It all depends on who you ask. Most women will tell you they are better drivers because they are more careful and more considerate than men. If you ask men, you’ll likely hear that they are more aware and handle the car better in all conditions. When it comes to determining auto insurance rates, statistics, opinions are not what counts.

If you guessed that males pay higher rates, you’re right. According to many studies and facts collected on accidents from state and local agencies, men are more likely to be involved in a car accident. In addition, IIHS stated that in 2006, more than twice as many male drivers were fatally injured in auto accidents.

Although male drivers are placed at higher risk, it is usually only between the ages of 18 and 25. Once a male driver reaches 25, rates usually go down; as long as he has a good driving record. Over time, if there are no tickets or accidents, the rates should decrease to about the same level as a comparable female driver.

Remember, no matter if you’re a man or woman, 18 or 45, there are always things you can do to reduce your auto insurance rates. Discounts are offered for certain professions like teaching. Discounts are also awarded to people with good driving records, additional safety features on your vehicle, and many more. Also, if you are still in school, you may be eligible to receive discounted rates for receiving good grades. Check with your carrier to see if you can receive any discounts.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

 Parties and summertime go hand in hand. With this in mind, it’s a great time to make sure you understand the “social host” laws. Social Host laws are designed to prevent against the distribution of alcohol to minors and people who have had too much to drink. These laws apply to “social hosts” who are providing alcohol in a non-commercial setting. Violation of this law can result in criminal and civil charges. Social Host cases are most commonly brought about as a result of a vehicle crash, or other incident involving serious injuries, after a party.

Social host liability is a state policy, and varies by state to state. Before hosting a party, make sure to check your state’s laws. Click here to find out the laws in your state. The only way to completely avoid social host liability is to not serve alcohol at all.

Aside from social host liability, if you are serving alcohol to minors, you will more than likely be facing other charges as well. Distribution of alcohol to minors is illegal in almost every situation. In some states, if a minor is caught serving alcohol to another minor, they may also face charges. And if this happened in a minor’s home, the parents of that child is liable as well.

Be careful when partying this summer. Make sure you know your state’s social host laws and abide by them. Have a fun summer, but make sure it’s a safe one!

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.

Without using the “R” word, we’ll just say things are getting more expensive these days. These “things” include the price of car insurance. Now is as good a time as any to examine what you pay and see if you may be able to get a cheaper rate somewhere else. Let’s go over some tips that should help you save some money:

- Shop online. At least do your preliminary shopping here. There are many useful sites, like AISinsurance.com, that will do a lot of the gritty work for you. Recent surveys showed that consumers who research online have the potential to save up to 25%. Make sure to use a reputable site to ensure you are receiving correct information.

- Use a company that does the shopping for you. Generally, if you find a great rate online, the representative can get you that same rate as well. The benefit to using an agency is that you can pick their brain to make sure you have a clear understanding of your policy. Some people also prefer to have real a person they can turn to. Properly understanding your coverage can save you money in the long run.

- If you’re 55 or older, take a defensive driving course. Most insurance companies will provide a discount for mature drivers who complete this course. It helps you save money and also become a better driver.

- Follow the traffic laws. These days insurance companies are rewarding their good drivers. Drive safely and follow the traffic laws to take advantage of this discount.

- Automatic Electronic Payments. Most insurance companies have reduced installment fees when you sign up for electronic payments. This helps them to reduce some administrative costs and as a result, pass some of the savings on to you.

These are just some tips to help you save. Check out some of our past blog posts to find additional ways you can save on your auto insurance.

This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements. The definitions, terms and coverages in a given policy may be different than those suggested here and such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.