Insurance.Com 's Notes RateWatch Car decreasing rates of ins

Insurance.com, the largest online auto insurance agency in the UnitedStates, today released its monthly RateWatch report for March 2009. Thedata found that, on average, annual auto insurance rates in March fell$103 to $1879 a year, a welcome decrease from rates that reached $1982in October 2008.

March RateWatch data found that auto insurance rates dropped in 19states, with the most dramatic decreases in Arizona (-5.1%), Virginia(-4.5%), New Hampshire (-4.1%), Texas (-2.8%) and Georgia (-2.7%). Thecomplete report is available at www.insurance.com/ratewatch.

After a year of steady auto insurance rate increases, this declinerepresents a continued shift in the insurance cycle. Coupled withtightened family budgets, the availability of lower rates is causingmany consumers to shop for new autoinsurance policies. According to an Insurance.com snap-shot surveyof car insurance shoppers conducted last month, 44% felt that they werepaying too much for car insurance, while 22% said that an increase inrates with the renewal bill from their current carrier caused them toshop for a new policy.

"Consumers who shopped for carinsurance recently saw rates that were $100 lower on average thanrates quoted last fall," said Sam Belden, Vice President atInsurance.com. "Most policies renew every six months, so this decline inaverage quotes comes as good news for consumers whose policies wereaffected by rising prices in late 2008."

Insurance.com's survey data also found that consumers have changed theirdriving habits. 32% of drivers reported that they were driving less thanthey did six months ago, which could qualify them for a 5-15% autoinsurance policy discount with most carriers.

Consumers are making tough decisions about how much coverage they buy,while still trying to maintain their policies. 25% of car insuranceshoppers surveyed bought less auto insurance coverage than they had on aprior policy, and 26% dropped comprehensive and collision coverage.

Insurance.com advises drivers not to cut back on important autoinsurance coverage:

Don't slash your policy limits. If you want to protect yourassets -- now and in the future -- it's too risky to cut your limits tostate minimums.

Insure your car against damage, even if you increase the deductibles.Unless you can afford to pay cash to replace your car, try to keep itinsured for comprehensive and collision. No matter how much someone elsewould pay for your car, in this economy it's probably priceless to you!

Always buy Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists coverage. With moreuninsured drivers on the road, UM/UIM coverage gives you low-costprotection from unnecessary risk.

The RateWatch report data is based on the lowest car insurance ratesquoted to consumers in each state, from more than a dozen of thenation's leading auto insurers. The complete report is available at www.insurance.com/ratewatch.

ABOUT INSURANCE.COM

Insurance.comis the leading independent online auto insurance agency in theUnited States. Our innovative technology allows consumers to linkdirectly to the rating systems of more than a dozen top insurancecompanies. We streamline the shopping process for consumers, empoweringthem to instantly compare rates, make the smartest decisions for theirinsurance needs and buy a policy online or by phone. Since 2000,millions of drivers have benefited from using our online shoppingexperience or speaking with our expert, licensed agents by phone.Headquartered in Solon, Ohio on the outskirts of Cleveland, Insurance.comalso offers information for life,healthand homeinsurance.

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