I’m sick of having to pay a small fortune on my car insurance coverage rates. What can I do to change this?

Aimee

Elizabeth, NJ

You’re not alone; we’re sure many others all over the country are saying the same thing. Here are some tips to help you get a more pocket-friendly car insurance rate and coverage.

1. Know Your Discounts – Start by asking your insurer about discount options, especially if you’re not even sure you’re getting any. Low-mileage discounts, defensive driver discounts, good student discounts, and safe car discounts are just some of the many types available.

2. Streamline Your Policy – Aim to remove redundant/unused coverage items. If you have medical insurance you may not need to have Personal Injury Protection on your policy. Have an old clunker? Consider dropping comprehensive coverage to save.

3. Go with a Higher Deductible – Simply put, a higher deductible leads to lowered premiums. As long as you don’t raise it too high then you should still be fine when you do need to file a claim.

4. Be a Good Driver – Want to enjoy affordable car insurance rates for years to come? Make sure to keep your driving record clean.

5. Setup an Annual Payment Plan – Most companies today award lowered rates/ discounts for paying your policy a year upfront.

6. Bundle Your Coverage – Most insurers also give incentives/discounts for getting multiple policies or insurance coverage with them.

7. Shop Around – It wouldn’t be a bad idea to do a car insurance search online as well. Use insurance comparison websites like this one to get an idea about the latest rates and deals out there. A better, and more affordable insurer may your best option.

I get confuse about my NJ vehicle insurance so I will need some of your help. I already know what liability coverage is, but can you differentiate the three: collision, comprehensive and medical coverage?

Sandeep

Toms River, NJ

A lot of drivers really get confused about their NJ vehicle insurance and seek the help of their friends and family or even a vehicle insurance agent or broker. Since you already know what liability coverage is, I’ll help you understand what collision, comprehensive and medical coverage in your NJ vehicle insurance are.

First up, collision coverage would pay for the damages on your car in the event that you have a collision with another car or object. If you have collision coverage as part of your NJ vehicle insurance, you are required to pay the deductible first before your insurer picks up the tab. Similarly, comprehensive coverage would pay for the damages on your car but if it is due to natural causes like fire, flood or storm. Theft and vandalism are also coverage if you have comprehensive coverage on your NJ vehicle insurance.

In the state of New Jersey, medical payments coverage or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is required for a driver to have as part of his/her NJ vehicle insurance. These things work in a different way but they are the same in giving medical care for you after an accident.

I’m a new resident here in New Jersey and I don’t know if my requirements meet the one on this state since I came from another state. Is there anything that I have to know about car insurances here in the state of New Jersey?

Ally

Elizabeth, NJ

Almost every citizen who just moved in New Jersey is actually worried whether their car insurance policy meets the requirement of the state. It is best for those citizens who are in question to check with the Department of Banking and Insurance of the state for them to know the state policies.

The thing that New Jersey is known to is that it is also a No Fault State which makes New Jersey drivers comprehensively insured. But even if it is a No Fault Policy, there are still listed exemptions just like one should take a Liability Policy or the list the Minimum Liability Policy to cover some of the expenses one cannot afford even with their car insurance. But with our present economy, medical bills skyrocketed too that there is a big possibility that the other party will not be able to pay for all the damages so it is much required to have at least more than the minimum liability. And aside from this advised policy, one should get a Personal Injury Protection to pay for medical expense and other things that may occur and that it can be also extended to the other party if they don’t have enough coverage. Laws are good for one doesn’t need to suffer in an accident but you also have to protect yourself.