For almost as long as people have been able to drive, they have tended to do so with the accompaniment of music. However, just because you may have the capability to play all types of music on in your vehicle doesn't necessarily mean that it's wise to do so. In fact, here are eight types of music which you should probably avoid playing at all costs while you are behind the wheel. Your auto insurance company will thank you.

1. Lullabies. This one is fairly obvious. The soft, tranquil sounds of a lullaby are designed to bring on sweet slumber, which does not mix well with driving. The only exception to this rule may be if you are trying to persuade a baby or toddler to stop fussing and fall asleep (and you are so hopped up on caffeine that you couldn't possible follow suit).
 

2. Rap music. This one is actually backed by (pseudo-) science. In 2009, over 2,000 drivers were surveyed about their choice of music to listen to while driving. Almost half of them admitted that rap music causes adverse effects on their driving mood and behavior. But, in all fairness, they'd probably feel the same way if they were forced to listen to polka.

3. Death metal. Loud, repetitive guitar licks. Ground-quaking percussive beats. And unmelodious, growly howls from lead singers. It's a combination that's bound to raise your blood pressure and dull your senses -- neither of which are suitable for safe driving. In fact, death metal is only okay for weightlifting, home demolition, or axe-murdering.

4. Songs which have spawned popular dances. Remember the Macarena? Soulja Boy? Achy-Breaky Heart? YMCA? (Heck, even the Hokey Pokey?) They’re great tunes, but their respective dances involve hand movements and head turns. Meaning that when you sing (and dance) along with these songs while driving, you're just asking for an accident.

5. Sad songs. From Sinatra to twangy country to Adele, music has a long and storied history of melancholy-inducing melodies. They have their place, but if you are the type of individual who is overly emotional, the tears you produce while listening to a sad song can obscure your driving vision.

6. Songs with long notes in them. This category mostly applies to drivers who like to sing along with the stereo in their cars. You know those notes that some singers can belt out for eight, twelve, or sixteen measures without taking a breath? These crooners are skilled professionals who don't get light-headed due to a lack of oxygen. You, however, are not.

7. Opera. This could be classified as a subset of #6, but there's another danger inherent with this genre. If you are blessed with a high-end audio system, the stereotypically powerful high notes may cause your car windows to shatter suddenly. That's enough of a jolt to propel you into a light pole or an oncoming lane of traffic.

8. Songs about bad driving. Again, this is self-evident. Jan and Dean's "Dead Man's Curve." Roy Acuff's "Wreck on the Highway." The Ministry's "Jesus Built My Hotrod." And of course, this speeding anthem:

Car safety is constantly improving. Seat belts, air bags, and crumple zones are all forms of technology that have become standard in every new car that hits American roads. But even though these features have driven down fatalities and injuries (auto insurance companies rejoice!), cars can always improve, and the government is looking to make even more safety technology standard in the future.

In their recent list of most-wanted car safety improvements, here's what the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended be in every car in the near future:

#5) Electronic Stability Control

Electronic Stability Control systems, or ESC, are already standard in many larger vehicles, such as SUVs, and for a reason: Estimates are they reduce fatalities by a third. The systems, which detect skidding and apply braking to individual wheels while reducing engine power, are widely considered one of the more important life-saving technologies, and will be standard in all new cars by the end of the year.

#4) Adaptive Cruise Control

Cruise control is great for some drivers, but it also presents a problem: Making sure you react to changing road conditions. Adaptive cruise control helps do that for you by scanning the road constantly and adjusting speed according to what it detects. While rudimentary versions of these systems have been around since the 1990s, and it's largely a feature on luxury cars, Subaru has already introduced ACC systems in their 2013 Outback and Legacy models, and Chevy will be bringing them to the 2014 Impala. Expect any new car to come with these systems before we vote in the 2016 elections.

#3) Lane and Collision Warnings

One of the simplest uses of sensors is to simply let drivers know when something is going wrong. Lane and collision warnings uses this sensor data to let you know when you might be drifting, or when the other guy might be on his phone instead of paying attention. It sounds simple, and it is; but even just letting drivers know can save lives. Expect this to be standard by the end of 2015, as companies will be installing these sensors for other reasons, and configuring the warnings is fairly cheap and simple.

#2) Automatic Braking

Speaking of those sensors, it's an old joke but it's true: It really is often the speed that kills you in collisions. So if all else has failed and it looks like you're about to crash, automatic braking systems slam on the brakes, reducing speed and turning fatalities into injuries, and serious injuries into minor ones.

That said, there's still a lot of controversy around these systems, since they can take control out of the driver's hands and some of the more aggressive designs will automatically stop for, for example, stop signs. Expect these to be an option, not standard, in most cars by 2020.

#1) Smartphone Lockdown

The final recommendation is possibly the one that most people will dislike: Systems that detect when the smartphone is near the driver ... and lock it down.

Distracted driving is dangerous, and it's unclear if hands-free sets are as dangerous as socketing the phone in your ear. Nonetheless, this idea is less than popular among automakers and many drivers. Still, expect it to start becoming available sooner rather than later, especially as an aftermarket system for used cars to keep teenagers from yakking themselves right into an accident.

If you own a car, then you are undoubtedly familiar with traditional auto insurance and how it works. You purchase a policy with an insurance company, and the insurer agrees to pay you in the event your car is damaged in a collision (or stolen). The coverage also reimburses you or others for medical expenses incurred as the result of an auto accident.

But there's another type of policy called non-owner's car insurance. This seems like an oxymoron; after all, if you don't own a car, why would you need to buy car insurance?

Why Buy Non-Owner’s Car Insurance?

In reality, there are quite a few Americans who have a valid driver's license and drive occasionally but have not purchased or leased a vehicle of their own. These people may primarily use public transportation, or live in an area where they can walk or bicycle to their destinations.

But that doesn’t meant they never drive (or never will). For example, maybe they borrow a friend’s car on occasion. Maybe they occasionally rent cars for business or pleasure. Or maybe they plan to get a car in the future and want to avoid terminating auto insurance coverage in order to remain continuously insured and receive lower premiums. Otherwise, gaps in car insurance coverage may signal that the person is a high-risk driver, and they'll pay higher premiums whenever they do renew their coverage.

Also, non-owner's car insurance can meet certain obligations which may be imposed upon a certain individual. For instance, if a person must apply to have his or her driver's license reinstated (perhaps after receiving a DUI conviction), non-owner's car insurance can satisfy an insurance requirement for a court even if a driver doesn't own a car (or has had it impounded or totaled).

Who Isn't Eligible for Non-owner's Car Insurance?

As mentioned previously, people who own vehicles cannot qualify for a non-owner's car insurance policy. This also applies in cases where there is a vehicle in the individual's household that they use on occasion. In these examples, the driver would have to be added to the policy of the vehicle's owner. Also, someone who drives a car for business cannot obtain a non-owner's car insurance, nor can someone who a) does not have a driver's license, and b) cannot obtain one within 30 days of the start date of a non-owner's policy.

The Fine Print

Like traditional auto insurance policies, non-owner's car insurance provides coverage for property damage and bodily injury liability. Customers may also have the option of purchasing coverage for medical payments as well as uninsured and/or underinsured motorist bodily injury liability. However, non-owner's car insurance policies do not offer comprehensive, collision, towing, labor, rental reimbursement, or custom equipment and parts coverage -- meaning that the premiums will be significantly lower than they would be for traditional auto insurance.

How to Obtain Non-owner's Car Insurance

If you think that a non-owner's car insurance policy would be right for you, simply contact an auto insurer to see about getting coverage. You would apply in much the same way you would with a standard car insurance policy, and your premiums would be based largely on your driving record, area of residence, and similar factors. Most importantly, if you purchase a vehicle while you have a non-owner's policy, you must notify your insurer immediately; otherwise, you will not be covered under your current policy.

Non-owner's car insurance can keep you protected and save you money - and it may be preferable to letting your auto insurance coverage lapse. So call your insurance agent today to see if you are eligible!