Car Insurance
More than half of U.S. cyclists forgo helmets
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than half of Americans admit they never use a helmet while bicycling and more than a quarter skip the sunscreen, even when they are in the sun all day, according to Consumer Reports National Research Center.
A report released by the consumer group on Monday shows half …
The Claim: New Year’s Is the Most Dangerous Time of the Year to Be on the Road
THE FACTS
With all the open bars, people on the road and rejoicing in the streets, it is easy to imagine that New Year’s is a risky time. Holidays are the most hazardous time for drivers, a result of sharp increases in traveling and drunken driving. And when it comes …
Calif. is 6th state to ban texting by drivers
California has a New Year’s resolution for motorists: Keep your hands on the wheel and off that text-messaging device.
A bill making it an infraction to write, send or read a text message while driving is among dozens of California laws that take effect Thursday.
Other new statutes will set up a …
Older Drivers’ Fatal Crashes Trend Down; Many Say They Self-limit Driving
Despite growing numbers of older drivers on the road, fewer died in crashes and fewer were involved in fatal collisions between 1997 and 2006 than in years past, a new Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study reports. Crash deaths among drivers 70 and older fell 21 percent during the period, …
When jobs go, so does car insurance
More drivers are letting their car insurance lapse because of the sour economy.
Several hundred thousand drivers dropped their insurance in the past year as the jobless rate climbed, estimates a study to be released next month by the Insurance Research Council, an industry-funded group.
Online agency Insurance.com says it also is …
Identifying At-Risk Customers is Critical for Insurance Carriers in Minimizing Defection Rates and Increasing Loyalty
Although 85 percent of auto insurance customers indicate they are loyal to their carriers, more than one-third of auto insurance policyholders shopped for a new insurance provider, according to the J.D. Power and Associates “2008 Insurance Retention/Defection Study” released Dec. 17.
Identifying those customers with a higher propensity to switch and …
Fewer people dying in traffic accidents
The number of people killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. this year is expected to be the lowest on record, federal transportation officials said Thursday.
Early projections show traffic deaths for the first 10 months of 2008 are down about 10 percent compared with the same period last year. Estimates …
Three Fla. cities have most teen-related holiday traffic fatalities
hree Florida metro areas are tops for fatal car crashes involving teen drivers around the holidays. The Tampa Bay area, Jacksonville and Orlando rank first, second and third in the study being released Wednesday by the Allstate Insurance Co. The insurance giant analyzed federal crash statistics and claims …
‘Crash taxes’ add hefty fees for aid
Imagine you’re cruising down the road when you hit a patch of black ice and slide into a guardrail. A passing motorist calls 911. Soon firetrucks and police arrive.
Weeks later, a $1,400 bill does, too — for the cost of the police and firefighters who answered the call. What’s worse, …
New Data Shows Disturbing Number of Repeat Drunk Drivers on America’s Roadways
Nationally, an estimated 2 million drunk drivers with three or more convictions, including 400,000 drunk drivers with five or more convictions, will share our roadways this holiday season. These figures are based on data reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by 20 states and the District of Columbia …