Every car insurance company promises you their very best rate. They also promise to make you an offer that their competition can’t top. In other words, insurance providers make promises they can’t keep. So, what can you do to make sure you get the best deal on the market? Make your own.
Consumers know that it pays to shop around. Smart buyers compare quotes from several insurers before purchasing a policy. However, even the savviest shoppers probably don’t know that after they’ve found the best coverage at the lowest rate there are ways to save even more.
How? It’s all about research. Car insurance companies will be quick to talk you into their most comprehensive coverage. On the surface, the old adage—more is better—appears to ring true. What these companies won’t tell you, though, is that these top-tier policies are excessive for everyday drivers. And in this case, excess is expensive. By taking a thorough look at your driving habits, vehicular assets, and overall financial situation, you can determine how much coverage you actually need.
Do you drive every day, or just occasionally? Is your commute 15 minutes, or 50? The answers to these questions matter. The more time you spend behind the wheel, the more likely you are to be involved in a collision, statistically speaking. Naturally, the converse is true. If you only net 15 road miles each week, you aren’t as likely to cash in on your policy. Many insurance representatives are trained to ask these questions when providing a quote. If yours never did, it’s time to make a phone call. And if you recently changed jobs and are now working closer to home, you should update your insurance provider; it’s likely that they will lower your rate.
What you drive matters just as much as how you drive. Unless your vehicle is new or you’re still making payments on an auto loan, you might be carrying more insurance than you need. Check the Kelley Blue Book value of your car. If this figure is significantly lower than your comprehensive or collision coverage, it may be time to adjust your policy accordingly. In some cases, as for those who drive old (but not collectible) cars, it could be worth dropping collision coverage entirely.
Choosing a plan with a higher deductible might not sound like a good way to save money. However, drivers with a great safety record can cash in big with this strategy. Here’s the logic: safe drivers are involved in fewer accidents. By raising your deductible, your insurance costs drop—sometimes an increase of just a few hundred dollars means a 15% to 40% reduction in overall policy fees. A portion of the money saved on premiums can be set aside to cover the deductible in the event you need to file a claim. The remainder of this money is then free for investment or can be put towards purchases you actually want to make.
Having your financial ducks in a row pays off. Many auto insurance providers will now review your credit score and reward fiscal responsibility with discounts. When you’re looking to spend less on car insurance, be sure to inventory your other expenses. Check for duplicate coverage. For example, AAA membership offers roadside assistance and towing. There’s no sense in carrying policy add-ons for these services if you’re already getting them elsewhere. This is also true for bodily coverage. If you carry a fairly comprehensive medical insurance policy, it is likely that any bills resulting from accident-related injuries will be taken care of.
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