There are many steps to take to have cheaper car insurance premiums as car insurance costs are based on many factors. Whether you're looking for new car insurance, searching for a cheaper car insurance policy or simply trying to lower an existing policy's rates, knowing what factors affect the rates will come in handy when trying to keep insurance costs down.
Buy the right car to get lower car insurance rates. This is the one of the biggest factors in figuring car insurance costs. Young drivers and sports cars are a bad mix, likewise having a bad driving record and buying cars known for their speed or horse power will insure higher car insurance rates. Some of the best cars in terms of car insurance costs are medium sized, 4-door, 4 cylinder sedans, in the lower price ranges. Cheaper cars are cheaper to insure as are models that are cheaper to repair. Look for safety features such as anti-lock brakes, multiple air bags, passive seat belts, and stability controls as car insurance companies often give discounts for these. Compare car insurance rate quotes for different car models online at insurance sites before deciding on a model to buy.
Keep a clean driving record and learn to drive defensively to get lower car insurance premiums. Take a defensive driving course and ask the car insurance company if they give a discount for taking one. Driving defensively means knowing what is going on around you when driving. Speed and being in a hurry causes accidents. It is important to drive slow enough to be able to react to changing circumstances. You should also learn how to react during emergencies such as hydroplaning, tire blowouts, and having to share the road with bad drivers. Know the current condition of the car and keep it in good condition for driving by checking tires, fluid levels, and safety equipment conditions. Drive with road and traffic conditions in mind and don't follow other cars too closely. All it takes is one accident for car insurance rates to sky rocket.
Protect your car. Park the car off the street if possible. Car insurance companies will ask where the car will be parked because those on the street are more likely to receive damages or be stolen. Keep the car in a carport or garage if at all possible. Car models known to be the target of thieves and those without passive anti-theft devices will have higher car insurance rates.
The fewer miles driven each year the lower the car insurance rates will be. Consider public transportation for daily commutes and use routes that keep mileage to a minimum. If annual mileage goes down because of a change in jobs or residence, be sure to let the car insurance company know so they can re-figure the rates. Combine trips and encourage car pooling among all the car users to keep the mileage down.
Pay the car insurance bill in total every six months instead of monthly. Never let the car insurance expire or go without renewing it. The longer the same car insurance policy with a good driving record is in force, the better the rates will be. If a decision is made to go with another insurance carrier, a better car insurance rate is possible if continuous coverage has been had up to that time.
Insure all the family cars and home through the same insurance company to get multi-policy discounts. Some companies will give lower rates for multi-policies covering motorcycles, boats, or even atv's, with saving up to 20 percent. Know what discounts the auto insurance company offers and take advantage of all that apply. Military members get discounts from some companies and members of AARP do also. Having private health insurance and living in a no-fault state might earn a discount with some car insurance companies. College students enrolled full-time, with high enough grade averages can get discounts with some companies. Know what the company offers before buying. Taking a defensive driving course is always a good idea and may earn a discount with some companies, especially for the older drivers.
Don't get coverage that is not needed and get higher deductibles where possible. For an older car don't insure it for more than it is worth and consider dropping damage repair coverage on it. Insurance companies are not going to pay more than the blue book replacement costs for a car so there is no need to insure it for more than that amount. Accepting higher deductibles (the amount you have to pay) for such things as comprehensive, personal injury, or collision coverages, will lower rates. Understand what this means if something happens and what you will have to pay.
Don't rush to accept a quoted rate. Do the homework and check out several insurance companies before deciding which one to go with. Check with the local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to see how the company is rated. Learn how to read car insurance policies and bills and what every statement means. Don't be afraid to ask about anything not understood. Don't lie to the insurance company to try and bring rates down. Any untrue statement or left off information will give them cause to cancel the policy and not have to pay after an accident.
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