If you want to drive along the highways or side streets of Albany, NY, you’ll need auto insurance. New York State law requires all drivers to carry adequate auto insurance.

But drivers with bad driving records might find it challenging to qualify for the right auto insurance policy.

Finding auto insurance won’t be a big challenge. Auto insurers will be glad to provide insurance even to those drives with bad driving records. But finding an affordable auto insurance will prove difficult. If you have accidents or speeding tickets on your driving record, you might be surprised at how much insurers will charge to provide you with the auto insurance required of New York motorists.

There’s a reason for this: Drivers with bad records are riskier for auto insurers. That’s because they are more likely to get into accidents that require insurance companies to pay out damages. To protect themselves from this financial risk, auto insurers charge drivers with bad records extra dollars.

This doesn’t mean, though, that bad drivers have to settle for overpriced auto insurance. Today, it’s easier than ever for drivers to shop for the right insurance policy. Credit for this goes to the Internet. Today, motorists can quickly compare auto-insurance rates from several policies, all from the comfort of their computers.

This is a change. In the past, consumers would have to call individual insurers, ask about their rates and provide their own information. It was an inefficient way for drivers to shop for the lowest insurance rates.

The shopping process today, though, takes just seconds, even for consumers with bad driving records. Consumes, for instance, can instantly compare insurance rates at this Web site. Just by entering their basic information, they can view rates from several competing insurers.

This is especially important for drivers with accidents or speeding tickets in their past. There is no better way for such drivers to land the lowest possible rates.

Renting a car can be an important part of getting around when you are visiting an area for business or a vacation. The problem is that you may not be sure what your rental car insurance covers and the options that may be available after an accident.

Your Car Insurance

In some cases, your personal car insurance on a vehicle that you own will still cover you against some basic liability concerns related to renting a car. You may need to inform your insurance provider about your plans to rent a car before you actually rent, but many insurers will offer some basic coverage for the situation.

Rental Insurance

Rental car insurance may be available as an additional policy or a basic policy if your personal auto insurance does not cover rental vehicles. The insurance may be provided by the rental car company or you can seek a private policy through a different insurance provider if you feel that the rental car company is charging too much.

The insurance will usually cover the basic liability concerns, but you will want to read the policy thoroughly to determine if additional coverage is available for collisions and repairs.

Buying Additional Protection

If you are not comfortable with the amount of coverage that is available, then you may want to purchase additional protection in the form of collision coverage. The coverage will help pay for the damages to the vehicle after an accident so that you can avoid unnecessary hassles.

Depending on your policy and the options that you are considering, the solutions that may be available after an accident in a rental vehicle can vary. Contact us to talk to an independent agent to learn more about your coverage options.