Reader question:
What are the best ways to get cheap rates on my car insurance premium?
Alex
Here are the top ten ways.
- Shop around. Don’t just go with the car insurance company that has an office across the street from you. Car insurance rates vary by company, and it’s important to get several quotes and research the services and history of a company before you make a decision to go with them.
- Think abut insurance before you get a car. Research a car’s crash and theft history to see if your car insurance company is likely to charge you higher rates due to bad scores in those departments. Get a safe car that’s medium sized and isn’t as likely to take damage nor give damage.
- Increase your deductible. This is a great way to go if you feel you’re not likely to get into a car accident. This way, you can pay lower rates on your premium and just pay more if you happen to get into an accident and have to pay the deductible.
- Drop the coverage on your clunker. You’ll have to keep the minimum coverage required by the state, but if you’re paying more on your car insurance premium than the actual value of your car, you probably don’t need extra coverages like comprehensive and collision.
- Keep up with your credit. Your credit score hugely affects your car insurance rating, so keeping bad items off your credit report can save you a lot of money.
- Low mileage discounts. Cut down on driving your car and see if you can get a discount as a perk. People who drive less are less like to crash, so car insurance companies often offer them a break.
Group insurance is counts. You can usually get a discount for being part of a certain club or organization, like AARP or a motor club for your car. - Ask about other discounts.There are so many discounts that range from being for students to being for the elderly, so ask your car insurance company to see if you qualify.
- Don’t let your coverage go. Allowing your coverage to lapse or your policy to get cancelled for nonpayment makes you an unreliable customer and can cause higher premiums in the future.
Pay up all at once. You’re charged a fee for paying in installments.
Cheers,
Fashun Guadarrama.