How To Save
There are many things in life that you simply cannot change. One of those things is how an insurance company judges your risk to them. One great way to save money with auto insurance is to take advantage of the discounts that are available to drivers who drive fewer miles, take defensive driving classes, or simply driver safer. You might also qualify for lower rates based on your age or having anti-lock breaks and security systems installed on your car. The one thing you need to keep in mind is that you must ask for these discounts, as most agents will not bring them up.
For more great money saving ideas, try these:
Combining Coverage
Most insurance companies find that is cheaper to manage one household account and are willing to offer discounts if you combine your homeowners insurance with your auto insurance or if you insure multiple vehicles. You can save as much as 15% by simply combining your policies.
Don't File Small Claims
Seriously, the more money you cost an insurance company, the more likely they will be to either raise your rates or drop your coverage all together. If you make two claims or more in a three-year period, most insurers will not renew your coverage. With this in mind, try to carry the costs involved in repairs and such yourself if they are less than $1,000. If damage to your automobile is merely cosmetic it is quite possible to ignore it in favor of keeping your insurance rates lower.
Raising Your Deductible
When you consider the fact that the average driver files a claim once every 3 years and, of those a comprehensive claim, is filed an average of once every 10 years it makes sense to think that raising your deductible is a valid way to save on your auto insurance costs. The simple act of raising your deductible from $200 to $300 could actually save up to 30% per year on your auto insurance. When you consider the likelihood of filing a claim you might actually come out ahead by raising your deductible.
Drive Safely
If you keep your driving record clean for 36 months you will find that your premiums will be lower. You can also try taking a defensive driving course in order to qualify for a discount in price as well.
Choose The Right Car
If you have a car that is expensive to repair or one that is a frequent target for auto thieves, it will cost more in order to keep it insured. You can check with the National Insurance Crime Bureau for a list of cars that are most often targeted by thieves.
Keep Your Teens In One Car
List your teens as primary or occasional drivers of your least expensive car and only allow them to drive that car.
Set The Record Straight
Insurance companies have access to a good deal of your personal information. Among the things they have access to are your motor vehicle records, credit history, and your history of claims with other insurance companies. Don't bother trying to lie when it comes to your driving history or your background - they probably know more about it than you do. Mistakes do, however, happen on occasion and it is a much better idea to catch the mistakes and correct them since they may make you appear to be a greater risk than you are. You should get copies of all your credit reports and make sure that all the information on these reports is accurate. Here is a website that offers a free credit report.
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