Sarah Fulghum

1 week ago | financebuzz.com | Christy Rakoczy |Sarah Fulghum

Many years ago, my dad bought a used car and, within a short time, discovered there was a major problem with the engine because the prior owner hadn't changed the oil. The severe engine damage meant replacement was necessary, and the repairs would cost thousands. Fortunately, the car was under warranty from the company he bought it from, and that company paid to make the fixes. But, had that not been the case, the big question would have been: Does full coverage insurance cover engine failure?

1 week ago | financebuzz.com | Lindsay VanSomeren |Sarah Fulghum

Car accidents are never fun, but especially when they involve animals. Whether it's wildlife damaging your car or your pet being injured by a car, you might be wondering: Does car insurance cover animal damage or injuries at all? The answer isn't always so clear. If you hit a deer or a squirrel chews through your car's electrical system, for example, it may be covered by comprehensive insurance.

2 weeks ago | financebuzz.com | Christy Rakoczy |Sarah Fulghum

Many years ago, I was in an auto accident when another driver hit the side of my car. The other driver was to blame, and their insurance company paid for my totaled vehicle. I let my insurance company know that the incident occurred, even though the other driver's insurer was paying for the costs — but I thought nothing of it since I didn't make a claim and hadn't been to blame. Unfortunately, though, when my insurance policy renewed, my rates were higher.

3 weeks ago | financebuzz.com | Christy Rakoczy |Sarah Fulghum

Many years ago, I was in an accident and my car was badly damaged. So badly, in fact, that the insurance company declared the vehicle to be a total loss. That means they decided it was not worth repairing and, instead of paying to make fixes, they paid the actual cash value of the vehicle instead. My car was clearly beyond repair, but that's not necessarily always the case, which raises the question: How do insurance companies determine if a car is totaled?

3 weeks ago | financebuzz.com | Kate Daugherty |Sarah Fulghum

Shopping around for car insurance quotes is a smart move. It can help you get the best deals and ensure you're getting the coverage types and limits that will best protect you if you're in an accident. But does getting car insurance quotes affect your credit score? Thankfully, getting an auto insurance quote doesn't hurt your credit score. However, your credit score does play a part in how much you'll pay for auto insurance.