Winter driving is hazardous to people and their pocketbooks. Auto accidents are a leading cause of fatalities and injuries on icy and snowy days – and making matters worse, car insurance companies typically raise their rates after crashes.

As temperatures fall, how can you stay safe and keep your car insurance costs low? Follow these tips from experienced winter drivers.

1)    When possible, avoid driving on ice and snow. Most errands can be postponed until streets are salted and plowed.

2)    Use snow tires to better grip the road.

3)    Clear your windows completely. Visibility is extremely important, and especially on days when other drivers’ actions are less predictable.

4)    Clear the roof, hood, and trunk of your car. Snow could move to the windows and block your visibility.

5)    Drive slowly. Winter road surfaces are deceiving. For instance, powdery white snow can mask slippery ice.

6)    Know how to skid safely. Steer into the skid; people spin out of control when they work against it. Read your owner’s manual to learn how to handle your brakes in a skid situation. If other drivers or pedestrians are nearby, honk your horn as an alert.

It’s best to avoid driving during wintry weather, but there are many steps that drivers can take to avoid tragic accidents. For more tips about staying safe in your car this season, see this FEMA website.

More and more Americans are driving toward disaster. As people look for additional ways to cut costs, many are skimping on car insurance or dropping it altogether. In fact, a study by the Insurance Research Council estimates that one in six drivers will be uninsured in 2010.
Driving without auto insurance poses a number of serious risks. First, uninsured motorists may face tough state-specific legal consequences. Most U.S. states require drivers to carry liability insurance, and those that don’t have instituted financial responsibility laws. Drivers who do not carry insurance or cannot prove their ability to pay may be fined or imprisoned, have their licenses suspended, and/or have their vehicle registrations revoked.
Second, uninsured and underinsured motorists are putting their own financial well-being at risk. Consumer advocates and insurance companies alike recommend carrying at least $300,000 worth of liability insurance per accident because incurring such costs is possible and would bankrupt most Americans.
Auto insurance can fit your budget. To get low cost car insurance, keep a clean driving record and make sure you’re getting the best discounts possible. You might also try a pay-as-you-go policy if you drive less frequently than the typical driver. A small investment in auto insurance provides priceless peace of mind and could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars down the road.

This holiday season, unemployment and other financial strains have left many people scrambling for cash – and perhaps vowing to spend even more wisely in 2010. Pay-as-you-go auto insurance is one way to cut costs.

Pay-as-you-go programs are designed in accordance with an individual driver’s daily routine, including when, where, and for long he or she drives. Drivers who drive mainly at off-peak times, for instance, may be offered lower rates than those who typically drive during rush hour. In this way, pay-as-you-go programs help ensure that consumers are not purchasing more insurance than they need.

Unless you drive more than 15,000 miles a year or have a senior discount, it’s probably worth your time to compare pay-as-you-go plans from a few different low cost auto insurance providers. These plans are especially recommended to teenage drivers. Teens fall into a high-risk and thus high-cost category, but they don’t necessarily drive frequently or during peak hours.

Pay-as-you-go programs are a smart way to get low cost auto insurance. They’re a safer alternative than reducing coverage, which could have devastating financial, legal, and medical consequences. Basically, with pay-as-you-go, if you drive less, you save more – sometimes around 50%!

This money-saving option is available in most states.

All sorts of companies offer military discounts, and auto insurers are no exception. In fact, GEICO – the “Government Employees Insurance Company” – first formed to provide insurance to federal employees. Many auto insurance providers reason that government employees as a group are less risky than the general population.

GEICO and USAA (United Services Automobile Association) are among the largest providers of low cost car insurance to military members. Here are some quick overviews of their offerings:

• GEICO gives discounts to active duty and enlisted personnel, veterans, and members of the National Guard and Reserve Forces. The company offers extra discounts to service members with emergency deployments and those who are members of certain military organizations, such as the Marine Corps League or the Air Force Sergeants Association.

• USAA is a member-owned Fortune 500 company. It extends discounts to active duty and enlisted personnel and members of the National Guard and Reserve Forces. It also has specials for officer candidates in ROTC and other government programs. Discounts may also be offered to military members’ spouses and adult children.

Both GEICO and USAA, among others, are known for understanding military members’ unique needs. Whatever company you choose, remember that’s it’s not just about low cost car insurance. You’ll appreciate dealing with a company that’s designed to serve your military lifestyle.