Choosing Your Mover
You will have many choices of household goods movers. Since the prices and services offered vary from mover to mover, you may want to shop around before hiring a mover. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and make sure you get everything in writing, including the company's full name, physical address, and telephone number.You can also check the history of complaints, filed with TxDOT, on specific movers by using our Complaint Management System (CMS).
Under Texas law, anyone offering to perform a moving service for hire must be registered with TxDOT. To verify whether your mover is properly registered, check the status of the mover's motor carrier registration or contact TxDOT at (800) 299-1700 (select Option 3 from the automated menu). TxDOT can also provide you with a copy of a mover's annual report. You may also want to contact other sources such as the Better Business Bureau for information.
Proposal for Moving Services
Prior to loading, your mover must provide a written proposal describing the services to be performed, goods to be moved and what is being charged, as a binding or not-to-exceed fee. A binding proposal states the exact price of the move. A not-to-exceed proposal states the maximum price of the move, but allows the mover to charge less than the maximum.
Inform your mover of all items to be moved and services to be provided, such as stair carries, long carries and elevator use. Due to the additional labor required to provide these services, additional fees may be charged by your mover.
Your mover is responsible for providing you with a pamphlet entitled Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move in Texas prior to moving.
Inventories
Your mover should prepare a descriptive inventory of the shipment. The inventory will list your goods and note their condition. The mover may charge a fee for this service only if you agree to the preparation of the inventory. Since inventories are often used during the claim process, inspect your shipment carefully before signing anything. Make sure all boxes and items are accounted for at delivery. If there is obvious loss or damage, note this on the inventory at delivery. If any items are damaged during the move, the inventory should be used to determine when the damage occurred. If you discover lost items or hidden damage after signing the inventory, you may still file a claim with the mover.
Moving Services Contract
Your mover is required by law to prepare a moving services contract, which may be a bill of lading, work ticket or other receipt. This contract lists important information about your move, including your name, the mover's name, and the mover's limitation of liability for loss or damage to your goods. The agreements on your written proposal provided by your mover become part of your contract. Be sure all agreements between you and your mover, including services to be provided at the destination, are written on the moving services contract. Do not rely on any verbal agreements. Make sure all documents offered by the mover for your signature are filled out as much as possible before you sign. Read the documents before you sign your name.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Protect Your Vehicle
It doesn't matter what kind of car you drive, all vehicles are a potential target of theft. Nearly 100,000 cars and trucks are stolen in the state of Texas each year, and thousands more are burglarized. Almost half of all vehicles stolen had the keys left inside.
The Ford F150 and Chevy pick up truck top the list of top 10 most stolen vehicles in Texas. Regardless of year, make or model, every vehicle is a potential target for theft and burglary, especially when the keys are left inside. Following these tips will help you hold on to your prized car or truck.
Tips to Protect Your Vehicle
Hide your valuables. Items in the open make your car a bigger target.
Take your keys and never leave a second set in your vehicle. Twenty percent of stolen vehicles had keys inside them, making the theft even easier.
Lock your car. Almost half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.
Park in well-lit or heavily-trafficked areas. Thieves do not like witnesses. Find an attended lot or garage if possible.
Give parking attendants the ignition key only. Keep your trunk and glove box locked at all times. If possible, get separate keys for the ignition and the trunk and glove box
Never leave your car running unattended. Cars are often stolen at convenience stores, gas stations or when an owner leaves the vehicle running to warm it up.
Install an anti-theft device. Many insurance companies may give you a discount for certain anti-theft devices. Check with your agent for details.
http://www.txdot.gov/drivers_vehicles/consumer_protection/auto_theft/tips.htm
The Ford F150 and Chevy pick up truck top the list of top 10 most stolen vehicles in Texas. Regardless of year, make or model, every vehicle is a potential target for theft and burglary, especially when the keys are left inside. Following these tips will help you hold on to your prized car or truck.
Tips to Protect Your Vehicle
Hide your valuables. Items in the open make your car a bigger target.
Take your keys and never leave a second set in your vehicle. Twenty percent of stolen vehicles had keys inside them, making the theft even easier.
Lock your car. Almost half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.
Park in well-lit or heavily-trafficked areas. Thieves do not like witnesses. Find an attended lot or garage if possible.
Give parking attendants the ignition key only. Keep your trunk and glove box locked at all times. If possible, get separate keys for the ignition and the trunk and glove box
Never leave your car running unattended. Cars are often stolen at convenience stores, gas stations or when an owner leaves the vehicle running to warm it up.
Install an anti-theft device. Many insurance companies may give you a discount for certain anti-theft devices. Check with your agent for details.
http://www.txdot.gov/drivers_vehicles/consumer_protection/auto_theft/tips.htm
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Allstate home insurance rates to jump 5.5 percent statewide
Allstate home insurance rates to jump 5.5 percent statewide
By PURVA PATEL HOUSTON CHRONICLE
July 7, 2009, 3:05PM
(Embedded image moved to file: pic25584.gif)
Nearly half a million Allstate Texas Lloyds customers will see home
insurance rates go up a statewide average 5.5 percent starting in late
August.
Texas homeowners living closer to the coast will see higher rate hikes.
Harris County rates, for instance, will jump and average 15.6 percent and
Galveston’s will rise an average 9 percent.
The company has notified state regulators about its plans to impose the new
rates on policies that come up for renewal starting Aug. 27.
“We’re committed to ensuring both for our agencies and our consumers that
our rates are in fact competitive. It’s important to us that we do that in
a responsible manner and that means making sure we are not just offering
the right products for our consumers but that we are doing it at the right
price,” said Bill Mellander, an Allstate spokesman.
Allstate needs the recent increase because of climbing claims costs, he
said.
For example, the costs of materials and labor for roof claims have
increased more than 60 percent over the last 18 to 24 months, he said.
Homeowners along the coast will get hit with bigger rate increases because
the company is paying more for reinsurance, coverage it buys to pay claims
during hurricanes and other catastrophes.
The rates also account for losses from Hurricane Ike, for which the company
paid out $666 million net of reinsurance.
Insurers use historical claims loss figures, among other factors, to
project the rates they will need to cover future payouts.
Regulators are reviewing the rates and can order refunds, plus interest, if
they deem the increase unjustified, said Jerry Hagins, a spokesman for the
Texas Department of Insurance.
By PURVA PATEL HOUSTON CHRONICLE
July 7, 2009, 3:05PM
(Embedded image moved to file: pic25584.gif)
Nearly half a million Allstate Texas Lloyds customers will see home
insurance rates go up a statewide average 5.5 percent starting in late
August.
Texas homeowners living closer to the coast will see higher rate hikes.
Harris County rates, for instance, will jump and average 15.6 percent and
Galveston’s will rise an average 9 percent.
The company has notified state regulators about its plans to impose the new
rates on policies that come up for renewal starting Aug. 27.
“We’re committed to ensuring both for our agencies and our consumers that
our rates are in fact competitive. It’s important to us that we do that in
a responsible manner and that means making sure we are not just offering
the right products for our consumers but that we are doing it at the right
price,” said Bill Mellander, an Allstate spokesman.
Allstate needs the recent increase because of climbing claims costs, he
said.
For example, the costs of materials and labor for roof claims have
increased more than 60 percent over the last 18 to 24 months, he said.
Homeowners along the coast will get hit with bigger rate increases because
the company is paying more for reinsurance, coverage it buys to pay claims
during hurricanes and other catastrophes.
The rates also account for losses from Hurricane Ike, for which the company
paid out $666 million net of reinsurance.
Insurers use historical claims loss figures, among other factors, to
project the rates they will need to cover future payouts.
Regulators are reviewing the rates and can order refunds, plus interest, if
they deem the increase unjustified, said Jerry Hagins, a spokesman for the
Texas Department of Insurance.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
1 in 10 social security numbers guessed with public info
by Josh Smith
Jul 7th 2009 at 2:03PM Credit, Ripoffs and Scams, Fraud
We all know not to give out our Social Security number on social networking and other websites, but new research indicates that it is possible to determine one out of every ten social security numbers knowing only a place of birth and birthdate! In states with lower numbers of births the odds are even better.
Technology has made it cheaper and easier than ever for others to find out when you were born, but sadly it won't be to send you a present on Facebook. The study points out that birth information can be found on numerous social networking sites, or purchased cheaply, for "almost every adult in the United States".
Even worse, most credit card issuers will still process an application even though two digits of a Social Security number are wrong, as long as the birth information is correct. Hackers who know how to use this prediction method may succeed up to three out of ten times in guessing the Social Security number of people born in the 25 least populated states. The lax standards of the credit card companies makes their job even easier.
The study estimates that in a large-scale attack in a small state like West Virginia, criminals could, "harvest credentials at rates as high as 47 per minute, obtaining ~4,000 credentials within 2 h(ours) before his or her IPs are blacklisted." After being blacklisted, the attacker could simply rent another group of infected computers for as little as $1,000 and keep going.
The study also suggests that the ability to accurately predict the first five digits for six out of ten Social Security numbers could lead to new, more targeted email scams in which the scammer would include the first portion of the victim's social security number to gain trust and obtain more personal information.
Unfortunately this isn't any easy problem to fix; even if the government randomized all digits of new Social security numbers, as the authors suggest, it would still leave the rest of us with predictable and therefor vulnerable social security numbers. Yet another reason to check your free annual credit report regularly.
Jul 7th 2009 at 2:03PM Credit, Ripoffs and Scams, Fraud
We all know not to give out our Social Security number on social networking and other websites, but new research indicates that it is possible to determine one out of every ten social security numbers knowing only a place of birth and birthdate! In states with lower numbers of births the odds are even better.
Technology has made it cheaper and easier than ever for others to find out when you were born, but sadly it won't be to send you a present on Facebook. The study points out that birth information can be found on numerous social networking sites, or purchased cheaply, for "almost every adult in the United States".
Even worse, most credit card issuers will still process an application even though two digits of a Social Security number are wrong, as long as the birth information is correct. Hackers who know how to use this prediction method may succeed up to three out of ten times in guessing the Social Security number of people born in the 25 least populated states. The lax standards of the credit card companies makes their job even easier.
The study estimates that in a large-scale attack in a small state like West Virginia, criminals could, "harvest credentials at rates as high as 47 per minute, obtaining ~4,000 credentials within 2 h(ours) before his or her IPs are blacklisted." After being blacklisted, the attacker could simply rent another group of infected computers for as little as $1,000 and keep going.
The study also suggests that the ability to accurately predict the first five digits for six out of ten Social Security numbers could lead to new, more targeted email scams in which the scammer would include the first portion of the victim's social security number to gain trust and obtain more personal information.
Unfortunately this isn't any easy problem to fix; even if the government randomized all digits of new Social security numbers, as the authors suggest, it would still leave the rest of us with predictable and therefor vulnerable social security numbers. Yet another reason to check your free annual credit report regularly.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Farmers Insurance Offers Green Homeowners Product in Texas
Los Angeles-based The Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is offering a new eco-friendly product for its Texas customers wishing to 'go green". Called "Eco-Rebuild", the new endorsement will supplement the comapany's homeowners insurance by allowing customers to replace destroyed property in ways beneficial to the environment.
The "Eco-Rebuild" endorsement includes:
•$25,000 for extra costs incurred to rebuild or replace with "green" materials.
•If the house is an Energy Star Qualified Home, the endorsement will cover the cost of upgrading damaged property to meet new Energy Star requirements.
•Reimbursement for recycling debris rather than disposal.
•Reimbursement for extra costs incurred by using other means of power in the event of loss of alternative power generating equipment.
In addition to Texas, the product is already available in 28 other states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
For more information, visit www.farmers.com.
The "Eco-Rebuild" endorsement includes:
•$25,000 for extra costs incurred to rebuild or replace with "green" materials.
•If the house is an Energy Star Qualified Home, the endorsement will cover the cost of upgrading damaged property to meet new Energy Star requirements.
•Reimbursement for recycling debris rather than disposal.
•Reimbursement for extra costs incurred by using other means of power in the event of loss of alternative power generating equipment.
In addition to Texas, the product is already available in 28 other states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
For more information, visit www.farmers.com.
Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Scientists can now predict hurricanes, but people who live in coastal communities should plan what they will do if they are told to evacuate.
Step 1: Get A Kit / "To-Go Bag"
Get an Emergency Supply Kit,which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car. This kit should include:
Copies of prescription medications and medical supplies;
Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows;
Bottled water, a battery-operated radio and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a flashlight;
Copies of important documents: driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.
Make sure you have a “to-go bag” ready in case you need to evacuate, include:
Water and non-perishable food;
Battery operated radio and batteries so you can get important information from local officials;
First aid kit;
Flashlight;
Maps
Important documents such as proof residence, pictures of your family including pets, insurance policies, and tax records;
Comfortable clothing and blankets;
Unique family needs such as prescription medications, pet supplies, infant supplies or any other unique need your family may have;
Step 2: Make a Plan
Prepare your family
Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency
Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one.
Plan to Evacuate
Identify ahead of time where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
Identify several places you could go in an emergency, a friend's home in another town, a motel or public shelter.
If you do not have a car, plan alternate means of evacuating.
If you have a car, keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case you need to evacuate.
Take your Emergency Supply Kit.
Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
Take a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class from your local Citizen Corps chapter. Keep your training current.
Step 3: Be Informed
Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a hurricane.
A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments.
A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is expected in your area. If local authorities advise you to evacuate, leave immediately.
Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Scale Number (Category) Sustained Winds (MPH) Damage Storm Surge
1 74-95 Minimal: Unanchored mobile homes, vegetation and signs. 4-5 feet
2 96-110 Moderate: All mobile homes, roofs, small crafts, flooding. 6-8 feet
3 111-130 Extensive: Small buildings, low-lying roads cut off. 9-12 feet
4 131-155 Extreme: Roofs destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, mobile homes destroyed. Beach homes flooded. 13-18 feet
5 More than 155 Catastrophic: Most buildings destroyed. Vegetation destroyed. Major roads cut off. Homes flooded. Greater than 18 feet
Hurricanes can produce widespread torrential rains. Floods are the deadly and destructive result. Slow moving storms and tropical storms moving into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides, especially in mountainous regions. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall. Flooding on rivers and streams may persist for several days or more after the storm. Learn more about preparing your home or business for a possible flood by reviewing the Floods page.
Prepare Your Home
Cover all of your home's windows with pre-cut ply wood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.
Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
Secure your home by closing shutters, and securing outdoor objects or bringing them inside.
Turn off utilities as instructed. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
Turn off propane tanks.
Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
Prepare Your Business
Plan to stay in business, talk to your employees, and protect your investment.
Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
Identify operations critical to survival and recovery.
Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store is not accessible.
Consider if you can run the business from a different location or from your home.
Develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities in case a disaster makes your location unusable.
Learn about programs, services, and resources at U.S. Small Business Administration.
Listen to Local Officials
Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
Federal and National Resources
Find additional information on how to plan and prepare for a hurricane by visiting the following resources:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
NOAA Watch
American Red Cross
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control
top of page
Step 1: Get A Kit / "To-Go Bag"
Get an Emergency Supply Kit,which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car. This kit should include:
Copies of prescription medications and medical supplies;
Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows;
Bottled water, a battery-operated radio and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a flashlight;
Copies of important documents: driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.
Make sure you have a “to-go bag” ready in case you need to evacuate, include:
Water and non-perishable food;
Battery operated radio and batteries so you can get important information from local officials;
First aid kit;
Flashlight;
Maps
Important documents such as proof residence, pictures of your family including pets, insurance policies, and tax records;
Comfortable clothing and blankets;
Unique family needs such as prescription medications, pet supplies, infant supplies or any other unique need your family may have;
Step 2: Make a Plan
Prepare your family
Make a Family Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency
Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one.
Plan to Evacuate
Identify ahead of time where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
Identify several places you could go in an emergency, a friend's home in another town, a motel or public shelter.
If you do not have a car, plan alternate means of evacuating.
If you have a car, keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case you need to evacuate.
Take your Emergency Supply Kit.
Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
Take a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class from your local Citizen Corps chapter. Keep your training current.
Step 3: Be Informed
Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a hurricane.
A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Be prepared to evacuate. Monitor local radio and television news outlets or listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest developments.
A hurricane warning is when a hurricane is expected in your area. If local authorities advise you to evacuate, leave immediately.
Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Scale Number (Category) Sustained Winds (MPH) Damage Storm Surge
1 74-95 Minimal: Unanchored mobile homes, vegetation and signs. 4-5 feet
2 96-110 Moderate: All mobile homes, roofs, small crafts, flooding. 6-8 feet
3 111-130 Extensive: Small buildings, low-lying roads cut off. 9-12 feet
4 131-155 Extreme: Roofs destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, mobile homes destroyed. Beach homes flooded. 13-18 feet
5 More than 155 Catastrophic: Most buildings destroyed. Vegetation destroyed. Major roads cut off. Homes flooded. Greater than 18 feet
Hurricanes can produce widespread torrential rains. Floods are the deadly and destructive result. Slow moving storms and tropical storms moving into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides, especially in mountainous regions. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall. Flooding on rivers and streams may persist for several days or more after the storm. Learn more about preparing your home or business for a possible flood by reviewing the Floods page.
Prepare Your Home
Cover all of your home's windows with pre-cut ply wood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.
Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
Secure your home by closing shutters, and securing outdoor objects or bringing them inside.
Turn off utilities as instructed. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
Turn off propane tanks.
Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
Prepare Your Business
Plan to stay in business, talk to your employees, and protect your investment.
Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
Identify operations critical to survival and recovery.
Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store is not accessible.
Consider if you can run the business from a different location or from your home.
Develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities in case a disaster makes your location unusable.
Learn about programs, services, and resources at U.S. Small Business Administration.
Listen to Local Officials
Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
Federal and National Resources
Find additional information on how to plan and prepare for a hurricane by visiting the following resources:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
NOAA Watch
American Red Cross
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control
top of page
Thursday, July 2, 2009
6 top car insurance myths
By Kat Zeman, Insure.com
Last updated March 1, 2009
Insurance policies can be complicated enough. Don’t let a flood of misinformation drown out the facts. Since confusion can be costly, Insure.com is setting the record straight. Here are the most common car insurance myths debunked.
Myth: Red cars are the most expensive to insure
Fact: Red will not cost you more green. Roughly 25 percent of drivers surveyed by Progressive Insurance believe that the color of their car is a factor in determining their insurance rate — especially if the car is red. But the belief that drivers of red cars pay higher car insurance premiums is a myth. Insurance companies will likely not even ask the color of your car when they’re calculating your quote.
"The idea that the color of a car enters into what you’re going to pay for insurance is a myth that’s been around for a long time," says Jeff McCollum, spokesperson for State Farm Insurance. "I wouldn’t be surprised if it came from the fact that people with red sports cars have the image of being wild and reckless, but it certainly isn’t based on any type of reality."
Insurers are interested in the year, make, model, body type, engine size and age of your vehicle. The color may be important to you, but it really doesn’t matter to your insurance company.
Myth: Thieves prefer to steal new cars
Fact: It’s the other way around. Statistics show that thieves actually prefer to steal older cars. According to a 2008 National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) report, the top 10 most-stolen vehicles reported in 2007 were the ‘95 Honda Civic, ‘91 Honda Accord, ‘89 Toyota Camry, ‘97 Ford F-150 pickup, ‘94 Chevrolet C/K 1500 pickup, ‘94 Acura Integra, ‘04 Dodge Ram pickup, ‘94 Nissan Sentra, ‘88 Toyota pickup and ‘07 Toyota Corolla.
"The reason we see so many older vehicles on the list is because they are easier to steal," says Frank Scafidi, spokesperson for the National NICB. "Also, people are keeping their cars longer (in the faltering economy). That creates a good market for used parts. A lot of times, when they are stolen, they don’t make it back on the street intact."
If you have an older vehicle and have dropped comprehensive coverage to save money, you are not covered for theft and do not qualify for rental car coverage. NICB’s report reveals that thieves have different preferences from state to state. Crooks in California and Florida prefer imports like Hondas and Toyotas. Texas crooks select pickup trucks. Criminals in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have a thing for domestics (Dodges and Fords).
Myth: My insurance will cover me if my car is stolen, vandalized or damaged from hail or fire.
Fact: Unless you have comprehensive coverage, you are not covered for any of these things. A bare-bones policy in most states only requires you to buy liability coverage. This pays only for damage you cause to others. You need to purchase both collision and comprehensive coverage in order to fully protect your vehicle from all types of damage situations.
Comprehensive coverage covers pays for damages to your car that are not the result of a car accident. That includes theft, vandalism, hail, fires and accidents involving animals. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from a car accident.
Myth: If my car is totaled, my insurance will pay off what I owe on my loan or lease.
Fact: When your car is totaled, your policy does not promise to pay off what you owe. It will pay you the actual cash value of your car, minus your deductible. Actual cash value is the amount your car was worth before the accident, factoring in depreciation. You are still responsible for any amount outstanding on the loan or car lease.
The only way to cover the difference between the car's cash value and the amount you owe on a loan is to purchase gap insurance. Available to cover both auto leases and loans, gap insurance covers you if your car is totaled before you’ve paid off the loan, or before the lease term expires. Here’s how to save yourself some grief: buy gap coverage.
Your insurer will decide if your car is "totaled." Generally a total loss is declared when the repair costs exceed a certain threshold of the car’s value, generally 70 percent. At that point, the insurance company will tow the car to the salvage yard and offer you the actual cash value of your car.
Myth: My insurance company will pay for a rental car if my car is stolen or damaged in an accident.
Fact: Even if you have comprehensive and collision coverage, it may not include a rental car. Rental car reimbursement is not automatically included in most car insurance policies, but you can add it at an affordable cost. According to the Insurance Information Institute, rental reimbursement coverage is available for $1 to $2 a month with most insurers.
Even if you have this coverage, it won’t necessarily last until your stolen car is recovered or your damaged car is fixed. There’s a limit on how much your insurance company will reimburse you per day, plus a cap for a maximum amount per accident. For example, GEICO charges $20 per year for a maximum $750 in rental reimbursement, with no deductible to pay. In this case, GEICO would reimburse you up to $25 per day but no more than $750 per accident.
Myth: Drivers of sports cars get more tickets and thus pay higher insurance premiums.
Fact: That’s not necessarily the case. According to a study released in 2009 by Quality Planning Corp., leading the pack with the most violations are drivers of the Hummer H2/H3. Hummer drivers have almost five times the number of violations compared to the average. Drivers of three different Scion models (tC, XB Station, XA) also made the Top 10 list. Others on the list include drivers of two models of the Mercedes-Benz (CLK63 AMG, CLS63 AMG), two Toyotas (Solara, Matrix) and the Subaru Outback Station Wagon and Audi A4.
At the other end of the spectrum, the study also includes a "well-behaved vehicle list." Topping that list are drivers of the Jaguar XJ, followed by the Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet C/K-3500/2500, Buick Park Avenue, Mazda6, Buick Rainier, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Buick Lucerne and GMC Sierra C1500 pickup truck.
While insurers don’t base their rates on this particular study, the type of car you drive and your driving history factor into how much you will pay for car insurance. Here's how your car drives your insurance premium.
Last updated March 1, 2009
Insurance policies can be complicated enough. Don’t let a flood of misinformation drown out the facts. Since confusion can be costly, Insure.com is setting the record straight. Here are the most common car insurance myths debunked.
Myth: Red cars are the most expensive to insure
Fact: Red will not cost you more green. Roughly 25 percent of drivers surveyed by Progressive Insurance believe that the color of their car is a factor in determining their insurance rate — especially if the car is red. But the belief that drivers of red cars pay higher car insurance premiums is a myth. Insurance companies will likely not even ask the color of your car when they’re calculating your quote.
"The idea that the color of a car enters into what you’re going to pay for insurance is a myth that’s been around for a long time," says Jeff McCollum, spokesperson for State Farm Insurance. "I wouldn’t be surprised if it came from the fact that people with red sports cars have the image of being wild and reckless, but it certainly isn’t based on any type of reality."
Insurers are interested in the year, make, model, body type, engine size and age of your vehicle. The color may be important to you, but it really doesn’t matter to your insurance company.
Myth: Thieves prefer to steal new cars
Fact: It’s the other way around. Statistics show that thieves actually prefer to steal older cars. According to a 2008 National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) report, the top 10 most-stolen vehicles reported in 2007 were the ‘95 Honda Civic, ‘91 Honda Accord, ‘89 Toyota Camry, ‘97 Ford F-150 pickup, ‘94 Chevrolet C/K 1500 pickup, ‘94 Acura Integra, ‘04 Dodge Ram pickup, ‘94 Nissan Sentra, ‘88 Toyota pickup and ‘07 Toyota Corolla.
"The reason we see so many older vehicles on the list is because they are easier to steal," says Frank Scafidi, spokesperson for the National NICB. "Also, people are keeping their cars longer (in the faltering economy). That creates a good market for used parts. A lot of times, when they are stolen, they don’t make it back on the street intact."
If you have an older vehicle and have dropped comprehensive coverage to save money, you are not covered for theft and do not qualify for rental car coverage. NICB’s report reveals that thieves have different preferences from state to state. Crooks in California and Florida prefer imports like Hondas and Toyotas. Texas crooks select pickup trucks. Criminals in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have a thing for domestics (Dodges and Fords).
Myth: My insurance will cover me if my car is stolen, vandalized or damaged from hail or fire.
Fact: Unless you have comprehensive coverage, you are not covered for any of these things. A bare-bones policy in most states only requires you to buy liability coverage. This pays only for damage you cause to others. You need to purchase both collision and comprehensive coverage in order to fully protect your vehicle from all types of damage situations.
Comprehensive coverage covers pays for damages to your car that are not the result of a car accident. That includes theft, vandalism, hail, fires and accidents involving animals. Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from a car accident.
Myth: If my car is totaled, my insurance will pay off what I owe on my loan or lease.
Fact: When your car is totaled, your policy does not promise to pay off what you owe. It will pay you the actual cash value of your car, minus your deductible. Actual cash value is the amount your car was worth before the accident, factoring in depreciation. You are still responsible for any amount outstanding on the loan or car lease.
The only way to cover the difference between the car's cash value and the amount you owe on a loan is to purchase gap insurance. Available to cover both auto leases and loans, gap insurance covers you if your car is totaled before you’ve paid off the loan, or before the lease term expires. Here’s how to save yourself some grief: buy gap coverage.
Your insurer will decide if your car is "totaled." Generally a total loss is declared when the repair costs exceed a certain threshold of the car’s value, generally 70 percent. At that point, the insurance company will tow the car to the salvage yard and offer you the actual cash value of your car.
Myth: My insurance company will pay for a rental car if my car is stolen or damaged in an accident.
Fact: Even if you have comprehensive and collision coverage, it may not include a rental car. Rental car reimbursement is not automatically included in most car insurance policies, but you can add it at an affordable cost. According to the Insurance Information Institute, rental reimbursement coverage is available for $1 to $2 a month with most insurers.
Even if you have this coverage, it won’t necessarily last until your stolen car is recovered or your damaged car is fixed. There’s a limit on how much your insurance company will reimburse you per day, plus a cap for a maximum amount per accident. For example, GEICO charges $20 per year for a maximum $750 in rental reimbursement, with no deductible to pay. In this case, GEICO would reimburse you up to $25 per day but no more than $750 per accident.
Myth: Drivers of sports cars get more tickets and thus pay higher insurance premiums.
Fact: That’s not necessarily the case. According to a study released in 2009 by Quality Planning Corp., leading the pack with the most violations are drivers of the Hummer H2/H3. Hummer drivers have almost five times the number of violations compared to the average. Drivers of three different Scion models (tC, XB Station, XA) also made the Top 10 list. Others on the list include drivers of two models of the Mercedes-Benz (CLK63 AMG, CLS63 AMG), two Toyotas (Solara, Matrix) and the Subaru Outback Station Wagon and Audi A4.
At the other end of the spectrum, the study also includes a "well-behaved vehicle list." Topping that list are drivers of the Jaguar XJ, followed by the Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet C/K-3500/2500, Buick Park Avenue, Mazda6, Buick Rainier, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Buick Lucerne and GMC Sierra C1500 pickup truck.
While insurers don’t base their rates on this particular study, the type of car you drive and your driving history factor into how much you will pay for car insurance. Here's how your car drives your insurance premium.
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