If your insurance rates are expensive, you’ll be happy to know there are a few things you can do to get better rates. Having a good driving record, spending less time on the road, and lumping policies together can all help lower your annual premiums.
Here’s a closer look at some of the top tips for lowering your auto insurance costs.
Drive Safely: This may seem like an obvious one, but the fewer accidents you are in and the fewer tickets you receive, the lower your insurance rates will be.
Attend Traffic School: If you get into an accident, it may take less time to just pay the ticket and get on with your life, but it might not be the most financially savvy decision in the long run. If the court offers you the option, you should pay a little extra to attend traffic school—that way, the ticket won’t show on your records or affect your premiums.
Drive Less: Have you ever noticed your insurance agent asking for how much mileage you put on your car each year? This is because your insurer factors how much you drive into your premiums. The less you drive, the lower your premiums will be because you have lower chances of getting in an accident.
Add Safety Features to Your Car: When you add certain safety features to your car, such as voice controls, back-up cameras, and blind spot warnings, you can save on premiums.
Ask about Available Discounts: Many auto insurance companies will give you a discount for varying reasons. Here are some practices that could get you a discount.
- Getting good grades
- Taking a defensive driving course
- Driving a hybrid car
- Having multiple family members on one policy
- Being in the military
- Paying your premium upfront
Do Your Research Before You Buy: Did you know that certain cars are much more expensive to insure than others? Before purchasing your car, do some research to see how much it costs to insure the car you want to buy.
Switch Insurance Carriers: Not all insurance agencies are created equal. If you already have a policy with a particular insurance carrier, get a quote from another insurance agency to see if they can beat the price you are currently paying.
Select the Right Plan: If you pick a policy with a higher deductible, you can save on your monthly premium. Of course, if you get into an accident, you will have to pay more to get your car fixed, but if you drive safely, opting for a higher deductible may be in your best interest.
Buy All Your Insurance Policies from One Provider: When buying insurance, consider purchasing all your policies from the same insurance provider—including car, motorcycle, homeowners, and life insurance. When you purchase all your policies from the same vendor, you could get a hefty discount.
Stay in Contact with Your Insurance Company: It never hurts to stay in contact with your insurance agent to either ask for additional discounts or to make sure that everything is in line with your current premium. For example, if you have a ticket that you know should be officially taken off your record, contact your insurance agent and find out if it is still affecting your insurance.
At SafeWise, your car’s security is one of our top concerns. Check out our top dash cam picks to boost your vehicle’s safety—and maybe net an insurance discount in the process.
