20 tips to get cheap auto insurance.
There are several costs that on into owning a car and auto insurance has to be one of the most expensive, albeit necessary costs involved. Want to lower your auto insurance premium to a more affordable level? Check out these useful tips!
1. Don't Drive a New Car
Brand new cars can oftentimes carry higher premiums, possibly because replacement parts will almost always be new. A vehicle that is a few years older, on the other hand, can get its parts sourced from the local auto wrecker, reducing costs for the insurance company and thus, reducing costs for you.
2. Drive a Boring Sedan
High-profile cars are more likely to be victims of theft, vandalism, and other crime. Moreover, sports cars are typically more popular among those who get into high-speed accidents and these can get very pricey. You'd be surprised at how much of a difference in insurance premiums can be enjoyed by opting for the sedan instead of the coupe.
3. Reduce or Eliminate Coverage
For older vehicles, it may be worth your while to reduce or even eliminate your collision and comprehensive coverage. The extra amount of money you pay each year could work out to be more than how much the car is worth to repair or replace. Be sure to maintain your third-party coverage, however, as this covers damage to other cars and people.
4. Raise Your Deductible
Raising your deductible will lower your insurance premium considerably, especially if you are going from a $300 deductible to a $1000 deductible. This difference is even more pronounced if you are lower on the safe driving discount scale.
5. Bundle Your Insurance
Buying your auto insurance from the same company that you buy your home and life insurance can save you money, because these insurance companies may offer discounts for "bundling", just as certain service providers provide discounts for bundling your home phone, cell phone, and television services.
6. Avoid Accidents and Claims
Your insurance premium will only go up if you get into an accident or file an at-fault claim. If you are a safe driver, you will accumulate a discount for your years of accident-free driving.
7. Slow Down
Speeding tickets can not only affect your driving record but they can affect your auto insurance rates as well. Habitual speeders are more likely to get into accidents, after all.
8. Adjust Your Usage Patterns
Do you drive your car to work every day? Have you considered taking transit or riding a bike instead? Not only will you save on gas and maintenance, but your auto insurance premiums can be reduced by switching to "pleasure only" status.
9. Move Out of the Big City
Insurance premiums are based on several factors and physical location is one of these factors. There are more accidents in large cities and there is also more theft, breaking in, and vandalism. If your permanent residence is in a small town, your auto insurance will probably be cheaper.
10. Pay All At Once
There is a certain level of convenience to be enjoyed with a monthly payment plan, but it works out cheaper to just it all at once if you can afford it.
11. Install a Car Alarm
A car alarm can not only reduce theft, it can reduce your insurance premiums. It's even better if your alarm has an engine immobilizer as well.
12. Use the Club
For a cheaper alternative, consider simple anti-theft devices like the Club. Some insurers will offer discounts for this as well.
13. Opt Out of Unnecessary Extras
If you don't rent cars, there's no need for you to take on the unnecessary extra of pre-paying for car rental insurance. Opt out of roadside assistance and other services too if you don't need them.
14. Get Older
Age plays a major role in determining your insurance premium, because most drivers get into at least one accident within the first three years of getting their driver's license.
15. Impose Restrictions on Use
Look into discounts for restricting use on your car. An example would be not allowing anyone with less than 10 years of driving experience drive your car.
16. Ask About Multi-Vehicle Discounts
If you own more than one car, it is probably in your best interest to insure them all under one carrier. Most companies have multi-vehicle discounts.
17. Don't File Small Claims
Don't bother going through your insurance company for a small windshield chip, because the increase in your premium may be more than how much it costs to repair the damage out of pocket.
18. Driver Education Discounts
Young drivers can get an insurance discount if they complete an approved driver education program.
19. Shorter Distances to Work
The distance that you travel each day can have a bearing on your insurance premium. This is because you would spend less time on the road if you drove a shorter distance to work or school. Be sure your insurance company knows about this.
20. Shop Around
While coverage may be fairly standard across the different insurance companies, the prices that they offer may not be the same. Get quotes from several companies, especially for optional insurance premiums. This step is where people can save 500 or more in 30 minutes or less. What do you goota loose? Get the quote from as many companies as you can.
1. Don't Drive a New Car
Brand new cars can oftentimes carry higher premiums, possibly because replacement parts will almost always be new. A vehicle that is a few years older, on the other hand, can get its parts sourced from the local auto wrecker, reducing costs for the insurance company and thus, reducing costs for you.
2. Drive a Boring Sedan
High-profile cars are more likely to be victims of theft, vandalism, and other crime. Moreover, sports cars are typically more popular among those who get into high-speed accidents and these can get very pricey. You'd be surprised at how much of a difference in insurance premiums can be enjoyed by opting for the sedan instead of the coupe.
3. Reduce or Eliminate Coverage
For older vehicles, it may be worth your while to reduce or even eliminate your collision and comprehensive coverage. The extra amount of money you pay each year could work out to be more than how much the car is worth to repair or replace. Be sure to maintain your third-party coverage, however, as this covers damage to other cars and people.
4. Raise Your Deductible
Raising your deductible will lower your insurance premium considerably, especially if you are going from a $300 deductible to a $1000 deductible. This difference is even more pronounced if you are lower on the safe driving discount scale.
5. Bundle Your Insurance
Buying your auto insurance from the same company that you buy your home and life insurance can save you money, because these insurance companies may offer discounts for "bundling", just as certain service providers provide discounts for bundling your home phone, cell phone, and television services.
6. Avoid Accidents and Claims
Your insurance premium will only go up if you get into an accident or file an at-fault claim. If you are a safe driver, you will accumulate a discount for your years of accident-free driving.
7. Slow Down
Speeding tickets can not only affect your driving record but they can affect your auto insurance rates as well. Habitual speeders are more likely to get into accidents, after all.
8. Adjust Your Usage Patterns
Do you drive your car to work every day? Have you considered taking transit or riding a bike instead? Not only will you save on gas and maintenance, but your auto insurance premiums can be reduced by switching to "pleasure only" status.
9. Move Out of the Big City
Insurance premiums are based on several factors and physical location is one of these factors. There are more accidents in large cities and there is also more theft, breaking in, and vandalism. If your permanent residence is in a small town, your auto insurance will probably be cheaper.
10. Pay All At Once
There is a certain level of convenience to be enjoyed with a monthly payment plan, but it works out cheaper to just it all at once if you can afford it.
11. Install a Car Alarm
A car alarm can not only reduce theft, it can reduce your insurance premiums. It's even better if your alarm has an engine immobilizer as well.
12. Use the Club
For a cheaper alternative, consider simple anti-theft devices like the Club. Some insurers will offer discounts for this as well.
13. Opt Out of Unnecessary Extras
If you don't rent cars, there's no need for you to take on the unnecessary extra of pre-paying for car rental insurance. Opt out of roadside assistance and other services too if you don't need them.
14. Get Older
Age plays a major role in determining your insurance premium, because most drivers get into at least one accident within the first three years of getting their driver's license.
15. Impose Restrictions on Use
Look into discounts for restricting use on your car. An example would be not allowing anyone with less than 10 years of driving experience drive your car.
16. Ask About Multi-Vehicle Discounts
If you own more than one car, it is probably in your best interest to insure them all under one carrier. Most companies have multi-vehicle discounts.
17. Don't File Small Claims
Don't bother going through your insurance company for a small windshield chip, because the increase in your premium may be more than how much it costs to repair the damage out of pocket.
18. Driver Education Discounts
Young drivers can get an insurance discount if they complete an approved driver education program.
19. Shorter Distances to Work
The distance that you travel each day can have a bearing on your insurance premium. This is because you would spend less time on the road if you drove a shorter distance to work or school. Be sure your insurance company knows about this.
20. Shop Around
While coverage may be fairly standard across the different insurance companies, the prices that they offer may not be the same. Get quotes from several companies, especially for optional insurance premiums. This step is where people can save 500 or more in 30 minutes or less. What do you goota loose? Get the quote from as many companies as you can.
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