Green car insurance offering extra 10% discount today only

Green car insurance offering extra 10% discount today only
30/11/2009

The Green Insurance Company is giving new customers up to an additional 10 per cent discount today, to encourage drivers to reduce their carbon footprint whilst saving money at the same time.

Drivers who choose The Green Insurance Company car insurance have 100 per cent of their car's emissions offset, and can get an additional five per cent discount if they drive an economical car with low emissions or if they do a low mileage.

In addition to planting trees to offset its customers' fuel emissions, The Green Insurance Company also donates five per cent of profits to charity. The Green Insurance Company car insurance already offers up to 26 per cent online discount, so new customers stand to save as much as 36 per cent, but only if they apply on Monday November 30, 2009.

Head of The Green Insurance Company, Gaynor Wood, commented: "At The Green Insurance Company we want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to be a little bit greener, without having to compromise on cost or quality. That's why our competitive car insurance includes 100% offset of our customers vehicle's carbon emissions while they're ensured with us."

Through planting trees in the UK on behalf of its customers, The Green Insurance Company has so far offset more than 94,000 tonnes of carbon, so it hopes that by offering the extra 10 per cent discount this will help it to reach 100,000 tonnes by the end of the year. "Customers can save up to an extra 10% on our car insurance, and know they're helping the environment in the process!" Ms Wood enthused.

The cover offered by The Green Insurance Company car insurance also includes a guaranteed courtesy car, 24 hour accident and windscreen claims line, and the opportunity to get car insurance from an environmentally responsible company.

California Has Rise in Auto Insurance Fraud

Insurance Commissioner Poizner Announces Alarming Increase in Suspected Auto Insurance Fraud As Economy Worsens



2008 saw a 25 percent increase in suspected vehicle arson fraud
Commissioner Poizner today announced that recently compiled Department of Insurance statistics show that scam artists may be committing more automobile insurance fraud to cash in on insurance money. The Department of Insurance has seen an increase in suspected auto arson and auto theft fraud referrals last year.

"Many families are facing financial challenges in today's economy, but I want to remind everybody that you will only compound your problems if you break the law and commit fraud in search of a quick fix," said Commissioner Poizner. "CDI investigators are seeing an increase in suspected automobile arson and theft fraud cases recently, and our enforcement experts are cracking down on anyone attempting to cheat the law for personal gain."

The Department of Insurance receives referrals of suspected fraud cases from insurance companies, local law enforcement agencies and directly from consumers. CDI enforcement officers carefully examine every case that is brought to the Department's attention.

CDI saw an alarming 25 percent increase in suspected vehicle arson fraud cases in 2008 as compared with referred cases in 2007. (In 2007, CDI received 344 referrals for suspected automobile arson; in 2008, CDI received 451 referrals for suspected automobile arson.) Overall, the Department received almost 300 additional suspected vehicle theft and vehicle arson cases statewide in 2008 than in 2007. CDI received approximately 200 more suspected vehicle theft fraud case referrals in 2008 than in 2007.

While the total number of suspected fraud case referrals received by CDI for all automobile fraud categories (including inflated damages, vandalism and hit and run,) has remained relatively constant since 2007, suspected vehicle arson and theft referrals have noticeably increased.

(full press release)

Insurance Commissioner Poizner Announces Alarming Increase in Suspected Auto Insurance Fraud As Economy Worsens

The tough economy is taking its toll, as auto insurance fraud cases are discovered in California.

2008 saw a 25 percent increase in suspected vehicle arson fraud.

Insurance Commissioner Poizner said:

"Many families are facing financial challenges in today's economy, but I want to remind everybody that you will only compound your problems if you break the law and commit fraud in search of a quick fix," said Commissioner Poizner. "CDI investigators are seeing an increase in suspected automobile arson and theft fraud cases recently, and our enforcement experts are cracking down on anyone attempting to cheat the law for personal gain."

How to save on auto insurance

With the economy the way it is, we all need to look at cutting costs in anything we can.

Here are some things you might do to save on auto insurance:

1) Price compare - Just because you have been with your insurance company for the past 10 years, does not mean you are getting the best price. It might be time to shake them up a bit. Once you are armed with a lower quote, you will be surprised at how much your rate goes down with your existing company. Make sure to get more than one lower price.

Do not try to BS them, these days, all companies know their competitions rates.

2) Increase your deductible - If you are a safe driver, and are less likely to actually have to use your insurance, pay less monthly (and save over time) by increasing your deductible. Obviously, we have no control over how others drive. Chances are, if you haven't had an accident in the past 10 years, you are safe with a higher deductible. Imagine how much you would have saved, if you had increased it from the beginning.

3) Research your coverage- There may be things you really do not need that you are paying for. As with any industry, we were easily upsold back when the economy was doing well. Now is time to trim down.

4) Take advantage of all available discounts - You may have a good driver discount, good student discount, etc available. Research what discounts your insurance company offers, and take advantage of them.

5) Consolidate insurance plans to the same company - If your insurance company handles many types of insurance, you can definitely save money by having them handle all of your policies. You can get a package deal with almost any insurance company.

GMAC offers a Pay-as-you-go Policy

GMAC offers insurance with a low-mileage discount.

In an age where we almost always overpay on insurance premiums, it is nice to see an insurance company make an attempt to give us a more customized service.

One condition of the plan is that you must be an OnStar subscriber, and it is ony offered in 35 states. My guess is that is how they would track your mileage. Also, you must drive less than 15,000 miles per year.

All you really have to save is enroll in the program, OnStar will track and report everything for you.

Bankruptcy can affect car insurance premiums

According to the US Bankruptcy statistics, the number of bankruptcies that were non-business related jumped 32% from December of 2007 to December of 2008.

If the current trends continue, the number of people going bankrupt will have almost doubled from 2007 to the end of 2009, and will be over a million people per quarter by 2012.

There are some insurance companies that base premiums on your credit rating. Nationwide is an example. They say on their website "Nationwide uses a credit-based insurance score when determining premiums. Studies show that using this credit-based score allows Nationwide to better predict insurance losses. In fact, 92 percent of insurers also consider credit when determining premiums.

Although you would think that this practice would be illegal, it is not -the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the insurance companies, as they said that it is only part of what is considered, besides (they said) people who have lower credit scores are more likely to file claims.

Does this mean that if people with moles were more likely to file claims, they would have to go through body checks, and pay higher premiums?

Name Your Price - Car Insurance

Progressive has taken the extra step in quoting car insurance for consumers, they allow you to tell them what you want to pay, and tailor your policy around that price.

Obviously, a lower price will limit your options, but it is a good starting point, and an easier way for those consumers who are mostly worried about price to get only what they want (or need).

In the current economy, this is a great way to show potential customers that a company is actually conscious of the fact that we are not swimming in money.

Apparently it is working for Progressive. They are now nearing the top of the InformationWeek 500, InformationWeekmagazine`s annual ranking of the country`s most innovative users of business technology, and the NameYour Price® tool has a lot to do with it.