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1 week ago | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Jessa Claeys
When insurance companies and repair shops can’t agree, it’s often the driver who loses. And as a key consumer protection quietly disappears from some auto policies, that problem could get even worse. The right to appraisal, or RTA, has long been a standard part of car insurance policies.
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2 weeks ago | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Amelia Buckley
Imagine you get into a car accident: You dust yourself off, check the damage, maybe snap a picture or two. Then you call your insurance company. You start a claim; you take your car to the shop. Once your insurance adjuster and the body shop have taken care of everything, you’re only responsible for your deductible. You pay that fee, take the keys back from the body shop, and drive off in your car. That’s how car insurance is supposed to work.
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2 weeks ago | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Mariah Posey
If your car is disabled while on the road, towing and labor coverage can offset the cost of towing, on-site labor or lockout and jump-start services. Towing and labor coverage can be added to a full coverage auto insurance policy for a small premium. Unlike roadside assistance, towing and labor coverage is tied to your auto insurance.
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3 weeks ago | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Jessa Claeys
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, passenger vehicles on U.S. roads are officially older than ever, with an average age of 12.6 years. Ten years ago, the average age of U.S. passenger vehicles was just 11.4 years. The average vehicle age first hit 12 years in 2021, and it’s seen a steady increase since then, with experts at Hedges & Company projecting an average age of 14.5 years by 2029.
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1 month ago | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Jessa Claeys
In the world of auto insurance discounts, the biggest savings are tied to telematics. State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save promises up to 30 percent off your auto insurance premium for safe driving; Progressive says it “handed out over $1.2 billion in discounts” through Snapshot. Although Allstate no longer advertises an average or maximum discount on its website, it claimed in the past that discounts from the Drivewise telematics program could total as much as 40 percent.
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Amelia Buckley
The cost of car insurance has been a problem in Michigan for years. In the heart of America’s auto industry, premiums soar over those in neighboring states. Michiganders pay 63 percent more for car insurance than Wisconsinites, 82 percent more than Hoosiers and 96 percent more than Ohioans as of January 2025. Five years ago, the state’s legislature set its sights on fixing the problem with the passage of Senate Bill No. 1, a sweeping reform of Michigan’s auto insurance laws.
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Amelia Buckley
Underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM, may be one of the least understood types of car insurance, but it’s increasingly important in an era of rising rates and precarious driving. Rising prices can easily leave drivers underinsured — sometimes unknowingly — and this key coverage gives drivers a way to recover their losses if they’re in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the damages. What is underinsured motorist coverage?
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2 months ago | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Amelia Buckley
Teslas are the hottest new target for vehicle vandalism. But as the smoke clears from dealership lots, many Tesla owners are predicting a financial aftershock. Could the recent rash of Tesla vandalism cause already-high insurance premiums to rise? The short answer: Probably, but it’s not clear. Insurance premiums respond to a wide range of risk factors. All cars need insurance — but not all cars are profitable for insurance companies.
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Mar 27, 2025 | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Amelia Buckley
What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow? “Buy my dream car” is a common answer — and it makes sense. Luxury vehicles are more than just a status symbol. They can also be more comfortable, visually appealing and fun to drive. But when buying a luxury vehicle, it’s not just the upfront purchase price you need to consider. Ongoing costs, such as the cost of auto insurance, could make you think twice before committing to luxury vehicle ownership.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
bankrate.com | R.E. Hawley |Lisa McArdle
For generations, teens have been considered the most dangerous drivers on the road. But Gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) might be the first generation of teens to challenge that stereotype. Since 2012, when the first Gen Z teens got their permits, teenage drivers have seen fewer fatal crashes than any previous generation. Despite unprecedented levels of distraction from smartphones and social media, teens today are less likely to get into a serious car accident than ever before.
