Car Insurance Guidebook

Car Insurance Guidebook provides an unbiased, independent perspective on buying car insurance.  We give solid information on policies by helping you get the best price, with the best company.

And we do it for free!

Fact is, consumers spend a small fortune insuring our cars in this country.  According to the NAIC, in 2005, the average cost of car insurance was $829.  In other words, if you have 2 cars in your driveway, that’s like buying a nice 54″ Plasma TV every year.  Not cheap.  If we can help you shave off expenses and get a better auto policy in place for you or your family, we’ve done our job.

We cover things like…

• Rates

  We show you who’s the cheapest and who’s the most expensive insurer out there.

• Research

  If you have a question about car insurance, we try to answer it.  If we haven’t, then send us a comment so we can start the discussion.

• Definitions

  Confused about a term in auto insurance – check out the definitions page.

• Our Reviews

  How companies are treating customers – both before and after the call.  We give the lowdown.

• Customer Reviews

  Visitors post their experience with car insurance companies – the good, the bad, and the not-so-pretty.

Contributors

Todd Clay

I’m a former insurance agent with the largest insurance company in the United States.  Although I don’t sell policies any more, I still like helping people learn about car insurance so they can make the best decision possible – and save money.

I earned my Bachelor’s from the University of Texas at Austin. I taught middle school out of college until I moved into the corporate world, then later into insurance. I’m a technology aficionado and a passionate researcher. I’ve specialized in insurance and other financial-related information.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Michele Griffin

Unlike Todd, I was never an insurance agent. My first introduction to insurance was working for a major insurance company as a file clerk and a mailroom supervisor in a regional office. There I learned insurance directly from underwriters and claims adjusters from questions and also watching them do their job.

I moved on from there to work for another major insurance company in their national contact center in Spokane, Washington. The five years in the contact center were spent helping callers in personal and commercial lines claims and personal lines billing. I was also selected to work in the high risk insurance division doing minor underwriting and working with clients on billing. In addition, I have also worked for two independent agencies that represented a number of different insurance companies.

During all of the hands-on insurance experience that I was gaining, I earned a number of insurance certifications from the Insurance Institute of America and also my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho. I currently live with my husband, son and 6 pets in Lewiston, Idaho.

W. Lane Startin

I’m a former insurance agent. During my insurance career I worked with two well-known and highly rated companies. Although I was previously licensed in Idaho and Nevada, I left the world of insurance sales to return to my first love, writing. I enjoy helping people unravel the intricacies of insurance without the bias created by working for commission.

My father, a veteran of over 30 years in the insurance industry in southern Idaho, recently commented I enjoy writing about insurance more than I did selling it. I have to say I agree. I’m proud to team up with Todd here at Car Insurance Guidebook.

I’m a graduate of Idaho State University and by extension a long-suffering Bengals fan. At other points in my career I worked in the publishing, information technology and credit card industries. When not writing I enjoy computers, history, politics and experiencing life here in Boise, Idaho.

Rates by State! Car Insurance Guidebook