Insurance Information

Eleven Money-Saving Auto Insurance Tips for Senior Drivers


Following a few simple tips and taking these measures will ensure that you are getting the lowest rates possible on your auto insurance policy.

1. Avoid more Accidents, Pay Close Attention at Intersections. Auto accidents involving seniors often occur at intersections. Make sure to look ahead if you plan to quickly change lanes after an intersection. Pay attention to protected left turn lanes with their own arrows, and always keep your tires pointed straight ahead when stopped, so that a rear-end accident doesn't push you into oncoming traffic.

2. Follow the flow of traffic, Drive at the at or near the speed limit. Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as speeding, especially when entering or exiting interstates or freeways. It can also trigger dangerous "road rage" in less patient drivers. You don't have to be Mario Andretti, but keeping to the right and following the flow of traffic is the safest bet.

3. Many violations include failure to yield right-of-way, improper turning or incorrect lane changes, so keep current on the traffic laws relating to new traffic designs.

4. Sit high enough in your seat so that you can see at least 10 feet in front of your car, advises the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your car seat does not adjust to allow this, add a cushion. This will make it easier to see pedestrians and bike riders, and reduce problems from oncoming headlight glare at night.

5. Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses when driving at night. For many older drivers, night vision is reduced, so safety dictates not driving at twilight or after dark.

6. Make sure you learn how to operate a New Car. Things like Anti-lock brakes, for example operate differently in slippery situations. If you have never driven a car with anti-lock brakes, sure to get training on proper use.

7. Senior drivers can refresh their skills and knowledge -- and get a discount on auto insurance in many states -- by taking a refresher driving course, such as the eight-hour "55 Alive" course offered by AARP. More than two-thirds of states mandate auto insurance policy discounts for such courses, and many insurance companies offer the discounts voluntarily.

8. Look for cars with rear-view mirrors that automatically dim and filter out headlight glare.

9. Air bag technology has become more advanced, with sensors that deploy air bags based on the weight of the occupant, reducing air-bag-related injuries. Some new cars also have side air bags in the seats or door frame that offer better protection.

10. Consider fit and comfort in your new car. Seat belts that comfortably fit over your shoulder and low on your lap will keep you safer. Automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes require less physical effort.

11. Last but definitely not least, Check to see which companies offer specific 'Senior Discounts' While shopping around for the best auto insurance rates is important, which insurance company you choose might depend on how they treat senior drivers. You'll get their best rates if you're healthy and drive a safe, modern vehicle.

Reprints of this article are allowed (and encouraged) for your site or newsletter with inclusion of a simple link to http://www.hometownquotes.com.

Matt McWilliams is one of the co-founders of HometownQuotes.Com, an online insurance quotes web site. He is originally from Pinebluff, NC and attended Middle Tennessee State University in 2002. He is considered an expert in the field of online insurance shopping and finding new ways to help consumers save money on their insurance. For more information visit http://www.hometownquotes.com


MORE RESOURCES:

The Money Times

Great Florida Bank Offers $50 Million in Federal Deposit Insurance ...
MarketWatch - 21 hours ago
announced today that customers can now access up to $50 million in FDIC insurance coverage at Great Florida Bank. This additional coverage is available as a ...
FDIC learns it ignores bloggers at its peril Bizjournals.com
Self-help guide for consumers Reuters
Heading off Panic Mail Tribune
Reno News & Review - Times Herald-Record
all 232 news articles


WELT ONLINE

EMC Insurance Group Inc. Reports 2008 Second Quarter Results
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
Premium income was down 1.7 percent in the property and casualty insurance segment during the second quarter of 2008 as new business premium was not ...
SeaBright Insurance Holdings Reports Second Quarter and Six-Month ... WELT ONLINE
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. Announces Second Quarter Net Income Trading Markets (press release)
WR Berkley Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results MarketWatch
WELT ONLINE - WELT ONLINE
all 31 news articles


RTT News

Sector Snap: Insurance stocks mostly rise
Forbes, NY - 16 hours ago
AP 07.23.08, 3:39 PM ET Insurance company stocks mostly rose Wednesday, as investors responded to a fairly positive second-quarter report from The Travelers ...
Tokio Marine Holdings to Acquire Philadelphia Consolidated in $4.7 ... FOXBusiness
Bala Cynwyd insurer is sold: Philadelphia Consolidated Holding ... Trading Markets (press release)
Tokio Marine Will Acquire Philadelphia Consolidated (Update3) Bloomberg
Bizjournals.com - Reuters
all 197 news articles


St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Small Pickups Falter In Side-Impact Crashes
Wall Street Journal - 4 hours ago
In side-impact crash tests carried out on five small pickups by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, only one model -- the Toyota Tacoma -- received ...
Video: Small Pickups Panned for Safety AssociatedPress
Insurance tests raise questions about some pickups Fox 28
Shift to smaller cars raises safety questions Reuters
Consumer reports
all 207 news articles


MBIA, Ambac Sued by Los Angeles on `Unnecessary' Bond Insurance
Bloomberg - 6 hours ago
Borrowers in the $2.66 trillion US municipal market have for decades paid insurance companies to guarantee their bonds, seeking to lower their borrowing ...
LA sues financial firms, alleging fraud in bond issues Los Angeles Times
all 3 news articles


Press Conference Announcing the 2008 Farmers Insurance Group(R ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
LOS ANGELES, CA, Jul 23, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Farmers Insurance Group Angel City Classic will hold a press conference at 10:00 AM PDT Tuesday, ...


Campaign aims to get kids, adults health insurance
Chicago Tribune, United States - 19 hours ago
AP INDIANAPOLIS - An annual back-to-school campaign aimed at enrolling children in low-cost government insurance added a new goal this year: getting their ...
IN officials encourage insurance sign-ups WFIE-TV
Campaign Aims to Get Kids Health Insurance 93.1 WIBC Indianapolis
all 17 news articles


Ohio health-insurance reform panel presents recommendations to ...
Bizjournals.com, NC - 15 hours ago
A state panel on Wednesday rolled out recommendations for extended health coverage to Ohio's uninsured, a report in the works since last summer. ...
Insuring the uninsured will be costly Columbus Dispatch
Plan would require all in Ohio to have health care Cincinnati.com
State Coverage Initiative team issues report that recommends ... Wilmington News Journal, OH
all 22 news articles


New small business owner insurance program
Indianapolis Star, United States - 10 hours ago
Indianapolis based, HR Partnerships, Inc, a local human resource management company announced the establishment of a new Small Business insurance initiative ...


China Insurance International outlook raised to positive from ...
Forbes, NY - 2 hours ago
MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Fitch Ratings said it revised the outlook to positive from stable on China Insurance International Holdings Co. ...

Insurance - Google News

home | site map
© 2006