As the nights get darker and the clocks go back, more people are claiming on their car insurance. It seems that September, October and November are the worst months for any crime-related car insurance claims.

Apparently, a whopping 10.4% of all car insurance claims occur in October as drivers get used to driving in the dark. It seems that the last few months in the year prove to be the most expensive for car insurance companies and are proving stressful for drivers – 30 % of all claims are made during this time.

Grant Bather, spokesman at Virgin Money, echoes this point “”With the seasons changing, nights drawing in and driving conditions becoming hazardous, motorists should pay extra attention when driving and should make sure that they are equipped should they have an accident or breakdown.”

And if coping with driving in the dark isn’t enough, drivers need to be aware of more stolen vehicles, theft of possessions within the car and even vandalism of your motor. It looks like these longer nights have increased opportunity for criminal activity under the cover of darkness.

Of a poll of 1000 customers conducted by car insurance company Swinton, 28% said they are more worried about their cars during the autumn months but only 7% said they take extra precautions during this time.

For those who do wish to take further precautions here is the following advice:

Never leave valuables on display in a car when left unattended
Store your car in a secure garage where possible
Fit a certified alarm and immobilizer to your car
Try to park in a well lit area and always lock the door

Steve Chelton, insurer development manager at Swinton car insurance said: “Motorists must take extra precautions during the long nights of the autumn months. Being a victim of car crime can be very distressing and by following simple precautions it may deter thieves from identifying your car as their next target.

Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life’s least enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Understand your policy

Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy. Call your agent or company if you have any questions about what is or is not covered.

Step 2: Exchange information

If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer’s phone number. Be prepared to give the same information about yourself to the other driver. You can find insurers’ telephone numbers on the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person when operating a motor vehicle.

Step 3: Identify witnesses

Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone numbers in case their account of the accident is needed.

Step 4: File an accident report

Contact local law enforcement officers to have an accident report prepared. If law enforcement is not reachable, accident reports and detailed instructions are available at all police departments, sheriff’s offices, your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles’ web site.

Step 5: Notify your insurer

Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster will review the accident report to determine who caused the accident. If the accident was not your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company handle the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you use the other driver’s company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and you will not have to pay a deductible.

Step 6: Do not release insurers too early

Do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility until the damages are settled to your satisfaction. For example, have your insurance company handle the claim if the other party’s insurance company questions its policyholder’s negligence or offers an unacceptable settlement.

Step 7: Consider these settlement factors

. Bodily injuries: You may be entitled to a monetary settlement for injuries caused by another at fault (liable) party. It can take several days for some injuries to become apparent.

. Damages: The insurance company is responsible to pay for the reasonable cost of repairs to your vehicle. An insurance adjuster will assess the damage. Usually, insurance companies and auto body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired. If you disagree with their conclusions, you have the right to obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop.

. Appraisal clause: Most auto insurance policies include an appraisal clause, which can be used to help settle disputes about physical damage claims between you and your insurance company. (The appraisal clause does not apply for claims you file with the other party’s insurance company.) If you cannot reach an agreement with your company, you or your insurer can initiate the appraisal clause. Your appraiser and your insurer’s appraiser then select an independent umpire to try to resolve the dispute. Check your policy or ask your agent or insurance company for more information about the appraisal clause.

Today if you’re a smart consumer, you’ll want to get the best low cost car insurance or cheap auto insurance rate especially now when rates are not as low cost as they used to be. If you’re loaded down with bills every month and working hard every day you may not been able to take the time to think about reducing your auto insurance premiums. Take a look at these quick tips and see if you can’t come up with some cheap car insurance quotes and save yourself a lot of money in the process. Saving money today on your car insurance is really of the easiest things you can do and often one of the most overlooked ways to free up money for your household expenses.

Once you do become insured at the best rate and then you have an accident or theft, for example, and you need to phone your auto insurance agent, you want to know that he/she will be available, within reason, and ready to help you no matter what your needs turn out to be and no matter what time of the day or night it is. You want to make sure to find out all you can about the insurance company you’ve selected. Check them out online for customer car insurance reviews and ratings. Keep in mind that some negative reviews can happen with any auto insurance company. Car insurance rates and quotes are probably never going to be the same for each company. For one thing there are many variables in the plans.

Of course if you’re already insured you can choose to stay with your current auto insurance company or you can go with a new insurance company if you want to. But low cost or cheaper rates may be a good reason to switch. You definitely want to compare insurance policy features, compare the deductibles that are offered and compare the level of coverage. This can vary quite a bit. You also may want to consider the longevity you have with your current company, especially if you have a good track record, in case the length of your insurance coverage plays a part in the rates you have now or there may be other variables in your policy that might be different and more valuable to you than with a newer company — even if it is at a lower or cheaper rate.

Take a look at the policy you have now before you renew it; often there are a few things that you can eliminate that would greatly reduce the cost. If you haven’t had any accidents that were your fault and you’re a good driver and not prone to accidents, then consider getting a higher deductible so you would pay out a larger sum of money in the event you have an accident that is your fault but save on your insurance premiums now. You want to make sure to check out the online discount car insurance brokers who can give you fast online cheap car insurance quotes from several companies.

It’s usually a pretty simple process to get a free online car insurance quote and should only take a few minutes or less. Several of the car insurance policies or plans are based on a reasonable estimation of the average annual distance that you expect to be driving which is provided by you – the insured. This discount only benefits the drivers who drive their cars only now and then. In the United States many insurers offer what is called a ‘good grade discount’ to students who have good academic records and resident student discounts to those students who live away from home.

You want to make sure and compare the cheap car insurance quotes that you do get. Some of the quotes may be very similar but some could be quite different. And senior drivers are often eligible for retirement discounts with some companies reflecting the lower average miles driven by this age group.