How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance

Most drivers that are shopping for auto insurance are looking for one thing: the cheapest insurance rate possible. Studies have shown that the average driver is overpaying by 30% for their auto insurance. What most people don’t realize is that there are lots of different things that a driver can do to make their auto insurance premium more affordable. Here are some tips and tricks to help find cheap auto insurance:

1) Defensive driving: Most auto insurance companies offer a small discount for drivers that complete a defensive driving class. There are many different options for taking a defensive driving course. You can take the class at a school, take it online, or even rent the defensive driving course from a video store. Defensive driving courses can also help lower your auto insurance if you have received a ticket.

2) Drive the right car: Auto insurance companies look at the make and model of the vehicle that you are insuring to determine your auto insurance rate. Sports cars and luxury cars are going to be more expensive to insure as well as cars that have a high theft or accident rate. Vehicles that are expensive to repair are more expensive to insure because the insurance company will have to pay more to fix them. A car with good safety features such as anti-lock brakes and airbags will also have a cheaper auto insurance premium.

3) Know your discounts: Almost every car insurance company offers different discounts that help drivers find cheap car insurance rates. Some common discounts are the military discount, good student discount, safe driver discount, and the multi-car discount. Make sure you ask your auto insurance company about which car insurance discounts you might qualify for.

4) Only get the coverage you need: Make sure you only get the amount of auto insurance coverage that you actually need. If you are driving a 15 year old car that is only worth $1000 you probably don’t need full coverage auto insurance. Ultimately the decision of how much coverage you buy is up to you, but it’s something you might want to think about to help save money on your auto insurance.

5) Think about your deductible: The higher your deductible the cheaper your auto insurance rate will be, so raising your deductible from $500 to $1000 could really help lower your car insurance premium. Increasing your deductible also increases your liability in an accident, but if you are more worried about saving on your monthly payment, this might be the right option for you.

6) Be a safe driver: The longer you go without an accident, the cheaper your auto insurance is going to be. If you avoid eating, smoking or talking on your phone while driving you can greatly reduce your risk of getting in to a car accident. Avoid speeding and running stop signs and red lights. Every ticket that you get just increases your auto insurance premium. Also, make sure you park your car in a garage or other safe place to reduce your risk of theft. Anything you can do to lower your risk of getting in to an accident or having your car stolen will help lower your auto insurance premium.

7) Compare quotes and choose the right company: Every auto insurance company is different and uses different criteria to determine your auto insurance rate. That is why it is so important for drivers to compare car insurance quotes from a variety of insurance providers to find the cheapest auto insurance. Make sure you look at price as well as coverage amounts.

Finding cheap auto insurance is pretty easy if you take the time to do your research. Now that you know the tips and tricks to finding affordable auto insurance, you could save hundreds on your auto insurance this year.

Compare Quotes Before You Renew Your Policy

Some drivers stay with their current auto insurance company because they feel that they are giving them the best rate. What drivers need to realize is that just because you’re current car insurance provider was the cheapest when you first purchased your policy, that doesn’t mean they are now. Auto insurance rates are constantly changing and companies are offering different discounts and deals every week. Most drivers just allow their current auto insurance policy to renew year after year to avoid the hassle of searching for a different company, and this is exactly why so many Americans are paying more than they should for their auto insurance.

The best thing you can do to avoid overpaying for your auto insurance is to compare quotes from a few different companies before you renew your policy to make sure you are still getting the cheapest auto insurance. You might find that a different company offers you a cheaper auto insurance rate. It is recommended that a driver compares quotes from at least 3 different car insurance companies to find affordable car insurance. Comparison shopping is the single best way to find cheap car insurance.

Auto Insurance Discounts Help You Save

Every auto insurance company offers a different variety of discounts for drivers that meet certain qualifications. Don’t worry though, you don’t have to have a squeaky clean driving record to get some of them either. Auto insurance discounts are one of the best ways to get cheap auto insurance. Here are some of the most common car insurance discounts that are offered:

1) Multi-policy discount: Most auto insurance companies will give you a discount if you have a different insurance policy with them in addition to your auto policy such as home insurance, boat insurance, RV insurance, etc.
2) Multi-car discount: If you have more than one car on your policy, most companies will offer you a cheaper rate.
3) Renewal discount: Offered to customers that renew their policy or are long term customers of a particular auto insurance company.
4) Good driver discount: Available for drivers that have been accident free for 3-5+ years (varies depending on the company)
5) Safe vehicle discount: Available for vehicles with alarm systems, air bags, anti-lock brakes, etc.
6) Military Discount: Some auto insurance providers offer discounts for drivers that are active or retired military

Auto insurance companies offer these special discounts so they can offer low cost auto insurance to their customers, so make sure you ask your auto insurance company if they offer any special discounts that you may qualify for or you could end up overpaying for your car insurance. Most auto insurance companies ask certain questions on their online auto insurance quote form to see which discounts are available for you.