Most motorists know the things they need to do to get cheap car insurance but often don’t make the most of discounts they can qualify for various reasons. And often they think that their insurers will figure them out and offer them automatically. However, vehicle owners first need to be aware of the savings available to them and secondly make sure they get them.
So, it is always a good idea to go over the ways you can get lower vehicle insurance rates and evaluate your position. If you are a low-risk driver you should get good rates and if you aren’t you should try to control the costs by making adjustments to your arrangements and policies. Here are a few ways of qualifying for more savings.
1. Good Drivers
The best way of lowering automobile insurance costs is still to keep good driving records and avoid accidents. When you have no traffic violations and claims you increase your options as most companies are happy to offer cheap quotes. Otherwise, you will see that most of the top auto insurers will quote high prices for bad drivers.
Usually, motorists can save up to 50% and they can get accident forgiveness as a bonus when they have 4 or 5 years of no claim history. When you have had a few accidents even your own insurer may decide not to offer you renewal terms. This makes it harder to find alternative quotations that are affordable.
2. Mind your Credit Score
You can save another 20% with most companies when you have a good credit history. Premium calculations take large numbers of historical records into account. One of them is your credit record. You will need to be careful with your payments and spending to ensure a good credit score but it is worth it. Not only you get inexpensive auto insurance rates but also your mortgage and auto loan interest rates would be lower.
3. Choose your Car Well
Along with having a low risk driving history you should aim to buy a car that is cheap to insure. This is especially true for people with less than admirable records. Choosing the car without checking insurance rating and buying it without getting premium quotes can be costly and you may regret this decision. So, check before purchasing and make sure that you are happy with the costs.
4. Zip Codes
Your zip code will affect the rates offered to you. Your car will be driven and parked in your neighborhood mostly. If you live in an area with high congestion and crime, your insurer will know about it and increase your rates accordingly. Where possible, try to avoid highly congested zones as auto insurance is usually cheaper in the suburbs in comparison to city centers.
5. Private Parking
Private parking will reduce your vehicle insurance costs. Therefore, you should try to find a home with private parking where possible. This would be extra important when you have an expensive automobile. The risk of theft and damages are lower when it is safely parked in your garage or driveway. It is something to keep in mind when you are relocating.
6. Auto Modifications
You may want to make alterations to your vehicle to customize it the way you like. Some of the modifications may not be important. But you should check with your insurer before spending money. You may end up making the car high risk to insure because of the modifications.
7. Standard Policies
Generally, the additional premiums quickly add up when you start customizing your policy. Instead, you should try to find a standard policy that fits your requirements. They are usually cheaper and you can find various levels of coverage that reduces the need to make changes to it.
8. Play around with Deductibles
Sometimes you may be able to lower your automobile insurance premium a lot if you increase your deductibles. Get several quotes with varying levels of deductibles and see if it would cut your costs. It may make sense to increase deductibles when you can save some money. This option would be perfect for drivers with good driving history and living in a relatively safer area.
9. Pay the Premium in Full
Quite a few companies offer lower rates when you agree to pay the premium in full. Also, most companies charge additional fees when you want to pay in installment. By paying in full you will be able to qualify for auto insurance savings and avoid paying additional costs. It is an easy way of saving money but ignored by most motorists or they are not aware of it.
10. Shop Around
Shopping around is the easiest way of saving money. There are no qualification requirements and everyone can take advantage of it. All you need to do is spare some time and look for alternative car insurance quotes. There are a few online quote platforms that can help you find the best deals quickly. You can also use a broker to do the shopping for you.
