Car Insurance For High-Risk Drivers

If you are classified as a high-risk driver, finding car insurance can be quite a hassle. Some insurance companies will deny insurance to high-risk drivers, while others just choose to charge extremely high premiums. No matter which insurance company you choose, you will most likely end up with a high rate. However, every insurance company is different, so it is important to shop around for the best rates available.

There are many different factors that can contribute to a high-risk driver classification. However, your driving record is the most important factor in determining your risk status. If you have been involved in several accidents over the course of a year or within two to three years, these incidents will negatively affect your record even if they were not your fault. Being involved in any accident can deem you a reckless driver with a penchant for getting into dangerous situations. Also, if you have received multiple speeding tickets, you are also increasing your risk of getting into car accidents. You may be labeled a high-risk driver just by the number of speeding tickets you have received.

There are also several personal factors that contributed to the high-risk label. Unfortunately, many of these factors are beyond your control. Men are typically deemed a higher risk than women, and those who live in the city are considered higher risk than those who live in the country. If you are a city dweller, you will probably pay higher car insurance premiums than if you live in the suburbs or in a rural area. Also, drivers with newer cars are charged higher premiums than those with older automobiles.

Unfortunately, even your credit history can affect your car insurance rating. Those with low credit ratings are usually charged higher premiums than those with better credit scores. Whether or not you have been covered by car insurance continuously is also a factor. If there are gaps in your coverage, they will assume that you have had periods of uninsured driving. Because driving without insurance is very unsafe and also very illegal, insurance companies take this into consideration when considering your rate.

Though it can take several years of clean driving to erase the high-risk driver label, it can still be done. Three years is the industry standard for reassessing a driver’s safety standing. If you have a clean record for a three-year period, you can work your way back to the benefits of lower premiums. However, three years’ worth of high premiums can really add up over time. If you are a high-risk driver, there are still ways to lower your insurance payments. With a little research, you can reduce your payments by a fair amount.

There are many car insurance companies that offer free quotes online. Rather than meeting with salespeople or playing phone tag with agents, Internet sites will give you a quote in minutes. This makes comparison-shopping easier than ever. There are even websites that will find a list of quotes for you. Sites like Netquote.com allow you to enter all of your information one time rather than repeating the process for every insurance company you investigate. Netquote will generate a list of rates organized in an easy to read fashion. This process may take a few days, but the results are typically worth it.

Working toward a clean driving record is the best way to ensure that you will get the best car insurance rates. Avoid congested areas whenever possible, and be sure to slow down in reduced speed zones. Be aware of your surroundings and never speed, and you will be on your way to a successful reduction in your rates.

About the Author:
Sintilia Miecevole
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This article was posted on November 02, 2005
Article Source: articlecity

Easy Steps to Protect the Environment While Driving

Many of us want to help the environment. We care about global warming. But we also need transportation.

Especially for those of us that live in large cities not well equipped with public transportation, or those who live in out-of-the-way areas tens of miles away from civilization - without a vehicle to get around in, we can't get around at all!

I know personally that I get aggravated at the seeming lack of options out there for truly improving the environment while handling my transportation needs. Here, in Los Angeles, public transportation is mediocre at best. And the hybrid cars pushed at us from car companies are often discovered to do little in helping the environment.

So I took the liberty to discover ways I could help the environment driving the car I already own. And I also investigated some alternative fuels.

Tips for Driving Your Existing Vehicle in Environmentally Friendly Ways

A. Put the road rage aside and get comfortable with cruising! Just smile at every tree you pass and remember to drive at a controlled, steady pace. Don't immediately speed up to the speed limit just to hit your breaks at the next stop light. And try to shift into the next gear as soon as possible, instead of letting the RPGs get too high.

Why does this help? Because sudden acceleration and braking burns far more fuel. More fuel being burned means greater emissions. Also, the best speed for fuel economy is between 50-60 mph. If you're on the freeway and traffic moves at a faster pace, try not to go above 75 mph as anything above this seems to burn inordinately more fuel.

B. Especially important for Los Angelenos: if you get stuck in traffic, or behind an accident, turn off your engine. Idling uses fuel, especially if you drive a manual vehicle and must constantly rev the engine or ease the car forward.

C. Save air conditioning for must-need moments. Running your air conditioner will actually increase fuel consumption by as much as 10%, so roll down your windows and suck in the fresh air you're trying to protect! If you must run your air, recycle it within your vehicle and turn it off once the temperature in the cabin goes down.

D. If you're in the market for a new vehicle, of course go smaller and more compact when possible.

E. Take off any racks, boxes, or other items that may be on the roof of your vehicle. These cause wind resistance and add to the weight of your auto. Unfortunately this will reduce your fuel economy - sometimes significantly.

F. Car pool. Yes it's obvious, but still people forget to do this. More importantly, unless you're hauling a family of 7 or the entire soccer team, go with the smallest vehicle possible that gets the best fuel economy. And if you're meeting a friend somewhere, take turns picking each other up for your get togethers. That can also save on parking costs and hassles in highly crowded cities.l

G. Use cruise control when appropriate on highways and freeways. Always be safe, but if you can comfortably use your cruise control, do so. It will ensure that as you drive, you don't accidentally slow down and speed up, which is normal on long drives as our attention gets waylaid or we inadvertently drive at the same pace as the car next to us.

Did You Know? Alternative Fuels Are Out There!

Unless you're a die-hard environmentalist or car enthusiast interested in building your own vehicle (which is possible by the way!), you probably haven't heard about the alternative fuels available for standard vehicles. This is largely because these fuels are not near as profitable as oil.

Biodiesel (Globaldiesel) This is a diesel equivalent, processed fuel that is derived from natural sources. You can purchase biodiesel and use it in your own diesel engine without making any changes to your vehicle. Such fuel is a blend of ultralow sulphur diesel and rapeseed oil

However, you can also create your own biodiesel from used cooking oil (just ask your local restaurants to donate it to you!). However, in this case you would need to modify your diesel engine.

Sulphur-Free Petrol Many vehicles currently use Ultralow Sulphur Petrol or Diesel. Over the next couple years, this will progress to using Sulphur-Free Petrol. In 2008 use of such will be compulsory in the UK. Apparently, this will take affect in the US as well.

BioEthanol A distillation of wheat, biomass, and sugar, BioEthanol produces less air pollutants than traditional fossil fuels. It is also renewable. There are different forms of this, including one that uses water and can be used without modifying your engine, and other types that can be mixed with traditional fuel or, if used exclusively, requires engine modifications.

About the Author:
Jaime Mintun
We are Southern California's largest auto buying service and we support the use of green energy and environmentally friendly practices. We'll help you sell your used car in Los Angeles.
Submitted: 2006-08-25
Article Source: GoArticles