Get Cheap Auto Insurance Coverage Today!

Get Cheap Auto Insurance Coverage Today!

If people are serious about finding the best deals on auto insurance and getting cheap auto insurance coverage they are going to have to do their homework. Just choosing an agent on the basis of a recommendation from a friend or family member is usually not the best way to go, and accepting the advice of a stranger on the internet is not wise either. The difficulty is that each customer will be viewed as unique by the insurer, and each of these agents will be aiming their cheaper options at those who meet a certain criteria. This means that unless one person meets the exact same criteria as another person they will be offered a different quote.

happy girl saving money by get getting cheap car insurance

How Insurance Companies Decide on a Quote

The key to understanding how insurance companies decide on a quote is to know the factors that they consider when arriving at this number. These factors include:

    One of the first things that insurers want to know is your zip code. This is because where you live has an impact on your likelihood to have an accident or be a victim of crime. If you live in a neighborhood that considered high risk you can expect to pay more for your insurance.
    Even if intend to pay for your insurance without using credit the insurer is still going to want to check your credit score. If this is low you will be charged more for auto insurance.
    Of course one of the most important considerations for the insurer is going to be your driving history. If you have any driving offenses or there is any indication that you might be a careless driver then this will put your quote up.
    The type of vehicle that you are trying to insure is another key factor. If you want to drive something that is powerful then the insurer will view this as meaning that you are more at risk of having an accident. People who want to drive a classic or otherwise expensive car will also be quoted more because in the event of an accident or damage these will cost more to fix.
    If your car is going to be parked somewhere that it could easily be stolen from then this will work against you when looking for cheap car or auto insurance.
    If you are male you are likely to pay more for insurance than a female driver. This may not sound fair but statistics show that women are far less likely to need to make an insurance claim.
    Your age is also another important factor. Young drivers are less experienced and tend to be a bit more reckless when they drive.
    The frequency at which you use your car is another factor that is taken into consideration. Obviously the more time you spend driving your car, the higher your chances of being in an accident.
    Some insurers will also take marital status into account. This is because married people are believed to be less likely to have an accident than those who are single.

Keys to Getting Affordable Car Insurance Quotes

Now that you know what insurers are considering when you ask for a quote it becomes easier to get this reduced. The key to low cost insurance can include:

    Most people do not drive their car an excessive amount, and this means that in many cases they may be entitled to a reduction based on an agreed millage restriction. Before agreeing to such a restriction you need to be sure that you can meet it or otherwise you could end up paying more for your insurance.
    If you can park your car inside at night then this will mean that the insurer will see that there is less risk of it being stolen.
    Some insurers will give discounts if you have installed certain security devices such as a steering wheel lock. It is important to note that only those devices that are approved by the insurers will be eligible to the discount.
    If you own more than one vehicle you can get a good discount by insuring all of these with the one policy.
    Young people who can provide evidence that they are a ‘Grade A’ student will be considered less of a risk to insurers and therefore eligible for cheaper insurance.
    Some insurance companies will allow you to consolidate your car insurance with other types of insurance (e.g. house insurance). This means discounts.
    These days there are many insurers who are keen to be seen as environmentally friendly. They can have discounts for those that that are driving greener cars.
    If you agree to increase your excess (this is the amount you pay in the event of an accident) it will mean paying less for your premium. Only do this if you are a careful driver and feel confident that you will avoid accidents.
    If you are coming up to retirement then this can mean that you are entitled to get a discount. This is because you are less likely to be driving your vehicle every day in rush hour traffic.

How to Compare Car Insurance Quotes
In order to effectively compare auto insurance quotes you need to take a few different things into consideration:

    Level of coverage that this policy will be giving you? If you are only purchasing the minimum amount of coverage possible it may not cover much.
    How much of a deductible is there with this insurance? This is vital information to have because it refers to the amount of money that you will be expected to pay before the insurance kicks in.
    What is the total price for the insurance? You may end up paying more if your payments are going to be spread out. It is better to pay it all in one lump sum.

Steps for Paying Lower Insurance Costs

Over the last few years it has become increasingly easy for people to find inexpensive insurance. It used to be a case of contacting each individual insurer and asking them for a quote. Those who were serious about paying less could spend weeks trying to hunt down the best deals. Thankfully the arrival of the internet means that finding affordable insurance is easy and can be done in minutes. This is because cost comparison websites like this one use your details to instantly find the best deals. The technology means that within a few minutes you can fill out the online form and have a list of the best quotes available. What is even more impressive is that you can do all this from the comfort of your armchair.

The steps to finding cheaper low cost auto insurance could not be easier:

1st – Click on the ‘Get Quotes’ button

2nd – Answer a few simple questions

3rd – Press Send

4th – Wait for the best options on car insurance to appear

5th – Choose the best deal available

6th – Enjoy the cheapest insurance!

New-car Replacement Insurance

The coverage provides coverage for a new model year car replacement if your new or newer car is totaled in an accident. Most car insurance companies offer you new-car replacement insurance within a year of purchasing a new car and if the car is in its first 15,000 miles.    With new-car replacement insurance, your insurance company will pay you for the current value of an equivalent new vehicle.  This is different from gap insurance in that gap insurance only covered the difference between the value of your car at the time of the accident (without damage) and the amount of your loan.  This coverage is only available for new or newer cars, depending on the car insurance company and if your state permits this kind of coverage.
You may also be required to have collision and comprehensive coverage while you have new-car replacement insurance.  Insurance companies generally offer such coverage for a limited period of time – generally within the first two years of ownership of your new car.  If you are interested in this coverage, be sure to understand how long you have this coverage and what happens to your coverage at the end of that period.  Some insurance companies will convert your new-car replacement coverage into gap insurance at the end of their new-car replacement policies

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Protection

Despite all states requiring liability insurance, only a few require uninsured or underinsured protection. In theory, all drivers are required to have either liability coverage or provide proof that they will be financially responsible for accidents they cause. In reality, there will be drivers who have financial or other difficulties paying their premiums, resulting in no liability coverage. There are also other drivers who purchase the minimum insurance policy required which may not be enough money to pay for your damages. Uninsured or underinsured motorist protection can help you cover yourself in the event of an accident in which the at-fault driver has no insurance or inadequate insurance. This is often an overlooked but important part of car insurance.

Gap Insurance

Gap insurance is the insurance to cover the difference between the cost to repair your car and the amount you owe on your car, also known as the “gap”. If you have a loan or lease, you may want to consider gap insurance. If your car is “totaled”, this insurance will help you pay off what you owe on your loan/lease. Generally, this type of insurance is sold at the time you are financing your can loan or lease. Some lenders may require you to have it to be eligible for a car loan

Collision Insurance

While liability insurance covers damages you cause to others in a car accident, collision insurance covers damage to your car, regardless of who caused the damage. So, even if you caused the accident, it will cover repairs to your car. Collision coverage only covers the repairs to your car up to the value of your car at the time just before the accident. If your car is worth less than the cost to repair it after an accident (commonly referred to as “totaled”), a collision insurance policy will pay you the value of your car. No states require that you have this coverage – but you may need it for other reasons. For example, if you have a car loan or lease a car, you may be required by your lender to have this coverage. You can save money by getting a policy with a deductable, a fixed amount that you pay towards your own repairs. See more advice on what kind and how much car insurance coverage you really need.

Comprehensive Insurance

Liability and collision insurance policies exclusively cover car accidents. There are many exclusions to those types of coverage, such as fire, theft or if you hit an animal while driving. Comprehensive insurance covers most of those other risks to your car. As with collision coverage, no states require that you have this type of insurance – but you may want to consider it or need it for other reasons – when your lender or car lease requires it. You can save money on this comprehensive insurance by getting a policy with a deductable. See more advice on what kind and how much car insurance coverage you really need.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance is coverage that protects you from the cost of accidental damage you cause to others and their property while driving a car. This covers the cost of medical bills, general and special damages (wage loss, continuing medical care, etc.) and repair of property damaged in the accident. This coverage also entitles you to the cost of defense (paying for an attorney for you) if you are sued for the damage you cause in a car accident. If you cause a car accident, your own injury and property damage is not covered by this type of insurance (see collision, medical/PIP, and uninsured coverage below).

Liability insurance coverage is usually listed with limits for bodily injury and property damage stated separately. For example, a 15/30/10 liability policy offers coverage up to $15,000 to one person for bodily injury, $30,000 for all bodily injuries to others, and up to $10,000 for coverage of property damage. You can also purchase a combined single limit policy, or CSL, which will cover all injuries and property damage up to the stated maximum caused by a single accident.

All states have set a minimum amount of coverage/financial responsibility for car insurance/financial responsibility but choosing the minimum isn’t right for everyone. If you cause an accident, you have to pay for the damage you caused. If you are in a serious collision and the damages you caused are greater than the coverage limits you purchased, you may be personally liable to pay for those damages that exceed your insurance coverage. Insurance companies quote rates (also known as premiums) that can vary by hundreds of dollars a year so it pays to do your research. Once you decide what coverage you need, you are prepared to shop smart for car insurance. See advice on what kind and how much car insurance coverage you really need.

Car Insurance Types

If you drive, own or lease a car, each of the 50 states requires you to either have car insurance or provide “proof of financial responsibility”. Proof of financial responsibility is usually met by having car insurance. Each state also sets the minimum coverage amount and specific types of insurance it requires. There are hundreds of car insurance companies with lots of options for car insurance…what kind of coverage do you want? What coverage do you need? Is the minimum coverage enough for you? What are your choices? Being informed as to the types insurance available will save you money and heartache when you are involved in an accident. CarInsuranceCalculator.info tells you the rules of the game:
Liability Insurance

Liability insurance is coverage that protects you from the cost of accidental damage you cause to others and their property while driving a car. This covers the cost of medical bills, general and special damages (wage loss, continuing medical care, etc.) and repair of property damaged in the accident. This coverage also entitles you to the cost of defense (paying for an attorney for you) if you are sued for the damage you cause in a car accident. If you cause a car accident, your own injury and property damage is not covered by this type of insurance (see collision, medical/PIP, and uninsured coverage below).

Liability insurance coverage is usually listed with limits for bodily injury and property damage stated separately. For example, a 15/30/10 liability policy offers coverage up to $15,000 to one person for bodily injury, $30,000 for all bodily injuries to others, and up to $10,000 for coverage of property damage. You can also purchase a combined single limit policy, or CSL, which will cover all injuries and property damage up to the stated maximum caused by a single accident.

All states have set a minimum amount of coverage/financial responsibility for car insurance/financial responsibility but choosing the minimum isn’t right for everyone. If you cause an accident, you have to pay for the damage you caused. If you are in a serious collision and the damages you caused are greater than the coverage limits you purchased, you may be personally liable to pay for those damages that exceed your insurance coverage. Insurance companies quote rates (also known as premiums) that can vary by hundreds of dollars a year so it pays to do your research. Once you decide what coverage you need, you are prepared to shop smart for car insurance. See advice on what kind and how much car insurance coverage you really need.
Collision Insurance

While liability insurance covers damages you cause to others in a car accident, collision insurance covers damage to your car, regardless of who caused the damage. So, even if you caused the accident, it will cover repairs to your car. Collision coverage only covers the repairs to your car up to the value of your car at the time just before the accident. If your car is worth less than the cost to repair it after an accident (commonly referred to as “totaled”), a collision insurance policy will pay you the value of your car. No states require that you have this coverage – but you may need it for other reasons. For example, if you have a car loan or lease a car, you may be required by your lender to have this coverage. You can save money by getting a policy with a deductable, a fixed amount that you pay towards your own repairs. See more advice on what kind and how much car insurance coverage you really need.
Comprehensive Insurance

Liability and collision insurance policies exclusively cover car accidents. There are many exclusions to those types of coverage, such as fire, theft or if you hit an animal while driving. Comprehensive insurance covers most of those other risks to your car. As with collision coverage, no states require that you have this type of insurance – but you may want to consider it or need it for other reasons – when your lender or car lease requires it. You can save money on this comprehensive insurance by getting a policy with a deductable. See more advice on what kind and how much car insurance coverage you really need.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Protection

Despite all states requiring liability insurance, only a few require uninsured or underinsured protection. In theory, all drivers are required to have either liability coverage or provide proof that they will be financially responsible for accidents they cause. In reality, there will be drivers who have financial or other difficulties paying their premiums, resulting in no liability coverage. There are also other drivers who purchase the minimum insurance policy required which may not be enough money to pay for your damages. Uninsured or underinsured motorist protection can help you cover yourself in the event of an accident in which the at-fault driver has no insurance or inadequate insurance. This is often an overlooked but important part of car insurance.
Medical (Medpay) or Personal Injury Protection

Medical protection, also known as medpay, is coverage for medical care caused by injuries to you or your passengers after a car accident. You or your passengers can make a claim to pay you medical bills resulting from an accident, even if it is not your fault. Depending on what state you are in, you may be required to have medpay coverage. Medpay is sold with a maximum payment or reimbursement at a fixed amount for each passenger covered by your medpay.

Personal injury protection, also known as PIP, is similar to medpay but operate very differently depending on the state you are in. In some states, usually states with no fault coverage, PIP is mandatory. PIP generally covers medical care but also may cover lost wages up to a specified amount. But in some states, if you make a claim against PIP insurance, you may be waiving your right to recover against the liability portion of the car insurance.

When you are choosing a coverage amount for either medpay or PIP, get informed as to your state requirements and options available. With the cost of healthcare always increasing, this is a coverage you should consider.
Rental Reimbursement

This is a separate car insurance coverage that pays for renting a car when your car is inoperable due to a car accident. This coverage will specify the daily allowances or limits for car rentals which can vary by each insurance company or state.
Gap Insurance

Gap insurance is the insurance to cover the difference between the cost to repair your car and the amount you owe on your car, also known as the “gap”. If you have a loan or lease, you may want to consider gap insurance. If your car is “totaled”, this insurance will help you pay off what you owe on your loan/lease. Generally, this type of insurance is sold at the time you are financing your can loan or lease. Some lenders may require you to have it to be eligible for a car loan.
 New-car Replacement Insurance

The coverage provides coverage for a new model year car replacement if your new or newer car is totaled in an accident. Most car insurance companies offer you new-car replacement insurance within a year of purchasing a new car and if the car is in its first 15,000 miles.    With new-car replacement insurance, your insurance company will pay you for the current value of an equivalent new vehicle.  This is different from gap insurance in that gap insurance only covered the difference between the value of your car at the time of the accident (without damage) and the amount of your loan.  This coverage is only available for new or newer cars, depending on the car insurance company and if your state permits this kind of coverage.

You may also be required to have collision and comprehensive coverage while you have new-car replacement insurance.  Insurance companies generally offer such coverage for a limited period of time – generally within the first two years of ownership of your new car.  If you are interested in this coverage, be sure to understand how long you have this coverage and what happens to your coverage at the end of that period.  Some insurance companies will convert your new-car replacement coverage into gap insurance at the end of their new-car replacement policies

Compare Auto Insurance Quotes – Save Hundreds of Dollars

If you go through your existing policy, you may find that it includes some types of coverage that you don’t really need. Other types of coverage that are relevant to your needs may have been left out. For example, if you have a high net worth and are exposed to significant risks, you may need additional liability coverage.

If you have a very old car, it may not be worthwhile to keep paying for collision and / or comprehensive coverage. You will have to pay a very high premium and will get a very small claim if your car is totaled in an accident.

If you keep renewing your policy blindly without considering your needs and shopping around, you may be paying too much for the wrong type of coverage. You can make significant savings by knowing about the different types of discounts for which you are eligible.

Shop around for the best offers

Once you have decided on the type of coverage you need, shop around and compare estimates from a few insurers. Request them to provide a car insurance quote for the same type of insurance. This will make it much easier for you to compare the quotes.

Your present insurer may be asking for a higher premium because of an outdated credit report or a minor accident that took place many years ago. If you shop around, you may find that other insurers are willing to offer much lower rates. This can help you to make major savings on your annual premium. Being loyal to your present insurer may prove to be very costly in this case.

Check the reputation of the insurers

While it is important to find the best deals, you also need to consider the track record of the insurers before you sign up. You can find a lot of information via the Internet. Go through online reviews to check the customer ratings of the service providers. If you find that there are a lot of complaints against an insurer, it may be best to look elsewhere. Get free, no-obligation automobile insurance quotes from the leading insurers now.

Car Insurance Comparison

Looking for an easy way to do a car insurance comparison? Well, you have come to the right place at CarInsuranceComparison.com because let’s face it; choosing car insurance can be a chore.

Unfortunately, since car insurance is required by law in almost every state and not having car insurance can really create more trouble than you need, it is very important to make a thorough car insurance comparison before buying car insurance.

It is important to know why you need to do a thorough auto insurance comparison, what you should be comparing, and how to evaluate your results to make the best selection. Read on to learn all about how to find the best car insurance rates, but if you just want to hop right to it and compare car insurance quotes online ASAP then there is no need to wait - just enter your zip code in on the top of this page for a free comparison of car insurance quotes from top car insurance companies!
Why You Need a Thorough Car Insurance Comparison

Most of us make the mistake of thinking that car insurance policies are pretty much the same; that all we need to do is pick the policy with the best price and we are good to go. Nothing could be further from the truth.

While finding cheap car insurance is important (and we will tell you exactly how to do just that), each car insurance company (and there are a bunch of them out there) has many different policy types, each one has different levels of coverage, coverage options, incentives and discounts. Take a few moments and do an online car insurance policy comparison with a few of the best car insurance providers side by side and you will see exactly why this is so important.

Also, the cost associated with each of these different policies can vary greatly depending on the company you choose and the policy type, the coverage amount, and any other of a dozen different options you might select. Check out our auto insurance comparison chart and then just enter your zip above for a free online car insurance quote comparison.

To make it even more interesting, consider that different models of cars have different car insurance rates. If you want to compare car insurance rates for different cars before buying a car then you are already way ahead of the curve. You can get a free car insurance cost comparison if you just enter your zip in above.

(What did you say? We are the best car insurance comparison site? You make us blush!... In all seriousness, you may get sick of hearing the often simplistic sounding advice from us to "compare free car insurance quotes online by just entering in your zip code" or to "do your homework and do an online insurance comparison of rates from all of the best car insurance companies" but hey, if a few minutes comparing quotes online ends up saving you $250 or more then it all works out quite nicely, doesn't it?)
What You Need to Consider in Your Car Insurance Comparison

The key issues you need to prioritize include the level of insurance coverage you need, the amount of money you can afford to pay for your car insurance, and the type of insurance company you want to do business with. When you consider the level of insurance coverage you need you will need to do an honest evaluation of: your driving habits, your driving environment, and the type of situation you will be able to accommodate if you are ever need to file a claim. Getting a car insurance companies comparison online is simple with our free tool but keeping your head in the game and weighing all of your options is important to really save the big bucks and find an affordable car insurance policy.

Yes, it does matter how, when, and where you drive. Since insurance companies will evaluate these factors, you should as well. Be honest with yourself. If you regularly drive past the speed limit, if your daily drive includes major interstates and thoroughfares, or if your commute is an hour each way through any of the most populated cities in America then you might want to consider a higher level of coverage because you are in a higher risk category.

What that means is that your driving behavior, either good or bad will affect your chances of being classified as a high or low insurance risk. This is important because if you realize your driving risk category, you can make a more informed decision on whether you need basic coverage or a policy that includes every option known to man. Some companies even offer accident forgiveness policies if you are usually a good driver, but realize that even a good drive can have an accident.

You will also need to consider your driving environment. This includes more than just the area you drive through each day. You need to consider if you will be parking your vehicle on the street or if it will be locked in a garage, if you will be parking in any high crime areas or areas known for a high volume of vehicle accidents, or if the car you drive is a vehicle is commonly targeted for theft. Other considerations like if you have an alarm system or Lojack device installed can make a difference when deciding if you want coverage for theft of the vehicle. Installation of anti-theft devices will most likely lower your rates.

One of the biggest considerations you can make is to analyze how much cost can you bear when choosing any particular policy. How much you can afford can greatly affect how much coverage you can obtain as well as what type of company you can purchase from. There are companies that will offer you basic liability coverage for a very small monthly payment, there are companies that offer platinum level coverage options for payments that might make some executives flinch. You’ll need to find out where you fall between these two extremes; just remember that you often get what you pay for.

Also, when you start gathering price information for different policies and car insurance companies, you need to ask about any and all discounts, incentives, or promotions each company might have to save you money on your policy. Surprisingly, a high coverage/high dollar policy can become affordable after deducting all possible discounts, adding all available incentives, and taking advantage of any promotions offered.

Finally, you will need to think about the type of service and stability you want from the insurance company you will be doing business with. Despite the fact that insurance is one of the few products consumers purchase yet never want to use, it is almost inevitable that in all of your driving experiences you will need to file a claim at some point. When you do, you want to know that the insurance company you have been paying premiums to is still around to service that claim.

In addition, when they do service the claim you file, will they treat you as a valued customer, or an expense that needs to be settled? You will want to know what type of service history the company enjoys, is this the type of company you could recommend to your Mom or best friend? If so, there is a good chance it could be the company for you.
Evaluating Your Car Insurance Comparison Data

Once you have decided what coverage you want, how much you want to pay, and what type of company you want to service your insurance needs, you will need to gather data on the different companies that fit the bill. Our comparison tool above is one great resource. Just a few clicks and you will have side-by-side comparison information ready for you to evaluate.

Once you are here, decide on your priorities. You can rank price, coverage, and service/brand stability from one to three. Use this weighted list to narrow down the field to one or two really good choices. When your short list of car insurance companies is finished, no matter which option you select, you can be assured that your needs and wants will be met.

One final note; car insurance companies change rates regularly and often give considerable incentives to win new business from other companies. So, once you have have your short list of preferred insurance companies, don’t be afraid to go back and re-shop your options. You can sometimes save a bundle by just going back to your current insurance company to re-shop your rate and policy about every six months or so.
Get Free Car Insurance Quote Comparisons!

One thing is certain, we all need car insurance. If you have to have it, doesn’t it make sense to get to policy you really need, at the price you can really afford, and with a company you feel you can truly count on? Shopping car insurance may be a chore, but as important as being insured is, you will definitely want to take the time to do it right. Spend just a few quick minutes to enter your zip code into the box above and get started with your free car insurance quote comparison today!

Texas Auto Insurance Quotes

Auto insurance rates vary among providers, so it always pays to shop around and compare quotes. At TexasautoInsuranceQuotes.org, we hope that the following info can help you find the best deal for your money.
Auto Insurance in Texas

Every state has their own rules and regulations regarding the minimum levels of auto insurance coverage that drivers are required to carry. Presently, Texas requires bodily injury and property damage liability insurance. The limits required are: 25/50/25.

What these numbers 25/50/25 mean is simply that you must have up to $25,000 of coverage per injured person in an accident to a $50,000 maximum per accident. In addition, you must also have $25,000 of coverage for property damage expenses.
However, please be advised that this is only the minimum required by the state and that many drivers often opt to get additional coverage.
Texas SR-22 Requirements

SR22 filings are required in the State of Texas in order to reinstate a license. These documents are needed in order to prove that the driver in question is complying with state regulations and that they are carrying the minimum level of auto insurance required. Generally, only people who have had their driving privileges revoked in the past and are trying to get them back need to apply for this.

Get Instant Auto Insurance Quotes Compare rates online Takes 2 minutes Save up to 60% Enter Your Zip Code: Colorado Auto Insurance – Get Free Quotes & Save 60%

Currently, Colorado requires that drivers have the minimum liability coverage as set forth in the law, and that drivers have proof of auto insurance with them at all times. Their laws are a little bit stricter than most states. Save on Colorado car insurance with coloradoautoinsurancequotes.org. Compare rates instantly online and see how much you can save.
There are a variety of penalties associated with driving without having proof of insurance in CO:

• First Offense

- Minimum $500 fine
- 4 points on driving record

• Second Offense

- Minimum $1,000 fine
- 4 month license suspension

• Third Offense

- $1,000 fine
- 8 month license suspension
- Potential community service (40 hours)

Colorado Auto Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements

The required coverage for the state of Colorado is 35/50/15. What this means is that each person involved in an accident will be insured by $35,000 for bodily injury up to a maximum of $50,000 per accident. The last part is $15,000 for property damage. This coverage is mandated and cannot be opted out of.
Bear in mind that this is only the bare minimum coverage as mandated by the state. Many drivers opt for additional coverage. Liability coverage doesn’t insure you; so many drivers opt for collision and comprehensive, which insures your car after you pay a deductible up to the fair market value of your car.
Some people get higher liability limits, especially if they have a lot to lose in the case of a law suit. With medical costs up in the stratosphere and auto repairs being expensive, it might be a worthwhile investment.

UM/UIM Insurance Coverage in Colorado

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage. Colorado doesn’t require UM or UIM. However, it might be something to consider. It protects you if you’re hit by someone that doesn’t have auto insurance. You can’t file a claim if there isn’t anyone to file it with.

Additional Information on Colorado Car Insurance

Colorado does not require Personal Injury Protection coverage, as it is not one of the no-fault states. Personal Injury Protection is like liability coverage, except it covers you instead regardless of who was at fault for medical expenses and other damages.
If you are caught driving under the influence in Colorado, you could potentially face the following penalties:

• Fine ($600-1000)

• 12 points on your license

• License Suspension (9 months)

• Community Service (48-96 hours)

• Imprisonment (5 days – 1 year)

- Substance abuse program is sometimes substituted for jail time
SR-22 documents are proof that minimum liability coverage requirements for the State are met and being carried, though not everyone needs to file this. Generally these documents are necessary with people who had their license suspended and are trying to reinstate their driving privileges. These documents are currently required to be filed with the DMV in order to reinstate a license. Find cheap Colorado auto insurance and save hundreds!

Texas Auto Insurance

At Texasautoinsurancequotes.org, we are committed to finding the best value for your insurance dollar. Shopping for auto insurance is similar to shopping for any major item (a car, house, etc.). To find the best price and quality, start with comparing companies and products. Enter your zip code in the our quote box below to compare quotes from the leading carriers in your area.

Every state has rules and regulations regarding auto insurance and the minimum requirements drivers will need to carry. Presently, the State of Texas requires drivers to have property damage liability and bodily injury liability insurance. In addition, drivers must have proof of insurance with them at all times while driving.

You’ll be asked for proof of insurance if:

    You’re in an accident

    Your car is inspected

    You’re renewing or getting a new license

    You’re registering your car or renewing registration

A police officer asks for it:

    Failure to comply with Texas’ financial responsibility laws could result in penalties.

    First Offense: Fine ($175-350)

    Further Offenses: Fine ($350-1,000), License Suspension, Car Impounding

Texas Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

The minimum liability insurance limits for the State of Texas are 30/60/25. This means you’ll need to have at least $30,000 of bodily injury coverage for each person injured to a maximum of $60,000. In addition, you’ll need up to $25,000 in coverage against property damage. Keep in mind that this is the bare minimum, and that many drivers often opt for additional coverage.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage in Texas (TX)

The State of Texas doesn’t require UM/UIM coverage; however, it can be very helpful. As the names suggest, it will cover you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance.
Additional Information on Texas Car Insurance

Texas is not considered a no-fault state, and therefore doesn’t require you to get Personal Injury Protection or PIP. PIP is like liability insurance as it will cover you for medical expenses, lost wages, among other damages. However, the difference lies in the fact that it will cover you, the policyholder, no matter who is at fault.

Texas also presently requires SR22 filings in order to reinstate licenses. These documents provide proof that you’re complying with the law by carrying the minimum levels of auto insurance required. It’s only necessary to be filed by people who have lost their driving privileges and are looking to get them back.

Texas also has a set of DUI laws, as all states do. If you’re found driving under the influence, you could face the following penalties:

First Offense:

    Imprisonment (72 hours – 180 days) OR (180 days – 2 years if a minor under 15 was present)

    Fine (Up to $2000) OR (Up to $10,000 if a minor under 15 was present)

    License Suspension (90 days – 1 year)

    DUI Surcharge ($1000 per year for 3 years) OR ($2000 per year for 3 years if your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) is 0.16% or higher)

If you require any further information please visit the Texas Dept. of Insurance online at www.tdi.state.tx.us or call them at 800-252-3439. You might also want to check out this price comparisons tool by TDI that can help you compare rates among companies that sell liability car insurance coverage in Texas. These sample rates are estimates given to TDI by the carriers listed. Your actual premium will be based on your individual circumstances and could be higher or lower than the sample rates shown

Motor Home and Travel Trailer Insurance

The recreational vehicle (RV) market has grown over the last 30 years to include modest pop-up tent-trailers, small to large travel trailers which include slide-outs, and the more expensive motor-home or very expensive coaches.

It is critical to obtain insurance coverage for these vehicles because replacement costs are expensive.  When speaking with your insurance agent about a policy that will cover your RV, be sure ask about coverages like the following:

    Total Loss Replacement
    Emergency Vacation Expense
    Disappearing Deductibles
    Full-Timer’s Package
    Replacement Costs for Personal Effects
    24-Hour Roadside Assistance
    Windshield Coverage

Some of these coverages are more important than others so it is not suggested that you get them all, but all have value to you depending on your use and needs.

For example, if you have a relatively expensive RV, you might want to consider Total Loss Replacement coverage.  This coverage would replace your RV with a new model of similar make and quality if your RV was totaled in an accident.

For those who use their RV several times during the year, Emergency Vacation Expense coverage is desirable.  This coverage provides cash for lodging and transportation if the RV is damaged during a trip.  Replacement Costs for Personal Effects protects the insured’s personal items such as clothing, cell phones, cameras, computers, etc.

The Full-Timer’s Package provides extra coverage for customers who use their RV as a home for some part of the year.

If you are a camper or an RV’er, consider speaking with your agent about what kind of policy you think you need for your particular unit.

Serenity Insurance provides motor home and travel trailer insurance through several insurance companies.  As an independent insurance broker, Serenity can get the best policy with a competitive price for your RV

MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE PROTECTION

Whether you’re a motorcycle enthusiast or a first-time rider out having fun, being responsible and being safe is what it’s all about. Being responsible includes having motorcycle insurance.

Most people rely on obtaining motorcycle insurance to protect themselves against loss in case of an accident. In many states, you must carry basic insurance to cover the cost of losses you cause to others in an accident. If the unexpected happens, motorcycle insurance gives you peace of mind in knowing you are protected.

There are policies for scooters and mopeds also at a lower cost that provides you with similar coverage that the motorcycle policy provides.

Cheap Car Insurance for Adults

Cheap car insurance for adult drivers who do not qualify for a “Good Driver Discount” is difficult to find with the better-known insurance companies.

Drivers who do not qualify for a good driver discount due to a violation of some kind, or because they’ve not had insurance for a while, will experience “sticker-shock” when shopping for insurance through the national brands.

Shopping on the internet for a company that might provide insurance coverage can be overwhelming and confusing. There are so many companies available and it’s difficult to know what their reputation is when interacting over the internet.

It’s best to talk with an insurance broker and let the broker do the shopping for you. They can tell you about the companies they represent and how those companies rate with Standard & Poor’s or A.M Best.

Serenity Insurance offers affordable, low-cost, competitive rates on car insurance with several A-Rated companies that have been in business for over 60 years.

Cheap Car Insurance for Teen Drivers

Cheap car insurance for teen drivers is difficult to find and most preferred carriers consider a teen driver to be a high risk

Finding cheap car insurance for teen drivers is usually found with non-standard or high-risk providers.  That doesn’t necessarily mean that this insurance is excessively more expensive, it just means that the services provided by these carriers, and the tiers of coverage provided may not be the same as the preferred carriers.

So how do parents go about getting cheap car insurance for an 18 year old? There are a few things that you can do, which will eventually help in reducing premium costs.  For starters, make sure your teenager is well aware of the benefits of a clean driving record. He or she must know that piling up traffic tickets or mixing drinking and driving will have a negative impact on his or her chances of lower rates.  Next, give your teenager a solid car that will ensure safety rather than admiration.  Being low on mileage driven will also help. Less driving means less risk to insurance service providers, so ask your teenager to use the car wisely. Signing up for courses on safe driving will also help in getting cheap car insurance 18 year olds.

Ask for a quote from a broker or independent agent.  You will be able to compare rates and coverage without doing a lot of comparison shopping at individual insurance companies and the broker will generally point you towards the best rate that they have.

9 Points for Cheap Car Quotes

Age: if you are under the age of 25, expect to pay more just because that age bracket is at a higher risk due to lack of experience. Same goes for if you are pushing towards the elderly years as the risk for an accident increases as well due to slower reflexes, etc.

Gender: gender does play a role, don’t let that fool you. Depending on your location either a man or a woman could end up paying more just by the local statistics of accidents. If men in your area are more likely to get into an accident, a man is going to pay more for an insurance premium in that area. Not always the case, but just keep that in your thoughts.

Location: this is very important to pay attention to, because if you live in a area where there’s a lot of traffic and a lot of accidents on a daily basis – that right there is a indicator of a higher insurance premium. Especially if you use your vehicle for business, they’re going to take all the locations that you visit on your route into consideration. Theft is also location-based, if there’s a lot of vehicles being stolen or broken into in your area then you better believe you’re gonna be paying higher rate of insurance especially if you have full coverage and collision.

History of accidents: if your driver’s license says “safe driver” then you can use that to your advantage in getting an additional discount on your policy. If a person has had a lot of mishaps and accidents over their years of driving, of course they’re gonna pay a higher rate because that person is at higher risk.

Automobile type: there are all types of vehicles to consider when getting insurance. The standard four-door family car is probably the cheapest and the two door sports car or SUV is probably the most expensive. However there are other considerations that can get you a lower deductible like if your car has ABS brakes, and alarm system, etc.  Sports cars and four-wheel-drive vehicles are more expensive to insure because they have the ability to perform on a higher level. Another thing to consider is if your model of vehicle has a high theft rate. This also goes by geo location. So make sure you check to see if the model of the vehicle you will be ensuring is considered a high theft in your area, you can do that by just doing a quick search on Google or Bing.

Work or leisure: whether you use your car for work or just for leisure also makes a difference. The reason for this is the number of miles you actually drive the car on a daily basis. The cheapest rates are for under 5 miles per day and it goes up from there. The point here is that the more your car is on the road the more risk there is for an accident by either you or someone else.

Credit rating: this is something new, a lot of insurance companies now are checking your credit rating which in my opinion does not seem fair. Your credit has nothing to do with the way you drive. But, some companies do check your credit rating even though they are not required to as they can have one more tick to use against you as added leverage. So put up a fight if they grumble about your poor credit score.

Military: if a person is active military they can expect to see at least a 10% discount on their overall policy. Some companies even give a discount if you are former military so make sure you mention that if this is the case. Even if someone in your household is currently in the military an insurance company may still provide a discount.

Safe driver: if you are a safe driver, meaning it says so on your drivers license, you can expect another 10% or so discount on your overall car insurance policy. The safe driver shows up once you go to renew your driver’s license and they have found that you have been in no accidents or had any tickets to speak of in the previous years. Each state is different on how they judge that, but make sure you mention you have “safe driver” on your drivers license as that will get you additional discounts.

9 hottest selling cars of 2013

Car sales are on a tear. Through the first five months of 2013, U.S. car sales are up by 8.2%, compared to the same period last year. Some of the more popular models have posted even more substantial growth, well into the double digits.

Most of the popular models with major increases in sales have undergone some significant changes recently. In most cases, it has been a design overhaul of the entire model.

Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst at Kelley Blue Book, explained why redesigns of vehicles have had such an impact on the sales. “These are all the latest and greatest redesigns, so they really feature the best in terms of tech, in terms of features and amenities, in terms of style and design, and really in terms of fuel economy.”

The increasing importance of fuel economy gave some redesigned models a leg up on older models. It also led many auto manufacturers to introduce new hybrid models, which has boosted sales for some of the other models on this list. Lexus introduced the Lexus ES-300h to its ES line in 2012. Toyota released a hybrid model under its Avalon brand.

The importance of fuel efficiency also has led many auto buyers to transition to one of the fastest-growing segments in the auto business — crossover utility vehicles, or CUVs. Gutierrez explained that these cars are meeting the desire for the space and utility of an SUV with better fuel efficiency. CUV sales through May are up 13.9%.

Based on sales data provided by Kelley Blue Book, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the nine models that sold more than 25,000 units in the United States between January and May of 2013, and are up by 25% compared to the same period of last year. We also reviewed the past five full years of sales. All combined fuel economy estimates listed are based on the smallest engine size and the least expensive configuration, with numbers provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

These are the nine hottest cars this year.

9. Ford Escape

2013 Jan.-May sales: 127,932
2012 Jan.-May sales: 98,667
Pct. change in sales: 29.7%
Fuel economy: 26 mpg

Ford Motor Co. sold 127,932 Escapes in the first five months of 2013, a 29.7% increase from the same period in 2012. In 2008, Ford sold 139,434 units for the year. The Ford Escape’s 2013 model was the first full redesign since its introduction in 2001. The new model includes a panoramic moonroof, an automated parking option and a soft-touch dashboard. Popular Mechanics named the Escape “Car of the Year” in its 2013 Automotive Excellence Awards, praising the car’s “excellent engine options, abundance of technology and great price.”


8. Hyundai Elantra

2013 Jan.-May sales: 104,081
2012 Jan.-May sales: 80,114
Pct. change in sales: 29.9%
Fuel economy: 32 mpg

Last year, Hyundai sold nearly 188,000 Elantras, or more than double the number it sold in 2009. Hyundai is on pace to pass that figure this year as well — the Korean carmaker has sold more than 104,000 Elantras through May, up from slightly more than 80,000 at the same point in 2012. The Elantra was the second-most popular car sold by Hyundai in the first five months of 2013, after the Sonata. Likely contributing to sales, Hyundai added a coupe to its Elantra lineup for 2013. All three current Elantra models start at less than $20,000.


7. Chevrolet Tahoe

2013 Jan.-May sales: 35,067
2012 Jan.-May sales: 26,847
Pct. change in sales: 30.6%
Fuel economy: 17 mpg

Chevrolet is on pace to sell 84,161 Tahoes in 2013, a sizable increase from the 68,371 sold in 2012. Sales of the SUV have fluctuated in the past five years. The best year for Tahoe sales was in 2008, when Chevrolet sold 88,655. Sales then plummeted to 69,953 in 2009 before rising in 2010 and 2011. U.S. News and World Report rated the 2013 Tahoe the best affordable large SUV, beating out the Chevy Suburban, Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon. The publication said the Tahoe “offers good interior material quality with plenty of standard features, even on the base trim. Fully equipped, the Tahoe is a near-luxury SUV.”


6. Ford Explorer

2013 Jan.-May sales: 84,646
2012 Jan.-May sales: 63,269
Pct. change in sales: 33.8%
Fuel economy: 20 mpg

Sales of the Explorer cratered in 2009 and 2010, when fewer than 50,000 units were sold. But Explorer sales have skyrocketed in the past two years, with the help of a redesign for the 2011 model year that transformed the model from a traditional SUV to a crossover vehicle. In 2011 and 2012, Ford sold roughly 135,700 and 164,200 Explorers, respectively. Just through May 2013, sales for the model totaled almost 85,000 in the United States, an increase of more than 33% from the first five months of 2012. Some of this increased demand may have come from the addition in 2013 of the Sport trim of the model — the most expensive available on the Explorer at more than $40,000.


5. Subaru Forester

2013 Jan.-May sales: 40,578
2012 Jan.-May sales: 29,863
Pct. change in sales: 35.9%
Fuel economy: 23 mpg

Subaru is on pace to sell 97,387 Foresters in 2013, if sales continue at the rate of the first five months. This would be a major jump from the 76,347 sold in 2012. The Forester is the second most popular car sold by Subaru, after the Outback. The newly redesigned 2014 Forester, which went on sale earlier this year, was ranked as the top small SUV by Consumer Reports, which praised the vehicle’s “space-efficient design, large windows and big square doors,” among other things. The Forester was also the only small SUV to pass a front-offset crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.


4. Lexus ES

2013 Jan.-May sales: 27,813
2012 Jan.-May sales: 14,485
Pct. change in sales: 92%
Fuel economy: 24 mpg

The Lexus ES passed 56,000 in sales in 2012, after a difficult year in 2011 when sales fell to just 40,873. Likely helping to boost sales, Lexus released its sixth-generation ES-Series in 2012, which also included the launch of a new hybrid version of the ES 350, called the ES 300h. Buyers responded well to the new ES-Series vehicles, and so far in 2013 sales are up 92% from the year before. One possible incentive: the ES 300h gets 40 mpg combined, versus 24 mpg for the standard version model.


3. Toyota Avalon

2013 Jan.-May sales: 30,945
2012 Jan.-May sales: 14,883
Pct. change in sales: 107.9%
Fuel economy: 25 mpg

The Toyota Avalon’s sales more than doubled in the first five months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. In fact, the 30,945 Avalon units sold from January to May is more than Toyota Motor Corp. sold in any full calendar year between 2009 and 2012. The 2013 redesign “brought with it sleek new styling, a stiffer chassis, and improved ride and handling qualities,” according to Edmunds. In addition, Toyota released the Avalon Hybrid in 2012, which receives 40 mpg combined city and highway, compared to the 25 mpg of the non-hybrid version.


2. Mazda CX-5

2013 Jan.-May sales: 31,201
2012 Jan.-May sales: 11,480
Pct. change in sales: 171.8%
Fuel economy: 29 mpg

The Mazda CX-5 was new on the market in 2012. It has sold 43,319 units, more than any other model it produces except the Mazda3. In order to increase fuel efficiency, the Madza introduced its SkyActiv technology platform on the CX-5, which includes an efficient engine and transmission, as well as a lightweight chassis. Even with the model’s strong start last year, sales of the CX-5 have picked up even more in 2013, with more than 31,000 sold through the first five months of this year. Among the changes made for the 2014 model year, which is already out, is that the higher end versions come with a more-powerful engine that still maintains good fuel economy.


1. Nissan Pathfinder

2013 Jan.-May sales: 38,179
2012 Jan.-May sales: 12,644
Pct. change in sales: 202.0%
Fuel economy: 22 mpg

No top-selling car increased its sales more than the Nissan Pathfinder, as 202% more units were sold in the first five months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. The redesigned Pathfinder’s 22 mpg combined is higher than previous models. The vehicle also weighs 500 pounds less. Following a test drive, USA Today said the car is “quiet, soaks up bad pavement pretty well and is tastefully appointed inside.”

2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes has been toying with bringing Americans a compact Benz since Harry Truman was in the White House. Okay, not quite, but it seems that way. Think of how much money Mercedes hasn't made while BMW brought the 1 Series, and then several hundred thousand Minis, to the U.S.

Now Mercedes is finally pulling the trigger. What the CLA promises, Mercedes says, is something slicker than we've seen on American shores, and the first A-Class to grace the New World will arrive as an AMG with a muscular 300-hp turbocharged four-cylinder fed to all-wheel drive. It's even possible we'll see a double-clutch, seven-speed automatic.

Only the sedan version of the smallest Benz will come to America, probably because the hatch versions of the 1 Series and the Audi A3 haven't sold well here. After the CLA AMG debuts, though, we will see more fuel-efficient CLAs with smaller engines, possibly a diesel, and front-wheel drive.

2014 Jeep Liberty

Jeep has a real conundrum on its hands. Diehard off-roading loyalists want every Jeep to be capable of conquering mule paths and mud bogs. But the RAV4, CR-V, and Santa Fe buyers that Jeep would like to entice don't care about rock-crawling prowess. They care about modern amenities such as hitting 70 mph highway speeds with low noise and vibration and little harshness; carlike handling; and reliability. All-wheel drive is fine if it gets you out of the driveway on a snowy morning, but that's as much Trail Rating as they need.

We think that means Chrysler is going to push back against those sensitive Jeep fans, hard. That translates to a Liberty that is a Jeep in name but carries the same chassis that undergirds the new Dodge Dart. Expect a fully independent suspension and 4WD but no low range, even if hill-descent control is an option. There's also rumor of an all-new V-6 (the outgoing 3.7-liter V-6 was anemic, unrefined, and thirsty), and a ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic. That would mean a whopping five more forward gears than the outdated four-speed auto in the old Liberty (pictured above). The base Liberty could have the same 1.4-liter turbo deployed in the new Dart, and, though it is sacrilege to some Jeep fans, front-wheel drive

2014 Porsche Macan

Porsche loyalists, look away. You might cry foul over this latest VW Group tie-up with Porsche, but Porsche can't hear you over the ka-ching of all those dollars, euros, yen, and yuan.

We actually have high hopes for the Audi Q5–based Macan. The reason: The Q5 could be much more capable than it is, but while we don't foresee Audi bringing us an R-edition Q5, we can believe Porsche would go there.

At first, we expect Porsche to go for improved handling, the way it built the Cayenne to be a more capable high-speed machine than the VW Touareg. AWD will be a given, as will two Audi-derived engines, the 237-hp 2.0-liter turbo four and the 288-hp V-6. Rumors suggest that a manual gearbox could be possible, but we're betting on a seven-speed auto, though there's still hope it could come in a dual-clutch arrangement.

2014 Audi A3

The forthcoming A3 will be based on the VW Golf. It would be nice if the U.S. got the hatch, but that's unlikely. We probably will get a diesel A3, though, and the four-door sedan will come in a hotter S3 version that's also a possibility for North America, though an über-powerful RS3 is highly unlikely.

Hopefully the chassis that underpins the new Audi will be more modular than previous versions. That would allow integration of hybrid tech and front-drive or AWD setups that could shave weight on various Audis and Volkswagens, helping engineers to increase fuel economy while downsizing displacement.

Chevy Corvette C7

We know more about the next Vette than we did just a few months ago. Gone are thoughts of a split rear window, a turbocharged V-6, or a midengine design. It now appears that the C7 will debut at this coming winter's North American auto show in Detroit with a 5.5-liter V-8 that still uses pushrods. However, thanks to direct injection and higher compression, it's reasonable to expect the new Corvette to put out 440 hp, so it could match or best the outgoing 6.0-liter.

The car will be visually arresting for certain. Inspiration will come at least in part from the present Camaro. One sure bet—GM will finally, praise heaven, give its $50,000 Ferrari slayer an interior that's gorgeous, and with seats that hold the driver comfortably on track day.

2014 Jaguar F-Type Roadster

Jaguar's C-X16 concept from 2011 makes its production debut as the new F-Type with a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that should make 380 hp. Expect at least one turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder derived from the Range Rover Evoque, but that powerplant probably won't be sold in the U.S. Both engines will be mated to eight-speed automatics with start–stop technology.

An aluminum body will keep weight down but price up. Expect this Jag to compete with the Porsche Boxster as well as with the Audi TT-RS. The platform may also underpin a forthcoming XF sedan replacement.

2013 Chevy Sonic RS

Our Guess: No higher than $22,000 (any higher and the Sonic RS would bump up against more serious sports cars like the Subaru BRZ and probably the Ford Fiesta ST, which is still to come but should cost around $22,000)

The RS is a sportier Sonic with an affordable sticker. Yeah, we wish Chevy would cram its 2.0-liter Ecotec under the hood of the Sonic, but barring that, we'll get the Sonic RS with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four borrowed from the Chevy Cruze and good for 138 hp.

Still, this car gets more than just a mild exterior makeover. The six-speed manual has closer ratios and the suspension has been stiffened. The stock Sonic is already one of the tautest-handling cars in the "B" segment. Adding 17-inch rubber and a slightly lower suspension is going to make the RS a rip to drive.

There are also new rocker moldings and a new rear spoiler, but more important for the driver, the car gets sportier, firmer front buckets. The RS will be the only Sonic to get four-wheel discs as well as four-channel ABS with electronic brake-force distribution.

2013 Subaru WRX

Recently the blogosphere has been alive with chatter that the next-gen Subaru WRX will get the FA motor developed for the Subaru BRZ, and this is one instance when there's logic behind the rumor. The FA engine can sit a lot lower in the car because it's more compact. A lower engine has many advantages, chief among them the ability to shove the mass farther rearward in the car for better balance. Better still, Subaru engineered the FA for higher compression from the start, so it should tolerate the amount of forced induction required to take it from 200 hp in the BRZ to the expected benchmark of 265 hp. And let's just say here that we'd bet Subaru designed its latest Impreza chassis with the WRX (not to mention the STi) in mind, and we'd bet the newest WRX will be lighter and more nimble as a result. A bonus: Fuel economy should jump a good 15 percent.

2013 Ram 1500

There is an upside to the game of catch-up Chrysler is playing in so many segments: It gives the company an opportunity to try bold remakes that leap-frog the current benchmarks. We think the automaker chose wisely by doing this to its flagship Dodge pickup.

The Ram was due for a facelift, but rather than giving it a superficial makeover, Chrysler went for so many smart updates that Ford and GM will be chasing for their own answers. Start with aerodynamics, where Chrysler has altered the front wheel openings and given the truck's grille active shutters said to reduce drag by 3 to 5 percent. It added an eight-speed automatic transmission too, tied in electric power steering, and brought in start/stop technology to save gas in traffic.

All of these changes are included with any of the available engines, although the Ram's V-8s—the aging 4.8-liter and the 5.7-liter Hemi—are less noteworthy than the 3.6-liter V-6 that'll punch out 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Ford's EcoBoost V-6 is still more powerful, pumping out 365 hp and 420 lb-ft in the F-150. But the Pentastar engine, used already in the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee and now available in the Ram, could be the more fuel-efficient choice, especially when combined with all the other tech Chrysler has brought to bear. And because most of the Ram's torque is available nearly from idle, at just 1800 rpm, load-haulers won't miss the V-8 unless they tow serious weight.

2013 Dodge Dart R/T

Most of the new front-wheel-drive Dart models go on sale this summer, and we like what we've driven so far. But the fastest of the breed, the R/T, holds off for a fall launch.

Like its less muscular brethren, the R/T rides on a Fiat chassis borrowed from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, with a fully independent suspension. We expect that suspension to be a little lower and stiffer in the R/T. The car will get the most horsepower of the lot, with a 184-hp 2.4-liter four under the hood.

At this point it's unclear if the R/T will come with only a six-speed manual or with a dual-clutch automatic as well. We do know that the R/T, like the Sonic RS, is going to face stiff competition from slightly pricier models, including the Ford Focus ST, the expected Fiesta ST, and the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Even if these sporty cars are bunched around $25,000, slightly above the Dart R/T, their performance chops could put a pinch on sales of the Dodge.

2013 SRT Viper

With a 640-hp V-10 and a body made of magnesium, aluminum, and carbon fiber, we're expecting greatness from Chrysler's supercar. And at 100 grand, it'd better be great—there's already a Corvette ZR1 in this price range that can eat Ferraris, and the C7 will only up the ante. Plus there's a certain new Mustang that's far cheaper and should be mighty impressive too. And even if the Viper is faster than the Ford or Chevy in a straight line, it must improve its handling over the outgoing model. While SRT folks are claiming a scorching 0-to-60 time of 3.5 seconds and a 206-mph top speed for the new car, the last Viper was time-warp-fast too—and also saddled with unpredictable handling and frequent maintenance headaches.

Haunted by those ghosts of Vipers past, Chrysler engineers started over. They lowered the car's weight by about 140 pounds and made its chassis 50 percent stiffer. (That alone tells you how far Chrysler had to go to make a Viper that's world class.) The Tremec-supplied six-speed manual (no automatic, at least not yet) is said to have far lower clutch effort, while bringing tighter ratios and more precise feel. The suspension is entirely new, again with the aim of more predictable handling. And there's a multi-setting stability-control system with a full-off mode for the track. That could be great, but only if the car doesn't actually need the electronic assist to handle like a supercar.

That will be key. This Viper is designed to challenge cars that can reach nine tenths of their potential without technological guardrails. The SRT needs to get in that ballpark to be a real winner.

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Right now, the Veloster lacks the performance cred to back up its killer looks. But that will change once this 201-hp version hits the streets. The 45 percent boost in horsepower has most folks taking a second look at the Veloster, and hoping this Turbo is a signal that Hyundai is getting as serious about performance as it has been about quality and design over the last few years.

So far, though, signs remain cloudy—the stonking 1.6-liter motor with dual exhaust notwithstanding. Word is the Veloster Turbo gets the same suspension, which is disappointing. The stock Veloster is fun but stiff-kneed and less refined when compared to better-bred sporty cars like VW's GTI—or the Subaru BRZ, which is only somewhat costlier than what we're expecting to see from the Veloster Turbo. Also, ask Mini engineers about controlling torque steer in a 200-hp car with a short wheelbase. That, too, has probably made Hyundai sweat.

Even if the Veloster Turbo isn't perfection out of the gate, we hope it's a sign of better-performing Hyundais (and Kias) to come.

Forex Tutorial: How To Trade & Open A Forex Account

So, you think you are ready to trade? Make sure you read this section to learn how you can go about setting up a forex account so that you can start trading currencies. We'll also mention other factors that you should be aware of before you take this step. We will then discuss how to trade forex and the different types of orders that can be placed.

Opening A Forex Brokerage Account
Trading forex is similar to the equity market because individuals interested in trading need to open up a trading account. Like the equity market, each forex account and the services it provides differ, so it is important that you find the right one. Below we will talk about some of the factors that should be considered when selecting a forex account.

Leverage
Leverage is basically the ability to control large amounts of capital, using very little of your own capital; the higher the leverage, the higher the level of risk. The amount of leverage on an account differs depending on the account itself, but most use a factor of at least 50:1, with some being as high as 250:1. A leverage factor of 50:1 means that for every dollar you have in your account you control up to $50. For example, if a trader has $1,000 in his or her account, the broker will lend that person $50,000 to trade in the market. This leverage also makes your margin, or the amount you have to have in the account to trade a certain amount, very low. In equities, margin is usually at least 50%, while the leverage of 50:1 is equivalent to 2%.

Leverage is seen as a major benefit of forex trading, as it allows you to make large gains with a small investment. However, leverage can also be an extreme negative if a trade moves against you because your losses also are amplified by the leverage. With this kind of leverage, there is the real possibility that you can lose more than you invested - although most firms have protective stops preventing an account from going negative. For this reason, it is vital that you remember this when opening an account and that when you determine your desired leverage you understand the risks involved.

Commissions and Fees
Another major benefit of forex accounts is that trading within them is done on a commission-free basis. This is unlike equity accounts, in which you pay the broker a fee for each trade. The reason for this is that you are dealing directly with market makers and do not have to go through other parties like brokers.

This may sound too good to be true, but rest assured that market makers are still making money each time you trade. Remember the bid and ask from the previous section? Each time a trade is made, it is the market makers that capture the spread between these two. Therefore, if the bid/ask for a foreign currency is 1.5200/50, the market maker captures the difference (50 basis points).

If you are planning on opening a forex account, it is important to know that each firm has different spreads on foreign currency pairs traded through them. While they will often differ by only a few pips (0.0001), this can be meaningful if you trade a lot over time. So when opening an account make sure to find out the pip spread that it has on foreign currency pairs you are looking to trade.

Other Factors
There are a lot of differences between each forex firm and the accounts they offer, so it is important to review each before making a commitment. Each company will offer different levels of services and programs along with fees above and beyond actual trading costs. Also, due to the less regulated nature of the forex market, it is important to go with a reputable company. (For more information on what to look for when opening an account, read Wading Into The Currency Market. If you are not ready to open a "real money" account but want to try your hand at forex trading, read Demo Before You Dive In.)

How to Trade Forex
Now that you know some important factors to be aware of when opening a forex account, we will take a look at what exactly you can trade within that account. The two main ways to trade in the foreign currency market is the simple buying and selling of currency pairs, where you go long one currency and short another. The second way is through the purchasing of derivatives that track the movements of a specific currency pair. Both of these techniques are highly similar to techniques in the equities market.The most common way is to simply buy and sell currency pairs, much in the same way most individuals buy and sell stocks. In this case, you are hoping the value of the pair itself changes in a favorable manner. If you go long a currency pair, you are hoping that the value of the pair increases. For example, let's say that you took a long position in the USD/CAD pair - you will make money if the value of this pair goes up, and lose money if it falls. This pair rises when the U.S. dollar increases in value against the Canadian dollar, so it is a bet on the U.S. dollar.

The other option is to use derivative products, such as options and futures, to profit from changes in the value of currencies. If you buy an option on a currency pair, you are gaining the right to purchase a currency pair at a set rate before a set point in time. A futures contract, on the other hand, creates the obligation to buy the currency at a set point in time. Both of these trading techniques are usually only used by more advanced traders, but it is important to at least be familiar with them. (For more on this, try Getting Started in Forex Options and our tutorials, Option Spread Strategies and Options Basics Tutorial.)

Types of Orders
A trader looking to open a new position will likely use either a market order or a limit order. The incorporation of these order types remains the same as when they are used in the equity markets. A market order gives a forex trader the ability to obtain the currency at whatever exchange rate it is currently trading at in the market, while a limit order allows the trader to specify a certain entry price. (For a brief refresher of these orders, see The Basics of Order Entry.)

Forex traders who already hold an open position may want to consider using a take-profit order to lock in a profit. Say, for example, that a trader is confident that the GBP/USD rate will reach 1.7800, but is not as sure that the rate could climb any higher. A trader could use a take-profit order, which would automatically close his or her position when the rate reaches 1.7800, locking in their profits.



Another tool that can be used when traders hold open positions is the stop-loss order. This order allows traders to determine how much the rate can decline before the position is closed and further losses are accumulated. Therefore, if the GBP/USD rate begins to drop, an investor can place a stop-loss that will close the position (for example at 1.7787), in order to prevent any further losses.

As you can see, the type of orders that you can enter in your forex trading account are similar to those found in equity accounts. Having a good understanding of these orders is critical before placing your first trade.

If you want to read more, see these frequently asked questions How does the forex market trade 24 hours a day?, Why is currency always quoted in pairs? and What is the value of one pip and why are they different between currency pairs?

Forex Tutorial: Currency Trading Summary

While this online forex tutorial only represents a fraction of all there is to know about forex trading, we hope that you've gained some insight into this topic. We also encourage those of you who are interested in potentially trading in the online forex market to learn more about the complexities and intricacies that make this market unique.

Let's recap:

    The forex market represents the electronic over-the-counter markets where currencies are traded worldwide 24 hours a day, five and a half days a week. The typical means of trading forex are on the spot, futures and forwards markets.
    Currencies are "priced" in currency pairs and are quoted either directly or indirectly.
    Currencies typically have two prices: bid (the amount that the market will buy the quote currency for in relation to the base currency); and ask (the amount the market will sell one unit of the base currency for in relation to the quote currency). The bid price is always smaller than the ask price.
    Unlike conventional equity and debt markets, forex investors have access to large amounts of leverage, which allows substantial positions to be taken without making a large initial investment.
    The adoption and elimination of several global currency systems over time led to the formation of the present currency exchange system, in which most countries use some measure of floating exchange rates.
    Governments, central banks, banks and other financial institutions, hedgers, and speculators are the main players in the forex market.
    The main economic theories found in the foreign exchange deal with parity conditions such as those involving interest rates and inflation. Overall, a country's qualitative and quantitative factors are seen as large influences on its currency in the forex market.
    Forex traders use fundamental analysis to view currencies and their countries like companies, thereby using economic announcements to gain an idea of the currency's true value.
    Forex traders use technical analysis to look at currencies the same way they would any other asset and, therefore, use technical tools such as trends, charts and indicators in their trading strategies.
    Unlike stock trades, forex trades have minimal commissions and related fees. But new forex traders should take a conservative approach and use orders, such as the take-profit or stop-loss, to minimize losses.

Forex Tutorial: Technical Analysis & TechnicaI Indicators

One of the underlying tenets of technical analysis is that historical price action predicts future price action. Since the forex is a 24-hour market, there tends to be a large amount of data that can be used to gauge future price activity, thereby increasing the statistical significance of the forecast. This makes it the perfect market for traders that use technical tools, such as trends, charts and indicators. (To learn more, see Introduction to Technical Analysis and Charting Your Way To Better Returns.)

It is important to note that, in general, the interpretation of technical analysis remains the same regardless of the asset being monitored. There are literally hundreds of books dedicated to this field of study, but in this tutorial we will only touch on the basics of why technical analysis is such a popular tool in the forex market.

As the specific techniques of technical analysis are discussed in other tutorials, we will focus on the more forex-specific aspects of technical analysis.

Technical Analysis Discounts Everything; Especially in Forex
Minimal Rate Inconsistency
There are many large players in the forex market, such as hedge funds and large banks, that all have advanced computer systems to constantly monitor any inconsistencies between the different currency pairs. Given these programs, it is rare to see any major inconsistency last longer than a matter of seconds. Many traders turn to forex technical analysis because it presumes that all the factors that influence a price - economic, political, social and psychological - have already been factored into the current exchange rate by the market. With so many investors and so much money exchanging hands each day, the trend and flow of capital is what becomes important, rather than attempting to identify a mispriced rate.

Trend or Range
One of the greatest goals of technical traders in the FX market is to determine whether a given pair will trend in a certain direction, or if it will travel sideways and remain range-bound. The most common method to determine these characteristics is to draw trend lines that connect historical levels that have prevented a rate from heading higher or lower. These levels of support and resistance are used by technical traders to determine whether or not the given trend, or lack of trend, will continue.

Generally, the major currency pairs - such as the EUR/USD, USD/JPY, USD/CHF and GBP/USD - have shown the greatest characteristics of trend, while the currency pairs that have historically shown a higher probability of becoming range-bound have been the currency crosses (pairs not involving the U.S. dollar). The two charts below show the strong trending nature of USD/JPY in contrast to the range-bound nature of EUR/CHF. It is important for every trader to be aware of the characteristics of trend and range, because they will not only affect what pairs are traded, but also what type of strategy should be used. (To learn more about this subject, see Trading Trend Or Range?)

Graph created by E-Signal.
Figure 1

Graph created by E-Signal.
Figure 2

Common Indicators
Technical traders use many different indicators in combination with support and resistance to aid them in predicting the future direction of exchange rates. Again, learning how to interpret various forex technical indicators is a study unto itself and goes beyond the scope of this forex tutorial. If you wish to learn more about this subject, we suggest you read our technical analysis tutorial.

A few indicators that we feel we should mention, due to their popularity, are: Bollinger Bands®, Fibonacci retracement, moving averages, moving average convergence divergence (MACD) and stochastics. These technical tools are rarely used by themselves to generate signals, but rather in conjunction with other indicators and chart patterns.

For more on technical analysis and the forex, take a look at the following articles: Using Bollinger Band® "Bands" To Gauge Trends, Trading Double Tops And Double Bottoms, Introducing The Bearish Diamond Formation, Keep An Eye On Momentum and Consolidation - Trade The Calm, Profit From The Storm.

Forex Tutorial: Economic Theories, Models, Feeds & Data

There is a great deal of academic theory revolving around currencies. While often not applicable directly to day-to-day trading, it is helpful to understand the overarching ideas behind the academic research.

The main economic theories found in the foreign exchange deal with parity conditions. A parity condition is an economic explanation of the price at which two currencies should be exchanged, based on factors such as inflation and interest rates. The economic theories suggest that when the parity condition does not hold, an arbitrage opportunity exists for market participants. However, arbitrage opportunities, as in many other markets, are quickly discovered and eliminated before even giving the individual investor an opportunity to capitalize on them. Other theories are based on economic factors such as trade, capital flows and the way a country runs its operations. We review each of them briefly below.

Major Theories: Purchasing Power Parity
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is the economic theory that price levels between two countries should be equivalent to one another after exchange-rate adjustment. The basis of this theory is the law of one price, where the cost of an identical good should be the same around the world. Based on the theory, if there is a large difference in price between two countries for the same product after exchange rate adjustment, an arbitrage opportunity is created, because the product can be obtained from the country that sells it for the lowest price.

The relative version of PPP is as follows:

Where 'e' represents the rate of change in the exchange rate and 'π1' and 'π2'represent the rates of inflation for country 1 and country 2, respectively.

For example, if the inflation rate for country XYZ is 10% and the inflation for country ABC is 5%, then ABC's currency should appreciate 4.76% against that of XYZ.


Interest Rate Parity
The concept of Interest Rate Parity (IRP) is similar to PPP, in that it suggests that for there to be no arbitrage opportunities, two assets in two different countries should have similar interest rates, as long as the risk for each is the same. The basis for this parity is also the law of one price, in that the purchase of one investment asset in one country should yield the same return as the exact same asset in another country; otherwise exchange rates would have to adjust to make up for the difference.

The formula for determining IRP can be found by:

Where 'F' represents the forward exchange rate; 'S' represents the spot exchange rate; 'i1' represents the interest rate in country 1; and 'i2' represents the interest rate in country 2.

International Fisher Effect
The International Fisher Effect (IFE) theory suggests that the exchange rate between two countries should change by an amount similar to the difference between their nominal interest rates. If the nominal rate in one country is lower than another, the currency of the country with the lower nominal rate should appreciate against the higher rate country by the same amount.

The formula for IFE is as follows:

Where 'e' represents the rate of change in the exchange rate and 'i1' and 'i2'represent the rates of inflation for country 1 and country 2, respectively.

Balance of Payments Theory
A country's balance of payments is comprised of two segments - the current account and the capital account - which measure the inflows and outflows of goods and capital for a country. The balance of payments theory looks at the current account, which is the account dealing with trade of tangible goods, to get an idea of exchange-rate directions.

If a country is running a large current account surplus or deficit, it is a sign that a country's exchange rate is out of equilibrium. To bring the current account back into equilibrium, the exchange rate will need to adjust over time. If a country is running a large deficit (more imports than exports), the domestic currency will depreciate. On the other hand, a surplus would lead to currency appreciation.

The balance of payments identity is found by:
Where BCA represents the current account balance; BKA represents the capital account balance; and BRA represents the reserves account balance.

Real Interest Rate Differentiation Model
The Real Interest Rate Differential Model simply suggests that countries with higher real interest rates will see their currencies appreciate against countries with lower interest rates. The reason for this is that investors around the world will move their money to countries with higher real rates to earn higher returns, which bids up the price of the higher real rate currency.

Asset Market Model
The Asset Market Model looks at the inflow of money into a country by foreign investors for the purpose of purchasing assets such as stocks, bonds and other financial instruments. If a country is seeing large inflows by foreign investors, the price of its currency is expected to increase, as the domestic currency needs to be purchased by these foreign investors. This theory considers the capital account of the balance of trade compared to the current account in the prior theory. This model has gained more acceptance as the capital accounts of countries are starting to greatly outpace the current account as international money flow increases.

Monetary Model
The Monetary Model focuses on a country's monetary policy to help determine the exchange rate. A country's monetary policy deals with the money supply of that country, which is determined by both the interest rate set by central banks and the amount of money printed by the treasury. Countries that adopt a monetary policy that rapidly grows its monetary supply will see inflationary pressure due to the increased amount of money in circulation. This leads to a devaluation of the currency.

These economic theories, which are based on assumptions and perfect situations, help to illustrate the basic fundamentals of currencies and how they are impacted by economic factors. However, the fact that there are so many conflicting theories indicates the difficulty in any one of them being 100% accurate in predicting currency fluctuations. Their importance will likely vary by the different market environment, but it is still important to know the fundamental basis behind each of the theories.

Economic Data
Economic theories may move currencies in the long term, but on a shorter-term, day-to-day or week-to-week basis, economic data has a more significant impact. It is often said the biggest companies in the world are actually countries and that their currency is essentially shares in that country. Economic data, such as the latest gross domestic product (GDP) numbers, are often considered to be like a company's latest earnings data. In the same way that financial news and current events can affect a company's stock price, news and information about a country can have a major impact on the direction of that country's currency. Changes in interest rates, inflation, unemployment, consumer confidence, GDP, political stability etc. can all lead to extremely large gains/losses depending on the nature of the announcement and the current state of the country.

The number of economic announcements made each day from around the world can be intimidating, but as one spends more time learning about the forex market it becomes clear which announcements have the greatest influence. Listed below are a number of economic indicators that are generally considered to have the greatest influence - regardless of which country the announcement comes from.

Employment Data
Most countries release data about the number of people that currently are employed within that economy. In the U.S., this data is known as non-farm payrolls and is released the first Friday of the month by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In most cases, strong increases in employment signal that a country enjoys a prosperous economy, while decreases are a sign of potential contraction. If a country has gone recently through economic troubles, strong employment data could send the currency higher because it is a sign of economic health and recovery. On the other hand, high employment can also lead to inflation, so this data could send the currency downward. In other words, economic data and the movement of currency will often depend on the circumstances that exist when the data is released.

Interest Rates
As was seen with some of the economic theories, interest rates are a major focus in the forex market. The most focus by market participants, in terms of interest rates, is placed on the country's central bank changes of its bank rate, which is used to adjust monetary supply and institute the country's monetary policy. In the U.S., the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) determines the bank rate, or the rate at which commercial banks can borrow and lend to the U.S. Treasury. The FOMC meets eight times a year to make decisions on whether to raise, lower or leave the bank rate the same; and each meeting, along with the minutes, is a point of focus. (For more on central banks read Get to Know the Major Central Banks.)

Inflation
Inflation data measures the increases and decreases of price levels over a period of time. Due to the sheer amount of goods and services within an economy, a basket of goods and services is used to measure changes in prices. Price increases are a sign of inflation, which suggests that the country will see its currency depreciate. In the U.S., inflation data is shown in the Consumer Price Index, which is released on a monthly basis by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gross Domestic Product
The gross domestic product of a country is a measure of all of the finished goods and services that a country generated during a given period. The GDP calculation is split into four categories: private consumption, government spending, business spending and total net exports. GDP is considered the best overall measure of the health of a country's economy, with GDP increases signaling economic growth. The healthier a country's economy is, the more attractive it is to foreign investors, which in turn can often lead to increases in the value of its currency, as money moves into the country. In the U.S., this data is released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis once a month in the third or fourth quarter of the month.

Retail Sales
Retail sales data measures the amount of sales that retailers make during the period, reflecting consumer spending. The measure itself doesn't look at all stores, but, similar to GDP, uses a group of stores of varying types to get an idea of consumer spending. This measure also gives market participants an idea of the strength of the economy, where increased spending signals a strong economy. In the U.S., the Department of Commerce releases data on retail sales around the middle of the month.



Durable Goods
The data for durable goods (those with a lifespan of more than three years) measures the amount of manufactured goods that are ordered, shipped and unfilled for the time period. These goods include such things as cars and appliances, giving economists an idea of the amount of individual spending on these longer-term goods, along with an idea of the health of the factory sector. This measure again gives market participants insight into the health of the economy, with data being released around the 26th of the month by the Department of Commerce.

Trade and Capital Flows
Interactions between countries create huge monetary flows that can have a substantial impact on the value of currencies. As was mentioned before, a country that imports far more than it exports could see its currency decline due to its need to sell its own currency to purchase the currency of the exporting nation. Furthermore, increased investments in a country can lead to substantial increases in the value of its currency.

Trade flow data looks at the difference between a country's imports and exports, with a trade deficit occurring when imports are greater than exports. In the U.S., the Commerce Department releases balance of trade data on a monthly basis, which shows the amount of goods and services that the U.S. exported and imported during the past month. Capital flow data looks at the difference in the amount of currency being brought in through investment and/or exports to currency being sold for foreign investments and/or imports. A country that is seeing a lot of foreign investment, where outsiders are purchasing domestic assets such as stocks or real estate, will generally have a capital flow surplus.

Balance of payments data is the combined total of a country's trade and capital flow over a period of time. The balance of payments is split into three categories: the current account, the capital account and the financial account. The current account looks at the flow of goods and services between countries. The capital account looks at the exchange of money between countries for the purpose of purchasing capital assets. The financial account looks at the monetary flow between countries for investment purposes.

Macroeconomic and Geopolitical Events
The biggest changes in the forex often come from macroeconomic and geopolitical events such as wars, elections, monetary policy changes and financial crises. These events have the ability to change or reshape the country, including its fundamentals. For example, wars can put a huge economic strain on a country and greatly increase the volatility in a region, which could impact the value of its currency. It is important to keep up to date on these macroeconomic and geopolitical events.

There is so much data that is released in the forex market that it can be very difficult for the average individual to know which data to follow. Despite this, it is important to know what news releases will affect the currencies you trade. (For more insight, check out Trading On News Releases and Economic Indicators To Know.)

Now that you know a little more about what drives the market, we will look next at the two main trading strategies used by traders in the forex market – fundamental and technical analysis.