. Some insurance companies extend their coverage to rental cars as well, as long as you are taking a leisure vacation, so be sure to question this to your insurance agent. But know that whatever coverage gaps that you have in your policy will extend to your rental car, too. And if you are traveling for business, you should have your employer pay for the insurance, since your car insurance policy will not apply.

Having auto insurance protection with a credit card company. Some credit card companies can give you protection for automobiles that are rented by their credit cards. While coverage varies by credit card company, the terms and conditions of your policy may change from time-to-time. However, insurance protection usually only covers the physical damages of the car; it usually does not cover personal injuries, liability, or theft of personal belongings.

Types of Additional Auto Insurance Coverage By Rental Services

If you know that having additional coverage fits your situation, then know that there are usually four common insurance options that are given by most automobile rental companies:

Collision Damage Waiver and Loss Damage Waiver (CDW and LDW). Pays out if you lost your rented car due to theft, or if it’s vandalized or damaged from a collision.

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). Pays out for your medical costs due to a car accident in your car rental.

Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI). Gives you up to $1 million in extended liability coverage.

Personal Effects Coverage (PEC). Pays out for any personal belongings of yours stolen from your car rental.

Some Things To Keep In Mind With Auto Insurance

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you figure out whether you want to add on additional coverage to your car rental:

Don’t purchase the same coverage twice, if you have an auto insurance policy, unless you have coverage gaps.

Talk to your auto insurance agent before deciding to buy additional auto insurance for your car rental.
Ask the rental car company for a copy of their insurance policies.

Compare company’s price to auto insurance quotes in your area to see which one’s better.

By: Tom Lustina

In some states, it is not required to carry car insurance. Due to the financial situation of today, many drivers in these states are opting to cancel their policies and drive their vehicle with no insurance. This is a very dangerous move, no matter how much money it may save you each year. Car insurance is important to have. Not only will it protect you and the vehicle, but it could also prevent you from being sued for millions of dollars if you found at fault in an accident.

Many people are feeling the effect of the economy and are choosing to carry the bare essentials on their insurance policy. While this is acceptable, as long as you meet the requirements of the state, it is not the best thing to do. Having minimal insurance will not protect you or your assets if a claim is filed. Unless you have no assets and are driving an older car, it is highly recommended to add a little extra coverage to the bare essentials.

Currently, there are only two states in the country that do not require drivers to have liability coverage. Those states are New Hampshire and Wisconsin. All other states have coverage that is mandatory. When reviewing your policy or obtaining a new one, always check what the state requirements are. Personal Injury Protection is required in many states. This coverage will pay for any medical expenses you incur and will also cover any lost wages as a result of an injury in an accident. States that do not require this may require you to carry coverage that pays your medical expenses.

Different states have different requirements for bodily injury liability. No matter what the state requirement is, or if there even is one, it is suggested you carry this liability. If it is required, it may be best to purchase a higher limit. This will help to protect you if someone else is injured and you are found at fault. If the coverage does not cover their medical expenses, your assets will be at risk. Lawyers will do everything they can to claim your assets in a lawsuit if you do not have the liability coverage. This does not apply to everyone. If you have very little assets, then it may not be beneficial to pay for the extra coverage.

Aside from liability coverage, there are other things to consider, such as comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision will cover any damage that is done to the car in an accident. Comprehensive covers damage done when an accident is not involved. This could include fire, theft, falling objects or explosions. These two types of coverage are usually required when you are leasing a vehicle. They are also very important to have if you own a luxury car.

No matter what the state requires, you want to have coverage that will protect your assets, not just your car. You also want something that will pay for medical expenses. While many states do not require these, it is in your best interest to have them on your policy. Only having the bare minimum may save you money on the policy, but could cost thousands if you are in an accident.

Most people feel car insurance is a waste of money. While this may be true if you go your entire life without an accident, it is not wise to be uninsured. You never know what could happen, so it is best to pay the money and protect yourself in the event of an accident. This does not mean you have to have the best of the best, but make sure your medical expenses are covered and your assets are well protected.

By: Rocco Beatrice