Tips to Save Money on Car Insurance

Saving money on your car insurance is the goal of most people who are visiting QualityAutoInsurance.com, and we’re excited that we’ve helped many people save hundreds, even thousands of dollars on their auto insurance costs. The question is… how do you find quality car insurance from reliable carriers while also making sure you’re getting the best rate? The good news is there are some things you can do to save money on your auto insurance right now.

One thing you should never do is drive your vehicle without insurance. In most states, you are required by law to purchase a minimum amount of liability coverage. If you drive without insurance and are caught, you could face significant legal issues. Beyond this, if you are involved in an accident you could lose all you have, especially if someone is injured and you are at fault. Most people carry more than just the minimum insurance required by law to make sure they have adequate protection. What follows are some steps you can take to reduce your auto insurance costs. Some or all of these steps may be the right ones for you, and, depending on your individual situation, may help you get cheap car insurance that still meets your particular coverage needs.

Specific ways to save money on auto insurance:

1. Take a hard look at your insurance needs
Some people may be carrying more insurance than they need. You may be one of those who don’t need quite as much coverage depending on your individual situation. Though it’s always better to over protect yourself than to under protect, you still may want to look at your circumstances and see if reducing your coverage a bit is a good idea. In addition, you may want to consider increasing your deductible. Many people find that raising the deductible on their car insurance helps them reduce their rates. In fact, you may be able to reduce your annual premium by 10 percent or more if you just increase your deductible from $250 to $500. Make sure before doing this, however, that you have the resources to meet the higher deductible amount should you be involved in an accident.

2. Shop around for the best rates.
Make sure you are evaluating quotes from many different providers before you buy. You may be surprised to learn that car insurance premiums for the exact same coverage on the same vehicle can vary significantly… often by hundreds of dollars or more when you compare different car insurance carriers – even in states that more strongly regulate rates. In less than eight minutes QualityAutoInsurance.com helps you get cheap car insurance by giving you instant, online, FREE side-by-side quotes from 15 top tier companies. All you have to do is fill out one simple form.

3. Make sure you have a good credit history.
Your credit report is, without question, an important factor in determining your rates for virtually all car insurance carriers. Studies have shown that there is a correlation between your credit history and the risk you pose to your insurance company. Make sure you pay your bills on time and maintain a good credit history. This will help make sure you get better quotes, and ultimately, cheaper auto insurance. 

4. Be a safe driver.
Insurance companies like safe drivers. Most offer discounts on policies for people who have, and maintain, clean driving records. A clean driving record generally means no accidents, moving violations, DUI convictions, etc… If you do have a moving violation on your record, the good news is that after three years (in most cases), you record is wiped clean. A DUI, however, will usually not be purged from your record for up to ten years or more depending on the state in which you live. Want cheap premiums? Make sure you are a safe driver.

5. Don’t drive so much.
People who drive less than a certain number of miles in a year, in many cases 7,500 miles or less, may qualify for a low-mileage discount. If your insurer offers a low mileage discount, try to limit your driving as much as possible. In addition, high mileage drivers are often assessed a higher premium (usually over 10,000 to 12,000 depending on your state and carrier). If you commute to work, consider using public transportation instead of driving – or look at a car pool to share mileage with another driver. When you take a vacation, consider flying or taking a train.

6. Avoid using your car for business.
Work-related driving usually calls for higher premiums than non-business driving. Depending on your individual situation, it may be better for you to stop using your vehicle for business purposes. If you must use your vehicle for business, try to limit the usage and discuss that limitation with your current company. They may give you a break for “occasional” business use.

7. Consider a “low-risk” vehicle.
All different kinds of makes and models of vehicles are rated by car insurance companies on a risk scale. Generally speaking, flashy, high-performance vehicles are classified as higher risks because they are more commonly targeted by thieves and because statistically, the people who own them tend to drive more recklessly. If you own such a vehicle, you will likely pay a higher premium than if you owned a lower-risk car. In addition, the more expensive an auto is, typically the more expensive it is to insure because expensive cars cost more to repair or replace in the event of an accident or a theft.

8. Change your residence.
People who live in rural communities with low crime rates and less traffic, typically pay lower premiums than folks who live in an urban area where a vehicle is more likely to be stolen or involved in an accident. 

9. Garage your car.
If you have the option to park your auto in a garage, you should. Cars in garages are less likely to be stolen, vandalized, or hit by other drivers while parked. Many insurance carriers may offer a premium reduction if you park your auto in a garage.

10. Install safety devices and anti-theft devices in your car.
Insurance carriers often provide discounts on car insurance for vehicles equipped with devices such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, and electronic stability control. Anti-theft devices such as car alarms and vehicle tracking systems may also qualify you for a discount because they reduce the chances of your auto being broken into or stolen and/or help in recovering the vehicle if it has been stolen.

11. Consider multi-family policies and multi-policy options.
Multifamily policies usually provide the opportunity for discounts from your insurance carrier. In addition, many insurance companies offer discounts to their customers if they buy more than one type of insurance through that same company. So consider buying your homeowner’s policy from the same company that insures your vehicles.

12. Evaluate other discount options.
Some insurance companies offer certain other discounts that you may not know about. Examples of this are discounts for taking defensive driving courses or advanced driving courses, having memberships in certain organizations such as AAA, or keeping your policy with the same car insurance company for a number of years.

13. Get cheaper car insurance by comparing.
QualityAutoInsurance.com lets you compare instant, online quotes from 15 top carriers and make sure you’re getting the best rate. Take a few minutes to fill out our simple form. If you’re like many of our customers, you’ll save money on your car insurance right now.