by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
2015 was a banner year for automobile sales. When it was all said and done, 17.5 million cars and trucks went to our homes. Cheaper gasoline, low interest rates and big incentives helped eclipse the previous record set 15 years ago.
However, if you are in the market for a new vehicle, don’t forget to factor in the cost of insurance when you are researching what to buy. The excitement of that new vehicle can quickly fade when you find out the cost to insure it.
Insure.com did some number crunching to determine which new cars will save you money on auto insurance premiums. They created a mythical 40 year old male with a 12 mile commute, a good driving record and good credit, and then checked rates for over 1,500, 2015 vehicles.
They found the least expensive to insure was the Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD, with an annual cost of $1,134. The Jeep Patriot 2WD was second at $1,136. Rounding out the top five were the Honda CR-V LX 4WD, Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus and the Honda Odyssey LX, all under $1,200 per year (See the attached list).
Now keep in mind, the actual average per state premiums varied widely, with the driver of the Jeep Wrangler paying as little as $694 a year in Maine or as much as $2,012 in Hawaii.
The factors that determine the cost to insure a vehicle are a combination of its price, horsepower, and claims history. From an insurance perspective, the better value vehicles were those that retail for less, cost much less to repair and are less likely to be stolen or involved in a crash. It’s no surprise that the most expensive vehicles to insure typically sell for more than $100,000, reach speeds of 200 miles per hour and cost much more to repair.
No matter what new vehicle you choose, there are ways you can lower the insurance costs:
- Clean up your credit. Many insurance companies look at your credit score, the better your credit the better rate you are likely to receive.
- Increase your deductibles. The savings will add up, especially if you are incident free for a number of years. Just make sure you have an emergency fund to cover that higher deductible.
- Check for good driver/good student discounts. Speaking of incident free, when’s the last time you had an accident or a moving violation. Most insurance companies will give you a good driver discount, but make sure you tell them. The same goes for students with good grades.
- Cut your driving. Ride a bike, take mass transit or move closer to where you work. How many miles you drive each year can affect your auto insurance rates; the less you drive, the greater the possible discount.
- Get a policy review. Has your commute changed? Did you install a security device? Did you get married? All of these can lower the rate you pay for insurance. Talking with your insurance advisor at least once a year is the best way to make sure you get the discounts you’re entitled to.
- Compare your current insurance to California Casualty. We are a 100 year old, policyholder owned company that provides auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses with exclusive benefits not available to the general public. This means:
- Deductibles waived or reduced for vandalism or accidents that occur when your vehicle is parked at work
- $500 coverage for personal property that is damaged or lost in a collision, fire or taken from your car
- Rates guaranteed for a full year (not six months)
- Free identity theft protection comes with each policy
- Multiple payment options including EZ Pay and holiday or summer skips
- Superior customer service – 99 percent with a claims satisfaction rating of 96 percent, (source: https://www.calcas.com/customer-feedback)
If you’re in the market for a new car, truck or SUV, contact a California Casualty advisor today. You might be surprised at the savings and all the benefits you qualify for at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.
Sources for this article:
https://www.insure.com/car-insurance/insurance-rates-by-car.html
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.
Ten Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure (from Insure.com)
The least expensive 2015 cars to insure
| 1 |
Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD |
$1,134 |
| 2 |
Jeep Patriot Sport 2WD |
$1,136 |
| 3 |
Honda CR-V LX 4WD |
$1,160 |
| 4 |
Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus |
$1,162 |
| 5 |
Honda Odyssey LX |
$1,163 |
| 6 |
Jeep Compass Sport 2WD |
$1,164 |
| 7 |
Subaru Outback 2.5i |
$1,176 |
| 8 |
Ford Edge SE 2WD |
$1,176 |
| 9 |
Smart ForTwo Pure |
$1,186 |
| 10 |
Ford Escape S 2WD |
$1,190 |
The most expensive 2015 cars to insure
| 1 |
Nissan GT-R Nismo |
$3,574 |
| 2 |
Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Convertible |
$3,573 |
| 3 |
Dodge SRT Viper |
$3,318 |
| 4 |
Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet |
$3,216 |
| 5 |
Audi R8 5.2 Spyder Quattro |
$3,206 |
| 6 |
Porsche Panamera Turbo Executive |
$3,174 |
| 7 |
BMW 760Li |
$3,147 |
| 8 |
BMW M6 Convertible |
$3,115 |
| 9 |
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon |
$3,042 |
| 10 |
Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG 4Matic Sedan |
$2,972 |
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info, Homeowners Insurance Info |
It seems as if almost every household has gotten a hoverboard; they are one of the hottest gifts of the New Year. Hoverboards are similar to skateboards but they have a motor and can move along at speeds around 10 miles per hour. If you were one of the many hundreds-of-thousands who purchased one of the new high-tech gadgets, be aware that they also have a dangerous side.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning that many of the self-balancing scooters have burst into flames due to faulty batteries. People and property have been burned and airlines and many college campuses are now banning them because of the fire risk.
The other hazard is from falls. How is your balance? If it’s not very good, stay off a hoverboard. Scores of users have suffered scrapes, bruises and even broken bones after being tossed off the motorized devices. There are a multitude of videos and news sites highlighting “hoverboard fails.” Some of the injuries have been very serious.
So before you get on a hover board, make sure you have a proper helmet, protective padding and wrist and elbow guards. The CPSC also advises to:
- Avoid buying them at locations like a mall kiosk or website that doesn’t have information about who is selling the product and how they can be contacted if there is a problem
- Be very careful when charging the board – don’t overcharge it, don’t leave it plugged in overnight, always observe it while charging, and keep it away from flammable items
- Let it cool after riding before recharging it
- Leave it in its partially charged state if giving one as a gift – never take it out of the package to bring it to a full charge and rewrap it
- Don’t ride in heavy traffic or pedestrian areas
- See if it has the mark of a certified national testing lab (like UL)
There is another major issue concerning hoverboards – insurance and liability risks. Since they are a motorized device, you may not be covered if you hurt somebody while riding one. If you hit a crack, crash into a person and cause them injury, coverage under your homeowners liability might be excluded. Also, if you loan your hoverboard to someone who subsequently falls and gets injured, you might be on the hook for any hospital or medical bills.
Now, if your hoverboard starts a fire and causes damage to your home or apartment, and you have homeowners or renters insurance, you might be covered for the cost of repairs. Those policies provide protection from accidental fires, but every company and contract is different.
So, the moral of the story is that you should be very careful if you have a hoverboard. You’ll want to read all the safety information that should have come with the device, and be vigilant when charging it. You also need to contact your insurance company to learn about your coverages and how you might be impacted if there were an accident with your hoverboard.
If you don’t have homeowners or renters insurance, now is the time to get it. One of California Casualty’s exceptional advisors is ready to help; call today at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com for a policy comparison or review.
Resources for this article:
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/colleges-students-leave-hoverboards-home-36136212
https://www.cpsc.gov/en/About-CPSC/Chairman/Kaye-Biography/Chairman-Kayes-Statements/Statements/Statement-from-the-US-CPSC-Chairman-Elliot-F-Kaye-on-the-safety-of-hoverboards/
https://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/hoverboard-rip#.jeP4Wpd8Dy
https://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/nrtllist.html
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info, Homeowners Insurance Info |
What can we expect in the New Year? There will be a new president of the United States, many are predicting another see-saw year for the stock market and Forbes predicts the Olympic Games in Brazil will turn out to be the most poorly run in history.
What can you expect when it comes to insurance? Here are the thoughts of one prognosticator:
- Millennials will have a bigger impact – now in their mid-30s, this has become the generation replacing the aging baby boomers with influence and dollars. Insurance companies will have to continue to adapt to serving them online and offer more services accessible from mobile devices.
- Bigger rewards for consumers who adapt to the Internet of Things (Io T) – whether it be devices that monitor how you drive or emerging technologies for the home, insurance companies will continue to use data from intelligent devices to predict losses and reward those who install them. They include water or leak detection systems, interactive door locks, and appliances that can communicate and be controlled via a smart phone or other mobile device.
- Renters insurance will spike – with the increasing trend of more millennials opting to rent than buy homes, the renters insurance market will continue to boom.
- More peer-to-peer insurance – there will be more specialized insurance dedicated to targeted groups of policyholders. The concept is a return to the earliest forms of insurance that pooled together like-minded groups like farmers. Peer-to-peer insurance provides quality protection at reasonable rates.
As we face a New Year with excitement and uncertainty, it’s good to know there is a company you can depend on for your auto and home insurance needs. California Casualty is a 100 year old company founded as, and continues to be, a policyholder owned company that serves specialty groups: law enforcement, firefighters, educators and nurses with exclusive benefits not available to the general public. They have partnered with us because of our competitive rates and insurance that reflects their members’ professional lifestyles. This means:
- Deductibles waived or reduced for vandalism or accidents that occur where your vehicle is parked at work
- Personal property damaged or lost in a collision, fire or taken from your car is covered up to $500
- Rates guaranteed for a full year (not six months)
- Free identity theft protection with each policy
- Multiple payment options including EZ Pay and holiday or summer skips
Are you using all of your professional benefits? Now is the time for a policy review to see if you could be saving money or getting better coverage for your auto or home. Call one of our award winning advisors today at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.
Resources for this article:
https://beta.propertycasualty360.com/2015/12/29/technology-and-insurance-predictions-for-2016
by California Casualty | Nurses |
There is nothing more heartwarming than spending the holidays surrounded by friends and family sharing wonderful meals, presents and stories. But for many families, their loved one is away working in a hospital or care facility meeting the needs of others and trying to spread a little holiday cheer. As we celebrate the holidays, let’s not forget the men and women who sacrifice to provide hope and healing for so many. While most businesses might be closed for Christmas and New Year’s Day, hospitals and care facilities aren’t; sickness, aging and accidental injuries don’t take a day off, and neither do those charged with providing care.
I was amazed by the loving spirit I observed during the year I worked at our local hospital, but never more impressed than when the holidays came. The corridors echoed with ho-ho-hos and many of the staff adorned themselves with ornaments and Santa hats. While it can be tough to be away from the family during a major holiday, here are some ideas for nurses and other care providers that can make the day better:
- Be festive at work – it will raise your spirits and those around you, including patients
- Play holiday music
- Share a holiday potluck or meal
- Take heart that you are helping those who must be in the facility to smile and know someone cares
- Be thankful that you get to go home to your family and friends when your shift ends
- Celebrate the holiday with our friends or family on a different day
The rest of us can make those holiday shifts a little brighter for care givers and their patients:
- Bring some baked goods for the staff
- Deliver some thank you cards
- Find ways to volunteer at hospitals and care facilities
- Put a note on the Thank-a-Nurse Facebook page
Sources for this article:
https://www.nursecore.com/2013/12/nursing-healthcare-holiday-shift/
https://www.workingnurse.com/articles/Working-the-Holiday-Shift
https://www.facebook.com/Thank-a-Nurse-363285516802/timeline
by California Casualty | Firefighters |
I’ve always been thankful for firefighters. They respond to fires and crashes and provide first aid when someone hurts themselves or becomes seriously sick at home. While they give selflessly to help others, the holidays can be a tough time. Accidents and fires don’t take a break and neither do the men and women in blue who will be manning fires stations or on call at volunteer departments in case they are needed. During this season of joy, let’s not forget to thank those who run towards danger while the rest of us are running away. Here are some ideas:
- Send a thank you card to your local fire station
- Thank a fire fighter in person when you see them around the community
- Bake some goodies and take them to the fire station with a thank you card
- Buy them a cup of coffee or meal if you see them at a coffee shop or restaurant
- Donate to funds that help the families of injured firefighters
- Learn CPR and other first aid
- Pull your vehicle over when you hear a siren or see a fire truck with its lights on
Another way you can make a firefighter’s day is to be fire safe this holiday season:
- Make sure real trees are fresh and needles don’t fall off when touched
- Cut two inches from the base of the trunk and immediately put it in a stand with water
- Add water every day
- Keep trees at least three feet from any heat source (fireplaces, space heaters, candles, heat vents)
- Check artificial trees for a “fire resistant” label
- Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory (UL)
- Always turn off tree lights before going to bed or leaving home
- Never use candles to decorate a tree
- If you use real candles around the home, keep them 12 inches away from anything that can burn and always blow them out when you leave a room or go to bed
- Don’t use frayed or damaged electrical cords
We know accidents happen. That’s why it’s so important that we remember our firefighters this time of year. They’ll be there if we need them.
At California Casualty, we are proud to serve firefighters with auto and home insurance designed for their professional lifestyle, with exclusive benefits not available to the general public. Call an advisor today for a free, no hassle policy review or comparison at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com/firefighters.
Sources for this article:
https://www.oprah.com/spirit/Thank-a-Firefighter-Every-Monday-Matters_1
https://www.nfpa.org/research/reports-and-statistics/fire-causes/holiday/christmas-tree-and-holiday-lights
https://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/seasonal/put-a-freeze-on-winter-fires
