Maya Afilalo
Maya Afilalo is the Managing Editor & Industry Analyst at AutoInsurance.com. She holds over 10 years of professional experience in writing, communications, and research, which she leverages to provide accurate, unbiased, and reliable information to empower consumers.
In addition to overseeing content production, Maya has herself written many articles on auto insurance costs, company comparisons, state laws and requirements, and other topics. She is committed to helping consumers navigate the complex world of car insurance with clarity and confidence.
Published Work
Maya is passionate about applying her research background to provide accurate, thorough, and valuable information to consumers. Her areas of expertise include teen driving laws and coverage, rideshare insurance, and classic car coverage. Examples of her work and research on AutoInsurance.com include:
- Motorcycle Accident Statistics
- The State of Car Theft
- State of Auto Theft in the U.S.
- Commuting in the U.S. Facts and Statistics
- Teen Driver Crash Statistics
- Car Recall Facts and Statistics
- New vs. Used Car Value Statistics
- How Does Car Insurance Work?
- Best Auto Insurance for Classic Cars
- Teen Driving Laws
- What to Know About Ignition Interlocks
- Average Miles Driven in a Year
Maya has been interviewed as an expert on auto insurance in The Penny Hoarder, Woman’s World, Family Handyman, and ConsumerAffairs, among other local and national publications. You can also find her work on Security.org, Hook Line and Science, and Business.com.
Expert Advice
Maya’s main piece of advice to readers is to get quotes from major and midsize or smaller auto insurance providers alike. Sometimes the cheapest and highest-quality coverage is from one of the largest companies, and sometimes it’s from a company that insures vehicles in only a handful of states. Get at least three quotes, and if you can afford it, don’t skimp on additional auto insurance coverages like uninsured motorist, medical payments, comprehensive, and collision that will save you money in the event of an incident.
Education and Background
Before taking on the role of Director of Content, Maya was a senior staff writer and editor at AutoInsurance.com. Previously, she was a communication fellow for North Carolina Sea Grant, where she distilled peer-reviewed research into succinct blog posts tailored to audiences who will apply knowledge and insights in the field. She co-authored a report on post-pandemic mindset shifts and their implications for the management consulting firm Insigniam. Maya’s interest in research communications began when she worked at the consulting startup Vivovii, creating research-based mobile app courses for individuals seeking professional growth.
Maya holds an MFA in fiction from North Carolina State University and a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. Outside of work, Maya enjoys working on her novel and short stories, following professional women’s soccer, and attending live indie music concerts.