Hawaii auto insurance rates seventh lowest
A recent Honolulu Star Advertiser article places Hawaii as the seventh lowest state for auto insurance rates. Massachussetts had the lowest rates and Louisiana had the highest rates. The article gave some good insight on why Hawaii rates were low. This has not always been the case. In the early 1990′s, Hawaii had some of the highest rates in the nation.
Check out the Star Advertiser article for details.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/20100617_Isle_car_insurance_pri ces_seventh_lowest.html
The Blue Box
You’re probably familiar with the black box. Airplanes have a black box installed to collect valuable information in case the airplane crashes. But have you heard of the blue box? Auto insurance companies have started using blue boxes to track their customers’ driving habits.
The blue box plugs into the on-board diagnostic port of a car, and then wirelessly sends data to the driver’s insurance company. The box can track vehicle speed, distance driven, how often the brakes are used and the time of day the vehicle is used. Insurance companies can use the data to provide discounts to drivers who drive safely.
Currently, the blue box is being used in 19 states. Hawaii is not one of these states. What do you think? If it was available to you, would you use the blue box? Or, is it too much of a “big brother” watching over you?
More Tips to Help You Save on Car Insurance
As promised, here are the rest of the tips that may help you save money on your car insurance. Should you have any questions on any of these tips, feel free to contact me.
6. Drive more safely. You may be eligible for a price break on your policy if you maintain a clean driving record for a specified period (usually three years). A clean driving record generally means no accidents, moving violations, drunk driving convictions, etc., during that period. The best way to qualify for the applicable discount is to drive carefully and defensively at all times.
7. Buy a low-profile car. Cars are rated on a risk scale for auto insurance purposes. In general, sports cars and other high-performance, flashy vehicles are classified as higher risks because they are common targets for thieves and vandals, and because statistically, the people who own them tend to drive more recklessly. If you own such a vehicle, you will likely pay a higher premium than if you owned a station wagon, sedan, or other low-risk vehicle.
8. Move. If you live in a rural community with little crime and traffic congestion, your premium will generally be lower than if you live in an urban area where your car is more likely to be stolen, vandalized, or involved in an accident. Granted, you shouldn’t move just to cut your auto insurance costs. However, this may be one of many factors in your decision if you’re thinking about relocating from the country to the city.
9. Keep your car in a garage. Cars parked in garages are less likely to be stolen, vandalized, or struck by other vehicles. Using a garage to store your car may entitle you to a slight premium reduction.
10. Have safety/anti-theft devices installed. You may receive discounts on your insurance if your car is equipped with one or more of the following options: anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, and airbags. Similarly, anti-theft devices such as car alarms and tracking systems (e.g., Lojack) may also get you a discount because they reduce the chances of your car being stolen or vandalized.
11. Inquire about multifamily/multipolicy discounts. You may receive a discount from your insurance company if you buy more than one type of insurance through that same company (e.g., auto and homeowner’s). A discount may also apply to your auto insurance if you insure multiple cars under the same policy or with the same company.
12. Other discounts Other discounts may be available if you meet certain criteria. Examples may include discounts for taking a defensive driving course, being a AAA member or staying with the same auto insurance company for a number of years. These discounts vary by company.
Please note that this description/explanation is intended only as a guideline.
Author: Rob Sliver
