Monthly Archives September 2012

September 29, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  5 comments

Commercial Auto Insurance in New York

In addition to personal New York auto insurance, Geico is now offering commercial auto insurance for New Yorkers. Commercial auto insurance consists of insurance for small business such as contractors, retailers, and more, and covers cars, vans, and trucks that are used by the businesses. The new coverage is offered to new and existing customers, and free quotes can be obtained by calling GEICO.

According to Pionne Corbin, the director of GEICO’s commercial lines, customers now have the benefit of combining their residential and commercial auto policies together, which in the long run, will save time and money on its already low-cost premiums:

“Customers can now contact GEICO for all of their automobile insurance needs, and through the GEICO Insuran...

September 27, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

Florida drivers could see a price drop of up to 25% of their premiums

Recently, the state of Florida made changes to the personal injury protection (PIP) coverage on automobile policies. With the changes in places, reports have suggested that Florida drivers could see a price drop of up to 25% of their premiums.

However, keep in mind other costs involved with insurance policies may offset the new price reduction. Florida insurance companies are hesitant to explain the new price reduction to consumers because it could potentially expose hidden prices listed as additional costs. For example, a recently revealed hidden was found to be an insurance fraud scheme, which ended up costing companies over a billion dollars.

Executive Director of the Florida Consumer Action Network, Bill Newton, exp...

September 26, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  One comment

Fraudulent Insurance Cards

Although South Florida is famous for its beaches, its sports franchises, its culture, year-round balmy weather, a plethora tourist resorts and glitzy nightlife, it’s also infamous for its darker side: drug smuggling, rampant political corruption and, increasingly, auto insurance-related scams.

Due to the explosive growth of the area’s population over the past 30 years, law enforcement agents in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties have witnessed many fraudulent practices, including the filing of false auto theft cases, staged car accidents, and self-inflicting damage to automobiles to get payments from auto insurance companies.

The latest scam, however, alarms police agencies and insurance companies because it’s not easy to detect or to deter: over t...

September 25, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  One comment

Save upto 30% on your Auto Insurance

In a recent study done in Katy, Texas, Frank Hursh, owner of an independent insurance agency, gave advice on how drivers can potentially lower their Texas auto insurance by up to 30%:

“These steps are so simple it amazes me that more Texans are not taking advantage of them. If they realize how much money they could be saving every month, they will follow them immediately,” Hursh said in his office earlier today.”

One of the easiest ways to save, but something that often overlooked by consumers, is to maximize the discounts they are entitled to. Often, drivers believe that discounts are automatically offered to them after giving out their information to an insurance company, but according to Hursh, this isn’t necessarily true:

“Most people do no...

September 23, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

National Weather Service, recently warned Texas residents and business owners

John Meth, of the National Weather Service, recently warned Texas residents and business owners that the 2012 hurricane season is in full effect and now is the time to ensure that they have windstorm insurance. In addition, tropical storm predictions for this season have increased from 12 to 17 around the Gulf of Mexico area.

In an effort to educate Texas residents, Metz has been touring Texas communities with Mark Hanna, the Insurance Council of Texas manager. Two State Farm community specialists, Amelia Folkes and Alime Nieves, have also joined the tour.

Per Hannah, Hurricane Ike has been the costliest hurricane in the history of Texas when it tore through the state four years ago, leaving many people homeless...

September 21, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

Safest Driving City in Texas

In the annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” released in August 2012, Brownsville, Texas, ranked as the safest driving city in the state of Texas, and the 25th safest driving city in the nation.

In 2011, Laredo took the top spot for the safest driving city in Texas, but from 2007 to 2010, Brownsville steadily held on to the #1 spot, and this year has reclaimed its place.

“Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report” was created in order to increase vehicle safety discussions throughout the United States. According to the Texas Regional Vice President of Allstate, Phil Lawson, recognizing cities will help to promote safer driving in the years to come:

“It is vital for us to educate American drivers about safe driving behaviors they can demonstra...

September 20, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

Auto Thefts on Rise in Texas

A recent police report has indicated that car thefts are on the rise in Texas; specifically Odessa, Texas. According to the Odessa Police Department, 280 car thefts have been reported since the beginning of 2012, a massive spike increase from previous years.

In many instances, the stolen cars are later found abandoned, and stripped of major parts such as the engine and transmission. Cosmetic damage is not usual. A concern for police, however, is the people who’ve had their car stolen do not have the correct coverage in insurance to be able to cover the damages done to their vehicle.

In Texas, the state-minimum requirement is liability insurance...

September 19, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

Ways to Save for Teens on Auto Insurance

A Texas Auto Insurance has recently shared several ways that Texas drivers can save on their auto insurance prices.

According to Frank Hursh, the owner of a local Texas insurance agency, there are a variety of ways for teenage drivers to save money even though their premiums are usually higher than average:

“Insurance companies are typically reluctant to insure teenage drivers for a number of reasons including that they do not have experience. Age is also a factor. Because teenagers are so young, they tend to be involved in more accidents.”

The first step for parents to take is to purchase their teens safe and reliable cars instead of flashy and expensive sports cars...

September 14, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

In a recent New Jersey regulator meeting, insurance companies were reminded that each company must offer its consumers the default option of $250,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Customers can request a lower limit in writing, but it’s a mandatory requirement for insurance companies offer the maximum PIP coverage.

According to Kenneth Kobylowski of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, several insurance companies in New Jersey have been violating this rule and not offering its customers the coverage:

“The Department of Banking and Insurance has become aware that some insurers have not been providing $250,000 as the default coverage limit for personal injury protection (“PIP”) benefits for a standard private passenger automobile insuranc...

September 13, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  11 comments

With insurance prices in New Jersey averaging around $2,000 annually, many drivers are looking for ways to save on their premiums, especially if they only use their vehicles on certain days or weeks, or only drive a few miles per day.

Pay As You Drive

Pay as you drive, known as PAYD, is an insurance program that allows your own driving patterns to dictate what your insurance premium amount will be. The less you drive, the lower your rates, and the safer you drive, the lower your rates.

In New Jersey, PAYD works when an insurance company installs a monitoring device inside your vehicle. The monitoring device is able to gauge how hard you press on your brakes, how far you drive, and how often you drive. This in turn, dictates your premium price...

September 12, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

Disappointing news for Illinois drivers

There is disappointing news for Illinois drivers who are insured through Farmers Group. The insurance company, which is the sixth largest car insurer in the state of Illinois, has increased its insurance by an outstanding 15% for Illinois drivers. This is the one of the largest insurance price increases in decades.

A Farmers Group spokesperson released a statement explaining the reasons for increased rates, which, according to the statement, is out of the company’s hands. High auto accidents in Illinois which have resulted in rising medical costs, auto repair costs, and parts labor, was the deciding factor that led to the increase.

However, in an effort to lighten the blow, Farmers Group is offering discounts and savings to existing customers who o...

September 7, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

According to a recent study performed by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, certain cars rank significantly higher for the risk of theft in the state of California. Drivers who own these vehicles are advised to purchase added insurance protection that covers them in the event that their vehicles are stolen.

The report, which studied car thefts that occurred during 2011 in California, concluded that the 1994 Honda Accord was stolen the most, followed by several other foreign and domestic vehicles:

• 1994 Honda Accord
• 1998 Honda Civic
• 1991 Toyota Camry
• 1994 Acura Integra
• 2004 Chevrolet Pickup Truck
• 2006 Ford Pickup Truck
• 1994 Nissan Sentra
• 2010 Toyota Corolla
• 1997 Nissan Altima
• 1998 Toyota Pickup 4×2

The study revealed that the Honda Accord was also among the most-stolen vehicles in ever...

September 4, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

Auto Insurance in New York

In the busy world of New York, many people opt to use public transportation instead of driving a vehicle. However, being the most populated state in the United States, those individuals who do choose to drive must always consider not only the legal requirements for New York auto insurance, but also extra protection in the event of an accident.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), New York drivers must at least maintain liability insurance if they intend to operate a vehicle. Liability insurance in New York consists of a minimum amount of $25,000 per injury per person, up to $50,000 for two people. In addition, drivers must also have at least $50,000 in the event that they cause a death in an accident, with a maximum of $100,000 for two people...

September 2, 2012,  Latino Insurance Blog  No comments

According to the San Antonio Express News, a college student attending school in Waco, Texas, was recently found dead close to his apartment. William Patterson, a freshman at Baylor University, was stuck in his car close to Penland Hall when the car caught fire.

While most students remember tuition, books, and supplies, several Texas college students forget about insurance, such as health, renter’s, and even Texas auto insurance, which is mandatory. However, many students and their parents simply forgo insurance, thinking that the rates are just too expensive for college-bound students.

Health Insurance:

At some schools in Texas, health insurance is a requirement...