Insurance companies dictate a range of prices for auto insurance based on state, an individual’s driving record, the vehicle an individual drives and the amount of coverage an individual is looking for, among other factors. Individuals can help themselves to get the best auto insurance rates by considering factors such as the age and model of the vehicle they choose to buy and the kind of coverage they are seeking, as discussed below.
For older vehicles, remove comprehensive and collision coverage. These options are best saved for newer vehicles, as they pay for repairs and damages caused by accidental damage and other issues. If you remove them, your premiums will be much cheaper and you will still be covered in the event of an accident.
When buying cheap car insurance, consider what coverage you actually need against what coverage is being recommended by the agent. If your car is worth less than about five thousand dollars, collision coverage is probably costing you more than what would pay out in an accident. However, property liability coverage is vital, as it protects you against having to pay out for damage to another party’s car or other property.
If you are car shopping be sure to check with your auto insurance agent about how the car you are selecting will affect your premium. Different cars will have different effects on your insurance costs, and it is often difficult to predict on your own what a certain car will mean for your premiums.
Take a course on safe driving. First, you will want to check and see if your car insurance provider offers any discounts for safe driving courses. Many do. Having taken one might qualify you for a discount. The courses themselves are not very expensive and usually do not take more than a week or two to complete.
Having your VIN number etched into your window can lower your insurance premiums up to 15 percent. Sometimes the VIN number is already etched into the car’s window, but will raise the price of the car $300 to $900. You can also etch the number into the window yourself for $19.95.
Increase your deductible on your auto insurance policy. You can see the greatest reduction in the cost of your policy by doing this. By raising the amount of money you will be out of pocket in case of an accident, you will be putting the insurance company at a smaller risk, that will, in turn, lower your rates.
If you are looking to get auto insurance, do not commit to any company until you have gotten multiple quotes. You can do this online without having to speak with an insurance agent or sales representative. By getting multiple quotes you are reducing the chances of auto insurance companies cheating you.
Be aware – there are certain aspects of car insurance – which each state requires car owners to have. It is important to know this because you do not want to get in trouble for not having these aspects. If you are unsure of what these requirements are, you may want to contact your auto insurance agent.
Install an alarm in your vehicle. Getting an alarm for your car can protect it from being stolen or vandalized. It can also help to lower your premiums. Check to see if your car insurance provider offers a discount for having an alarm. If you already have a car alarm, make sure you inform your provider.
If you are a part of an employee group or an alumni association, you could get a discount on your auto insurance. Ask about benefits when you join a group or an association. You should get discount with only one company, but you should still compare quotes in case there is an even cheaper or better insurance out there.
Make sure that you closely analyze exactly how much coverage you need. If you have too little than you can be in a very bad situation after an accident. Likewise, if you have too much than you will be paying more than necessary month by month. An agent can help you to understand what you need, but he may be pushing you for too much.
It is clear that an individual can have some say in the amount of money he or she will pay for auto insurance by considering some of the factors discussed above. These factors should be considered, if possible before the purchase of a vehicle so that the cost of insurance can be realistically anticipated by drivers.