Tempe Car Insurance
Want to find the best Tempe car insurance rates? Here is some information that will help you learn about the basics of Tempe car insurance coverage and then you can enter your zip above to compare Tempe car insurance quotes online - for free!
Tempe, Arizona is located in the East Valley of the metropolitan area of Phoenix. The population is greater than 174,000 and the median age is 29 years. Partly because Arizona State University (ASU) is located there, Tempe is the most populated city in Arizona.
While freeways are a large part of Tempe’s system, you do not have to be a car owner to get around town. Car owners are required to carry minimum liability auto insurance, but some of the alternative transportation that is available does not require Tempe auto insurance coverage or it is included with your rental.
Getting Around Without Tempe Car Insurance
If you do not own a car, then you have several options including the METRO and the ORBIT. The METRO is run by Valley Metro Rail Inc. and is non-profit. The METRO train has routes throughout the city and several fare options. For $1.75 you can purchase one trip ($2.75 for RAPID transit), or you can buy an all day pass, a seven day pass, or a thirty-one day pass.
Students of ASU can purchase the U-Pass, which gives them unlimited rides for the semester for only $40. And academic year pass can be purchased for $80, which is a savings of $115 off of the normal fare. Currently 10,000 students utilize a U-Pass.
Free neighborhood shuttles are also offered throughout Tempe. The ORBIT is a mini-bus that will take local residents to designated areas such as shopping centers, schools, or a major bus route. They also provide shuttle service to different neighborhoods and multi-generational centers. Depending on where you are, you may be able to wave to a driver to signal a pickup or you may need to stand at an ORBIT designated spot. The ORBIT has five routes, called Earth, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus.
The Effect of Bicyclists on Tempe Car Insurance
Bikeways are given a generous 165 miles throughout the city and Tempe strongly encourages the use of bicycles as an alternative method of transportation. However, bike safety is also strongly encouraged and certain laws are applicable. Even though bicyclists are legally required to ride with traffic, 44% of accidents involving cars and bicycles are due to the bicyclist riding against traffic. Bicyclists must also yield to traffic before entering the street and they must obey all traffic signals. 69% of bicycle-car accidents are caused by a violation of the bicyclist. The law also requires the use of a headlight and rear reflector when riding at night.
ASU students can purchase headlights at half of the retail price through the Parking and Transit Services at the university. In addition to headlights, the Helmets and Headlights Program also sells helmets and locks at half off. Helmets have been proven to reduce serious injury resulting from crashes by 85%. Safety is strongly encouraged because there is a 96% fatality rate in bicycle-car accidents.
More than 15,000 cyclists are on the road in Tempe. Even though Arizona law requires auto insurance liability of $15,000/$30,000 and property damage of $10,000, it is recommended to carry additional coverage because of the increased risk of encountering an accident. The free Tempe car insurance quote tool on this web site can help you find affordable Tempe AZ auto insurance right now.
If you are a student or part of the ASU faculty or staff and you would like to join the green effort of cycling, you may be able to rent a bicycle free of charge from the USG (Undergraduate Student Government) Community. They have fifteen bicycles available that can be rented for up to ten days at a time. They also offer reduced prices for parts and tools as well as repair assistance. If you decide to purchase a bicycle, be sure to register the serial number with the National Bike Registry. In the event your bicycle is stolen and later recovered, your serial number will be located in the national database and your bicycle will be returned to you.
Tempe Car Insurance Covered with ASU Zipcar Rentals
ASU faculty, staff, and students have another green option for getting around town. An annual Zipcar membership can be purchased for $35, with new members receiving a $35 driving credit. The fuel efficient, environmentally friendly Zipcars can be rented by the hour for $8 or by the day for $66. Seventeen cars are currently available in designated locations. Zipcar members receive a Zipcard, which gives them entry to the vehicle by scanning the card through the windshield. The keys are then found inside on the steering column.
The cost of the rental includes not only the gas, parking, and maintenance, but auto insurance for the rental as well. Members also receive roadside assistance and twenty-four hour customer service. 180 miles are included in every trip. Considering that the AAA estimates car ownership to cost approximately $634 per month, the Zipcar can be an affordable option, providing you with over 70 hours of rental time for the same cost.
Tempe has taken great strides to provide various modes of transportation for its residents and students. Affordable transit, free shuttles, and multitudes of freeway make getting around town easy, whether you are living there, studying there, or simply visiting. If you still decide that driving in Tempe is your best option, do a little comparison shopping to ensure you get affordable Tempe car insurance rates that will protect you if an accident occurs.
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