Gather As Many Tips About Auto Insurance As Possible |
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Mary Bruns
August 14, 2013
Are you buying auto insurance for the first time? You probably don't even know where to start. It's no secret that purchasing auto insurance for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. Below are some tips that can help to make getting a new auto insurance policy a bit smoother.
When considering auto insurance for a young driver, keep in mind the type of car in relation to the type of insurance you are buying. If the car itself is not worth that much money, pay special attention to the extras on the claim, as well as the deductible amount. Most providers will work with you, based on your choices.
Before you add your teenage driver to your auto insurance policy, take a look at your own credit history. If your credit is good, it's usually cheaper to add a teen to your own policy. But if you have had credit problems, it would be better not to hand that on to your child; start them off with a policy in their own name.
Most student drivers pose a higher risk to auto insurance companies because their age bracket is statistically involved in more accidents, but students can combat this by simply making the honor roll. Students with good grades are less likely to get behind the wheel of their cars drunk or having taken drugs, and insurance companies know this.
If you're currently covered by a car insurance policy and happen to see the same policy for a better price, do not jump at the offer right away. A lot of drivers will instantly switch sides when they see the dollar signs, but they never bother to read the fine print. Companies lure you in with the promise of low payments, but leave you lacking in coverage, so always be weary of this fact.
Having multiple drivers on one insurance policy is a good way to save money, but having multiple drivers of one car is an even better way. Instead of opting for multiple automobiles, have your family make do with one car. Over the life of your policy, you can save hundreds of dollars by driving the same vehicle.
Drivers who do not file insurance claims are entitled to big discounts. Make sure you broach this no-claims topic after you have been with the same insurance carrier for a few years. Drivers with five years of filing no claims can be rewarded with up to 75% off of their premium payments. Now that's some big-time savings.
Join an appropriate car owners' club if you are looking for cheaper insurance on a high-value auto. Drivers with exotic, rare or antique cars know how painfully expensive they can be to insure. If you join a club for enthusiasts in the same situation, you may gain access to group insurance offers that give you significant discounts.
Do not forget to update your car insurance policy if you relocate. Even if you are only moving a few miles away, make the changes. You may not like what you see, though, because premiums are set by zip code. In one town it could be higher because the theft and collision rates are higher.
Many people don't realize it, but the type and model of car that you have can greatly affect the price of insurance. An SUV needs a much higher amount of coverage than a basic economy style car. When you are purchasing your car, be sure to take insurance prices into account to see if the actual price fits into your budget.
Although many people realize that the type of car can affect the price of insurance, you should also be aware that the rarity of the car will change the price. If you have a car which has very expensive prices of repair, this will be reflected in the price of your insurance as well!
Get a car insurance quote before you purchase a new vehicle. One of the major factors in how much your policy will cost you is the kind of car that you own. The same brand of car with a different model can change your yearly rates by a thousand dollars. Make sure you know that you can afford the insurance before you leave with the car.
Bundle all of your insurance needs to save money. When you are looking for cheaper auto insurance, consider asking the company that carries your home-owner policy, or renter's insurance, if they also have car insurance policies. You will often save quite a bit of money by having all of your insurance in one place.
When trying to get affordable auto insurance, keep in mind your state's minimum liability coverage requirements. You need to know what minimums to obtain so that you can get a policy that matches these particular minimums. You can find a list of your state's minimums at your state's insurance commissioner's website.
Review your insurance policy to make sure you are not being overcharged. Check for accurate annual mileage, verify your car's make, model and year. Double-check that the policy reflects your proper work commute, especially if it is very short. All of your policy's information is found on the Declaration page. Also verify that no additional coverage was added without your agreement, and that all promised discounts were applied.
J.D. Power ratings are a very handy guide for selecting an auto insurance company. They compare insurers on a number of criteria like cost, coverage options, claims handling, and customer satisfaction. They also take surveys with insurance customers to find which company has happy customers and which tend to cause problems for their customers.
One of the things that you can do in order to lower the monthly payments on your car insurance is by adding your spouse to the insurance policy. Some insurance companies give reductions when they know that their customer is married as opposed to being unmarried. They see marriage as a sign associated to stability.
As you have seen, buying auto insurance is not as scary as it may appear at first. Just think of all of the benefits it has and all of the expenses it can take care of, along with all of the money it can save you in the long run.