Saving Money on Auto Insurance: Tips and Tricks

By Christopher Glomp, InsuranceAgents.com Staff Writer

Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car Insurance Premiums

While most drivers know that auto insurance is important—and in many states, a legal requirement for all drivers—no one wants to pay more than necessary to insure their vehicles. Whether you are shopping for auto insurance for the first time, or if you already have an auto insurance policy, considering the tips included here could save you money on your insurance premium costs. A little time spent on research can save you a significant amount on your insurance premiums, if you know what aspects to consider. First and foremost, get a few auto insurance quotes from different companies. Use our online form to compare up to five quotes quickly.

The Basics:

• A higher deductible can keep your premium costs down. Auto insurance companies charge more for low deductibles. If you keep your deductible higher, you will pay higher out-of-pocket costs should an accident occur; however, a small increase in your deductible may equal significant savings on your premium—it may even exceed the cost of your deductible.
• Consider the types of vehicles you insure. A very expensive vehicle, a vehicle with a poor safety record, or a vehicle that is popular with car thieves may cost you more to insure. A safe, moderately-priced vehicle is likely to cost less to insure. If you sell a vehicle or own one that you no longer drive, be sure to take it off of your policy.
• Drop unnecessary coverage. It may make sense to insure a new vehicle or a vehicle that is still being financed—this may even be a requirement of your lender—but it might not make sense to carry coverage such as collision or comprehensive on an older vehicle. If you are paying more for these types of insurance than the vehicle is worth, consider discontinuing this type of coverage. Also, make sure to keep the list of drivers on your policy current and to remove drivers who no longer need coverage on your policy—for example, adult children who purchase their own auto insurance should be removed.
• Ask your insurer about eligibility for discounts. Many auto insurance policy holders are eligible for various discounts. Some insurers offer discounts for long-time customers, for safe or accident-free driving records, and for having safety features on your vehicle (such as air bags or anti-lock brakes) or theft-protection devices installed in your vehicle. For the notoriously expensive-to-insure teen drivers, some companies may offer discounts for good grades and driver education or safety classes. Older drivers may also qualify for discounts by attending safe driving classes or staying accident-free.

Some Additional Considerations About Auto Insurance

Auto insurance rates are also affected by things such as how many miles you drive your vehicle, statistical data for auto theft in your area, and where your vehicle is parked at night—in a garage or on the street. While these things may be beyond your control, they do affect your coverage rates.

Whether you have auto insurance coverage already or you are shopping for coverage for the first time, it may pay to shop around. By pricing getting quotes from different car insurance agents, you may be able to find a particular insurer that can offer you the best deal—don’t assume your carrier is the best bargain, even if you have been with them for a long time. Be careful though. Before you switch auto insurers, consider whether the savings a new carrier may offer will decrease over time. Another company might offer an initially low premium to entice customers to switch, yet they may make significant increases to premiums annually. If this is the case, the initial savings may be negated by costing you more money in the long run, if you switch.

The best general tip is to do your homework. Only buy the coverage you need on the vehicles that need it. Shop around for the best deal—but be careful about learning the details before you switch. Overall, taking a closer look at your auto insurance policy and coverage is a good idea in general—and it may save you money on your auto insurance premium as well. The best way to comparison shop is to use our online form and compare quotes from local agents.

Published: Thursday 4th June 2009