Legally: an insurance lapse is any period of time when a registered vehicle does not have at least the state-required minimum insurance coverage. It can result from not paying your premiums, not renewing a policy once it’s ended, or getting dropped by your insurer after causing too many accidents or incurring too many tickets.

Mistakes happen, but you must avoid lapses in your car insurance at all costs. If you drive without car insurance, you’ll invariably be caught and penalized in a variety of ways. No matter who your insurance provider is, how the lapse happened, or whether it was intentional or accidental – insurance companies take it as a sign that you’re lousy clientele. Moreover, driving without insurance can lead to fines, tickets, license suspension, and even jail time for repeat offenders.

Maybe you’re currently wondering if it’s worth it to risk a lapse in coverage. Perhaps you’ve already lapsed, or there’s an existing coverage gap in your insurance history. But no matter what your financial situation is: it’s better to keep or downgrade existing coverage than to cancel altogether. The money you’d save in the short term pales in comparison to the inevitable future increase of your premium. Insurance companies share databases, and they will catch on if you go without coverage. Even if you don’t drive the car during that lapse, the financial consequences remain equally disastrous.

At the very least: getting caught means an insurance lapse fine of up to $5,000, permanent marks on your driving record, and a permanently-higher future cost of insurance.

Given the severity of these consequences: it’s best practice – and not terribly difficult – to avoid coverage lapses in the first place. Drive safely to avoid the worst-case scenario of being dropped by your insurer altogether. After that, get an insurance rate you know you can maintain. Pay your insurance premiums on time, and consider setting up auto-billing. Remember to renew the policy every year and always carry at least the state minimum required insurance.

But if you do miss a payment or fail to renew the policy: don’t worry. Federal law requires insurance companies to offer a grace period and send multiple written notices about the temporary lapse. Typically lasting between 10 and 30 days, depending on the state and insurance company in question; grace periods are final notice—your last chance to patch things up before getting hit with penalties. If you don’t pay by the end of the grace period, you could lose your policy – leaving you uninsured, lapsed, and disqualified from the low rate you used to enjoy.

If your vehicle is leased or financed, there’s an extra layer, here.

States require liability insurance, at minimum. If you’re involved in a traffic accident, there needs to be some entity that can cover any injuries or damage you caused. However, your vehicle is not itself protected by liability insurance. If the car is financed, the loan holder almost always requires the driver to carry more than the state minimum liability insurance. That typically looks like a bundle of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage riders. But if you allow that insurance policy to lapse? Your creditors will likely purchase a new insurance policy for you, at a much higher rate. Or worse, repossess your car altogether.

If your lapse was brief and understandable – due to a missed payment, lost mail, or incomplete renewal – speak with an agent before accepting the consequences. Your auto insurer might be willing to reinstate the original policy once you pay in full. They’ll likely charge a one-time lapse fee, but the rate could remain the same, and that’s what truly matters.

However, if your lapse was longer than a few weeks – it’s going to be permanently harder to get reinsured. Check your policy details, stay on top of payments, and don’t cancel your auto insurance for short-term savings!

What is car insurance?

Auto insurance is a type of insurance that covers the car owner and their passengers against the financial consequences of being involved in an accident. The cost for this type of insurance depends on several factors, such as the amount of coverage you choose and where you live.
The good news is that there are ways to save on auto insurance. These methods include purchasing your policy from a company with a good reputation and getting discounts when buying multiple procedures at once.
Here are some other tips for saving on car insurance:
– Carefully review your deductible before choosing what you want to spend for coverage.
– Visit the state’s official website to find out about programs like Good Samaritan laws or any other discounts that may help you get better rates.
– If you have more than five years of driving experience, consider taking an online course in defensive driving to improve your driving record and potentially save more money on auto insurance premiums.

What should you be looking for in a policy?

There are three aspects of an auto insurance policy that you should be concerned with: cost, coverage, and deductible. Coverage is the type of protection you want to receive from your insurer. In general, there are two types of coverage: liability and comprehensive. Liability covers any accident-related damages and injuries to others caused by your car. Comprehensive covers damages from natural disasters like tornadoes or hurricanes. Limits for these two types of coverage differ based on the make and model of your vehicle and your risk factors like driving record and age. Deductibles are how much money you pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in to cover damages.

Tips for saving on auto insurance

The first step to saving on auto insurance is choosing the right coverage. You should check your current policy and go over it with a fine-toothed comb. If you are in a situation where you need to upgrade your coverage, you can do so by adding comprehensive, collision, or comprehensive/collision. If you don’t see anything that meets your needs or if you need advice, speak with an agent.
If you want to save money on the cost of insuring your car, don’t be afraid to ask for discounts. Some companies offer discounts for purchasing car insurance through their website. Additionally, many companies will give discounts for people who buy multiple policies from them at one time. This can save hundreds of dollars per year.

Conclusion

Being a responsible and financially-savvy consumer can help you save money on car insurance. To help you save on car insurance, these tips will help you understand what type of coverage is required for your vehicle and give you tips to save money on your policy.

Research the Minimum Requirements for Your State

Each state has its own rules regarding auto insurance. Most states will require a minimum amount of liability insurance to pay for car repairs and other property damage. They will also usually require you to have a minimum amount of medical payments coverage to pay for medical expenses.. In addition, some states will require that your auto insurance coverage has options like uninsured motorists insurance to help cover you in the event that you get into an accident with someone who has insufficient or no insurance.

Take Advantage of Bundles

Insuring multiple vehicles and drivers is usually a pain, but it can be made easier with bulk insurance packages. Insurance companies will offer better rates if you bundle vehicles and drivers together under one plan. There may be restrictions involved in bundling drivers, such as requiring the drivers all be related, live under the same roof or all collectively own the vehicles being bundled, but most people have no trouble finding bundles that fit their situation.

Drive Safely

Accidents and poor driving records mark you as a higher risk to insurance companies, jacking up your rates and making it difficult to get better deals on insurance in the future. There’s nothing you can do about anything already on your record, but the further in the past the incidents are, and the longer you go being a responsible and safe driver, the less of a liability you’ll be to insurance companies and the better rates you’ll be able to get. If you don’t have any accidents or severe driving violations on your record, you may be eligible for a safe driving discount. Some companies will even offer monitoring programs where your safe driving discount gets higher over time when you continue to practice safe driving habits.

Always Ask Your Agent Questions

Insurance is a very complex matter involving laws, regulations and a lot of complicated details that people tend to overlook because they’re confusing. However, most insurance agents will explain any insurance-related matter to you in a clear and concise manner. If you have questions about your coverage, rates, discounts or anything else related to your insurance, ask your agent and write down the answers. Understanding your auto insurance as much as possible will help you get the best plans and ensure that you can use your coverage without any problems in the event of an accident.

Shop Around

When it comes to getting the highest quality services at the best prices for anything in life, you always need to shop around. There are many insurance companies out there waiting to have you as a client. Don’t limit yourself to one or two choices. Search on the internet for local insurance companies, research several of them and send an inquiry to the ones that seem the best. If you’re still unsure about your options after you’ve explored a few options, keep looking. You’re bound to find at least a couple companies that can offer you a good customized plan at a decent rate.

Go Over Your Policy Carefully with Your Agent Before Signing

Even if you’ve found a great company with the best rates, the policy itself could still have issues that need to be addressed. Before signing, go over your policy very carefully with your insurance agent and take notes of any important information. If you come across an issue, talk it out with your agent and have the policy amended, if necessary.

Come on: we’re all guilty of it. We just love to do stuff that isn’t driving, while we’re driving. Fiddling around with Spotify at stoplights, eating entire meals in bumper-to-bumper traffic, trying to snap a picture of that idiotic vanity plate. Occasionally, all at once… These days, I usually take the Subway. And the streets are probably better off without my tiny attention span.

Because on average, distracted driving is responsible for around 3000 fatalities each year.

There are three kinds of distraction at play on the road. In increasing order of severity: visual, manual, and cognitive. Visual distractions are the most benign – anything that takes our eyes away from the road, like an accident in the median or one of those flailing tube-men from an auto dealership. It’s an inevitable part of driving.

Manual distractions generally have worse outcomes but are more preventable. Things that cause us to take one or both hands from the wheel – like texting, eating, applying makeup, or fiddling with the music – are a matter of impulse control. But cognitive distractions are worse because there’s little we can do to prevent them. If you’ve ever made a long-haul drive, especially at night, you’ve probably experienced “highway hypnosis.” The tendency to lose one’s sense of space and time while driving on long, flat, straight roads. Maybe you’ve even caught yourself nodding off at the wheel. In any case, the best solution to cognitive distraction is simply not to drive at all. Driving requires mindfulness from us. 

But we’re hurtling down the pavement, at 80 miles an hour, in steel death cages full of explosive gasses, and some of us still can’t muster the willpower to keep our hands on the wheel and not text back “LOL.”

But there are more incentives to safe driving than just keeping out of hospitals and jails. For one: many insurers offer apps and plug-in devices, which actively track your behavior while driving. It’s not a new concept – pioneered in 2003 by Progressive, with their Snapshot program. After all: if our phones can already record steps, what other physical phenomena could they record? And how could that data be helpful to insurers? If the data recorded shows that you’re an exceptionally safe driver – that you drive the speed limit, brake easy, turn smooth, and otherwise don’t rattle your phone’s accelerometer – it means you’re a lower risk. Less of a chance that you’ll file an expensive claim. So, to keep that state of affairs in place, insurers will offer discounts on their premiums based on this data.

The policies exploded in popularity, and many people drive more safely as a result And now that the technology’s caught up, almost every auto insurer offers a program like it. But it’s a double-edged sword. Because if you enter the program and prove to be a risky driver? Your rates are going up. It’s inevitable. After all, insurance companies can’t just ignore that data. Plus, they’re the ones who get to interpret what “safe driving” looks like, in numbers. Plenty of people who participate do save, but many more find out, pretty quickly, just how bad their driving is. Or, depending on your perspective, how stingy their insurance company’s trying to be that year. In either case, I wouldn’t recommend any of it. Distractions are abundant on the road, and the savings – usually in the order of $10-$20 a month, at best – aren’t worth the risk of raising your premium.

However, there is a similar program you can participate in that actually does make you a better driver and doesn’t potentially raise your premiums: the Defensive Driving Course.

Check with your insurer first, but this one-day, $25 seminar can knock as much as 10% off your premiums. In most cases, you can even take it online. Shop around for an insurance policy that fits your budget and needs, ask if they offer the discount, if there are any restrictions, and complete the class before paying for your policy – no insurers offer reimbursement or credit for this particular program.

You might even re-learn a thing or two you forgot from driving school.

Dashboard-mounted cameras, or “dashcams,” are not new technology. For decades now, consumers, businesses, and law enforcement have used these devices to monitor and record what really happens around their vehicles, both on and off the road. They’ve exploded in popularity after YouTube, social media, and high-profile court cases began to show how drivers could successfully use dashcam footage to contest traffic accidents, theft, fraud, and damage caused by unruly passengers. Recently, dashcams have even exposed widespread but well-hidden civil rights abuse by law enforcement – catching bad cops engaging in all manner blatant criminality.

There is rarely sufficient documentation because of the sudden and dramatic nature of vehicular incidents. As a result, they frequently devolve into “he said, she said” situations. Dashcams help to provide a clearer picture of the events, as they actually unfolded, going far in proving your true level of liability. Although the upfront cost is steep – as with all quality cameras – it only needs to be useful once to have paid for itself.

Insurers typically don’t offer any specific discounts for having a dashcam in one’s vehicle. It’s not like a driving tracker application, where insurers give discounts for good behavior based on data pulled from a phone’s accelerometer. But the absence of a direct reward doesn’t mean you should forgo the camera. Take a look in any Uber, Lyft, or taxi: there’s a dashcam, guaranteed. A different set of incentives is at play, as the camera’s presence reminds passengers and other drivers alike: “I have an incontestable record of your behavior, here.”

And in a court of law, the camera is considered a firsthand witness.

When accidents happen, the claims process can become atrociously messy if there’s any doubt about who’s at fault. It’s common for proceedings to devolve into one driver’s word against the other. Judges become frustrated, and more likely to conclude that both parties are at fault. But being found liable – even partially – could bar you from recouping damages from the other party’s insurance. Or worse: require you to pay out of your own insurance for repairs, which means your premiums are absolutely going up.

There’s also the ever-present threat of car insurance fraud. If someone successfully implicates you in a staged accident, the results can be truly disastrous. I’m talking tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees, drastically-increased insurance premiums, a ruined relationship with your insurer, and real damage to your reputation – which money cannot fix. But a video record of the events in question, in combination with a police report, is your best and only defense against insurance fraud.

Generally speaking, a solid dashcam costs between $100 and $300. Higher-end models will include HD video, failsafe backup batteries, built-in GPS, and accelerometer. Some will even automatically alert emergency services in case of an accident. Lower-end models still get the job done, and are 100% better than nothing. But in both cases: they’re widely available and easy to install. My only personal recommendation would be to spring for a camera with motion-detecting capabilities, as this has the added benefit of theft protection. Some models begin recording as soon as they’re disturbed, acting as a security camera. Your footage could serve as a firsthand witness, assisting law enforcement with tracking down local car thieves and even possibly reuniting you with stolen items.

Regardless: if there’s any dispute, any question, any uncertainty after you’ve filed a claim – the footage on your vehicle’s dashcam could be the deciding factor in how you come out of the ordeal. Don’t be caught without one.

Coverage Options

There are three major types of auto insurance: liability protection, property damage protection, and personal injury protection. Liability coverage protects you against the claims of other people in an accident involving your vehicle. If you’re at fault for a car accident and another person is injured, or their property is damaged, as a result, your liability insurance may help cover those costs.

Property damage protection provides coverage for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it’s damaged in an accident for which you are at fault. Personal injury protection is similar but provides coverage for injuries to yourself, your passengers, and other people involved in the accident.

The amount of money you pay for each type of insurance will depend on the type and model of the car you drive and your age, driving experience, and credit score.

Deductibles

When purchasing an auto insurance policy, you’ll also have to decide on a deductible. A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket for an accident claim before the insurer pays anything. For example, if your deductible is $500 and your vehicle requires $800 in repairs following a crash, you will be responsible for paying the first $500. You would then file a claim with your insurer to cover the remaining $300.

Choosing a deductible is largely a matter of preference. However, it’s important to understand that the higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. This means you’ll pay more out-of-pocket for an accident claim if you choose a high deductible.

Repair Shops They Work With

When you need to file an insurance claim for damages to your vehicle, you must choose a repair shop that works with your insurer. This will ensure the process runs smoothly and your car is repaired quickly.

Most car insurance companies list their preferred repair shops online or in a policy brochure. Most of these shops are reputable and reliable, but you may want to check online reviews to find the best one in your area.

Auto Insurance Discounts

Auto insurance companies often offer discounts for safe drivers. Most of these are available only to good drivers who have not had an accident or moving violation within a specific period, typically three years or more.

Good student, multi-car, or military discounts are just a few of the most common auto insurance discounts. Some insurers may also offer discounts to drivers who drive less than 5,000 miles per year or take a defensive driving course.

Cost

It would be best if you considered the cost of your car insurance policy. All other things being equal, it’s usually better to pay more for higher coverage than to accept a low-limit or barebones policy that only covers the minimum required by law.

Talk to your insurance agent about finding an affordable policy with the right amount of coverage for your needs. While you’re at it, be sure to ask about additional discounts that may apply to you. Look for ways to reduce your monthly premiums and save money on your coverage.

Reputability

It would be best to consider the reputation of the insurance company you are purchasing your policy from. A quick search online can reveal valuable information about an insurer’s financial stability, complaint history, and how customers feel about its customer service.

Ensure you’re purchasing from a reputable insurance company. Your state insurance commissioner can provide information about financial stability and complaint history. For customer service, you should read online reviews.

Smart consumers choose car insurance based on the amount of protection they need, their deductible, and the company’s reputation for providing their coverage. By understanding what types of coverage are offered and how much they cost, drivers can make informed decisions and find the car insurance policy that works best for them.

Getting Insurance for Your Vehicle

As soon as you purchase or lease a vehicle, one of the things that you will need to do is get an insurance policy. Since states require you to get auto insurance, it is important that you find a policy that will allow you to comply with the local laws. As well as complying with the law, consumers will also want to find an auto insurance policy that meets their specific needs. For consumers, there are some steps that you can take to find a policy that will allow you to get the coverage that you need for your vehicle.

Learn About Coverage

The first step that you will need to take when finding an auto insurance policy is to learn about all of the available coverage. It is important to know the difference between liability coverage, collision coverage and umbrella coverage. Each of these policies provide specific coverage that will enable you to receive protection for your vehicle. In most cases, you will want to get a policy that will provide you with coverage for vehicle damage, theft and legal liability from lawsuits. As a result umbrella coverage is the one that most consumers get due to the amount of protection it provides.

Determine the Coverage You Need

Another step that you will need to take when getting an auto insurance policy is to determine the exact type of coverage that you need. Once you learn about all of the types of insurance coverage, you will then need to determine the exact coverage that will benefit you. Depending on the type of coverage that you already have, you will want to either add on to your coverage or change it entirely. For instance, if you already have collision coverage but no liability, you will want to get liability coverage or even umbrella coverage in order to ensure that you have what you need to protect yourself and your vehicle. As soon as you know what coverage you need, then you will then need to get the policy you have in mind.

Look Online

Today, you can look for an auto insurance policy on the internet in order to find the policy that is right for you. One of the first steps that you can take is to compare premiums by getting a quote. You can go on a website, fill out a short form and then receive an estimate of how much you will need to pay for your desired coverage. Once you find a policy that is affordable for you, then you can sign up and enroll in the policy of your choice.

Compare Policies

Before you enroll in an auto insurance policy, you will want to compare all of the policies that meet your criteria. The premiums can differ depending on the insurance company. You will also want to look for a policy that offers incentives such as safe driving bonuses and additional coverage for your vehicle. By comparing policies, you will be in better position to find one that will enable you to get all of the coverage that you need.

Find a Low Quote

During the process of looking for an auto insurance policy, it is important to find one that has comprehensive coverage and a low quote. With low insurance premiums, you will be able to save money. This can allow you to get the coverage you need without jeopardizing your ability to pay for maintenance, gas and your car loan or lease payments. Therefore, finding a policy with a low quote should be a top priority whenever you are shopping for a policy.

Sign Up For a Policy

If you are unsure about what type of policy you want to get for auto insurance, it is advised that you contact an insurance agent. Contacting an insurance agent can allow you to get more detailed information about the policies available. It can also enable you to get more personalized assistance when looking to get a car insurance policy. Once you find the right policy then you will need to just sign up for it by filling out a form and receive your coverage.

Getting Auto Insurance

Shortly after buying or leasing a car, one of the things that you will need to do is get an auto insurance policy. This type of policy is often required for drivers so that they have sufficient coverage in case of an accident. Since getting an insurance policy is very important, it is a good idea to look for a policy that is right for you. There are a number of ways in which you can get an auto insurance policy that will fulfill your needs.

Type of Coverage

One of the things that you will need to do when seeking an auto insurance policy is to determine the type of coverage that you need. There are a number of different types of coverage that you will want to get in order to make sure that you have all of the protection that you need.

• Liability:

This part of an auto policy entails having coverage for any legal liability. In case you get into an accident and get sued, you will have financial support to help cope with a potential lawsuit.

• Collision:

When insuring your vehicle, it is important to make sure that you have coverage in case of an accident. Therefore, collision coverage is arguably the most important type of coverage that you can get with an auto policy. This provides compensation and financial support for damage from an accident whether you caused it or if it was caused by another driver.

• Umbrella:

If you are looking to get the most comprehensive coverage available, it is best that you get the umbrella policy. This covers everything that you can possibly want in a policy. You will get coverage for vehicle damage, property loss, theft, legal liability and medical expenses. An umbrella policy is the option that you should get if you are looking for a quality policy that will give you all of the coverage that you need to insure your vehicle.

Premiums

Whenever you are looking for an auto policy that is right for you, it is important to consider the premiums. A premium is the amount that you pay each month. Most auto policies allow you to pay for insurance every six months. You will want to look for a policy that best fits your budget. A good way to find an ideal policy is look for the most comprehensive coverage for the most affordable price. This will ensure that you get the coverage you need without too much financial strain.

Company

The company is another factor that you should consider when looking for an ideal auto insurance policy. There are many companies that offer auto policies and so you have plenty of options to consider. It is important to find a company that is reputable and which offers you the type of coverage you need. You will also want to find a company that offers the most affordable policies as well.

Getting the Auto Policy

When you decide to get an auto policy, you will then need to find a way to get it quickly. The best way to get an auto policy is to visit websites and get a quote. This will then lead you to a company website that you can apply for a policy. Within a matter of seconds you will get approved and be in position to get your coverage within a few days. You can also meet with a reputable insurance agent as well. These professionals will give you more personalized service as they will provide you with detailed information about the policy that you are looking to get.

Auto insurance is something that everyone needs to have. Not only is it required by law, but it is also a worthwhile investment. There are several reasons that you need auto insurance.

Pay Less If You Are Involved in An Accident

An accident occurs every 60 seconds. Even if you are a cautious driver, you can still be involved in an accident. A car accident can lead to financial ruin. On the other hand, you will pay a lot less if you have car insurance. Your car insurance may cover all or part of the accident costs. Not only will your car insurance pay for the accident damages, but it can also pay for the medical expenses that you may incur.

Pay for Vehicle Damages That Are Out of Your Control

There are several things that can happen to your car that you may not necessarily be able to control. For example, your car can be damaged by a hailstorm or a tree falling on it. If you have comprehensive coverage, then your car insurance will pay for the damages. This will prevent you from having to replace your vehicle prematurely.

Protects Your Passengers

You are responsible for everyone who rides in your car. If you have auto insurance, then you will be able to protect your passengers. Your car insurance will cover their medical bills if they are injured in the accident.

Protects You From A Lawsuit

If you were the one who caused the accident, then it is possible that the other party will try to sue you. A lawsuit can cost you thousands of dollars and ruin you financially. There is no need for you to lose everything because of a mistake. Your auto insurance comes with liability coverage. This can be used to cover the other person’s injuries. It can also be used for legal defense if you need it.

Save You Stress

A car accident can change your life for the worst. You will have to decide how you are going to repair or replace your vehicle. You will also have to negotiate the costs with the other drive. Your car insurance policy can help you save stress. They can help you handle the repairs or replacement. If your vehicle needs to be towed, then your car insurance can handle the cost of that too.

All you have to do is file the car insurance claim, and the company will take care of the rest.

Peace of Mind

Getting on the road comes with a lot of risks. However, if you have car insurance, then you will have the peace of mind knowing that you will be financially protected if you get into a car accident. You can avoid monetary loss by getting car insurance.

It Is Affordable

The cost is the biggest excuse that people give for not having car insurance. However, it costs you more to not have car insurance. Car insurance is also affordable, and there are discounts that you may be able to get. For example, you can get a discount for having a good driving record and good credit.