10 Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance Rates
Posted on September 20, 2008
1. Shop Around
Prices vary from company to company, so it pays to shop around. Get at least three price quotes. This website will save you the time from doing this the slow and hard way as it will get you quotes from up to a dozen companies all at once. You can call companies directly or access information on the Internet. Your state insurance department may also provide comparisons of prices charged by major insurers.
Get quotes from different types of insurance companies. Some sell through their own agents. These agencies have the same name as the insurance company. Some sell through independent agents who offer policies from several insurance companies. Others do not use agents. They sell directly to consumers over the phone or via the Internet. Our site offers the best of all worlds.
Don’t shop price alone. Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations. Contact your state insurance department to find out whether they provide information on consumer complaints by company. Pick an agent or company representative that takes the time to answer your questions. You can use the checklist on the back of this brochure to help you compare quotes from insurers and on the same coverage.
Remember that you are in charge and can negotiate prices down between competing car insurance companies. they have the right to make money, but you have the right to get the best deal.
2. Before You Buy a Car, Compare Insurance Costs
Before you buy a new or used car, check into insurance costs. Car insurance premiums are based in part on the car’s sticker price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record, and the likelihood of theft. Many insurers offer discounts for features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft. These include daytime running lights and anti-theft devices. Even the color of the car can make a difference; red cars for example are known to be a signal that you may be a “sporty” type of driver, so rates tend to be a little higher than say, gray or white. To help you decide what car to buy, you can get information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org).
3. Ask for Higher Deductibles
Deductibles are what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in. In other words, if you have an accident, you will pay this amount before the car insurance companies begins to pay anything on that claim. By requesting higher deductibles, you can lower your costs substantially, but of course this is a tradeoff. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40 percent or more. Before choosing a higher deductible, be sure you have enough money set aside to pay it if you have a claim.
4. Reduce Coverage on Older Cars
Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverages on older cars. If your car is worth less than 10 times the premium, purchasing the coverage may not be cost effective. What this means for you is that if you have an accident, and the police determine that you are fault, your car will not be covered by your insurance company (just the other guys car). Remember though that if they cause the accident, you are covered either way. Auto dealers and banks can tell you the worth of cars. Or you can look it up online at Nada Guides, Kelley’s Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com), or similar service. Review your coverage at renewal time to make sure your insurance needs haven’t changed.
5. Buy your Homeowners and Auto Coverage from the Same Insurer
Many insurers will give you a break if you buy two or more types of insurance. Some insurers reduce the rates for long-time customers. But it still makes sense to shop around! You may save money buying from different insurance companies, compared with a multi-policy discount.
6. Maintain a Good Credit Record
Establishing a solid credit history can cut your insurance costs. Insurers are increasingly using credit information to price auto insurance policies. To protect your credit standing, pay your bills on time, don’t obtain more credit than you need and keep your credit balances as low as possible. Check your credit record on a regular basis and have any errors corrected promptly so that your record remains accurate.
7. Take Advantage of Low Mileage Discounts
Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive a lower than average number of miles a year. Low mileage discounts can also apply to drivers who car pool to work.
8. Ask about Group Insurance
Some companies offer reductions to drivers who get insurance through a group plan from their employers, through professional, business and alumni groups, or other associations. Ask your employer and inquire with groups or clubs you are a member of to see if this is possible.
9. Seek Out Other Discounts
Companies offer discounts to policyholders who have not had any accidents or moving violations for a number of years–what is known as a good drivers discount. You may also get a discount if you take a defensive driving course. If there is a young driver on the policy who is a good student, has taken a drivers education course or is at a college out of the area without a car, you may also qualify for a lower rate.
9. Get Multiple Drivers or Cars on Your Policy
You may also get a reduction if you have more than one vehicle insured with the same company.In some cases, you will pay less for two cars than you will for one. This is because insurance companies perceive that you have a family, and are therefore a safer driver. Sometimes you will find that adding a second driver will add very little cost to your policy.
State Insurance Departments and Web sites
| When you comparison shop, inquire about discounts for the following:*
[ ] $500 deductible [ ] $1,000 deductible [ ] More than 1 car [ ] No Accidents in 3 Years [ ] No Moving Violations in 3 Years [ ] Driver Training Courses [ ] Defensive Driving Courses [ ] Anti-Theft Devices [ ] Low Annual Mileage [ ] Air Bags [ ] Anti-Lock Brakes [ ] Daytime Running Lights [ ] Student Drivers with Good Grades [ ] Auto and Homeowners Coverage with the Same Company [ ] College Students away from Home [ ] Long-Time Customer [ ] Other Discounts The key to savings is not the discounts, but the final price. A company that offers few discounts may still have a lower overall price. *The discounts listed may not be available in all states or from all insurance companies. For more information, call the National Insurance Consumer Helpline (NICH) at 1-800-942-4242 |
Reviewed by:
Consumer Federation of America
Federal Citizen Information Center
National Consumers League
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, USDA
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Posted on September 12, 2008
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