Tag Archives: car insurance

Study: Deadly Daydreaming Distracts Drivers

A new study on distracted driving shows that daydreaming might be more deadly than using a cell phone while driving.

According to Erie Insurance Group, daydreaming while driving cause 62 percent of distracted driving accidents. Only 12 percent of distracted driving accidents were caused by cell phone usage, even though most initiatives targeting distracted driving are specifically about cell phone usage while driving. The study also named other major driving distractions such as eating while driving, managing pets, and talking with other passengers.

This study should change the conversation on distracted driving. The question shouldn’t be how drivers can do more while driving but rather how drivers should focus only on the road while driving. People are driving and thinking about a million things, thinking they can go on autopilot and still drive safely. Clearly, they are wrong. Distracted driving initiatives will be more successful if they start early with driver’s ed classes and target older drivers using public service announcements which focus more on the attitude that drivers can multi-task rather than just cell phones.

Readers, what do you think? Do you use your cell phone while driving? Do you think these public service announcements and initiatives are helpful for stopping distracted driving? Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think!

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Survey: Two-Thirds of Drivers Lack Basic Insurance Knowledge

Car shoppers today are taking more time and doing more research before choosing their car, but unfortunately, they are not putting in the same amount of research with their auto insurance.

According to a new survey from Insurance.com, less than one-third of surveyed drivers had a basic comprehension of insurance coverage and terms. Many drivers struggled with insurance terminology. Only 2 percent knew what was covered in “comprehensive coverage,” and only 7 percent were aware of insurance discounts available to drivers. Even more baffling, surveyed drivers who took the time to read their whole policy scored the lowest.

One of the problems is the language used by insurance companies. It seems like “comprehensive coverage” should include collision with another car. In actuality, it covers a variety of circumstances including theft, accidentally hitting an animal, and fire, but an accident with another car is under collision coverage, not comprehensive coverage. Confusing contract language can get a driver in trouble if they think they are covered in an accident but are not.

NBC News recommends that drivers looking for insurance should avoid the online route and instead sit down with an insurance agent. An insurance agent will be able to explain any confusing language and help you get the right coverage to fit your needs. Buying insurance online might seem more convenient, but in the long run, you want insurance that will work for you, not the insurance that is most convenient.

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Are You Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance?

At Approved Loan Store, we want to make sure our customers get the best possible deal on an auto loan, but there are more costs to owning a car than just the loan payments. There is the cost of gas, general maintenance, and of course, insurance. We want to help our customers save on these other car costs, so when we saw these tips for lowering car insurance costs over at Fox Business, we wanted to share them with our readers. Please remember that discounts and terms of those discounts vary between insurance companies, so ask your insurance company if these discounts are applicable.

If You Are in a Committed Relationship…
Married couples and unmarried committed gay couples can often receive discounts, especially if they are insuring multiple vehicles.

If You Are a College Student…
Full-time students can receive a discount. Sometimes the discount is based on grade point average, but that isn’t always the case.

If You Installed a Car Alarm…
Many insurance companies will offer a discount for installing car alarms, fuel or ignition cutoff switches, vehicle identification number engravings, or car tracking systems.

If You Switched to Paperless…
So many insurance companies want to brag about going green, and they give incentives to customers for e-mail communication instead of paper mailings. Also, if you are thinking about switching to a hybrid, some car insurance companies are giving as much as a 10 percent discount.

If You Were in a Fraternity/Sorority…
Former frat brothers and sorority sisters can get up to an 8 percent discount. The reasoning is that individuals involved in these kinds of groups are more responsible and less likely to be reckless drivers.

If You Served Your Country…
Many companies want to ease the financial burden of those who have served in the armed forces, and car insurance companies are no exception. Some offer a 15 percent discount when the driver is home in the states and up to 80 percent when they are deployed.

If You Have Good Credit…
This is a tip we have mentioned before, but it bears repeating. By improving your credit, you can save money on so many things including car insurance.

If You Are a Teacher/Doctor/Police Officer/ Self-Employed…
There are numerous discounts based on profession, and it isn’t just for servicemembers. Again, check with your insurance company because the variety of professions included is shocking.

If You Are a Loyal Customer…
Have you been with your insurance company for 5 years? 10 years? If so, you might be eligible for a customer loyalty discount.

Are you taking advantage of all of these discounts? Did we miss any lesser-known discounts? Leave a comment below, and tell us what discounts you are taking advantage of with your insurance!

Looking for a new or used car? Concerned that your credit is holding you back? Approved Loan Store wants to help you! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest news and auto buying tips by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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