Independent insurance guides

Car and life insurance, explained in plain English.

What your state requires, what coverage really costs and what to do after a DUI, a ticket or an accident. Every guide is built on official sources you can check yourself.

Car Insurance guides Life Insurance guides

What brings you here?

I want to understand my coverageWhat each part of a car insurance policy does, how much coverage you need, how deductibles work and how to pay less.8 guides I need an SR-22 or FR-44What SR-22 and FR-44 filings are, how long your state requires them, what they cost and how to keep them from lapsing.8 guides I had a DUIHow a DUI affects your car insurance, how long it counts against you and what you have to tell your insurer.3 guides I got a ticketHow speeding tickets and other moving violations change your insurance rates, and how long they count.2 guides I was in an accidentWhat happens to your premium after an accident and how to decide whether to file a claim.2 guides I'm insuring a young driverHow to keep insurance affordable for teens and young drivers, including drivers who already have a ticket.3 guides My situation is unusualGetting covered after a lapse in coverage or with bad credit, and other situations that make insurance harder to find.2 guides I'm shopping for life insuranceTerm vs. whole life, how much coverage you need, what it costs and how life insurance is taxed.4 guides I need life insurance with a DUI or health issueHow insurers treat applicants with a DUI, a risky driving record or health issues, and your options when a medical exam is a problem.2 guides

Latest guides

Accidents & Claims Should You File a Car Insurance Claim or Pay Out of Pocket? Filing a small claim can cost you more in future premiums than the claim pays. Use this simple test to decide whether to file or pay for the damage yourself. 2 min read Accidents & Claims How Much Does Insurance Go Up After an At-Fault Accident? One at-fault accident raised full-coverage premiums by 49% on average in NerdWallet's 2026 analysis. Here is why, how long it lasts and how accident forgiveness can help. 2 min read Young Drivers How to Lower Car Insurance for a Teen Driver: 10 Ways Good-student discounts, driver training, the right car, telematics and smart coverage choices can take a real bite out of the cost of insuring a teen. Here is what works. 3 min read Young Drivers How Much Does Adding a Teen Driver to Car Insurance Cost? Adding a teenager to your car insurance raises premiums by about $3,500 a year on average, according to Experian. See costs by age, why teens cost so much and when you must add them. 2 min read DUI & Insurance Do You Have to Tell Your Insurance Company About a DUI? Hiding a DUI from your insurer rarely works and can backfire badly. Here is when you must disclose it, how insurers find out anyway and what to do instead. 2 min read DUI & Insurance How Long Does a DUI Affect Your Car Insurance? A DUI can stay on your driving record for 10 years or more and affect your premium for years. Here is how driving records, insurer lookback periods and SR-22 timelines fit together. 3 min read

Car Insurance: start here

All car insurance guides →

Coverage Basics Types of Car Insurance Coverage, Explained Liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, PIP and more: what each type of car insurance coverage pays for, which ones are required and which are optional. 4 min read Coverage Basics Full Coverage vs. Liability Insurance: What's the Difference? Liability-only insurance covers damage you cause to others. Full coverage adds collision and comprehensive for your own car. Here is what each costs and how to decide. 3 min read Coverage Basics How to Lower Your Car Insurance: 12 Ways That Actually Work Practical, legitimate ways to cut your car insurance bill: comparing quotes the right way, deductibles, discounts, credit, coverage choices and more, with tips from insurance regulators. 4 min read

Life Insurance: start here

All life insurance guides →

Life Insurance Basics Term vs. Whole Life Insurance: Which Is Right for You? Term life covers you for a set number of years at a lower cost. Whole life lasts for life and builds cash value, but costs more. Here is how they compare and who each one fits. 3 min read Life Insurance Basics How Much Life Insurance Do You Need? A Simple Calculation Work out how much life insurance you need in five steps: income to replace, debts, future costs like college, existing savings and coverage, and for how long. 2 min read Life Insurance Basics How Much Does Life Insurance Cost? Rates by Age, Amount and Term Term life rates by age, coverage amount, term length, health class and smoking status, from October 2026 data, plus what drives the price and how to pay less. 2 min read

Official sources first

We build our guides on state motor vehicle agencies, state laws, insurance regulators and the IRS, and we list our sources at the end of every article.

Dated and maintained

Each guide shows when it was last checked. Fees, limits and deadlines change, and we update guides when they do.

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