5+ hour, 5+ min ago (238+ words) (InvestigateTV) " Buying a car can be expensive and it's also pricy to own and maintain one. Bankrate looked at all the costs included in owning a vehicle " car insurance, maintenance, repairs, gas and taxes. They found, on average, Americans spend about $6,800 a year just on ownerships costs alone. Shannon Martin, an insurance expert with Bankrate, said that's about $575 dollars a month in addition to a lease or a car loan payment. Martin also said it's critical to research insurance costs before changing vehicles. "It's really important for drivers to get quotes on many different types of vehicles before they settle on a car," Martin shared, "that way they can make sure it fits within their car insurance budget." On average, Martin said, Americans spend around $1,600 a year on gas. "Nationally we spend around $1,400 a year on the cost of maintenance…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (296+ words) (InvestigateTV) " The cost of car insurance can vary greatly depending on location, amount of coverage needed, and other factors " but the most important thing for drivers is to make sure they are covered for what they need. Kaz Weida, an insurance expert with NerdWallet, said full coverage is the goal unless drivers would be able to afford to completely replace or repair their car out of pocket " and most are not in that situation. Also, she said most drivers have seen their premiums rise over the last two years, which is why it's important to shop around for car insurance." "You want to check in on your insurance. You want to call your insurance company or your insurance agent make sure you're getting all the discounts you're eligible for," Weida advised. "A lot of times maybe your situation has changed,…...

10+ mon, 2+ week ago (453+ words) (InvestigateTV) " As cars become increasingly connected, legislators and experts nationwide are voicing growing concerns about how much data car manufacturers and insurance companies can access and use. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, filed a lawsuit Monday against Allstate, one of the largest publicly traded insurance companies in the U.S. The lawsuit accuses the insurer of unlawfully collecting, using, and selling more than 45 million consumers" driving data nationwide without their consent to justify higher car insurance premiums. Today I sued Allstate and its subsidiary, Arity, for unlawfully collecting, using, and selling data about the location and movement of Texans" cell phones through secretly embedded software in mobile apps.Texans deserve better, and we will hold all these companies accountable." This lawsuit follows a series of investigations and reports by InvestigateTV, which uncovered the privacy risks of data collection in the…...

10+ mon, 2+ week ago (321+ words) Auto insurance premiums have soared by 18.6% over the last year, according to a new report by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). Auto insurance premiums surge: How to save as rates continue to climb (InvestigateTV) " Auto insurance premiums have soared by 18.6% over the last year, according to a new report by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). In nearly every state"except New Hampshire"drivers are required to have auto insurance. Driving without it can lead to serious consequences, including fines, license suspension, or even jail time. However, the cost of staying insured has become its own financial burden. Michael DeLong, a Research and Advocacy Associate at the Consumer Federation of America, has been studying these increases. "Some of this has to do with inflation. But in recent months actually, despite the fact that inflation has gone down, auto insurance…...