Car Insurance Depression
Last night, I wrote another check for my car insurance premium. So far this year, I've paid about $1,650 for car insurance to New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company.
Over the last several years, I haven't been able to choose my insurer because with many points on my license, I'm considered "high risk."
The good news is that this month is three years after the points appeared on my license. Time does certainly fly. With my license clear of points, I should be able to qualify for a lower premium and I can shop around to find the best price.
The State of New Jersey offers an Auto Insurance Shopping Guide which may come in handy this month. I'm a member of AAA, and they provide services to help find the best insurance rates.
Some of the lower cost insurance companies, like Progressive, do not offer insurance in New Jersey. GEICO does, but I may not qualify for their insurance due to past indescretions. For some people in this state, NJ CURE could be an option for auto insurance.
Auto Insurance in the state of New Jersey has had a history of not doing well for the consumer. Just recently, the state initiated the process of removing rate caps in some cities, and consumer groups feel this will lead to higher prices.
Jp compiled a list of cars owned by personal finance and money-related bloggers. It's a neat list. He doesn't say whether the cars are bought with cash, financed, or leased, but I'm sure not everyone shares that information. Read
Cheap Gas is a marriage between Google Maps and Gasbuddy, the database of gas prices by city. If you select a city from the list available on Cheap Gas, you will be provided with a map with the station locations highlighted. Read
According to USA Today and Kelley Blue Book, a used 2004 or 2005 Toyota Prius can sell for $1,000 to $3,000 more than a new Prius. Read
As I recently passed 20,000 miles on my 2004 Honda Civic, I decided it was time to take the car in for regular maintenance. The dealer suggests maintenance after every 7,500 miles, but I try to stretch it to every 10,000. Read
