Blog

Car Insurance Basics

How to decide on an auto insurance policy

  Whether you’ve just gotten your license, or if you’ve been driving for years in a hand-me-down minivan, one of the first steps to take after buying your first vehicle is registering for car insurance. In Florida, you are required to have auto insurance when you register your vehicle. If you’ve just gotten your first vehicle, it is likely that you’ve never had to set up insurance before.   When you choose an insurance policy, there are different types of coverage that you can opt for, like Collision, Un-or-Underinsured motorists, and Comprehensive. Each different aspect of your insurance policy protects you from a different possible accident outcome. For example, with comprehensive insurance, your vehicle is protected against non-accident related damage, like flooding, theft, or vandalism.   The state of Florida requires drivers to have at minimum, coverage for $10,000 personal injury protection, and $10,000 property damage liability. Personal injury protection, also known as PIP, which pays for the medical expenses incurred from an auto accident. Liability insurance will cover damages to property or automobiles.  

 

How much does car insurance cost?

    Before you consider buying a vehicle, you should have already figured out a budget, which should include the cost of insurance. There are many aspects that go into how much your auto insurance will cost, like your driving record, how much you drive, the area you live, and the type of car you drive. While having a slick sports car might be fun, you’ll end up paying more for insurance. The price of your policy also uses the value of your vehicle.   When you’re shopping for insurance, there are plenty of options for you to consider. It is important to shop around for the best price that will fit not only your budget but your insurance needs. Once you’ve found an insurance company that will offer you the best coverage, ask them about discounts for good driving, or if you’re still a student, good grades. Regardless of which insurance company you go through, having insurance is a great way to make sure that your used vehicle is taken care of.  

Sharing is caring!

 

More from OkCarz

What Information Should I Exchange After a Car Accident?

10 Things You Need To Do After a Car Accident

How can I make my car insurance less expensive?

How to Find Best Deals on Auto Insurance as a Teenager

Recommended Posts

Hand holding a phone showing an upward-trending credit score line above a desk with car keys and a wallet.

Which Habits Matter Most to Your Credit Score?

Smart Credit Habits That Pay Off Having bad credit sucks. And a lot of the time, it's not necessarily your fault. Credit fraud can destroy your credit, for instance. People who haven't had a lot of debt or haven't taken out loans also won't have much credit history, resulting in a pretty poor credit score. Don't worry—good credit habits are something you can start practicing today. Here are the ones that matter most. The Habits at a Glance Pay off your credit card at the end of each month Don't miss payments on cards or loans Keep the number of credit cards you carry manageable Only borrow what you can afford Pay Off Your Balance One of the best credit habits is to completely pay off your credit card at the end of every month. If this isn't possible, then consider designating your credit card for only essential bills like utilities, groceries, and gas. Try to keep what you owe below 30% of your credit limit if completely paying off your credit card isn't something that you can do reliably. Do Not Miss Payments Missing a payment here or there isn't great, but it's not the end of the world. Consistently missing payments is terrible. Timely payments show lenders that you are responsible and that they will get the money owed to them if they were to lend to you. Prioritize making your payments on time, every time—according to FICO's published breakdown, payment history is the single biggest factor in computing your credit score. Have Only a Few Cards If you don't have a credit card, get one, and only one. If you have multiple cards, try consolidating them. Pay off cards with low balances and either stop using them altogether or cancel them. If you have more than three credit cards, you may be shooting yourself in the financial foot. Need a Car, But Have Bad Credit? Here at OK Carz, we work with all credit situations through The OK Carz Finance Solution—bad credit, no credit, we welcome your application. All we need are three simple documents to get started: verifiable income, a valid U.S. driver's license, and proof of Florida residence. And our in-house financing reports your payments to all three major credit bureaus, so every timely payment you make becomes a positive entry in your record. Apply for pre-approval online at okcarz.com—it takes less than 2 minutes—or ask about trading in your old vehicle. All financing is subject to approval and verification of income, identity, and Florida residency. See dealer for details. OK Carz – Anything Else is NOT OK.

Driver’s view from behind the wheel of an open road at sunrise, heading toward the horizon.

What is the OK Carz Conquest Program?

Today's Keys, Tomorrow's Options Most buy here pay here dealerships are focused on one thing: getting you into a car today. And look, we get it—that's the urgent part. When you need wheels to get to work, today matters. But here's a question most buy here pay here car dealers never ask: what about your tomorrow? That's where the OK Carz Conquest Program comes in, and it's one more way OK Carz goes beyond the traditional buy here pay here model. What the Conquest Program Is The Conquest Program is simple to explain: after 12 months of timely payments, customers may have the opportunity to qualify for traditional lending through conventional lenders. It's a potential path forward—from in-house financing today toward conventional lending options down the road. It's an opportunity, never a guarantee—qualifying depends on your overall situation when the time comes. But it's a path that many traditional buy here pay here lots simply don't offer, and it reflects how we think about our customers: not as a payment, but as a driver with somewhere to go. How You Get There The journey starts with The OK Carz Finance Solution, our in-house financing program. We work with all credit situations—bad credit, no credit, we welcome your application. All we need are three simple documents to get started: verifiable income, a valid U.S. driver's license, and proof of Florida residence. From there, every payment counts. Our in-house financing reports your payments to all three major credit bureaus, so your payment history goes on the record with every one you make on time. Twelve months of timely payments later, you may have the opportunity to qualify for traditional lending through the Conquest Program. And because OK Carz is Buy-Here-Pay-Anywhere, staying on schedule is easier than at traditional buy here pay here dealerships that make you drive to the lot every time. Pay through our online portal, at Walmart or Amscot locations, by mail, or by phone—whatever fits your life. Start the Clock Today Here's the thing about a 12-month milestone: it starts whenever you do. Every month you wait is a month further from the opportunity. Get pre-approved online at okcarz.com in less than 2 minutes, then visit any of our 11 buy here pay here dealerships across Central Florida—from Tampa to Orlando, Lakeland to Ocala, Bradenton to Kissimmee—where in-person approval normally takes less than 15 minutes. Our inventory of used cars, SUVs, trucks, and minivans moves fast, so don't sit on it. Questions first? Call (888) 263-2024, Monday–Saturday, 9 AM–7 PM. Your next chapter could start with the car you drive home this week. All financing is subject to approval and verification of income, identity, and Florida residency. See dealer for details. OK Carz – Anything Else is NOT OK.

OK Carz finance specialist in a light green polo receiving a driver’s license and proof of income from a customer at a dealership desk

Who Qualifies for Financing at OK Carz?

The OK Carz Finance Solution Requirements Do you have bad or no credit? OK Carz works with all credit situations through The OK Carz Finance Solution, our in-house financing program. Our in-house financing reports your payments to all three major credit bureaus, and after 12 months of timely payments, customers may have the opportunity to qualify for traditional lending through the OK Carz Conquest Program. Wondering what it takes to apply? Check out our eligibility requirements regarding identification and income below. Proof of Identification and Florida Residence Financing is available to Florida residents. Customers must prove Florida residence by simply providing a recent utility bill or bank statement. In addition, a valid U.S. driver's license must be presented for identification. Verifiable Income Regarding income, customers must have verifiable income in order to apply. To prove your income, customers can present their choice of their most recent paystub or recent bank statements. Our team will walk you through anything else needed when you visit. If you are ready to get started, apply for pre-approval online at okcarz.com—it takes less than 2 minutes—or call our team at (888) 263-2024. Our experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have. All financing is subject to approval and verification of income, identity, and Florida residency. See dealer for details. OK Carz – Anything Else is NOT OK.