|
|
10 Ways To Lower Your Auto InsuranceBy Pete Lance
Nowadays, auto insurance is really expensive. A typical insurance policy can cost a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars a year. And the insurance rates you pay are hugely dependent on the insurance company or agent, your age, your car type, your driving record, and even the area you reside in!
You should never go without auto insurance though, despite the costs. Almost all the states require you to protect yourself with a minimum amount of liability coverage. Naturally, the bare minimum is not adequate enough for the average car owner. And as you add in additional coverage for your car, you realize that you will be paying a fairly large sum annually.
So, understanding auto insurance can actually help you to decide on a suitable insurance policy that won't vacuum clean your wallet! Here, we have gathered 10 of the best tips for lowering your auto insurance, by as much as 40%!
Always compare insurance policies. There are states which regulate auto insurance rates, but the insurance premiums can vary by hundreds of dollars for the exact same coverage. It is definitely worthwhile to shop around. The first thing you can do is to check with your state insurance department. They often provide information about the coverage you need, as well as sample rates from the biggest companies. You can also ask your friends or look up the yellow pages. Checking consumer guides and asking insurance agents can pay off as well. You can easily find out the price range for your insurance policy, as well as discover the lowest prices in town.
However, you should not be shopping based on price along. The insurance company should provide good service at the best price. Excellent personal service is available as well, and they provide added conveniences, although they cost a fair bit more. Ask the company how you can lower your costs, and also check their financial ratings. The rule of thumb is always to get three price quotes from three different companies, and pick the one with the best value.
It can also be a good idea to increase your deductibles. When you file a claim, the deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance company pays for the rest of the damage. A higher deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage can lead to a much lower premium. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $400 can reduce your premiums by up to 25%. However, you must ensure that you have the financial resources to handle the largest deductible when the time comes.
Remove certain types of coverage from your policy. Almost all the states require liability coverage for your car, but the rest of the coverage is probably dispensable. However, you do not want to be underinsured if you're in an accident, so it isn't advisable to remove all of your additional coverage. Optional coverage includes medical payments, uninsured motorist, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
Drop collision and comprehensive coverage for older cars. If you drive an older car that's worth less than $2,000, it's probably more cost-effective to drop collision and comprehensive coverage since you'll probably pay more for the coverage than you'll collect for a claim. You can find out the worth of your car by asking auto dealers and banks.
Make sure your credit report looks good. Car insurance companies often look at your credit history as there is a correlation between the risk to the company and your credit history. If you pay your bills on time and maintain a good credit history, you can enjoy lower insurance rates.
Drive less. Insurance companies often offer low-mileage discounts to motorists who drive less than a predetermined number of miles each year. You can use public transportation more often, car-pool with friends, and take the train or a plane instead of driving to another state. And you'll save on more than your coverage as you'll need to spend less on gasoline (of which prices are incredibly high).
Maintain a clean driving record. The company will give you a price break and you can save on your insurance policy after a specified period of a clean driving record. This means that you have no accidents, no serious driving violations etc, during this period of time. The simplest and surefire way to qualify for this discount is to drive carefully and defensively all the time.
Choose a low-profile car. Insurance rates vary among difference models of vehicles. Generally, sports cars and high-performance cars tend to cost more to insure, mainly because they represent more risk of theft and the drivers are often the people who drive more recklessly. Newer cars will cost more to repair or replace than older ones, so naturally they can more to insure. Low-risk vehicles include station wagons and sedans.
Ask about safety and security discounts. The insurance companies sometimes offer discounts on your insurance if your car is equipped with the following: anti-lock brakes, air bags, automatic seat belts, car alarms, tracking systems. These reduce the injury risk to you, as well as the chances of your car being vandalized or stolen.
Finally, ask about other discounts. You may receive a discount if you buy more than one type of insurance from the same company or if you insure multiple cars under the same policy or company. You may also receive discounts for taking a defensive driving course, staying with the same company for a few years, being a driver over 50, good-student discounts, and being an AAA member. If you already have adequate health insurance, you can also eliminate paying for duplicate medical coverage, thus lowering your personal injury protection costs by a substantial amount.
|
Happy driving: Phoenix area pays less than most for car insurance
Some of the cheapest car insurance rates in the country are in the Valley.
Detroit Tops U.S. In Car Insurance Costs
Detroit isn't just the car capital of the U.S. ? it's also the king of car-insurance costs. According to insuranceQuotes.com, a subsidiary of finance-info provider Bankrate Insurance, the Motor City and its metropolitan area lay claim to the dubious distinction...
Two dead in Arizona flooding
Frances Burns PHOENIX, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- At least two women were killed as a record-breaking storm fueled by the remnants of Hurricane Norbert dumped inches of water on much of Arizona.
Arizona mom who left children in hot car regains custody
By David Schwartz PHOENIX (Reuters) - An Arizona woman who attracted national attention in March when she left her two young children in a hot car while at a job interview regained custody of them on Thursday, her lawyer said. Shanesha Taylor, whose tear-stained mug shot was broadcast widely and generated nearly $115,000 in donations, will be allowed to take her two sons home from state care ...
Honda tops list of most stolen cars in Arizona
The National Insurance Crime Bureau has released its top 10 list of most stolen car models, but Phoenix Police said it doesn't matter what model consumers buy -- everyone is at risk.
Taking out insurance for fantasy players is going a bit too far
Quick question. Did your insurance premiums go up in the last year? No, not car, health or dental. Well, technically I guess it would be considered health insurance. If you drafted Wes Welker ? who recently suffered his third concussion in 10 months ? or Rob Gronkowski ? who has suffered everything from a bum hip and busted ankle to a broken forearm and torn ACL/MCL in the last three years ? you ...
Good2Go® Releases Cell Phone Safety Discount in AZ
ATLANTA, Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Good2Go®, specialists in minimum coverage auto insurance, announced that their Cell Phone Safety Discount is now available in Arizona. Customers will receive 5% off ...
San Antonio No. 2 in tailgate thefts
Nationwide, there were 1,921 insurance claims citing stolen tailgates off of pickup trucks between Jan. 1, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2013.
Thieves targeting pickup truck tailgates
Nationwide, insured tailgate thefts have jumped 31 percent from 831 in 2012 to 1,090 in 2013, acording to the study. Thieves sell the tailgates online, put them on other trucks or sell them as scrap metal, according to the bureau.
Flooded cars on Craigslist? Tips to avoid a scam
ff you're planning on buying a used car in the next few months, it's a good idea to do a thorough inspection first.
|
|
Best Sellers from
|
