Unfortunately, private insurance companies are always looking for ways to inflate the rates on you. Whether it’s a $1 charge for this or a $10 charge for that, the extra costs can add up in a hurry and leave you paying a small fortune for auto insurance. Find out how to combat this in the article below.
Look around on the web for the best deal in auto insurance. Most companies now offer a quote system online so that you don’t have to spend valuable time on the phone or in an office, just to find out how much money it will cost you. Get a few new quotes each year to make sure you are getting the best possible price.
When insuring a teenage driver, save money on your car insurance by designating only one of your family’s vehicles as the car your son or daughter will drive. This will save you from paying the increase for all of your vehicles, and the cost of your car insurance will rise only by a small amount.
With auto insurance, the lower your deductible rate is, the more you have to pay out of pocket when you get into an accident. A great way to save money on your auto insurance is to opt to pay a higher deductible rate. This means the insurance company has to pay out less when you’re involved in an accident, and thus your monthly premiums will go down.
If your automobile is older and has a low book value, you can save money on your insurance by dropping the comprehensive and collision coverage options. If you are ever involved in an accident with an older car of little value, the insurer is not going to fix it. They will label it totaled. So there is no reason to pay for this type of coverage.
If you have younger drivers on your automobile insurance policy, remove them as soon as they stop using your vehicle. Multiple people on a policy can increase your premium. To lower your premium, be sure that you do not have any unnecessary drivers listed on your policy, and if they are on your policy, remove them.
Keep your record clean! Your driving record is the main thing that insurance companies look at when deciding what to charge you. It is more important than the car you drive and your credit rating together. Even getting a simple speeding ticket can set your premiums higher, so keep your nose clean!
Buy an older and cheaper vehicle. Most insurance companies will only allow you to put liability of older vehicles, automatically lowering your premiums. If you do have greater coverage, your rates will be lower anyway, because the insurance company knows you will not be paid much for your car in the event that it is totaled.
Keep a camera in your car at all times. In case of an accident, you are going to need documentation for your insurance company. Take photos of the accident from all angles, and make sure to include time and date stamps on them. Take these to your agent when you file your claim.
If you’re planning to, or just got married, call your insurance company for a discount. Drivers who are married tend to drive more safely, especially if they have children in the car. Insurance companies often will give you a discount once you tie the knot, due to your better driving.
Young drivers can save money on their car insurance if they register an older driver as a part-time user of their car. There is no group of drivers subjected to higher insurance premiums than teenagers. However, insurers will be encouraged to see an older, more responsible driver sharing the driving duties with a teenager. They will reduce premiums accordingly in such a situation.
Many insurance companies have discounts for cars that have extra anti-theft or security features. If your car has some of these features, like anti-lock brakes, you should ask your insurance company and see if there are any discounts available. Also, you can get discounts if you took a defensive driving class or if you are a student with good grades.
Add your husband or wife to your policy. This can reduce your rates greatly because it shows stability. This shows the insurance company that you are a stable and secure driver. This will lower your rates even more than being unmarried or just adding someone that is older, to your policy.
Before you call your insurance company to change your car insurance policy, remember to check with your financier. Many auto loans come with certain insurance requirements. It is all too easy to overlook these requirements when you go bargain-hunting. If you do, an insurance claim may end up landing you in hot water with the financier holding the note on your car.
Throw in the towel with your current insurance company and find a new one. Sometimes, even when you try to do all you can to get your rates down with your current insurer, you can still beat that rate with a different insurance company. Auto insurers try to attract new customers with lower rates, but they do not reward curent customers for loyalty. Chances are, new customers are paying less than you for the same coverage. It costs nothing to get quotes from other companies, so why not?
When buying auto insurance be aware of the minimums that your state requires with regards to liability coverage. You can find this information online at your state’s Department of Insurance website. You will need to know which minimums to maintain in the areas of property damage liability and bodily injury liability.
What you just got through reading were tips compiled by auto insurance experts with the intention of helping you to save money and also to find the best type of insurance to meet your particular needs. Make sure you don’t become a victim of a greedy insurance company. Use these tips to craft the best possible policy.
