Finding affordable car insurance is not as challenging as you may think. For example, good drivers are often eligible for discounts on their premiums just for maintaining a great driving record, bundling, having a safe vehicle, and there are many other ways to cut the cost of auto insurance as well.
We’ve assembled a list of ways to help you get better car insurance deals, find auto insurance discounts and reduce your rate.
Before we get started, let’s talk about one of the very best ways to get affordable car insurance, which is to work with an independent agent at CrownCo Insurance & Financial Services. We can search multiple insurance companies to find the lowest cost car insurance that meets your needs. They will also help to find additional discounts for you, like bundling multiple policies together. You can get started now by getting a quote online with us or contacting us directly.
Choose a hybrid. Hybrid cars can yield discounts in a variety of ways, including lower cost insurance from some insurers who believe hybrid drivers to be safer as a group.
Compare insurance costs when you are researching cars to buy. For example, check out the difference between the costs of insurance on a brand new car, vs. one that has been used for test drives.
Consider a car with anti-lock brakes. Some states encourage drivers to buy vehicles with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), which can prevent dangerous skidding in slippery conditions. Check with your insurance company to find out if this is a factor in your state.
Choose a car that is cheap to repair. Not only will this save on your overall auto costs, but it may be reflected in your insurance premium as well.
Choose a car that has fewer claims. The top ten vehicles on this list are:
- Buick Rendezvous
- Pontiac Solstice
- Buick Terraza
- Honda Odyssey
- Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Subaru Outback
- Ford Five Hundred
- Volvo V70
- Chrysler Town & Country
- Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Switch insurance companies. If you’re not happy with your service and costs, switch to an agent who will provide excellent service and shop for the best quote for you. You may also get a new customer discount.
Bundle your policies. Getting discounts for bundling multiple policies is one of the easiest ways to reduce your auto insurance costs. You can combine home and auto, multiple auto policies, and often other policies as well, such as your boat and RV.
Pay annually instead of monthly. The premium you pay will be less if you pay in one lump sum annually vs. in installments.
Only buy what you need. Take a good look at the coverage you are buying. If you have plenty of injury coverage through your employee health program and disability insurance, you can probably keep your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to a minimum.
Pay annually instead of monthly. The premium you pay will be less if you pay in one lump sum annually vs. in installments.
Drop your collision coverage entirely on an older car. If the car is worth only $1,500, it’s probably not worth buying collision coverage.
Review your insurance annually. Go over any changes in your life and family that can improve your premiums. For example, has a young family member gotten married and moved out?
Ask if your insurance company offers accident forgiveness. This typically means the company will not increase your premiums if you have just one accident and an overall good driving record.
Make sure your insurance company has accurate facts. Your auto insurance company will base your rates on factors such as your age and your driving record. You may be eligible for a lower rate if you’ve recently made a change, such as working from home and driving fewer miles each week.
Ask for a good student discount. While young drivers pay more due to increased risk, those with excellent grades may qualify for discounts.
Get a driver’s education discount. Taking a driver safety course to improve your defensive driving skills may help you get discount auto insurance. Note that you won’t qualify for a discount if the course is mandated by a court due to a violation.
Park in a garage. Insurance companies often view this is a safety measure worth a discount. A vehicle parked inside a closed garage is less vulnerable to theft and storm damage.
Drive less and let your insurance agent know. The fewer miles you drive annually, the more affordable your car insurance will be. If you begin working one day each week from home, that will reduce the number of miles you are driving annually.
Find out if your state lets you erase a traffic ticket. Some states allow you to erase a ticket, such as a speeding violation, from your record by going to traffic school.
Be a safe driver and maintain a good driving record. Traffic violations add points to your driving record, which are reflected in increased car insurance rates. The cost of insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars annually for two people of the same age and gender, based on driving records.
