Car Insurance, Straight Answers
We sat down and answered every question we get about car insurance: pricing, credit, your VIN, mileage, claims, lapses and more, in plain English from an independent agent.
Can You Give Me a Ballpark on This Car Without Looking It Up?
Not a useful one. Your price depends on who drives, where the car is kept, your history and the exact version of the car. Here's why.
My Buddy Has a Great Deal on Car Insurance. Why Can't I Just Get That Policy?
I wish you could, but you can only buy your own policy. Your price is built on you, and the company that's cheap for a friend may be expensive for you.
I Hardly Drive. Why Isn't My Insurance Cheap?
Mileage matters, but less than you'd think. A parked car can still be hit, stolen or burned in a garage fire, and your record usually matters more.
Will Getting a Car Insurance Quote Hurt My Credit?
Insurance quotes generally use a soft inquiry, which doesn't affect your credit score. Here's what companies see and why comparing is safe.
Why Do Insurance Companies Need My Social Security Number?
Mostly to find the right person's records. You usually don't have to give it, but without it we usually can't trust the price.
Insurance Lapsed in WV? Start Here.
A lapse in WV can mean a license suspension and registration trouble. Get coverage first, then deal with the DMV notice. We can help today.
Ohio Suspended You for No Insurance?
Ohio can suspend your license if you can't prove insurance. You'll generally need an SR-22 or bond and a fee to reinstate. We can file it.
Why Did My Price Change After I Bought the Policy?
A quote rests on what the company knew that day. Reports and final details can change it. Here's what to ask if your price went up.
How Did Insurance Get Priced Before Computers?
Early car insurance was priced from a paper rate card: where the car was kept and what it cost. Age and use came later, one hard lesson at a time.
What Do Insurance Companies Check When I Ask for a Quote?
When you ask for a quote, companies generally check your driving record, past claims and, where allowed, a credit-based score. See those reports free.
Why Did My Rate Go Up When I Didn't Do Anything?
Your rate can rise with no ticket or claim. Company-wide rate changes, repair costs and rechecked reports can all do it. Here's how to find out which.
Why Does My Credit Have Anything to Do With Car Insurance?
In WV and Ohio, companies may use credit within limits, because it predicts claims on average. Nobody has clearly shown why. Here's what the rules say.
Is an Insurance Score the Same as My Credit Score?
No. Both come from your credit report, but a credit score predicts loan repayment and an insurance score predicts claims. Here's how they differ.
My Credit Got Better. Will My Rate Go Down?
It can, once your company rechecks your credit. WV and Ohio each let you ask for a recheck once a year. Here's how it works and when it takes effect.
What If I Don't Have Any Credit?
You can still get car insurance with no credit. WV and Ohio have rules for it, and for wrong reports too, including refunds. Here's how they work.
Will My Insurance Go Up If Someone Else Hits Me?
Generally not if the crash truly wasn't your fault, but it depends on your state and how fault is decided. Here's what WV and Ohio say.
Why Do You Need My VIN?
A VIN tells an insurance company exactly which version of a car you have. Trim, engine and body style can change claims and repair costs.
Does the Color of My Car Change My Insurance?
There's no evidence factory paint color is used to price car insurance. Red cars aren't more to insure. Custom paint can be a value question.
Why Does Car Insurance Need to Know Who Lives With Me?
Anyone in your home with a license could end up driving your car. That's why companies ask who lives with you, and why honesty protects you.
Why Is My Old Car Still Expensive to Insure?
Your car's age doesn't shrink what you could owe someone else. Liability follows the damage you cause, and repair costs keep climbing.
Which Cars Cost the Most to Insure, and How Do I Check Before I Buy?
Claims data shows very large luxury cars and sports cars cost the most to fix. Here's how to look up any car at IIHS before you buy it.
Will My Insurance Go Up If I Hit a Deer?
It depends on your company, but a deer hit falls under comprehensive and is usually viewed differently than an at-fault crash. No one can promise.
Should I Try One of Those Apps That Tracks My Driving?
A tracking app can pay off for a careful driver, but it isn't free money. Your car may report driving data too. Here's what to check first.
What's the Difference Between a State Farm Agent and an Independent Agent?
A captive agent sells for one company. An independent agent can sell for many. We aren't affiliated with State Farm. Here's what the terms mean.
My Car Just Sits. Can I Drop the Coverage?
In WV a registered vehicle must stay insured, even parked, unless a seasonal storage rule applies. Ask before dropping coverage. Ohio is different.
What Is a CLUE Report, and How Do I See Mine for Free?
A CLUE report lists up to seven years of your auto claims. You can request a free copy from LexisNexis every 12 months. Here's how, and how to fix errors.
Who Is LexisNexis and Why Do They Have My Information?
LexisNexis Risk Solutions is a data company insurers use for claims history and other reports. It doesn't set your rate. Here's what it holds and your rights.
Will My Insurance Go Up If I File a Claim?
It can, depending on the claim, who was at fault and your company. Just asking usually isn't a claim, but describing a real loss might be. Here's how to ask.
How Long Does a Ticket or Accident Follow Me?
There isn't one answer. WV DMV points last two years, claims reports can run seven, and each insurance company sets its own look-back. Here's how to check.
Why Does My Insurance Care If I Was Insured Before?
A gap in car insurance can raise your price at many companies. In WV a company can't turn you down just for the gap. Here's why they ask and what to do.
Why Do They Want So Much Money Down?
Your first payment is what puts the policy in force, and companies protect themselves against people who don't pay after that. Here's why it varies.
Is Paying My Car Insurance in Full Worth It?
Often it costs less, because a company saves money and risk when it's paid once. It's only worth it if you can spare the cash. Here's how to decide.
What Happens If I Miss a Car Insurance Payment?
The company can cancel after written notice: at least 14 days in West Virginia and 10 days in Ohio. Read the date on the notice and pay before it.
Is It Better to Use an Independent Insurance Agent? Does It Cost More?
An independent agent can compare several companies for you. In my experience you don't pay extra for that. Here's how it works and what we can't do.
What Is Non-Standard Car Insurance?
It's car insurance for people many companies won't take or will charge a lot: tickets, wrecks, a lapse, or little history. Often it's temporary.
Dropped or Turned Down? Coverage Today
Your insurer has to follow state rules and give notice before dropping you. Read the date on the letter, and get replacement coverage before it passes.
Need a Non-Owner SR-22 in Ohio?
No car but Ohio wants an SR-22? A policy written for someone who doesn't own a vehicle can be certified to the state. Here's what to know.
OVI in Ohio: Who Will Insure You
After an Ohio OVI, the BMV wants proof of insurance through the end of your suspension. Some companies won't write you, and some will. Start here.
DUI in West Virginia: Who Will Insure You
You can generally still get car insurance after a West Virginia DUI, but your current company may cancel. Get covered, and finish what the DMV requires.
Does West Virginia Require an SR-22?
West Virginia's published insurance laws and DMV pages don't call for an SR-22. They ask for live coverage and proof. Here's what the state wants instead.