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Auto Insurance Rates

Daun Thompson — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 14:54:45 +0000

Parents of teenage drivers always have a barrage of advice for keeping auto insurance rates down. Who better to ask, than those who have experienced the pain in the wallet and who have already done the research? More often than not, I hear from these parents “Insure the car, not the kid.” Although, for some, this may be the solution to keeping your rates down, insurance companies know that you have a teenage driver living under your roof. My agent actually asked me if I wanted them to add my teenager to my policy. My daughter has been living away from home for three years now and my insurance rates are still pretty high. But, she has yet to change the address on her driver license and car registration and they both have my home address on them. I’m sure that’s why my rates did not decrease back to normal when she moved out. Teenage boys’ insurance rates can be upward of $400 per month, even with nothing on their driving record. And, boys’ insurance rates have always been higher than girls’ insurance rates. Still, when I put my daughter on my insurance policy, my rates more than quadrupled! Thank goodness she was born a female and not a male. I was curious as to how much my insurance rates would have increased if she were born a son. So, I did the math. And it actually would have been cheaper to send her to Sweden and get a sex change than it would have been to put “him” on my insurance policy. And she probably would have gone along with it. She’s a pretty easy going kid.

The bottom line is, insurance is all about risk. And few understand how to assess risk better than insurers. The factors in determining your insurance rates when evaluating those risks include:
• Age (rates generally go down at 25 and increase again at 62)
• Gender
• Zip Code (inner city or rural)
• Vehicle Type (sportscar or mini van)
• Marital Status (married is cheaper but totally not worth it…trust me)
• Driving Record (accident and citation history)
• Annual Mileage
• Credit Score
• Own or Rent Your Home

So, who actually receives the cheapest auto insurance rates??
• Females
• Over 25 Years Old (but under 62)
• Married (ugh..there we go again…)
• Vehicle is Older and Less Expensive
• Clean Driving Record (no accidents or citations)
• Live in a Rural Area
• Low Annual Mileage
• Good Credit Score (ugh..there we go again…)

At the end of the day, these drivers cost the insurers less money because they are a lower risk. So, if you want to know how to lower your insurance rates, here are a few options.
• Increase Your Deductibles
• Lower Your Maximum Coverage Limits (this is “iffy” since you must have the proper legal minimums in your state)
• Take a Defensive Driving Safety Course every three years
• (If you are a student) Maintain a High GPA
• Make Sure Your Car Has The Newest Safety Features (air bag, alarm, etc.)
• Maintain a Clean Driver Record (again, taking a Defensive Driving Safety Course to dismiss a citation will help)
• Move Outside of the City Limit
• Drive Fewer Miles
• Improve Your Credit Score

Just keep in mind, though, the company with the most attractive rates may not always be the best option for you. Shopping around for better rates with these points in mind will save you money. And we all know that the money we save can be used for other important expenses, like paying off our liquor store credit card charges.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Auto Insurance Rates – Comedy Defensive Driving

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How Age Affects Auto Insurance Rates

Daun Thompson — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 07:05:21 +0000

This is yet another shameless way to promote Defensive Driving. This much I will admit. Not only will you learn about new traffic laws, and a good refresher course on evasive driving, but most insurance companies still offer a three year insurance discount for attending one. We are all well aware that new, inexperienced drivers pay higher auto insurance rates. Those rates typically go down at age 25, with a clean driving record. But once you hit the ripe age of 70, your insurance rates will likely go right back up. I, for one, wanted a better understanding of how age affects auto insurance rates. So I did a little research on the subject.

Since the invention of the automobile and automobile insurance, young male drivers’ insurance rates have always been higher than young women. Boys tend to drive faster and take bigger risks. I suppose that is why. I asked two young men, between 17 and 19 years of age, what they pay for their monthly premium. One said $460 and the other said $416. And, remember, that’s what they pay each month! I thought, thank God I have a daughter and not a son. If I had a son, it would be cheaper to send him to Sweden to get a sex change than it would to put him on my insurance policy.
I have also recently discovered that young men seldom wear seat belts. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s just not that cool. But, when asked, they tend to admit that it’s just too darned uncomfortable. My Mother says the same thing. But, I’m not surprised that her generation resists wearing a seat belt, since wearing one was only an option, and not a law until 1986. Actually, my Mother’s exact words are “It’s uncomfortable and will wrinkle her outfit.” Not like going through the windshield won’t put a wrinkle in your outfit, and your head, etc.

So, we know why young drivers pay higher rates. What about insurance rates increasing for elderly drivers? Apparently, age leads to impaired vision, poorer cognitive functioning, changes in physical functioning and typically high use of prescription medications help boost up the rates for these folks.

Of course, what kind of car you drive, where you live and how much you drive factor in to your final rate. So, moral to the story, if you’re between 25 and 70, you should be spending those years celebrating your lower insurance rates. These are your glory years!
Until next week…
Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist
How Age Affects Auto Insurance Rates – ComedyDefensiveDriving.com

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Tips for Getting Better Insurance Premiums

Daun Thompson — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:31:56 +0000

Here in Texas, you absolutely must have automobile liability insurance, or what they call “financial responsibility” … it’s the law. Two things that stay on your driving record indefinitely are a DWI (fair enough…that makes sense) and no proof of liability insurance. And it stays on your driving record…forever! We also have what they call the TexasSure program. Through this system, the police already know if you have liability insurance when they pull you over. If you don’t have your updated insurance card in the car with you, they will likely still write you a ticket. At the very least, you may need to take off work to go to the court house and show them your proof of financial responsibility. And they will dismiss your ticket but still make you pay a small administration fee. So, hours lost on the job alone will add up, financially. Always keep your updated insurance card in your car.

My insurance, because I am older and hadn’t had a ticket in a long while was only $61 per month. That was for full coverage insurance, which included road side assistance, towing, and many extras. I was pretty happy with that rate, until I added my 17 year old daughter to my policy. I added her to my policy online…with my fingers crossed. But my rate still more than quadrupled. So I am currently shopping around for better insurance rates. I’ve noticed that most of the larger insurance agencies are pretty competitive in price, right now. So I found a similar policy which is a much more manageable price for me. It doesn’t send up a red flag to your insurance agency when you shop for rates. And, as stated, you must have insurance. But, you don’t have to pay Neiman-Marcus prices for your automobile insurance. Besides, who wants to spend a bunch of extra money on insurance when you have better things to spend your money on (like my buddy Jack Daniels). So it doesn’t hurt to compare quotes now and then.

I have found that the best way for keeping my money in my own pocket is to follow my own mantra…or what I like to call “tips for getting better insurance premiums”:
1. Drive like a nervous Chihuahua, looking out for cops, and most importantly distracted drivers (ones on their phones).
2. Take a defensive driving class every three years for an insurance discount.
3. Keep your tires, fluids, brakes and all in top condition to prevent freak accidents.

A defensive driving class may cost you a little money and a little time, but will afford you a three year insurance discount, typically 10% (but the discount can be anywhere between 8% and 15%). That’s a nice savings, and every bit helps in this economy. Plus, you will learn about new laws and tips to be a better, safer driver. You will be able to rub shoulders with other bad drivers…uh, I mean students…and compare notes. Also, communicating with your insurance agency about tips for a better insurance premium will also help. They will be thrilled that you have chosen to take a defensive driving class. It just makes sense that they would prefer to insurance a better, safer driver.
Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Comedienne / Artist / Writer

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DRIVING TIPS FOR TEEN DRIVERS

Lisa — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 16:20:18 +0000

Driving is a privilege, not a right. With this privilege comes responsibilities, obligations and potential consequences.If you or someone you know is a new driver, the following tips may prove invaluable when getting behind the wheel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds. This accounts for forty percent of all teen deaths.So, teaching your teen to be careful and safe when driving can make the difference in not only their self-preservation, but also that of others.

A good start, is knowing what the laws and restrictions are for teen drivers. According to the DPS, during the one year period following the issuance of a Class C provisional driver license to a person under 18 years of age, the person may not operate a motor vehicle

Between midnight and 5a.m.

With more than one passenger in the vehicle under 21 years of age who is not a family member

While using a wireless communication device.

Another topic of discussion with your teen is the price of insurance. Insurance rates for teens are often double what adults over twenty five pay. Why? Because teens have an average of three accidents between 16 and 20. Some parents find that having their teens pay their own insurance will reduce recklessness and inattention. Distractions are one of the main causes of accidents for new drivers.

In addition to collisions, knowing the current seat belt law, school zone laws, school bus laws, and many other “typically” broken laws are very important to reinforce. Currently, the seat belt law in Texas requires that everyone in the car must wear a safety belt. If the person not wearing the safety belt is of age, they get their own ticket. If under age, the driver gets the ticket. I recently had a 16 year old student tell me that she got a ticket for speeding in front of her high school. The school zone lights were “active” and the ticket was very costly. In addition, her two 16 year old friends were not wearing their seat belts. She got both of the seat belt tickets. So she came home from school that day with a speeding in a school zone ticket and two no seat belt tickets. I don’t know what happened to her, but my parents would have killed me and started all over again. Wiped the slate clean and started a whole new, cheaper family. And she didn’t mention that she wasn’t supposed to have more than one friend in the car with her at a time. Another huge fine. Passing a school bus with it’s alternating flashing red lights is another very dangerous act with a huge fine attached. And knowing what to do on the opposite side of the street from the bus is important to stress, too. Coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or before taking a right at a red light is another. Counting 3 seconds to assure that the car has come to a complete stop is a good habit to get into. Changing lanes in an intersection and having a Hello Kitty bumper sticker are other good reasons for the cops to pull you over.

A few things I will be teaching my teen driver? To practice safe and courteous driving behavior. Perhaps, if she drove as if everyone around her had a small child in the car, maybe she wouldn’t pull any bone-headed moves. Like crossing 3 lanes across traffic to take her exit. And, perhaps if she drove as if everyone had a gun in the car (and in Texas, they do), maybe she’d be a little more courteous out there when she’s driving.

Until next week….be safe!

Daun Thompson

(Daun Thompson is a comedienne, writer and artist residing in Dallas, Texas)

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