Quick Tips for Getting Lower Car Insurance

Nov 23

If you can wrap your head around a few key concepts, your quest for lower car insurance just might become a reality. It certainly seems complex, but if you break it down you can get a clearer picture of where the savings can be found.

What Are The Factors?

Being aware of which factors are generally responsible for setting your car insurance rates will help you work the situation in your favour. Some of the factors that affect your rates include:

  • Your driving record
  • The type of car you drive
  • How much you drive the car
  • Where you live
  • Your age and gender
  • How much extra coverage you purchase
  • The specific company your choose
  • The deductible you pay

Take some time to research each of these factors and you should be able change some of them to reduce your car insurance.

Fishing for Discounts

No matter what car insurance company you go with, they will offer discounts. Basically, car insurance discounts refer to breaks in the price of your premiums if you meet certain criteria. These criteria usually have to do with things that will bring the car insurance company more money, or will reduce the likelihood of you making a claim.

It’s also true that not all companies offer the same discounts, so it’s wise to ask before you start assuming things. You might get a discount for having certain safety features, for being a retiree, for having a sparkling driving record, for having multiple policies or for having undergone extensive driver training.

Also, you could try to increase your deductible, which is the amount that you would be responsible for paying out of pocket before the insurance kicks in. While you can reduce the monthly insurance premiums by doing this, you might want to check how quick can you get it, as well as if you have enough savings in case of an accident.

Check the Competition

Just like all car insurance companies don’t offer the same discounts, they don’t charge the same rates for similar services, either. There are probably several car insurance places in close proximity to you, and you can always look online for quotes, too. Check out Mercury Auto Insurance, for example. Shop around and you’ll be able to find the absolute lowest rates for your situation.

Raise Your Deductible

If you have an accident, the amount you pay toward the repairs before the insurance kicks in is known as the deductible. There is usually a minimum, but you can pay more in exchange for a lower premium. Be sure to ask about the deductible and how you can use it to lower your insurance premiums.

Drive Carefully

As mentioned earlier, your driving record is one of the factors that determine your insurance rates, so obeying the rules of the road and driving carefully is important for lower insurance. Obey the speed limits, don’t drive aggressively, and don’t use your phone while driving and you should be fine.

Author Bio: This guest post was written by George Hillston, a financial professional and part-time blogger for Belairdirect Auto Insurance.