For the last four years, car insurance rates have been steadily dropping in the Garden State. But oddly enough, despite the trend, New Jersey’s rates still remain some of the country’s highest—the third in the U.S. to be exact.

In fact, New Jersey has had the third highest auto insurance rates for the past two years. Currently, Louisiana tops the list, with an individual’s annual premium of $1,274, and Washington, D.C. is second at $1,262.

Last week, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners released its annual report on auto insurance figures within the United States. It found that New Jersey’s rates are dropping, and that might have to do with the amount of carriers that have flocked to the state in recent years.

Since 2003, 21 new carriers have entered the state, which has helped to drive down the average premium cost.

But that still doesn’t account for the state’s high ranking.

The lowering annual premium isn’t the only trend in New Jersey. Drivers in the state tend to drive expensive cars, which cost more to insure.

So while the market has been opening up, welcoming new carriers, the drivers have somewhat offset those savings by buying pricey vehicles.

But what’s the lesson to take away from this?

If a lowered premium allows you to spend a bit extra on that luxury brand you’ve been eyeing, then go for it. But keep in mind that the market price starts with the consumer in many ways. And a state that has a high annual premium, comparatively, will undoubtedly cost every driver in the long run a few more dollars simply because the mean price has been set.

Neither carriers nor drivers want a high annual premium. Carriers set that price because they pay out more in claims. They would rather pay less and charge less. And drivers, well, we all know they are happier with lower premiums—after all, even insurance agents have to drive to work every day.

—Theo Romeo

We’ve all been there—stuck on the side of the road with the hazards on, cars speeding past, and finally, the tow truck pulls up behind you, and your problems are over, right? Maybe not.

While Insurance companies undoubtedly offer cheap roadside-assistance programs—compared to say, an auto club—does the frequency in which you use the service affect your premiums? According to a recent Fox Business article, it just may.

Amy Bach, a lawyer and executive director of United Polcyholders said in the article that multiple roadside-assistance claims, within a short period of time, won’t result in you being dropped from your policy, but may “put a driver under close scrutiny.” In some cases, your insurer may increase your rates or refuse to offer roadside assistance when your policy renews.

Also, multiple roadside assistance claims reflect your car’s working condition, and not in a good way. If your car is having mechanical problems on a regular basis, your insurance provider cannot justify continual payment—it’s just bad business.

Now, the solution in this case isn’t to deny the service you’ve already paid for, nor to try and keep such claims a secret from your insurance provider, but it is something to think about.

The trick is to talk to your insurance agent and find out how your provider handles roadside claims. In the long run, it may actually be cheaper to go through a third party or auto club—like AAA, for instance.

—Theo Romeo

Believe it or not, today, Dec. 15, is the worst driving day, according to Allstate Insurance Company.

 The company said that it receives the absolute most claims on Dec. 15, and it is urging drivers to be careful. On an average day, Allstate says it receives about 430 claims. However, on Dec. 15, it receives around 540, which is an increase of nearly 25 percent.

 Theories about why the day is so treacherous are many, but the consensus is that, while the holidays bring cheer, they also bring distraction, and a distracted driver is usually vulnerable.

 So we here at Compare Insurance Quotes suggest this: Take a deep breath before you turn that key, and watch out for other day-dreaming drivers, plotting a course between the Bed Bath and Beyond and the check-cashing kiosk. It just might save your life, or at the very least, your insurance premium from shooting so high it may bring down Santa and his airborne sleigh.

 Stay safe!

 —Theo Romeo

It’s hard to imagine a life without all of the various techno gadgets that make our lives oh so convenient. Microwave ovens, cell phones and computers have all made us almost completely dependent on technology. So what are we to do when our beloved electronics betray us? In Warsaw, Ind., don’t even think about taking your frustration out on your computer by throwing it out of your speeding automobile.

Under Warsaw Statute Sec. 54-61, it’s illegal to toss a computer out into the street by any means. This includes over the shoulder, grandma style, with the aid of a catapult, and you guessed it, from a moving vehicle.

Oddly enough, if you get caught taking your rage out on your computer by hurling it into the air, you could be looking at a number of charges from illegal public dumping to attempted murder.

Apparently, there have been way too many close calls in the town of Warsaw of people attempting to off their neighbor with an old computer. That is why Warsaw lawmakers have made it blatantly clear that, if you have the urge to destroy your computer, you need to do it in the safety of your own home.

With that said, keep in mind that if you do get caught chucking a computer out of your car, you won’t simply be slapped with a fine for illegal public dumping. Rather, you could be facing some pretty serious charges all the way up to vehicular manslaughter/murder. If that happens to you, you won’t have to worry about the inflated insurance premiums that come with such a charge, if you can even find someone to insure you. Just enjoy your time in the slammer, and remember that you’ll never have to endure a slow internet connection again, ever!

—AJ Register

Many jobs out there require employees to spend some time behind the wheel even beyond the minutes or hours they spend getting to and from the office. Some employers outfit workers with corporate cars complete with corporate auto insurance policies.

For everyone else, deciding how to balance personal auto insurance with employer driving demand can be tricky.

It all depends on how much you drive and in what capacity.

If your employer occasionally asks you to run an errand to the local office supply store, personal insurance is probably sufficient. But if you spend hours a day racking up the miles on sales calls, you should at least let your insurer know. You might have to increase your liability coverage. Agents with most companies will be able to help you weigh benefits and risks as well as compare policy prices.

In most cases, extra expenses for auto insurance because of work will be tax deductible.

If your employer has a commercial auto insurance policy, which any good business should have, start with the company’s insurer. It’s important to talk with your employer and get the commercial insurance details. Keep them with you in your car at all times and remember to supply them rather than your personal insurance details in the event of an accident.

If you are involved in an accident while driving for work and don’t know if your employer has insurance, your personal insurance will cover it, according to an article published on insure.com. But be sure to tell your insurer you were driving for your employer. The insurance company may try to recover costs from your employer later.

If driving is part of your job, as it is for newspaper and pizza delivery drivers, you should have commercial insurance, according to guidelines printed on Progressive.com.

Some personal policies will exclude coverage if you’re in an accident while driving for work, the Progressive article states.

While commercial insurance can cost up to 50 percent more than personal insurance, it’s worth it if you’re in an accident--things get tricky when businesses and local governments are involved.

Self-employed people who depend on their vehicles for work, such as carpenters and taxi drivers, could actually be in violation of the law if they aren’t carrying commercial policies.

The key is to have candid conversations with your insurance agents and make educated decisions. If nothing else, your insurer will have it on record that you drive for work.

—Amanda H. Miller