As the costs of many goods and services continue to rise, so does the price of auto insurance. Every driver must purchase it, whether they can easily afford it or not. There is simply not a choice, in the matter.
Fortunately, there are ways to get cheaper auto insurance, as long as you know what to look for. It can be a bit time consuming, but definitely worth it in the long run.
The best type of agency to purchase lower-cost insurance is a direct agency.
This is one where employees assist you with quotes and your actual purchase,
either online or by telephone. Since these agents don’t receive a commission,
for the policies they write, you will pay less for coverage.
Purchase your policy through an agency that offers a variety of discounts.
Surprisingly, there are several available. You should be advised that these
discounts will vary from company to company. So, if one agency doesn’t offer the
specific discount you are looking for… shop around.
There are separate discounts for those who carry more than one type of policy with the same company, own more than one vehicle, have been accident free for several years, have taken a driver’s education class, have maintained good grades in school, have air bags and anti-lock brakes and are of retirement age… just to name a few.
Regardless of the insurance provider you utilize, you will get cheaper auto coverage if you drive an older model vehicle. New cars, as well as the most popular models are always more expensive to insure. Don’t let a big ego prevent you from obtaining an affordable policy. Believe it or not, insuring a popular model can cost up to $1000 more, per year.
If you do own an older car, it may not be worth it to carry comprehensive
coverage. This is the coverage that protects against theft, vandalism and
natural disasters. Opting out can save you over 10%.
Going one step further, many states will allow drivers to go without collision
coverage, as well. This is the coverage that pays to repair or replace the
vehicle, when involved in an accident.
Locate an agent who is able to offer a discount for any safety devices you might
have in your vehicle. This includes items such as burglar alarms and stand-alone
steering wheel locking devices.
Each state has its own requirements, in regard to the minimum amount of liability coverage each driver must carry. This usually includes: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury and per accident property damage.
To get the cheapest auto insurance possible, it is imperative that you choose an agency that will take the time to explain these minimum requirements to you. Remember, not all agencies will be eager to share the information voluntarily. Obviously, this is due to the fact that the more liability you carry, the higher their profit. Chances are you will need to ask.
Since the insurance industry is quite competitive, all it really comes down to
your willingness to shop around for the best deal.
