Florida car insurance can be expensive. So how do you lower your insurance premiums and cut costs without compromising your coverage? This video from GetSafeInsurance.com offers some simple solutions for lowering the bill without raising your deductibles through the roof.

Remember, when you ‘re shopping for Florida car insurance, it’s important to list all your money-saving insurance features. Put them all on paper and don’t forget to tell your agent about your safe driving record, any anti-theft devices, additional safety features like rear-view cameras or running lights. All of these things and more could save you some extra cash on your auto insurance premiums.

If you aren’t properly insured in the State of Florida, and you get pulled over, there’s a strong chance you could lose your license. If you are in violation of Florida’s uninsured motorist laws your license can be suspended and you may be required to pay a penalty to get the license reinstated.

In Florida, the reinstatement fee STARTS at $150. The reinstatement fee can run as high as $500. If you have multiple violations, the reinstatement fee to get your Florida drivers license back goes higher per violation. How does a person with a suspended license in Florida get it back? Read more »

Spencer Aronfeld is a Florida lawyer who felt passionate enough about Uninsured Motorist car insurance coverage that he created this YouTube video to warn Florida drivers about the dangers of not carrying Florida uninsured motorist insurance. If you aren’t carrying UM coverage, Aronfeld believes you are basically as vulnerable as you would be with no coverage at all. Read more »

MoneyTalksNews posted this video about auto insurance for teens a while back. We bring it to you here as a friendly reminder that while your son or daughter may not have their driver’s training classes scheduled yet, it’s coming a lot sooner than you think! Don’t miss out on the chance to anticipate your auto insurance needs and set up an appointment with your insurance agent and get things ready for the big day when your teen asks you for the car the very first time…

Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury or UM is described by some as one of the most important car insurance coverages you can carry.

One reason for this in the State of Florida? The expiration of the no-fault Personal Injury Protection law in 2007. No-fault personal injury protection may no longer be part of your options with Florida auto insurance, but UM coverage can fill the gap.

Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury coverage pays for injuries caused by an uninsured driver or in the event of a hit-and-run accident.

If your accident results in medical costs, Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury coverage pays up to the amount of the coverage you specify–which is why many Florida auto insurance agents recommend carrying as much as you can reasonably afford.

That said, it is very important to check your auto insurance policy and compare it to your personal health insurance. Make sure you are not duplicating coverage. Auto insurance laws and policy regulations are specifically designed to prevent “double dipping” and you should not expect to collect insurance money from two companies for the same hospital bills. Examine all policies carefully and make sure you are covered but not paying twice. Read more »

Who is Ed Carpenter? He’s a Florida auto insurance agent serving the Emerald Coast, who is active on YouTube and elsewhere promoting his car insurance business and educating people about Florida car insurance. Ed Carpenter’s videos explain the basics about Florida auto insurance, including personal experiences with car insurance claims.

Check out this great introductory clip about Florida auto insurance basics. This started making the rounds on YouTube in the spring of 2009, so the information is current and very helpful. Do you know what umbrella insurance is? How does Florida umbrella insurance protect you in the event of a car accident? What’s the ideal amount of coverage? Ed Carpenter explains it all.

Are you getting ready to move to Florida and switch to a Florida car insurance policy? Are you already living in-state but planning to change car insurance companies?

When you switch policies, don’t assume that your coverages will remain the same. Some exclusions that applied to your old policy may not apply to the new auto insurance policy, and some freedoms you had in your old Florida car insurance may not be allowed in the new contract. Read more »

GAP insurance is a type of coverage that protects you from taking a loss if you get into an accident shortly after purchasing a new car or taking delivery of a leased vehicle.

Florida car insurance normally covers the cash value of a vehicle as spelled out in your insurance policy. If you buy a new car, drive it off the lot and get into an accident, there could be a difference in the amount you owe on the loan and the amount of your car insurance settlement.

Why is this? Because cars lose value the moment you drive them away from the dealership. Your Florida car insurance doesn’t cover the amount of the loan you took out to buy the car, it covers the retail cash value of the vehicle. Some sources say a new car drops in value as much as 30% –just for driving it off the dealer lot.

That’s where GAP insurance comes in. With GAP insurance you are covered for the difference between the cash value of the car and the amount left outstanding on a new car loan or car lease. Read more »

If you are contemplating a new auto insurance company, take a good look at this CNN report by Anderson Cooper. We can’t stress enough the importance of knowing the specific terms of your auto insurance policy before you commit. Florida auto insurance companies can’t be taken at face value–you should check the local reputation of a potential insurer. What do other customers say about the company in local Internet forums? What about your local Chamber of Commerce? Get some informed opinions first, then check out the insurance company to see if they are a good match.

In this clip, Anderson Cooper takes some real-life examples of auto insurance horror stories. Let the driver beware!

Florida auto insurance policies are full of options such as car rental while your vehicle is in the repair shop, towing services and other extras. Are these options worth the additional money you pay on your Florida car insurance premiums?

Should you pay the extra money? Before you can answer yes or no, a bit of research is in order. Who wants to pay for extras if they aren’t needed? Read more »