As the deer populations grow and urban habitats continue to encroach upon rural environments, there has been an increase in deer-car collisions. Deer-vehicle collisions are dangerous and costly so, though collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy, it's always preferable to avoid an accident in the first place.

Having your vehicle stolen is bad enough, but carjacking—having it taken while you're behind the wheel—is potentially dangerous, even lethal. Foil would-be car thieves and keep yourself safe with these precautions.

Senior drivers on the road

In general, drivers over the age of 55 are more courteous, and more likely to obey speed limits and follow the rules of the road. And those who are retirees often drive many fewer miles than when they commuted to work on a daily basis.

Road rage incidents are not only dangerous, they are exempted from coverage by many auto insurance policies. Understand your risks and take precautionary measures to avoid being a victim—or a cause—of aggressive driving accidents.

If you are in an accident or your car breaks down, safety should be your first concern. Getting out of the car at a busy intersection or on a highway to change a tire or check damage from a fender bender is probably one of the worst things you can do. The Insurance Information Institute recommends the following precautions when your car breaks down:

No one wants to get into a car crash. But being prepared and knowing what to do if you are involved in an accident can save lives, reduce injuries and make the claims process simpler and easier.

The more safely built the car you buy, the better the chances of your surviving an accident. Protect yourself and your passengers by understanding the factors that make a car safe and making your purchase accordingly.

After an automobile accident, you want to make sure that you are adequately paid for the repair or for the value of your totaled car. Here's how.

Your driving record is taken into account when you get your auto policy—the more driving risk you've demonstrated in the past, the more you might have to pay for your auto insurance premiums. So it makes sense that your insurer might re-evaluate your rates after claims or other driving incidents (such as moving violations) that are primarily your fault.

Accidents and auto insurance premiums

When it comes to evaluating your driving record for the purposes of reassessing your insurance rates, practices vary from company to company.