The costs of car insurance are receiving complaints all across America like clockwork. This is easy to understand, considering the fact a standard policy clocks in at several hundred dollars a year. Based on your age, driving record, and other factors, annual premiums may hit the peak or ride the wave. With that said, how it is possible to keep premiums low and save some money?
For starters, most states require that you purchase a minimum amount of liability coverage if you own a car. Enlisting for more than the bare minimum is a rule of thumb if you want to have enough protection. Lowering your car insurance costs can be done with a few steps without having to cancel your policy. Depending on your background, only a few of these steps may apply to you.
Top 8 Tips for Car Insurance Savings:
1. Look around
Shop around! An excellent time to add alternatives in your crosshairs is when your current policy is about to be renewed with the possibility of your premiums going up. Its interesting to know that car insurance premiums for the exact same type of coverage on the same car model can vary by up to hundreds of dollars according to insurer company, even in states that regulate its car insurance rates.
2. Raise your deductible
The cost of your policy can be greatly reduced by raising the deductible. 10 percent or more can easily be slashed off your annual premium if you raise your Geico insurance deductible, for example, from $300 to $500. Make sure enough financial resources are in reserve before you handle this larger deductible when the moment comes.
3. Polish that Credit Report
Credit histories are the bread and butter of loan and insurance industries. Car insurance companies like Geico and Allstate have eyes of hawks when it comes to these. Your insurance company compares your credit histories and determines how much of a risk you are with them. By making your monthly credit card payments on time and keeping a fresh credit history, Allstate and State Farm will provide you with lower car insurance rates.
4. Keep the Mileage Low
People who drive less than 7,000 miles a year may be eligible for low-mileage discounts. Check with your insurer to take advantage. If your new insurer has it, limit your driver to under the mileage limit as best you can. Public transportation and planes for long distance trips can slash the mileage to safe limits.
5. Maintain a Clean Driving Record
Price breaks are awarded left and right if clean driving records are maintained for a specified period of time (i.e. two years). A polished driving record is free of accidents, moving violations, speeding citations, DUIs, etc. during this time. Turn into a defensive driver and drive carefully always to become eligible for the discounts you deserve.
6. Don’t drive a Flashy Lamborghini on city streets
Car insurance providers like Geico and Progressive rate cars according to a risk scale. Sports cars, luxury cars, and high-octane Lamborghinis and Ferraris (just examples) are higher risks because thieves love to go after them. According to statistics, drivers behind these cars are also more prone to accidents and have reckless driving habits. Expect to pay higher premiums for these cars than if you own a Honda Accord, for example. This is the same for standard sedans, station wagons, and pickup trucks.
7. Use Your Family as Part of a Multifamily/MultiPolicy discount
Insurance companies are ready to award discounts to those who buy more than one kind of insurance through the same company (i.e. car and home.) If you insure more than 1 car under the same policy through the same company, you may be qualified for a discount as well. Couples getting married to take advantage of nifty car insurance discounts happen like clockwork.
8. Load Your Car with Safety Features
Safety and anti-theft devices are your car’s best friend. If automatic seat belts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes are installed into your car, it can lead to discounts since they lessen the chances of your car getting stolen or damaged by vandals.
Ray Prince is the author of http://www.Insurapedia.com, a site in its infancy that provides regularly updated, comprehensive coverage on all types of insurance. Browse its pages and have free access to a collection of information designed to inform the Insurance novices. Its entertaining articles cover everything from "How to Take Accident Scene Photos for Insurance Claims" to "Insuring that Husband with a Sketchy Driving Record" A News Feed is also handy for the latest insurance updates
