As the U.S. continues its efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic amid a surge in cases caused by variant strains, staying safe is one of Americans’ top concerns. Safety is also essential for getting the economy back on track, as the lower COVID-19 transmission and deaths are in a state, the fewer restrictions there will be and the more confidence people will have to shop in person. While almost all states have fully reopened, we’ll only be able to completely get back to life as normal once most of the population is fully vaccinated against coronavirus. The good news is that the U.S. is picking up speed with vaccination, as almost 55% of the population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of September 21.

Some states are already safer than others, though, based on how well they have kept the pandemic under control and how much they are vaccinating. In order to find out the safest states during the COVID-19 pandemic, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across five key metrics. Our data set includes the rates of COVID-19 transmission, positive testing, hospitalizations and death, as well as the share of the eligible population getting vaccinated.

What Is a Salvage Title?

A salvage title is a title issued to a car that has been declared a “total loss” by an insurance company as a result of damage or theft. This usually means the vehicle is too damaged to repair safely or cost-effectively, or the vehicle was stolen, in which case the insurer will pay out a total loss claim for it.

Until the vehicle is repaired and reinspected, it will have a salvage title. Most states do not allow vehicles to be driven with a salvage title. Salvage titles are sometimes referred to as “brands” metaphorically stamped on the title to signify any serious events that have occurred in the vehicle’s past.

Mercury Insurance Review Summary

Mercury Insurance is an average insurance company, earning a 2.8/5 rating from WalletHub and solid ratings from organizations like J.D. Power and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Mercury offers insurance coverage for your car, home, business and more, but it’s only available in 11 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. Still, Mercury ranks well among auto insurance providers in terms of price, according to WalletHub data. Mercury’s generous discounts make its policies even more affordable, too.

The average cost of car insurance is $720 per year, according to WalletHub data for 2021. This means the average monthly car insurance premium is $60, though drivers may have to pay higher or lower rates based on factors such as their driving record, age, car type, and credit history.

Average Car Insurance Cost by Category

• Minimum Coverage: $60 per month
• Full Coverage: $166 per month
• Drivers with a Violation: $75 per month
• Young Drivers: $201 per month
• Senior Drivers: $61 per month

The cost of the average car insurance policy can be a good indication of how much a driver should expect to pay for coverage. But each driver’s car insurance rates depend on a variety of factors such as their driving record, age, car type, and credit history. Insurance companies use these factors to determine a driver’s risk, and high-risk drivers typically pay more for coverage.

Milestone Credit Card Review Summary

The Milestone Credit Card is a pretty good unsecured credit card for people with bad credit. The Milestone Mastercard has a $300 credit limit, does not require users to place a refundable security deposit, and charges lower fees than many other credit cards for building or rebuilding credit.

Geico Review Summary

Geico is one of the best insurance companies overall, earning a rating of 4.5/5 from WalletHub, solid customer reviews, and A+ scores from organizations such as the Better Business Bureau. Geico, which stands for Government Employees Insurance Company, is best known for providing affordable car insurance coverage. But you don’t have to work for the government to get Geico insurance, and you can cover much more than your car. Geico also offers homeowners insurance, renters insurance, boat insurance, jewelry insurance, and several other types of policies.

What Is an Installment Loan?

An installment loan is a fixed amount of money that you borrow and then repay in equal portions at regular intervals, usually monthly. There are many different types of installment loans, from mortgages to personal loans. Some installment loans can only be used for one specific purpose, while others can be used for anything.

On the other hand, credit cards and lines of credit are not installment loans. They are types of revolving credit, since neither the amount borrowed nor the resulting monthly payments are predetermined.

Coffee first became popular in the U.S. after the Boston Tea Party, when the switch was seen as “patriotic,” according to PBS. And since Starbucks debuted in 1971, the drink is now accessible almost anywhere you go. A recent survey by the National Coffee Association found that 62 percent of Americans drink coffee every day, with the average coffee drinker consuming 3 cups daily. Coffee consumption has also risen 8% since January 2020, in part due to the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What gave way to java culture? Science, for one, has convinced us that caffeine possesses multiple health benefits besides mental stimulation. At the right dosages, caffeine may contribute to longevity. Perhaps just as important, though, is coffee’s social purpose. Today, coffee stations are a staple of the workplace, and tens of thousands of shops serve as meeting places for friends, dates and coworkers. Many of those shops have only recently allowed sit-in customers again, though, after switching to only take-out during the pandemic.

Capital One SavorOne Credit Card Review Summary

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a very good option for saving money on what you eat, provided you have the good or excellent credit needed for approval. SavorOne gives you 3% cash back on entertainment and restaurants of all types, 3% back at grocery stores and on popular streaming services, and 1% back on everything else, in addition to a $200 bonus for spending $500 within 3 months of account opening. It doesn’t charge an annual fee or a foreign transaction fee, either. In contrast, the average cash rewards card offers 1.11% back on all purchases, plus an initial bonus of about $209.

The Costco Credit Card is worth applying for if you have a Costco membership and an excellent credit score. The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi has a $0 annual fee and offers 1 - 4% cash back, giving its bonus rates on gas, travel and dining purchases. The offer is best for people who spend a lot in those categories and plan to pay their bill in full every month. The Costco Credit Card does not have a low interest rate.