First, lets understand who is out there. There are three types of results to be found, motorcycle insurance carriers, motorcycle insurance lead companies and motorcycle insurance agencies. All serve a purpose but understanding the difference will save you time and money.

Motorcycle insurance carriers, are the insurance company, that will actually issue the motorcycle insurance policy. You complete the online form or call their 800 number, speak to an order taker... uh, agent and you receive the one quote from one company. If the price is acceptable buy it or move on to the next motorcycle insurance carrier and repeat.

Motorcycle insurance lead companies, sell your information to five insurance agencies, in a specific city or state.

Problem #1: One of the five agencies, is an independent and only represents 2 of a possible 9 motorcycle insurance carriers.

Problem #2: The other agencies, represent the big home and auto insurance carriers, who really only want your home and auto business and don' offer the best coverages for motorcycles.

Problem #3: motorcycle insurance leads are included for free, with the auto insurance leads and due to a lack time and interest, you never receive a response from any insurance agency.

Motorcycle insurance agencies, are an insurance agency, with a specialization in motorcycle insurance. Look for an agency that has an appointment with all motorcycle insurance carriers, in their respective state (7 to 10 carriers, if they are good). This will typically include the motorcycle insurance carriers, selling direct and most of the motorcycle insurance carriers, represented by the agencies purchasing from lead companies. Then be certain the agency quotes with all 7 to 10 carriers. This will insure the best price and coverage.

If you have purchased car insurance in the past, you might be forgiven for thinking that purchasing motorcycle insurance is exactly the same, and that your rates will vary according to the same factors. But the truth is, motorcycle insurance works in a very different way from standard car insurance. In addition, the factors that influence how high -- or low -- your premiums will be are different for motorcycles.

In this article we will take a look at some of the factors that will influence your motorcycle insurance rates, and provide tips on how to get the best possible quote for your insurance.

1. Your Age -- Just like car insurance, motorcycle insurance is also affected by the age of the insured driver. The highest insurance rates will usually go to female drivers younger than 21 years old, and male drivers younger than 25. These limits vary somewhat between different states, so you might need to check your local insurance agent to be certain. If you are within this "high risk" age zone, you might consider waiting to purchase your motorcycle in a few years. Otherwise, you can expect high rates simply because of your age. Is this fair? Of course not; but that's simply the way it is.

2. Your Driving Record -- The insurance company will be sure to check your driving record before issuing a quote, as this is one of the most important factors in determining your insurance rates. If you've had quite a few tickets on the past, or been involved in accidents where insurance claims were filed, you're probably going to see much higher insurance premiums.

3. Are You Experienced? -- Your experience riding a motorcycle is often taken into consideration by insurance agencies when determining your premium rates. If you have just purchased your first motorcycle, odds are you will have to pay more to be insured. Comparing rates between different companies can often produce significant price differences though, so even if you are a first-time motorcycle buyer, be sure to shop around.

4. Your Location -- Believe it or not, where you live is one of the biggest factors in determining the insurance rates for motorcycle owners. Motorcyclists who live in rural areas, for example, often have significantly lower insurance premiums than those who live in major cities. As a general rule, the more traffic there is in your area, the higher the accident rate will be, and thus, the higher your insurance premiums will tend to be. It is also true that certain states and even counties tend to have much higher insurance rates than others. But whatever you do, resist the temptation to lie on your insurance forms and claim to live in another area. This is called insurance fraud, and penalties for this crime can be serious, including jail time. Just don't do it!

When it comes to shopping around for motorcycle insurance, the best way to find the lowest rates is usually by searching online. Online insurance web sites allow you to get an instant quote, while comparing coverage options between different companies. This is a perfect way to ensure you don't end up overpaying for your motorcycle insurance.

Every year growing numbers of us pull our RV's out of storage and hit the road. One of the most important and frequently overlooked issues in preparing for the trip is insurance. RV insurance is more complicated than simple auto insurance. Too many people think they can just add their Recreational Vehicle to their car insurance policy.

Adding an RV to your regular auto policy will not give you the complete protection that a specialized RV insurance policy can give you. After all there are many differences between any RV and an automobile. Your RV is a home on wheels; it contains a great deal more personal property and represents a significantly greater investment than your car. Also it has a kitchen, a bathroom, heating and cooling systems and an electric panel, in other words it's more like a house than it is an automobile.

Many RV's cost as much as a luxury home and present other unique challenges to an insurance policy; vacation/trip interruption issues, towing, breakdown, generators and appliances, awnings, slide-outs, specialized repair requirements and liability issues.

Just think of the situations an RV faces on the road; hurricane force winds, water exposure equal to a flood and extended vibrations worse than most Earthquakes. You drive this home on the interstate at speeds of 75 mph (Category 1 hurricane force) in a heavy rain storm on some of our aging freeways (jolting and vibrations). How many of our real houses could stand up to this kind of abuse?

Also you have to consider the specialized equipment and costs of some of the RV features; awnings, generators, slide-out rooms, skylights, satellite domes, TV antennas, roof mounted air conditioner units, leveling legs and steps.

Most RV dealerships offer specialized RV insurance through the dealership and there are many companies that specialize in this type of insurance as well. You can get an insurance policy for every type and age recreational vehicle out there.

One of the most common claims associated with RV's is body damage from overhangs and gas station canopies; RV's are generally 11' to 13'+ high. We are always careful about that additional width but it's so easy to forget our height requirements, there's no mirror for that! Find out the overall height clearance needed for your rig and keep it posted prominently and handy to the drivers' seat of your RV or tow vehicle. A related type of these claims comes from forgetting to lower the TV antenna. The antenna itself may not cost much to replace but if it punches a hole in the roof you're in for a real problem and a much more expensive repair.

Another common cause of loss for RV's is fire. The refrigerator, water heater, furnace, stove and generator are all sources of potential propane (or other fuel) leaks and fires. The propane system needs to be checked and maintained on a regular basis.

A third common reason for insurance claims on our RV's is damage from tires. A blowout, tread separation or even a standard flat will almost always cause exterior body damage but can also throw pieces of tire up through the vehicle causing extensive interior damage and even physical harm to occupants. The single most important precaution you can take with an RV is to check your tires regularly. Keep the pressure at the recommend level for the tire specifications and weight it carries and watch for signs of wear. RV tires are seldom replaced due to tread wear instead they are normally replaced due to age, dry rot, cracking and ozone or UV deterioration.

An RV is even susceptible to damage when it's stored. There are several possible perils to anticipate and take precautions against during storage periods. You have to consider the weather in your area of the country. The most obvious problem is freezing of water supply, waste lines and holding tanks. Not as obvious are heat or sun exposure causing stress to tires, propane and other fuel components. You should have your rig properly winterized or otherwise protected from the elements appropriate to your area.

Another storage issue is rodent infestation. Mice, squirrels and other pests can do a lot of damage to the interior and mechanical components of an RV. You can do a lot to protect yourself by thoroughly cleaning all food items and storage areas prior to storage. As with the weather the precautions you need to take will vary with your storage location.