Monday, April 20, 2009

10 Ways to Save on Auto Insurance

Saving on auto insurance Looking for ways to cut back on living expenses? How about decreasing the amount of money you are spending on auto insurance? If you didn’t think there was any hope in saving money in this area of life, think again. There are quite a few ways to reduce the cost of your auto insurance. Read on for some saving methods:

Tip #1: Shop around
It’s no secret that the company offering the cheapest insurance rates usually wins the customer. Auto insurance companies take this into serious consideration as they make their decision in how much to charge a customer. They know that if you find a cheaper rate for the same coverage, you are most likely going to switch companies. You can use our site by entering in your information and we will provide quotes for insurance coverage from different auto insurers. If you happen to find a cheaper policy elsewhere, go to your current insurer and let them know. They may be willing to match it.

Tip #2: Drive safe
The more often a driver is issued a traffic ticket, the more money that driver will pay towards auto insurance. The same is true for accidents, too. By having these marks on a driving record, an auto insurer will view you as a risky driver, and risky drivers pay higher auto insurance premiums. If you want to pay a lower premium, you will need to clean up your driving record and keep it clean. With no accidents or tickets on your record you can rest assured you are getting a great rate from your insurer.

Tip #3: Get good grades
If you are the parent of a driving student, encourage your child to get good grades as this will lower their insurance rate and save you money. Teenaged drivers are very expensive to insure, and by getting B’s or better on their report card they will show they are more likely to think better in a stressful situation behind the wheel, and therefore have less accidents and make less claims to the insurer.

Tip #4: Take a class
Auto insurance companies offer different classes to drivers to help better the knowledge and driving skills of their clients. It is thought that after a driver passes these classes, the driver will practice more caution on the road, which leads to a decrease in making claims for accidents. Some of these classes include a defensive driving class that trains behind the wheel, while other classes are offered inside a classroom. There are classes that can teach you how to drive a large van and there are classes offered where the instructor will work with you one-on-one. Proof of passing the class will get you a discount on your premium.

Tip #5: Store your vehicle
You’ll notice as you give your information regarding your vehicle to potential auto insurers, they want to know your zip code and the place in which you park your vehicle at night when it’s not in use. This is because the location of your parked vehicle factors into your rates. If you live in an area where the crime rate is high, you are going to be charged more for your premium, and if you park your car in the street you will also pay more. Keeping your car parked in a locked garage in an area with low to no crime will get you cheap insurance.

Tip #6: Safety features
Having safety features on your vehicle will also save you money on auto insurance. These safety features include the VIN number etched into your windshield and other places of your car, having a car alarm, and having low-jack or other theft-prevention system installed to locate a missing car are just a few of the possible safety features that will help prevent your car from being stolen or will help track down and recover your car if it is ever stolen. An insurer views these features as helping a vehicle and owner possibly making less claims for a stolen vehicle.

Tip #7: Keep all owned vehicles on one policy
If you have more than one vehicle in use in your household, you will want to consider placing all of the vehicles on one policy. By adding your new spouse’s vehicle or your teenager’s car to your existing policy, you will save money compared to putting those vehicles on their own separate policy.

Tip #8: Take the bus
Auto insurance companies also base your rates on the number of miles you drive per year. They figure the more mileage you put on your car, the more frequently you are on the road. This leads to an increase in accidents and traffic tickets, and possibly more claims will be made to the insurer. Another way to save on auto insurance is by driving your vehicle less. Take the bus to work or carpool with others to your destination. By doing this you will also save on gas and the wear and tear of your car.

Tip #9: Get a cheaper car
Some cars are more expensive to insure than others. More specifically, vehicles that are brand new, SUVs, or flashy sports cars will cost more to insure than a vehicle that is more used and modest in nature. When you are comparing cars to purchase, give your insurer a call and ask what the estimated rates would be to insure those cars. There may be a major difference between the estimated rates and you could prevent a huge disappointment by making that call. It will also be much cheaper to insure your teenage driver if you allow them to drive an older and modest car as well.

Tip #10: Increase your deductible
Most auto insurance policies allow the driver to choose the deductible amount. This amount is the dollar price you would pay out-of-pocket in the event you need to make a claim. The insurance company will cover the rest of the cost, up to the amount you have already purchased. Deductibles usually range in the amounts of $250, $500, to $1,000, and may even go higher. When you choose to only carry a $250 deductible, you will pay higher insurance rates compared to if you carried $1,000 for your deductible. Find out the difference in cost and see if it’s worth having a higher deductible amount to save money on your policy.

There is no magic way to easily get cheap auto insurance, but with a little work on your end you will be able to find a way to lower your rates and pay a premium cost that is more manageable for your budget.

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