Every person who owns or leases a car should have car insurance. It is the law in most states, and not having it could cost you tickets and penalties. Since it is necessary, you need to make sure you get the right car insurance coverage that won’t break the bank. To help you find the right car insurance, here are eight money-saving tips.
Shop Around
Car insurance can widely vary depending on several factors. Your driving record, age, and car type are the main factors that affect the costs. Most people don’t realize that most insurance coverage is the same, no matter the insurance company, in what they offer for coverage options, especially if you are only carrying minimum liability. The differences are more dependent on how they structure factors about the person being insured.
If you have a great driving record, good credit, and are older, you will save hundreds of dollars. But don’t count yourself out if you have bad credit, an accident, or are under 25. Some companies still offer less costly insurance for your needs. The key is to shop around until you find insurance that meets the needs that you can afford.
Take Advantage of Discounts
Almost every major car insurance company has discounts they give drivers. Even smaller unknown insurance companies will have discounts. Do your research to see what discounts the companies you are considering have to offer.
Some insurance companies will offer savings upfront, and others will offer discounts as you go. These discounts can come from money back, lower premiums, or discounts for safe drivers, or for every year you are insured with their company.
Drive Safely
Driving safely may be the best way to save on car insurance. Everyone knows that getting a ticket or having an accident drives your insurances costs up. However, some don’t know that going without an accident or a ticket year over year. Suppose you are a driver over the age of 25; the savings increase. In many states, you can also take a defensive driving class to save. All of these show that you make safety concerns, and insurance companies will reward you for it.
Drop What You Don’t Need
When you purchase a car through a lender or lease a car, you will carry the maximum insurance. The lender wants you covered for everything since they technically own the car until you pay it off. Full coverage insurance can be costly. Once you have paid off your car, you should assess what you need and drop anything you don’t need.
If your car is older and not worth much, you will be wasting money having full coverage on the car. For example, if your car is worth less than your deductible, it doesn’t make sense to spend a lot on insurance. Minimum liability or whatever the minimum the law allows is more than enough for a less expensive car.
Purchase a Car that is Cheaper to Insure
The safer the car is considered in the market, the cheaper the car insurance. Certain types of vehicles will have lower insurance, such as minivans and certain SUVs. Some car models will always be expensive because they are at higher risk for tickets and accidents such as sports cars. Even some companies will raise rates if you get a sports car that is a bright color that attracts the attention of law enforcement and is generally ticketed more.
Increase the deductible
You can instantly save money when you raise the deductible if you carry full coverage insurance. It is similar to a down payment on a car lowering the overall car payments. If you are in a damaging accident and willing to pay more out of your pocket to repair the car, you will pay less per month on your premiums. You may never get in an accident; therefore, these savings make sense.
Improve Your Credit Score
Many car insurance companies run a credit check as part of the process of determining the premium of your car insurance. Raising your credit score can, in many cases, greatly reduce the overall cost of your insurance or lower the down payment the insurance company requires.
Usage-Based Insurance
If you don’t drive your car often, you might want to look into getting usage-based insurance. Some insurance companies factor in usage on all drivers’ levels, so if you can give an accurate accounting of your mileage, you can save a lot of money on your insurance. Those drivers that are mostly at home and drive for errands will see great savings over drivers who use their car to drive all over the country for work.
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