11 February 2009

9 Useful Tips that Help You Get Cheaper Auto Insurance



To help you get cheap and affordable car insurance, research  different auto insurance types, compare as many insurance companies as  possible, avoid getting a high-risk car, make sure your car is safe,  increase your deductible, choose the auto insurance benefits you need,  insure multiple vehicles or take advantage of multiple insurance  discounts, ask for other discounts, and avoid paying in monthly terms.

Aside from maintaining your car, your car insurance is an expense you  need to make room for in your budget. Your budget may be very limited,  and it helps a lot to be aware of how to lower your insurance premiums.  Here are some tips you will surely find useful to help you get that  affordable car insurance you need:

Research different auto insurance types

Before starting to shop for auto insurance, make sure you know the  different types of auto insurance coverage available for your different  needs. There are certain websites that allow you to compare different  auto insurance coverage. They help you give an idea of insurance prices  as well as the services and benefits for certain auto insurance types.  By knowing these important information, you will be able to determine  which coverage to look into and which needs to be prioritized out of  your budget. Examples of auto insurance types include comprehensive  coverage, collision coverage, property damage,liability, and bodily  injury liability.

Compare as many insurance companies as you can

The key to getting the best value for your car insurance is to get as  many quotes as you can. Now that you have an idea which type of  insurance to look into, you can search the Net for different insurance  companies. Check on their legitimacy and reputability, then ask for best  quotes and compare. If you are new to insuring your car, it is best to  ask for recommendations from family and friends about their insurance  companies. If the feedback is great, you can start canvassing these  companies. Another way is to visit different insurance marketplaces  where you can fill out questionnaires that are used as auto insurance  leads. These insurance leads will be analyzed by insurance agents  from different companies and quotes will be sent to you through your  email account. When talking to different insurance providers, do not  hesitate to give figures that other companies are giving and see if they  can match or beat the rates. Do not hesitate to ask for discounts and  other possible ways to lower your premiums..

Avoid getting a high-risk car

If you do not own a car yet, it is advisable that you choose one that  is less prone to accidents compared to other vehicle types. For  example, a sedan is cheaper to insure than a sports car, since more  accidents are related to sports car because of their high speed  capability. Furthermore, an older car model which is inefficient and  prone to breakdown is also more expensive to insure than newer models.

Make sure your car is safe

Before you insure your car, make sure it is in a secure condition to  save on insurance premiums. For example, keep your car parked in a  garage and on the streets over night. When going to work, it is  advisable that you park your car in safe areas where security is  visible. Furthermore, install anti-theft and alarm systems to keep your  car protected. Make sure your car also has safety features to keep you  and your passengers safe, like airbags and an anti-lock break system.  These safety features will make your car insurance cheaper.

Increase your deductible

Your deductible is the amount you have to pay out in the event of a  car accident before you will get reimbursed by your insurance company.  If you are an especially safe driver, this is a good way for you to get  cheaper insurance premiums because the higher your deductible is, the  lower your insurance premium gets.

Choose the auto insurance benefits you need

The more benefits and coverage you have, the higher your premiums  will be. It is always wise to keep your coverage within your needs to  avoid unnecessary costs. For example, if you are insuring an extra  vehicle that is parked in your garage, you can consider taking advantage  of storage insurance.

Insure multiple vehicles or look for multiple insurance discounts

If you have other cars in your family to insure, consider insuring  them with the same reputable insurance company. Most providers give  discounts if you insure more than one car with their company, making  premiums more affordable for you. Another option is to use various  insurance products, such as health and home insurance, from the same  company  and get discounts. The key to both strategies is to apply for  more insurance policies to get the discounts.

Ask for other discounts

To lower your insurance premiums, do not hesitate to ask your agents  for discounts. It is important that you know about these discounts as  most of them will not be given to you unless you ask for them. The  following discounts are usually granted by many insurance providers:

*Safe drivers–When you have gone to a driving school or you have a  had a clean driving record for the past few years, you are likely to be  considered a safe driver. Many insurance companies give discounts to  safe drivers.

*Retirees–There are also other insurance providers that provide  special discounts to retired individuals, since these drivers usually  drive less than most. Retirement age is usually between 55-65 years old.

*Group discounts–Insurance companies may also give you discounts in  groups you are affiliated with, such as the company you are working for,  your college, and other affiliations.

*Student discounts–It is very common for insurance companies to  impose higher premiums on teenage or student drivers. In fact, the older  you get, the lower your insurance premium also gets. However, you can  make you rates cheaper by maintaining good grades in school, which means  you can be a responsible driver, too. Furthermore, you can take driving  lessons and maintain great scores to help lessen your insurance  premiums.

Avoid paying in monthly terms

When comparing different payment terms for your insurance coverage,  you may notice that when you pay on an annual basis, the total insurance  premium is actually cheaper. If you have extra savings, it is better  that you pay this large amount in bulk to save on more expensive monthly  installments You can also choose to pay semi-annually or quarterly,  depending on your budget.

Car insurance may be expensive, but looking at these tips can surely  help you lower your premiums without sacrificing your different  insurance needs. It just takes a little more effort on your part to find  a cheaper auto insurance that is right for your budget.

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